Richard Hassell

Co-founding director, Woha Architects

 

The architect is an advocate of sustainable design and developments that coexist with the natural ecosystem

Australian-born architect Richard Hassell is the co-founder of Woha Architects, partnering with Wong Mun Summ in striving to realise the self‑sufficient cities of tomorrow: liveable and sustainable developments that raise inhabitants’ overall quality of life. As co-founding director, Hassell leads its project teams in the design execution and contract implementation of innovative private and institutional works.

Woha’s high‑profile projects include The Hedberg academy building for the University of Tasmania, the Huaku Sky Garden in Taiwan and the Parkroyal on Pickering in Singapore, one of the first hotels that deployed the creative use of vertical gardens. The firm was chosen to design Singapore's Pavilion for World Expo 2020 in Dubai, in which it created an “oasis in the dessert” on a 1,550-square metre site in the Expo's Sustainability District. More recently, the firm worked on the Pan Pacific Orchard, which was completed this May and reimagined with biophilic design at the forefront. Leading by example as an archetype for high-rise tropical hospitality, the open plan’s layout encompasses four distinct strata with Sky Terraces included as elevated grounds with amenities surrounded by lush greenery. The firm is also currently working on the Punggol Digital District, a 50 hectare development whose construction started in 2019 and is slated to be completed by December 2022.

Woha has been awarded the President’s Design Award and Good Design Award several times, as well as has received accolades from the World Architecture Festival and more. In 2017, Hassell and Wong also launched a homeware brand Wohabeing, which offers furniture, lighting products, rugs, bathware and tableware.

“If you only think of the large scale, you can’t make environments that are humane. We are constantly reminding ourselves to think: what would this design feel like for a human?” 

Impacted Industries


Awards


2021

President’s Design Award

Did You Know?


Richard Hassell is also an artist who has worked on limited-edition prints, textiles and rugs, and community art. His work has been showcased in institutional and private venues in the US, Europe and Asia, and is also in private collections around the world.

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