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AIA Southeast Asia Symposium: Welcome Speech + Malaysia: The Use of Principles and Ideas in Sensory-driven Architecture to achieve Inclusive and Therapeutic Spaces

AIA Southeast Asia Symposium: Welcome Speech + Malaysia: The Use of Principles and Ideas in Sensory-driven Architecture to achieve Inclusive and Therapeutic Spaces

Join us in person or online for this hybrid event as part of the SEA25 Symposium ‘Nature + Technology and the Future’!

When: Friday 12 September 2025 @ 04:50 (Eastern US Time)/ 16:50 (Singapore time)
Where: Hybrid: The Quadrant at Cecil, 19 Cecil Street #05-01, Singapore 049704/ ONLINE

CES: 1.0 LU/HSW for AIA Members

Schedule

04:50 (Eastern US Time)/ 16:50 (Singapore time): Welcome Speech

05:00 (Eastern US Time)/ 17:00 (Singapore time): The Use of Principles and Ideas in Sensory-driven Architecture to achieve Inclusive and Therapeutic Spaces

Speakers

Yew Kee Cheong, FAIA, RIBA, MSIA. President, AIA International. Founding Partner, 2B ARCHITECTS SG.

Manon Sora Koestoer, President, AIA Southeast Asia; AIA International Country Representative - Singapore,  Founder and Principal, Spatiality Studio Pte Ltd 

Prof. Dr. Naziaty binti Mohd Yaacob, Consultant Accessibility and Universal design at Xiron ES Accessibility Solutions

Description

How do we perceive relationships in architecture?

This talk explores the principles of sensory-driven architecture and how they can shape inclusive, therapeutic spaces. By integrating design elements such as vibrant visuals, calming sounds, and tactile cues like textured pathways, architects can enhance accessibility while creating spaces that resonate emotionally and physically with users. Drawing on her experience as a disability advocate, Naziaty will examine how architecture can move beyond equitable access to prevent sensory exclusion, foster well-being, and transform buildings into healing, inclusive human experiences.

Speaker Bios

Yew Kee Cheong, FAIA, MSIA is a Singaporean architect with over 25 years of professional experience in architecture and education, with a passion for sustainable design, biophilic design and wellness. He is the 2024-2025 President of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) International and the 2024 President of AIA Southeast Asia. He has previously served as its 2020-2021 Treasurer and 2017-2018 Director for Unassigned Members. 

Elevated to the AIA College of Fellows in 2023, Yew Kee holds a Master of Science in Sustainable Design from the University of Nottingham, UK, and a Master of Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin, USA. He has worked with reputable firms in the USA, Mexico and Singapore, with projects across eight countries. Yew Kee is the Founding Principal of 2B ARCHITECTS, an award-winning boutique firm, and is a licensed architect both in Texas and in Singapore.  

Yew Kee was instrumental in leading a team of Country Representatives from Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam to form the AIA Southeast Asia section in 2023. During his first term as AIA International Director, he successfully organized the AIA International Region Conference in Singapore in 2018. Additionally, he served as a Council Member of the Singapore Institute of Architects from 2008-2023, and was the Founding Chair of both the SIA Sustainability Committee and the SIA Wellness Committee. He also chaired the SIA Design Competition, representing the SIA in the International Design Competition for the Founders Memorial, which was won by Kengo Kuma and K2LD Singapore. Yew Kee is also a member of the Urban Land Institute.    

Yew Kee is active in bridging professional and community work. He serves on various institute councils, sits on advisory committee of statutory boards, mentors university students, speaks at public forums, and acts as a juror for institute awards. Passionate about the arts, he used to docent at local museums on weekend.  

In recognition of his contributions, Yew Kee received the Singapore Ministry of National Development Medallion for Distinguished Service in 2013. 

Manon Sora Koestoer is the Founder and the Principal of Spatiality Studio Pte Ltd, is a registered architect in the US (Texas) since 2004. Graduated from Texas A&M University in 1997 and an NDTV award-winning architect in 2013 for Chaithanya Smaran Project in Bangalore, India. 

Focusing on laboratory, life sciences, work spaces and interior projects, Manon is an IFBA certified bio-safety professional and has over 20 years professional experience in architectural practice in United States and Singapore with project ranging from laboratories, data centre, institution, interior design, resort, master planning, high-rise, education and research.  

Manon served on the AIA International Board of Directors as the Director for Unassigned Members in 2015-2016. He is the current Country Representative for Singapore, and the AIA Southeast Asia section President. 

Naziaty Mohd Yaacob, Ph.D, is a retired associate professor who taught architecture for 28 years at Universiti Malaya and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. She now works as a consultant on accessibility and universal design with Xiron ES Accessibility Solutions. Since 2020, she has also hosted and produced the Talk Architecture podcast, where she explores topics such as women in architecture, disability, theory, and architectural education. Her current work examines disability and gender perspectives, applying sensory-driven architectural principles to advocate for inclusive environments that support mental health and well-being.

This symposium is brought to you with the generous support of our event partners: PDP Architecture, d’Doubles, HKS, and International Association of Business Communicators Indonesia.