Diploma in Architecture,

School of Design and Media

 

Building to uplift lives

My journey as a Diploma in Architecture student at NYP has been deeply fulfilling. At first, I wasn’t sure if the polytechnic path was right for me but NYP’s hands-on approach, small class sizes and clear structure made me take a leap of faith. I quickly found myself immersed in a course that aligned perfectly with my passion: Understanding how spaces shape people’s lives and designing with empathy and intention.

  

For my Final Year Project, I developed a conceptual design for a community hub in Singapore's historically rich Kampong Bugis, imagining how architecture could address potential climate displacement. The brief challenged me to weave local architectural heritage with sustainable, forward-thinking design. This project was an impactful reminder that architecture has the power to respond to human needs with dignity and imagination.

 

Representing Singapore at WorldSkills Lyon 2024 was a memorable milestone for me – I earned a Medallion for Excellence in Digital Construction. This followed earlier achievements, including Gold at WorldSkills Singapore 2023 and another Medallion at the Belt and Road International Skills Competition. These experiences taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of striving for excellence under pressure.

  

Beyond competitions and academics, I interned at DP Architects, contributing to a high-rise residential project for the Middle East. I also played the bassoon in NYP’s Symphony Orchestra, took part in national leadership programmes, and volunteered with Project Rejuven-Aid to refurbish the home of an elderly resident. These moments reminded me that design is never just about buildings alone, but it’s about people.

  

Receiving the Lee Hsien Loong Award for Outstanding Achievement in Design and Media is an incredible honour, and it reflects not just my own efforts but also the mentors, teammates, and classmates who supported me. I’ve since applied to study Architecture at the National University of Singapore, to create spaces that are inclusive, sustainable, and rooted in the lives they serve.

  

NYP has shaped who I am, not just as a designer but as a collaborator, a citizen, and a person ready to make a meaningful difference through design.