ALUMNI NEWS
Through Their Eyes: Alum Edmund Ng
In this series of articles, we will explore the experiences and insights of alumni actively supporting and contributing to the CDE community. Through their diverse perspectives, these alumni will offer unique insights into how their university experiences have impacted their lives and how they, in turn, are working to make a difference in the lives of current and future CDE students. Additionally, they will share their hopes for the future of CDE graduates and provide guidance and support for those navigating the challenges and opportunities of post-graduation life.
Anyone meeting architect Edmund Ng would quickly realise he has a strong passion for life, driven by a deep curiosity about the people and the world around him. An award-winning architect, one need only google his name to see the many articles showcasing his distinctive touches of a modern and clean aesthetic on works that resonate quietly with the surrounding environment rather than intrude extravagantly into the space.
It was surprising to hear him admit that he had no concept of good design before university. Only after he began his studies did he realise how much the views of others influence our perception of good design. This made him reflect on the subjectivity of design and how it can be difficult to define what is ‘good’.
Edmund struggled during his first year as an architecture undergraduate with no background in design. However, he eventually realised that the key to real understanding, and thus mastery of architectural skills, was immersing oneself in experiences, flooding the senses, and reflecting on one's responses to these inputs.
Edmund believes that universities have a bigger purpose than imparting knowledge. He thinks that the main goal of a university is to introduce young minds to new and diverse ideas. Therefore, students should actively explore areas of interest, even if they are not directly related to their core subjects. These experiences and understanding can help them define their design language and shape their design aesthetic. Edmund shared his own experience of how learning about the history of art deepened his understanding of its impact on architecture.
This immersion in experiences does not just extend to his profession. Edmund’s love and mastery of cooking are well documented. Watch him whipping up chilli crab, displaying yet more creative and technical skills in a totally different arena.
Deeply passionate about providing students with opportunities to immerse themselves in the world around them, Edmund advocates for travel to be a key component of a young architect's education, allowing them to see beyond the confines of their own country and stretch their creative boundaries. His focus on Asia is a tribute to his roots and a recognition of the significant contributions that the region has made to the world of architecture, historically and in modern times, something that he wants our students to appreciate.
To Edmund, exploring means not just seeing beautiful sites but also soaking in the culture and understanding the people who live there. His wife, who is also an NUS alum, fondly shared how her husband would spend hours in a cafe, chatting with random people, seeing this as an integral part of immersing himself in his surroundings as well as sharing his own story with others.
This alum's message is clear: Go out, connect, and impact the world! We deeply appreciate the support of Edmund and his wife Jazz, in enabling our students’ exploration of the world around them.