High-Performance Building Design In Singapore: Scientific Planning And Support

High performance buildings are characterized by high-energy efficiency, durability, indoor comfort, well-being and productivity of the occupants. This requires `across-the-board´ sustainability and efficiency practices, technologies and system integration. Scientific Planning and Support (SPS) is a process that applies i) an integrated design approach to facilitate better communication, collaboration and planning between different stakeholders, ii) scientific studies and reviews to support technology selection and system decisions in design, and iii) rigorous simulation and analysis to assess the benefits and performance implications of the decisions. In this paper, we describe a case study of a project, a first of its kind in Singapore, which adopted the Scientific Planning and Support process to design a high performance laboratory building under local conditions. We first outline the SPS approach, and then present the execution of this approach during the planning, design and development stages. The paper concludes with the results achieved due to the SPS process, the shortcomings discovered during the execution of the project and recommended changes that for future SPS projects. It is expected that the SPS process and the outcomes of this case study will help buildings, communities and cities achieve higher design performance goals and minimize design process waste.