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WOHA is a Singapore-based architecture practice, established in 1994 by Wong Mun Summ (born 18 August 1962) and Richard Hassell (born 28 October 1966). Its name is derived from the initial letters of the founders’ surnames. They have built over fifty projects throughout Southeast Asia, China and Australia, including residential towers, public housing estates, mass transit stations, hotels and cultural institutions.

Their work incorporates sustainable design strategies as a response to climate change and widespread urbanization. They aim to integrate landscape, architecture and urbanism in high-rise buildings to improve quality of life for residents in high-density megacities. Their buildings are notable for their extensive use of natural vegetation as a building element. In 2007, they came to international attention when the Moulmein Rise Residential Building in Singapore was awarded the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, establishing their reputation as designers of sustainable, naturally ventilated skyscrapers for an urban tropical context.

In addition to architectural practice, WOHA have taught at the National University of Singapore and both Hassell and Wong have lectured at universities around the world.

History
In 1989, Wong graduated from the National University of Singapore and Hassell from the University of Western Australia. As students, both studied environmental design with an emphasis on passive design strategies and energy efficiency. Wong and Hassell met while employed at Kerry Hill Architects in Singapore before founding their own practice in 1994. WOHA’s practice begun with small projects and private houses. Following their success in the open competitions for two Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations in Singapore in 2000 (Bras Basah MRT Station and Stadium MRT Station) and the commission for the 1 Moulmein Rise condominium complex, the firm shifted its focus to public and commercial architecture.

According to the architects, a defining moment in the development of their design approach came with the entry for the Duxton Plain Public Housing International Competition held by Singapore’s Urban Redevelopment Authority in 2001. Although WOHA’s entry was not selected for construction, it was awarded the Merit Prize and provided them with an opportunity to experiment with design strategies for environmentally and socially sustainable high-density developments that would inform their later work.

WOHA subsequently completed a number of high-rises and large public buildings that were designed to be sustainable for tropical climates. These were open permeable buildings that encouraged natural ventilation to reduce reliance on mechanical cooling. They were also characterized by the extensive use of planting to cool the structure through transpiration. It is an approach the architects have described as “breathing architecture”.

Examples include the Newton Suites condominium complex in Singapore, completed in 2007, the Singapore School of the Arts and The Met residential tower in Bangkok, both completed in 2009. The Met raised the international profile of the firm outside of South-East Asia, winning international awards such as the 2010 International Highrise Award and 2011 RIBA Lubetkin Award. The building was characterized as an example of sustainable high-density development for tropical megacities. The RIBA jury noted that the building offered an alternative to glazed skyscrapers common in temperate climates and made clear “that an alternative strategy to the sleek air-conditioned box can work in the tropics and has implications everywhere.”

WOHA have experimented with developing new types of green skyscraper. The Parkroyal on Pickering, completed in 2013, incorporates 15,000 square meters of elevated terraced gardens, which the architects refer to as “sky gardens”. The Oasia Hotel Downtown, completed in 2016, features a façade of aluminum mesh that supports 21 species of plants. The vertical landscaping of these structures is intended to reintroduce greenery to the built environment and encourage urban bio-diversity by attracting local birds and insects.

The SkyVille @ Dawson public housing estate, completed in 2015, provided the architects with an opportunity to realize many of their ideas about housing, which were first articulated with the Duxton Plains competition. According to the architects, SkyVille @ Dawson incorporates design strategies that are intended to promote community living. Communal terraces are provided every eleven stories in order to create groupings of 80 homes, referred to as “Sky Villages.” The building’s rooftop contains a publicly accessible park.

The scale of WOHA’s built and proposed housing projects is intended to respond to the population growth of Asian cities. It is also an outcome of Singapore’s constrained geographic area. Wong has stated that the goal of WOHA’s architecture is to create “comfortable garden suburb experience and then replicate it vertically through a megastructure for everyone to enjoy.” WOHA present their high-density housing designs as replicable models for urban development. However, critics have questioned the universal applicability of this model outside of Singapore’s communitarian political system and coordinated urban planning program.

At the 2016 Venice Architecture Biennale, WOHA launched a book called Garden City Mega City, written in collaboration with Patrick Bingham-Hall. The book outlines WOHA’s design strategies in the context of the threats posed by global warming and the pace of Asian urbanization. WOHA currently have buildings under construction in Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, Bangladesh, India and China.

Significant Built Works

 * Oasia Hotel Downtown, Singapore, 2011-2016
 * SkyVille @ Dawson, Singapore, 2007-2015
 * CapitaMall Tianfu, Chengdu Tianfu, China, 2007-2015
 * The Grove at Baiyun, Guangzhou, 2011- 2016
 * Goodwood Residence, Singapore, 2010-2013
 * Parkroyal on Pickering, Singapore, 2010-2013
 * Ogilvy & Mather Office Fit-Out, Singapore, 2010-2011
 * Space Asia Hub, Singapore, 2008-2011
 * 29 HongKong Street, Addition and Alteration, Singapore, 2007
 * InterContinental Sanya Resort, Hainan, China, 2006-2011
 * School of the Arts, Singapore, 2005-2010
 * Hansar, Bangkok, 2005-2010
 * The Hyde, Sydney, Australia, 2005-2010
 * iluma, Singapore, 2005-2009
 * Genexis Theatre, Singapore, 2005-2008
 * Crowne Plaza Hotel, Changi Airport, Singapore, 2005-2008
 * The Pano, Bangkok, Thailand, 2004-2009
 * Wilkie Edge, Singapore, 2004-2009
 * NOMU, Singapore, 2004-2009
 * The Met, Bangkok, Thailand, 2003-2010
 * Alila Villas Uluwatu, Bali, 2003-2009
 * Newton Suites, Singapore, 2003-2007
 * Gilstead Brooks, Singapore, 2003-2004
 * Tan Quee Lan Suites, Singapore, 2001-2005
 * Odeon Towers Extension, Singapore, 2001-2003
 * House at Rochalie Drive, Singapore, 2001-2002
 * Conservation Shophouse at Telok Ayer Street, Singapore, 2001-2002
 * Bras Basah MRT Station, Singapore, 2000-2008
 * Stadium MRT Station, Singapore, 2000-2008
 * 1 Moulmein Rise, Singapore, 2000-2003
 * Church of St Mary of the Angels, Singapore, 1999-2003
 * Three Houses at Berrima Road, Singapore, 1999-2002
 * House at Hua Guan Avenue, Singapore, 1999-2002
 * House at Maple Avenue, Singapore, 1999-2002
 * Three Houses at Victoria Park Road, Singapore, 1998-2000
 * House at Merryn Road, Singapore, 1995-1998
 * Conservation Shophouse at Emerald Hill Road, Singapore, 1995-1998

Under Construction

 * Vanke Yun City, Shenzhen, China, 2016 -
 * Kampung Admiralty, Singapore, 2014 -
 * BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2011 -
 * Residential Development at Wadala, Mumbai, India, 2010 -
 * Residential Development at Tianmu, Taipei, Taiwan, 2010 -
 * Alila Villas Bintan, Indonesia, 2009 -
 * The Park (residential project), Mumbai, India, 2011 -

Awards

 * 2017 Maison & Objet Designer of the Year Asia Award
 * 2016 World Architecture Festival, Future Project (Commercial Mixed Use), Kampung Admiralty, Singapore
 * 2016 The International Highrise Award Finalist, Skyville @ Dawson, Singapore
 * 2016 SIA Architectural Design Awards, Skyville @ Dawson, Singapore
 * 2016 SIA Architectural Design Awards, PARKROYAL on Pickering, Singapore
 * 2016 SIA Architectural Design Awards, Enabling Village, Singapore
 * 2015 WAN Asia Award (Residential), Goodwood Residence, Singapore
 * 2015 Urban Habitat Award, PARKROYAL on Pickering, Singapore
 * 2014 Australian Institute of Architects, Award for International Architecture - PARKROYAL on Pickering, Singapore
 * 2014 World Architecture Festival, Finalist - Goodwood Residence, Singapore
 * 2014 German Design Council, Iconic Award Best of Best Winner - PARKROYAL on Pickering, Singapore
 * 2014 The Chicago Athenaeum and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies, Green Good Design Award - PARKROYAL on Pickering, Singapore
 * 2014 The Chicago Athenaeum and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies, Green Good Design Award - 48 North Canal Road, Singapore
 * 2014 ArchDaily Building of the Year - 48 North Canal Road, Singapore
 * 2013 INSIDE Festival - PARKROYAL on Pickering, Singapore
 * 2013 World Architecture News (WAN) Hotel of the Year Award - PARKROYAL on Pickering, Singapore
 * 2013 President's Design Award, Design of the Year - PARKROYAL on Pickering, Singapore
 * 2013 NParks Skyrise Greenery Award, Outstanding Skyrise Greenery Project - PARKROYAL on Pickering, Singapore
 * 2013 Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) Architectural Heritage Award - 48 North Canal Road, Singapore
 * 2013 Interior Design Magazine, Best of Year Awards - PARKROYAL on Pickering, Singapore
 * 2013 The Chicago Athenaeum and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies, Green Good Design Award - House on Jalan Sejarah, Singapore
 * 2013 The Chicago Athenaeum and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies, Green Good Design Award - Space Asia Hub, Singapore
 * 2013 The Chicago Athenaeum and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies, Green Good Design Award - Ogilvy & Mather Office Fit-Out, Singapore
 * 2013 The Chicago Athenaeum and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies, Good Design Award - PARKROYAL on Pickering, Singapore
 * 2013 Aga Khan Award for Architecture, Shortlisted - The Met, Bangkok, Thailand
 * 2013 Gold Key Award for Excellence in Hospitality Design, Honorable Mention - PARKROYAL on Pickering, Singapore
 * 2013 World Architecture Festival, Finalist - PARKROYAL on Pickering, Singapore
 * 2013 World Architecture Festival, Finalist - 48 North Canal Road, Singapore
 * 2013 CTBUH Best Tall Building Awards (Asia and Australasia), Finalist - PARKROYAL on Pickering, Singapore
 * 2013 9th Annual Hospitality Design Awards, Finalist - PARKROYAL on Pickering, Singapore
 * 2013 Asia Pacific Property Awards, Highly Commended - Newton Suites, Singapore
 * 2012 The Chicago Athenaeum and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies, Green Good Design Award - Wilkie Edge, Singapore
 * 2012 The Chicago Athenaeum and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies, Green Good Design Award - The Hansar Bangkok, Thailand
 * 2012 The Chicago Athenaeum and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies, Green Good Design Award - InterContinental Sanya Resort, Hainan Island, China
 * 2012 Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) Architectural Heritage Award - Space Asia Hub, Singapore
 * 2012 Architectural Record Magazine Good Design is Good Business China Award, Merit Award - InterContinental Sanya Resort, Hainan Island, China
 * 2012 World Architecture Festival, Finalist - Space Asia Hub, Singapore
 * 2011 RIBA Lubetkin Prize – The Met
 * 2011 RIBA International Award – Alila Villas Uluwatu
 * 2011 RIBA International Award – School of the Arts, Singapore
 * 2011 Australian Institute of Architects, Jørn Utzon Award for International Architecture – School of the Arts, Singapore
 * 2011 Singapore President's Design Award, Design of the Year – School of the Arts, Singapore
 * 2010 The International Highrise Award – The Met
 * 2010 World Architecture Festival, World Holiday Building of the Year – Alila Villas Uluwatu
 * 2010 World Architecture Festival, World Learning Building of the Year – School of the Arts, Singapore
 * 2010 RIBA International Award – Bras Basah MRT Station
 * 2010 RIBA International Award – The Met
 * 2010 Australian Institute of Architects, Jørn Utzon Award for International Architecture – The Met
 * 2010 SIA-Getz Prize for Emergent Architecture in Asia –	WOHA
 * 2010 Singapore President's Design Award, Design of the Year – Stadium MRT Station
 * 2009 World Architecture Festival, World Transport Building of the Year – Bras Basah MRT Station
 * 2009 World Architecture Festival, World Housing Development of the Year – The Met
 * 2009 Singapore President's Design Award, Design of the Year – The Met
 * 2009 Singapore President’s Design Award, Design of the Year – Genexis Theatre
 * 2008 Singapore President's Design Award, Designer of the Year – Wong Mun Summ and Richard Hassell – WOHA
 * 2007 Aga Khan Award for Architecture – 1 Moulmein Rise
 * 2007 Singapore President's Design Award, Design of the Year – 1 Moulmein Rise
 * 2006 Singapore President's Design Award 2006, Design of the Year – Church of St Mary of the Angels
 * 2006 RAIA International Award, Joint Winner – House at Rochalie Drive
 * 2004 ARCASIA Gold Award, Conservation Projects Category – Conserved Shophouse at Emerald Hill Road
 * 1999 RAIA International Award – Conserved Shophouse at Emerald Hill Road

Exhibitions

 * 2017 Garden City Mega City: Ecosistemas Urbanos de WOHA – Mextrópoli Festival, Museo de la Ciudad de México, Mexico City, Mexico
 * 2016 Fragments of an Urban Future – Palazzo Bembo, Venice, Italy
 * 2016 GARDEN CITY MEGA CITY – The Skyscraper Museum, New York, USA
 * 2012 WOHA: Breathing Architecture – Taichung gateway district, Taichung, Taiwan
 * 2012 WOHA: Breathing Architecture – Mobile Museum - SEED project, Taipei, Taiwan
 * 2011 WOHA: Breathing Architecture – Deutsches Architekturmuseum, Frankfurt, Germany
 * 2011 Water: Curse or Blessings!? – Aedes Gallery, Berlin, Germany
 * 2006 Exotic More or Less –Aedes Gallery, Berlin, Germany