5 minutes with Emily Phang

Emily Phang is the Strategic Development Partner and a member of the Partnership Board, developing Foster + Partners' strategic objectives and the practice's global presence.

Since joining as an architect in 2001, Emily has delivered large-scale projects in Singapore, the UAE and China. She led Foster + Partners' Shanghai and Hangzhou offices from 2011 to 2023 and is now based in London.

Emily tells us about her early site experience in Singapore, her mentors, and reflects on what we might learn from Shanghai. 

Earliest memory at Foster + Partners

Being interviewed by the late Robert McFarlane, for a role in the practice’s new Singapore office. Rob had been asked to set up and lead the office, to support the construction of the Supreme Court project. He was a brilliant architect and friend, who worked at Foster + Partners for over 14 years.  

I spent my first five years working on the Supreme Court. When I joined in 2001, it was in the later design stages, and we went on site soon after that. Starting my architectural career on a building site was a fast-track way of understanding the practice’s design ethos, which I’m still incredibly grateful for.  

A standout project

It’s difficult to choose one!

As a Singaporean, the Supreme Court is a project that really stands out. It’s the judicial centre of the city and the first completed building I worked on. I felt quite emotional at the opening ceremony in 2006.

The Bund Finance Centre is another one that comes to mind. It was the practice’s first major completed mixed-use project in Shanghai, which anchored our presence in the region. Working with the team at Heatherwick Studio was a lesson in the power of collaboration and exchange.   

A mentor

During those initial years in Singapore, I was surrounded by an incredible team, who taught me everything I needed to know about Foster + Partners.   

Rob McFarlane was my first mentor, who guided me through my early years in practice. David Nelson and Gerard Evenden [Senior Executive Partners] were also very inspirational and supportive when I was starting out. They continue to inspire and mentor me, both in terms of design work and the running of the business.

All of these people have been generous with their time and given more junior members of the team opportunities to learn, which allows them to grow much faster. These are qualities which I’ve tried to bring to my leadership roles in Shanghai, Hangzhou and London.  

A recent source of inspiration

A film called ‘Jules,’ which is a sci-fi alien comedy about friendship. It’s a story about being kind and showing empathy to others, despite our differences.

I watched it recently and found it quite touching. Probably because I recently moved back to London - I’m in a new role and meeting lots of new people.

A favourite city to visit

I love living in London but miss Shanghai terribly.

Both cities are cosmopolitan, but so different culturally.

Where do you call home?

Singapore will always be home to me.  

A hidden gem in your neighbourhood

It’s certainly not hidden – but Battersea Power Station is one of my favourite places and just a fifteen-minute walk from our London office.

The power station has such great presence and I love being close to the water.   

A city we should learn from

There’s so much we can learn from Shanghai. It’s complex and dense, with such a rich history.  

In recent years, there’s been a shift towards preserving the city’s heritage rather than building new. The government is also open to learning from other cities, which is vital for positive development.

Your favourite building to visit

I always like to visit the Tate Modern in London and Xintiandi in Shanghai. Both are busy hot spots, with a mixture of tourists and local people, which I find quite comforting.

Early bird or night owl?

Night owl, without a doubt.

I have always been most productive in the late afternoon and evening.

One thing you can’t live without

Seriously spicy food.

Singaporean cuisine is the best - chilli crabs, laksas…

Durian fruit is another one of my favourites, but it’s definitely an acquired taste.