2013 Xin Kai Tham

Xin Kai Tham is a Landscape Architect specialising in healthcare landscape design, and a Therapeutic Horticulture practitioner, using nature-based approach to improve physical and mental well-being. I am also an independent researcher on Japanese Aesthetics, particularly in the studies of Japanese gardens and kadō 華道 (through the Ikenobo Ikebana Society). He is Co-Founder and Director at Hortherapeutics, and Design Director at Hortian Consultancy, both based in Singapore. Xin Kai graduated from the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture at UWA in 2013.

This interview was undertaken by Xuzhao Cao, as part of the UWA Master of Landscape Architecture history and theory unit, LACH4421: Australian Landscapes.

Xuzhao Cao – Could you tell me a bit about yourself and your career as a landscape architect?
Xin Kai Tham – As a Graduate Landscape Architect, I started my career at the National Parks Board in Singapore. My role involved advising in matters of park design and the greening masterplan of Singapore. I also conduct strategic design works that supported the vision of making Singapore a ‘city in a garden’. I also worked on the design & implementation of heritage and community gardens, as well as festive displays at the Singapore Garden Festival.

In my current roles as design director of Hortian Consultancy and co-founder of Hortherapeutics, I focus on the research, design and implementation of therapeutic gardens for those in nees. I also conduct therapeutic horticulture programmes for users such as seniors, those with dementia, as well as other population with special needs.

XC – What made you interested in studying landscape architecture?
XKT – I first started this journey back in Singapore where I studied for a diploma in landscape architecture from Singapore Polytechnic (similar to TAFE in Australia) because the course combines two of my interests–drawing and nature. Over the course of my studies, my understanding of the important role that landscape architects play in creating and maintaining green spaces grew. So upon completing my diploma and after two years of national service, I got a scholarship from the National Parks Board to study my Bachelor of Landscape Architecture at UWA.

XC – Who has been a person of influence in developing your approach to landscape architecture?
XKT – I don’t think there is just one single person who I was influenced by during my time at UWA. Over the years I received many great insights from various professors and tutors.

Professor Richard Weller taught a unit called The Culture of Nature which was one of my favourite classes; Dr. Simon Kilbane introduced landscape ecology and planning of green infrastructure; Grant Revell ran studios where we went in-depth on engagement with local communities, including knowledge of Aboriginal culture.

Of course, there are many other talented professors. I also enjoyed studios under Sara Padgett-Kjaersgaard and Tinka Sack, just to mention a few. I’ve applied various aspects of what different professors imparted throughout my time at UWA.

XC – What’s the most important thing you learned during your time at UWA?
XKT – Collaboration. It’s all about crowd-seeking the best ideas from people around you, whether its discussions in tutorials with course mates and the professors, or attending community and town hall meetings as part of studio. As designers, our role is to solve issues for others to benefit from.

As well as providing technical skills, the UWA landscape architecture program provides students with the tools to communicate with various stakeholders. This has been very useful – most of our studios involved working with local communities. This skill has been very helpful in my career later on, first in my days as a landscape architect at the National Parks Board where I often got to engage the community on public projects, and now in my own practice, where our focus is on creating therapeutic gardens for healthcare and schools. We often engage in participatory design, involving stakeholders like the healthcare professionals, caregivers and other staff in providing the best amenities in the garden.

XC – Is there a resource (book, film) from your time at UWA that you return to, or that you feel has been most influential on you as a landscape architect?
XKT – When I was in UWA there were many books I referred to, but I would say that The Landscape of Man by Geoffrey and Susan Jellicoe is still one of the books that inspires me in looking at how culture and landscapes intertwine throughout history.

XC – How has your definition and understanding of landscape architecture changed throughout your career?
XKT – I started thinking that landscape architecture is all about creating beautiful parks and gardens for people to enjoy, or rather in a more pessimistic way, as ‘garnishes’ for buildings. But throughout my studies in UWA and subsequently in my work, I began to see that landscape architecture is actually a multi-disciplinary field that’s about collaborating with various experts.

I share in the goals of most people (I hope) in the landscape architecture profession, aiming to produce better solutions for people and the environment. No matter how small or big the size of the project – every single decision and contribution you made for a site has an impact on its users and the environment.

XC – In your career, what have you found that design can do?
XKT – Many things. It is really up to you to define your role and skills as a landscape architect. When I was with the National Parks Board, I worked closely with other public agencies to implement public projects, such as green developments, incorporating greenways with cycling routes, or engage in community outreach where we seek ideas and feedback from residents about projects in their community. More often, design can be one of the many tools in communicating issues and their solution to different stakeholders.

XC – What is a moment that stands out for you in your career so far?
XKT – Two years ago, I left public service at the National Parks Board to venture into private practice. During this period of uncertainty, I took a leap of faith and start my practice amidst the pandemic. I asked myself, ‘If not now, when?’ Looking back at the decision I made, I have never felt regret. As a young practice, we have already achieved some awards through international design competitions and local awards for one of therapeutic garden projects. These would not have been achieved if I did not decide back then to move on.

XC – Could you tell me about a significant project that you’ve worked on or are working on?
XKT – I’m currently working on a few therapeutic garden projects–one at a senior care hospital and two at nursing homes in Singapore. These are very meaningful projects to me because access to green spaces in healthcare settings is as important to the healthcare staff and patients as to other users in public parks and gardens.

One of the garden projects requires a review of landscape spaces to incorporate features that make them dementia-friendly. So we engage with our clients, bringing in staff that work closely with the nursing home residents (nurses, occupational therapists and even caregivers) to find out the needs of the users, as part of our participatory design approach.

We have also created a therapeutic design audit tool. We can access the current garden to find out the hits and misses, to ascertain how we can improve on the garden-be it a change in the layout or even in the planting selection.

We also incorporate design considerations based on the study of environmental psychology, particularly that of the Stress Reduction Theory by Roger Ulrich and the Attention Restoration Theory by Rachel and Stephen Kaplan. Particular attention is given to the choice and materials, especially in the colours and texture of pathways, garden features and plant choices that cater to seniors and those with dementia.

Creating therapeutic gardens for people in need is one of the primary focus of my practice now, as I find these purpose-built environments very meaningful. My goal as a landscape architect now is to create enabling environments for those in need to enjoy and empower themselves.

This interview was undertaken in 2022. It has been edited for clarity and cohesion.

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Image: Therapeutic Horticulture sessions with Hortherapeutics (via linkedin.com/company/hortherapeutics)