Vice President

FPAM, MIID

VERITAS Design Group

Lillian Tay is Vice President at VERITAS Design Group, an award-winning architecture and multi-disciplinary design practice in Kuala Lumpur.  Lillian believes that architecture is not just a creative discipline but an essential profession that serves the community and nation.

Lillian trained in Architecture and Civil Engineering at Princeton University, USA. She worked at KPF New York prior to returning home to Kuala Lumpur in 1995.

Lillian leads the design team at VERITAS Design Group. Under her leadership, VERITAS has developed a cohesive design approach creating architecture that responds to the local place and culture.  VERITAS’ works is attuned to the city environment and Lillian is known as an advocate for urban design and planning in Kuala Lumpur.

Grounded in environmental design principles, VERITAS has designed some of the earliest sustainable and green-rated buildings in Malaysia including the Ministry of Natural Resources & Environment, One Sentral and Menara Binjai. Other notable projects include Oxley Towers, Star Residences, DiGi HQ, Kuala Lumpur MRT stations at Muzium, Pasar Seni and Stadium Merdeka.  Lillian also dedicates time for smaller scale projects such as Sinkeh Hotel, awarded PAM Building of the Year Award 2015 for its bold use of contemporary steel construction in an adaptive re-use project in Georgetown, Penang.

Lillian has served many years at the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) in professional development activities, exhibitions, conferences and publications culminating in her role as PAM President 2019-20. Lillian is the first woman architect to be awarded the PAM Gold Medal for Design Excellence in 2022.

Principal

APAM, LAM, GREM

VERITAS Architects Sdn Bhd

Alif Arif Iskandar Abd Wahab studied architecture at the University of Sheffield, UK and from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) where he graduated with First Class Honours and is the recipient of the Gold Medal student award from UKM.

Before joining VERITAS Architects Sdn Bhd, Alif worked in several award-winning practices and projects in London and Unit One Design, Kuala Lumpur. His extensive experiences in the award-winning projects enabled him to develop a keen sense of aesthetics that marries form, function and buildability. His works in London has been displayed in the Royal Academy of Arts UK as well as written a paper on the relationship between architecture and the innovation capabilities of a nation.

Alif is a corporate member of Malaysian Institute of Architects and a GreenRE Manager. He joined VERITAS Architects at the end of 2013, became an Associate in 2014 and in 2021 he was promoted to become a Principal of VERITAS Design Group.

Currently in VERITAS Design Group his expertise and skill is honed to deliver complex mixed stratified developments in particular super high rises (50 storeys and more), hospitality, office, retail and residential typologies. He has worked with various Hospitality brands such as Ascott, SO Sofitel, Jumeirah, Marriott and Accor group. In VERITAS he is also the lead Architect for several MNC clients such as HSBC and Shell. Alif is currently leading the VERITAS Design Group venture in the United States in particular, the Net Zero Apartment and retail street mall typology.

Alif is also passionately involved in Architectural Education and developing the careers of young architects. He has spoken in several universities such as Taylor’s University, UKM, IUKL and UniTAR. He has also been interviewed by BFM on mentoring young architects and invited to speak in the Asia Young Designer’s Award as well as Zak World of Facades conference in 2018.

Principal

APAM, LAM

VERITAS Architects Sdn Bhd Johor

Anthony Lau Yin Hon graduated from the University of Technology Malaysia (UTM) with a First Class Honours in Bachelor of Architecture. He joined VERITAS Architects at end of 2017 as Architect and was promoted to Associate in 2019. He is a Corporate Member of the Board of Architects Malaysia (LAM) and the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM).

Anthony is experienced in a wide range of building projects from the low rise and super high-rise residential projects to offices, commercial, mixed-use developments as well as hospitality projects. He believes his strength lies in planning, conceptualization, and design of complex programs whilst achieving the efficiency and quality of spaces. He is also passionate about resiliency and sustainable design.

Although born and raised in Sarawak, Anthony has been based in Johor since 2006. He heads the Johor office currently with his team-leading projects in the southern region of Malaysia. Anthony sees potential times ahead for the VERITAS Johor office, especially with the Iskandar Development Region.

Principal

VERITAS Interiors Sdn Bhd

Bianca June Purkis graduated from the University of Portsmouth, England with Honours, receiving a Bachelor of Interior Design in 2009. She joined VERITAS Interiors in 2014 as a senior designer and was promoted in 2021 to Associate. In 2023 Bianca was promoted to Principal, replacing Shamsuddin Wahap who retired after 30 years helming the company.

Bianca specialises in residential design but also has extensive experience in a variety of project types, from hospitality and commercial offices to mixed-use developments. Bianca is most in her element when, in the conceptualisation phase of a project, she exhibits passion and exceptional commitment to Client satisfaction.

Principal

VERITAS Architects Sdn. Bhd. Penang

Eric Tham has been a Principal of VERITAS Design Group since 2005. He received his architectural degree in 1988 from the New York Institute of Technology, USA. He worked in New York with the Department of Housing Preservation and Development before returning to Malaysia in 1993. His extensive work experience includes both professional practice as well as site work having been the Chief Resident Architect for VERITAS’ Rawang-Ipoh Double Tracking project. Currently based in Penang, Eric leads VERITAS’ projects in the northern region of Malaysia.

Eric is well experienced in a wide range of building projects ranging from offices, commercial, mixed-use developments to leisure and residential projects. He believes his strength lies in planning, conceptualization and design of complex programs. He actively strives to implement these skills in the course of his work and its challenges. He is currently involved in several luxury residential projects in Penang as well as international resorts and hospitality projects in Maldives and Vietnam.

He sees productive times ahead for the VERITAS Penang office and is eager to broaden and expand the firm’s activities to take on new challenges both locally and abroad.

Country Principal

VERITAS Japan LLC

Hisaya Sugiyama hails from Tokyo and studied architecture in the US with a short stint in France. His 30+ years of professional experience has evolved around the design, planning, project management as well as teaching in the architecture field. For 10 years with Kohn Pedersen Fox of New York and later of Tokyo, he gained a deep insight into large scale work place towers, hotel and mixed-use projects (World Bank, Roppongi Hills, Grand Hyatt Tokyo, JR Central Towers, Shanghai World Financial Center). He was Representative in Japan for RTKL International, where he worked in its Tokyo office for seven years on the retail and entertainment , healthcare, and mixed-use sectors. (Diamond City / Aeon regional shopping centers, DFS Galleria Okinawa, Yatsu Hoken Hospital Renovation, Hayashibara City Mixed-Use project). He also helped TrizecHahn Japan during its short existence in Tokyo develop two regional shopping centers for Seibu and Aeon, being exposed to a polar-opposite set of values, which drive developer's business decisions. 

He founded an architectural consulting service, Quincy Studio Inc. in Tokyo in 2006. Hisaya was involved in community revitalization efforts sponsored by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan. as project manager of the group of architects working together on a few locations. This group won the MIPIM Award, 2011 in the future project category, very first to be conferred to an entry from Japan, the night before the Great East Japan Earthquake. The groups' efforts soon shifted to rebuilding of tsunami devastated coastal communities of the Tohoku Region, and Hisaya was a conference speaker at MIPIM 2013 to discuss and entice international investment for these efforts.

In the following years, Hisaya expanded the domain of professional activities to China, Cambodia, Indonesia and Bangladesh, working on an underground shopping center, a mixed-use complex, an office tower, residential developments, and even a few Japanese themed gardens. This international reach further cultivated his understanding of different ways of doing business in design and construction, and has augmented his managerial resilience to draw the best results regardless of the unexpected encountered in the course of a project.

He has a Master of Architecture degree from the Graduate School of Design Harvard University (1989), Bachelor of Science in Arts and Design from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1985), and a Certificate of French Language and Civilization from University of Paris (1984). He is licensed in the State of New York, USA; an Accredited Professional of LEED, and was President of the American Institute of Architects Japan Chapter in 2011-12. Currently he teaches architectural design at Kokushikan University and design firm management at Meiji University.

Country Principal

VERITAS Design and Planning India Pvt. Ltd

Mahendra‘s 29 years of experience as a registered architect with graduation from Sir JJ College of Architecture, Mumbai university, Mahendra have been one of the key initiator of India operation and joint founder of VERITAS Design and Planning India LTD. is associated with VERITAS Design Group.

Mahendra‘s had worked on diversified projects, with Indian as well as international firms ,his design intent goes back to fellow ship days with working on projects of Organic architecture to current contemporary Architecture.

He had worked with well-known Companies, Government authorities, Architectural practices of India & International. BARSYL, Indian railways, Transstadia, Design forum, SSHA, ABM, RSP, DSP, Jindals, BAYER. His architectural services had variety of projects, which involves Soccer stadium (fifa), Industrial, Transportation (Principle architect for Panvel station), IT Parks, R&D Center (Reliance), SEZ (Reliance) NET ZERO Building (BAYER) Residential (Lodha/Supreme/JSW)

Currently he represents VDG group in India as a Director for VERITAS Indian operations as we as his independent practice and visiting faculty for various colleges in Mumbai for design. He is been associated with various companies from USA & JAPAN as well for technology partner.

Principal

CQS FRISM, FRICS AAIQS, ACIArb MAE

VERITAS Contracts Sdn Bhd

Richard Raymond graduated with a Bachelor of Building from University Technology Sydney in 1993 and obtained a Masters of Business studies from University New Castle in 2012.

He is a Registered Quantity Surveyor in Malaysia and has been working in the construction industry for more than 25 years. He has been involved in projects using both the conventional form of contract and design-and-build method ranging from RM2m to RM2b in value.

Raymond has also worked with international consultants, project managers and contractors both in Australia and Malaysia. Being an experienced quantity surveyor, Raymond has a wide range of knowledge and skill in various facets of the construction industry. Nevertheless, his true passion and expertise lie within the area of estimating/costing, the development of construction technologies, and construction law.

He is also a Registered Building Practitioner with the Building Commission of Western Australia and is an Accredited Expert Witness of the Academy of Experts UK.

Principal and Director

APAM, LAM, GBI

VERITAS Architects Sdn Bhd

Syah Kamaruddin is a highly accomplished architect with over a decade of professional experience, currently serving as Principal and Director at VERITAS Architects Sdn. Bhd. – a role he has held since 2019. Having joined the firm in 2012 as a Project Architect, Syah's rise through the ranks to Associate in 2016 and Senior Associate in 2018 reflects his exceptional leadership and design expertise.

Professionally, Syah is a Corporate Member of the Board of Architects Malaysia (LAM) and the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM), and also a current Committee Member (Editorial) of LAM (2024 – 2026), where his contributions shapes the future of Malaysian architectural profession.

Syah’s portfolio is marked by his expertise in luxury hospitality, high-rise sustainable developments, and high-end residential projects. His notable works include the W Hotel Kuala Lumpur & The Residences, and the LEXIS Imperial Kuala Lumpur, a striking addition to the city’s skyline that blends urban sophistication with sustainable elements, and Porsche Experience Centre Malaysia, where he crafted an iconic flagship showroom that reflects both the brand's prestige and architectural elegance. Syah's leadership in these projects underscores his ability to fuse design innovation with client’s vision, delivering spaces that are not only functional but also aesthetically impactful.

A strong advocate for sustainability, Syah has been instrumental in advancing VERITAS' commitment to environmentally-conscious designs. His award-winning Women's Aid Organisation Shelter Home, recognized by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) International Award 2023, stands as a testament to his ability to merge impactful social placemaking with architectural innovation.

Beyond project delivery, Syah actively engages with the architectural community, contributing as a Convenor to the 100th Kuala Lumpur Architecture Festival (KLAF100) 2023 through events and engagements with the architectural fraternity of Malaysia. Known for his creative approach and professional insight, Syah's influence extends across the industry. An avid ultra trail runner and outdoor adventures, he incorporates the same discipline, tenacity and endurance to both his personal and professional pursuits, continuing to inspire those around him.

Principal

PEPC, MCSCE, MIEM, MMIM, PEng

VERITAS Contracts Sdn Bhd

Yap Yuen Thye has many years of experience in the construction industry. Yap studied civil engineering at University of Windsor, Canada where he graduated with First Class Honours and is the recipient of the President’s Roll of Scholars awards from the university.

Upon completing his undergraduate studies in 1984, he was employed in Ranhill Bersekutu Sdn Bhd a multi-disciplinary CSME Malaysian engineering consulting practice.  Starting out as a civil & structural engineer in 1984, he advanced up the ranks to ultimately become the CEO/Director of the company in 2002 where he stayed on until retirement in 2016.

Yap effectively spent 32 years in Ranhill Bersekutu with 15 years as CEO/Director, building a locally home grown company into a company with regional/global outlook. Yap drove it’s diversification overseas with projects in UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Khazakhtan , Libya, South Africa, Phillipines, Vietnam and Myanmar. He also assisted in listing the company on the Malaysian KLSE in 2002. Iconic projects such as the 88 Storey Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur International Airport 1 & 2, Sungai Selangor Water Supply Scheme, Medini Iskandar City, 4100MW Sultan Azlan Shah 1-2-3 Power Station, Kuantan Deepwater Port Expansion, 1000-bed UM Health Metropolis, Saudi Arabia King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and UAE Al-Reem Island City of Lights were amongst the well-known projects he has overseen. In his tenure in the company he also developed overseas offices in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Libya, Vietnam, Philippines and Myanmar.

Upon his departure from Ranhill Bersekutu in 2016, Yap was co-opted by a global American consulting conglomerate AECOM, with 90,000 employees worldwide to lead in driving and managing their Malaysian engineering operations where he was involved in Tun Razak Exchange (TRX), SG-JB Rapid Transit System (RTS), Mass Rapid Transit 1 (MRT1) and Melaka Gateway Development to name a few prominent projects.

Yap is a corporate member of the Institute of Engineers Malaysia, member of the Malaysian Institute Of Management and member of Canadian Society of Civil Engineers. Being a firm believer and advocate of the ‘power of positive thinking’ and ‘drive for excellence’ he was conferred in 2007 as a Black Belt proponent for the Six Sigma Continuous Improvement Program by Motorola University.  In 2008, he was awarded the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Award for Outstanding Entrepreneurship by Enterprise Asia. In 2010, he was recognised and featured in Malaysian Government Ministry of Works agency i.e. Professional Services Development Corporation’s Endeavour journal as a key player of the Malaysian engineering services industry.

Yap has a strong passion for sustainability and resiliency as a core theme in driving solutions. Central to this is Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) adherence and compliance in line with global expectations in particular with the world view on the impact of climate change and Net Zero 2050.