Eco-active Totems project is a multi-disciplinary collaboration between bioSEA, WOHA Architects, Systmz and GWS Living Art and research partner Mandai Nature. Starting with Singapore, the project aims to create habitat for animals in the city using re-imagined totems and nest boxes such that they become elegant, durable and functional.                                                      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learning from the chameleon’s micro skin texture and chromatophores (colour-producing cells), an interactive building facade system is proposed which allows a building skin to evolve and become adaptable in appearance either to provide a noticeable experience for users or respond to certain environmental conditions.   

 

 

 

 

In collaboration with the National University of Singapore and Tongji University in Shanghai, bioSEA’s director Anuj guided students in the MSc. Integrated Sustainable Design Studio to develop an ecological and ecosystem service enhancement strategy for the Baoshan District of Shanghai. We drew design inspiration from Shanghai’s Dongtan wetland reserve, a haven for migratory birds, and proposed a greening plan for the district which led to enhanced migratory bird habitats along the district’s coastlines. We also removed key bottlenecks to animal movement in the landscape which led to improved connectivity for wildlife. Several newly proposed corridors also incorporated human uses of green areas such as community farming and permaculture plots. Ecosystem services of green areas were calculated using the ESII tool and incorporated into urban design.                        

 

In collaboration with National University of Singapore’s MSc. Integrated Sustainable Design Studio, bioSEA’s director Anuj advised students to redesign Sungei Kadut – one of the oldest industrial estates in Singapore slated for redevelopment into a key manufacturing centre for JTC. We reimagined the estate as a next-generation industrial park where natural ecosystems work in a sustainable and symbiotic manner with the industries and mixed-use commercial and residential spaces. Surrounded by natural assets, the final designs increased the size, quality and connectivity of green spaces thereby improving the ecology of the district while also showing substantial improvement in ecosystem services.

 

 

 

 

Msc. student Leanne Hann and PhD candidate Katharina Hecht from Utrecht University worked with bioSEA to undertake research in Singapore with particular focus on two aspects (i) green walls and their utility to biodiversity and managing thermal comfort & (ii) optimising ecosystem services in the built environment. The study was supported by NTU, Asian School of the Environment (ASE), Resilient and Inclusive Cities Lab and Nanyang Environment And Water Research Institute (NEWRI).                                                                                                                                                           

WOHA, in collaboration with bioSEA, was awarded a Good Design Research grant by the DesignSingapore Council to develop a framework to quantify and communicate the benefits of nature-centric design. In this research project, bioSEA assessed the ecological and social significance of greenery integrated into 5 buildings, encompassing five notable building projects: OASIA Hotel Downtown, Park Royal Collection Pickering, Skyville@Dawson, Kampung Admiralty, and Enabling Village. The assessments included biodiversity (flora and fauna) surveys, social surveys/interviews, deployment of sensors and simulations. Finally, an evaluation tool was developed to enable a holistic and empirical understanding of the benefits of nature-centric design.