The Singapore House, Revisited
Sustainable Design Option Studio 3 (Joshua Comaroff & Ong Ker Shing)
Spring 2016

In a multi-generational home, shared spaces are needed as much as private spaces. Shared spaces are spaces for the family to congregate, casual or formal, while private spaces are needed for ample rest and quiet activities. Hence, individual privacy must be kept for each generation while collective living stays prominent to make for harmonious living. Could this common shared space also be the most energy efficient, yet thermally comfortable, attracting people to use these spaces rather than spending time in the air-conditioned ones?

Flow House focuses on the performative aspect of this shared space in terms of natural ventilation and its symbiotic relationship with orientation, form, program and other configurations. The private spaces are oriented specifically to reduce heating from the west sun, while the shared space is oriented towards the prevailing winds to solely operate on natural ventilation. Through pinching the form in plan and section, it was apparent that the wind speed increases through the venturi effect. The intersections between the private and commons is where formal tension is turned into interesting programmatic uses for a happening multigeneration family life. Centrally pivoted louvres adapt to any changes in wind direction, customizable to the family’s needs.