Detail

A familiar space between blocks in Ang Mo Kio was reimagined as a lively, inclusive green space for all ages. Thanks to two DLA (Diploma in Landscape Architecture) Alumnae, Class of 2022: Ho Qian Yu and Sherly Lee, who won a landscape design competition organized by AMKTC (Ang Mo Kio Town Council) and SILA (Singapore Institute of Landscape Architects).   

“Seeing the community actively using and enjoying the space truly brought the design to life,” shared Sherly Lee, who is now a Landscape Designer at WATG. For Ho Qian Yu, now a Landscape Architect at Ortus Design, the win was deeply encouraging: “Knowing that the design could potentially improve everyday life for residents made the win even more meaningful.”

AMKTC built the design and opened this community space in Mar 2026, much to the delight of the residents, turning the winning design idea, ‘In Our Backyard’ into a landscape architectural space where families, children, elderly residents and neighbours can gather, play, rest and connect. ‘In Our Backyard’ transformed an existing green space with a landscape design proposal with three zones: a Fun Zone with nature-based play elements such as mounds and a sand pit; a Community Zone with an open lawn for exercise and small gatherings; and a Tranquil Zone where residents can relax among greenery. Different planting palettes further enrich each zone, creating a vibrant and engaging landscape experience.

Both alumnae expressed sincere gratitude to their SILA mentor, Ms Tay Bee Choo for encouraging and guiding them with her expertise in landscape architecture. Remembering their roots as they looked back at the three years spent in SP DLA, they attributed their learning of:

• creative problem-solving,
• user-centred design, and
• collaborative teamwork

in DLA that directly supported this win.

They acknowledged that DLA equipped them with:

• design skills,
• technical knowledge, and
• site analysis methodology

that helped shape their design approach. These skills were especially important during the competition, as they helped develop a design that was not only creative but also practical and responsive to the site.

With strong foundations from SP DLA and further studies Bachelor in Landscape Architecture (BLA) in NUS, both designers continue to show how landscape architecture can connect people, place and nature. They have a strong sense of responsibility to shape environments that are sustainable, inclusive, and meaningful, contributing to the kind of world they hope to live in.