Mark Shan Chian Teo

Biography

Mark is an Associate Professor of Design and Sustainability at the Singapore Institute of Technology. His scholarship and teaching are grounded in transdisciplinary design — an approach that bridges architecture, sustainability, user experience, and social inquiry to address complex urban challenges. Central to his work is the use of design innovation as a lever for sustainability transition, applying speculative, and participatory methods to generate solutions that are also evidence-based. His current research applies this approach to the integration of food production into high-density public housing, exploring it as a strategy for building climate-resilient cities and reimagining the relationship between people, built environments and food systems. Accompanying this strand of research is his recent investigation into wartime food practices in Singapore to propose a new model for household and community food resilience for Singapore.

This same ethos informs his academic leadership at SIT. As the former and inaugural University-Level Module Coordinator for Design Innovation, Mark co-created and delivered design innovation curricula at SIT, with a team of design faculty and more than 30 industry practitioners as associate faculty. He is currently the co-chair of the Sustainability Education Committee, which oversees sustainability programming across undergraduate, postgraduate, and continuing education and training. As Programme Leader of the Graduate Certificate in Sustainability Principles and Practices — developed in partnership with the Institution of Engineers Singapore to support their Chartership in Engineering Sustainability — Mark has co-created a cross-disciplinary curriculum with senior industry practitioners that bridges design, policy, finance, and industry practice. In his capacity as the lead for sustainability related continuous education and training, Mark works closely with organisations to develop training to support their sustainability transition as well as address challenges arising from the workplace.

Prior to entering full-time academia, Mark led Smith Design, his own architecture and interior design practice in Singapore. He has practised across architectural offices of varying scales in Singapore, Montreal, and Melbourne. He is a member of the Singapore Institute of Architects and an accredited mediator with the Singapore Mediation Centre.

SIT Appointments

Education

Achievements

Professional Memberships

Corporate Experience