May 2025

Q: What do you do as a sustainability consultant?

A: We act as both advocates and enablers of sustainable practices across the built environment. At BSD, this means providing strategic advisory on energy and environmental performance across the entire building lifecycle — from design and construction to operations and even deconstruction.

Our aim is to help clients reduce the carbon footprint of their developments by optimising energy and water use, promoting sustainable materials, and improving occupant comfort — all while ensuring cost-effectiveness and design feasibility. We also stay up to date with innovations in green building technologies, and regularly organise seminars and webinars to drive awareness and industry adoption of sustainable practices.

Q: What is a common misconception about your work?

A: That it’s all about paperwork and submitting forms for green building certification. In reality, our work involves leading sustainability strategies and influencing core design decisions. To do this well, we need deep technical knowledge of building systems and materials — and the ability to collaborate effectively with engineers, architects, and clients.

Q: How does one become a sustainability consultant? Can you tell us more about your journey?

A: My journey began at Singapore Polytechnic, where a module on the Green Mark scheme sparked my interest in sustainability. That interest led me to pursue a degree in environmental engineering. After graduation, I joined BSD to deepen my involvement in green building consultancy.

With growing awareness of climate change and strong initiatives from BCA, the field is rapidly evolving. A big part of our job is to help clients and teams rethink conventional design approaches. It requires critical thinking, systems-level perspective, and strong communication skills — as well as empathy and adaptability to drive change in mindsets and behaviours.

Q: What’s one interesting thing about your job?

A: It’s the behind-the-scenes problem solving that excites me — like figuring out how small design tweaks can create big energy savings or comfort gains. Something as simple as relocating a window for better cross-ventilation can make a measurable impact in a residential building.

Another aspect I enjoy is the project diversity — from industrial plants to high-security facilities — and the mix of office-based work with on-site collaboration.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your work?

A: The versatility. I get to work across disciplines — from M&E to architecture and costing — and see projects evolve from concept to completion. Helping a project achieve top-tier green certification, then seeing those sustainable features come to life on site, is deeply rewarding.

I also appreciate the culture at BSD. It encourages learning and innovation, and I’ve had the opportunity to share my knowledge through part-time lecturing at BCA Academy and leading industry webinars. It’s fulfilling to be part of a team that not only delivers impact but also nurtures future green building leaders.