American Standard, a sanitary ware brand that is part of LIXIL, recently celebrated the remarkable achievements of the American Standard Design Award (ASDA) 2024 Grand Prize winner and regional finalists at a special awards ceremony and exhibition in Singapore.
The competition attracted strong interest from nearly 5,000 registrants from six countries across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. Entries were judged and advanced through national and regional competition rounds, by a panel drawn from over 30 experts from the architecture, design and sanitary ware industry.
The ASDA 2024 theme of “Home Away From Home” challenged student designers to apply their knowledge and creativity to design innovative solutions for a hospitality bathroom that recreates the warm and inviting feeling of home, resonating with the American Standard brand claim of LIFE.LOVE.HOME.
Ricardo Noel Bonalos, an undergraduate design student at the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines emerged as the ASDA APAC Grand Prize Winner, with his entry titled “SereniScape Retreat: Your Personal Urban Oasis”. His winning entry presented a harmonious blend of natural elements and thoughtful design, where the bathroom becomes a haven where guests can unwind, reconnect with themselves, and experience the dual warmth of a homey atmosphere and the refreshing touch of a tranquil oasis. The use of customisable cabinets that allows guests to adapt the space to their individual needs adds a unique personality to the bathroom and addresses the challenge of catering to diverse guest preferences without imposing difficulty on hotel owners.
Ricardo said, “This project required meticulous attention to detail and careful consideration of materials, fixtures, and furnishings. Although this process was time-consuming, it was incredibly educational. Participating in the ASDA has taught me invaluable lessons about the art of designing spaces that feel both familiar and welcoming, even within a commercial context. It has boosted my confidence and prepared me to tackle real-world projects with a more refined approach. It’s provided me with a unique platform to learn from the best minds in the field, and the opportunity to receive feedback from industry leaders and peers has been incredibly enlightening.”
Antoine Besseyre Des Horts, Leader, LIXIL Global Design, Asia commented, “The ASDA was created as a platform to nurture and recognise upcoming talent in the industry. The calibre of entries keeps impressing ASDA judges. It is rewarding to see the ASDA platform grow to more than 1,000 submitted entries from across the region, focusing on the theme “Home Away From Home”. What truly defines a home is the delicate balance of design, space, and practicality.”
“When travelling away from home, we desire a space that relaxes, inspires, and rejuvenates. No matter the style, colour, or decor choice, it is the sense of comfort that greets us every time we step into the room. The regional finalists from six different countries were able to convey that through their winning projects and had the opportunity to receive mentoring from the distinguished judging panel. We are pleased to congratulate all the ASDA 2024 winners and finalists and look forward to their continued success” Antoine continued.
The ASDA 2024 regional finalists and first placed National winners are:
Ricardo Noel Bonalos – APAC Grand Prize Winner / Philippines National Winner from the University of Santo Tomas
Davy Sophonn – Cambodia National Winner from Kirirom Institute of Technology
Luist Yansen – Indonesia National Winner from Tarumanagara University
Podsatorn Keela – Thailand National Winner from Khon Kaen University
Mai Hà Võ – Viet Nam National Winner from Danang Architecture University
Minh Chau Nguyen – Australia & New Zealand Winner from Deakin University
Each national winner won a cash prize of US$2,000 and was mentored by their national ASDA judges in their advance to the APAC regional finals. The APAC Grand Prize winner was awarded a total cash prize of US$5,000. All regional finalists were also invited to an exclusive tour of the LIXIL Experience Centre, Singapore and a curated design workshop at the LIXIL Design Centre.
While rapid advances in technology are continuing to drive business transformation agendas, less than a third (29 percent) of senior leaders consider their technology foundation readiness to be very high, according to a new survey from KPMG International.
The findings of KPMG’s Transforming the Enterprise of the Future report reveal the importance of advanced technologies in driving transformation, with 76 percent of senior leaders believing that generative AI, neural networks, and digital twins will significantly enhance the likelihood of transformational success.
Despite this, enterprises are scrambling to keep up. For the vast majority of enterprises, transformation is no longer episodic, but a state of continuous reinvention. A majority (88 percent) of enterprises are now running two or more transformation programmes, while over half (54 percent) are running three or more concurrently.
The research uncovers the top five barriers limiting digital transformation: lack of resources, skills or expertise; stakeholder resistance to change; stakeholder and employee resistance; competing business goals; and a lack of funds or an unclear business case. To unlock capacity and value, KPMG’s report expects outperformers to have strengths across four areas:
Resilient cultures: Establishing a culture of trust, shared values and alignment to the strategic vision is a key to transformation success and long-term organisational resilience. It comes as research reveals that 73 percent of digitally mature enterprises have high levels of trust in their leaders.
Digital maturity: Digitally mature enterprises are more likely to outperform. Yet, many enterprises are not leveraging the full value of their data, technology, and people. Two-thirds of senior leaders rated their tech foundations as no better than adequate; while most expect the impacts of technology on transformation to rise in the next one to three years.
Partner ecosystem alignment: Leading companies are leveraging partnerships to accelerate go-to-market strategies, outmanoeuvre supply chain challenges and leapfrog technology capabilities. Our research shows that only one-third of senior leaders believe their current partner ecosystem is strongly aligned with their transformation goals. Looking ahead, these leaders expect to invest more in partnerships rather than in building or buying technology.
Strong orchestration capabilities: Approximately 60 percent of senior leaders and line leads believe that adopting advanced technology will increase the likelihood of transformation success.
The report emphasises that new technologies and expansive data repositories are helping enterprises to create greater value. These and other tools enable better resource allocation, data analysis and insights, customer understanding, risk management, and product and service innovation.
Schneider Electric has released its sustainability performance scores for the second quarter of 2024, alongside its half-year financial results. Tracking and disclosing the quarterly progress of Schneider’s Sustainability Impact (SSI) programme is central to achieving its 2021–2025 global and local ambitions, contributing to its six long-term sustainability commitments.
Recently, Schneider Electric topped the list of “World’s Most Sustainable Companies for 2024” compiled by TIME Magazine and Statista, further emphasising the strategic importance it places on sustainability impact. This recognition underlines Schneider Electric’s climate leadership in setting ambitious targets and its expertise in helping customers become more energy efficient and reduce their emissions.
“Coming top in TIME’s list of most sustainable companies confirms just how much ambition and dedication are needed to decarbonise value chains and evolve business models,” said Xavier Denoly, Senior Vice President of Sustainable Development at Schneider Electric. “With one and half years to meet our 2025 sustainability ambitions, each of Schneider’s transformative global and local initiatives helps us to steadily and deliberately build on our achievements and strive for long-lasting impact.”
This quarter, Schneider Electric kept up the pace on:
Climate action: breaking the 600 million tonne barrier on reporting saved and avoided carbon emissions for customers, thanks to energy-saving products, software, and services. Schneider Electric continues to make steady progress every quarter and is well on the way to meeting its target to help its customers save and avoid 800 million tonnes of CO2 emissions by 2025. Efforts to accelerate supplier decarbonisation and tackle scope 3 emissions were also rewarded with an impressive progression from 19 percent this time last year to 33 percent this quarter. Schneider Electric’s Zero Carbon Project encourages strategic suppliers to switch to cleaner energy, matching them with solution providers, as well as offering on-site support, renewable energy market analysis, and specialist training
Empowering all generations and providing learning and development opportunities to meet Schneider’s ambition of training 1 million people with energy management skills by the end of 2025. By working extensively with NGOs and encouraging employees to volunteer as trainers, 682,000 people worldwide have benefitted from these education and entrepreneurship opportunities. Recently, the Schneider Electric Foundation partnered with INCO in Senegal on a “Get into Energy Transition” digital learning programme.
At the end of the quarter, Schneider’s Sustainability Impact score came in at 6.78, on track to reach the 2024 end-year objective of 7.40 out of 10. Find more details in the Q2 2024 report of Schneider’s Sustainability Impact programme, including the progress dashboard. Other key second-quarter sustainability highlights:
Awarded the prize for Best Universal Registration Document at the Transparency Awards 2024
Awarded Living Wage certification for the second year by the Fair Wage Network for ensuring that all employees are valued and compensated fairly
Ranked #1 on Gartner’s Supply Chain Top 25
The Schneider Home solution was recognised as the 2024 Sustainable Product of the Year by Green Builder
Launch of Villaya Flex rural electrification and clean power system for off-grid communities
RPM Platform Markets APAC, a group comprised of leading brands of construction chemical and coatings products in the Asia-Pacific region through Tremco CPG Malaysia including Tremco, Flowcrete, Nullifire, Euclid Chemical, Vandex, Dryvit, Illbruck, Nudura, Willseal, Pitchmastic Pmb, Matacryl, Carboline and Stonhard, has officially opened a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant at the heavy industrial zone of UMW High Value Manufacturing Park, Serendah.
The new Serendah plant serves as a regional manufacturing hub underscoring a strategic move to strengthen RPM Platform Markets APAC’s leadership in the Asia-Pacific construction market. Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the plant features automated powder manufacturing systems with robotic palletisers and new equipment for producing speciality coating materials. This investment in technology not only boosts efficiency but also ensures high standards of quality and safety.
Speaking at the launch event, Saptak Roy, Managing Director of RPM Platform Markets APAC said, “The new plant marks a milestone for RPM Platform Markets APAC. Malaysia’s strategic location, robust infrastructure and business-friendly environment made it the ideal choice for this significant investment. The plant’s location in the UMW High Value Manufacturing Park in Serendah, a designated heavy industrial zone, ensures it meets the operational needs of RPM Platform Markets APAC.”
Roy added, “This facility demonstrates a move to strengthen our position as a leading provider of construction and coatings products in the Asia-Pacific region. It reinforces our commitment to enhancing our presence and capabilities. The expansion allows for a substantial increase in production capacity – almost doubling our liquid production and bringing our powder production to almost 7 times more than what we were capable of previously. This supports our robust growth plans for the region, and allows us to better serve rapidly expanding construction markets in Southeast Asia and beyond.”
Sustainability is a core element of RPM Platform Markets APAC. The new plant incorporates several eco-friendly features, including a rainwater harvesting system, LED lighting for energy efficiency, bulk tanks for liquid storage to reduce waste, and electric forklifts to minimize carbon emissions. Additionally, the plant uses Flowcrete’s epoxy terrazzo flooring containing recycled glass content and includes a roof garden to promote a healthy working environment.
“These sustainable practices demonstrate our dedication to environmental responsibility and creating a safe, eco-friendly workplace for our employees,” said Roy.
The facility will produce a wide range of products under several RPM Platform Markets APAC brands, including Tremco, Flowcrete, Nullifire, Euclid Chemical, Vandex, Dryvit, Carboline, Stonhard and more, supporting the diverse needs of the construction industry across the region.
The new plant is set to create numerous employment opportunities for the local community in Serendah and surrounding areas. Local talent will find opportunities in various fields such as operations, manufacturing, engineering, R&D, logistics, IT support, and more. RPM Platform Markets APAC group companies are also committed to engaging with local universities by offering internships and collaborating on product development and research initiatives.
Grundfos recently appointed Hamed Heyhat as Executive Vice President and Divisional CEO of its Water Utility division. Hamed is committed to guiding the Division towards innovative solutions that improve water and energy efficiency, ensuring resilience against climate change for communities worldwide.
Hamed will lead Grundfos’ efforts to enhance global water access and support sustainable aquifer management while driving the digital transformation within the Water Utility division. Collaborating with teams in Brookshire, Texas, USA, and across the Global Grundfos business, he will implement strategies to create a sustainable water future. The division aims to meet the growing demand for clean, safe water by transforming water cycle management—from drinking water to wastewater, for communities and irrigation.
Hamed brings more than 20 years of experience from the wider utilities industry, gained at global companies including Alstom, General Electric Company, and most recently Honeywell. He joins Grundfos from his role as President of the Smart Energy business within Honeywell.
Poul Due Jensen, CEO of Grundfos said: “Hamed brings deep knowledge from the utilities industry, many years in senior leadership, and a proven track record of success. He has an ambitious, present, and authentic leadership style, and I am confident that he is a great fit for Grundfos and our Water Utility division, helping us drive forward our company ambition to respect, protect and advance the flow of water.”
Hamed Heyhat said: “Like Grundfos, I am passionate about making water a resource for everyone and so I’m excited by the prospect of joining Grundfos and the Water Utility division. As part of our global team, I look forward to advancing the development in this vital area, making an impact globally with sustainability and digitalisation as key levers.”
Aligning his leadership background and virtues with the Grundfos purpose, Hamed will also be focussed on the wellbeing of Grundfos colleagues. As such, driving profitability will go hand in hand with reinvesting in the workforce and the communities they serve, led by a belief that with global reach comes a responsibility to build a more sustainable future.
Hamed continued: “As a global company with a worldwide presence, we have a role to play in making the world a better place for future generations. Grundfos is at the forefront of combining water solutions and digital solutions to help our partners and customers use water and energy more efficiently and reduce their carbon footprint. It’s also a business committed to helping the world cope with the challenges of climate change, leading by example to inspire others to join us in our mission for a sustainable future.”
The Torre Arcobaleno in Milan’s Garibaldi area has a new night lighting system. The intervention, curated in partnership by a group of Italian companies, repurposed as a tribute to the city and the people of Milan, further qualifies a structure that has become in recent years one of the symbols of modern Milan in terms of location, history and content, both architectural and design, the largest “vertical ceramic mosaic” with its 1,000 square metres.
The new system uses powerful Led floodlights and gives the 35-meter Torre Arcobaleno, a special charm, with a fairy-tale effect, highlighting the many shades of colors that have made it so recognisable and beloved by the Milanese, as well as a cult object for creative people and design enthusiasts around the world. The new 397 W LED floodlights in fact allow for more precise and pinpoint illumination of the tower’s silhouette, increasing color rendering while maintaining the low power consumption of the previous system. The lifespan of the new floodlights is about 100,000 hours.
Spearheading the project is the architecture division of the Original Designers Studio 6R5 Network of Francesco Roggero, Albino Pozzi, Rita Alfano Roggero and Kiyoto Ishimoto, who acted as “director” involving other excellent names of Made in Italy, all united and determined to keep the beauty of the Torre Arcobaleno intact, enhancing it even in its night vision. The partners are:
RFI, the company of the infrastructure cluster of Gruppo Ferrovie dello Stato, have also patronised this new initiative, in continuity with the choice made at the beginning of the history of the recovery project.
A Taste of History
The tower in its load-bearing concrete structure dates back to 1964, when it served as a simple water tank inside the railway yard of Milan’s Porta Garibaldi station. Settled limestone had caused oxidation of the iron and crumbling of the concrete, causing conspicuous external leaks. On the occasion of the 1990 World Cup in Italy, the tower then underwent its first significant renovation, which transformed a work designed solely for service purposes, an urban element with essentially aesthetic-symbolic, but highly recognisable, value. The result was achieved mainly through the placement of 100, 000, 10 x 10 cm module tiles of 14 different colors as cladding.
The idea behind the project was to highlight the structure of the tower, which is circular in plan and concave in shape, divided into twenty-two faces interrupted by as many raised ribs. A thorough rehabilitation of the tower’s walls and ribs was undertaken, providing consolidation, waterproofing of surfaces, reconstruction of the removed parts, and painting of the connecting parts.
Underlying the project was an idea on the part of the designers from Milan-based Original Designers Studio 6R5 Network to promote a new attitude of care and pride in the city’s urban heritage. The redevelopment also included the rehabilitation of an old railway bridge between Viale Forlanini and Viale Corsica, later called the “Passaggio a Nord Est.”
Finally, in 2015, the year of the Expo, the tower was again restored and modernised by the same group of companies involved today, which assumed the full costs of an intervention seen as a tribute to the Milanese in an occasion of exceptional visibility for the city such as the international exposition.
In the meantime, the Garibaldi area of nearby Piazza Gae Aulenti has become the heart of the Milan of design, fashion and modern architecture, redesigned with its futuristic skyscrapers that find in the Torre Arcobaleno a “coloured ceramic totem,” an evolution of the artisan origins of the Italian master ceramists who have landed in the industrial world and are now recognised worldwide as a national excellence.
Today, the Torre Arcobaleno’s new adventure continues with new lighting, destined to amaze the Milanese and tourists arriving from all over the world.
Yoma Land, a prominent real estate developer in Myanmar, has been honoured with prestigious accolades at the Real Estate Asia Awards 2024, clinching the Developer of the Year – Myanmar and Green Technology Initiative of the Year – Myanmar for its innovative and sustainable approaches in the industry.
The company has set a high bar with its vision of “Building Better Communities for the Future of Myanmar,” which has manifested through a series of pioneering projects centred around sustainability and meaningful community engagement.
In addressing the critical shortage of affordable housing, Yoma Land introduced City Loft, Myanmar’s first mortgage-backed condominium project. This initiative, in partnership with Yoma Bank, offers a 25-year mortgage plan requiring only a 20% down payment, making homeownership more accessible for the nation’s young professionals. The project’s success is evident in its rapid sales, with an average of 70 units sold per month.
Another groundbreaking venture by Yoma Land is the Estella project, which showcases the company’s commitment to tackling energy challenges. Estella is the only project in Myanmar to incorporate solar power, equipped with solar panels and batteries as a primary energy source. This not only provides a sustainable power alternative but also includes maintenance and a warranty as part of the estate management fee. The project witnessed an exceptional response, with 527 villas sold on the first launch day, highlighting the market’s enthusiasm for innovative and eco-friendly living solutions.
Yoma Land’s ventures extend beyond conventional real estate developments. It was the first to introduce small-space living concepts in Myanmar, catering to a market traditionally accustomed to larger living spaces. These studio units, measuring just 312 square feet, have been a hit, selling out quickly due to their thoughtful design and functionality. The developer also prioritises the use of local materials and craftsmanship, overcoming challenges associated with overseas sourcing. This local focus is evident in unique design elements like the StarVillas’ façade and walk-in wardrobes.
Recognising the necessity of clean water, Yoma Land has equipped all its developments with dedicated water treatment plants, ensuring access to potable water. Additionally, each estate is supported by solar farms ranging from 11 to 15 acres, which not only provide sustainable energy but also help mitigate frequent power cuts.
Community engagement is another cornerstone of Yoma Land’s strategy. The company hosts educational and health-related campaigns, including mini-marathons and Zumba classes, which foster both physical and mental health. It has also been proactive in community health initiatives, becoming the first developer in Myanmar to offer COVID-19 vaccinations to residents, a significant step at a time when only government hospitals were authorised to administer vaccines.
The vibrant community life at Yoma Land’s developments is further enriched through regular cultural and seasonal events, which help to foster a strong sense of belonging and community spirit.
Yoma Land’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and community welfare has not only enhanced the real estate landscape in Myanmar but has also set a commendable benchmark for others in the industry. Through its dedication to building not just homes but holistic communities, Yoma Land continues to make a profound impact on the future of the country.
Global architecture, engineering and consultancy firm Ramboll is spotlighting the pivotal role of renovation in reducing carbon emissions, cutting costs, and meeting sustainability goals in its new Renovation and Transformation Assessment Guide. BRJ speaks to Huang Yu, Director, Buildings, Ramboll, to see how repurposing existing buildings is becoming the smart choice for property investors and owners.
As urbanisation accelerates and sustainability becomes a pressing concern, Ramboll’s newly launched Renovation and Transformation Assessment Guide emerges as a crucial tool for property owners and investors. With the built environment contributing significantly to global CO2 emissions and waste, the guide advocates for a shift from new construction to renovation and transformation. By focusing on regulatory, financial, and sustainability drivers, the guide helps stakeholders assess the business case for repurposing existing buildings, identifying risks, and uncovering opportunities.
The case for renovation is compelling: it not only curtails carbon emissions and operational costs but also aligns with Singapore’s Green Plan 2030, which aims for a greener, more resource-efficient built environment. Through a range of case studies, the guide demonstrates that renovation can be both environmentally and economically advantageous, challenging the conventional belief that new construction is always the better option. As cities grapple with space constraints and rising costs, transforming existing structures is proving to be a sustainable and strategic solution.
Building Review Journal (BRJ): What are the main benefits for property portfolio owners and investors in Singapore when prioritising renovation and transformation over new construction?
Huang Yu (HY): Renovating existing buildings not only reduces carbon emissions and waste compared to building new but can also be more cost effective and attractive to tenants. This combined with legislation demanding smarter construction resource management, impacts real estate portfolio owners and investors.
There are of course regulatory requirements when it comes to heritage buildings, such as the unique and charming Singapore shophouses, which are managed under the Heritage Conservation Act by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and Building & Construction Authority (BCA). The ability to preserve them while also transforming them is an important way to conserve this architecture that is representative of Singaporean culture.
Sustainability is another benefit. Upgrading existing buildings with greener features to achieve greater efficiency in operation is key to realising BCA’s ambition to make 80 percent of Singapore’s buildings green by 2030. This presents an ambitious backdrop to encourage the renovation and transformation of building assets to achieve greater sustainability performance.
BRJ: How does the cost-effectiveness of renovation compare to new construction?
HY: Using lifecycle analyses and lifecycle cost analyses, Ramboll experts performed a comprehensive assessment of 16 cases ranging from family homes and terraced houses to tower blocks, commercial buildings and public buildings. The buildings also represent a wide range of building functions, choice of materials and locations. The main findings were that:
Renovation is both greener and more cost-effective than new-builds
Carbon emission in new construction depends on the materials used
The level of renovation determines the extent to which carbon impacts from operational energy can be reduced
Carbon impacts occur at different life cycle stages for new and mature buildings.
All 16 cases in this analysis show that renovation is advantageous both financially and in terms of climate impact. Whole lifecycle calculations of the scenarios reveal that in five of the cases, it will be more than twice as expensive to build new than to carry out extensive renovations over 50 years. This goes against the common assumption that it is not worthwhile to preserve and renovate buildings because they will be more expensive to operate.
In the realm of Singaporean projects, Ramboll has effectively executed transformation projects, including substantial structural modifications to five-star hotels and top-tier office buildings. Incorporating fresh usable space via lightweight construction methods, which leverage existing foundation systems, not only expedited construction timelines but also yielded substantial cost reductions.
BRJ: How are rising construction costs influencing the shift towards renovation and transformation in Singapore?
HY: There is no shortage of funding for infrastructure and built environment projects. The scrutiny is more around bankable projects. Investors are increasingly looking at the bankability of projects through multi-dimensional lenses, adding environmental, social and reputational issues to the traditional financial aspect. Renovation and transformation present opportunities to meet these requirements.
BRJ: Can you provide examples of projects where renovation has proven to be more environmentally sustainable than building anew?
HY: A project that most Singaporeans would be familiar with is the five-star Capella resort, which was originally constructed in the 1880s and used as an army barracks during World War II.
Following extensive restoration work designed by Foster + Partners, the resort was ranked as the top hotel in Singapore in Travel & Leisure’s World Best Awards 2023. Capella’s vision was to preserve the integrity of the original structure while integrating new elements. Most components were prefabricated offsite and tailored to fit seamlessly with existing structures, meaning that damage or modifications to the original structures were significantly reduced.
To construct the extension, an open-sided excavation was made behind the legacy structure where Ramboll incorporated one of the first permanent passive soil nail retaining systems in Singapore. Key to the functional viability of the scheme was the seamless integration of the old and new. To achieve this, structures were set out in such a way that allowed hotel guests to effortlessly move from one building and back without traversing different spaces.
The result was a heritage colonial building with a curvilinear extension successfully built within native vegetation that exemplifies Ramboll’s fusion engineering approach to rigorous and complex developments. For its considered design and successful implementation, the Capella Resort was a winning recipient at the URA Architectural Heritage Awards.
BRJ: Are there specific regulatory challenges that property owners face when considering renovation projects?
HY: There are no specific regulatory challenges when it comes to renovation projects. Initially, all buildings must be approached with respect, followed by a review process to pinpoint any potential engineering hurdles in meeting the latest prevailing codes and practices. Architects and engineers must collaborate to address these challenges, ensuring that the final proposal complies with local building authorities’ regulations and is suitable for use.
BRJ: How does prioritising renovation over new construction contribute to Singapore’s sustainability goals, particularly in reducing carbon emissions and waste?
HY: Singapore has an ambitious Green Plan. The Green Plan 2030 is a whole-of-nation movement to advance Singapore’s national agenda on sustainable development. The Green Plan charts ambitious and concrete targets over the next 10 years, strengthening Singapore’s commitments under the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and Paris Agreement, and positioning us to achieve our long-term net zero emissions aspiration by 2050. Prioritising renovation can add significant value to this plan.
For example, CO2 emissions from demolishing and building a new replacement building of the same size are on average around 35 percent greater than if a significant renovation of the building is carried out instead.
Transformation also taps into the DNA of buildings and urban areas. It informs the architectural approach and serves to preserve and enhance the heritage and cultural fabric that define a building and surrounding communities. In this way, transformation also makes an important contribution to social sustainability and Singapore’s shophouse culture.
BRJ: What role do green building certifications play in this shift?
HY: Certifications and advocacy on behalf of organisations like the Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC) are very important in educating our industry on the benefits of renovation. Aligned with the World Green Building Council’s vision of green buildings for everyone, everywhere, the Singapore Green Building Council aims to make the spaces we live, work and play in healthier, more sustainable, and more resource-efficient.
Ramboll is therefore delighted to have recently been certified by the SGBC for the provision of Environmental Sustainability Services at the highest Level 1 – Building projects with international stakeholders that seek to attain ambitious Green Mark ratings. This reflects our commitment to innovation in sustainable building design, including renovation projects.
These types of projects can dramatically reduce carbon emissions for our clients through circular and regenerative design. We look forward to continuing our journey towards building a greener and more sustainable future with the SGBC.
BRJ: What is the current state of the renovation industry in Singapore, and how has it evolved over recent years?
HY: Renovations traditionally focus on structural alterations in landed houses, shophouses and some conservation buildings. However, there’s a rising trend towards more intricate projects involving structural modifications and expansions in existing buildings, including high-rise. This trend is particularly notable in downtown areas where buildings already have deep foundations and basements.
BRJ: Can you provide an overview of Ramboll’s Renovation and Transformation Assessment Guide?
HY:Ramboll’s Renovation Assessment Guide is a practical handbook to help property portfolio owners and investors assess the business case for renovation. It also provides insights on how to mitigate risk and maximise rewards when renovating a building. To reach a more sustainable future, we must question the need for new construction, especially where existing properties can be repurposed. If planned and managed correctly, repurposed property assets can become attractive to tenants, more climate-resilient, and fit for multiple future uses.
For business case assessment, this guide centres around three key focus areas in the early planning stages of property renovation. Firstly, looking at the regulatory, financial and sustainability drivers, secondly, identifying and mitigating potential reconstruction, financial, and climate risks, and thirdly, assessing renovation opportunities and constraints to realise their full potential.
BRJ: Were there particular trends, client demands, or market needs that drove the creation of this guide?
HY: We can’t forget the megatrend of urbanisation, where 75 percent of the world’s population will be living in urban areas by 2050. In Asia alone, we are looking at 1.2 billion people who will be migrating to urban areas over the coming 25 years. The need for housing, infrastructure and buildings is immense.
In the meantime, there is the need to decarbonise our built environment. The built environment is responsible for 40 percent of global CO2 emissions, 33 percent of global waste, and nearly 50 percent of all extracted materials. Prioritising renovation and transformation over building new plays a vital role in decarbonising the construction sector and it is gaining momentum. The business case for renovation is clear – the time is now to respect, review and renew.
BRJ: How is the commercial property sector responding to this transformation?
HY: With commercial buildings, we see a clear trend towards organisations undertaking deep renovations of their existing offices. This is a win-win where they retain the benefit of the office being in an accessible and appealing location, whilst also optimising interior spaces, increasing energy efficiency, and creating a modern inspiring work environment. This in turn helps organisations attract and retain talent and typically reduces carbon emissions by 50 percent to 80 percent compared to new builds.
BRJ: What unique challenges do property owners and developers face when undertaking renovation projects in Singapore and how do they differ from those in other major global cities?
HY: I think one unique challenge for Singapore is the scale of the buildings, from high-rise buildings to large-scale developments, which brings an additional layer of complexity for engineers and designers. However, the impact of these large-scale buildings is worth the challenge. Singapore has its unique challenges as a city-state, such as land constraints, labour shortage and cost, which also presents itself an opportunity for innovation and ingenuity. I see opportunities for modular construction methods and Multi-trade Integrated MEP (MiMEP), which allows us to flexibly adapt and future-proof the assets.
BRJ: What future trends do you foresee in the renovation industry in Singapore, and how do you think policies will adapt to support these trends?
HY: When we know that the carbon savings from transformation initiatives are so large, as a minimum, we as advisors need to introduce a code of conduct that insists that we steer clients towards transformation. This means that we need to get better at recognising the economic, environmental, and social value of the assets they already have.
In my opinion, rapid large-scale decarbonisation calls for a significant decrease in demolition and new common regulations to support this. We already see protections in place for cultural buildings, but this needs to be extended to all buildings – especially those that contain large amounts of embodied carbon.
BRJ: What are the biggest challenges and risks for property owners and investors to maximize the benefits of renovation?
HY: Investors and developers must identify and manage risks from the very earliest stages of a transformation project before making major investments. This way they can ensure their business case stacks up and mitigate unexpected costs and delays.
Building plans from older buildings may be missing or incomplete, which creates uncertainty around the composition of the building. The condition, toxicity, and flammability of building materials may also be unknown and vary significantly depending on the type of building and when it was constructed. Conducting thorough early-stage architectural and engineering assessments, including laboratory tests and condition surveys, helps identify and minimise these risks.
A key challenge with transformation projects is that we want to preserve as much of the load-bearing structure as possible since this is where the carbon savings are greatest. However, this may place constraints on how the space can be reconfigured. Feasibility studies and creative thinking are needed to identify the options that can maximise the full potential of a transformation project and minimise the risk of it becoming a stranded asset. We are also actively looking into how AI can play a role in this.
Digital tools can play an important role in informing early-phase decision-making and at Ramboll we have developed applications that generate thousands of iterations of the possible MEP and façade configurations to identify the most cost-effective and optimal option.
Pan-United Corporation Ltd has unveiled the country’s first electric-powered concrete mixer truck, underlining its commitment to sustainability. The introduction of electric vehicles (EVs) marks a milestone in Pan-United’s journey to become a carbon-neutral ready-mix concrete company by 2050. Using an electric-powered mixer truck will reduce the carbon footprint of transporting ready-mix concrete by 45 percent compared to a fuel-powered truck. Moreover, using EVs in a highly dense urban environment like Singapore can reduce noise pollution significantly.
Mr Ken Loh, CEO of Pan-United said, “Pan-United is excited to welcome EVs into Singapore’s built environment industry. We hope to eventually operate a substantial fleet of electric concrete mixer trucks for our day-to-day operations. This step marks an exciting new venture in exploring alternative fuel technology and a deepening commitment to accomplish Pan-United’s aim of being a carbon-neutral ready-mix concrete company by 2050.”
He added: “Pan-United has actively been exploring ways to reduce our embodied and operational carbon emissions. This includes the use of alternative fuels and electric gensets in our operations to lower our carbon footprint. We will continue to actively explore new and innovative solutions and products to decarbonise and accelerate the global climate transition.”
Pan-United took delivery of the truck in July 2024 from SANY, a Chinese multinational heavy machinery manufacturing company. The electric-powered truck has a sizeable 350 kWh battery, which serves up to 360 kW at peak power, and takes two hours to achieve a full charge. For comparison, a typical Category A passenger EV with a battery capacity of 78 kW takes roughly half an hour to charge fully.
Global construction consultancy Linesight has announced the appointment of Scott Halyday to Regional Director – Southeast Asia, to drive the next phase of growth for the region. Scott has a distinguished track record spanning over 19 years, managing large-scale projects globally across Data centre, Aviation, Life Sciences, High Tech Industrial, Commercial and mixed-use sectors. Prior to this role, Scott was leading operations in Singapore.
Southeast Asia remains a strategic growth region for Linesight as global businesses seek opportunities to establish and expand their operations. The region’s construction market is expected to grow consistently over the next four years. Notably, Malaysia, which has attracted substantial investments, is emerging as a prime destination for companies in mission-critical sectors.
As a member of the regional leadership team, Scott will help lead the firm’s growth ambitions across the key sectors of data centres, life sciences and semiconductors. This includes expanding the team across the region, particularly in project management, scheduling and project controls.
“Linesight is already well established in Southeast Asia and the firm continues to expand in key sectors of the future,” said Halyday. “I’m honoured to be appointed as Regional Director for Southeast Asia to drive innovation and excellence in our service offerings”.
Halyday will report to John Butler, Managing Director, Asia Pacific. “Looking ahead, Southeast Asia will be a high-potential growth region for Linesight. Scott’s extensive global experience and his dedication in delivering superior and value-added solutions will be an asset to our operations and clients,” said Butler.
