Careers & Alumni
Roles in Industry
The ISD programme equips students to frame complex built-environment challenges through a systems lens that connects building and urban scales. This perspective is grounded in the Asian context, where climate change, rapid densification, resource security and quality of life are converging as defining design and planning challenges.
ISD graduates are therefore well positioned across a wide range of built-environment sectors: design and planning consultancies, sustainability and ESD practice, development, public agencies, planning institutions and sustainable finance. Others move into research, education and doctoral study, while some build entrepreneurial pathways of their own.
The ISD programme equips students to define and articulate high-value roles within established practice domains, responding to the increasingly complex environmental and urban challenges shaping the built environment.
Named Employers
ISD graduates have gone on to work across leading organisations in Singapore and internationally, spanning design and planning practice, sustainability consultancy, development, public agencies, research and related fields. The organisations below are a few examples that illustrate the breadth of career pathways available to ISD graduates.
| AECOM | CPG Consultants Pte. Ltd. (Singapore) | National University of Singapore |
| Accor Hospitality Group (Germany) | DP Architects (Singapore) | OBERMEYER Engineering Consulting Co., Ltd. (China) |
| Atelier Ten | EY (Ernst & Young) | Pomeroy Studio (Singapore) |
| Benoy Landscape (Hong Kong) | Future Cities Laboratory, Singapore | SAA Architects Pte. Ltd. (Singapore) |
| Building and Construction Authority (BCA), Singapore | GreenA Consultants (Singapore) | Singapore-ETH Centre (Singapore) |
| CapitaLand Development (Singapore) | Henning Larsen | Surbana Jurong Consultants Pte. Ltd. (Singapore) |
| Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (India) | Housing & Development Board (HDB), Singapore | Tierra Design (Singapore) |
| Centre for Liveable Cities (Singapore) | INDÉ (Integrated Design) (India) | Urban Planning & Design Institute of Shenzhen (China) |
| Chengdu Institute of Planning and Design (China) | JTC Corporation (Singapore) | Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), Singapore |
| Cistri | Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (USA) | WOHA Architects (Singapore) |
Alumni Profiles
The profiles below offer a snapshot of ISD alumni and the diverse pathways they have pursued after graduation. This is a representative selection and does not capture the full breadth of the alumni community; a more comprehensive list of alumni profiles can be explored through the LinkedIn search here.
Alumni Testimonials
Background: Architecture
Graduated: June 2021
“The programme trains the students to integrate knowledge from several disciplines, as well as to approach it both at the building and urban scale. Through the programme, I was able to see the fundamental problems of the world and then find the best solutions that can engage both humanistic and environmental aspects. It also broadened my understanding about creating a liveable and equitable environment for all biodiversity.
My previous understanding about sustainability in architectural design was simply to build a good living environment for humans only. However, the programme has really changed my perspective of sustainability and broadened my knowledge by elaborating on the very fundamental problems to finding the best solutions for creating a liveable environment for all living species. The best part was that I could learn directly from the best experts in Singapore.”
Background: Education
Graduated: June 2021
“I was drawn to the programme as it looks into the interface between the natural and built environment, fostering synergy between human-natural systems to find new sustainable solutions.
I have gained the perspective to analyse and tackle urban problems and climate change risks with multi-layered thinking by delving into different scales. The studio practice enabled me to recognise the potential of each urban system beyond its ecological and technological aspect and programmatic functions, to promote liveability and productivity.
I have enjoyed the discussions in each session with professionals from different disciplines. It was an opportunity to negotiate and adjust our viewpoints to develop sustainable design principles and generate complexity in holistic systems integration.
I believe the course has advanced my understanding of systems thinking and my approach to site analysis. Research into each system enabled me to identify the potential of multifaceted systems integration and ecological processes. The course has inspired me to think of an alternative model of professional practice and future education to create a new sustainable built environment.”
Background: Architecture
Graduated: December 2020
“I appreciate how we were required to exercise the systems-thinking approach constantly until it became first-nature in how we rationalized an architectural or urban scale project. I must agree that systems-thinking is a very powerful approach to understanding our built environment in its entirety and subsequently, the sustainability of it. This big-picture perspective is what differentiates the ISD programme from a LEED certification, which gives attention to finer technical details of sustainability.
Since then, I was given the opportunity to explore a more interdisciplinary role that is still within the built environment industry. Dr. Anuj Jain, an ecologist who taught us in the course brought me on board his consultancy, allowing me to use the systems thinking approach to create ecological connectivity of both flora and fauna on site, which in turn builds the value of the project through the performance of ecosystem services.”
Background: Urban Planning
Graduated: June 2022
“Before joining ISD, I worked as an urban planner at the Chengdu Institute of Planning and Design, where Singapore was an important reference for our work on sustainable urban development. ISD gave me a much deeper understanding of how sustainability is approached from policy, design and user perspectives.
The programme also introduced me to practical tools for carbon, ecology and energy assessment, but its greatest impact was strengthening my systems thinking. I developed a clearer understanding of how energy, water, food, greenery and public space interact within cities. Since returning to Chengdu, I have applied this thinking in leading multidisciplinary planning work, including the Chengdu Jinjiang River Governance Master Plan, which the Chengdu government has since approved.”
Background: Architecture
Graduated: December 2015
“The programme helped me to refine my design thinking process by incorporating sustainability through systems thinking and creating positive impacts at multiple scales i.e., from building to urban to regional scale. The course also focused on ways to improve ecosystem services and improve the quality of life in the urban context.
The cross collaboration of fellow students from different nationalities and professional backgrounds was challenging in the beginning, but this gave us the real time practical experience of working with professionals from various fields and come together to achieve holistic sustainability.
The programme helped me to understand that sustainability in the built environment is not just about optimizing the building performance in terms of energy and water, but to move beyond and be regenerative at a larger scale by looking beyond the site’s boundary and create a positive impact.
It has helped me to work in sustainability research on total building performance and urban planning and as an environmental sustainability design consultant. In my current architectural practice,, it helps me to infuse the idea of sustainability right from the design thinking process and thus, provide better design solutions”
Background: Engineering
Graduated: June 2014
“The programme was structured to adapt and integrate knowledge from various backgrounds and disciplines of each year’s student cohort – such as architecture, urban planning, engineering, landscape or the sciences. The programme provides a wealth of knowledge regarding sustainability, and navigating the multi-disciplinary perspectives amongst peers was intense, but equally rewarding and positive.
MSc ISD has trained me to think beyond the conventional paradigms of sustainability and deliver superior solutions that have far-reaching impacts on the built environment – beginning at the building scale with incremental impacts on the precinct, urban and national scales.
Now as a professional in sustainable development and ESG investing, I champion green building principles, engaging in both technical and financial aspects of sustainability.”