Outstanding Contribution Award
In Memory of Dr Liu Thai Ker
A Visionary Who Shaped Singapore’s Urban Identity
Singapore has lost one of its greatest visionaries — Dr Liu Thai Ker, the pioneer architect and master planner whose contributions profoundly shaped the nation’s urban landscape and identity.
Widely regarded as the “Architect of Modern Singapore,” Dr Liu dedicated his life to building not just a city, but a liveable, people-centric nation. Through his leadership at the Housing & Development Board (HDB) and later the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), he played a defining role in transforming Singapore into one of the world’s most admired urban environments.
His philosophy towards planning extended far beyond buildings and infrastructure. Dr Liu believed that cities should serve people with humanity, beauty, and purpose. One of his most well-known reflections was:
“To build a city, one must have the heart of a humanist, the mind of a scientist, and the eye of an artist.”
These principles became the foundation of his lifelong work — creating environments that balanced functionality, sustainability, greenery, heritage, and quality of life.
Above: Dr Liu Thai Ker walking through HDB estates with Singapore’s Founding Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew. (Source: HDB)
Beyond Singapore, Dr Liu’s influence extended internationally, where he advised and contributed to the planning of more than 50 cities around the world. Yet despite his immense accomplishments, he remained widely respected for his humility, clarity of thought, and unwavering dedication to public service.
The Interior Design Confederation Singapore (IDCS) was deeply honoured to have met Dr Liu Thai Ker last year and to have had the privilege of an insightful conversation with him regarding his contributions to Singapore and his aspirations for the next generation of the nation. His perspectives on design, urban liveability, and long-term planning continue to inspire the design and built environment community today.
His legacy will forever live on in the homes we live in, the communities we belong to, and the cityscape that generations of Singaporeans proudly call home.