TA.LE Architects

23/04/2026

For architect Lionel Leow of TA.LE Architects, demolition is rarely the answer. Through projects such as Hong Leong Building and City Square Mall, he argues that sustainability and cultural memory begin with what we choose to preserve.

23/04/2026

Discover City Square Mall's revitalised food scene, community spaces, and eco-friendly updates, making it a must-visit destination in Singapore. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

08/04/2026

Not every building needs to be replaced. Some just need to be seen differently.

We’re really grateful to be featured on CNA Luxury, sharing a bit about what drives us at TA.LE—our belief in renovation, conservation, and giving existing buildings a new lease of life.

Over the years, we’ve come to appreciate that working with what already exists isn’t always the easier path—but it’s often the more meaningful one. There’s history, memory, and character embedded in these spaces that you simply can’t replicate.

Projects like City Square Mall and Hong Leong Building have reminded us that sustainability isn’t just about new ideas—it’s also about making the most of what we already have.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey with us—we’re excited to keep pushing this conversation forward.

Singapore Institute of ArchitectsCity Square Mall, SingaporeInterior Design Confederation (Singapore)Singapore Green Building Council

If you’d like to read more, here’s the full feature:

For architect Lionel Leow of TA.LE Architects, demolition is rarely the answer. Through projects such as Hong Leong Building and City Square Mall, he argues that sustainability and cultural memory begin with what we choose to preserve.

26/03/2026

TA.LE celebrates the opening of the first Chagee in Bali!

A design for a modern tea house inspired by the sea and our precious marine life!

Come visit this modern tea house by the sea at Discovery Mall.
id

12/03/2026

A New Wave for City Square Mall, Singapore 🌊🌿

The reimagined City Square Mall has officially opened its doors — and it was wonderful to celebrate this milestone with our partners, stakeholders and guests.

TA.LE Architects had the privilege of being part of the team behind this transformation, working to refresh and renew one of Singapore’s pioneering eco-malls while staying true to its sustainable foundations.

The new atrium design draws inspiration from the aquatic ecosystem beneath the surface of water. Soft curving forms flow through the space, creating an immersive environment that feels fluid, organic and connected to nature.

Across the different levels, sculptural dining pods appear like lily pads floating across the atrium, introducing moments of discovery as visitors explore the space. Rather than simply moving through the mall, shoppers experience it like navigating through a living landscape of dining, gathering and activity.

The grand opening was celebrated with City Developments Limited, Members of Parliament Eric Chong and Denise Phua, alongside the many project partners and team members who helped bring the project to life.

For us, this project reflects a belief we hold strongly: renewing and extending the life of existing buildings can be one of the most sustainable ways to shape the future of our cities.

Singapore Institute of Architects

27/01/2026

A new icon for the Singapore Changi Airport T1 Departure retail hall.

A symbol of growth at the gateway to the world.

A luminous tree-like form that symbolizes growth, connection and the constant flow of journeys- rooted in nature, designed for our world famous airport.

12/01/2026

Thank you The CEO Magazine for the encouraging write up on the design philosophy behind TA.LE's approach on creating human-centric spaces!

TA.LE Architects Founding Partner Yanling Tay isn’t just reimagining some of Singapore’s most iconic spaces – she’s proving that sustainability, beauty and human centric design can coexist, inspiring a new era of architecture where everyday waste becomes tomorrow’s innovation.

Reimagining most of Singapore’s most iconic locations would be on any architect’s wish list. But Tay Yanling, Founding Partner of the multi-award-winning firm TA.LE Architects, has gone one step further and put sustainability at the heart of all her projects.

23/12/2025

As cities across Asia mature while striving for sustainability, there is constant debate between demolishing and rebuilding, versus retrofitting.

Hong Leong Building stands as a powerful case study for the latter. By retrofitting, we've retained more than 95% of the original structure, while successfully updating it for a new generation.

This approach aligns with the circular economy and offers massive sustainability benefits, including:
✅ Drastic reductions in embodied carbon
✅ Minimised construction waste
✅ Cost savings of up to 20–30% compared to a rebuild.

We truly believe that retrofitting is a viable and necessary path for our urban environments. It offers a sustainable blueprint for extending the life of our city's aging giants, allowing us to keep up with development while minimising environmental impact.

19/12/2025

For Hong Leong Building, our aesthetic approach was to create a dialogue between the old and the new. We made a deliberate choice to preserve and clean the original granite façade, which tells the story of 1980s Singapore and the city’s commercial evolution.

We balanced this heritage by giving the podium frame a new skin for visual renewal while introducing new features, from a refreshed façade and arrival area to improved indoor lighting.

The result is a design that creates continuity. Hong Leong Building now symbolises adaptive resilience by honoring the building's history while giving it a fresh, contemporary identity for the future.

15/12/2025

With the transformation of Hong Leong Building, we wanted to ensure this landmark is ready for a new era, while elevating the daily experience for every occupant and guest.

Key transformations include:

☑️ Rejuvenated streetscapes: Breathing new life into the street-level walkway with greater openness and greenery.
☑️ A new welcome: Introducing a brand-new vehicular drop-off and secondary lobby to create a welcoming sense of arrival.
☑️ Enhanced comfort: Boosting well-being through upgraded lighting, thermal comfort systems, and natural ventilation and shading strategies.

It's a space ready to serve today's talent, and built to last for the next generation.

11/12/2025

There are more than 30 new tenants, including a jungle-inspired indoor playground and Michelin-recognised eats 🤤

11/12/2025

We are proud to unveil the transformation of Hong Leong Building, an icon that has stood in Singapore’s central business district for over 40 years.

While many buildings are often demolished around the 30-year mark, the drive for a more sustainable built environment challenged us to think differently. Instead of tearing down a landmark, this project seeks to honor its history and extend its lifespan for the next generation.

We preserved its durable structure while upgrading its visual design, performance, and comfort to meet modern standards.

This project is a reminder that we don't always need to build new to build better. Sometimes, the smartest choice is to revive what we already have.

We're incredibly honored to have been entrusted with this project. Stay tuned to learn more!