Kay Ngee Tan is a multifaceted creative force, known for his innovative approach to architecture and his ability to draw inspiration from a diverse range of sources. From art and film to photography and literature, Tan’s capacity to connect architecture with other creative domains sets him apart as a visionary.

In 2023, Tan was one of two recipients of the prestigious President’s Design Award—Designer of the Year, a recognition that marked a significant milestone in his four-decade-long career. Recent highlights from his impressive body of work include the restoration of the Bukit Timah Railway Station, completed in 2022, and the new Gallop extension at Singapore Botanic Gardens, which opened in 2021.

Earlier touchstones include BreadTalk’s headquarters in Paya Lebar; the Singapore Pavilion at Shanghai Expo; Kinokuniya bookstores in Singapore, Bangkok, Taipei, Sapporo, Abu Dhabi and New York; and the Singapore Management University (SMU), which, when inaugurated in 2003, coincided with the opening of Tan’s Singapore office.

Tan’s architectural exploits began after graduating from the renowned Architectural Association in London, where he was tutored by luminaries like Zaha Hadid and Rem Koolhaas. He established Kay Ngee Tan Architects in London in 1990 after stints at firms in Italy and the UK.

A true Renaissance man, Tan has also authored books, held photography exhibitions, and constructed stage sets for theatre veteran Kuo Pao Kun (1939–2002), showcasing his artistic versatility.