Out of the 687 exceptional design submissions received for the 2021 INDE.Awards, one university building in Singapore stood out as the 'Best of the Best'.

The Best of the Best is the ultimate accolade that can be achieved in the INDE.Awards, and this year an exemplar project, School of Design and Environment 1, Special Projects, NUS School of Design and Environment with CPG Consultants, received the most points of any project, in any category, to be awarded this most prestigious of awards.

As the Platinum Partner and sponsor of the Best of the Best category, Zenith has been a supporter of the INDE.Awards since the very beginning and has seen the programme grow exponentially. Understanding what it takes to be the best, Zenith is perfectly placed as supporter of the category and through its business, embodies the ideals of the Best of the Best.

Matthew Vescovo, Zenith brand director reflected, “It’s a real privilege to be the long-time partner of the INDE.Awards and the Platinum sponsor for the Best of the Best category. I’m forever blown away with the level of talent in the Indo-Pacific region and honoured to present the award to this year’s winner.”

School of Design and Environment 1, situated in Singapore, is an adaptive reuse project that has reinvented a 1970s building by SJ van Embden to meet today’s needs. The project now boasts net-zero energy and a contemporary and comfortable academic environment for future generations of students and staff. Re-using the original structure of two conjoined blocks has created a new identity for the building and there is ample natural daylight within the new design.

Along with the creative architecture, the sustainability elements are many and varied with integrated photovoltaics and a solar roof to meet projected energy demands (55 kWh/m2/year). Smart building sensors have been retrofitted within the interior and these monitor and control Indoor Environmental Quality to meet the highest standards. There is also a cutting-edge Hybrid Cooling System (HCS) and the central courtyard has been replaced with a jungle garden and brise soleil crown.

Overall, this project is now fit for the future, with a learning environment that is sustainable and sensitive to the needs of its users.

Special Projects, NUS School of Design and Environment with CPG Consultants, designers of the project, have ensured that the day-to-day ritual of learning is conducted in surrounds that embrace best practice but also provide comfort and amenity on every level.

Vescovo commented, “Not only is the winning project breathtaking in scale, it promises a brighter future with its sustainable approach and encourages change that is happening.”

School of Design and Environment 1 sets the standard for design in our region, and as winner of the Best of the Best, achieves the pinnacle of recognition and success through the INDE.Awards with the support of Zenith. Congratulations!

Photography by Ong Chan Hao and Erik L’Heureux