The Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA) celebrated two recipients of the SIA Gold Medal as well as 19 winners of the SIA Architectural Design Awards (ADA) during a gala dinner held in conjunction with the professional organisation’s 60-year milestone on 21 August 2023. The presentation ceremony saw the presence of Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Finance and Second Minister for National Development as the guest of honour.
The Gold Medal was conferred on 84-year-old Ar Raymond Woo and the late Ar Kerry Hill (1943-2018) in recognition of their lifetime contributions to architecture and the profession.
Woo was among the few entrusted with nation-building projects during the formative years of the city, having won the design competitions for Jurong Town Hall and the Singapore Science Centre then. His insights have been instrumental in the shaping of the Subordinate Courts Complex; State Courts Complex; National Art Gallery; and the rejuvenation of the Golden Mile Complex.
The founder of Raymond Woo & Associates Architects constantly explores new concepts and materials, with a diverse portfolio—comprising 78 Shenton Way; Equity Plaza; Loyang Valley Condominium; Singapore Airlines Engineering Hangar; the conservation of Yueh Hai Ching temple; and 268 Orchard—under his belt. With a career spanning over five decades, his stylistic approaches reflect the socioeconomic conditions and aspirations of the state during different periods.
Following the establishment of Kerry Hill Architects in 1979, Hill created contextually sensitive works that drew on local styles, building techniques and materials. With a forte in designing hotels and resorts in Asia and beyond, his modern approach to tropical architecture introduced a distinctive design language, evident in Lalu Hotel at Sun Moon Lake in Nantou, Taiwan; The Chedi in Chiang Mai, Thailand; Amankora in Bhutan; Aman in Tokyo, Japan; Amanemu in Honshu, Japan; the State Buildings in Perth, Australia; The State Theatre Centre of Western Australia; and residential projects Genesis, Hana, Urban Suites and Martin No. 38 in Singapore. Hill’s legacy is being carried on by his thriving practice.
From left to right: Ar Tanuj Goenka (on behalf of Ar Kerry Hill), Indranee Rajah and Ar Melvin Tan; image by SIA
Another highlight of the evening was the naming of Delta Sport Centre and Gallop Extension at Singapore Botanic Gardens as Design of the Year for the ADA 2023—both projects emerged top among the recipients of eight Design Awards and 13 Merit Awards across six categories.
According to Ar Melvin Tan, President of SIA, the ADA serves to recognise architectural merit and solidify the importance of design in the development of built environment.
The complete list of winners is as follows:
Design of the Year
- Delta Sport Centre by Red Bean Architects LLP
- Gallop Extension at Singapore Botanic Gardens by Kay Ngee Tan Architects
Residential Projects
Design Award:
- MAKE House by Park + Associates Pte Ltd
Merit Awards:
- 37 One Tree Hill by ipli Architects
- Forgetting Time House by Wallflower Architecture + Design
- House with Verandahs by RT+Q Architects Pte Ltd
Commercial Projects
Design Award:
- Delta Sport Centre by Red Bean Architects LLP
Merit Awards:
- Djitsun Mall at Bedok by Zarch Collaboratives Pte Ltd
- SEEK HQ, Cremorne, Australia by Hassell
Institutional Projects
Design Awards:
- Nanyang Technological University Academic Building South by RSP Architects Planners & Engineers (Pte) Ltd and Toyo Ito & Associates, Architects
- Punggol Soka Centre by Formwerkz Architects LLP
Merit Awards:
- National University of Singapore School of Computing COM3 by LAUD Architects Pte Ltd
- National University of Singapore School of Design and Environment (SDE) 1 and 3 by CPG Consultants Pte Ltd and School of Design and Environment, National University of Singapore
- Singtel Waterfront Theatre by Architects 61 Pte Ltd
Industrial, Transport & Infrastructure Projects
Design Award:
- Of Bricks and Breath by IX Architects Pte Ltd
Merit Award:
- JTC Cleantech Three by Architects 61 Pte Ltd
Special Categories
Design Awards:
- Delta Sport Centre by Red Bean Architects LLP (Alterations & Additions)
- Gallop Extension at Singapore Botanic Gardens by Kay Ngee Tan Architects (Public Place Making)
Merit Awards:
- Garden Pod at Gardens By The Bay by LAUD Architects Pte Ltd (Innovation, Material and Construction Detailing)
- National University of Singapore School of Design and Environment (SDE) 1 and 3 by CPG Consultants Pte Ltd and School of Design and Environment, National University of Singapore (Alterations & Additions)
Interior Architecture
Design Award:
- Le Corbusier: A Travelling Exhibition by RT+Q Architects Pte Ltd (Exhibition Design)
Merit Awards:
- Alila Kothaifaru Maldives by Studiogoto
- Wanderlust by FARM Architects Pte Ltd
The winners of ADA 2023; image by SIA
For details, please refer to the SIA’s website. —Construction+ Online
