Boon Lay Ong

Dr Boon Lay Ong has an interest in diverse fields that leads to a better understanding of architecture as it is experienced and lived in. It started with his Masters degree, where he researched into the use of physical models in acoustics, inspired by the thought that the shape, size and materiality of the auditorium determined the experience of the sound within. The interest later broadened to include the other senses and elements - e.g. heat, light, touch, movement. While thinking about his PhD, he realised that while ecology is an important concern in sustainability, ecologists were little interested in the built environment as an ecosystem and architects did not study ecology as part of their syllabus. This soon led to the idea that plants (greenery) is a vital component for future sustainable design. Returning to Singapore, he developed a Masters of Landscape Architecture program for the National University of Singapore in 2009. He then joined the University of Melbourne in 2010 and Curtin University in 2014. His most recent research is in thermal aesthetics, believing that an understanding and appreciation of heat as an aesthetic will be an important component in the evolution of an architectural formal style in sustainability.

Teaching

• Urban Design Research Studio: ESD Studio
• Environmental and Technological Strategies in Architecture

Research Interests

• The role of greenery in architecture and urban design and planning
• The city (and its component parts - precincts, neighbourhoods and buildings) as an ecosystem
• Thermal aesthetics and architectural design
• Environmental modelling in architecture
• Auditorium design and acoustical mapping

Education

• PhD University of Cambridge (1993 — 1997)
• Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) University of Auckland (1978 — 1980)
• Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) University of Auckland (1973 — 1977)
• HSC 'A' Levels Tengku Abdul Rahman College (1971 — 1973)
• Primary & Secondary St George's Institution (1960 — 1970)