A Greener Future for the Tropics: How to Design Buildings that Can Take the Heat
Cities located along the equator are growing rapidly, but their hot, humid and rainy climates present a challenge for designers. How can we deliver high-quality, mixed-use projects in tropical areas that prioritize performance of both people and buildings in a climate-changing world? First, create a “generative” workplace through connection and well-being. Second, implement location-specific sustainability measures. And last, design with a sense of place.
This piece was originally published in CTBUH Journal.
Cities in the equatorial region are experiencing unprecedented growth, which is also driving large-scale construction. In fact, emerging economies in the Asia-Pacific region will increase from 34% of global construction now to 40% by 2030. At the same time, heat stress—combinations of heat and humidity that are dangerous to humans—is also expected to become more dangerous in the region.
To accommodate growth and address critical sustainability needs, we explore three strategies to design mixed-use high-rise developments in tropical climates that can be successfully applied to tall buildings all over the world.
Create a “Generative” Workplace
Buildings are designed first and foremost for people. So, office environments should actively generate relationships and ideas to spark innovation. We call this idea “the generative workplace”—one that reimagines the office through restorative spaces, connection to nature, access to alternative workspaces and opportunities for social interaction.
Instead of a typical, closed-off development, Keppel South Central in Singapore is designed as a vertical park, with workspaces built in, featuring a mix of alternative workspaces and public amenities such as cafes, restaurants, sky terraces and health facilities that blur indoors and outdoors. At Oasis Central Sudirman in Jakarta, Indonesia, a series of green outdoor spaces are carved out at strategic locations throughout the building, layered with green terraces, open-air courtyards, covered plazas and community pools to offer access to light, air, water and views.
Employ Location-Specific Sustainability Measures
In years past, design drove a project, and sustainability was considered an afterthought. Now, as we reckon with climate change and the impact of the built environment on emissions worldwide, this mindset has shifted. Adopting sustainability and energy efficiency measures informed by a project’s location allow for a design that takes advantage of its surroundings rather than fighting against them.
A building design that works with its climate can also encourage people to embrace the outdoors, even in hot, rainy and humid conditions. The design of the Keppel South Central project—which was awarded Singapore’s highest sustainability Green Mark Platinum (Super Low Energy) status—creates a microclimate underneath an exterior canopy structure that protects the public open space and allows people to spend longer periods outside. An exterior environmental veil shrouds the office building, blocking direct sun while reflecting ambient daylight into the interior, rooftop-mounted photovoltaics generate energy to power lighting and exterior air fans in the outdoor public spaces, and rainwater harvested from the veil surfaces is recycled for landscape irrigation.
In addition to temperature increase, Asian and tropical coastlines are most vulnerable to rising sea levels due to climate change. Both Oasis Central Sudirman in Jakarta and Keppel Towers in Singapore feature robust sustainability measures that safeguard against extreme weather conditions, such as energy and rainwater harvesting and porous, protective environmental enclosures.
Design with a Sense of Place
Traditionally, tall buildings separate people from one another, creating barriers rather than connections. By contrast, a design inspired by local materiality, craft and culture, and a commitment to public open space that can be enjoyed by all, can result in a building that serves as a beacon for the city and a connector to the community. Oasis Central Sudirman’s iconic traditional roof structures reference traditional Javanese vernacular, while patterns common to Batik fabrics inspire the design of the exterior shading system. At Two Taikoo Place in Hong Kong, the first two floors are completely open to the public, promoting inclusivity and a range of social interactions within the building.
Materiality and incorporating local craft also establish a sense of place. Lastly, projects like these also enhance the identity of their cities through distinctive forms that serve as a visual landmark. Oasis Central Sudirman measures 370 M—the tallest building and first supertall in Jakarta —and serves as an important icon of the city.
The era of hermetically sealed glass buildings that disconnect people from one another and the environment is giving way to a more human-centric and environmentally mindful approach. The imperative to create healthy buildings that contribute to a sustainable future, along with cultural changes in the way we live, work and connect are opening new design opportunities that will radically transform both our cities and their impact on the planet.
