DP Architects Weighs in on Talent Retention in the Architectural Industry

“Key issues of salary and fees are symptoms of issues we face in the industry and this is one of the points that we will need to acknowledge. It is a challenge that is not just faced by architects but also the larger built environment profession,” Seah Chee Huang, chief executive officer of DP Architects (DPA) shared during the opening of the panel discussion titled Goodbye Seems to be the Hardest Word presented by Cosentino and Studio SML.

This dialogue was a timely one as it is in line with the highly discussed topic of architectural talent retention in the recent months. Referring to a survey done by the Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA), only seven per cent of young architecture graduates are willing to stay in the industry. In the findings, it was also revealed that 37% wants to leave and 56% is on the fence. This is a cause for concern. In response, Ar Melvin Tan, president of SIA, has been advocating the creation of a value articulation framework which encompasses the raising of wages and investing in the future generations of architects.”

“The competition is not only coming from allied partners, the developers, the agencies. We do see quite a lot of the profession leaving for the government bodies and agencies. But now, competition beyond the built environment sector, we are seeing people switching careers and leaving the industry to join a different one” – Seah Chee Huang, chief executive officer of DP Architects (DPA) in an interview with Channel News Asia which discussed the difficulty in retaining younger architects who leave for higher pay or better hours.

Echoing this, Chee Huang established that the complexity of this issue meant that it is vital to invite people outside of the architectural profession to discuss the challenges that the Built Environment sector is currently facing. He identified that the fees of projects is a highly complex and systemic issue which is closely tied to the salaries of talents and the available resources that can be used for training and retention. He noted that “there is a lack of certain reference for skill, a guideline or a benchmark for the work done.”

In 1985, the Singapore Institute of Architects had a fee scale that assessed project complexity and size primarily for the private sector. This complemented the inter-agency fee scale, developed by the Ministry of Finance as well as the Building Control Division of the Public Works Department, for public sector projects. However, in 2004, all fee scales were abolished due to the enacted Competition Act. Without a fee scale, the industry lost a standardised way of accounting.

In terms of talent retention, Chee Huang emphasised the importance of a robust talent management programme that considers not only remuneration but the overall holistic development of employees. He recognised that the younger talents are more mobile and keen to explore overseas opportunities. Elaborating on this, he said that, as a big practice, DPA is fortunate to have 18 global offices and a diversified project portfolio which allow the practice to initiate a job-rotation programme where international exposure and experience across related disciplines can be offered.

Despite these challenges, Chee Huang remains hopeful and said that “we need to use our creativity to continue to advocate for the architectural industry.”

The other panelists for the insightful discussion were Ar Melvin Tan, the President of Singapore Institute of Architects; Ar Fiona Tan, a young architect and Principal of Atelier IF; and Wu Zhuoyi, an architectural graduate who chose to leave the industry. The joint event, by Studio SML in collaboration with Cosentino, took place on 12 July at Cosentino City Singapore and was attended by over 50 participants ranging from industry professionals to fresh graduates.