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1. SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING
& SCIENCE
BUILDING SCIENCE 1 (BLD60803)
PROJECT 1: Case Study
(Identifying innovative passive design strategies)
LOCATION
Solaris, Singapore
PREPARED BY:
Alex Wong 0303228
Chew Wen Lin 1007c10646
Chin Pui Man 0310331
Daniel Yap 0309100
Gan Chin Bong 0313738
Teo Kian Hui 0310165

2. No Content Page
1 Introduction 1
2 Detailed Information 2
3 Appendix 4
4 Climate Data 8
5 Wind Analysis 11
6 Sun Path Case Studies & Psychometric Chart 13
7 Passive Design Features 15
8 Summary 21
9 Reference List 22
TABLE OF CONTENT

3. SOLARIS is state-of-the-art facility that forms an integral part of the renowned
Fusionnopolis clusters based on the design of Eco-Green mindset with a goal to be
certified BCA GREEN MARK PLATINUM which is the highest green certification
given by the benchmark of Singapore's Sustainable building. It is a 15 story multi-
tenanted structure with has the main function for infocommunicatinons, media,
science, research and clean-tech development at One-North. The overall energy
consumption for this building is the local precedents consumption with the reduction
of 36% which leads to the winning project in JTC competition. In addition, it also
introduces plantation that exceeds by 113% from original area site that is 8,000 m2 of
landscaping.
INTRODUCTION

4. Project by:
Soilbuild Group Holdings Ltd
Building Address:
Solaris Fusionopolis 2B, One North
Architect:
TR Hamzah Yeang
Gree
Photo scource from: http://www.realwowz.net/2013/01/science-centre.html
Figure 1: Solaris, Singapore
Photo scource from: http://www.spring.gov.sg/AboutUs/CI/Pages/map-solaris.aspx#.U2szSBaZ2gE
Figure 2: Site plan
Detailed Information

5. n Design Features of the Solaris, Singapore
Green desgin features that can be found in the Solaris building are
I. Spiral Ramp Design
II. Naturally Ventilated Spaces
III. Skylight/ Actuated Smoke Vent Louvers
IV. Rain Harvesting System
V. Climate Responsive Façade System
VI. Planter Box Design on Landscape Spiral Ramp
VII. Roog Gardens and Corner Sky Terraces

6. Figure 3: Level 2 floor plan
Figure 4: Level 3 Floor plan
APPENDIX

7. Figure 6: Level 10 floor plan
Figure 5: Level 6 floor plan

8. Figure 7: Level 17 floor plan
Figure 8: Entrance of Solaris from interior Figure 9: View of interior with skylight

9. Figure 10: Panaroma view of roof garden
Figure 11: Panaroma view of roof garden

10. Singapore is located on the southern tip of the Malaysia Peninsula in Southeast Asia,
between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. Singapore lies on north of the
Equator near Latitude 1.3667ºN and Longitude 103.8ºE. Singapore features a hot,
wet climate and tropical rainforests.
Singapore's climate is divided into two different seasons, which are the Northeast
Monsoon, and the Southeast Monsoon season. These two seasons are separated by
two short inter-monsoon periods.
Figure 12: Average Daily Maximum and minimum temperature ºC chart
The minimum temperature in Singapore is ranged 23ºc to 26ºc and maximum
temperature ranged 25ºc to 31ºc throughout the year. From the chart, January and
December are the coolest month throughout the year.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Daily Maximum ºC
Daily Minimum ºC
Climate Data

11. Figure 13: Average Sunlight and Average Daylight Chart
Singapore receives sunlight throughout the year and it is very rare for Singapore to
have full day of clear skies. Singapore temperatures are varying less than 3ºc
annually.
Figure 14: Relative Humidity (%) Chart
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
Daylight (Hours)
Sunlight (Hours)
64
66
68
70
72
74
76
78
80
82
84
Daily Maximum (%)
Daily Minimum (%)

12. Relative humidity in Singapore is in the range of 70% -82% throughout the year.
Singapore is a country where it has high level of humidity. It differs from 82% in the
morning and falls to 60% in the afternoon, when it is not raining.
Figure 15: Wet Days chart
Singapore is located on the equator, thus the country experiences rainfall throughout
the year. As mention in the introduction, Singapore climate is divided into two
seasons, which is;
A) Northeast Monsoon; which happens on the period of December to March. From
the chart, December and January achieved the highest value, which labeled as "wet
phase" while February and March has lower value that is labeled as "dry phase"
B) Southwest Monsoon; which happens on the period of June to September. From the
chart, this period has average number of wet days that usually last for most 2 hours.
17
11
14
15 15
13 13
14 14
16
18
19
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
Wet Days
Wet Days

13. Wind Direction Percentage (%)
North 18
Northeast 29
East 6
Southeast 5
South 19
Southwest 56
West 10
Northwest 6
Table 1: Wind Direction for year 2013
Month Wind Force (kph)
January 15.1
February 9.2
March 5.1
April 3.3
May 4.0
June 8.9
July 9.9
August 8.8
September 10.1
October 9.8
November 6.4
December 10.9
Table 2: Wind Force for year 2013
Wind Analysis

14. Wind Arrow of Singapore
From the wind arrow chart, we can conclude that there is always strong wind
at the direction north-east while weaker wind at the direction south-east. The darker
blue represent longer hours, while lighter blue represent shorter hour.

15. Sun Path Analysis in the morning on 8th
of May
Sun Path Analysis in the afternoon on 8th
of May
Sun Path Analysis in the evening on 8th
of May
Sun Path Case Studies

16. Psychrometric Chart of Malaysia (same as Singapore)
From the chart above, we can conclude that to achieve thermal comfort, the
temperature and humidity of the place or area should reach within the yellow box
value showed above. The values inside the box stat that with the range of temperature
from 23 degree Celsius to 27 degree Celsius and the humidity value from 4 to 13 is
the thermal comfort zone. With the present data, a green building should have the
ability to maintain as a thermal comfort zone.
Psychrometric Chart

17. Throughout this case study, seven (7) passive design features are pointed out from the
Solaris, Singapore. Seven passive designs are:
I. Spiral Ramp Design
The key architecture element would be the undisturbed ecological 1.5km long
perimeter landscape Spiral Ramp and Eco-cell at the basement for fluid movement of
organisms and plants within the building contributing to the overall health of these
ecosystem which will provide an enhancement of biodiversity. With its deep
overhangs and large concentrated of vegetations, represents a key element in
comprehensive strategy for providing the cooling effect in the building facade. This
provides an interactive environment for the worker with the nature while still sustain
the inorganic form of the structure with a more organic mass. In addition, Solaris is
trying to enhance the existing ecosystem instead of replacing them.
Passive Design Features
PhotoSource:http://blog.cpgcorp.com.sg/wpcontent/uploads/2012/03/Solaris_Section.jpg
Figure 17: Section drawing of Solaris

18. II. Naturally Ventilated Spaces
During the hot days, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is stimulated through the
atrium led to the actuated skylight louver system that allows stacking ventilation
effect. Through the principle of hot air rise and cool air falls, hot air escape from the
top of the roof while cool air are being to pull into the building form the lower floor.
III. Skylight / Actuated Smoke Vent Louvers
Besides allowing the natural light to enter, skylight also serves as another purpose
besides the stacking effect. It is also consider as a fail-safe system. When fire is
detected (via the building's intelligent management system), the skylight louvers will
automatically open and became an exit for the smoke or harmful gas. For safety
reason, the louvers will automatically opened even without power supply. With this
system, smoke control system is being eliminates which leads to saving cost and
power. For extra purposes, it is also a weather shield such as rain by rain detection
sensors and direct sunray.
Figure 18: Skylight view from the interior

19. Photo Source: http://www.greenroofs.com/projects/solaris/solaris5.jpg
Figure 19: Skylight view from the exterior.
IV. Rainwater Harvesting System
This building is equip rainwater recycling system which rainwater are collected using
siphonic drainage systems then stored beneath the Eco-Cell in the primary holding
tank and a small transfer tank on the roof. This building has an integrated fertigation
system that able to maintain the organic nutrient level in the entire building through
the vegetation cycle from the combined storage that has a capacity of over 400m3.
Photo Source: http://www.greenroofs.com/content/articles/126-SOLARIS-at-Fusionopolis-2B-From-Military-
Base-to-Bioclimatic-Eco-Architecture.htm
Figure 20: The Eco-cell and the Rain Water Harvesting storage at the basement.

20. Photo Source: http://blog.cpgcorp.com.sg/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Solaris_Render-2.jpg
Figure 21: The perspective view of Solaris.
V. Climatic Responsive Facade System
According to local sun path analysis that sun rise from east in the morning and fall on
the west during evening, sunshade louvers has been designed to screen off direct glare
and heat from the sun yet allow a gentle light to enter to the interior space. This help
to minimize the usage artificial light during daytime. The solar shading also helps to
reduce the heat transfer into the building.

21. Figure 22: The sun shading device around the building
VI. Planter Box Design on Landscaped Spiral Ramp
The spiral ramp has a minimum width of 3m of landscape. Maintenance of the ramp
is achieved through a parallel pathway that allows for servicing the planters. It is also
design to serve as a linear park that stretches all the way from the ground plane to the
upper roof. The planter boxes on the spiral ramp are being designed to be as shallow
as possible so that the building facade is being kept and reduce its bulkiness. Plants
are being carefully selected based on their roots structure because of the lacking of
deep soil. An elaborate network of drainage trenches and subsoil pipes is to ensure
water is evenly discharge in the 800mm planter boxes even when there is a heavy
downpour. This step is very important as the landscaped ramp is steeply inclined and
rainwater would cascade down at high speed on the surface level if it were not being
absorbed by the soil.

22. Photo Source: http://www.greenroofs.com/projects/solaris/solaris3.jpg
Figure 23: The plants along the spiral ramp
VII. Roof Gardens and Corner Sky Terraces
This area creates a vertical landscaping which acts as a thermal buffer that provides
events, relaxation and social activities. In addition, it allows an opportunity for
interaction between the people and nature. It is also a good symbol for sky rise
greenery design building because it has a total of 95% of landscape is above ground
level.
Figure 24: Roof garden
By doing so, beam sunlight will not strike into the building directly. Also, energy
required for interior artificial lighting can be gradually reduced.

23. After some site visits to Sunway Pinnacle Office Tower, we found out that the
building is not fully completed for the wiring and electrician part. Due to that reason,
the building manager, Mr Kurma, can allow us to visit some part of the building.
Although we were limited from some spaces of the building, we still manage to
interview Mr Kurma. From what we were told, the building has a gold standard from
the Green Building for a reason. From the outside of the building, it doesn't look
much of a standout but when you reach the interior and take a closer look, the
building actually has the design and technology to support it as a green building. In
addition, this building is one of the first Green Building in Malaysia from what Mr
Kurma had said. From the visitation paid to the site, we get to know that this building
is a sub-branch from the main building at the side with an addition of Green
Technology apply into it. We were expecting the building to be done by the end of
last year 2013 but when we got there, it is only 95+% complete. Since then, we are
not allow to go up to experience the spaces on top. We suggested that they should
provide more shading effect from the main building to the new building because of
the weather in Malaysia. In addition, the ventilation for air is not as ventilated as we
thought and most of the lighting is not natural lighting but artificial lighting.
Conclusion

24. 1. GuideMeSingapore. (n.d.). GuideMeSingapore. Retrieved April 27, 2014, from
http://www.guidemesingapore.com/relocation/introduction/climate-in-singapore
2. Local Climatology. (n.d.). Local Climatology. Retrieved April 27, 2014, from
http://app2.nea.gov.sg/weather-climate/climate-information
3. SINGAPORE. (n.d.). Singapore Map / Geography of Singapore / Map of
Singapore. Retrieved April 27, 2014, from
http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/asia/sg.htm
4. Robert Pratt, January 2013, Council on Tall Building and Urban Habitat, Solaris,
Singapore, (6 May 2014) Retrieved From
http://www.ctbuh.org/TallBuildings/FeaturedTallBuildings/FeaturedTallBuildingArch
ive2012/SolarisSingapore/tabid/3854/language/en-GB/Default.aspx
5. SoilBuild Group Holding LTD, N.D. Solaris, Solaris, (6 May 2014) Retrieved
From
http://www.soilbuild.com/showroom_Solaris.html
6. Ken Yeang, 2 April 2012, U*Reka, IN DETAIL: SOLARIS @ONE-NORTH, (6
May 2014) Retrieved From
http://blog.cpgcorp.com.sg/?p=2118
Reference List