Erik L'Heureux
National University of Singapore
SESSION: Hot Air: Decarbonization on the Equator
DATE: 05 MAY 2024 | TIME: 11.00 - 12.00
Hot Air: Decarbonization on the Equator.
Erik L’Heureux (PhD) FAIA will present two adaptive reuse projects that deliver NetZero energy
and super low embodied carbon transformations on the equator. The case studies illustrate
integrated design ideas based on decarbonization, filtering, thermal calibration, and climatic
comfort. The case studies will show how our collective carbon legacy in the built environment
can be used as the foundation for a decarbonized future.
ABOUT SPEAKER
Erik G. L'Heureux (PhD) FAIA, LEED AP BD+C is an award-winning American architect and academic
leader based in Singapore. Through his creative design practice, Erik specializes in designing for the
dense equatorial city, using simple monolithic forms and delicate veils to calibrate architecture to
the hot air of the urban equator in delightful and surprising ways. Erik has led the design of the
adaptive reuse of the Department of Architecture and the Yusof Ishah Student Commons at NUS
transforming them into NetZero and super low carbon buildings. In addition to his many design
awards, Erik received the Wheelwright Prize from Harvard University and was elevated to the
College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects in 2020.
The author of Renovating Carbon (2023), Drawing Climate (2021), and the monograph Deep Veils
(2014) he has published more than 20 articles, including "Climatic Design and Its Others" (2020) in
the Journal of Architectural Education. Over the past decade, Erik has served the National University
of Singapore as Vice Dean, Special Projects (2018-2021), Master of Architecture Program Director
(2020-2022), and the BA Architecture program director (2015-2020). As a Dean's Chair Associate
Professor, he teaches the next generation of architects to be committed to decarbonization and
planet-positive design action calibrated to the equator.