DP Architects paves new frontiers with people-centred schemes

Founded in 1967, a mere two years after Singapore entered a brave new world of independence, DP Architects was in the thick of the country's nation-building and urban development, becoming an important contributor to its public projects. 

For close to 50 years, DP Architects has been vital in the evolution of Singapore's cityscape through the design of major landmarks, starting with the People's Park Complex. The building is Southeast Asia's first mixed-use development recognised as one of the world's most important urban experiments, influenced by the 1960s Metabolist movement. 

At its founding, the humble 18-man firm was driven by a vision to uplift the human experience and spirit. Until today, each project is an ongoing exploration in sustainably and positively shaping the public domain, looking beyond stylistic conventions. Pioneering firsts include Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay, the first major arts and civic centre built in 2002 embodying Singapore's rapid transformation into an international cultural metropolis. 

Another site serving as a social anchor and first for Asia is the recently completed multiple-award-winning Singapore Sports Hub. With DP Architects leading the master planning together with Arup and AECOM, the development addresses Singapore's tight urban environment and its aspirations to be a sporting nation. The facility is the world's largest hub ecosystem of its kind - bridging sports, leisure, entertainment and the community, with venues catering to world-class events and everyday participation. 

Evolving alongside Singapore's growth as a global city, DP Architects has helped shape the country's architectural landscape and places for city dwellers to work and play. 

The firm has designed and delivered a remarkable variety of projects diverse in scale and typology. These undertakings include Marina Centre, comprising Marina Square mall, Suntec City and Millenia Walk, which sits on the single largest reclaimed site in downtown Singapore. DP Architects is also behind some 30 retail and hospitality projects along Orchard Road, Singapore's definitive shopping belt, and the groundbreaking integrated resort development Resorts World Sentosa.

"Asian developers are no longer just looking to grow domestically, they are also going global. With our extensive range of planning and design services, DP Architects is the ideal partner for clients looking to expand overseas, which we have started to do with COSL in Singapore," says Chan Sui Him, chairman.

DP Architects has also extended its reach, strengthening the world's perception of Singapore design. Its global footprint is evident in star architectural projects outside of Singapore. These include the Dubai Mall, Beijing Guoson Centre and Sky Gardens in India. The Dubai Mall - at 550,000 square metres - is the largest mall in the world and was one of the world's most visited leisure destinations in 2013, with 75 million visitors. 

"In 2017, DP Architects will be celebrating its 50th anniversary," says Francis Lee, CEO. "About half of our revenue comes from our overseas portfolio, and we plan to advance the firm by focusing on our expansion within Asia and beyond."

To date, the practice has evolved to become the largest and one of the oldest in Singapore, with 1,200 staff and 15 global offices, including Myanmar and London as the latest additions. In China, DP Architects first officially made its presence with a Hong Kong office in 1994. It moved the Hong Kong branch office to Shenzhen in 1999, and in 2003 set up a main office in Shanghai, followed by branches in Beijing and Guangzhou. DP Architects' offices in China comprise 125 staff members.

Now an industry-leading, multidisciplinary design practice that operates as the DP group of companies, its subsidiaries - DP Consultants, DP Design, DP Engineers, DP Green, DP Healthcare, DP Infrastructure and DP Sustainable Design - collaborate intimately with DP Architects to provide the smooth delivery of fully coordinated, context-appropriate and innovative design solutions. With the diversified talents and capabilities of its leaders, DP Architects is well-placed to tackle challenges as a leading global architecture firm. 

"All members of each project contribute their talent and experience to the development of a building. Teamwork is the foundation of DP Architects' designs," says Angelene Chan, deputy CEO. 

The firm's lifelong focus on retaining its talent and prizing its designers was rewarded at the 2014 Singapore Institute of Architects Architectural Design Awards, where DP Architects bagged five awards, the highest number of recognitions won by a single firm.

With its people-oriented culture making a world of difference in all its projects, and teams from various countries representing different ethnic groups, lifestyles, backgrounds, skills and abilities, DP Architects will continue to push the global boundaries of design.

DP Architects: http://www.dpa.com.sg