At RSP, our people are our greatest asset. We believe that the diverse backgrounds, talent and experience of our team members spark creativity and innovation. Because our talents are drawn from different demographics, our projects can then more effectively serve various communities, be sensitive to local contexts, and ultimately make the built environment better for everyone.
Creating an inclusive and equitable work environment also drives growth and innovation in the business. Research has consistently shown that companies with diverse workforces and inclusive cultures outperform their peers.
We are constantly working to make our offices more representative by fostering equitable and inclusive work environments. Measures include bias-free recruitment and promotion, inclusive leadership training, and flexible work arrangements for professionals to help employees with caregiving responsibilities.
Besides striving for better representation by ethnicity and age in our offices, working towards gender parity is an ongoing goal. Currently, our percentage of employees in executive management by gender is 39% female and 61% male. The percentage of employees below executive management is more equitable by gender, at 48% female and 52% male.
In this feature, we profile five director-level staff members to showcase the range of perspectives shaping RSP’s identity and future directions.
Nina Loo, Director, Architect, Singapore
Having worked in RSP for three decades, ever since she graduated from the National University of Singapore with a Bachelor in Architecture, Ms Loo went from a young architect learning the ropes to now serving as a director leading a team of architects in the Singapore office.
She has experience in a diverse range of projects, from mixed developments to commercial, retail, residential, education and hospitality. She has managed several challenging projects including the award-winning CapitaSpring, Pinnacle@Duxton and the largest condominium development, d’Leedon. She was also part of the team for the iconic Jewel at Changi Airport. Her role today, she says, is ‘a balance of leadership, mentoring younger architects, and steering projects that push design and construction boundaries’.
She credits RSP as being pivotal in providing her opportunities to take on projects of scale and complexity, where design innovation and execution excellence are both demanded. ‘I also had the opportunity to work with interesting, renowned designers from around the world,’ she adds. ‘The exposure I’ve had here—from complex client interactions to hands-on project challenges—has been the best form of professional growth.’
For her, the most meaningful aspect of her job is seeing her designs come to life and positively impacting people. She says: ‘ It’s one thing to see a concept on paper, but it’s another to walk through a finished project, whether it’s a shopping mall, an airport building or a housing project and see people using and enjoying it. Knowing that we’ve created an environment that is not only beautiful but also functional and sustainable is a powerful motivator. It’s proof that our work is truly making a difference.’
An inspiring female role model for her is the late British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid, with whom she had the pleasure of working during the d’Leedon project. She admires Hadid for her groundbreaking work that is both daring and poetic, and how she broke barriers as a woman in a male-dominated industry.
As for inspiring female figures closer to home, she is inspired by senior female colleagues and former students who have gone on to succeed. “Their journeys remind me that passion, perseverance, and authenticity always shine through, no matter the obstacles.”
Tuyen Pham Hong, Executive Director, Vietnam
With a Bachelor of Architecture from Hanoi Architecture University and a Master of Business Administration from the French-Vietnamese Center for Management (CFVG), Ms Tuyen has 21 years of architectural experience. Starting out as a project architect in RSP 2011, she rose to associate architect and eventually executive director in 2016, which she has held to this day, a role which she says ‘requires a combination of technical expertise, design management, regulatory knowledge and strategic vision’.
Her notable projects include Mulberry Lane, Garrya Da Nang, Dhawa Hanoi, Tower 4CT1 and 4CT2, GO! Mall Thai Nguyen, GO! Mall Thai Binh, as well as master planning projects for ParkCity and Tan Hoang Mai, together with collaborative projects with the Singapore team such as Ha Long Star, Phuket Master Plan, CV03 and the Quang Ngai project.
She says RSP has been a true ‘real-world classroom’, where she learnt design thinking, project management and international standards in architectural practice. She adds: ‘The professional, collaborative and innovative environment at RSP has not only enabled my career growth but also nurtured my belief that architecture can create lasting value for the community.’
The most inspirational woman professionally for her is Zaha Hadid, whose ‘iconic and visually striking works demonstrate her courage in pioneering new architectural languages’. Ms Tuyen adds: ‘While her fluid, curvilinear designs sometimes posed limitations in functionality, what truly inspires me is her pioneering spirit, her embrace of modern technology and her determination to transform bold, seemingly impossible ideas into tangible, iconic architectural works that affirm creative vision.’
Joan Usero, Senior Associate, Urban Design and Master Planning, Dubai
Joan Usero is a seasoned design and planning professional with over 15 years of experience, currently leading the Master Planning Team alongside Prabhanjan Kambadur, Director of RSP Dubai. She began her journey with RSP in 2014, contributing to a wide range of residential, civic, hospitality, mixed-use, commercial, urban, and master planning projects until 2017. She then expanded her experience with a renowned developer, gaining further expertise in large-scale urban and mixed-use developments. In 2021, Joan rejoined RSP to help build the company’s urban design and master planning portfolio, establishing a brand-new department in Dubai.
Under her leadership, the Masterplanning Division quickly became a recognized force in the industry. Early projects included a mixed-use design competition in Dubai, and community masterplans in Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah, which subsequently led to securing the projects Haven and Wilds. These two award-winning masterplans garnered local accolades and nominations at some of the world’s most prestigious awards, including the World Architecture Festival, competing at the same level as some of the most respected teams in the world. Joan’s ability to inspire, guide, and grow her team has been central to these achievements, cementing the division’s reputation for delivering ambitious and innovative masterplans.
Her approach is rooted in what she calls the “human touch,” which manifests in three ways: fostering relational connections with clients, stakeholders, and her team; designing spaces from a human-scale and experiential perspective; and championing hand-drawn and digital sketching as essential tools for understanding and shaping space. Joan believes that every project, regardless of scale, should be sensitive to its users and context, creating curated moments that enrich both the built environment and the lives of those who experience it.
Joan credits RSP for supporting her growth through mentorship, diverse project exposure, and opportunities to expand her expertise, including further studies she has pursued alongside her professional and family commitments. Professionally, she is inspired by the writings of urban writer and activist Jane Jacobs, who emphasised the collaborative aspect of urban design and master planning. Personally, her biggest inspirations are two important women in her life — ‘My mum, for her strong will and unwavering faith, and my grandmother, for her gentle and compassionate heart.’
Shi Lu, Managing Director, China
With a Bachelor’s Degree of Engineering in Architecture from Tong Ji University (Shanghai Institute of Urban Construction), Ms Shi is one of the founding professionals of RSP China. From 2004 to 2005, she worked as a resident architect in RSP’s first China office in Beijing, which enabled her to accumulate experience in architectural design and practical project management. In 2006, after she earned the First-Class Registered Architect Certificate (China), she shifted to management. Over the years, she progressed to Vice General Manager, then Director, and finally Managing Director of China. RSP China grew from a small team of three to its current scale, expanding to Shanghai and Chongqing in 2017 and 2022 respectively.
Her role today encompasses corporate development and the building of strong client relationships. She has led projects including Startimes Campus in Beijing and CapitaLand malls in different cities of China. She was also involved in a wide range of projects covering hospitality, offices, education and interior design.
The most satisfying part of her journey is seeing RSP China grow and leave lasting footprints. “We’ve seized the opportunity of China’s 20-year rapid market development, completing over 500 projects across 40 cities and regions. Our work spans diverse sectors: commercial real estate, cultural tourism hotels, office buildings and urban design. Our projects have won prestigious domestic and international awards, such as the Architizer A+Awards and honors from the IAI Creative Design Festival. Seeing our designs not only meet market needs but also earn industry acclaim is truly exciting.”
As for female role models, she names former RSP chairperson Chan Lay Hoon as someone who shaped her business acumen, because Ms Chan balances data-driven decisions with team growth. “Her poise in complex business landscapes, and focus on both organisational goals and individual development, set a standard I follow leading RSP China.”
Her second role model is former German Chancellor Angela Merkel. “I admire her professional roots (a physical chemistry doctorate), bringing an evidence-based approach to politics—relevant to my shift from architecture to leadership,” Ms Loo says. “Her foresight in European unity and climate action proved leadership transcends short-term pressures.”
Ong Junlin, Associate Director, Singapore
Holding a Masters of Architecture from National University of Singapore, Ms Ong joined RSP in 2013 as an executive and senior architect, and rose through the ranks to become an associate director of the Singapore office. She has over 13 years of experience over various typologies. One of her most satisfying projects is working on the architectural execution for the One Pearl Bank, the tallest residential development in the Outram-Chinatown district. Completed after six years, the development overcame hurdles such COVID-19 disruptions and construction complexities, to become an iconic feature of the skyline.
Over the years, Ms Ong says that RSP has been crucial in nurturing her professional development — encouraging architects to build authority and influence, and craft spaces that foster belonging and care. The opportunity to collaborate with world-class talents and progressive projects also gives her a chance to experiment and innovate.
The greatest source of job satisfaction for her comes when she manages to unlock a flow between disciplines and create unexpected synergies. The guiding principles behind her work is that buildings should be thoughtful, enduring and aimed at collective uplift.
On role models, she says she is ‘moved by women whose presence reshapes their fields and leaders who demonstrate clarity of vision’.
‘True satisfaction comes when my role becomes a catalyst for spatial collaboration—unlocking flow between disciplines and creating unexpected synergies. My process, rooted in empathy but guided by consistency, ensures that partners always experience the same design ethos: thoughtful, enduring and aimed at collective uplift.’
