Founder’s Vision
We believe cities should be dynamic environments where communities thrive and stories unfold
At LOPELAB, we
see potential where others see pavement. We see connection where thers see division
Our work is driven by a singular vision: to breathe new life into urban spaces.
Our Journey
It all began with a bold experiment in 2015 - a few parking lots on Parking Day. What was once a patch of asphalt for cas became a welcoming space for people to gather, connect, and imagine a different kind of city. That one small act sparked something much larger: a vision of cities designed around people, not cars.
In the decade since, that vision has carried us through an extraordinary journey. Along the way, we've grown into a vibrant and diverse team-a collective of individuals from different backgrounds, cultures, nationalities, orientations, and prespectives. Designers, dreamers, doers, and changemakers, united by a shared passion for creating spaces where every one belongs. Together, we've imagined, pushed for, designed, installed, and managed projects that breathe life into urban spaces. We've turned ideas into reality: Parklets that bring greenery and rest into the heart of bustling neighborhoods. Urban Ventures, where we reclaimed streets for art, music, and community by closing them to cars and opening them to people
The Urban Design Festival, which transformed a multi-story car park into thriving hub for creativity and connection. And we've reimagined space for those who need them most-from the Enabling Village for the disability community to the Somerset Belt for Singapore's youth.
Every project has brought its own mix of challenges and rewards: late nights, tight budgets, thrilling
breakthroughs, and joyful milestones. Together, with our incredible partners, volunteers,
clients, and communities, we've proven that change is possible-one space, one street, one
neighborhood at a time.
Today, we are prouder than ever of what we've accomplished, yet even more excited for
the road ahead. Our most ambitious project yet-the North-South Corridor-brings this
journey full circle. Spanning the length of Singapore, it reimagines urban infrastructure as a space for active
mobility, greenery, and connection.
But we know this is bigger than us.
It’s a shared movement, a collective battle for a better, more inclusive, more sustainable, and undeniably more
fun world.
And we can’t do it alone. Whether you’re a dreamer, a doer, or simply someone who believes that cities should
belong to people, we invite you to join us. Together, let’s reimagine what’s possible and create places where life
truly happens.
Let’s build this better world—one space at a time.
Our Philosophy
Our Placemaking
Approach
Placemaking builds a sense of community by authentically amplifying, celebrating and provoking engagement around community's local assets, the community’s local assets, characteristics and aspirations. To do this placemaking inititatives should capitalise on local community assets.
Local Context
Elements
Placemaking
Elements
We believe people seek not just solutions, but meaning. Our approach shifts from solving problems to designing purpose-driven innovations that create new meanings.
This means that the elements of placemaking initiatives must reflect the host community’s assets and characteris- tics. There can be no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach for place- making to be authentic and meaningfully engage community members to sustain their participation over time.