Rita Soh Siow Lan, FSIA: President of the Architects Regional Council Asia (ARCASIA) / Managing Director of RDC Architects Pte, Ltd

Rita Soh obtained in 2011, Master of Science in Sustainable Building Design from the University of Nottingham (UK), to reinforce her strong belief that all buildings are to be designed sustainably with good environmental comforts for its occupants through responsible use of earth’s natural resources. She graduated with honours from the National University of Singapore in 1987 and joined RDC Architects Pte Ltd in 1989.

Ms Soh has been involved in feasibility studies, design & project management of healthcare, hospitality, residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, and infrastructure projects, both local and overseas. She is presently Director-in-charge of the Medical Centre @Changi General Hospital, the Emergency Medicine Building with Campus Utilities Plant @Singapore General Hospital Outram, 3 new MRT stations @LTA’s Circle Line and the Conservation of 3 historic churches. Her recent completed work included the Remodeling to existing Main Building @National University Hospital, The Integrated Building @Changi General Hospital and AALTO, a prestigious high-rise condominium. These projects had also won numerous Platinum & Gold-Plus Awards for BCA BIM, UD Mark and GreenMark Awards. Her Restoration work of the 150+years Monument, St Peter & Paul Church @Queen’s St had been awarded ARCASIA Gold Medal, SIA Design Award & URA Heritage Award.

Ms Soh is a member of the Appeals Board (Land Acquisition), a Board Member of Sentosa Development Corporation Board and a member of the Mandai Development Committee as well as Chairman of Building & Construction Authority (BCA) Design & Engineering Safety Award Assessment Committee (2019-2022), a member of BCA Productivity Gateway Advisory Panel and the HomeTeamNS Infrastructure Development Advisory Panel. She is also serving as a member of the NUS Advisory Committee, School of Design & Environment (2017 – 2019).

She is currently the President of ARCAISA; comprising Council of National Institutes of Architects from 21 Asian countries, having served as Convenor of ARCASIA Fellowship (2017-2018), Chairman of ARCASIA Committee for Corporate Social Responsibility (2014 – 2016), Deputy-Chairman, Zone B (2008-2010) and Founding Chairman of ARCASIA Professional Practice Committee (2004-2008). 

Ms Soh was a Nominated Member of Parliament (2014-2015) and also served 2-terms as the President, Board of Architects Singapore (2013- 2015) and (2010-2012). She was a member of the Singapore Medical Council’s Complaints Panel) for the period 2006-2010 and again in 2012-2014. She was a Board member in the Singapore Land Authority (2007 to 2011). She had served as a member BCA Built Environment Leadership Awards Assessment Committee (2009-2013) and BCA Assessment Committee for Design & Engineering Safety Excellence Awards (2007–2021)

From 2004-2007, she was President of Singapore Institute of Architects and was instrumental in establishing a Blueprint for the architectural profession in its pursuit of Architectural Excellence as well as a Pro-Enterprise approach in architecture. To champion Asian Architecture, Ms Soh, with Getz, launched the bi-annual SIA-Getz Architecture Prize for Emergent Architecture in Asia in 2005.

Ms Soh also served as the Chairman for the 2012 Singapore President’s Design Award Jury Panel and member of the Inaugural President’s Design Awards in 2006 as well as in 2007 & 2010.

She was a jury member in the Design Evaluation Panels for the New Subordinate Courts Complex, Capitol Theatre, Integrated Resorts at Marina Bay & Sentosa Island, The Gardens by the Bay Design competition, The Singapore Sports Hub as well as the National Art Gallery Design Competitions.