The foundation of Swan & Maclaren traces back to 1887 when the firm was first established as Swan & Lermit. During this period, the company was led by architects Archibald Swan and William Lermit, focusing primarily on civil engineering and architectural works in Singapore and the region.

With the exit of Alfred Lermit, civil engineer James Waddell Boyd Maclaren, a Scotsman trained in Edinburgh, became Swan’s partner. The firm was renamed Swan & Maclaren, marking a first in the professional status of architects in Singapore.

This period saw the firm develop a strong colonial style seen in iconic buildings such as the world-famous Raffles Hotel. The design of commercial buildings like the Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank marked the next era of commercial and financial development. The 50’s industrial boom saw the firm breaking ground in modern factory designs.

The firm’s inter-disciplinary practice continued to service the new demands in urban and structural planning amid Singapore’s switch from an industrial to a knowledge-based economy.

The rise of a modern Commercial district during this period saw the completion of buildings such as Ocean Tower 2 and Hong Leong Building.

The future of the firm comes from our past, committed to design creativity and excellence, to a future of infinite possibilities.

Raffles Hospital Extension stands as a testament to Swan & Maclaren’s leadership in sustainable building design, earning the prestigious BCA Green Mark Award. It reflects the next generation’s influence on the firm, championing environmentally responsible architecture for the future.

An expanding international client base marks Swan & Maclaren’s growth in the regional market with offices in China, Malaysia and Thailand.

Aiming to design for growth towards Tomorrow’s Built Environment Solution, Swan & Maclaren acquires C2R Lighting Singapore.

Swan & Maclaren strengthens its international footprint through a strategic partnership with Advanced Lighting Company, formalised by the joint ownership of SM C2R Arabia. This milestone signals a new era of interdisciplinary design excellence and innovation in the region.