Ask Our Lecturer! A/Prof Ar. Thomas K Kong on the Challenge of Learning Architecture

<div>A/Prof Ar. Thomas K Kong (left, in black), sharing about values-driven design with the teachers</div><div>of Holy Innocent High School.</div>
A/Prof Ar. Thomas K Kong (left, in black), sharing about values-driven design with the teachers
of Holy Innocent High School.

“Seeing my students mature, develop confidence, and speak with conviction motivates me enormously.”

A/Prof Ar. Thomas K Kong, Associate Professor
Department of Architecture, NUS

How does NUS’ BA (Architecture) programme shape students’ future?

Students need to know that learning is a journey and not a means to an end; and that technology changes rapidly while societal values, expectations and needs evolve. The human condition is an unfolding story that requires architects and designers to be nimble, adaptive and resourceful. The BA (Architecture) curriculum and modules are designed to spur students to think deeply and broadly, and to imagine and speculate with sound research and understanding. These are pedagogical strategies that will help students remain relevant, informed and impactful. Besides the undergraduate degrees, students are also offered graduate programmes that focus more on in-depth study, which will build upon the skills and knowledge of an undergraduate education.

How do you think NUS Architecture graduates differentiate themselves from those of other universities?

I have always been impressed by the can-do spirit of our architecture students. Their resourcefulness, commitment to producing excellent works, and continuous desire to learn are outstanding qualities. Increasingly, I have also noticed a strong motivation among students to address social issues through their design projects. It reflects the time we live in and a desire among the architecture students to be more socially engaged and impactful in their works.

 

How do you ensure students benefit from your industry and research experiences?

Students have a strong desire to see their projects make a positive impact on society. There are several ways to support their aspiration – by developing modules that allow them to work directly with stakeholders; embedding students’ learning experience in the community; and providing a transition space from academia to profession in the form of a design incubator to develop noteworthy projects in collaboration with experts from within and beyond the profession.

 

What motivated you to teach Architecture?

For me, teaching architecture is a whole person approach – beyond skills training and knowledge acquisition, students must cultivate critical thinking and empathetic understanding. I feel driven to help my students better understand who they are as an individual and to contextualise this self-awareness to their life experiences. Being an architect is to engage in a lifelong process of questioning and searching. Seeing my students mature, develop confidence, and speak with conviction motivates me enormously.