Our co-founder, Lionel Leow shares the Story of TA.LE, the firm’s past and current projects, and the design scene in Singapore.

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March 2023

最近新加坡低调奢华10亿双层四合院实力刷屏，几乎半隐没于千年登布树林中的双层四合院让人惊叹的同时，让人也不禁思考什么样的住宅能够同时满足顶豪阶层的物质与精神需求？不仅如此，这个项目还带来了对历史建筑与新建筑之间的融合与共生关系的思考。

这个由新加坡建筑师事务所TA.LE Architects设计及建造的私人住宅项目，既为财富阶层提供了最佳生活样本，又妥善地处理了人与自然、新旧建筑之间以及人与空间之间的关系，帮助居住者创造独i一无二的情感与精神体验。

新浪家居专访TA.LE Architects首席建筑师郑燕玲，与她聊了聊项目背后的故事以及TA.LE Architects当下的设计践行。

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Aug 2022

TA.LE Architects：新加坡百年老屋换新设计

引言

近年来人们不断在探索和追求更具内涵的高端生活方式

高端生活方式或有各种不同的定义和理解，

然共同之处是，高端已不再仅仅单纯物质上的品质和精致，

而是有底蕴且有传承的精神结合，是留给心一处闲暇的真正生活。

整体设计与自然环境充分融合，既满足建筑物覆盖率的规定，也充分考虑新旧建筑彼此之间且与周边环境的关系。新建部分以巧妙绿化屋顶设计环绕旧楼并隐蔽于后，隐没于一片宽阔绿色之中而无痕。

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Apr 2022

GREEN CORRIDORS BOTH ABOVE AND UNDERGROUND GIVE THIS HARD-EDGED DEVELOPMENT THAT HAS BEEN REVAMPED BY TA.LE ARCHITECTS A RELAXED AND MORE INVITING FEEL.

Singapore architecture firm TA.LE Architects, led by principal architects Tay Yanling and Lionel Leow, were appointed to give it a contemporary vibe and introduce inviting common spaces so that it would stand out.

We wanted to turn the mundane “affair of walking along the passageway into a more delightful experience”

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March 2022

The office in a garden concept has also extended into a recently revamped business park in Changi.

When ESR Reit tasked TA.LE Architects to redevelo the former UE Bizhub East, the architectural team turned the business park into a garden-like setting. Principal Architect Lionel Leow says: “We decided on an office in a park setting. The design is bio-philic in essence, which improves the overall well-being of the users.”

Not only is the development now more welcoming for its users, the new EST BizPark@Changi boasts a better spatial experience in its public spaces with the introduction of a green corridor.

Leow and his team also extended the green corridor concept into an underground passageway that leads to the MRT Station. “Creating an underground green corridor turns a mundane affair of a commute into a pleasant experience,” says Leow.

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February 2022

Architect Yanling Tay started her own firm with one thing in mind. “We wanted to do something we could truly call our own designs,” she says. “So all the designs we create come from a much more humanistic design approach.”

As a company, we’re very young, so we really don’t mind trying new things. We approach each project with an open mind, and I think that’s what’s really kept us going.

The world isn’t a static place. The only constant is change. The pandemic has shown us that we have to keep growing, keep improving and also to be very adaptive.

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Feb 2022

豪气诠释　饮水思源

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Jan 2022

设计理念

宅之豪在于家：融｜续｜聚

豪宅的定义并不在于地段、或规模大小，而在于一种新的奢华：享有融于自然之中的体验，更传承了集聚几代于一堂的家的概念，以及家风的延续。

整体规划：留主楼拆附建，拥抱自然， “融”

经研究和分析，整体规划保留主楼部分拆除外围附属建筑，入口结合及周边自然环境和景观进行设计。该策略响应URA要求之保留具有历史意义建筑，旧改新建延续历史积淀，结合现代设计融入环境与自然成为一体。主楼结合业主需求优化布局，成为建筑的核、家的心。

外立面：保留且优化，积淀与传承，“续”

外立面秉承整体策略，主楼北立面基本保留，附楼因拆除而裸露出旧砖，延续原建筑语言，使用相同颜色及肌理的砖设计，并用门、窗等形式加强建筑的一体感。

室内空间：个人私密，公共灵动，“聚”

室内规划注重公共与个人、动与静的结合，公共区域以聚为主，可闹可静。卧室以私，满足不同世代人之间的个人需求。

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Dec 2021

The project is located in the hot and humid climate of Singapore. Tembusu trees of thousand years of history surround the site covered by lush green at Dempsey Hill. The development site consist of an existing century old house. Although its roof and stairs have decayed over time, the historical building has preserved its special character of a Black and White House from Singapore’s colonial past. The integration of this historical building with its rich cultural background and a new modern extension in a symbiotic manner is the concept behind Singapore-based Architectural practice ‘TA.LE Architects’.

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October 2021

Lionel Leow doesn’t differentiate architecture from interior design. The principal architect of TA.LE Architects says: “In today’s environment, a holistic approach is needed to design a user experience that is seamless and delightful.” Mr Leow founded the firm with fellow architect Tay Yanling

A scroll through the firm’s website shows Mr Leow and his team’s capability in handling all kinds of projects, such as restoring and revitalising shophouses for modern use; retrofitting the Nordic European Centre office to suit current work needs; designing the interiors of boutique stores and private homes.

“We do not have a preoccupation with any specific typology of architecture or interior design. We believe in creating value through design in any type of space, and we love to work on both private residences and public projects where we can create a positive impact on the community at large,” says Mr Leow, 42.

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September 2021

The Society of Interior DesignersSingapore (Sids) unveiled on Friday last week 16 interior designers who made the cut as the society’s choice for the best in the business..

…One of the highlights of the designs featured in the 20 Under 45 awards is Lionel Leow’s concept for Alexandria Maison @ Millenia Walk (above), the flagship branch of a local store that sells homegrown and international jewellery creations…

…Mr Leow adds that although the firm is primarily an architectural practice, the founders do not differentiate architecture from interior design. “We believe a holistic approach to design is essential in today’s environment, where users demand that all aspects of a building or space should work together as a whole.”

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July 2021

SIDS 20 UNDER 45 AWARDS 2021 is a recognition of the nation’s most distinguished and influential designers who have impacted the industry with a consistently excellent body of work, via various mediums and disciplines.

Lionel Leow is a recipient of this prestigious award where the industry recognize THE BEST – the people who propagate new solutions through design and act as a source of hope to the community…‘Great Design generate positive users’ experience. Getting recognized by fellow professionals of design and built environment is a great motivation for me and my team to continue to create design that positively influence social behavior and improves the lives of the community’…Lionel Leow

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July 2021

…Over the past two decades, we (d+a) have featured the past generation of Architects and their projects, supporting them in their contribution to Singapore’s built environment, while also subliminally giving definition to the country’s architecture. It is therefore apt that this become the focus of a feature, where we trace its evolution in the last 20 years. Yet, even as we look back, we must look forward. We have singled out eight architects to keep our eyes on, making up the next generation who will shape Singapore’s buildscape…

…Believing that architecture is about the relentless pursuit of beauty and a singlemindedness in unravelling complexity into simple things, Tay Yanling employs a human-centric approach, integrating isolated solutions into a seamless user experience in all her designs…

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July 2021

…The house consists of two buildings – an existing pre-war conserved bungalow and a new modern bungalow – designed with stepped terraces with a green roof that blends in with the colonial bungalow building.

“In order to allow the two different styles of architecture to co-exist harmoniously, we design the new bungalow with a receding form from the front road so as to maintain the austerity of the conserved bungalow,” said TA.LE Architects.

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May 2021

‘…Look inside a Singapore supermarket billionaire’s $50 million mansion, which combines a historic bungalow with an ultra-modern house and has a 100-foot swimming pool

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April 2021

Winner in Interior Designer of the Year – Alexandria Maison

The SIT Furniture Design Award recognizes the efforts of talented international furniture designers, Interior Designer and Interior decorators that use furniture in their space design. Members of the selected professional jury committee evaluate each work based on its merit assigning it a score.

We are proud to have been selected with our work ‘Alexandria Maison’ as winner in Interior Designer of the Year.

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April 2021

‘…When Lim bought the plot of land for S$35 million in 2015, there was only a colonial building on the grounds. Home to British officers and their families before World War II, the two-storey bungalow with 2,376 sq ft of living space was listed as historically significant. Its conservation status meant Ta.Le Architects and Type0 Architecture had to keep key elements of its roof, facade, doors and windows and other significant design features.

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March 2021

‘…Inside Sheng Siong co-founder Lim Hock Leng’s 33,700 sq ft family home….Inspired by Chinese courtyard houses, the Singapore businessman built a multigenerational home that embraces family, heritage and nature…’

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March 2021

TA.LE Architects is featured in ‘Singapore Finest Services in Singapore’.

‘…TA.LE ARCHITECTS was founded on the belief that brilliant Modern Architecture and Interior Designs are integral in ensuring the comfort of anyone utilising the space, since well-designed spaces have the ability to exert a positive influence on society….’

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December 2020

Best Workplace Design – Nordic European Centre – SILVER AWARD

Best Retail Design – Alexandria Maison – BRONZE AWARD

Best Residential Design – Phrontistery – BRONZE AWARD

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October 2020

TA.LE Architects is featured in ‘Best in Singapore for Commercial Interior Designers in Singapore’.

‘…TA.LE architects is an award winning architecture firm with the  2018 and 2019 Good Design Award. They turn your space into a magnificent work of art with their fresh take on architecture and interior design. They listen to their clients’ requirements and needs. From there, they try to incorporate their unique design and purpose of the space with their client’s points in mind…’

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February 2020

Phrontistery featured in ‘Home Journal’ – one of Hong Kong’s leading interior design and lifestyle magazines.

‘…Arguably the busiest street in one of the world’s most populous cities, Singapore’s Orchard Road might be the last place that one would expect to find a sense of undisturbed tranquillity. Yet nestled in between all the colossal mega-malls and towering high rises, a former one-bedroom residence has been transformed by Ta.le Architects into a one-of-a-kind, single-user office that not only serves as a hideaway from the hustle and bustle for its owner, but also a sanctuary designed to incite inspiration and deep contemplation. “The name of the project itself derives from the client’s brief to us,” says principal architect Lionel Leow of Phrontistery, the 540sqft open-plan office. “He needs a space of contemplation amid the busiest area in Singapore; it’s a place where he spends time alone in the day, thinking and strategising.”…’

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February 2020

Discover the behind-the-scenes process in the making of well-crated buildings by some of Singapore’s smaller Architecture firms….Our Principal Architect Lionel Leow shares the works of our practice over a mid-day design forum with other like-minded Architects and Designers – our effort to promote the Architectural Industry to the general public.

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Dec 2019

Our design for Phrontistery featured in the September 2019 Issue!

‘…This home office offers a ‘thinking place’ in the midst of one of the busiest parts of the city. Interior designer TA.LE Architects removed many of the internal walls to open up the space to fit an art gallery, a living area, a garden and an open-concept bathroom and kitchenette…’

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September 2019

TA.LE Architects is exhibiting at the URA AUDE Gallery. Titled ‘Small Spaces, Beautiful Memories, our exhibition showcases our recent completed works along with physical models as part of our design process in form and space exploration. Using projects of different scales and nature, from A&A to business park offices to conservation of heritage buildings to single family dwellings and furniture design, we aim to communicate our method of approaching design and problematics of Architecture and our solution for them.

Our exhibition is part of ‘On the inside of ___’ exhibition, from 27 September 2019 to 10 December 2019.

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September 2019

… The Hidden House comprises a conserved bungalow and a new modern bungalow. In order to allow the two distinct types of architecture to co-exist harmoniously, the new bungalow is designed with a receding form from the front road so as to maintain the austerity of the conserved bungalow. from the front elevation, one sees the exterior of the conserved bungalow with the new bungalow creating a backdrop with its green roof rising from the ground to the top at the back. from the rear elevation, the new bungalow takes precedence, presenting the modern side of the house…..

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September 2019

…Impiana feature The Loft House and Super Park Avenue K in Kuala Lumpur. Tay Yanling, Principal Architect, talks about TA.LE Architects’ design philosophy and its focus on user-centric design, using The Loft House and Super Park as exemplar…

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July 2019

…in response to factors such as climate change and a growing number of people living green, tropical homes are making a comeback in tropical countries but with a modern twist. The owner of a highly visible corner house located in a quiet neighbourhood in Singapore was of this mind-set, desiring a home that had a contemporary design and took into account the country’s climate at the same time. Having also been informed of their client’s desire for privacy and a way to properly appreciate their natural surroundings, local architecture firm TA.LE Architects crafted a masterpiece that met all the given requirements which they named the loft House….

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June 2019

…In designing the activities, Tay says the element of fun in the design and planning of the plan is important as that is in the DNA of the client. ‘At the same time, we have an obligation to make sure that the activities are safe. So, fun and safety are our driving thoughts behind this project…

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June 2019

Art and architecture are entwined for Ms Tay Yanling…. “Art is my creativity in 2D and architecture is my creativity expressed in 3D,” she says. At Ta.Le, she makes a conscious effort to add a sense of delight and surprise to users’ day-to-day experiences. For instance, at the Nordic European Centre, she used a mixture of timber, glass and mirrored surfaces to play with light and shadows, and inject excitement into what would have otherwise been a mundane linkway.

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June 2019

Interview with our founder/Principal Architect – Tay Yanling, on her passion in Architecture and Art. ‘I’m an Architect who loves to paint and create Art….’Art is my creativity in 2D and architecture is my creativity expressed in 3D’, she says. At TA.LE, she makes a conscious effort to add a sense of delight and surprise to users’ day-to-day experiences. For instance, at the Nordic European Centre, she used a mixture of timber, glass and mirrored surfaces to play with light and shadows, and inject excitement into what would have otherwise been a mundane linkway…

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June 2019

TA.LE Architects have breathed new life into Ascendas-Singbridge’s 19-year-old Nordic European Centre and transformed it into a workplace that addresses the needs of the millennial workforce….“We wanted the feeling of an office in a park,” Tay notes. Keeping a tight rein on a lean material palette favouring natural marbled cork and wood, grass-toned carpets and monochrome elements, the building is a transformed sensorial experience that pulls nature deep within its leaf-etched canopy.

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May 2019

House Tour: Portoro gold black marble staircase and natural light in this semi-detached home…The serrated ceiling panels in the dining room is one eye-catching feature. “The distinctive [angular] lines are softened by the light-coloured material palette consisting of oak timber carpentry and flooring as well as soft diffused lighting,” says Tay Yanling, founder and principal architect of Ta.le Architects…

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May 2019

TA.LE ARCHITECTS, the award-winning Singaporean architecture firm, recently announced the re-opening of the Nordic European Centre following completion of extensive retrofitting of interior and exterior spaces. The architecture firm breathed new life into the 20-year-old building, transforming it into an office complex fit for modern millennial office workers who are demanding more collaborative workspaces and facilities that cater to an active lifestyle. We speak to Ms. Tay Yanling, Founder & Principal Architect of TA.Le Architects to find out more about the project….

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May 2019

…This Good Class Bungalow designed by Ta.Le Architects includes a fitness centre, squash court, swimming pool, and more….

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April 2019

…This modern home draws inspiration from traditional Architecture, while creating a light-filled interior that celebrates its tropical context…

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April 2019

BRONZE AWARD for Best F&B Design – Grind Coffee

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April 2019

The Loft House

…shows that traditional forms can be reinterpreted to achieve progress in architecture. Retaining the typical pitched roof of a tropical house, the designers shielded the property from the sun’s heat while giving visual access to its natural surroundings. Through liberal use of glass — including a skylight — the semi-detached house was brightened by the infusion of natural light…

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April 2019

Our Principal Architect – Tay Yanling was interviewed by The Edge Newspaper. She spoke about her life long passion on Art and how she relate Architecture as a 3 dimensional form of Art, and how she set out to make a difference in the field of Architecture.

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March 2019

“Some asked us, ‘Why did you design a house that is hidden and cannot be seen?…one day the client told us the house reminded him of a Chinese idiom – nei you qian kun (内有乾坤). It means there is more than meets theeye, more to be discovered, which he appreciated.”

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March 2019

the editor of Lian He Zhao Bao shares his view on the use of unconventional material (glass block) in a modern way to bring ample light into the house, at the same time provide privacy to the owners.

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January 2019

‘An open-plan layout and thoughtful design ideas help brighten this terrace house and give it a cosy ambience…..’

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December 2018

Winner of Taiwan Golden Pin Design – Hidden House is featured in ‘Portfolio’ magazine November 2018 issue

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November 2018

‘unlike typical intermediate terrace houses that often have dark, gloomy interiors as natural light is unable to pentrate the house, this three storey house in Serangeoon Garden is welcoming, spacious, brightly lit and full of greenery…..’

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November 2018

Hidden House wins the Golden Pin Award 2018 – Spatial Design Category

…’While conservation guidelines mainly preserve the building, the project aims to retain the typological essence of the Plantation Estate with 2 strategies – firstly, to compact all new structures to the north thereby leaving a large open field towards the south. Secondly, to conceal the new structures under layers of terracing “Green Platforms” making the conserved bungalow the only expressive object within the new landscape, hence preserving the view of grass fields bounded by the lush trees.’…

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October 2018

Screen House @ Coronation – An Ode To The Glass Block

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August 2018

Digital Planning Lab + Propeller (Collaborative Workstation)

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May 2018

Ms. Tay Yanling, founder of TA.LE Architects, featured in Construction + . She talks about her belief as an Architect and her design philosophy that guides the projects undertaken by our firm.

‘We set out to build our reputation on the quality of our designs and delivery of projects, as well as our attention to detail and passion for connecting people to their environment.’

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April 2018

GOLD AWARD for Best Workplace Design – URA Digital Planning Lab

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November 2017

SILVER AWARD for Best Retail Design – Le Petit Society Flagship Store

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November 2017

Our design for Digital Planning Lab is featured as High-Tech Interactive Green Office in d+a 100th issue!

Ms. Tay Yanling, founder of TA.LE Architects, interviewed in this article gave her take on the importance as well as challenges of bringing soil-based farming into the office environment.

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October 2017

Our design for Le Petit Society’s “In Real Life” Concept Store featured in the October issue of Construction+ !

We set out to create an environment that is delightful, comfortable and attractive for both children and adults in this Concept Store. Natural and different textured surfaces such as raw wood, fabric, metal and concrete were used to create a space that complements the merchandises in store.

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October 2017

Our design for LePetit Society ‘In Real Life’ Concept Store is featured in Home and Decor!

A minimalist, industrial-Scandi kidswear  store in the CBD. To create a sense of wander and wonder, the boutique is peppered with triangular silhouettes and motifs that resemble mountains. Ta.le Architects also designed The Playpen, an angular structure made up of modular pieces; primarily used as a display case, it can be transformed into a cosy storytelling corner or a shoe-fitting area.

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October 2017

Our design for Social Service Institute (SSI) featured in the September 2017 Issue!

In response to SSI’s ethos of providing a holistic learning environment, the design strives to achieve borderless and collaborative learning, reaching out and community sharing through spatial planning that is sensitive to the environment and users’ requirements.

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September 2017

Our design for LePetit Society ‘In Real Life’ Concept Store is featured in DECORATIONS Magainze!

Ms. Tay Yanling, founder of TA.LE Architects, interviewed in this article spoke of the design of the store, which was founded on natural and variegated textured surfaces like raw wood, fabric and concrete to create a space that takes a step backwards for the colourful clothing lines to star in their own rights.

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September 2017

Our design for OUE Artling Paviliong Competition was awarded Honourable Mention!

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February 2015

Tel: (65) 6221 6332 / (65) 6226 6332 | Address: 150 Cecil Street #11-03, Singapore 069543