Acknowledgements

Singapore was my home from February 1984 until March 2002, during which time I taught architecture and urban design at the National University of Singapore (NUS) where I held the post of Associate Professor. I became a Permanent Resident, edited the Singapore Institute of Architects Journal (1997–9), met and married my Malaysian-born Ceylonese wife and played cricket on the Padang at every opportunity.

Soon after my arrival in Singapore, in February 1984, I made the acquaintance of the distinguished architect and activist William Lim Siew Wai and his wife Lena Lim U Wen, the publisher and then proprietor of Select Books in Tanglin Shopping Centre. In 1987, Lena Lim commissioned me to write a book on contemporary Singapore architecture, entitled Innovative Architecture of Singapore (1989). It was the first attempt to examine the architecture of the Republic after two decades of Independence and it began a productive period of collaboration with Select Publishing that, over a period of fifteen years, produced nine books on Southeast Asian architecture. My constant touchstone during those years in Singapore was Tay Kheng Soon, principal of Akitek Tenggara and latterly Adjunct Professor in the Department of Architecture at NUS, who could always be relied upon to deflate any preconceived notions I entertained about Singapore and its architectural production. I also received advice and critical commentary from other academic colleagues, including Chua Beng Huat, Norman Edwards, James Harrison, Hee Limin, Heng Chye Kiang, Ho Pak Toe, Richard Hyde, Pinna Indorf, Lam Khee Poh, Joseph Lim Ee Man, Lim Soon Chye, Meng Ta-Cheng, P. G. Raman and Bobby Wong Chong Thai.

In this new book, I am indebted to a number of architects for permitting me to publish their designs. I wish to acknowledge, in particular, Brenda Ang, Ernesto Bedmar, Randy Chan, Sonny Chan Sau Yan, Chan Soo Khian, Chang Yong Ter, Richard Hassell, Kerry Hill, Berlin Lee, Lim Cheng Kooi, Ling Hao, Mok Wei Wei, Seetoh Kum Loon, Siew Man Kok, Gwen Tan, Kevin Tan, René Tan, Tan Kok Hiang, Alan Tay, Teh Joo Heng, Toh Yiu Kwong, Wong Mun Summ and Yip Yuen Hong.

I must also express my appreciation to the owners of the houses for allowing me to intrude into their private lives. Several desire to remain anonymous but among those who do not I wish to thank Simon and Michelle Cheong, Michael Ho, Dr Leong See Odd and Dr Loh Lih Ming, Donald and Valerie Low, William Ng, Yuan Oeij, Bernd Starke and Carol Lim Starke, Tan Eng Sim, Mr and Mrs T. P. Tay, Edmund Wee and Tang Wang Joo, and Richard Wong and Clara Hue.

I was also assisted by Chee Li Lian, Chu Lik Ren, Chua Z-Chian, Campbell Ian Cumming, Lillian Dirgantoro, Emilia Emilianay, Francis Goh, Ho Sweet Woon, Ida AK, Serena Khor, Koh Hui Hay, Kwee Liong Phing, Grace Lee, Look Boon Gee, Lye Yi Shan, Bernard Ng, Oh York Bing, Quek Tse Kwang, Satoko Saeki, Desmond Tan, Tan Hock Beng, Tan Kay Ngee, Tan Kok Meng, Tang Guan Bee, Charlotte Wong, Ye Minyu and Angeline Yoo.

I would have found it impossible to keep abreast of architectural developments in Singapore without the help of Lynda Lim Kwee Guek. We have worked together for 24 years and I receive from her copies of every article in the Straits Times relating to architecture. At the Periplus Publishing Group, Eric Oey, June Chong, Chan Sow Yun, Gail Tok and Margaret Kang were hugely supportive, as was freelance editor Noor Azlina Yunus.

Thanks are also due to Pravin Hari Ramalu and Allison Lai who provided accommodation in their spacious apartment at Tampines while I was researching the book, my daughter Zara Shakira who proofread the draft text, and my wife Shantheni Chornalingam who offered advice on the introductory essay. Finally, my sincere thanks are due to my collaborator, the vastly experienced architectural photographer Albert Lim Koon Seng, who sprinkles his own magic throughout the book.