Space Makers: Classic Aluminium’s Leo Chua on grounding his aviation career to take flight in his family’s business

Tell us more about Classic Aluminium and the work that the company does. What role do you play?

Classic Aluminium is more than just a business to me—it represents my father’s passion, hard work and vision. At our core, we specialise in bespoke architectural aluminium systems for the residential market. While we’re widely recognised for our minimalist window and door systems, our work extends further; we also design, fabricate and install glazing systems, cladding, screens, skylights, trellises and other customised aluminium solutions tailored to each project’s requirements.

Every project is distinct. We work closely with architects, designers and homeowners to develop systems that complement both the architectural vision and the lifestyle of the end user, whether that involves creating indoor-to-outdoor transitions, maximising natural light, or meeting stringent structural requirements.

In my role, I oversee day-to-day operations across every stage, from initial consultation and design development to fabrication, installation and final handover. I’m also involved in research and development, exploring new technologies and refining our systems to respond to the evolving needs of Singapore's architectural landscape. Ultimately, we see ourselves as collaborators rather than suppliers, partnering with architects and designers to understand their intent and contribute meaningfully to each project.

What inspires you in your everyday work?

My father, Kenneth Chua, is my greatest source of inspiration. His values, discipline and work ethic have shaped both my professional outlook and the way I approach my responsibilities. What I admire most is that, even after decades in the industry, his passion hasn’t dimmed. He continues to visit project sites personally, ensuring every installation meets our standards.

One thing he said has always stayed with me: “If you are truly passionate about what you do, going to work every day does not feel like work. Instead, it becomes the fulfilment of your passion and the realisation of your dreams.” That philosophy has deeply influenced how I view my own career.

Beyond that, there’s something genuinely rewarding about watching architectural concepts evolve from drawings into completed homes, and knowing that our systems played a role in bringing that vision to life.

What was it like when you first joined the business? What are some memorable experiences and lessons learnt so far?

Moving from aviation to the construction and architectural sector was a steep learning curve. My father was instrumental in guiding me through it. We spent countless hours visiting project sites together, discussing technical details and reviewing installations, through which I gained insight into the craftsmanship and attention to detail this industry demands.

My engineering background helped considerably. It enabled me to grasp the technical side of our systems quickly and understand why each profile is designed the way it is. I became fascinated by the balance between structural integrity, weather performance, acoustics, thermal efficiency and aesthetics. Travelling to learn from leading aluminium manufacturers around the world further broadened my understanding of international standards and engineering philosophies.

Adapting to a new industry was daunting at first, but over time I developed a genuine passion for the work. One of the most rewarding aspects has been hearing directly from homeowners about how much they value the solutions we provided—those moments of client satisfaction make the effort worthwhile.

Is it tough working so closely with family? How do you make sure to separate work and family time?

It has actually been a very positive experience. Having spent years overseas as a commercial pilot, it’s meaningful to now be closer to my family and working alongside them. There’s a natural comfort that comes with that, and we’re able to share and laugh together in the day-to-day, which makes the working relationship genuinely enjoyable.

Like any professional setting, we sometimes have different perspectives, which can lead to healthy disagreements, but it’s always constructive. We’re aligned on the same goal: to do the best for the company and deliver the highest standard for our clients, and that keeps us grounded.

Drawing a line between work and family time is something we’re conscious of, though in practice it isn’t always perfect. Work conversations do come up over dinner—that’s inevitable given how closely we operate. Over time, though, we’ve become better at recognising those boundaries while embracing the flexibility that comes with being a family business.

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For those unfamiliar with Classic Aluminium, what are some of your hero products?

One system we’re particularly proud of is the Classic Slimline Series, developed entirely by our in-house design team. It reflects our philosophy of pairing clean, minimalist aesthetics with high-performance engineering, and it is fully tested under TÜV certification standards. What’s meaningful about it is that it has evolved through real project experience; from Classic Series 1.0 through to 3.0, each version has brought refinements in detailing, performance and sightline reduction. We’re currently developing Classic Series 4.0, pushing further in minimalism and engineering efficiency.

The Classic Slimline Series was designed to maximise transparency and minimise visual intrusion. It combines minimalist profiles, expansive glazing and precision engineering to create light-filled spaces where glass, light and panoramic views take centre stage. Designed to disappear into the architecture, it fosters a seamless dialogue between interior and exterior environments while delivering exceptional performance and enduring durability.

The Classic Local Euro Series is our core solution for projects where consistency and performance are the priorities. Engineered to European-inspired standards and adapted for Singapore’s tropical climate, it covers casement windows, sliding doors and fixed glazing, offering architects and developers clean aesthetics without compromising on structural robustness.

Technal is a French-engineered system from Toulouse that we’ve partnered with for over a decade, perhaps best known locally for its use on the façade and in hotel room windows and doors at Marina Bay Sands. It performs strongly in wind resistance, acoustic control, and watertightness, making it well-suited for complex, large-span glazing projects.

Tell us about some notable or milestone projects Classic Aluminium has worked on.

The Lornie 18 development holds a special place in our company’s history. Developed by Clydesbuilt, this freehold project comprising 18 cluster homes was our very first landed residential development—a significant undertaking at a time when our team was considerably smaller. It required us to demonstrate both our technical capabilities and our ability to manage a complex residential project from start to finish.

Delivering Lornie 18 successfully was a defining moment for us. It helped establish our footing in Singapore’s landed residential market and laid the foundation for a lasting relationship with the developer. Following that project, we were entrusted with numerous subsequent Clydesbuilt developments, including the developer’s own private residence.

A recent standout project was our collaboration with ArMo Design Studio on a multi-generational home development at Lady Hill, comprising a clubhouse and multiple detached homes combined into one. It was one of our largest projects of the year, drawing extensively on our Classic Slimline Series alongside other bespoke aluminium solutions. The scale and design complexity made it a particularly demanding and rewarding project to be part of.

Another key milestone was the installation of our full-height minimalist system: a striking 7.3m full-height, single-pane, three-panel configuration utilising Classic’s Minimalist system, developed in collaboration with RT+Q Architects. The project was a continuation of a longstanding partnership with the practice, with whom we previously realised an 8m-tall, single-pane, four-panel full-height Classic sliding system—an achievement that held our record for the largest installation of its kind for many years. Together, these projects reflect a shared commitment to pushing the boundaries of minimalist glazing and architectural transparency. Both projects pushed our capabilities in executing large-format façade systems where precision, elegance and smooth, safe operation are equally important.

And which project left the deepest impression on you, personally?

A Good Class Bungalow in the Camborne area, designed by architect Ernesto Bedmar, stands out for me. What made it particularly meaningful was the opportunity to be closely involved from the early stages right through to handover. Over the course of two years, I oversaw coordination, managed critical aspects of the works, and carried out thorough inspections throughout. It was demanding work, but seeing the project come together and receiving positive feedback from the client made it a defining milestone in my career.

Now that you have joined the business, what are your future plans for the company?

My vision is to strengthen Classic Aluminium’s position as a bespoke minimalist window and door systems specialist and to elevate the perception of locally engineered systems, demonstrating that Singapore-designed products can hold their own against, and in some cases surpass, European counterparts.

Classic Aluminium is my father’s passion project built through decades of hard work, and carrying that legacy forward is something I take seriously. We’ll continue investing in the refinement of our systems and pushing the standard for residential window and door solutions in Singapore, while also focusing on strengthening our team and improving the client experience at every stage.

What drives me personally is the belief that window and door systems are fundamental to how a home looks, performs and feels. By working with architects, designers and homeowners as genuine collaborators, I hope we can contribute meaningfully to the quality of residential architecture here and honour the foundation my father has spent his life building.

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