Ong Tze Boon: The visionary
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Throughout his life, Ong Tze Boon has made a real difference to both people and place. He is a man of vision who has changed the architectural landscape of Singapore and South-East Asia and strives to make a better world for the future.
The name ONG&ONG is synonymous with great architecture and design across the Indo-Pacific. The practice continues to thrive under Group Executive Chairman, Ong Tze Boon.
ONG&ONG was established in 1972 by Ong Teng Cheong and Ling Siew May. Their younger son, Boon, powered the practice to great heights despite many challenges. As a child, he was immersed in architecture, often joining his parents on site visits. His father, while an architect, was also a prominent public figure in Singapore, which shaped Boon’s early life and desire to forge his own path.
After national service, Tze Boon studied architecture in the US. He completed a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture at the University of California, Berkeley in just 26 months, then earned a Master of Architecture at Rice University. He worked at Frank Gehry’s studio in LA for two years under Michael Maltzen before returning home when his father became unwell.
After the passing of both parents by 2002, 30-year-old Tze Boon faced a pivotal moment. With 60 employees relying on him, he considered his options – maintain, downsize, or grow the firm. He chose growth. In 2003, amid the SARS epidemic and the Asian Financial Crisis, however, projects were scarce. Boon’s solution was visionary – combine architecture, interiors, and landscaping on each project, tripling the firm’s involvement.
This holistic model proved successful. ONG&ONG expanded around the region and integrated more disciplines, evolving into a 360-solution firm spanning design, engineering, and project management. From 60 staff in 2003, the firm grew to over 1000 by 2014, winning numerous awards along the way.
ONG&ONG has completed numerous regional projects. Key among them is the Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge in Sydney, which introduced experiential design. Another is Heartbeat Bedok in Singapore, a biophilic, sustainable transformation of a public park. The Artyzen hotel in Singapore continues this legacy of excellence.
With studios across Asia, Tze Boon insists each office functions independently under the ONG&ONG umbrella, supported by best practices from Singapore. He believes in accountability, reward, and hiring people “better than me” to drive success.
Today, Tze Boon’s vision extends beyond architecture. He launched Charge+, the largest EV charging network in South-East Asia, leveraging ONG&ONG’s expertise. In 2012, he founded the ONG Foundation, supporting education, health, and the arts. One initiative, GoFlow, uses a bicycle-powered device to supply clean water.
His latest venture, BeyondX, is a lab and incubation space for sustainable smart experiences, with an upcoming exhibition and symposium planned. Ong Tze Boon is a powerhouse of thought and action – an exceptional person, a true Luminary, and a visionary of our time.
The Luminary category at the 2025 INDE.Awards is proudly partnered by Woven Image.
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