Siu Lun Chan approaches design not through isolated buildings, but through the systems that connect them—material logistics, spatial logic, and urban rhythms that often go unnoticed yet profoundly shape the built environment. His architectural mindset is grounded not in form-making alone, but in process—an orchestration of design decisions that align with fabrication, policy, and urban context.
“Architecture doesn’t begin with a drawing—it begins with how space is made possible,” Chan says. “My role is often to trace the invisible lines: where decisions stall, where systems don’t align, and where design can bring clarity.” For Chan, clarity is not just aesthetic—it is operational. It means ensuring that every component, from a modular wall panel to a circulation route, works in harmony with the systems that support it.
At BLOX, a U.S.-based firm specializing in modular construction, Chan focuses on standardizing complex building elements for repeatable use, particularly within healthcare and institutional environments. These sectors demand both precision and adaptability, as each project must meet strict regulatory codes while also addressing real-world variability in site conditions and user needs. His work emphasizes the integration of interior systems, spatial configuration, and compliance strategies to deliver buildings that are efficient, scalable, and contextually responsive.
Central to this process is a disciplined coordination between spatial intent and off-site fabrication. Chan refines layout logic, resolves design clashes early, and enhances interior detailing with scalability in mind. This system-conscious approach has improved both design timelines and construction reliability across multiple projects. “By anticipating how elements are manufactured and assembled,” he notes, “we can preserve design quality while reducing waste and redundancy.”
Chan’s earlier work further reflects his attention to site-specificity and urban resilience. While at Groundwork, a Hong Kong-based design studio, he led research and design for urban interventions that explored reuse, compactness, and public accessibility. These projects earned international recognition from the Architecture MasterPrize in both landscape and interior categories. His designs emphasized not just form, but function under constraint—transforming overlooked spaces into active, resilient infrastructure.
He also contributed to a city-scale proposal in Daegu, South Korea with Soomeen Hahm Design, exploring how infrastructural planning and environmental thresholds could inform the next generation of adaptable, resource-sensitive urban development. These large-scale investigations shared a common theme: working within constraints to generate intelligent, pragmatic solutions that are both systemic and site-aware.
From mobile clinics designed for post-disaster deployment to housing strategies shaped by fabrication logistics, Chan’s work situates architecture within the reality of limited resources, shifting regulations, and compressed timelines. His process begins with spatial reasoning—but always expands into systems integration, considering everything from supply chains to building codes.
“I’m drawn to the architecture of coordination,” Chan reflects. “Not just the look of a space, but how its parts come together—technically, socially, and economically.” This holistic approach redefines what it means to be an architect today—not simply a creator of buildings, but a strategist of connections.
His trajectory may not follow conventional definitions, but his outcomes speak clearly: built environments that are more coherent, more responsive, and better suited to the pressures cities face today.