Local developers looking to add value to their new projects are turning to world-renowned overseas architects, with 14 developments being backed by 12 foreign designers.
Since the mid-80s, Singapore’s residential property market has been welcoming architects like Paul Rudolph and Moshe Safdie. They are now being joined by other renowned names such as Ole Scheeren and Daniel Libeskind.
“It is a branding thing and using a foreign, renowned architect for condominium here to get a premium for the development and in terms of design wise, they do come out with nicer design,” said David Neubronner, Head of Residential Project Sales at Jones Lang LaSalle.
As a result, projects are being priced at around five to 10 percent above market values. One analyst noted that with the Safdie name, Sky Habitat (pictured) saw a 30 to 35 percent premium over other developments.
“The use of brand-name architects is part of the old success model which is designed to stand out from the crowd. But, everyone can do that so there is no advantage anymore,” said Tay Kheng Soon, Principal Architect of Akitek Tenggara.
Jerry Tan, Founder of Jerrytan Residential Pte Ltd, said that the practice could be “part of their marketing spiel and to add a bit more pizzazz into the whole scheme of things”.
While developers like CDL, CapitaLand, Far East and Keppel Land have turned to world-renowned architects for their projects, SC Global has picked local designers.
“There is no shortage of talent in Singapore with our local architects as you can see with some of our top buildings that the SIA has awarded, and some of them have even gone to win international awards,” said Theodore Chan, President of the Singapore Institute of Architects.
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