Yann Follain is a French architect and designer, Managing Director and Head of Design at WY-TO Group, a built environment design practice in Singapore and Paris. He founded WY-TO Singapore in 2010 and co-founded the Paris office in 2012 with Pauline Gaudry. Both studios combine research with Planetary well-being in the design of cities, architecture, exhibition, and experiential design, places, and spatial narratives for People.
Educated at the École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Paris-Belleville, Follain’s design philosophy is rooted in spatial quality, contextual analysis, and the belief in “Design with a Cause”— an approach that prioritizes holistic responsive solutions. His formative years with the Metropolis of Asia Pacific studio, where he met with Pauline Gaudry, influenced his trajectory, leading to a practice deeply embedded in urban research, sustainable methodologies, and emphatic outcomes for their projects – whether in fast-growing Asian cities or urban rejuvenation in rural parts of France.
Under his leadership, WY-TO Group has grown an extensive portfolio across masterplanning, architecture, cultural institutions, place design, and temporary interventions. His contributions to contemporary design have been consistently recognized internationally over the years. In 2016, he was named, together with co-founder of WY-TO architects, Pauline Gaudry, as one of Europe’s 40 Under 40 by The European Centre for Architecture and The Chicago Athenaeum, and in 2024, he was awarded “Top 100 Designers” by Le FRENCH DESIGN.
More recently, WY-TO’s co-designed Arborescence, a landmark development in Angers, France, with Crespy & Aumont architectes. The biophilic architecture project, representative of WY-TO’s France-Singapore background, received the “Living Environment / Mixed-Use” award in Innovapresse’s 2022 Promoters’ Ranking, and was awarded “Best Mixed-use” in one of France’s most esteemed real estate awards – 2024 Prix Simi Habitat & Lodgement.
Follain actively contributes to discourses in sustainable design and holistic well-being. As Festival Director of ArchiFest Singapore (2018), he highlighted architecture’s capacity to nurture inclusivity and resilience through curated themes of People, Time, and Environment. Later, and together with his Team in Singapore, he embarked on a year-long well-being research in 2022 as a Good Design Research grant recipient awarded by DesignSingapore Council, Singapore’s National Design Agency. Their published research book, “Well-being for All: A Holistic Framework for Tropical Cities,” advocates a collaborative design framework in reshaping environments through empirical data evaluation.
Through the WY-TO Group, Yann continues to address challenges in Urbanism and Architecture with research-driven design solutions and a human-centric approach that continually benefits both human and ecological systems.
What inspires you?
It’s the people on the street. The people I observe outside. The way they interact with each other. The way they engage with spaces, what surrounds them, how they talk to each other, how they behave, how they are dressed, how they observe what is happening around them, and how they take ownership of different spaces. I’m fascinated by usage—how, as an architect, master planner, or urban designer, you envision something for people to use, but then they engage with it in ways you never anticipated. That’s what inspires me. I need to be outside, to see people, to witness their activities, their energy. That excitement nurtures me and informs what I do and design daily.
What inspired you to become an architect?
I grew up in an environment where architecture meant social housing—affordable housing in the northern suburbs of Paris—where quality architecture was largely absent. That was my surroundings, and I was not necessarily expected to pursue architecture. But I realized that the built environment impacts behavior, growth, and opportunities. Coming from this background, I asked myself: how can I contribute? How can I design spaces that enable communities, that allow people to live together and have access to a quality environment? I wanted to ensure that no one was left behind and that everyone had the right to beautiful, inclusive, and diverse spaces. Retrospectively, this is what inspired me to become an architect—understanding how designers can contribute to improving lives.
How would you describe your design philosophy?
I studied at the École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Paris-Belleville, where the fundamental principle lies in space—the quality of space, the quality of light, and how we create harmonious, well-designed environments for all. This shaped my thinking, but a defining moment came in my fifth year when I joined a studio called Metropolises of Asia Pacific. That experience paved the way for my career and my move to Asia, where I learned that all design must be rooted in research.
(In that) You cannot design a space, a building, or a neighborhood without deep contextual understanding. Design must begin with research, analysis, and data, ensuring that what we create is truly adapted to the needs of future users and the environment. That is why, at WY-TO, everything we do is embedded in research. We design with a cause—meaning we understand the needs, the requirements, and respond accordingly. Our work is people-centric, placing humans at the center of our designs. But beyond that, we consider planetary boundaries, integrating nature into our projects. Our philosophy is empathetic, creating spaces that foster attachment, belonging, and care.
What is your favorite project?
Asking an architect, planner, or landscape designer about their favorite project is a big question. I don’t believe in a single favorite project. But I can share an example. I have lived in Singapore for 16 years, and it has shaped my approach to design. One project that deeply resonates with me is Bishan Park, designed by landscape architect Herbert Dreiseitl.
Originally, the site was just a stormwater catchment canal—dry, concrete, lifeless. Through a visionary transformation, it remained a functional water catchment area but was turned into a thriving park. The result is a biodiverse landscape, a living system where flora and fauna coexist with urban life. More importantly, it became a beloved space for the community—a place where people of all backgrounds and ages interact. It demonstrates how designers, landscape architects, and planners can reshape cities, reversing lifeless infrastructure into places of joy, gathering, and connection. Singapore took a bold step in believing in this project, and its success has since inspired similar initiatives across the country.
What is your process to start a project?
For us, every project begins with research. We read, explore, analyze, and extract data—whether through literature, desktop studies, field research, or direct observation. We take photos, sketch, take notes, interview people, and observe how spaces are used.
This takes time, but we do not see buildings and spaces as objects that impose themselves on the environment. They must be embedded in context, responding to their surroundings and offering value to the community. Our process is iterative: the deeper our research goes, the stronger the design becomes. We believe that form follows content and form follows context. (This) ensures that what we create is meaningful and responsive.
How do you balance function and creativity?
At WY-TO, our work spans museums, exhibitions, master planning, and neighborhood design. We also work in France, where my business partner, Pauline Gaudry, leads projects in architecture and heritage conservation. This diverse range of projects requires constant creativity.
Creativity is not about overriding function but about working within constraints. The more constraints there are, the more creative we must be. Functionality and creativity are not opposing forces but must coexist. Buildings and spaces must meet current needs, but they should also evolve and be timeless. That is why I say form follows content, form follows needs. Functionality ensures usability, while creativity enhances it, making spaces memorable and fostering a sense of attachment and care.
How do you collaborate with clients to achieve their vision?
I love this question because it defines how we work. Collaboration is at the heart of our projects, and we approach it similarly to urban-scale community engagement.
I previously directed ArchiFest, Singapore’s Architecture Festival, which exposed me to organizing symposiums, talks, workshops, and research initiatives (which led to our own research). “Well-being for All” explores how cities can be inclusive, climate-responsive, and embedded in the Southeast Asian context. To implement these ideas, we run workshops, bringing together people from different backgrounds to co-create solutions.
This collaborative spirit extends to how we work with clients. We do not impose a singular architectural signature. Instead, we conduct participatory workshops, ensuring that every voice is heard and that the design process is collective. It is not a one-way conversation but an inclusive exchange where clients feel embedded in the process.
What inspired Arborescence?
Arborescence is an iconic project in Angers, France, designed in collaboration with Crespy & Aumont and landscape architects. It was a deeply collaborative effort, engaging architects, consultants, and future operators.
Our base in Singapore influenced the design significantly. In Singapore, biophilic principles shape our cities—lush greenery, integrated biodiversity, and architecture that blends with nature. Bringing this knowledge into Arborescence, we envisioned a project that embodies the Tree of Life, merging the ideas of a treehouse and a landmark. This collective vision resulted in a biophilic design that positively impacts the city and its residents.
How did the context influence Arborescence?
The site is unique, facing the Maine River and surrounded by mature trees. This natural setting shaped the design. The river is ever-changing, and the trees transform across seasons, from dense foliage in summer to bare branches in winter. The architecture had to be in dialogue with these elements.
Beyond the immediate site, Angers itself influenced the project. Recognized as one of the most liveable cities in France, it is peaceful and welcoming. The design reflects this character, with its soft curves and organic forms blending into the city’s rhythm.
What advice can you give to younger designers?
I don’t believe in advice only for young designers. I believe in advice for all designers. I am 45 years young, and I see myself constantly learning. Architects, planners, and designers must always remain curious.
Every project is different. Every day is different. We never do the same thing twice. Each project brings new challenges, new knowledge, and new possibilities. That is what makes design exciting. At WY-TO, we work on exhibitions, museums, master plans, and historical renovations, each requiring deep research and new expertise.
The key is to stay excited. The moment you lose excitement, you need to rethink your path. Curiosity keeps us engaged, and humility allows us to keep learning. That is the essence of being a designer.
I would like to thank Architecture Lab for giving us this platform to share our work at WY-TO, from Singapore to Paris, with our teams around the world. Thank you.
