DP Architects
{{Short description|Architecture and urban design practice in Singapore}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
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{{COI|date=March 2019}}
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{{Infobox company
| name = DP Architects Pte Ltd
| logo =
| type = Private Limited
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| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = {{unbulleted list|Angelene Chan (Chairman)|Seah Chee Huang (Chief Executive Officer)|Lee Shee Koeng (Chief Operating Officer)}}
| industry = Architecture and Urban Planning
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| services = Architecture, Planning, Interior design, Project management, Development feasibility study, Due diligence study, Environmental sustainability design, Engineering, Infrastructure design, Master planning, Architectural lighting design, Facade design
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| num_employees = Over 900 worldwide{{cite web | url=https://www.dpa.com.sg/about/the-firm/ | title=DP Architects Official Website - The Firm | access-date=19 January 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308201459/https://www.dpa.com.sg/about/the-firm/ | archive-date=8 March 2021 | url-status=dead }}
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| homepage = [http://www.dpa.com.sg/ www.dpa.com.sg]
| foundation = 1967
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| location = Singapore
| locations = 18 Offices
}}
DP Architects Pte Ltd is a Singaporean multinational architectural and industrial design firm.{{Cite web|url=http://sbr.com.sg/building-engineering/feature/singapores-20-largest-architecture-firms-2015|title=Singapore's 20 largest architecture firms 2015|website=Singapore Business Review|access-date=18 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818223429/http://sbr.com.sg/building-engineering/feature/singapores-20-largest-architecture-firms-2015|archive-date=18 August 2016|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=WA100 2016: The big list|url=http://www.bdonline.co.uk/business/wa100-2016-the-big-list/5079321.article|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818125308/http://www.bdonline.co.uk/business/wa100-2016-the-big-list/5079321.article|archive-date=18 August 2016|access-date=18 August 2016|website=Building Design}} Originally founded as Design Partnership in 1967, it became a private limited company in 1993 and now operates as a multi-disciplinary design consultancy.{{Cite web |url=http://www.yellowpages.com.sg/listing/DP-Architects-Pte-Ltd/newiyp/yp/newypdetailsearch2009.do?applicationInd=yp&&CompanyName=DP+Architects+Pte+Ltd&idsNo=_pzH%3CuC%29%3C%7B%3Ek9pf4rB%5C*W%3C%25R%7B+%60zZuCp%3Ek9f4 |title=Archived copy |access-date=12 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004232245/http://www.yellowpages.com.sg/listing/DP-Architects-Pte-Ltd/newiyp/yp/newypdetailsearch2009.do?applicationInd=yp&&CompanyName=DP+Architects+Pte+Ltd&idsNo=_pzH%3CuC%29%3C%7B%3Ek9pf4rB%5C*W%3C%25R%7B+%60zZuCp%3Ek9f4 |archive-date=4 October 2013 |url-status=live }} It is recognized as one of the largest architectural practices globally.
The DP group encompasses various entities, including DP Architects, DP Consultants, DP Design, DP Engineers, DP Façade, DP Green, DP Lighting, DP Sustainable Design, and DP Urban. With a workforce of over 900 employees, it operates from 18 offices worldwide.{{Cite web|title=DP Architects|url=https://www.dpa.com.sg/about/the-firm/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109224112/https://www.dpa.com.sg/|archive-date=9 January 2019|access-date=19 March 2021|website=www.dpa.com.sg}}
DP Architects has been involved in numerous notable projects, such as The Dubai Mall,{{Cite web|url=http://www.ameinfo.com/60808.html | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091125092720/http://www.ameinfo.com/60808.html | title=Business Real Estate News | Technology | Travel Guide|archivedate=25 November 2009|website=AMEInfo}} and it has contributed to the design and construction of significant landmarks in Singapore, like the People's Park Complex and Golden Mile Complex, both built in the 1960s. Additionally, the firm has participated in master planning endeavors for the Orchard Road shopping belt and the development of Marina Centre. Its extensive portfolio spans across various sectors, including retail, hotel, resort, commercial office, residential, convention center, technology parks, medical, religious, educational, civic institutions, and airport and aviation-related support facilities.
History
The firm was started in 1967 with William Lim Siew Wai, Tay Kheng Soon,{{Cite web |url=http://www.akitektenggara.com/processofun/process.htm |title=Tay Kheng Soon / Akitek Tenggara |access-date=20 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313000413/http://www.akitektenggara.com/processofun/process.htm |archive-date=13 March 2012 |url-status=dead }} and Koh Seow Chuan[http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_1608_2009-11-06.html Koh Seow Chuan | Infopedia] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307154229/http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_1608_2009-11-06.html |date=7 March 2012 }} when they left the Malayan Architects Co-Partnership{{cite web |url=http://www.fab.utm.my/download/ConferenceSemiar/ICCI2006S5PP22.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=21 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722234216/http://www.fab.utm.my/download/ConferenceSemiar/ICCI2006S5PP22.pdf |archivedate=22 July 2011 }} and founded Design Partnership after its dissolution to start their own firm with an initial staff strength of 18.Ng, Erin., et al. (2007). DP Architects: The Works Since 1967. Singapore: DP Architects Pte. Ltd. (Call no.: RSING English 720.95957 DP) In 1972, Gan Eng Oon joined and became a partner followed by Chan Sui Him in 1973 and became a partner subsequently in 1974.
In 1974, Tay Kheng Soon, who graduated from Singapore Polytechnic in 1963, retired and established his own practice, Akitek Tenggara. A year later in 1975, Design Partnership was dissolved and reformed as DP Architects Pte (DPA). William Lim retired in 1981 and established his own practice.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rama9art.org/citiesonthemove/body315.html|title=Cities on the Move|website=www.rama9art.org|access-date=22 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203173713/http://www.rama9art.org/citiesonthemove/body315.html|archive-date=3 December 2009|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.arch.nus.edu.sg/guest-lectures/vod/wlim.html|title=NUS - National University of Singapore|website=www.arch.nus.edu.sg|access-date=22 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009092933/http://www.arch.nus.edu.sg/guest-lectures/vod/wlim.html|archive-date=9 October 2007|url-status=live}}
The company expanded in 1982 with the establishment of two subsidiary companies, DP Design and DP Consultants.{{Cite web |url=http://www.dpdesign.com.sg/ |title=DP Architects - DP Group |access-date=13 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120128230549/http://www.dpdesign.com.sg/ |archive-date=28 January 2012 |url-status=live }} DP Architects was registered formally as a private limited with 200 employees in Singapore.{{Cite web |url=http://www.bca.gov.sg/newsroom/others/pr030903.pdf |title=Build SG - BCA |access-date=21 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206174131/http://www.bca.gov.sg/Newsroom/others/pr030903.pdf |archive-date=6 December 2010 |url-status=live }} Leading the firm since its inception, Chan was succeeded by Francis Lee Seng Wee in 2004 as the CEO while he was promoted to chairman of the firm. In 2016, Francis Lee Seng Wee became chairman, while Chan assumed a mentorship role as senior director.{{Cite news|url=http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/dp-architects-names-new-chairman-ceo|title=DP Architects names new chairman, CEO|last=Lee|first=Meixian|date=12 January 2016|work=The Business Times|access-date=18 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828204304/http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/dp-architects-names-new-chairman-ceo|archive-date=28 August 2016|url-status=live}} Angelene Chan was promoted to CEO.{{Cite news|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/home-design/angelene-chan-new-ceo-of-dp-architects-is-the-only-woman-ceo-out-of-the-top-5|title=Angelene Chan, new CEO of DP Architects, is the only woman CEO out of the top 5 architecture firms here|last=Zachariah|first=Natasha Ann|date=18 January 2016|work=The Straits Times|access-date=18 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921184312/http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/home-design/angelene-chan-new-ceo-of-dp-architects-is-the-only-woman-ceo-out-of-the-top-5|archive-date=21 September 2016|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.indesignlive.sg/articles/people/new-appointment-angelene-chan-is-named-ceo-of-dp-architects|title=New Appointment: Angelene Chan Is Named CEO of DP Architects {{!}} INDESIGNLIVE SINGAPORE {{!}} Daily Connection to Architecture and Design|website=www.indesignlive.sg|access-date=18 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130172156/http://www.indesignlive.sg/articles/people/new-appointment-angelene-chan-is-named-ceo-of-dp-architects|archive-date=30 January 2016|url-status=live|date=27 January 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.interiordesign.net/articles/11568-10-questions-with-angelene-chan/|title=10 Questions With... Angelene Chan|date=23 February 2016|language=en-US|access-date=18 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820113422/http://www.interiordesign.net/articles/11568-10-questions-with-angelene-chan/|archive-date=20 August 2016|url-status=live}}
In 2021, as part of the firm's leadership renewal and continuity plan, Seah Chee Huang has been appointed its chief executive officer. Angelene Chan became the chairman of the board while Francis Lee became a senior director and advisor.{{Cite web|title=DP Architects|url=https://www.dpa.com.sg/news/in-the-media/dpa-announces-new-ceo-2021/|access-date=1 February 2021|website=www.dpa.com.sg}}
Sustainable design
DP Architects is considered a leader in sustainable design. The Building and Construction Authority of Singapore (BCA) has recognized DP Architects as one of the top three architecture firms in Singapore with the highest number of Green Mark Platinum and GoldPlus projects, with 25 or more projects rated Green Mark Gold+ or Platinum.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bca.gov.sg/GreenMark/Leading_Firms_in_GM_Awards.html|title=Leading Firms in Green Mark Awards|date=24 February 2016|website=Building and Construction Authority|publisher=Building and Construction Authority|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501184112/http://www.bca.gov.sg/GreenMark/Leading_Firms_in_GM_Awards.html|archive-date=1 May 2015|url-status=live}} The BCA Green Mark system is a green building rating system to evaluate a building for its environmental impact and performance, with Gold+ and Platinum being the highest two ratings for efficiency.{{Cite web|url=http://www.stproperty.sg/articles-property/property-guides/bca-green-mark-scheme%253A-what-it-is-all-about%253F/a/99956|title=BCA Green Mark Scheme: What It Is All About? - STProperty|website=www.stproperty.sg|access-date=18 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013234428/http://www.stproperty.sg/articles-property/property-guides/bca-green-mark-scheme%253A-what-it-is-all-about%253F/a/99956|archive-date=13 October 2016|url-status=live}} DP Architects has also scored many firsts for sustainably designed architecture, winning the first two Green Mark District awards for Resorts World Sentosa and NUS University Town, both achieving the second highest rating of GoldPlus.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bca.gov.sg/newsroom/others/Media_Release_Green_Mark_District.pdf|title=New Green Mark Award for Districts - NUS and Resorts World Sentosa bag new BCA Green Mark awards for integrated environmental friendly development|date=29 October 2009|publisher=Building and Construction Authority|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911065623/http://www.bca.gov.sg/Newsroom/others/Media_Release_Green_Mark_District.pdf|archive-date=11 September 2013|url-status=live}}
In 2015, DP Architects was awarded the Built Environment Leadership (BEL) Gold Class Award by BCA.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bca.gov.sg/awards/bela/others/bela2015.pdf|title=BCA Awards 2015 - Recognising Excellence in the Built Environment|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=Building and Construction Authority|access-date=18 August 2016}} DP Architects and its group of companies received a total of four BCA-SGBC Green Building Individual Commendation Awards in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Notable projects
DPA is best known in Singapore for several architectural works of the late 1960s and early 1970s such as People's Park Complex,{{Cite web |title=People's Park Complex {{!}} Infopedia |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1597_2009-10-31.html |access-date=27 October 2022 |website=eresources.nlb.gov.sg}} and Golden Mile Complex.{{Cite news |last=Zaccheus |first=Melody |date=8 October 2015 |title=Veteran architects of urban think-tank Spur reunite after 50 years |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/home-design/veteran-architects-of-urban-think-tank-spur-reunite-after-50-years |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022023725/http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/home-design/veteran-architects-of-urban-think-tank-spur-reunite-after-50-years |archive-date=22 October 2015 |access-date=8 October 2015 |work=The Straits Times}}{{Cite web |last=Singapore |first=National Library Board |title=Golden Mile Complex {{!}} Infopedia |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1833_2011-08-29.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810093326/http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1833_2011-08-29.html |archive-date=10 August 2016 |access-date=18 August 2016 |website=eresources.nlb.gov.sg}}
Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas said at a press conference when he visited Singapore in 2005: ‘These buildings (Golden Mile Complex and People's Park Complex) were not intended to be landmarks, but became landmarks.’
Tay Suan Chiang (5 August 2007). "Goodbye Famous 5?: "Slum" becomes landmark". The Sunday Times.
The firm is also known for its work on the Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay,{{Cite web|url=http://www.archnewsnow.com/features/Feature101.htm|title=ArchNewsNow|website=www.archnewsnow.com|access-date=21 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100907194906/http://www.archnewsnow.com/features/Feature101.htm|archive-date=7 September 2010|url-status=live}} The Dubai Mall, Resorts World Sentosa,{{Cite web|url=https://www.e-architect.co.uk/singapore/sentosa-resort|title=Resorts World Sentosa: Singapore Buildings|first=Adrian|last=Welch|date=20 July 2010|website=e-architect|access-date=13 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118153337/https://www.e-architect.co.uk/singapore/sentosa-resort|archive-date=18 November 2018|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://meridian103.com/issue-4/made-in-singapore/|title=Resorts World at Sentosa: Changing The Family Experience for Ever - Made in Singapore - 103 Meridian East, Singapore|website=meridian103.com|access-date=21 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714073459/http://meridian103.com/issue-4/made-in-singapore/|archive-date=14 July 2011|url-status=live}} and Singapore Sports Hub.{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=1877|title=Sports Hub, Editorial, world architecture news, architecture jobs|access-date=21 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111223214617/http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=1877|archive-date=23 December 2011|url-status=dead}}
References
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External links
- [http://www.dpa.com.sg/ Official website of DP Architects Pte Ltd]
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{{portalbar|Architecture|Singapore}}
Category:Architecture firms of Singapore