Principals
Dr Russell Arthur Smith
Principal and Landscape Planner
For four decades, Dr Russell Arthur Smith has been at the forefront of landscape and urban planning. As Principal Landscape Planner at STX, his work focuses on areas encompassing strategic and physical planning, policy development, project design and evaluation, with specific focus on sustainable development and management.
Drawing from this diversity in experience has allowed Dr Smith to see projects in a unique and realistic way. In a career that spans the Pacific, Europe and the USA, Dr Smith has worked as consultant to a range of clients both in public and private sectors, and headed large multi-disciplinary teams, working to produce high-quality, sustainable and maintainable areas which are responsive to users and communities.
Dr Smith’s professional acumen, is complemented by a body of writing on landscape architectural design and urbanism. He is also author of Achieving Successful Development Planning, which focuses on addressing strategic leadership challenges in Asian tourism sector.
Dr Smith has lectured and exhibited work internationally, and serves as visiting critic and board member at design institutions and universities. His astute knowledge, both academically and professionally, has made him a celebrated speaker and moderator at many local and international conferences. Dr Smith received his B.Arch and M.Arch from the University of Queensland, and his DDes in Landscape Planning from Harvard University, Cambridge, USA. He is an Accredited Landscape Architect, a Member of the Singapore Institute of Landscape Architects, a Certified Practising Planner of the Planning Institute of Australia and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects.
HELEN SMITH-YEO
Principal and Landscape Architect
Helen Smith-Yeo founded STX as Sitetectonix in 1995 and has been practising landscape architecture for over 30 years. In that time she has achieved to her credit numerous prestigious and award-winning landscapes, on small to large canvasses, within Singapore and spanning Asia.
In her role as Principal at STX, Helen provides direction in design, management and planning to both public and private sector clients. She takes a hands-on approach and is involved in diverse developments and landscapes in sectors including educational, institutional, hospitality, urban design, commercial, residential, mixed-use and recreational. Helen earned her MLA with Distinction from Harvard University, Cambridge, USA, following her Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture Studies at the National University of Singapore. She is an Accredited Landscape Architect and also a Corporate Member of the Singapore Institute of Landscape Architects (SILA).
Helen’s designs, often cited in architectural design books and magazines, are recognized for being immaculate, elegant and bold. Throughout her career, Helen’s passion and artistry in landscape design have been widely acclaimed, through an array of national and international awards, as being architecturally distinct, ecologically mindful, and aesthetically expressive. These accolades have been conferred by peers and professional bodies, as a testament to Helen’s design skills and professionalism.
Helen’s love for history, culture and art led her to expand her horizons and pursue studies in the French language, in which she has achieved a DELF B2-level International Diploma, awarded by the French Ministry of Education. The fusion of European and American perspectives with her own Asian origins has fuelled her inspiration for timeless designs that reflects her love for creative endeavours of all types. In her spare time, Helen enjoys painting landscapes in watercolours and playing with her Maine Coon cats.
Sherman J.H. Stave
Principal and Landscape Architect
Sherman Stave is a landscape architect with more than 30 years of experience. He has practised extensively in Asia and North America.
Sherman was born in Sri Lanka and raised in Canada. His exposure to diverse cultures from an early age has lent him broad global perspective, and a deep appreciation of how shaping our environments can change our lives in fundamental ways. These are critical lenses that continue to inform his design approach.
He places special emphasis on environmentally sustainable and pragmatic design solutions. His design expression is inspired by the works of artists, the organic forms of nature, as well as the landscape features surrounding a project; it is design mindful of purpose and sensitive of context that give projects a distinct identity and character.
Sherman’s innovative and award-winning landscapes can be seen at resorts and hotels, parks and private condominiums, universities, mixed-use and commercial developments. As principal at STX, Sherman plays a critical role in the design and management of projects. His meticulous attention to all stages of a project underpins the smooth execution of his designs.
Sherman received his Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, and his Masters in Landscape Architecture from Harvard University, Cambridge, USA. Sherman is an Accredited Landscape Architect and also a Member of the Singapore Institute of Landscape Architects.
As a natural adjunct to his design work, Sherman enjoys teaching at universities and studio workshops, on urban theory and design. He is often invited to speak at international workshops, symposiums and conferences.
Holidays are spent travelling with his family; weekends see him spending time with his son and daughter, cycling, cooking, gardening, catching up on the latest movies, and listening to his favourite music.
Directors
YEO SEOW NAN
Director and Landscape Architect
Yeo Seow Nan brought with her a colourful array of professional experience and tenacity to the drawing table. She adds site-sensitive creative design finesse to each project of varying types, size and scale; whether planning for large scale corporate or government facilities, to intimate residential landscapes. Before a career in Landscape Architecture, Seow Nan spent several years at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).
As Director at STX, Seow Nan brings an extensive knowledge of public planning processes and leads projects through all phases of the design process; concept design and development, project documentation and management, technical coordination, construction administration and design implementation. She has undertaken some of the most challenging sites with undulating terrain in her project profile, which has earned her awards as a testament to outstanding work, spanning the Asia Pacific region.
Seow Nan received her BLA (Honours) from Lincoln University in New Zealand, and a BSc (Honours) in Real Estate from National University of Singapore (NUS). She is an Accredited Landscape Architect, and a Member of the Singapore Institute of Landscape Architects (SILA). Seow Nan describes herself as a persevering, marathon-running career-mom, who has a penchant for the outdoors. Some of her personal loves include scaling depths through deep-sea diving, and heights through climbing and hiking.
Deric Seow Chee Kang
Director and Landscape Architect
Deric Seow is a firm and passionate believer of landscapes as a powerful and enduring medium serving both form and function. He draws from his interdisciplinary training to create ecologically vibrant, sustainable and culturally relevant designs from canvas to site. As Director at STX, Deric is involved in the design conceptualisation, and has had a pivotal role in the successful completion of several significant and award-winning projects, within residential, commercial and institutional domains.
Deric’s experience includes concept design and development, project management, construction documentation and contract administration. His strength lies in the interpretation, definition, and implementation of the client’s needs into creative design direction that meets pragmatic functionality, within budget. Deric gains great satisfaction in early project involvement – from feasibility studies through to completion – allowing him to influence design at an early stage and be an integral part of each project’s evolution and development.
Deric received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Landscape Architecture from Universiti Putra Malaysia. He is an Accredited Landscape Architect and a Member of the Singapore Institute of Landscape Architects (SILA).
Lee Fei Chong, Alfred
Director and Landscape Architect
Alfred Lee joined the firm in 2008 and had forged a reputation for creating sustainable and timeless landscapes, with meticulous attention to detail and materiality. Alfred’s inspiration emanates from sensible designs that encapsulate its natural surroundings, history, culture and climate. His style reflects his sensitivity to designs that are aesthetically functional, coherent and sustainable.
As a Director at STX, Alfred is involved in a variety of award-winning residential, commercial and institutional projects across Asia, including the Maldives, India and Malaysia. He has extensive knowledge in the areas of concept design, design development, project and construction documentation. Parallel to his professional experience, Alfred is also a guest critic for final year landscape students at University Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) since 2013. In 2016, he was appointed to the Jury at the Malaysia Landscape Architecture Awards, organised by the Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia (ILAM).
Alfred received his B.S. (Honours) degree in Landscape Architecture from University Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). He is an Accredited Landscape Architect, a Full Member of the Singapore Institute of Landscape Architects (SILA), and a Corporate Member of the Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia (ILAM). When not at the drawing board or attending to clients, Alfred splits his time between soccer and globe-trotting.
Wan Shyrell Zaydy
Director and Landscape Architect
Wan Shyrell Zaydy’s involvement with the client and design teams from concept development through to completion has been instrumental to the success of several significant and award-winning projects within the firm.
Wan’s expertise lies in the conceptualisation of ideas and developing them into real solutions that are commercially and aesthetically viable and exceed the clients’ aspirations. He embeds innovation and timeless design with minimalist concepts, to influence his design approach. On a daily basis, Wan is involved in design development, project documentation and management as well as project coordination and construction administration responsibilities for Commercial, Institutional and Residential Developments.
Wan has a BLA (Honours) from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and a Diploma in Landscape Architecture from Universiti Teknologi Mara. He is an Accredited Landscape Architect and a Member of both the Singapore Institute of Landscape Architects (SILA) and Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia (ILAM). Wan is also a self-proclaimed hobbyist and loves collecting action figures. He spends his free time with his family, partaking in outdoor recreational activities and exploring new artworks.
Associates
WONG YIN WOEI
Senior Landscape Architect
Wong Yin Woei is responsible for concept design, design development, project documentation, project management and technical coordination at the firm.
Yin Woei earned her Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture (Honours) from Universiti Putra Malaysia and is a Member of the Singapore Institute of Landscape Architects.
Senior Landscape Architects
HELEN LOW MEI CHIN
Senior Landscape Architect
Helen Low is responsible for concept design, design development, project documentation, project management and technical coordination at the firm.
Helen has a Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture (Honours) from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. She is a Member of the Singapore Institute of Landscape Architect (SILA).
NINA CECILIA V. BALLESTEROS
Senior Landscape Architect
Nina Ballesteros has over 14 years of extensive experience and expertise in residential, commercial and institutional projects throughout Southeast Asia. Within the firm, she is responsible for concept design, design development, project documentation, and construction documentation.
Nina has a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of the Philippines and is an Accredited Landscape Architect.
MANDY NG BAN TIENG
Senior Landscape Architect
Mandy Ng has close to 10 years of experience and expertise in residential, commercial and institutional projects. On a daily basis, she is responsible for concept design, design development, project documentation, and construction documentation within the firm.
Mandy earned her Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Landscape Architecture from Universiti Putra Malaysia and is an Accredited Landscape Architect. She is also a Member of the Singapore Institute of Landscape Architects (SILA).
GOH WEI XIANG
Senior Landscape Architect
Goh Weixiang earned his Master of Landscape Architecture from National University of Singapore, following his Bachelor in Architecture (Second Upper-Class Honours). At the firm, he is responsible for concept design, design development, project documentation, project management and technical coordination.
DOREEN OOI
Senior Landscape Architect
Doreen Ooi is responsible for concept design, design development, project documentation, project management and technical coordination at the firm. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture (Honours) from the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
Landscape Architects
CHAI JIA YING
Landscape Architect
Chai Jia Ying earned her Bachelor in Landscape Architecture (First-Class Honours) from Lincoln University, New Zealand with a Minor in Spatial Planning. At the firm, she is responsible for concept design, design development, project documentation, project management and technical coordination.
Landscape Technicians
ABDUL RAHMAN BIN ABU SAMA
Landscape Technician
Abdul Rahman Abu Sama has more than 23 years of technical experience. He has worked on a variety of projects from housing developments to commercial and institutional developments. Abdul Rahman is responsible for the coordination, management, and scheduling of all technical drawing packages within the firm. He oversees the production of project documentation and the preparation of presentation drawing and study models. He has a Diploma in Architectural Technology from Singapore Polytechnic.
HANISAH SALIKIMEN
Landscape Technician
Hanisah Salikimen started out at the firm as a student intern before joining STX as Landscape Technician. She is responsible for design development, project documentation and technical co-ordination, within commercial, institutional and residential condominium housing developments. Hanisah has a Diploma in Environmental Design from Temasek Polytechnic.
YOSHIKO ALEXANDER SIANIPAR
CAD/BIM Landscape Technician
Yoshiko Alexander Sianipar has worked on a variety of projects within commercial, institutional and residential condominium housing developments. At the firm, he is responsible for design development, project documentation and technical coordination. Yoshiko earned his Diploma in Green Building and Sustainability from Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore.
Administration and Marketing
JUDIE BAUTISTA
Executive Secretary
Judie Bautista has experience in human resources and general office management before joining STX. As an Executive Secretary, her responsibilities include general administrative support, human resources coordination, tender and proposal request coordination, records management as well as logistics. Judie has a Bachelor’s degree in Behavioural Studies from University of the Philippines.
MARINA ONG
Office Manager
Marina Ong is responsible for the day-to-day office administration. She oversees the secretarial and financial operations within the firm, having gained experience in various public and private sectors. Marina’s expertise spans across the areas of finance, marketing and general administration. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the National University of Singapore (NUS).
ROZANA ISMAIL
Receptionist
Rozana Ismail has been a fundamental part of the team at STX. She is an energetic and dedicated front desk personnel with over 16 years of professional experience. On a daily basis, Rozana is responsible for maintaining the filing systems, procurement and general administrative support.
