Singapore is one of the world's most preferred destinations for businesses and investors. The country is a competitive business hub globally due to its transparent laws and regulations system. With architecture playing an integral part in the real estate development sector, its role in the economy is, therefore, reliant on the growth of the industry as a whole. Despite the vast potential contracts to be won, it becomes necessary for industry players to integrate innovation and architectural skills, especially in land-scarce Singapore.
With the government investing a significant budget in infrastructure and greater housing areas, there is a considerable opportunity for those considering entering the Singaporean design market for commercial buildings and recreational places. However, architectural firms must be capable of adapting to evolving environmental conditions and requirements. Swan & Maclaren is a 130-year-old heritage brand and is considered one of the longest established practices in Singapore; Started as Swan & Lermit in 1887, the company was established as Swan & Maclaren in 1892 when James Maclaren joined as a partner after Lermit's withdrawal.
Swan & Maclaren gained prominence during this period, responsible for many of Singapore's greatest architectural commissions. Several world-renowned buildings designed during the early period have now been gazetted as National Monuments; Raffles Hotel, Goodwood Park Hotel, St Andrew's Cathedral, Victoria Memorial Hall, and the War Memorial, to name a few.
From its history and recognition in the industry, the firm is also adapting to the needs of changing climate of the Built Environment needs from clients. To enter new areas and provide better service, the company has transformed into a partnership, M&A model during the last decade
allowing the business to be sustainable and long-term in its service and presence in many regions. Currently, the company has presence in Southeast Asia, China and Bangladesh, among other places. "We believe being a provider of choice is a better way to reach out to our clientele. Rather than going to them, we look for what we can offer them. We must prove that we are worth coming to," signifies Matthew, Managing Director.
Core Expertise
Swan & Maclaren targets to be a provider of built environment solutions, offering ancillary specialist services and products in addition to professional consultancy. The company creates multipliers to expand in services and geographies, and it has local partners in every region. The firm focuses on sustainability, green design and services, and governance. Swan & Maclaren provides a growing suite of professional consultancy services — architecture, interior design, landscape, investment & development management, environmentally sustainable design, lighting, healthcare, wellness, as well as 'Concept to Reality' solutions of interior built contracting, FF&E contracting, M&E, and IoT devices supply. The company is working towards growing three core business units, namely, Swan & Maclaren Group (professional services), ‘Concept to Reality’ (C2R) Group (ancillary specialist services and products), and SM Tech (built environment tech investments and incubator).
Each is developing through M&A and expanding each industry to its own turf. However, the company is looking into the fourth business spectrum of investment and development management. This fourth spectrum will use the business solutions of Swan & Maclaren Group, C2R Group, and SM Tech to provide sustainable land development or even real estate investment services to clients. "In the very near future, we will be a global Built Environment solutions provider and envisage being a clients' company that has an ever-increasing valuation year by year," concludes Matthew, Managing Director
Swan & Maclaren regards itself as a provider of built environment solutions, offering services and products in addition to design consultancy
Matthew Hon, Managing Director
Matthew pursued his bachelor's degree in architecture from the Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago in 2000 and was working as an Architect in the United States. However, he realized the great growth potential of Southeast Asia, India, and China and decided to return to Asia to advance his career. With the Asia Financial Crisis, SARS Crisis, and Global Financial Crisis, Matthew has taken the strategy of reaching out to different regions. He has since considered Singapore a global setting as the end market rather than a country for business. Matthew's passion as an architect is design and creating, which he has had from childhood. Matthew, on the other hand, recognizes that an architect must provide value to clients, and his proposition has shifted beyond design-focused.
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