Architects: Raglan Squire & Partners, Toyo Ito & Associates
Area: 42391 m²
Year: 2022
Photographs: Form Practice, Madeni Jais
Architects: Toyo Ito & Associates Architects, RSP Architects Planners & Engineers (Pte) Ltd
Client: Nanyang Technological University (Office of Development & Facilities Management)
Country: Singapore
This article delves into “Gaia,” Asia’s most extensive wooden structure, located at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. Designed by Toyo Ito & Associates and RSP, Gaia stands as a beacon of sustainable architecture and innovative design in educational environments. The structure uses Mass Engineered Timber (MET), emphasizing eco-friendly construction and efficient building techniques.
Named after the Greek Earth goddess, Gaia, this project represents a significant collaboration between Toyo Ito & Associates, Architects, and RSP. It embodies a blend of excellence in educational environment design and sustainable architecture. The six-story structure serves as a vibrant center for learning, research, and innovation at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), fostering connections among students, faculty, and staff.
According to Mr. Seah Chee Kien, Senior Managing Director of RSP Singapore, the project epitomizes collaborative innovation and extends the limits of design, sustainability, and construction techniques. He expressed great honor and excitement about the recognition from the SIA Architectural Design Awards 2023, which he views as a testament to RSP Singapore’s relentless commitment to pushing the boundaries of design and innovation.
The building, known as Gaia (NTU Academic Building South), is a 6-story Mass Engineered Timber (MET) structure featuring teaching spaces from the first to third floors, a research center on the fourth floor, and faculty offices on the fifth and sixth floors. It also includes a basement car park and a single-story mechanical and electrical (M&E) ancillary block.
Located at Nanyang Drive, the building stretches approximately 220 meters in length and employs a simple, efficient modular timber frame system. The prefabrication of MET components off-site and their subsequent assembly on-site significantly reduce construction time and manpower requirements.
MET, is a highly renewable material that contributes to environmental sustainability and offers advantages over traditional materials like steel and concrete due to its high strength-to-weight ratio.
Project Gallery
Project Location
Address: 50 Nanyang Ave, Singapore 639798
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
