Dare to be Different

The Albert Hong Story

In this book, Dr Albert Hong tells his own story.

Today, he is prominent in his field, as chairman of RSP Architects Planners and Engineers (Pte) Ltd. His life began 80 years ago, in a humble medical clinic in Neil Road, Singapore. In the years between, he has achieved success in business based on hard work and high aspirations. Albert Hong and RSP have grown as Singapore has grown, overcoming many of the challenges associated with a young, fast-developing nation.

Albert Hong's early years were overshadowed by war and occupation. But he proved that adversity can be a springboard for achievement. His mother saved enough to finance his education at the prestigious Raffles Institution, and then further education in the UK, where he trained as an architect.

In 1964 Albert Hong joined Raglan Squire & Partners as an associate. He established himself in a profession previously dominated by expatriates, fought established notions of what an architectural practice could do, and demonstrated the value of an entrepreneurial spirit. Over the next 50 years, he transformed the firm. RSP has become one of the biggest, most successful and most respected architectural firms in Southeast Asia.

Among his particular achievements is to establish the firm outside Singapore. Notably, he decided to enter the India market, in defiance of conventional wisdom and the advice of most of his colleagues. Events have proved him right. For RSP, India is a huge success story.

For Dr Hong, success brings obligations. He has donated time and wise counsel to numerous public bodies. Like Singapore, he believes that every individual deserves a chance to realise his or her talents and abilities. Among many charitable contributions, he has always given generous support to educational institutions and deserving individuals.

This is a very human success story, likely to inspire readers planning their careers. It is sure to interest all those interested in the physical development of Singapore, and the contributions of architects, planners, financiers, developers and other professionals.

Contents:

• From War to Peace
• An Overseas Education
• My First Jobs in Singapore
• With Raglan Squire: The Early Years
• Serving the Profession and the Public
• Raglan Squire and Partners
• RSP Architects Planners & Engineers
• Venturing Overseas
• A New Era
• Serving Society
• Reflections

Readership: General readers interested in architecture, and architects from Singapore.
Key Features:

• The book provides business lessons from a leading entrepreneur
• This story of a self-made Singaporean is accompanied by several photographs from the author's own collection
• The evolution of the architectural profession is entwined with the development of Singapore