YUSOF ISHAK HOUSE

Design Concept

The Equatorial Student Commons, or Yusof Ishak House, at the National University of Singapore (NUS) is a NetZero Energy adaptive reuse of the cherished icon from the original 1970s campus master plan. Named after Singapore’s first President, the updated architecture serves as a vibrant social and cultural hub for students, staff, and visitors. Its terraced form nestles into the jungle-like slopes of Kent Ridge, harmonizing with the natural terrain. The 2020-2025 adaptive reuse and redesign of Yusof Ishak House focuses on preserving and enhancing the original heritage structure, incorporating sustainable principles to achieve net-zero energy targets through conservation, sustainability, and decarbonization.

The design, led by Dr. L’Heureux (Ar.) FAIA and his team, include transforming the six original vaulted arches into climatic devices that channel hot air through the building, creating a naturally ventilated atrium at its core. The atrium’s porous screened clerestory and perforated sunscreen act as a thermodynamic “lung,” enabling air movement through stack effect, low-speed fans, and thermal buoyancy. The vault motif also extend over a student dining area, connecting interior study spaces to the surrounding jungle. Externally, fluted precast panels and perforated vertical fins reinterpret the original facade’s horizontal striations while providing solar shading and privacy, unifying the expanded architectural mass.

Drawing inspiration from mid-20th century climate-adaptive architecture, including the works of Jose Lluis Sert and Wallace Harrison, the redesign weaves historical references into its form and function. By preserving the concrete structure and enhancing its original elements, the project embodies “carbon heritage”—a concept that views conservation as a dynamic process aligned with 21st-century decarbonization goals. This approach not only celebrates the building’s legacy but extends its carbon investment, creating an architecture that is both climate-resilient and attuned to the needs of future generations. The design won the coveted Holcim Foundation Award for Sustainable Construction (bronze) in 2023. The building is expected to open in early 2025.

Design Awards

Holcim Foundation Design Award for Sustainable Construction (Bronze), 2023

Design Team

Erik G. L’Heureux (Ar.) FAIA, Design Lead: Concept, Design and Detail (2020-2025)

Bertrand Lasternas, Energy & Technology Services

Giovanni Cossu, Sustainability Advisory Services, until 2023

with support by:

Zulkarnain Mohd Zin

Nur Syarafina Binte Kamsani

Liu Heng

Daryl Lim Mingze

AWP Architects, Executive Architect

E2000 Pte Ltd, Civil & Structural Engineer

WSP Consultancy Pte Ltd, Mechanical & Electrical Engineer

Building System and Diagnostics Pte Ltd, Environmental Sustainability Design Consultant

WSP Consultancy Pte Ltd, Green Mark and WELL Consultant

Affinity Engineering Consultant Pte Ltd, Acoustics Consultant

NUS Campus Research by Design Group with UCI Horticulture Team, Landscape design

CPG Consultants Pte Ltd, Quantity Surveyor

Debenho Pte Ltd, Main Contractor

Administrative Team:

National University of Singapore, Developer

Koh Yan Leng

Teo Soon Piang Lincoln

Jaisie Elizabeth Lu, Campus Asset Management, University Campus Infrastructure

Further Support by:

Tan Eng Chye, President, NUS

Lam Khee Poh, SDE Dean (2017-2021)

HISTORY

Located on the ridgeline, Yusof Ishak House(YIH) seats on a ‘sight-seeing’ feature that was integrated into the master planning of the then-new university campus in the 1970s. It was designed to meet the social and cultural needs of the students by providing large open spaces with a ‘green heart’ being a central focus. YIH was intentionally designed to avoid large quadrangles (which informs its linear disposition) out of a number of administrative and building proximity concerns.

CONCEPT DIAGRAM

VISUALIZATIONS