Singapore’s most notable architecture professionals under 40

This year's list includes four Green Mark Accredited Professionals (GMAP).

In search of the best architecture professionals under 40, Singapore Business Review reached out to more than 25 architecture firms in the country.

After rigorously reviewing nominations from the firms, nine women and 11 men made it to the final cut. 

Agents on this year’s list come from  Swan & Maclaren Architects, SAA Architects, Surbana Jurong, RSP, DP Architects, DCA Architects, ONG & ONG, and CPG Consultants 

Leading the pack is RSP, with six representatives. The youngest on the list is from Swan & Maclaren Architects.

This year’s awardees designed and managed large-scale projects like Woodlands Health Campus, Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre, Pasir Ris Mall, CapitaSpring, Changi Airport Terminal 4, One Holland Village, and the restoration of the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station.

One of the awardees is managing the residential strata for the CanningHill Piers project, the tallest residences along the Singapore River.

This year's list also includes four Green Mark Accredited Professionals (GMAP).

Here are this year’s awardees, arranged from youngest to oldest.

Cheska Daclag Nodado, 28
Swan & Maclaren Architects 

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Cheska holds a Master in Architecture and Sustainable Design from the Singapore University of Technology and Design. At Swan & Maclaren Architects, Cheska plays a key role in projects such as Bedok and Keppel public housing developments and the Katho Temple that won the Bronze and Luminary awards for Best in Public Space Design from the Society of Interior Designers Singapore. Cheska is involved in international projects at Swan & Maclaren, including Thailand medical centres and office towers in Bangladesh.

Kenny Chen, 32
SAA Architects

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Kenny is a Young Leader in BCA's BuildSG LEAD programme, with skill sets rooted in architectural design and research. His early experience as a commercial graphics entrepreneur has equipped him to manage stakeholder demands and diverse teams competently – valuable capabilities that now support his work on large-scale projects. These include the 34-storey Labrador Tower and the award-winning HomeTeamNS Bedok Reservoir Clubhouse, which have been recognised for their green design features.

Chris Cheng Wai Look, 32
Surbana Jurong

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Chris is respected for his expertise in innovative design and urban planning. He has led large-scale projects with values ranging from SG$70mi to SG$450m. Chris was responsible for the conceptual design, tender documentation, and contract administration for projects like Tampines Green Emerald, Punggol Point Cove, and Bukit Merah Ridge. His sensitive approach to the urban context works towards creating vibrant communities, as demonstrated in his role as Lead Design Architect for the Tengah Plantation Edge and Matilda Riverside residential projects.

Samantha Wong, 35
RSP

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Graduated with a Master of Architecture from the National University of Singapore,Samantha is a Registered Architect known for her balance of innovation and user-centric design. She seamlessly integrates regulatory requirements whilst prioritising sustainability and inclusivity. Her experience with EPIC Homes, where she built homes for Orang Asli families, deepened her commitment to community-focused architecture. Her key projects include Grand Park City Hall and Bird Paradise.

Lau Soh Yong, 36
SAA Architects

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Soh Yong is a registered member of the Singapore Board of Architects. She specialises in healthcare design across Singapore and the ASEAN region. Soh Yong has previously played an important role as Healthcare Planner for Woodlands Health Campus, where she coordinated design and implementation.Currently, she oversees project execution and coordination for the Tanjong Katong Nursing Home development as Project Architect. Soh Yong constantly works to emphasise compassionate, user-centered design in healthcare environments.

Caroline Law Xiu Ying, 36
SAA Architects

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Since joining SAA in 2015, Caroline has designed and managed major projects like the Sengkang Grand mixed-use development and Woodlands Health Campus. Her analytical skills and keen awareness of social, environmental, and economic factors have led to wins in master planning competitions for Ulu Pandan East, Jurong Lake District, and Hougang Nursing Home. Registered with the Singapore Board of Architects, she has also worked on JTC Bulim and ExxonMobil Jurong New Building, ensuring strict safety and design standards in these industrial developments.

Tan Zi Hua, 36
DP Architects

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Zi Hua is a registered architect who is passionate about sustainability. Her portfolio includes both architectural and interior design along with community impact assessment and behavioral research. Zi Hua is currently managing the residential strata for the CanningHill Piers project, a luxury development in collaboration with Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), and would be the tallest residences along Singapore River. At DP Architects, she is pushing for automation in residential design processes for greater efficiency.

Jocelyn Yong, 36
RSP

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Jocelyn, with a Master’s in Architecture from the University of New South Wales and over a decade of experience, has shaped award-winning projects like the SIT Punggol Campus Court with Super Low Energy buildings. Her portfolio includes Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre, Alexandra Hospital Healing Campus, and Lions Home for Elders. Inspired by her childhood in under-resourced elder care, Jocelyn is dedicated to revolutionizing healthcare design. She employs advanced technologies to create eco-friendly and community-focused spaces.

Matthias Fabian Alexander, 37
RSP

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Matthias, a Taylor’s University Architecture graduate, excels in collaborative design, integrating architects and engineers for project success. With a Green Mark Accredited Professional (GMAP) certification, he has worked in diverse sectors including institutional and residential developments. Key projects include the Dunearn 386 residential project, Angel Playing Cards Factory, and the National Archives Singapore. Matthias drives architectural progress with meticulous planning and innovation.

Clarence Foo, 37
SAA Architects

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A registered member of the Singapore Board of Architects, Clarence has most recently completed seven years of work on the Woodlands Health Campus, Singapore's largest integrated healthcare facility. He excels in detail-oriented problem-solving and stakeholder management, evident by how he skillfully integrated complex systems on the award-winning Changi Airport Terminal 4 project and navigated numerous healthcare and stakeholder requirements in Woodlands Health Campus. Clarence's experience enhances his design and project skills.

Lim Chee Kean, 37
DCA Architects

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Chee Kean, a Registered Architect with a Master’s from the National University of Singapore, has been active in the architectural consultancy field since 2014. He has been working on Pasir Ris 8 and Pasir Ris Mall, an integrated development featuring residential, civic, community, and healthcare spaces. As a Green Mark Accredited Professional, Chee Kean advocates for sustainable design and serves on the Singapore Institute of Architects' Fire Safety and Security Sub-Committee.

Jenabi Ling, 37
DP Architects

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Jenabi, a registered architect with DP Architects since 2013. He specialises in transport projects, focusing on station optimisation and spatial planning to reduce environmental impact. His experience includes elevated and underground MRT stations and the expansion of Kim Chuan Depot, recognised as the world’s largest underground train depot. He has been working on the Cross Island Line’s Teck Ghee and Elias MRT Stations, and the Jurong Region Line’s Enterprise and Tukang MRT Stations. 

Tan Wei Sheng, 37
ONG & ONG

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Wei Sheng has great experience across various typologies, including hospitals, community centres, and conservation projects. He excels in translating design concepts into reality. He played an important role in the completion of the 110-year-old National Monument, St Joseph's Church, and is currently part of the team to restore yet another National Monument, the old Tanjong Pagar Railway Station. He aims to explore architectural education in the future, enhancing the field's relevance and impact.

Eugene Fong, 38
DP Architects

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With over a decade of experience, Eugene specialises in diverse projects including academic, healthcare, commercial, and retail spaces. His recent work focuses on the infrastructure of the Cross Island Line (CRL). He also leads two station projects for Bangkok's MRT Purple Line South and will oversee three stations along the city’s MRT Orange Line West. Eugene's passion for architecture is driven by its impact on the socio-economic development of countries and the everyday commuter. In his spare time, he volunteers as a camp teacher.

Chin Qin You, 38
RSP

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Qin You has refined her design skills through diverse projects, from high-end residential to large-scale commercial ventures. She now leads significant commercial and civic addition and alteration projects. She had a pivotal role in CapitaSpring, an iconic project that showcases her proficiency in blending innovative design with functional excellence. Qin You is dedicated to understanding how the built environment influences interpersonal dynamics, viewing design as a transformative force that shapes lifestyles and communal interactions.

Huang Caijin, 39
CPG Consultants 

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Caijin is a seasoned architect with over 15 years of experience. She joined CPG Consultants in 2010 after earning her Master of Architecture from NUS and became a Qualified Person (QP) in 2015. She has led significant projects like JTC Summit, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, and Mandai Rainforest Park. Passionate about functional and inclusive design, Caijin focuses on enhancing communities through meaningful spaces, particularly in schools and parks, and is dedicated to mentoring future architects.

Jeffrey Gonzales Calayo, 39
SAA Architects

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Jeffrey excels in residential and mixed-use design, having contributed to projects across Singapore, China, and Malaysia with SAA since 2010. He has led major developments like Sky Green Condominium, Commonwealth Towers, and the award-winning Eastlink I & II @ Canberra. He is presently one of the design leads for Ulu Pandan Banks, a public housing project known for its thoughtful contextual design. Jeffrey’s versatility extends to large-scale projects such as Woodlands Health Campus, Changi Airport Terminal 4, and Penang's Marriott Hotel.

Huijuan Lim, 39
RSP

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With over a decade of experience, Lim Huijuan is a dependable and driven architect, whose notable works include the Cyan condominium, Pavilion Park landed housing, One Holland Village mixed development and MINDEF Annex. Huijuan excels in managing resources and delivering projects on time and within budget, always considering the end-users perspective to enhance design and functionality. Outside work, her passion for long-distance cycling and dragon-boating has honed her discipline and teamwork.

Tay Kai Loong, 39
DP Architects

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A registered architect with 13 years of experience, Kai Loong’s diverse portfolio includes educational facilities, public spaces, commercial offices and hospitality projects. Since joining DP Architects in 2019, he has planned, designed and developed the new CMPB, a landmark project with sustainability strategies and integrated communal spaces, awarded with the Green Mark Platinum Super Low Energy certification. Kai Loong's design philosophy focuses on harmonising the natural and built environments to create impactful spaces.

Md Shaziran Bin Md Shahabdeen, 39
RSP

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Shaziran is a creative and accommodating architect known for fulfilling client visions while navigating budget and site challenges. His project management excels in clear communication, using precise emails and graphical notes to ensure effective collaboration with consultants, contractors, and clients. Shazi skillfully analyses projects to prioritise tasks and manage timelines, contributing to major projects like Funan, One Holland Village commercial and residential development, St Regis Hotel and Service Residential A&A Works.