5 Questions With... SIA President Seah Chee Huang
Hear from the newly-elected council president of the Singapore Institute of Architects
The newly-elected president of the Singapore Institute of Architects’ 58th Council, Seah Chee Huang has been at DP Architects since 2003, and became a director at the firm in 2014. He also serves in design advisory committees and panels for the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), Housing & Development Board (HDB), and Temasek Polytechnic School of Design. A graduate of the National University of Singapore, Seah worked at Foster and Partners in the UK for two years, on the design of the new Wembley Stadium and the flagship store of luxury brand, Asprey, before joining DP Architects.
Photos by DP Architects courtesy of Singapore Institute of Architects
Photos by DP Architects courtesy of Singapore Institute of Architects
DP Architects’ Our Tampines Hub
What’s a typical workday like for you?
I start my day at half six – take my kids to school, have breakfast with my wife, before heading to work. Early emails or time for sketching out ideas in my head, with a cup of teh-si-siu-dai (local version of tea with milk) before a galore of external and internal meetings, design pin ups, charrettes (intense design workshops), crits (architecture critiques) and discussions fill the day. Occasionally there are all-nighters during submissionperiod. Team lunches – whenever I can – and chats are precious each day to connect and bond. The cycle repeats with challenges that are unique to the day.
What’s a typical workday like for you?
I start my day at half six – take my kids to school, have breakfast with my wife, before heading to work. Early emails or time for sketching out ideas in my head, with a cup of teh-si-siu-dai (local version of tea with milk) before a galore of external and internal meetings, design pin ups, charrettes (intense design workshops), crits (architecture critiques) and discussions fill the day. Occasionally there are all-nighters during submissionperiod. Team lunches – whenever I can – and chats are precious each day to connect and bond. The cycle repeats with challenges that are unique to the day.
DP Architects’ design of Archifest 2016 pavilion
As an architect, what 3 things/tools do you carry with you at all times?
1. Mobile phone
2. Black drawing pen
3. Gummies or candies – My small indulgence for a sugar rush and a friendly treat to start any conversation
As an architect, what 3 things/tools do you carry with you at all times?
1. Mobile phone
2. Black drawing pen
3. Gummies or candies – My small indulgence for a sugar rush and a friendly treat to start any conversation
Mediacorp by DP Architects
How has the internet affected your industry?
The internet and its multiplicity in medium and platforms hasreshaped the way we think, work, interact and connect. The world is much closer, flatter and more instantaneous. Information is readily accessible and consumption of content becomes increasingly accelerated. The appreciation of architecture with the advent of social media platforms has also been augmented, offering another lens in experiencing and understanding architecture.
On the one hand, architecture is much more available and inclusive. Social media provides a new psychological space that raises awareness; allowing for greater participation and sharing of knowledge, best practices and quality architectural design by practices (firms) and communities globally. On the other hand, the new platforms invariably commodify architecture and drive consumerism. [The] visual dominates in the curation and personification of architecture through shares/likes of uploaded images, livestreams and gifs over platforms such as Twitter and Instagram. At times, a design will be assessed by its Instagram-ability, which unfortunately negates other sensorial qualities that are equally significant in validating good design
Key to good design is to strike a balance between new media and traditional means of appreciating quality architecture that goes beyond “looks and likes”, and are anchored by core values of purposeful and people-centric design.
How has the internet affected your industry?
The internet and its multiplicity in medium and platforms hasreshaped the way we think, work, interact and connect. The world is much closer, flatter and more instantaneous. Information is readily accessible and consumption of content becomes increasingly accelerated. The appreciation of architecture with the advent of social media platforms has also been augmented, offering another lens in experiencing and understanding architecture.
On the one hand, architecture is much more available and inclusive. Social media provides a new psychological space that raises awareness; allowing for greater participation and sharing of knowledge, best practices and quality architectural design by practices (firms) and communities globally. On the other hand, the new platforms invariably commodify architecture and drive consumerism. [The] visual dominates in the curation and personification of architecture through shares/likes of uploaded images, livestreams and gifs over platforms such as Twitter and Instagram. At times, a design will be assessed by its Instagram-ability, which unfortunately negates other sensorial qualities that are equally significant in validating good design
Key to good design is to strike a balance between new media and traditional means of appreciating quality architecture that goes beyond “looks and likes”, and are anchored by core values of purposeful and people-centric design.
GoodLife! Makan by DP Architects
How does being a part of a professional association like SIA benefit your business?
SIA presents an excellent platform for me to connect with [the] larger context of the architectural industry and fraternity. Being a part of the council allows me to gain better insights and partake in discussion of issues and mechanisms that shape the way we operate and practice. The institute is also a space of exchange, learning and discourse between industry partners. Important are the friends that I meet, make and bond with, who share the conviction of elevating our profession, to ultimately serve and benefit our community.
How does being a part of a professional association like SIA benefit your business?
SIA presents an excellent platform for me to connect with [the] larger context of the architectural industry and fraternity. Being a part of the council allows me to gain better insights and partake in discussion of issues and mechanisms that shape the way we operate and practice. The institute is also a space of exchange, learning and discourse between industry partners. Important are the friends that I meet, make and bond with, who share the conviction of elevating our profession, to ultimately serve and benefit our community.
Architecture was a natural calling; it allows me to explore my love of the arts in space, form and materiality of design where purpose meets beauty.