Opened to the public mid-2005, Singapore's National Library Building comprises two landmark 14-storey buildings complete with rooftop gardens sitting over a three-level basement. The complex covers around 60,000m2 in floor area and is located in the heart of Singapore's arts, cultural and entertainment district.
Beca was engaged by Nishimatsu Lum Chang JV to provide M&E design services to this develop and construct project, winning the building tender through to completion. The key to winning this project was the cost-effective design solutions Beca proposed in response to a detailed ESD brief. This included energy targets and large areas with specific humidity control requirements.
Specific design features include high efficiency light sources, a variable outdoor air control strategy, maximum utilisation of chilled water systems for higher efficiency and 24-hour air-conditioning. Water mist systems were implemented to protect critical equipment and rare book areas in the event of a fire. In addition, studies on the façade design and glass selection were undertaken to achieve optimisation between daylight availability and heat gains.
The project also involved designing a 600-seat Drama Centre run by the National Arts Council. The centre uses displacement air-conditioning for comfort and energy conservation and contains engineered smoke control systems - a feature also found throughout the full height of the atrium and basement zones.
In recognition of its environmentally-friendly design, the National Library Building has been awarded with two accolades including the highest honour for green buildings in Singapore.
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