#84: Why Construction Costs Increase, Architectural Design Trends, and Rebuild vs A&A

In this episode of Nuggets on the Go, Melvin Lim, Co-Founder and CEO of PropertyLimBrothers catches up with Joseph, the founder and principal architect of BHATCHBatch Architects, as shares his career leap from K2LD Architects to his own firm. See what Joseph has to say about the evolving trends in Singaporean architecture over his past 15 years of practice.

 

Joseph addresses the rising costs of rebuilding landed properties, acknowledging how inflation has become a homeowner’s nemesis. He shares his firm’s meticulous process, emphasising that thorough planning is key to minimising changes during construction. He reveals the importance of collaboration, illustrating how good architecture is a dance between the architect’s vision and the client’s dreams—because what’s a stunning design if it doesn’t feel like home?

 

Joseph highlights the need for empathy in architectural practice, reminding us that it’s not just about creating beautiful buildings but also about crafting spaces that truly resonate with their inhabitants. As a boss, he also promotes a work-life balance for his team, ensuring they can deliver thoughtful, well-planned designs without burning the midnight oil. After all, a healthy architect is a happy architect, and happy architects make for happy homeowners! All these and more on NOTG!

 

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:44 Who is Joseph Lee?
01:20 Why study architecture?
02:26 Challenges as a fresh graduate architect
04:00 Focused more in residential architecture projects
07:40 What is the meaning of BHATCH?
07:53 Architecture design trend evolution in Singapore
11:28 Helping a buyer have an ease of exit for the newly built house
15:40 Building a multi-gen house
17:11 Minimum cost for a house
20:25 More floors in a house
21:36 Cost of rebuilding
22:55 People spending more on interiors
24:07 House that looks good but less maintenance
25:50 Work process in the Architecture firm.
30:15 Tender stage parameters
32:44 Builders not completing the project
36:08 Construction payment schedule
37:56 Handling clients personally
39:19 PLB home tour design inspiration with Joseph
42:09 Using brinks in the house
44:03 Materials used today ("Warm modernism")
45:55 Architect style
47:00 Past construction are more solid than today
53:13 How long will a modern landed home last nowadays?
54:31 A&A and Rebuild construction cost
59:39 More rebuild nowadays?
01:00:24 Demographics of landed buyers today
01:01:25 More young clients
01:02:24 Memorable projects
01:07:41 Recently completed projects
01:08:49 Future plans of BHATCH Architect
01:09:56 Constraint budgets on projects
01:11:33 Is it stressful being an architect?
01:18:13 Condour Cards: What is one thing you didn't know about your current career when you first started?
01:22:32 Closing thoughts
01:22:48 Outtakes