Green Expectations

Architecture Biophilic architecture has been shown to improve our wellbeing, while creating benefits for the entire ecosystem and paving the way to a sustainable future with nature

When the Covid-19 pandemic struck and cities and industrial activity came to a standstill, smog-free mountain vistas and renewed biodiversity in rivers sent an astoundingly clear confirmation of mankind’s destructive methods. But in mending this broken thread, pushing for energy-efficient building is not enough. To be truly sustainable, urban planners, engineers and architects alike have to integrate our man-made structures as part of the larger ecosystem, which will allow us to create environments that are symbiotic with nature. The following design practitioners show us how we can build and live in more naturalistic and passive ways, in Singapore and abroad.

project—a Super Low Energy (SLE) resort operated by Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts at the National Singapore Zoo.

How does the firm incorporate principles of sustainability into your projects?

Our philosophy of sustainability is broad and integrates the environment with economic, social and physical aspects because we believe humanity needs to live in harmony with its surroundings, one another and the cultural traditions of world. In our projects, we always conceive the landscape, architecture and interior as an integrated whole to create a total sensory experience.

The most significant steps come in the buildings that will be realised in this decade—the Mandai Resort in Singapore, the Botanical Resort in Ubud, Bali, and other projects currently underway—in which conservation of existing forests takes priority over architectural expression and the spatial experience is one of deep immersion into the existing landscape.

What should our approach to materials be?

I believe that learning about materials in an applied manner is essential to the architect. The architects I admire most, such as Luis Barragan, Geoffrey Bawa, Louis Kahn, Kerry Hill and Shigeru Ban, as well as studios such as Case Design in India and Comunal Taller in Mexico, strive to use traditional materials and craftsmanship to create timeless architecture. The problem with nations in the developed worlds is that they sometimes forget their heritage and craft traditions, and assume that (only) modern, industrialised products can withstand the test of time.

The Ubud Botanical Resort in Bali, Indonesia features architecture inspired by Balinese mythology; conceived as a ‘land-scraper’, the Vivanta by Taj - Whitefield resort in India features sloping roof surfaces that allow guests to walk in, around and on the building; WOW Architects and Warner Wong Design co-founders Wong Chiu Man and Maria Warner Wong

How can we look for new ways of biophilic design beyond the default green wall? To do this, we must experience nature first-hand and personally through tree conservation, minimising impact on the surroundings and by allowing vernacular plant species to propagate organically rather than importing impressive plants from far-f lung locations. We can become more familiar and comfortable with the environment and less fearful of nature as we grow accustomed to it.