DP Architects Provides Students with a Glimpse into the Architectural Industry at inaugural SHE Sneak Peek 2023

DP Architects (DPA) is privileged to be a pioneering SG Her Empowerment (SHE) Sneak Peek Programme partner and hosted  young women from various educational institutions across Singapore in two half-day learning visit sessions held on 19^th and 20^th June. The sessions, which comprised a presentation and a guided archi-tour, aimed to introduce them to the fundamentals of the architectural industry.

The pilot programme which SHE launched in collaboration with Standard Chartered this year, seeks to provide underprivileged young women with corporate “exposure and cultural capital beyond their immediate environment”. This is something that DPA resonates with as Champions of Change under the ULI Singapore Women’s Leadership Initiative and thus, adopted the participation in SHE’s Sneak Peek programme is part of the firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) engagements.

DPA director Ar. Chua Zi Jun gave the young women, numbering around 30, all between the ages of 13 to 18, an introduction to DPA’s multidisciplinary practice and diverse portfolio of work. He also provided insights into the the architectural industry and how various stakeholders in the Built Environment industry work together to create the urban environment. On the first day, DPA director Toh Li Chuin was on hand during the Question-and-Answer (Q&A) segment together DP Green director Yvonne Tan to address any questions the participants might have. On the second day’s Q&A segment, DPA director Ar. Lesley Lim was present with Li Chuin to share about their own architectural career histories and experiences.

Both sessions were rounded off with a short but engaging presentation by Li Chuin, on the evolution and history of the development, charting its early design concept which was conceived in collaboration with John Portman Associates (USA) back in the 1980s and subsequent refurbishment works in 2014 by DPA and DPG. Providing a memorable experience to cap off the learning visit, the participants were treated to an exclusive guided behind-the-scenes archi-tour of the mall by Li Chuin and Wendy Gay, Senior Manager of Operations at Singland Management Services Pte Ltd, which manages the Marina Square development. Participants were able to better understand how architectural concepts are realised as well as obtain rare insights into the features and inner workings of the development.

Through hosting the Sneak Peek programme in partnership with SHE, DPA hopes that the young participants will be positively influenced towards an inspired future.