MOUs with local architecture and design partners in Cambodia will see firm go from six offices in four countries presently, to 12 offices in eight countries by end-2021, with total development project value for new joint ventures to hit $1 billion in three to five years.
Guest-of-Honour, Ms. Low Yen Ling, Singapore’s Minister of State for Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth graced the milestone event, including endorsing a commemorative copy of the firm’s collectible coffee table book that chronicles its first years from 1888 to 1941; second book that charts its design achievements in the later years is in the works
Singapore, 7 October 2021 – Swan & Maclaren (the “Firm” or “Group”) (双迈), Singapore’s oldest architectural practice since 1892, announced Thursday it has undertaken Memorandums of Understanding (“MOU”) with local architecture and design consultancies to establish six new joint venture (“JV”) companies in the following five cities, four countries:
Swan & Maclaren Shanghai, China
SM ANN, Chengdu, China
Swan & Maclaren Manila, the Philippines
Swan & Maclaren Cambodia*
Swan & Maclaren Phnom Penh, Cambodia*
Swan & Maclaren Dhaka, Bangladesh
Planned development projects for the six JV companies, projected in the next three to five years, has an estimated value of over USD1 billion.
Group Director, Mr. Matthew remarked on the milestone event for the Firm: “Swan & Maclaren has in recent years consistently pursued a ‘glocal’ strategy that is about offering our expertise to an international audience, partnering with like-minded architectural and design firms in the region that enable us to provide services in keeping with local culture and needs, amply reflected in our award-winning designs. Today’s MOU signings effectively grows the Group’s Southeast Asian footprint to that of an Asia-Pacific remit, symbolic of the firm’s evolving architectural practice and ability to compete and deliver on the global stage.”
Better known for its defining works across eras such as Raffles Hotel, Goodwood Park Hotel, Saint Andrew’s Cathedral, and the Johor-Singapore RTS Link Station etc., Swan & Maclaren has come a long way since its establishment 129 years ago. Its illustrious history from 1888 to 1941 has been painstakingly chronicled in the first of two volumes, Swan & Maclaren: A Story of Singapore Architecture, by architectural historian and anthropologist, Julian Davison, with the second book charting its later years until present day currently being worked on.
“I am proud to say that Swan & Maclaren’s practice transformation into a total real estate solution provider is a continuous journey that has bore fruit. Of significance, the firm has leveraged our architectural pedigree to expand our service offerings over the years, including but not limited to: Master planning, Facade Design, Healthcare Planning, Interior Design, Interior Build, Landscaping, Hospitality Management, Lighting Design and Security Consultation,” said Mr. Lim Chai Boon, Group Director.
The JVs inked today are part of the firm’s long-term growth strategy to expand its international footprint, aided through business matching efforts by Enterprise Singapore (“ESG”), the government agency that works with Singapore companies to build capabilities, innovate and internationalise. The six new JVs will see the Group double its offices from six to 12 and its geographical footprint grow from four to eight countries, all achieved in the last three years.
Mr. Geoffrey Yeo, Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Enterprise Singapore said: “Singapore companies must look to international markets, which offer them new opportunities and larger consumer bases to grow and diversify their business. Swan and Maclaren’s latest joint ventures are an example of how Singapore companies, with the right support and in-market partners can still pursue their internationalisation ambitions even amidst the pandemic. We look forward to partnering more Singapore firms to strengthen their value propositions for overseas expansion and assist them in making inroads to new markets.”
This article was first published in Khmer Times. All contents and images are copyright to their respective owners and sources.
