Aamer Taher The Accidental Artist Is A Child At Heart

Channeling Pocahontas with a love for nature and Alice in Wonderland with curiosity, award-winning architect Aamer Taher’s childlike essence informs his artistic vision

- Alfieyah Abdullah

ASIDE FROM THE WISDOM LINES that have started to form on his forehead, Aamer Taher barely looks a day over 30. The years of experience in the industry have yet to dampen his exuberance and childlike essence. Like Alice in Wonderland, Aamer fell down the architectural rabbit hole. Originally planning to pursue a more conventional route of engineering or business, it was the lure of fun that piqued his curiosity for architecture.

From his early years studying architecture at the National University of Singapore (NUS), Aamer moved to London in 1984 to train at the Architectural Association School of Architecture. Soon, he found himself practicing among the prestigious, including Michael Hopkins & Associates. Not long after, the Singapore ’90s scene beckoned, ready for individual creative expression, and Aamer left behind the bustling London scene to make his mark in his home country. Two years after moving back, boutique creative architecture firm Aamer Architects was born.

Drawn to the ability of buildings to improve life beyond the basic function of shelter, Aamer Architects aims to design houses that are unique in form and still embody the good values of tropical design. Aamer always felt the need to introduce more creativity into the architectural landscape in Singapore. He believes that buildings should not follow current trends and instead be custom designed to the particular site and owner’s functional lifestyle.