National University of Singapore School of Computing (COM3)

COM3 is purpose-built for NUS to meet growth needs of the School of Computing (SoC) in providing spaces for learning, researching, and teaching across academia, research, and industry. Sited over a topographical valley, the new 6-storey block for SoC was conceived as a bridge building that is a physical link as well as a symbolic social connector. The existing slopes were reinforced by a network of soil nails and grid beams so it was an early design decision to have the building itself be a bridge over the valley with columns lightly treading over the valley floor instead of a compact tower block on one side of the slope with a link bridge tacked on as connector. COM3 is an academic block serving SoC and also houses the Terrace canteen. The building, while designed for academic research/teaching needs, also performs as a public space serving the larger campus. Planarly, there is seamless connection to and from neighbouring buildings. Vertically, each storey of learning and research function is sandwiched between a storey of social and common space to seed opportunities for users to break out from formal work and meet, by choice and chance, to collaborate, to co-work and to inspire. This idea of offering a variety of settings for both formal and informal workspaces also influenced the interior design of each research cluster allowing for focused work and spontaneous discussions to happen within each zone. Inserted throughout the building are easily accessible “all-day” spaces that can be used by everyone. The canteen was designed to attract users beyond peak meal times. White spaces in the form of foyers and the B3 plaza are multi-functional, designed to support being co-opted by students for informal study or after-school programmes. Each inch of real estate is maximised for use across the day and beneficial to the larger campus. The design is guided by principles to maximise the well-being of users from the selection of materials, control of air quality, design of lighting levels, etc. The building mass is porous to draw in natural elements of daylight and fresh air. Green spaces are also made available at every storey as relief spaces. The terrain had been engineered by pedestrianising an existing car park and beautifying a concrete drain using sustainable stormwater management principles so building users can work and learn in a green and blue setting.