serie + multply rethink singapore bungalows into super-low energy housing

a super-low energy building

london-based serie architects works together with multiply architects in the design of the jervois mansion. the residential project is a super low energy building, planned to achieve a yearly savings of 1,647,362 kilowatts of energy, 9,430 cubic meters of water, and 825 tonnes of carbon. the five-story apartment blocks are organized around lushly planted courtyard spaces that host pools, ponds, and a range of other social and recreation spaces.

the area’s low-density zoning has allowed for a new approach to apartment building in singapore. the design team sought to redefine the city’s increasingly high-rise residential lifestyle by embracing a ‘living close to the ground’ approach.

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low the ground living

serie architects + multiply architects‘ jervois mansion draws on singapore’s historical ‘black and white bungalows.’ this 19th and 20th century colonial typology responds to its tropical context through the use of overhangs, verandas, and densely planted surroundings. at jervois mansion, generous balconies and continuous planters follow the same principles of ground-based bungalow living but expressed at multiple levels.

developed by kimen group with roxy-pacific holdings as development manager, jervois mansion marks the first private residential building in singapore to be awarded green mark goldplus super low energy status, under singapore’s building construction authority (BCA) certification.

serie + multiply’s jervois mansion

serie + multiply architects’ jervois mansion is loosely arranged as six free-standing five-story blocks. this layout creates a porous ground plane and elevation along all four boundaries of the site, ensuring ample airflow across the residential blocks. five of the six blocks contain no more than four apartments per floor, maximizing the elevational area for natural ventilation. the apartments are laid out to achieve triple aspect orientation. as a result, more than 60% of living spaces and 100% of corridors are naturally ventilated, thus reducing the reliance on energy intensive air-conditioning systems.

the façade design revalidates the veranda of the historical black and white bungalows, transforming them into continuous planters and balconies. supported and articulated by fine black frames, the white painted elements allude to the regional 19th century precedent. the planters are 1m wide unbroken 500mm deep externalised planters that run the entire length of the front and side façades of the housing blocks. balconies are then placed above these planters, maintaining close contact to nature despite being away from the ground. together with lush planting these white planters and balconies passively reduce solar heat gain creating more comfortable interior and exterior spaces.