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HDB flats designed to capitalise on wind flow

We refer to Mr Edmund Loh’s letter “Design HDB flats such that households can save energy” (Oct 28).

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Brian Low Lip Chee, Director (Landscape and Design), Housing & Development Board

We refer to Mr Edmund Loh’s letter “Design HDB flats such that households can save energy” (Oct 28).

With Singapore located in the tropics, the thermal comfort of residents’ living environment has always been a key consideration in the design of Housing and Development Board flats.

Our designs seek to improve natural ventilation and lighting, reduce heat gain and minimise the reliance on mechanical cooling from air conditioners and electric fans.

The majority of HDB blocks are designed to be north- and south-facing, to avoid the western sun.

In some projects, to let as many residents as possible enjoy the surrounding views, the block orientation may place some units facing slightly east or west. For such units, extended canopies or sun breakers are provided.

Many new flats now have wider and larger windows, so that residents can enjoy wider views, natural ventilation and maximum lighting. To promote cross-ventilation, windows are also orientated in the north-south direction as much as possible, to capitalise on the wind direction and maximise air flow.

Within the precinct, void spaces such as void decks help to draw wind onto the ground plane and improve wind flow. This makes the precinct airier and breezier.

More recently, we have implemented wind-flow analysis and modelling in our planning, to better understand local wind conditions. The findings are then incorporated into the design of the flats.

We thank Mr Loh for his feedback and will continue to pursue fresh designs to create a quality living environment for all.

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