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The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Organised crime groups behind in-flight theft cases, says Singapore Police Force
SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): A spike in cabin theft cases in Asia has been blamed on members of organised crime groups, who catch short-transit flights – including trips to Singapore – to steal small items from passengers. Hong Kong has been one of the worst hit, with 169 cases of in-flight theft involving HK$4.32 million ($700,000) in valuables recorded in the first 10 months of 2024 – a 75 per cent increase from the same period the previous year. In an interview with The Straits Times, Assistant Commissioner M Malathi, who is commander of the Airport Police Division (APD), said that in-flight theft cases are difficult to detect and investigate. She said syndicate members, who work in pairs to steal from unsuspecting passengers, often catch a flight out of Singapore soon after landing at Changi Airport. 'They will only take some cash and maybe one or two cards. They won't take your whole wallet, because if they do, it is easier to notice,' said AC Malathi, who added that the authorities have a short lead time before the suspects leave on an outbound flight. 'A timely report is important for our officers to quickly track and trace the suspects and intercept them before they catch their next flight,' she said, adding that passengers should always keep their valuables on them and remain vigilant. The International Air Transport Association (Iata), which represents about 300 airlines, had flagged concerns on June 3 after members indicated a spike in in-flight theft cases over the last 12 to 18 months. Many of the routes were in Asia. According to reports, Malaysia saw a significant increase in onboard theft cases, with the authorities receiving 146 reports in the first 10 months of 2024, compared with 88 in the previous year and 33 in 2022. The authorities in Vietnam reported that criminals often purchase last-minute tickets, avoid checked baggage, and switch between domestic and international flights and different carriers to avoid detection. Singapore Airlines (SIA) declined to share statistics and information regarding theft cases on board, but said the cabin crew are trained to be vigilant and alert the authorities of any suspicious behaviour on flights. 'Should there be a suspected theft case, SIA and Scoot will assist the affected customer, and will cooperate fully with the authorities in their investigations,' a spokesman for the SIA Group told The Straits Times. At its general meeting in India, Iata said that many of the theft cases appear to be organised from China. The police in Singapore declined to reveal where the syndicates operate from, but checks by ST showed that four out of five people who were charged in 2025 over cabin theft were Chinese nationals. AC Malathi said in-flight theft picked up around the time air travel started to recover after the Covid-19 pandemic. 'We see more of these syndicates working as air travel picks up. Singapore is not the only location. This is happening worldwide,' she said. Between January and May, three people were charged in Singapore for theft on board an aircraft. Only one person was charged in the same period in 2024. More recently, two Chinese nationals were arrested and charged in court on June 4 after being accused of stealing from passengers while on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore. Liu Xitang, 35, and Wang Wei, 40, are accused of taking $169 in cash and two debit cards from another passenger. In May, Chinese national Zhang Kun, 51, pleaded guilty to stealing a credit card and more than $200 in cash from a passenger on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore in March. The Airport Division said it tries to identify potential syndicate members by looking out for a common trend of behaviour, including frequent travel and transit flights, often with just a two- or three-hour transit period. 'We use data analytics in general to identify these people that could be of interest coming into Singapore, and to aid our investigation process,' said AC Malathi, who added that criminals operate across all classes of travel. Another area of concern she flagged during the interview is shop theft in transit areas in Changi Airport, which saw 37 cases between January and May. There were a total of 109 cases in 2024, and 129 cases the year before. 'These crimes are very opportunistic. Some travellers walk into the shops and take what they want and walk off. 'Some of them get emboldened if they get away the first time,' said AC Malathi. To help address it, the APD has used robots since 2023 to patrol the airport, as a way to beef up police presence. The robots are equipped with sensors and cameras that can capture footage and allow the public to communicate with officers. AC Malathi said a new patrol robot called Gibson, which will be equipped to transport an officer, will be launched later in 2025. More details on its latest fleet will be revealed at a later date. - The Straits Times/ANN
AsiaOne
11 hours ago
- AsiaOne
Organised crime groups behind in-flight theft cases: Singapore Police Force, Singapore News
SINGAPORE - A spike in cabin theft cases in Asia has been blamed on members of organised crime groups, who catch short-transit flights - including trips to Singapore - to steal small items from passengers. Hong Kong has been one of the worst hit, with 169 cases of in-flight theft involving HK$4.32 million (S$700,000) in valuables recorded in the first 10 months of 2024 - a 75 per cent increase from the same period the previous year. In an interview with The Straits Times, Assistant Commissioner M Malathi, who is commander of the Airport Police Division (APD), said that in-flight theft cases are difficult to detect and investigate. She said syndicate members, who work in pairs to steal from unsuspecting passengers, often catch a flight out of Singapore soon after landing at Changi Airport. "They will only take some cash and maybe one or two cards. They won't take your whole wallet, because if they do, it is easier to notice," said AC Malathi, who added that the authorities have a short lead time before the suspects leave on an outbound flight. "A timely report is important for our officers to quickly track and trace the suspects and intercept them before they catch their next flight," she said, adding that passengers should always keep their valuables on them and remain vigilant. The International Air Transport Association (Iata), which represents about 300 airlines, had flagged concerns on June 3 after members indicated a spike in in-flight theft cases over the last 12 to 18 months. Many of the routes were in Asia. According to reports, Malaysia saw a significant increase in onboard theft cases, with the authorities receiving 146 reports in the first 10 months of 2024, compared with 88 in the previous year and 33 in 2022. The authorities in Vietnam reported that criminals often purchase last-minute tickets, avoid checked baggage, and switch between domestic and international flights and different carriers to avoid detection. Singapore Airlines (SIA) declined to share statistics and information regarding theft cases on board, but said the cabin crew are trained to be vigilant and alert the authorities of any suspicious behaviour on flights. "Should there be a suspected theft case, SIA and Scoot will assist the affected customer, and will co-operate fully with the authorities in their investigations," a spokesman for the SIA Group told The Straits Times. At its general meeting in India, Iata said that many of the theft cases appear to be organised from China. The police in Singapore declined to reveal where the syndicates operate from, but checks by ST showed that four out of five people who were charged in 2025 over cabin theft were Chinese nationals. AC Malathi said in-flight theft picked up around the time air travel started to recover after the Covid-19 pandemic. "We see more of these syndicates working as air travel picks up. Singapore is not the only location. This is happening worldwide," she said. Between January and May, three people were charged in Singapore for theft on board an aircraft. Only one person was charged in the same period in 2024. More recently, two Chinese nationals were arrested and charged in court on June 4 after being accused of stealing from passengers while on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore. [[nid:697688]] Liu Xitang, 35, and Wang Wei, 40, are accused of taking $169 in cash and two debit cards from another passenger. In May, Chinese national Zhang Kun, 51, pleaded guilty to stealing a credit card and more than $200 in cash from a passenger on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore in March. The Airport Division said it tries to identify potential syndicate members by looking out for a common trend of behaviour, including frequent travel and transit flights, often with just a two- or three-hour transit period. "We use data analytics in general to identify these people that could be of interest coming into Singapore, and to aid our investigation process," said AC Malathi, who added that criminals operate across all classes of travel. Another area of concern she flagged during the interview is shop theft in transit areas in Changi Airport, which saw 37 cases between January and May. There were a total of 109 cases in 2024, and 129 cases the year before. "These crimes are very opportunistic. Some travellers walk into the shops and take what they want and walk off. "Some of them get emboldened if they get away the first time," said AC Malathi. To help address it, the APD has used robots since 2023 to patrol the transit areas, as a way to beef up police presence. The robots are equipped with sensors and cameras that can capture footage and allow the public to communicate with officers. AC Malathi said a new patrol robot called Gibson, which will be equipped to transport an officer, will be launched later in 2025. More details on its latest fleet will be revealed at a later date. This article was first published in The Straits Times . Permission required for reproduction.
Straits Times
12 hours ago
- Straits Times
Organised crime groups behind in-flight theft cases: Singapore Police Force
Syndicate members, who work in pairs to steal from unsuspecting passengers, often catch a flight out of Singapore soon after landing at Changi Airport. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: PIXABAY SINGAPORE - A spike in cabin theft cases in Asia has been blamed on members of organised crime groups, who catch short-transit flights – including trips to Singapore – to steal small items from passengers. Hong Kong has been one of the worst hit, with 169 cases of in-flight theft involving HK$4.32 million ($700,000) in valuables recorded in the first 10 months of 2024 – a 75 per cent increase from the same period the previous year. In an interview with The Straits Times, Assistant Commissioner M Malathi, who is commander of the Airport Police Division (APD), said that in-flight theft cases are difficult to detect and investigate. She said syndicate members, who work in pairs to steal from unsuspecting passengers, often catch a flight out of Singapore soon after landing at Changi Airport. 'They will only take some cash and maybe one or two cards. They won't take your whole wallet, because if they do, it is easier to notice,' said AC Malathi, who added that the authorities have a short lead time before the suspects leave on an outbound flight. 'A timely report is important for our officers to quickly track and trace the suspects and intercept them before they catch their next flight,' she said, adding that passengers should always keep their valuables on them and remain vigilant. The International Air Transport Association (Iata), which represents about 300 airlines, had flagged concerns on June 3 after members indicated a spike in in-flight theft cases over the last 12 to 18 months. Many of the routes were in Asia. According to reports, Malaysia saw a significant increase in onboard theft cases, with the authorities receiving 146 reports in the first 10 months of 2024, compared with 88 in the previous year and 33 in 2022. The authorities in Vietnam reported that criminals often purchase last-minute tickets, avoid checked baggage, and switch between domestic and international flights and different carriers to avoid detection. Singapore Airlines (SIA) declined to share statistics and information regarding theft cases on board, but said the cabin crew are trained to be vigilant and alert the authorities of any suspicious behaviour on flights. 'Should there be a suspected theft case, SIA and Scoot will assist the affected customer, and will cooperate fully with the authorities in their investigations,' a spokesman for the SIA Group told The Straits Times. At its general meeting in India, Iata said that many of the theft cases appear to be organised from China. The police in Singapore declined to reveal where the syndicates operate from, but checks by ST showed that four out of five people who were charged in 2025 over cabin theft were Chinese nationals. AC Malathi said in-flight theft picked up around the time air travel started to recover after the Covid-19 pandemic. 'We see more of these syndicates working as air travel picks up. Singapore is not the only location. This is happening worldwide,' she said. Between January and May, three people were charged in Singapore for theft on board an aircraft. Only one person was charged in the same period in 2024. More recently, two Chinese nationals were arrested and charged in court on June 4 after being accused of stealing from passengers while on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore. Liu Xitang, 35, and Wang Wei, 40, are accused of taking $169 in cash and two debit cards from another passenger. In May, Chinese national Zhang Kun, 51, pleaded guilty to stealing a credit card and more than $200 in cash from a passenger on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore in March. The Airport Division said it tries to identify potential syndicate members by looking out for a common trend of behaviour, including frequent travel and transit flights, often with just a two- or three-hour transit period. 'We use data analytics in general to identify these people that could be of interest coming into Singapore, and to aid our investigation process,' said AC Malathi, who added that criminals operate across all classes of travel. AC Malathi, who is commander of the APD, said in-flight theft cases are difficult to detect and investigate. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO Another area of concern she flagged during the interview is shop theft in transit areas in Changi Airport, which saw 37 cases between January and May. There were a total of 109 cases in 2024, and 129 cases the year before. 'These crimes are very opportunistic. Some travellers walk into the shops and take what they want and walk off. 'Some of them get emboldened if they get away the first time,' said AC Malathi. To help address it, the APD has used robots since 2023 to patrol the transit areas, as a way to beef up police presence. The robots are equipped with sensors and cameras that can capture footage and allow the public to communicate with officers. AC Malathi said a new patrol robot called Gibson, which will be equipped to transport an officer, will be launched later in 2025. More details on its latest fleet will be revealed at a later date. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Independent Singapore
a day ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
SIA CEO's annual pay fell 13.5% to S$7m despite record profit
Photo: Facebook/Singapore Airlines SINGAPORE: Singapore Airlines (SIA) chief executive officer Goh Choon Phong's annual salary fell by 13.5% to S$7.01 million for the financial year ended March 31. According to Singapore Business Review, Mr Goh's pay package included a base salary of S$1.46 million, S$3.12 million in bonuses, and S$2.44 million in shares and other benefits. In July last year, Mr Goh received a salary of S$8.11 million, 20.5% higher than his salary the previous year , thanks to a post-pandemic travel boom. Mr Goh's annual salary dropped this year even though the group recorded a net profit of S$2.78 billion for the year ended March 31, up from S$2.68 billion the year before. Eligible SIA staff will also see slimmer takings with a 7.45-month bonus for FY2025, slightly lower than the 7.94 months awarded the previous year. The group's profit was boosted by a one-off non-cash gain of S$1 billion after the Air India–Vistara merger was completed in November 2024. See also DBS: S-REITs will continue to be net outperformers in 2024 In November, Singapore Business Review reported that SIA completed the Vistara–Air India merger, giving it a 25.1% stake in the expanded Air India. The group, which includes budget airline Scoot, also posted record revenues after carrying a record 39.4 million passengers. However, the group's operating profit fell 37% as passenger yields declined amid growing competition, though both remained above pre-pandemic levels. In a letter to shareholders, SIA's chairman Peter Seah credited SIA's performance to effective cost management through the company's digital and staff productivity initiatives amid rising expenses. He noted, 'In a year marked by rising geopolitical tensions, supply chain constraints, cost inflation, and an increasingly uncertain macroeconomic landscape due to global tariff wars, the Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group successfully delivered another impressive performance.' Looking ahead, Mr Seah added, 'While aviation landscape is rapidly evolving, the SIA Group is in a strong position to not only withstand these changes but to shape them.' /TISG Read also: Sheng Siong CEO Lim Hock Chee's FY2024 pay rises 20.6% to S$7.06M on bigger bonus See also What We Demand in Return for Fare Hikes
Straits Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Don't (Just) Think Like An Architect: Pritzker Prize laureates, immersive events for Archifest
On display at Singapore Archifest 2025 were some 140 models of redesigned sports facilities, created by NUS architecture students in collaboration with SportSG. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG Don't (Just) Think Like An Architect: Pritzker Prize laureates, immersive events for Archifest SINGAPORE – Architecture is more than just the built environment. It also responds to the buzz of busker music in a town square, wafts of sizzling satay on an evening breeze, and anything else that conjures up an immersive urban experience for residents and visitors. This is how Mr Rene Tan, festival director of Singapore Archifest 2025, frames the latest iteration of the city-state's largest annual architecture festival. Launched in 2007 by the Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA), the festival fetes the city's vibrant built environment and aims to spark public interest in design. It brings together architects, designers, students and the community through a mix of talks, exhibitions, tours and hands-on activities. But the 2025 edition's programming is different. To mark the Republic's 60th year of independence (SG60), Mr Tan and SIA president Tiah Nan Chyuan are challenging perceptions with the theme, Don't (Just) Think Like An Architect , for the month-long festival that ends on July 25. It is also supported by national design agency DesignSingapore Council (DSG), and features events in collaboration with the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). Mr Tan, the festival's 61-year-old creative powerhouse, is excited to deconstruct architecture , which can be esoteric, for the larger public. The 'accidental architect', who wanted to study music decades ago but is now equally at home with a set of building blueprints as he is with a piano score, is emphatic that architecture is less about buildings and more about the communities that built environments serve. Mr Tan, who co-founded RT+Q Architects with fellow architect T.K. Quek in 2003, holds a bachelor's in music and architecture from Yale University in the US, as well as a master's in architecture from Princeton. He has also been an educator at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Singapore Institute of Technology and Design (SUTD). The Singapore Archifest 2025 curatorial team includes (front row, from left) Koh Kai Li, festival director Rene Tan, T.K. Quek, Natalie Mok, Koh Sock Mui, (back row, from left) Allan Tongol, Tiw Pek Hong, Ng Yi Loong, Jonathan Quek and George Zong. PHOTO: RT+Q Since 2021, Mr Tan and his team from RT+Q Architects have been involved in a massive project in the field of design education – championing continuing education through global initiatives such as LC150+, the firm's travelling exhibition of the largest known private collection of Le Corbusier models. Swiss-French architect and city planner Le Corbusier, who died in 1965, was one of the earliest advocates of the 'International Style' of architecture, eschewing frills in favour of clean lines and functional spaces. The showcase of 350 architectural models was first exhibited in Singapore and has now been seen in 35 cities, including London, Washington, DC, Prague and Beijing. The 2025 Singapore Archifest conference features talks by sought-after speakers from around the world, such as Pritzker Architecture Prize laureates Riken Yamamoto and Eduardo Souto de Moura, during the first two days of the festival. It is one of the largest gatherings of visionary architects, thought leaders, educators and built environment professionals in Singapore in recent years, notching 99 high-profile industry names. A festival highlight to mark SG60 is a series of 12 Roundtable sessions that bring together more than 60 Singapore architects and designers of all ages, including pioneers such as Mr Tan Cheng Siong, Mr Liu Thai Ker and Mr Tay Kheng Soon. Every architect presents an ' unbuilt work ', usually an experimental, speculative or yet-to-be financed project, at each Roundtable session. This will be moderated by an established name in the design industry to spark dialogue and maintain fun and lively interactions. Visitors looking at a rare collection of unbuilt works by Singaporean architects on display at Singapore Archifest 2025 on June 26. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG Thought leaders in a range of disciplines – such as architects Jim Olson, Arne Emerson and Dietmar Eberle, designer Samuel Ross, innovator Dean Chew and award-winning chef-restaurateur Rishi Naleendra – explore how architecture can break out of fixed mindsets to allow everyone a seat at the table. Besides the initial conference and Roundtable which ended on June 27, there is also a range of festival events and fringe activities. Mr Rene Tan says it has been a challenge for his curatorial team at RT+Q Architects to put this year's show together, as the speakers have unremitting professional and travel schedules. 'Over the years, Archifest has aimed at finding a balance in its programming between catering for architecture professionals and for the public,' he says. He leads a team of curators which includes RT+Q Architects' directors Koh Sock Mui, 45, and Jonathan Quek, 45; and associate Koh Kai Li, 41. 'We constantly look for ways to introduce architecture as a shared phenomenon among professionals and the communities at large. After all, architecture is ultimately for the people to enjoy.' SIA president Mr Tiah says the 2025 edition of Archifest is especially important because of SG60. 'Through the festival, we are able to acknowledge the diversity of talent and the different roles architects play in our nation-building journey,' he says. ' Together with URA, we are also bringing Archifest to Katong-Joo Chiat, a URA Key Identity Corridor. Using our city as a canvas, we hope to raise awareness and cultivate a vibrant design culture and consciousness across the wider society.' One of the top speakers at the festival is Japanese architect Yamamoto , who was awarded the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2024. He is the ninth Japanese architect to receive the accolade. The 80-year-old's body of work includes architecture that provided both a background and foreground to everyday life, blurring the boundaries between public and private dimensions, increasing opportunities for people to meet spontaneously through carefully thought-out design strategies. Japanese architect Riken Yamamoto was awarded the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2024. Credit: Tom Welsh, The Hyatt Foundation PHOTO: TOM WELSH, THE HYATT FOUNDATION Mr Yamamoto notes that in Singapore, people live in communities with a strong sense of local identity, and believes it is important to create a system in which residents can make decisions for themselves. 'I refer to this concept as a 'Local Area Republic',' he tells The Straits Times at the Singapore Archifest Conference at Sands Expo & Convention Centre. 'This idea, I believe, will become a highly effective framework for shaping the future of the nation in Singapore.' He says as both a nation-state and city-state, Singapore's vision of the future should be determined by the people who live in it. 'I believe there is still some way to go to implement this, but there is great potential for success because of close cooperation between the public and private sectors in Singapore,' he adds. 'To build a city is not merely for developers but for the citizens of Singapore. It is essential for all stakeholders – government agencies, developers and the public – to engage in close communication with one another.' Other big-name draws at the opening day conference are Ms Grace La and Mr James Dallman, the US-based award-winning principals behind La Dallman, a global architecture and design practice known for transforming infrastructure and overlooked urban spaces into vibrant public places. Their portfolio spans bridges, civic buildings and innovative adaptive reuse projects in the US, such as the acclaimed Marsupial Bridge and Media Garden in Milwaukee. Ms Grace La and Mr James Dallman founded La Dallman as a collaborative practice and have a wide array of project types, including civic and residential buildings, public spaces, dwellings, installations and furniture. PHOTO: LA DALLMAN Ms La says the duo value all forms of design research – formal, infrastructural, social, historical, tactile, and especially physical and material research – as a prelude to the firm's investigations. This forms the 'raw material' for their designs. 'In the act of documenting and experiencing existing conditions, we gain insight in the found landscape,' she says. The husband-and-wife team are also educators known for an interdisciplinary approach that blends architecture, engineering and landscape design. 'In this sense, we see architecture as growing from the site, as a sculptural, structural and social undertaking, wherein additive and subtractive operations are equally valid.' She adds: 'We achieve balance between these intuitions through collaboration with our clients and consultants – by ensuring very specific, not general, analyses and responses.' The theme of not thinking like an architect resonates with Mr Ambrish Arora, one of the speakers at the festival's two-day opening conference. Questioning conventional wisdom comes naturally to the founding principal of Studio Lotus, an urban design practice he set up in New Delhi in 2002. Mr Ambrish Arora is founding principal of Studio Lotus, a multi-disciplinary design practice founded in New Delhi in 2002. PHOTO: ANKEETA CHAMPATIRAY In engineering college in India, he found the theoretical aspects of formal education limiting. He dropped out of his first year, opting for an exploratory journey that involved working with his hands , from repairing motorcycles to assembling computers . 'I worked for four years at the boat-building workshop that my father, a naval architect, had started after his retirement,' says Mr Arora, 55, who was exposed to 'first-principles thinking' at an early age. First-principles thinking approaches problem-solving and design by breaking down complex issues into their most basic principles, instead of relying on conventional solutions. ' At the workshop, I learnt carpentry, welding, metal-casting, fibreglass moulding and making full-scale drawings on the floor. This experience taught me that everything could be solved through prototyping and collaboration ,' he adds. It helped lay the foundation for his early years of architectural practice, which has been through the lens of 'making' – building in situ, with a frugal mindset and with locally available resources. One of Studio Lotus' earliest commissions was RAAS Jodhpur in 2011 . Set in the centre of the walled city of Jodhpur, Rajasthan , RAAS is a 6,000 sq m property at the base of the Mehrangarh Fort, one of India's best-preserved mediaeval fortresses. The brief was for a luxury boutique hotel with 39 rooms. 'We worked with local Rajasthani stone, traditional building techniques and a deep respect for what was already there , based on first-principles thinking ,' Mr Arora recalls. The resulting design emerged not from any theoretical framework, but from numerous site visits, sketch studies and a hands-on, collaborative approach. Mr Arora adds: 'Not having a formal education in how it's supposed to be done helped me stay curious, forever learning and being committed to excellence, yet being open to failure and ongoing course correction. That is something we hope stays a constant in how we work at Studio Lotus. ' Festival highlights Assembly: Blueprints Of Imagination, July 2 to 13 Inspired by the daily school ritual, Assembly celebrates the act of coming together: intellectually, creatively and critically. It is a first-of-its-kind showcase that unites the works of spatial design schools here – such as the National University of Singapore College of Design and Engineering and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) – under one roof at the National Design Centre in Middle Road. The exhibition also spotlights works by Singaporean students studying abroad , adding a global edge to the next wave of design thinking . Each installation in the showcase offers a fresh take, challenging conventions through inventive storytelling, material exploration and critical inquiry. Co-curated by RT+Q Architects, the SIA Young Architects League and acclaimed designer Kelley Cheng, Assembly is designed to spark connections among students, educators, industry professionals and the public. The show builds on SIA's 'Young Architects Meet 2025' platform, a gathering of architectural institutions to promote cross-sharing about design between schools. ArchiPavilions & Installations, from July 12 The Jetty is a lively and dynamic installation by SUTD students with RSP Architects Planners & Engineers. PHOTO: RSP Another highlight is an exhibition that seeks to transform the Katong-Joo Chiat precinct into an al fresco gallery of interactive and inclusive design. ArchiPavilions & Installations showcases semi-permanent structures and creative interventions that are strategically placed throughout the neighbourhood, inviting the public to engage with architecture in light-hearted yet thought-provoking ways. URA collaborates with design schools, local architects and community groups to co-create these installations. For example, Kueh Kueh At Katong features giant, food-inspired pavilions by students from SUTD and SAA Architects. A rendering of Kueh Kueh at Katong designed by former SUTD students in collaboration with SAA Architects. PHOTO: SAA ARCHITECTS Another installation, called The Jetty, is a nostalgic recreation of Marine Parade's fishing heritage, brought to life by SUTD students and designers from RSP Architects Planners & Engineers. Unlike traditional exhibitions, these installations are designed to be touched, explored and experienced. The features are inspired by the rich heritage and multicultural fabric of Katong-Joo Chiat, highlighting the precinct's unique blend of Peranakan shophouses, modern structures and public spaces , serving as a catalyst for conversations on identity, memory and the evolution of Singapore's built environment . ArchiHouse, July 12 to 27 Standing as one of the central platforms at Archifest 2025, ArchiHouse will host a series of talks and conversations featuring both established and emerging voices in architecture, urbanism and design. It is crafted to encourage cross-disciplinary exchange and public engagement , echoing the bold festival theme, Don't (Just) Think Like An Architect . One of the main draws, the Long Island Exhibition, presents visionary studies and proposals by students from NUS' Master of Arts in Urban Design (MAUD) and an NUS design 'studio' called the Landscape Architect Studio. A 'studio' is a creative space where educators and students critique concepts and collaborate hands-on to improve design ideas. The Long Island Exhibition offers a glimpse into the next generation's thinking on coastal resilience, land reclamation and the imaginative re-envisioning of Singapore's future waterfronts. Coastal prototypes by the Center for Climate Adaptation, developed with architects and SUTD students, offer solutions for coastal resilience. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG Another highlight is the URA's Identity Corridor Exhibition. The festival's curatorial team worked closely with URA to explore Singapore's urban identity, tracing the evolution of its neighbourhoods, streetscapes and public spaces. T hrough a mix of archival materials, design studies and community narratives, t he show invites visitors to reflect on what makes Singapore's built environment distinctive, and how its identity continues to evolve in response to new social and environmental demands . Fringe events ArchiBake, June 28 A design-themed bake-off challenges architecture firms to turn Singapore's landmarks into cakes. PHOTO: RSP This is a bake-off with a playful design twist . RSP Architects Planners & Engineers in collaboration with SIA and partners have put together a fun fringe event , titled Don't Bake Like An Architect, Bake Like A Baker! At the event, also dubbed 'ArchiBake', architecture firms are challenged to turn Singapore's iconic landmarks into show-stopping cakes, whether it is a building they have designed or one they admire. The final line-up of creations will come together to form a delicious visual map of the Singapore skyline. ArchiTours, July 5 to 13 The 2025 ArchiTours will take visitors through landmarks such as Woodlands Health Campus. PHOTO: SAA ARCHITECTS A perennial highlight of the festival, ArchiTours are led by guides from The Architecture Society at NUS , and offer the public an immersive journey through Singapore's landscape of celebrated landmarks as well as hidden gems. The ticketed walking tours, priced at $65 for adults and $55 for students, feature two projects a day, with a choice of morning or afternoon sessions. There are 16 completed projects in the line-up, such as Punggol Digital District, Woodlands Health Campus and Lentor Health Nursing Home West Coast. Lentor Nursing Home is part of the line-up of sites to be visited during the ArchiTours, a festival highlight which offers the public an immersive journey through Singapore's landscape. PHOTO: CPG The tours invite both professionals and the public to ask questions and look at architecture not as something distant or exclusive, but as a living, evolving part of Singapore's story. A mainstay of the tours is spotlighting neighbourhoods where old and new architecture coexist, such as the 2025 edition's focus on Katong-Joo Chiat , allowing participants to explore the rich narratives and evolving identities of these districts . Beyond The Facade: Secrets Of Katong, June 29, July 6, 13, 19, 20, 26 and Aug 2 and 3 The vibrant Katong neighbourhood is the focus of a curated trail that promises to peel back the layers of the area's history. PHOTO: NG WEE LIANG Singapore's vibrant Katong neighbourhood is set to reveal its long-held secrets through a curated trail titled Behind The Facade: Secrets Of Katong. This exploration will peel back layers of history, showcasing both iconic and overlooked landmarks that tell the story of the distinctive neighbourhood. Participants will journey from a grand colonial-era seaside villa to Singapore's pioneering air-conditioned mall Katong Shopping Centre , discovering quirky niche shops and the nostalgic remnants of a forgotten cinema belt along the way . The trail also highlights the pastel Peranakan terrace houses and uncovers the untold tales of a long-vanished maternal clinic. A stop on the tour is the 'Ghostbuster shop' at Katong Shopping Centre, which features a display of 'cursed artefacts' and videos of paranormal adventures. PHOTO: HIDDEN HERITAGE COLLECTIVE Curated by Hidden Heritage in collaboration with Ng Wee Liang, Behind The Facade is an opportunity to delve into Katong's past and uncover its lesser-known narratives , many of which are hidden in plain sight amid the bustling streets . Tickets are priced at $28. YAL Human Narratives, July 12 This standout event reimagines how people talk about the shaping of Singapore's spaces. Organised by SIA Young Architects League (YAL), this 'human library' experience invites participants to go beyond the architect's perspective and engage directly with a diverse cast of placemakers such as social workers, artists and passionate advocates who each play a vital role in the city's built environment. Instead of borrowing books, members of the public will be encouraged to look up people, with each guest – or 'human book' – sharing personal journeys and the unique ways they influence, activate or nurture urban spaces. Through intimate, small-group conversations, participants can ask questions, hear first-hand stories of challenges and triumphs, and gain a deeper understanding of how social, cultural and community-driven forces shape Singapore's neighbourhoods and public spaces. Resourcity, July 13 and 15 How can urban communities work together to ensure that Singapore thrives amid resource scarcity and unexpected crises? This is the question at the crux of the board game Resourcity, a gamified experience designed to immerse players in the challenges of building and sustaining a resilient city. The game is designed for players aged 10 years and up, making it suitable for families, students and professionals. Hosted at SUTD , it invites the public to step into the shoes of urban planners, community leaders and citizens to craft solutions to urgent real-world problems affecting cities all over the world. Players collaborate to design and manage a city by rotating and replacing tiles, connecting roads, establishing farms and planting crops, all while carefully balancing resource consumption and replenishment. The goal: Survive four major crises without depleting any essential resource type. If the resource pool runs dry, the city and its players lose. To register for the above fringe events at Singapore Archifest 2025, go to Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
