SIA Gold Medal 2006

Ar. Tang Guan Bee

Ar. Tang Guan Bee began workin as an accounts clerk in a rubber processing factory at Ngee Soon. He later considered a career in architecture and graduated from the Singapore Polytechnic School of Architecture in 1970.

After a grand tour to study the architecture of Europe, Mr. Tang set up Tangguanbee Architects in 1984. His innovative, cutting-edge designs were frequently featured in international publications. Mr. Tang won the first SIA Eco Housing Competition in 1995, which was part of the Institute’s drive towards ecologically sustainable architecture. In 2001, East Point at Simei and The Gallery Hotel on Robertson Quay were nominated for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture.

Mr. Tang played an active role in SIA’s development and activities. He served as a Council Member from 1984 to 1986 and transformed the then-journal of the Institute (SIAJ) into the highly acclaimed Singapore Architect magazine.

Mr. Tang was a mentor to the younger generations of architects through his 20-year teaching career at the NUS School of Architecture.