Campus Design Innovations Group

Campus Design Innovations Group

The Campus Design Innovations Group, part of the Department of Architecture within the College of Design and Engineering, is a pioneering team at the forefront of translational design research. Our mission is to integrate design, architecture, energy efficiency, carbon reduction, and sustainability in both new construction and adaptive reuse projects across the National University of Singapore campus. By combining design excellence with the highest performance standards, we strive to create transformative impacts on the campus built environment, enhancing the educational and research experiences for students, faculty, and the public. Our achievements include creating real-world buildings, winning peer-reviewed design awards, publishing impactful books, and contributing scholarly research that bridges theory and practice.

Led by Dr. Erik L’Heureux (Ar.) FAIA, since 2018, the group is currently advancing the NetZero Adaptive Reuse of the iconic Yusof Ishak House (2020-2025), which won a prestigious Holcim Award for Sustainable Construction in 2023. Dr. L’Heureux has also led the design and execution of the award winning NetZero energy, Super Low Carbon Adaptive Reuse of SDE 1 & 3 (2015-2023) – the home of the Department of Architecture – and the approved concept design for the NetZero Carbon Adaptive Reuse of SDE2 (2020-2023) on the NUS campus.

Previously known as SDE Special Projects, the group has a strong legacy of leadership and achievement, including contributions from David Cheong (2017-2018), Nirmal Kishnani (2013-2017), and vital support from Bertrand Lasternas (NetZero Energy, 2017-2023) and Giovanni Cossu (2015-2023). Special Projects initially formed to guide the NetZero Energy SDE4 to completion, an important new building completed in 2019. Today, Bertrand Lasternas continues to lend his expertise to the NetZero energy YIH project through his role with University Campus Infrastructure.

Our dedicated team of students, alumni, and research assistants have been integral to our success, including Amanda Mo, Anirudh Chandar, Astrid Mayadinta, Azizul Izwan B. Roslan, Epiphanie Barli Lie, Harsh Vardhan, Iven Peh, Joel Tay, Krista Yeong, Lakshmi Menon, Lee Lip Jiang, Ng Sze Wee, Nurul Syarah Binte Zulkifli, Ong Chan Hao, Reuben Lim, Stephanie Kui Hui Guat, Zeno Lee, Zuliandi Azli, Zulkarnain M. Zin, and many others.