Singapore's President*S Design Award 2023 Honorees Include Henning Larsen, BIG, and WOHA Architects

The 2023 edition of the President*s Design Award recently announced its eight winning recipients. This prestigious award recognizes designers who have made a transformative and positive impact on Singapore’s society and the global community. Among the recognized winners were Henning Larsen, BIG, and the Singapore Pavilion for Expo 2020 Dubai.

The 2023 President*S Design Award

The President*s Design Award presented two main categories: Designer and Design of the Year. The award, organized jointly by the Design Singapore Council and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), is given biennially, and this year, it honored two “Designer of the Year” and six “Design of the Year” recipients.
These awardees not only demonstrated excellence in design execution but also showcased a genuine sense of purpose and mission in line with President*s Design Award’s core values. The projects awarded this year addressed critical and systemic issues such as consumerism and circularity, dementia and caregiving, climate change, and sustainability, showcasing Singapore’s best design practices applicable to improving lives worldwide.

Tebet Eco Park l SIURA Studio Pte Ltd. © Tamanhutandki

Leonard Ng, Country Market Director at Henning Larsen, APAC, received recognition as a visionary leader in landscape architecture, advocating for nature and leaving a significant impact on Singapore’s green public spaces like Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, Kampung Admiralty, and Jurong Lake Gardens. His work aligns with Singapore’s “City in Nature” vision and continues to push boundaries.

Leonard NG. © Ivan Loh

Tan Kay Ngee, Principal Architect at Kay Ngee Tan Architects, was honored for his exceptional work spanning nearly four decades in Singapore and globally. As an architect, educator, and writer, he contributed significantly to the field of architecture and made it more accessible and meaningful to all.

Tan Kay Ngee, founder of Kay Ngee Tan Architects. © Wong Wei Liang / 328 Productions

Six projects in the Design of the Year category were recognized for their groundbreaking achievements in enabling economic transformation, improving quality of life, and advancing Singapore’s brand, culture, and community.
1) CapitaSpring, by Bjarke Ingels Group, RSP Architects Planners & Engineers (Pte) Ltd, and Carlo Ratti Associati, stands as a model for the green skyscrapers of the future. Situated in Singapore’s Central Business District, it offers a lush network of offices, residences, and recreational spaces that utilize the restorative power of nature, fostering a new social realm for occupants and the general public to live, work, and play.

2. Hack Care: Tips and Tricks for a Dementia-Friendly Home, by Lekker Architects and Lanzavecchia + Wai, goes beyond wordplay, offering an essential toolkit empowering caregivers to provide dignity and grace for individuals with dementia. This project democratizes inclusive Design through creative, affordable, and practical ideas.

3. R for Repair, by Hans Tan Studio, sheds light on repair as a transformative process that addresses the global waste crisis. It emphasizes the value of care towards possessions and showcases how creative repair can preserve meaning and functionality while promoting sustainability.

4. Singapore Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai, by WOHA Architects Pte Ltd, exemplifies the harmonious coexistence of nature and architecture, creating a sustainable and liveable city. The pavilion, themed “Nature. Nurture. Future.,” showcases a net-zero and nature-positive environment, immersing visitors in Singapore’s lush landscape while serving as a prototype for responsible and regenerative cities.

5. State Courts Towers, by Serie + Multiply Consultants Pte Ltd in collaboration with CPG Consultants Pte Ltd, symbolizes civic pride and architectural brilliance. The innovative high-rise courthouse design reflects transparency and impartiality within the judicial system.

6. Tebet Eco Park, by SIURA Studio Pte Ltd, transformed a neglected and degraded public park in Jakarta into a vibrant green space embraced by the local community. This revitalization project, completed during the pandemic, renaturalized an existing concrete canal into a river with wetlands, managing flooding and water purification.

Overall, the 2023 President*s Design Award winners showcased exceptional design solutions that tackle critical societal issues and elevate Singapore’s global community standing.