Situated at the eastern gateway to the National University of Singapore, the new National University Centre for Oral Health, Singapore (NUCOHS) is designed to support the vision and mission of the NUS Faculty of Dentistry as a “dental institution of international distinction…improving oral health through academic excellence, high impact research and quality clinical service”.
A strategic location on a high-visibility site establishes the new NUCOHS as a landmark building distinguished by a V-shaped tower form, landscaped terraces and upper level courtyard. The façade design features extensive use of glass and louvres articulated to maximize daylight and views while tempering solar gain. The landscape design combines traditional campus plantings and more structured elements in a distinctly Singaporean design parti that integrates architecture and landscape in a high-rise building.
The tower floor plans are standardized as either Type 1 full floor plates or Type 2 courtyard floor plates. Type 1 floor plates – consisting of a North wing, South wing and central support core - extend from L5 to L8. Type 2 courtyard floor plates – with North wing, South wing, but minus the central core element – extend from L9 through to L12.
The standardization of the floor plates and their principal elements is a key feature of a robust building infrastructure that can easily adapt to changing program requirements without compromising functionality.
Program areas are allocated to each of the tower floors on the basis of desired functional proximities and traffic volumes, and importantly to foster collaboration amongst the core users.
To see more amazing entries from this year’s WAN Awards please click here.