Burning Down the House of Convention

“Yes, I do sleep,” Prof Jeff (who prefers the informal address) jovially confirmed when we sought out an intimate detail about his life. His vigour is so palpable and constant that one might wonder if he ever takes a moment to unwind. Yet, this dynamism is coupled with a disciplined regimen from years of juggling professional responsibilities with fatherhood. With two children, now 27 and 17 years old, Prof Jeff’s evenings have long been a time for serenity and productivity, as he capitalises on the tranquil hours after his children’s bedtime to delve back into his work.

It has been just under eight weeks since Prof Jeff assumed the helm of the department and his smiles genuinely reflect the zeal with which he embraces his role. Prior to his current tenure at NUS, Prof Jeff made his mark as a renowned Professor of Landscape Architecture and steered the Urban Commons Lab at the University of Washington (UW) in Seattle. He brought a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the role of Chair of Landscape Architecture at UW, a position he held with distinction from 2009 to 2017. His academic and professional portfolio is nothing short of illustrious and he came close to expanding it even further with a third Master’s degree in Building Science. Prof Jeff holds a Master of Architecture degree from the University of California, Berkeley in 1994 and a Master of Landscape Architecture degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1993.

In conveying his philosophy to his peers at the Department, Prof Jeff turns to the arts for metaphorical guidance, referencing the iconic song ‘Burning Down the House’ by the Talking Heads, 1983. He beckons his colleagues to channel their inventiveness, to not shy away from challenging the status quo and to develop an acute awareness of their objectives and the power they have to realize those objectives. In his eyes, each member of the team possesses the potential to effect change and make a significant impact through their work. His vision for the team is one where each person feels empowered to bring their unique perspectives to the table, where experimentation is encouraged and where everyone is engaged in a collective effort to push the boundaries of what is possible in the field of education and research.

As Prof Jeff continues to lead by example, his blend of rigorous academic insight and a passion for hands-on engagement promises to inspire both current and future colleagues. The Department, under his guidance, looks forward to a period of vigorous growth, fresh ideas and a reinvigorated commitment to excellence in education and research.

Prof Jeff’s career trajectory is as impressive as it is inspiring, a pioneer in bottom-up placemaking and civic engagement. To learn more about his remarkable journey, click here.