PAM Public Lecture: Hot & Wet by Erik L’Heureux

Singapore-based American architect Erik L’Heureux is an Associate Professor at the National University of Singapore where he researches both the impact of hot and wet envelopes as well as the architecture of the Singapore Metropolitan Region. He is invited to give a talk at PAM public lectures season 2015/16 with 'Hot & Wet' topic.

In this talk, he says that architectural forms and atmospheres might respond to the hot and wet conditions of the region. He is exploring how knowledge of hot and wet climatic mediums impact architectural form and atmosphere. It is not simple thermal performance that is often discussed in tropical circles but really how architecture constructs perceptible atmospheres in space.

Besides, " Ventilation and light are very important." has emphasized by architect Erik few times. And this can shown through his "project".

A Simple Factory Building

His project, a Simple Factory Building which completed in 2012 has wrapped in a geometrically sophisticated sun-shielding veil. The center of the interior has been hollowed out to generate a volumetric subtraction at the core of the plans to facilitate natural ventilation as well as to maximize on natural lighting. The multi-storey courtyard extends to an open-air roof level which is partially covered in the continuous trellis system.

Above image has shown by architect Erik during PAM Talk. It shows that the natural air flow through the building using the principle of physic which is stack effect. It means that warmer air which is less pressure and will rise and escape through the special design roof, it will be replaced by cooler air from low opening in the building. Stack effect is the movement of air into and out of building. In this case, cooling effect can be achieved.

A Model of the Compact City for the Singapore pavilion at the 12th International Architecture Exhibition at the Venice Biennale (2010)

Stereoscopic House

View: Filtered light through screen

In order to cater the tropical climate, the large third storey terrace has generated by an excision in the pitched roof secure views of the neighbouring islands, while a poolside veranda under the cantilevered volume benefits from shading. Other than that, the perforated screens is continued throughout the house to facilitate natural cross ventilation and daylighting. The house is also equipped with rain harvesting systems and solar hot-water heating to prevent overheating for the interior.

Project of Pencil Office showing the creative idea and design to solve the problem hot and wet in Southeast Asia with tropical climate and it makes me learnt and think.

Finally, we as a group have asked architect Erik a question after finish the talk. We are wondering who or what inspires him since his projects really makes us feel pleasantly surprised.

“Elizabeth Diller of Diller Scofidio was inspired me, once.” Architect Erik answered. In 15 years, they grew from a small loft off with a handful of people trying to do challenging work, until now doing significant and public projects. But now he look at the detailing of Louis Kahn or the formal virtuosity other achitects.

ps: We found that this question has been interviewed before after that. >.<