Painting the skyline: Lee Polisano, PLP Architecture president

LONDON-BASED architect Lee Polisano was last in Singapore more than a year ago - a trip that became a bit of a rough adventure as "I got kicked out of six countries because of coronavirus" en route home.

But, as a big believer in the first impressions that the built environment can make, he has not forgotten the appeal of the Republic's cityscape.

"With all due respect, if you land in London, you wouldn't see it as the creative capital of Europe. If you land in Singapore, you think, wow, there's something different about this place," he says. In that vein, he notices in Changi Airport's layout "a set of values on display there that tell you something about the society and the culture and what to expect" - that is, openness and comfort for travellers.