Publication

Books

Lai, C.K., Singapore Chronicles: Architecture, 2019. Singapore: Institute of Policy Studies.

Lai, C.K., Building Merdeka: Independence Architecture in Kuala Lumpur, 19571966, Kuala Lumpur: Petronas, 2007. 138 pp. (The book accompanies an exhibition featuring the same 10 projects).

Marco Hsu, English translation by C.K. Lai. A Brief History of Malayan Art. Singapore: Millennium Books, Singapore, 1999. 168 pp.

Dissertations

Lai, C.K., Raft and Roof: Constructions of Bound Space in Six Sumatran House Forms. M.Arch (present-day M.A.Arch equivalent) thesis, National University of Singapore 1995. 158 pp.

Lai, C.K., Concrete / concentric nationalism: The architecture of independence in Malaysia, 1945-1969, PhD dissertation, University of California at Berkeley, 2005. 368 pp.

Book chapters

Lai, C.K., “Rambutans in the Picture: Han Wai Toon and Overseas Chinese Space in Singapore”. in Singapore in Global History, ed. Derek Heng and Syed Muhd Khairuddin Aljunied, pp. 169-195. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, 2011.

Lai, C.K., “Architecture at the intersection of Industrial and Biological Worlds: Dialogue about Architecture in Singapore between Tay Kheng Soon and Lai Chee Kien”. In New Asia Regionalism in Global Context, ed. Lin JyheSong, pp. 3444. Taipei: Taiwan Architects Association, 2008. (In English and Chinese)

Lai, C.K., “Foreign Accents”. In Singapore: Views on the Urban Landscape, ed. Lucas Jodogne, pp. 98112. Antwerp: Pandora Books, 1998. (In English + Chinese dialects).

Journal articles

Lai, C.K., “Southeast Asian Spatial Histories and Historiographies: a re-examination”. The Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians, Australia and New Zealand, Vol. 19 N0. 2 (2011) , pp. 82-105. (Australia)

Lai, C.K., “Maidan to Padang: Reinventions of Urban Fields in Malaysia and Singapore”. Traditional Dwellings and Settlements Review, Vo. 21 No. 2 (Spring 2010), pp. 55-70. (USA)

Lai, C.K., “Maidan-Padang-Bay: Reinventions of Urban Fields in Singapore”. Chinese Architect / Taiwan Architect, Vol. 425, (May 2010), pp. 109-113. (Taiwan)

Lai, C.K., “Beyond Colonial and National Frameworks: Some Thoughts on the Writing of Southeast Asian Architecture”. Journal of Architectural Education, Vol. 63, No. 2, (March 2010) pp. 74-75 (USA)

Lai, C.K., “Cosmopolitanism and Southeast Asian Cities”. Dialogue, Vol. 129 (Singapore Re-discovered, 2008), pp. 104-113. (Taiwan)

Lai, C.K., “A Historical Sketch of the Mount Emily area”. Singapore Architect #243 (2008): pp. 6471. (Singapore).

Lai, C.K., “Botanical Imaginations of Southeast Asia in the 19th and 20th centuries”. Singapore Architect #233 (Landscape and the Garden City) (June/July 2006): pp. 7079. (Singapore).

Lai, C.K., “Multiracial Enclaves: an examination of early urban settlements in Singapore”. Dialogue #78 (Singapore) (2004): pp. 28-39. (Taiwan).

Lai, C.K., “The Kopi Tiam: some reflections on an everyday space”. Singapore Architect #212 (Everyday Structures) (2001): pp.115-119. (Singapore).

Lai, C.K., “Thoughts about nature: a conversation with Iskandar Jalil”. Singapore Architect #203 (Architecture and Ecological Design) (1999): pp. 128-131. (Singapore).

Lai, C.K., “200 issues of the SIA Journal: A Historical Perspective”. Singapore Architect #200 (1998): pp.104-107. (Singapore).

Lai, C.K., “Deducing from Balimbing: Measuring a Minangkabau House”. School of Architecture Journal (1993 1993): pp.59-69. (Singapore).

Published conference papers

Lai, C.K., “Between Monument and Village: Cold War Landscapes in Malaysia, 1949-1966”. The Cold War in Asia: The Cultural Dimension, ed. Vu Tuong and Wasana Wongsurawat (2008). Bukit Timah: Asia Research Institute. (Invited paper) (The Cold War in Asia: Cultural Dimensions, 25-26 Mar 2008, Asia Research Institute, Bukit Timah, Singapore)

Lai, C.K., “Breadth and Depth:Potentials of CrossCultural Research Methods for Traditional Southeast Asian Architecture”. Proceedings of the International Seminar on Vernacular settlements, ed. Ir. Herlily et.al (1998): pp. 15-21. Jakarta, Indonesia: University of Indonesia. (International Seminar on Vernacular Settlement, 3-4 Aug 1999, Faculty of Engineering, University of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia, Indonesia)

Lai, C.K., “The concept of centrality as related to Spatial Perception in Nias, Indonesia”. Traditional Dwellings and Settlements Working Paper Series Vol 46, ed. IASTE (1992): pp. 24-51.California, USA: IASTE.

Book reviews

Lai, C.K.. Review of “Tropical Architecture: Critical Regionalism in the Age of Globalization”, ed. Alexander Tzonis, Liane Lefaivre and Bruno Stagno. Traditional Settlements and Dwellings Review, 13, no. 2 (Spring 2002): pp. 74-75. Berkeley, California: International Association for the Study of Traditional Environments.

Lai, C.K., Review of “The Anaesthetics of Architecture”, by Neil Leach. Singapore Architect #214 (2002): p. 147. Singapore.

Lai, C.K., Review of “Cities of Aristocrats and Bureaucrats: The Development of Medieval Chinese Cityscapes”, by Heng Chye Kiang. Space magazine, April/May 2000. Singapore.

Lai, C.K., Review of “Sir Banister Fletcher's A History of Architecture (20th Edition)”, by Sir Banister Fletcher et.al. Singapore Architect #193 (1997): p. 75. Singapore.

Translation work

Tan Yeow Wooi,Tanjong Pagar Fu De Ci Temple: Architectural Features and Recommendations for Restoration / Conservation, trans. Lai, C.K.. Singapore: Char Yong (Dabu) Association, Singapore, 2006. pp. 24-29, 6 pp.

T.K. Sabapathy and Cecily Briggs. New Art, New Concepts (by Cheo ChaiHiang), trans. Lai, C.K.. Singapore: Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore Art Museum and authors, 2000. 3 pp.

T.K. Sabapathy. ‘Foreword to 1962 exhibition, by Ma Ge’ (pp.1767), ‘Best wishes for the joint exhibition of Ng & Schmid, by Chen Chong Swee’ (pp. 1778), ‘The MultiTalented Ng Eng Teng, by Liu Kang’ (pp. 179181), ‘Sculptor with a unique style – Ng Eng Teng, by Chen Jen Hao’ (p. 182), trans. Lai, C.K.. Singapore: NUS Museums, National University of Singapore, 1998. 7 pp.

Ding Chengpu. Buddhist Architecture and the Natural Environment: On the Formation of the Guan Yin Worship Site on Putuo Mountain, trans. Lai, C.K.. School of Architecture Journal. Singapore: School of Architecture, National University of Singapore, 1993. 9 pp.

Others

Lai, C.K., “Champion of Public Works – Stanley Jewkes”. The Star (7 July 2011). Kuala Lumpur: The Star Publications.

Lai, C.K., “Singapore, Malaya and the World Exposition”. Lianhe Zaobao, Zaobao Sunday, 2010. Singapore: Singapore Press Holdings.

Lai, C.K., “Sport and Nation”. Lianhe Zaobao, Zaobao Sunday, 2010. Singapore: Singapore Press Holdings.

Lai, C.K., “Old and New Sites of National Day Parades in Singapore”. Lianhe Zaobao, Zaobao Sunday, 2010. Singapore: Singapore Press Holdings.

Lai, C.K., “Singapore’s Botanical DNA”. Lianhe Zaobao, Zaobao Sunday, 2010. Singapore: Singapore Press Holdings.

Lai, C.K., “Chin Woo Athletic Association: Sport and Culture on Petaling Hill, Kuala Lumpur”. Heritage Asia, 2009. Pp. 42 – 48. Kuala Lumpur: MPH Group.

Lai, C.K., “Spaces in Pictures: Prospecting Architecture and Landscape in Paintings of the NUS Museum Collection”. Catalogue essay for “Constructed Landscapes: Singapore in Southeast Asia” exhibition. 2009-2010. Singapore: NUS Museum.

Lai, C.K., “Foreword”. In Ma Ge Literary and Art Work, (2008) pp. 5-6. Singapore: Arts Publishing of Singapore Pte Ltd.

Lai, C.K., “Shipley, an Architect Extraordinaire”. The New Straits Times. (2008) Kuala Lumpur: The New Straits Times Press.

Lai, C.K., “Southeast Asian Journeys and the TenMan Art Group: An interview with Tan Seah Boey”. Odyssey: Oil Works by Chen Cheng Mei, 1519. Singapore: Landmark Books Pte Ltd, 2008.

Lai, C.K., “Multiethnic Enclaves around Middle Road: an examination of early urban settlement in Singapore”. Biblioasia Vol.2 Issue 2. Singapore: National LIbrary Board, July 2006.

Lai, C.K., ”Masyarakat Impian: Reka Bentuk dan Mural Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka”. Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (Language and Literary Agency, Malaysia), 2006. (In Malay).

Lai, C.K., “Singapore as Pictures”; in Eye é City: A Visual Account of the Last 24 Hours of 2002, Page to Stage Studio, Singapore, (4 pages- document unpaginated). 2003

Lai, C.K., “Status Kuo and other rasas; Some thoughts on Geylang People in the Net”. Substance: The Substation Magazine, (1997). (Singapore).

Lai, C.K., “Human Nature and Earthern Forms: A Dialogue with Iskandar Jalil”. The Arts, no. 3 (Drama Special) (1996): pp. 58. (Singapore)

Lai, C.K., ed. “The Purple Orange: Notes on the Universe, School, Design Needs, Bodies and Paraphenelia”. Singapore: School of Architecture (1992) (Singapore)

Lai, C.K., ed. “Nouveau: Architecture Freshmen Orientation Committee Publication”. Singapore: School of Architecture (1987) (Singapore)