The SLAC (Singapore Landscape Architecture Challenge) organized by NUS (National University of Singapore) Landscape Architecture was launched in April 2025 and concluded in June 2025. The design challenge calls for participants to make a site in NUS campus more vibrant for students. Eight students from the DLA (Diploma in Landscape Architecture) formed two teams and took part in SLAC. Both teams were shortlisted in the top ten list for the next phase, and one team, led by student Sew Yu Jun, won an award for the Best Visual Communication.
Award winners of Best Visual Communication (from top left, clockwise): Sew Yu Jun, Lim Rong Chen, Aadila Chai, and Hoay Wei Shin, with their proposal poster, model, certificate, and $500 cash prize.
When asked:
1) What inspired you to join this competition?
2) During the workshops and interactions with other participants, what did you learn?
3) What was the most memorable moment of SLAC?
The team leaders replied on behalf of their teams:
鈥淢y team and I were motivated to join SLAC to build our portfolio and apply the landscape architecture skills that we have learnt in DLA coursework and internship experience. It was also a great opportunity to gain exposure to the industry and challenge ourselves with the design brief.
At the competition, we learnt how different teams approached the same site with their unique perspectives and strategies. The sharing sessions gave us insights into how every student interprets the same brief differently鈥攁nd that in design, there are no absolute answers, just creative solutions.
One of the most memorable moments was during the timed challenge workshop; my team faced issues in completing the physical model on time. With excellent teamwork and determination, we managed to complete the model better than expected.鈥�
鈥� DLA Year 3 student participant, Sew Yu Jun
Team consisting of (from left) Ong Jie Ying, Chan Myae Thu, Ang Pei Shuen Jasmine, and Koh Jun Xuan with their poster and model.
鈥淲e felt motivated to participate in this competition, not only to strengthen our portfolios but also to gain valuable insights from judges. The judges were lecturers from NUS Landscape Architecture and professionals from the industry. Their perspectives offered us a broader understanding and challenged us to think beyond our usual design approaches.
We learnt that even the smallest, most unique aspects of a site can spark innovative and compelling ideas. This was something we initially overlooked, as we were too focused on practicality and a proposal for the ease of maintenance.
Our most memorable moment was interacting with our facilitator from NUS who guided our team in SLAC. Through these exchanges, we had the opportunity to connect with the other teams and learned about the inspirations and processes behind their final design proposals.鈥�
鈥� DLA Year 3 student participant, Ong Jie Ying
