Tan Chee Hian John

THE GARDENER

Creative Landscape Director
Horticulturist and Landscape Consultant
Diploma in Horticulture (SOH)
Diploma in Landscape Design (SOH)
Certified Practising Horticulturist, CPH-SG 08/0003
Registered Horticulturist, 0039

John Tan is the man behind Esmond Landscape and Horticultural Pte Ltd. He started his career in landscape design after discovering a special interest on plants and gardening. It became his passion, bringing him notable achievements in the landscaping industry.

Formerly running an engineering company, John started a small landscaping business known as Esmond Resources Pte. Ltd. The business had a good start and to develop it, John took two part time courses in the School of Horticulture at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. He successfully completed his 1st Diploma in Horticulture in 1997 and 2nd Diploma in Landscape Design in 2000.

He led his firm successfully with the number of clients growing year by year. In the year 2000, he took a big step by expanding the company into Esmond Landscape and Horticultural Pte Ltd – a full-fledged landscaping, design and horticultural firm. That became the beginning of another milestone of success.

The challenging nature of garden design has inspired John to venture in design competitions and garden shows. He started small but eventually created a name in local and international garden exhibitions.

Under his leadership, Esmond Landscape received top awards at the biennial LIAS Awards of Excellence since 2005. The list includes the Gold and Best of Category Awards won in year 2009 and 2015 for his design at Jalan Batalong East and Pasir Ris Road respectively.

In 2008, at the renowned Singapore Garden Festival, the company earned a Silver Award as an implementing partner. In the year 2010 and 2012, he joined as a designer. His 2012 design entry “Open To Nature: Beyond Traditional” earned a Silver Award while his 2010 remarkable design “The Tree House: Modern Kampong Lifestyle” won the Gold and the Best of Show Awards.

Internationally, John proved his exceptional design skills when he, together with business partner Raymond Toh, joined the Gardening World Cup 2013 held in Huis Ten Bosch, Nagasaki, Japan. They brought victory home by winning a Gold Award and the prestigious Best of Show Awards for their design “Timeless Tropical : Peace with Nature”. The competition featured well-known landscape designers from around the world.

He furthered his impressive record of awards by joining the most prestigious flower show in the world – the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, winning a Silver-Gilt Medal. The exhibition was held in London, England on May 2015. Their design “The Hidden Beauty of Kranji” is among the shortlisted designs for exhibit. It showcased Singapore’s tropical flora and local orchids.

In the Landscape Industry Association (Singapore) – LIAS, John is also actively involved. He started as a Council Member in 2003 and was elected as the Treasurer in 2005. He served as the Chairman for two terms, from year 2011 to 2015. The organization promotes professionalism, networking and quality service within the landscaping industry to support Singapore’s vision of being a City in a Garden.

Currently, John continues to share his expertise being the Horticulturist and Creative Director of Esmond Landscape and Horticultural Pte Ltd. John designs and implements gardens for many residential properties and developers’ show-apartments and show-houses in Singapore.