WOHA is a design practice focused on the built environment. Their philosophy is to explore the potential of culture, context, history, nature, climate, sustainability and social behaviour to evolve innovative design. Formed in 1994 by Singaporean Wong Mun Summ and Australian Richard Hassell, the practice is based on the model of the creative industries, rather than traditional construction services. With a mix of designers from diverse backgrounds, WOHA explores integrated design for the built environment, encompassing master-planning, architectural, landscape, interior and lighting and furniture design.

WOHA has received numerous local and international awards for excellence in design such as the Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2007, Kenneth F. Brown Asia Pacific Cultural and Architecture Design Award 2007, MIPIM AR Future Project Awards 2007, AR Awards for Emerging Architecture 2006, RAIA International Award 2006 and President’s Design Award 2006. WOHA has also been featured in international professional publications. Some of their outstanding projects include the MET in Bangkok, Alila Villas Uluwatu in Bali, School of the Arts, Church of Saint Mary of the Angels, Tan Quee Lan Suites, Gilstead Brooks and the Newton Suites.

1 Moulmein Rise is a project that investigated the nature of tall speculative residential buildings and their status as both urban object and private abode. A critique of existing models was that most apartment buildings either tended to privilege the apartment layout, simply stacking units up, or privilege the urban object, squeezing apartments within a pre-determined shell.

The direction for the design sought to negotiate an architectural solution that achieved the following aims: for the end user to have apartments that are comfortable, efficient and elegant, for the public to create an urban object that is a pleasing addition to the skyline, and for the developer to maximise returns on the development.

The solution was to create a complex, varied urban object through the development of façade elements that were both a useful amenity to the inhabitants and a commercial bonus to the developer. In Singapore, certain elements of a building are exempted from the development tax, but are saleable. There is immense pressure from developers to add these elements – bay windows, planters, and air conditioning ledges – as they have a huge impact on profit. In order to avoid having a conflict in the design, the architectural language was developed as a skin of these profitable elements.

Dr Zainab Faruqui Ali, Associate Professor, PhD in the Department of Architecture at BRAC University cites the building as a good example of respecting the economy, site forces, buyers’ profile and the culture of the context. As a high-rise residence, it is an impressionable piece of art, and a big influence in the architectural profession. In Singapore’s quest for good quality high-rise living, 1 Moulmein Rise offers an original solution with the traditional balconies, bay windows and sunshades with meaningful use. Through the monsoon windows the apartments have breeze without rain and natural ventilation all year round and thus save energy by reducing cooling load.

Orientated north-south with a slim east-west elevation, the building offers impressive views from the apartments, with each façade differentiated in response to climate. On the south elevation, traditional ‘monsoon windows’ are re-interpreted as modern bay windows with perforated panels. Whilst on the north elevation, a rhythmic series of metal screens is used as sunshades and rain overhangs, which conceals services and fire-escape staircases at the same time.

The complexity of the façade was developed through studying variation in nature and artificial intelligence and how simple systems can combine to create complexity. A strategy of random arrangements of a few standard façade elements was developed. Three standard arrangements were designed, and adjusted through modelling on computer to test their success in creating a sense of variety through their random arrangement. The overall formal qualities of the tower – sliding rectangular elements – were repeated in the design of the ground floor and landscaping – the pools repeat the motif, sliding linear elements that reflect the tower design.

The building performs well environmentally. The apartments face north and south, and have cross ventilation to all rooms. The modelling of the façade elements achieves sunshading to all the apartments.

WOHA has offices in Singapore and Thailand, and has been involved in projects around the Asia Pacific region, including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Australia, Japan, the Maldives and China. Their focus on innovation and diversity of interests has developed their experience in a wide mix of building types and scales, including commercial, residential, hospitality, transport, infrastructure, institutional, religious, mixed-use and interior projects.

WOHA also participates in professional and educational activities. Both Founding Directors have served on Public Boards, Committees and Councils in Singapore, lectured and examined in universities and held Associate Professor appointments. They run a gallery that hosts a diverse range of cultural events relating to architecture and design.