Norman Chan studied architecture and design in the US at the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, Rhode Island, and at the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation at Columbia University In New York City, New York. He also studied at the Institute of Architecture and Urban Studies in New York, founded by the renowned architect, Peter Eisenman. In 1986, he returned to Hong Kong and worked for a number of architectural offices over a period of 10 years before starting his own practice BTR Workshop in 1994.

He has served as visiting critic and guest lecturer at the School of Design at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and as adjunct professor of at the School of Architecture at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. He also served as juror for the Bi-Annual Design Awards held by the HKDA. He was a member on the president advisory council at Williams College in the US and is currently serving his second term on the Board of Trustees at the Rhode Island School of Design and the Board of Governors at the Rhode Island School of Design Art Museum in the US.