Two DPians in URA list of 20 promising architects

DP Architects’ Mr Seah Chee Huang and Mr Ng San Son have been selected by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) to showcase their portfolio of works as part of the URA 20 under 45 initiative. Both Mr Seah and Mr Ng joined DP Architects in 2003 and are actively involved in the design and planning of notable projects in Singapore. They have been recognised for the community-centric and socially conscious quality in their work.

Mr Seah, a director at DPA, has completed several inclusive community projects, among them Singapore Sports Hub; Our Tampines Hub; Project Bus Stop, an experiment that re-imagines bus stops as meaningful social nodes; and GoodLife! Makan, a senior activity centre with a communal kitchen that engages stay-at-home elderly.

A firm believer that the environment shapes the mind and behaviour, Mr Seah is interested in exploring the role of architecture as a powerful and effective vehicle to effect positive social changes and enrich the everyday life of the community. He asserts that architecture is an extension of our values system, reflecting how the society question, think and regard the built environment. He is a key driver of DP Architects’ design initiatives that focus on enhancing design competency. Mr Seah also serves as the first vice-president of the Singapore Institute of Architects, and as an adjunct tutor at NUS Department of Architecture since 2006.

Mr Ng was the design architect of myVillage at Serangoon, Civil Service Club at Changi and River Safari. He is currently leading the revitalisation of recreational and community destination, Downtown East.

Mr Ng San Son, a senior associate director at DP Architects, joined the firm in 2003. Mr Ng appreciates architecture as an avenue for discovery and enriching insights, and a medium to connect people and spaces emotionally. Mr Ng believes that architecture presents opportunities for open interpretation of the intended and encourages interesting adaptation of space by the users through exploration and interaction. Passionate about inspiring future generations and aspiring architects, Mr Ng is an adjunct design tutor at the NUS School of Design and Environment, as well as a mentor to tertiary students in various industry-related programmes and events.

In the second edition of this initiative in 2010, DPA’s Ms Angelene Chan and Mr Tan Chee Kiang were among the 20 selected architects. Today, Ms Chan is the CEO of DP Architects and its group of companies, and Mr Tan, one of its directors. Mr Frven Lim, the head of DP’s office in London, was also selected in the second edition.

The 20 under 45 exhibition opens on 1 December 2017 at The URA Centre with Minister for National Development and Second Minister for Finance, Mr Lawrence Wong, as the guest of honour. It will run until 31 January 2018. A publication featuring the design philosophies, project narratives, photographs and illustrations of the works completed by the 20 architects, will also be launched as part of the exhibition.

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