JUROR 2012

Mr Tai graduated with honours from NUS in 1987 and has practiced as architect and urban planner since 1990. His key projects won both local and international award and was featured in a URA exhibition “20 under 45” in March 2004.

He held the position as President of Singapore Institute of Architects from 2007 to 2009. He consolidated the institute’s “Blue Print” to establish numerous firsts.

On the Design front, he led the inauguration of ARCHIFEST – a festival that promotes architecture excellence among the professionals and general public. He then pioneered the first Practice Convention 2009 – a strategic forum to address practice concerns of Singapore architects. In the same year, Mr Tai also initiated the establishment of Architecture Professional Course; preparing young graduates to sit for Professional Practice Examination. In 2010, Mr Tai chairs the formation of DesignS – an alliance comprising of 8 Design-centric Associations to promote Singapore Design Brands.

On sustainability front, Mr Tai was appointed as Chairman of REACH, Environmental Sustainability Committee in 2008 - a committee to provide feedback to the Inter-Ministry Committee on Sustainability Development. Mr Tai formed the SIA Green Committee leading to the first collaboration on Green product exhibition with BEX Asia 2009 and International Green Building Convention with BCA. Since March 2010, he is elected President of Singapore Green Building Council, a key body for the promotion and advocacy of Green Buildings in Singapore. He is also the Chairman of the Campus Planning Committee for Singapore University of Technology and Design, Ministry of Education.

He is currently the Group Managing Director of Ong & Ong Pte Ltd, a multi-discipline consultancy firm that provides 360º solution encompassing Urban Planning, Architecture, Engineering, Landscape Architecture and Interior Design.