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See what your
shophouse could become.

Explore sustainable shophouse upgrades in Singapore, from existing fabric and passive cooling to renewable energy and everyday operation. Scroll through the drawing, or choose an upgrade below.

Build your own upgrade plan Start the building tour Read the full checklist

Concept illustrations. Every intervention depends on the property, feasibility and approvals.

How a conservation shophouse is surveyed and upgraded

A scroll sequence. A photographed row of three Singapore conservation shophouses dissolves into a measured wireframe elevation, which then becomes transparent to reveal the interior, air wells and roof structure. Five systems are added in the order an adviser would work in: passive ventilation, insulation and fans; rainwater capture and planting; lighting; roof-mounted solar; and electric vehicle charging at the frontage. Each system clears before the next is drawn, and all five return together at the end.

A restored row of three Singapore conservation shophouses photographed straight on, showing the clay-tile roof, upper-floor louvred shutters and ground-floor five-foot-way arcade.
Before 01 / 08

Begin with what stands.

Every shophouse has a history. Start with its structure, spaces and existing services to understand what can be retained and improved.

  • Fabric, roof and age
  • Services added over time
  • How the units are tenanted
Survey 02 / 08

Read the building.

Record the building as it stands: fabric, layout, services and conservation constraints. Let the survey guide the next decision.

  • Fabric and roof condition
  • Existing electrical capacity
  • Conservation constraints
Reduce demand 03 / 08

Start by needing less.

Explore ventilation, shading and insulation before sizing new equipment. The right combination depends on the building and how tenants use it.

  • Air well and stack ventilation
  • Roof and ceiling insulation
  • Fans, shutters and shading
Close the loop 04 / 08

Catch what the roof already collects.

Assess rainwater collection, non-potable reuse and planting where space, maintenance and approvals allow.

  • Rainwater capture and storage
  • Non-potable reuse and irrigation
  • Planting in the air well and rear
Improve efficiency 05 / 08

Light it for the street and the tenant.

Balance daylight, efficient fittings and controls with tenant comfort, street character and conservation requirements.

  • LED with occupancy and daylight control
  • Five-foot-way and facade lighting consent
  • Warm tone, low glare and spill
Generate 06 / 08

Check the potential for solar.

Check roof condition, shading, structural capacity and approvals before considering solar generation.

  • Structural capacity
  • Visibility from the street and approvals
  • Connection, metering and export
Add amenity 07 / 08

Plan for EV charging.

Assess EV charging against parking access, electrical capacity, permitted fixings and responsibility for metering.

  • Incoming supply headroom
  • Permitted fixing points
  • Metering and billing owner
The whole asset 08 / 08

Plan for the whole building.

Plan improvements together. Each decision affects the next, from reducing demand to selecting systems and managing performance.

The drawing starts
the conversation.

A workable plan also considers condition, maintenance, tenants and permissions. Explore the checklist by part of the building.

Discuss your building
Roof
  • Solar photovoltaic array
  • Roof and ceiling insulation
  • Solar hot water or heat pump
  • Rainwater capture and storage
  • Roof and gutter condition
Air well
  • Stack ventilation reopened
  • Daylight into the deep plan
  • Skylight or air-well glazing
  • Planting and evaporative relief
  • Non-potable reuse and irrigation
Envelope
  • Timber shutter restoration
  • Draught sealing
  • Rear secondary glazing or film
  • Rear shading and awnings
Interior services
  • LED relamping and controls
  • Ceiling fans and setpoints
  • Cooling only where passive falls short
  • Kitchen exhaust and make-up air
  • Heat recovery where it pays
Frontage
  • Electric vehicle charge point
  • Five-foot-way lighting
  • Facade lighting within consent
  • Bicycle parking and end of trip
Measurement
  • Sub-metering by unit or tenant
  • Water-efficient fittings
  • Green lease clauses
  • Performance reporting
Materials & biodiversity
  • Retain useful structural fabric before specifying new materials
  • Repair or reuse salvaged roof tiles, timber and glass where suitable
  • Consider native or regional planting and small habitats
  • Plan access, drainage and care for planting over time

A checklist for discussion, not a specification. Scope and approvals are assessed for each property.

Make a plan for
your shophouse.

Tell us what you want to maintain, renovate or improve. We can help identify a useful starting point.

Discuss an improvement