The Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) was conceived as a platform for students to acquire an industry-focused tertiary education through a unique tripartite collaboration with overseas university partners and the five local polytechnics. Located within the grounds of Ngee Ann Polytechnic, the SIT building will house three of its 10 oversees university partners and offer courses in design, engineering and early childhood education.

A corporate touch

The brief was to design a modern education hub that focuses on courses inspired by innovation and technology while keeping in touch with the character of Ngee Ann Polytechnic. The brief also called for a more corporate and serious tone to be set for the school environment.

The SIT building comprises eight storeys of teaching facilities and two semi-basement storeys that hold three large lecture halls. A towering lift core serving each floor stands in the centre of the space and is painted red, reflecting the corporate colour of the school and acting as a focal point within the open space. The first storey also houses student club facilities and societies, open study areas as well as project “Pods”. These “Pods” have been conceptualised as idea incubation spaces and are expressed as crystalline structures made of steel and glass.

Programme spaces have been zoned by colour across the floors for easy wayfinding. Grey tones used in the floor pattern act as backdrops for the pop of colour introduced in each area. The interior design was inspired by patterns from electrical circuitry, incorporating lines that cross and overlap, emphasising linearity and connectivity. The lines give a sense of movement and activity along the corridors, creating an energetic atmosphere for both students and faculty members.