Push through and persevere.
Michael’s team ensures that operational and security considerations are incorporated in the designs of these buildings. They work closely with the Home Team Departments and consult with the Singapore Police Force’s Centre for Protective Security to understand the security threats we face and how best they can be circumvented.
This is why the design phase alone for a critical infrastructure project can be twice as long as that for a commercial or residential building!
A purpose-driven switch of gears
With 27 years of experience as a professional architect, Michael is more than equipped with the expertise for the job.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Architecture from the National University of Singapore (NUS) in 1992, he joined SAA Partnership and subsequently the Housing Development Board (HDB) where he cut his teeth working on the "twin towers" of the current HDB Hub, managing the entire process from design conception to construction and interior design.
Michael then worked at Surbana Jurong (SJ) for 17 years, where he gained experience in running the architectural business, managing everything from client and finance management to design and contract administration for residential, commercial, and industrial properties. During this time, he also helped set up and manage the branch offices in Malaysia, Vietnam, and Abu Dhabi with over 170 staff.
"All these interactions with different people taught me a lot about how people from different cultures work and the importance of seeing different perspectives," he muses. Moving to HTX in 2020 seemed like a natural step in his career path: it allowed him to combine the knowledge from his past experiences and guide the next generation.
Advice for riding the waves of change
That said, Michael candidly admits the mid-career move from the private to the public sector had moments of an uphill climb.
He was used to working on multiple projects in a short burst, but now he is in charge of multiple projects, spanning a longer time. There are new procedures, and most challenging of all, new lingo. “I could not understand the acronyms they use, and everyone kept using them!” he exclaims.
It didn’t help that he joined while COVID-19 restrictions were still in full swing. On his first day of work, he visited HTX headquarters to collect his new laptop and had an hour-long briefing with his boss, before he returned to work from home.
For someone who thrives on human connection and enjoys baking for his colleagues, “not being able to see my colleagues was like working blind,” he states. But drawing life lessons from another of his past hobbies, windsurfing, he says: “When you are new, you need to see where the waves are coming from, which way the wind is blowing, then move from there.”
He stayed the course and adjusted his pace to adapt. Gradually, he got up to speed with the new terminologies. Restrictions were also lifted, and he was able to start building relationships with his colleagues face to face. Today, he is excited to be part of a “young and vibrant” culture and privileged to do work with impact.
Michael believes that joining HTX is likely to mark the last leg of his working journey. And like the rides he takes, he does not expect it to be easy — only worth it. “I will give it my all until I retire,” he says emphatically.
To find out more about careers at HTX and how you, like Michael, can make the switch, visit: https://www.htx.gov.sg/join-us/careers