WOHA

WOHA
Left: Richard Hassell Right: Wong Mun Summ
Key architects	Wong Mun Summ Richard Hassell
Founded	1994 (1994)
Location	Singapore

WOHA is a Singapore-based architecture practice, established in 1994 by Wong Mun Summ (born 18 August 1962) and Richard Hassell (born 28 October 1966). Its name is derived from the initial letters of the founders’ surnames. They have built over fifty projects throughout Southeast Asia, China and Australia, including residential towers, public housing estates, mass transit stations, hotels and cultural institutions.

Their work incorporates sustainable design strategies as a response to climate change and widespread urbanization. They aim to integrate landscape, architecture and urbanism in high-rise buildings to improve quality of life for residents in high-density megacities. Their buildings are notable for their extensive use of natural vegetation as a building element. In 2009, they came to international attention with the award-winning residential tower The Met in Bangkok, which established their reputation as designers of sustainable, naturally ventilated skyscrapers for an urban tropical context.

In addition to architectural practice, WOHA have taught at the National University of Singapore and both Hassell and Wong have lectured at universities around the world.

In 1989, Wong graduated from the National University of Singapore and Hassell from the University of Western Australia. As students, both studied environmental design with an emphasis on passive design strategies and energy efficiency. Wong and Hassell met while employed at Kerry Hill Architects in Singapore before founding their own practice in 1994. WOHA’s practice begun with small projects and private houses. Following their success in the open competitions for two Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations in Singapore in 2000 (Bras Basah MRT Station and Stadium MRT Station) and the commission for the 1 Moulmein Rise condominium complex, the firm shifted its focus to public and commercial architecture.