In memory of former IFLA president Richard Tan

Former IFLA President, Richard Tan, has died.

A fellow of the Singapore Institute of Landscape Architects (SILA), Richard was also the founder and owner of Envirospace Consultants, Garden & Landscape Centre and Garden Supplies Centre in Singapore.

As a pioneer landscape architect, Richard started his landscape career in 1960s, and founded SILA together with a few other landscape architects in 1985.

Richard has been instrumental in shaping the landscape profession both locally and internationally. He was the former President of International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) in 2001-2002. He served in SILA and IFLA for more than 20 years holding several key appointments concurrently throughout his voluntary service and brought IFLA 4th Eastern Regional Conference to Singapore in 1991 and IFLA 38th Word Congress Singapore in 2001.

Richard Tan died on February 15.

As a Landscape Architect, he made an unprecedented list of contributions in Singapore and promoted landscape education in the poorer region of Asia. He travelled widely on a constant lookout to support landscape schools in ASEAN region on pro bono basis. In 2012, Richard founded Landscape Academy in Cambodia a not-for-profit organisation to provide tertiary education in the field of landscape architecture in developing countries in ASEAN. He spent several years, including his own time and savings to develop the infrastructure and curriculum for the academy.

Richard’s passion in landscape and his generosity in contributions continued to inspire many. In 2010, he was conferred Honorable Member of Thai Association of Landscape Architects. He was also honoured by several IFLA Asia-Pacific Region’s national associations for the efforts and contributions he had made. Richard held the belief that it is a privilege to give and to contribute when he is able. I believe his spirit in generous giving and his unwavering dedication to landscape architecture throughout his lifetime will continue to serve as inspiring stories and memories for many of us.

Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends. May his smile be remembered, may his passion continue to inspire, and may his legacy continue to echo into the hearts of landscape architects.