Soo K Chan

Background: The 55- yearold Singaporean architect is the founding principal and design director of multidisciplinary practice, SCDA Architects, established in 1995. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the inaugural Singapore President’s Design Award and two RIBA International Prizes.

Style: Taking a holistic approach, SCDA’S projects express tranquillity and calmness qualified by space, light and structural order, producing architecture and interiors shaped by cultural and climatic considerations and integrating nature and water features that blur the line between inside and outside.

Projects: Residences, a museum, an art gallery, National Design Centre and Rang Mahal restaurant in Singapore; One KL condominium in Kuala Lumpur; Heeren Street Shophouse in Malacca; The Sanya Edition hotel and residences in China; Alila resorts in the Maldives and Bali; and residences in New York City. www.scdaarchitects.com

“Authenticity, simplicity, warmth and elegance are qualities I strive for in residential projects. A well- designed space is a balanced whole that brings peace as well as new energy to its users.”

“Starting any design project is similar to dating: there’s the period of getting to know the client and also the site. These relationships evolve throughout the project and it’s about knowing when to push the limits of what is possible while building trust and sensibility. I believe interior design should be about celebration: it should bring joy to everyone who is part of the process. Each material has a feeling associated with it and it’s up to us to paint with materials to best communicate that specific feeling. Good residential projects should look and feel comfortable.”