Architecture OPEN HOUSE 2025

First established in 1958, the Department of Architecture (DOA), NUS, has trained generations of architects and designers over the 65 years of our history. Over the years, our graduates have firmly established themselves as leaders in the architecture profession and were instrumental in shaping the local and regional built environment. They include:  

Pioneer architects who graduated in the 1960s and contributed significantly to Singapore’s nation building, such Tay Kheng Soon and Tan Cheng Siong. Both of them are winners of Singapore Institute of Architects’ (SIA) Gold Medal, the highest honour from the SIA, and the architects behind modernist icons like Golden Mile Complex, People’s Park Complex and Pearl Bank Apartments.  

President’s Design Award (PDA) Designer of the Year winners such as Mok Wei Wei (W Architects, 2007), Wong Mun Summ (WOHA, 2008), Richard KF Ho (RichardHO Architects, 2013), Tan Kok Hiang (Forum Architects, 2014), Khoo Peng Beng and Belinda Huang (ARC Studio, 2020). The PDA is the highest honour accorded to designers and designs from all design disciplines in Singapore.  

Younger generations of award-winning architects such as Chang Yong Ter (Chang Architects), Randy Chan (ZArch Collaboratives), Wu Yen Yen (Genome Architects), Lim Shing Hui (L Architects), Goy Zhenru (Goy Architects).  

Senior leadership in government agencies such as URA including Hwang Yu Ning (Chief Planner and Deputy CEO, URA) and Fun Siew Leng (Chief Urban Designer, URA) 

Senior leadership in large architectural and design practices such as Seah Chee Huang (CEO, DP Architects) and Tan Shao Yen (Group Chief Innovation Officer, CPG Corporation).  

 At the 2023 NUS CDE Alumni Awards, the Distinguished Alumni Award was presented to Ar. Mok Wei Wei (graduated 1982), Managing Director of W Architects Pte. Ltd. (back row, left), the Alumni Excellence Award to Ar. Seah Chee Huang  (graduate 2003), CEO of DP Architects (back row, second left), and the Outstanding Young Alumni Award to Yeung Man Ki Larry (graduated 204), Executive Director of Participate in Design (front row, fifth from the left).

NUS CDE Distinguished Alumni Award Winner 2023 Ar. Mok Wei Wei’s journey in architecture. College of Design and Engineering, NUS.

 

Many of our graduates have also embarked on careers outside of conventional trajectories in architecture. Some of them make use of the broad-based design training that they received at the DOA to engage with and excel in the allied fields of design, art, sustainability and built heritage. Among them are:  

Kelley Cheng, PDA Designer of the Year, 2020 and creative director of the Press Room 

Peter Sim, Tiah Nan Chyuan, Selwyn Low and Torrance Goh, the co-founders of the award-winning cross-disciplinary design practice FARM.  

Cheryl Sim and Mervin Tan, co-founders of multi-disciplinary, award-winning design firm Plus Collaboratives.  

Designers of interactive experiences, such as Shi Yanjie and Lim Zi Yuan who are directors of Vouse, a firm that uses VR, AR and different softwares to tell stories and enhance experiences of our environment, and Yen Phoaw (senior product designer at Intuit, San Francisco). 

Heritage specialists and consultants, such as Ho Weng Hin and Tan Kar Lin (co-founders of Studio Lapis), Yeo Kang Shua (Assoc Prof at SUTD), Ian Tan (Assoc Director at One Bite Studio, Hong Kong). 

Community designers such as Albert Liang (founder of BEEP Lab) and Larry Yeung (Executive Director of Participate in Design). 

Urban sustainability advocates and entrepreneurs, such as Tan Jing Xiang (cofounder of an urban farm wethefarm) and Eva Leung (co-founder of Terra Cura, Massachusetts, USA) 

Design researchers and strategists like Melany Sun-Min Park (Strategy Lead at Gensler USA), and Elaine Tan Sze Hui (Director of Research at Centre for Liveable Cites).  

Design writers and editors, such as Sylvia Chen (editor, A+U magazine in Japan) and Luo Jingmei (independent writer, previously deputy editor of Cubes Indesign). 

Artists, illustrators and photographers, such as Lee Xin Li (independent illustrator), Quek See Hong (ceramic artist at Good Good Ceramics), Fabian Ong (independent photographer) and Ong Chan Hao (photographer, researcher and designer).  

Artist Interview with Ong Chan Hao for the Photography Journal Open Call (PJOC) exhibition (16 August to 31 December 2023). NUS Museum.

 

Other graduates capitalized on their backgrounds and training in architecture to become leaders in the real estate industry:  

Cheng Hsing Yao, CEO of GuocoLand 

Dennis Woon Chin Voon, Group Chief Development Officer, Mapletree Investments 

Leong Teng Wui, Chief Development Officer, The Ascott 

James Foo, Vice President, Global Real Estate and Workplace Experience, American Express 

Tan Szue Hann, Head of Sustainability, Keppel Land 

Max Ma, Director of Design and Technical Services, Singapore & the Philippines at Accor 

 

Roundtable discussion at CDE Open House (May 2024) featuring Ar. Lee Shing Hui (Founding Director & Design Principal, L Architects), Ar. Sri Saravanan (Senior Designer & Architect, FARM), Ar. Jacqueline Yeo (Director & Co-Founder, Plystudio Architects) and Ar. Rene Tan (Co-Founder & Principal Architect, RT+Q Architects), moderated by Bachelor of Arts in Architecture Programme Director, B.A. (Arch) A/Prof. Ar. Ong Ker-Shing. The AY2024/25 academic year marks her final tenure as the Programme Director for the BA Arch.

Roundtable Discussion – “What It Means To Be An Architect” featuring Award Winning Practitioners.

 

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