Creative Retrofitting Through Meaningful Testing

This paper explores the feasibility of adopting an integrated design approach for retrofitting an existing institutional building into a cultural museum in Singapore. Retrofitting to meet the architectural programme and integrate environmental considerations in the design process inevitably will lead to resolving the conflicts between the architectural and environmental design issues, which include daylighting and glare, natural and mechanical ventilation, acoustics and noise control. The investigation is explored at two levels: at the macro level, for the building and micro level, a gallery. At the macro level, the design challenge is to start with retaining the crucial structural elements of the existing building, and then through selective disassembly and reuse of certain materials, aims to reduce operating energy. Computational and physical model studies on the luminous and thermal environment inside the museum enable quick performative prediction and qualitative and quantitative exploration of design ideas ahead of the final scheme. Through evidence based testing and critical analysis, the museum demonstrated a much improved architectural proposition and an appropriate luminous environment for the exhibits. At the micro level, a special study has been conducted on the 3rd floor exhibition gallery. Programme specific passive environmental strategies were developed for further testing to enhance the intuitive design process. Key passive design strategies implemented are daylighting and natural ventilation in the challenging hot and humid urban environment. Throughout the investigation, relevant design guidelines and industry standards are used to measure against the proposed environmental design strategies. Meaningful building performance analysis assists design decision making and help achieve the desired holistic architectural solutions. This paper illustrates the process of creative designing through testing and concludes with recommendations for developing passive low energy building by adopting an integrated approach in Singapore.