• Home
  • News
  • People
  • Tips
  • Opinions
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • People
  • Tips
  • Opinions
No Result
View All Result
LabourBeat
No Result
View All Result
Home People

Owen Wee: Designing the Future

by Jonathan Tan
December 27, 2017
in People
Owen Wee: Designing the Future
Share on Facebook
An advocate of green building, 42-year-old Owen Wee is an architect with a vision: one whereby the future of architectural building embraces clean technology and is self-sufficient and self-sustaining (Photo Credit: NTUC This Week)

“It started very personally, it was when I was working on my first project that dealt with sustainability for a new generation of public housing, which was when I also had my first kid.”

This journey, borne out of convictions both personal and passionate, has seen 42-year-old architect Owen Wee strongly advocating for the green movement, buoyed by a strong commitment to incorporate sustainable design into our everyday surroundings.

In his words, “a green building is one that consumes as little resources, ideally it is self-sustaining (in terms of water and energy), and does not take away the ability of future generations to sustain themselves.”

“Most importantly,” he shared, “a green building must be comfortable for the occupant. That means things like available sunlight, fresh air, and a comfortable temperature. The most wonderful ‘green’ building that isn’t comfortable, and underutilised is even worse than anything else because you’ve spent time, money and resources for nothing.”

Spur Factor

Holding himself to that same philosophy, Owen has invested time and effort into researching and learning about global environmental issues and the world his children would grow up in.

“I realised that I knew so little,” he revealed, “which is why I started signing up for all the courses that were available. You need to constantly upgrade yourself, otherwise you won’t be able to continue functioning at this level—projects can easily cost up to a billion dollars or more, so we cannot play play.”

Beyond that, he also cites enlightened clients willing to push the boundaries as additional “shiok factors” that come with the job.

One such project, he shared, is the new School of Design and Engineering’s faculty building at the National University of Singapore. Through design and the use of clean technology such as solar panels, the building will be able to sustain its own energy needs.

“This is one that will raise the benchmark that people can adopt and learn to see what works and what doesn’t in our climate.”

 

 

Tags: Faces of SingaporeFuture JobsGreen JobsLabour MovementPMEsSingapore Workforce
ShareShareSend

CONTACT

Feedback, News Tips & Media Pitches: editor@labourbeat.org

Marketing & Advertising: sales@labourbeat.org

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy

CATEGORIES

  • Help For Workers
  • News
  • Opinions
  • People
  • Tips
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

2020 Copyright © Majority Media Pte Ltd. Majority Media Pte Ltd is not responsible for the content of external sites.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • People
  • Tips
  • Opinions

2020 Copyright © Majority Media Pte Ltd. Majority Media Pte Ltd is not responsible for the content of external sites.