Liu Thai Ker (1938– ) Architect. The eldest son of Liu Kang, Liu Thai Ker was educated at the University of New South Wales, and Yale University. He worked in the practice of IMPei & Partners in New York before returning to Singapore to join the Housing & Development Board (HDB). He eventually rose to become chief executive officer of the HDB (1979). In 1989, he left to become chief executive officer and chief planner at the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), working there until 1992. Liu then left to become a director of the firm of RSP Architect Planners & Engineers.

At the HDB, Liu oversaw at various levels the designs of most of the new towns and housing environments, adapting them to the distinctive style and conditions of Singapore. Under his stewardship, the high- rise, high- density housing typology became a working norm, and the notion of public housing moved from the provision of shelter to the development of self- sufficient communities.

As chief planner at URA, Liu was behind the vision of an infrastructure of public urban spaces, linkages and networks of parks. He was largely responsible for the 1991 revised Concept Plan (see urban planning). He also championed the conservation and preservation of Singapore’s built heritage by establishing guidelines and best practices.

Liu has received the Meritorious Service Medal (1985), the Singapore Institute of Architects Gold Medal (2001), the Second ASEAN Achievement Award for Outstanding Contributions to Architecture (1998) and the Medal of the City of Paris (2004). Liu was chairman of the National Arts Council from 1995 to 2005.

Photo credit: Singapore Press Holdings/ The Straits Times