#84: Why Construction Costs Increase, Architectural Design Trends, and Rebuild vs A&A

In this episode of Nuggets on the Go, Melvin Lim, Co-Founder and CEO of PropertyLimBrothers catches up with Joseph, the founder and principal architect of BHATCHBatch Architects, as shares his career leap from K2LD Architects to his own firm. See what Joseph has to say about the evolving trends in Singaporean architecture over his past 15 years of practice.

Joseph addresses the rising costs of rebuilding landed properties, acknowledging how inflation has become a homeowner’s nemesis. He shares his firm’s meticulous process, emphasising that thorough planning is key to minimising changes during construction. He reveals the importance of collaboration, illustrating how good architecture is a dance between the architect’s vision and the client’s dreams—because what’s a stunning design if it doesn’t feel like home?

Joseph highlights the need for empathy in architectural practice, reminding us that it’s not just about creating beautiful buildings but also about crafting spaces that truly resonate with their inhabitants. As a boss, he also promotes a work-life balance for his team, ensuring they can deliver thoughtful, well-planned designs without burning the midnight oil. After all, a healthy architect is a happy architect, and happy architects make for happy homeowners! All these and more on NOTG!

Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:44 Who is Joseph Lee? 01:20 Why study architecture? 02:26 Challenges as a fresh graduate architect 04:00 Focused more in residential architecture projects 07:40 What is the meaning of BHATCH? 07:53 Architecture design trend evolution in Singapore 11:28 Helping a buyer have an ease of exit for the newly built house 15:40 Building a multi-gen house 17:11 Minimum cost for a house 20:25 More floors in a house 21:36 Cost of rebuilding 22:55 People spending more on interiors 24:07 House that looks good but less maintenance 25:50 Work process in the Architecture firm. 30:15 Tender stage parameters 32:44 Builders not completing the project 36:08 Construction payment schedule 37:56 Handling clients personally 39:19 PLB home tour design inspiration with Joseph 42:09 Using brinks in the house 44:03 Materials used today ("Warm modernism") 45:55 Architect style 47:00 Past construction are more solid than today 53:13 How long will a modern landed home last nowadays? 54:31 A&A and Rebuild construction cost 59:39 More rebuild nowadays? 01:00:24 Demographics of landed buyers today 01:01:25 More young clients 01:02:24 Memorable projects 01:07:41 Recently completed projects 01:08:49 Future plans of BHATCH Architect 01:09:56 Constraint budgets on projects 01:11:33 Is it stressful being an architect? 01:18:13 Condour Cards: What is one thing you didn't know about your current career when you first started? 01:22:32 Closing thoughts 01:22:48 Outtakes