Riverchain, a Hong Kong-based fintech startup committed to fostering a resilient future in construction through advanced technology, has launched a HK$400 million fund to support the city’s subcontractors and construction suppliers on their working capital needs. Hong Kong’s construction sector is facing some of its most challenging times with a financing gap that continues to widen. Back-to-back payment arrangements, long receivable tenors and time-consuming, paper-based processes are locking up an estimated HK$53.8 billion in the construction supply chain each year, creating a need for accessible and efficient working capital solutions for the industry.
Riverchain is on a mission to optimise the industry’s capital flow and address the growing working capital gap by leveraging technology and attracting new capital to the sector. Riverchain’s pioneering digital platform and data-driven risk assessment model serve the needs of subcontractors looking for efficient and transparent short-term financing solutions as well as private and institutional investors who are interested in alternative investment opportunities with an attractive risk and reward profile.
Managed by an SFC-licensed subsidiary of Arta TechFin, the HK$400 million open-ended fund will utilise Riverchain’s extensive knowledge and platform capabilities to bring an innovative funding alternative to the sector.
“Riverchain is helping Hong Kong’s construction sector address the financing gap by building resilience in tough times and treading the path to sustainable growth. We believe in being a partner to a core sector that contributes to Hong Kong’s economic growth and this latest milestone provides a major boost in our mission to unlock more capital to support good businesses, complete projects on time and safely, and get workers paid on schedule,” said Ben Wong, CEO of Riverchain.
Riverchain has built a trusted and transparent platform leveraging blockchain for authentication, ensuring information integrity. Its pioneering digital platform features a proprietary risk model that capitalises on deep industry knowledge and the ability to unlock value from both unstructured and structured industry data. These key factors attract new liquidity providers who value this unique source of insight to make more informed, data-driven investment decisions.
Today, Riverchain engages with more than 1,000 subcontractors and suppliers across the construction industry in Hong Kong, offering working capital funds to projects and enabling timely payments.
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.
When performing a concrete repair or routine sealer application, is there any benefit to adding a surface-applied corrosion inhibitor (SACI) underneath? Will the combination enhance protection or undermine the whole system? Cortec ® looks at these issues and suggests how contractors can get the most out of their dual SACI waterproofing system.
Why use concrete waterproofing?
Sealers, waterproofing membranes, and other moisture barrier coatings are a common part of concrete maintenance and repair. Their chief purpose is to block or seal the surface so that moisture, chlorides, and carbonation cannot seep into concrete pores. This slows down the deterioration process and helps the concrete last longer. Common places to find epoxy or urethane coatings, methyl methacrylate sealers, or other waterproofing membranes on concrete are parking ramps and industrial buildings—especially those in the chemical processing industry.
What are the benefits of SACIs?
Treating concrete with SACIs before applying a coating, sealer, or traffic membrane adds an additional level of corrosion protection. MCI ® -2020 contains the highest corrosion inhibitor concentration among SACIs on the market and is therefore the most efficient choice for this application.
Migrating corrosion inhibitors in MCI ® -2020 penetrate concrete pores and are attracted to metal surfaces to form a molecular layer that actively inhibits the corrosion reaction. This second line of defence is especially important if the physical barrier or coating fails, allowing water and corrosives to seep in and be trapped on the concrete surface. The presence of SACIs in the concrete can help mitigate the corrosion reaction.
How to ensure proper adhesion
While both sealers and SACIs can play a role in concrete protection, there is sometimes a concern for adhesion between layers when applying multiple products to a concrete substrate. If adhesion fails, the effectiveness of the applied system is jeopardized, leaving concrete exposed to water and other contaminants.
Fortunately, the solution is as simple as proper application. Waiting 24 hours after applying MCI® -2020 gives more time for the corrosion inhibitors to work their way into the concrete pores, away from the surface. Subsequent rinsing with water removes any residual and leaves behind a clean surface for coating or waterproofing application.
Testing according to ASTM D7234 has confirmed the compatibility of several traffic coatings and membranes with MCI ® -2020, and in some cases, a water rinse was not needed to maintain adhesion.
Get the most out of your surface-applied system
The application of water repellents, coatings, and waterproofing membranes will remain a common practice as long as parking garages and other concrete structures remain vulnerable to corrosion. Using MCI ® SACIs is a great way to enhance routine maintenance or repairs by fortifying the concrete with Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors. Simple steps such as rinsing the surface prior to waterproofing application help contractors and building owners get the most out of their dual water-repelling, corrosion-inhibiting system to extend concrete service life.
Despite being squeezed by labour shortages, rising material costs and digital disruptions, Thailand’s construction industry is still a slow adopter of technology. Globally, the emerging use of technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Augmented Reality (AR) and more in the construction industry has shown that construction companies must invest and adopt technology in order to stay competitive.
The Internet of Things (IoT) has proven to be beneficial for an industry that is facing multiple major challenges such as large construction sites to manage, labor shortages, tight timelines, hazardous working conditions, strict health and safety protocols, rising costs and more.
IoT has helped solve many of the industry’s traditional problems in project management, operations, manpower, and health and safety with solutions such as real-time data streams, analytics and monitoring, automation, forecasting, and more. Combined with related emerging technologies such as building information modeling (BIM), 3D printing, AI & Robotics, precise measurements, big data and digital tools, these IoT-driven technologies are instrumental in helping construction companies to increase the efficiency of projects, and more importantly, improves profit margins.
TBIM Association aims to develop national BIM standard protocols for Thailand
The Thai Building Information Modeling Association (TBIM) is at the forefront of encouraging Thailand’s construction sector to hasten its adoption of technology. “The mission of TBIM is to act as a medium to develop and disseminate good BIM standards for Thailand’s construction industry. TBIM aims to develop national BIM standard protocols, become the centre of BIM knowledge sharing, and promote BIM international collaborations” said by Dr. Sant Chansomsak, President of the Thai Building Information Modeling Association.
Purpose of Building Construction Technology Expo 2023
It is against this backdrop that Building Construction Technology Expo 2023 (BCT Expo 2023), a Southeast Asian exhibition & conference platform on the building and construction industry, is being organised in Bangkok, Thailand from 20 to 22 September 2023. To be held at the IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Centre, Thailand’s biggest exhibition venue, BCT Expo 2023 hopes to drive and support digital acceleration changes in every aspect of the building and construction industry through the application of digital technologies.
Digitising the industry
Organised under the main theme “Towards digitalisation of the building and construction industry – Are you ready?”, BCT Expo 2023 will showcase a comprehensive range of technology, digital solutions, machinery system and equipment by more than 150 exhibiting companies to more than 4,000 trade attendees from ASEAN, coming from all sectors of the building and construction industry.
A regional industry gathering for business, networking, and knowledge exchange
With strong support from the Thai government and industry associations such as the Ministry of Transport, Department of Public Work & Town & Country Planning, Department of Rail Transport, Thai Contractors Association under H.M. The King’s Patronage, and Thai Building Information Modeling Association, BCT Expo 2023 will serve as the regional industry gathering platform for business, networking, and knowledge exchange amongst the construction industry of Thailand and the surrounding ASEAN region.
“BCT Expo 2023 is set to provide the regional construction industry and market with a dedicated face-to-face international forum to meet, discuss and exchange views, learn new knowledge and trends, forge new business deals, network, and address issues of digital disruptions and transformation impacting the industry today,” said Mr. Loy Joon How, general manager of IMPACT, the organiser of BCT Expo 2023.
Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, has been awarded a design and engineering services contract by The Planning and Natural Resources Bureau of the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government to support the second stage study of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link (Hung Shui Kiu – Qianhai) project. The second stage study commenced in early 2023 and is expected to be completed in mid-2024.
The project links Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area to Qianhai, strengthening the connection between the Northern Metropolis in Hong Kong and the Guangzhou-Shenzhen innovation and technology corridor. With the support of road networks, the two areas will be jointly developed into a strategic hub of a transport corridor on the Pearl River’s east bank. The first stage study, completed in 2022, established the strategic value and necessity of the project and formulated a preliminarily feasible scheme. As part of the second stage study, Atkins will support the planning, preliminary engineering feasibility, benefits, and environmental impact, as well as construction and operation arrangements of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link project.
“As a leading engineering services and project management consultancy, we are committed to engineering a better society for our planet and its people,” commented Wing Law, Chief Executive Officer, Asia at Atkins. “This contract represents a significant win for the company that will enhance the public transport network and support business and community growth in China’s Greater Bay Area. We are proud to work with the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government on this major study, and we look forward to providing our engineering excellence underpinned by digital services and net zero solutions to deliver the project to the highest quality, safety, and sustainability standards.”
From harnessing the power of data and technologies that deliver seamless, personalised passenger experiences to optimising operations and reducing risks through decades of experience in engineering services, Atkins has built a track record and decades of knowledge required for today’s sustainable rail and transit projects. In Asia, Atkins has supported key clients in buildings and places, industrial, transportation, and water sectors by providing its design, engineering, and project management services. Some of the Company’s flagship projects include Hong Kong International Airport, Chongqing’s Cuntan Cruise Terminal, and Yinchuan International Airport.
As the only municipal administrative centre of Guangzhou, Nansha New District is leading the future to be a free trade zone as the main linkage between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau. Hengli Island, in particular, has been labelled an international financial island, acting as the most integral part of the financial blueprint in activating Pearl Bay, and shall serve as the benchmark for the future CBD of Nansha. Entrusted by China Railway Construction Corporation Limited, Ken Wai, Global Design Principal of Aedas, led the team to create a new landmark that strikes the city’s landscape.
The mixed-use project comprises a kindergarten, three low-rise buildings of mainly commercial uses by the riverbank, two mid-rise buildings for residential, commercial and public service use in the middle and four high-rise upscale residential towers towards the northern plot. By incorporating an unobstructed river view and vibrant city life with comprehensive amenities, the project forms a green oasis with close proximity to city living.
The project is a rare find within the city’s financial district, especially with an indulging panoramic view of the river. Located by the riverside of Hengli Island, Nansha District, a planned road runs across the plot and divides it in two. The south side of the plot is adjacent to the riverside ecological green corridor, where residents may enjoy a multi-layered river scenery from different viewpoints. Overlooking the estuary to the east and an endless stretch of river to the west, the plot attains a mesmerising unobscured view of the riverfront. The west and north sides of the plot are office building areas which link to the landmarks in the CBD. Being merely 600 metres away from the IFF Conference Centre, the project allows for city viewing from a prime perspective.
The project has posed several challenges to the team such as requesting a wide scope of functional uses and a high floor area ratio. To maximise flexibility, the design blueprint is altered in a way that different functions are dispersed across the plot to strike a balance between the need for functionality and the users’ spatial comfort. By distributing the buildings by the perimeter, most units can enjoy an all-embracing view of the river. The area is tied together with a central public void adorned with multilevel vegetation. It irrigates and connects different spaces through its porosity, energising the plot to provide an active public response and environmental benefits. Apart from enriching the greening of the residential area, the void coheres with the ecological environment of the city as well. A striking skyline that lights up the riverside is finally achieved with a multi-dimensional layout of buildings with disparate heights.
The design extends the urban vitality axis by Jinger Road to link it to the riverbank and local landscape. A portal that acts as a symmetrical axis is formed to echo the design language, achieving an airy and open environment by utilising sunlight and greenery. Individual corridors are also formed in their respective plots to penetrate the riverside landscape into the northern plots, creating an exemplar in blending the urban living experience with natural sceneries.
The team has drawn inspiration from the tip of Hengli Island that points towards the estuary, hence marking “Cloud Palace Above Sea” as the design concept. Comparing the building to a giant cruise ship sailing in the wind, the tower constantly overlooks the river and the vast sea, enjoying the gift of nature from the water and the sky. Through research on spatial structure, layout, and sunlight, the design team fully simulated the shape and viewing experience from a cruise, creating well-proportioned buildings to ensure that the view of the lavish landscape is maximised.
The façade of the residential tower is comprised of aluminium plates, reflecting the surrounding sea and sky. The overall design focuses on adjusting viewing angles to reduce visual obstructions between units, ensuring that the riverscape is accessible to most, to create a top-tier riverfront apartment. The viewing dock at the crown of the tower is ingeniously designed, offering a picturesque view of the river, while enriching the residential experience. Both residential towers stay true to the essence of the design concept in mimicking an experience on a cruise – the balcony itself resembles the viewing deck where you may immerse in the surrounding waters, and savour every moment of life by the river.
Aedas Global Design Principal Ken Wai remarks, “The balance between man and nature is deemed fundamental in the design of residential buildings. Architectural designs should uphold the belief of being people-oriented, directing them to explore the most primitive habitat combined with the pursuit of quality of life and modernity, in order to meet one’s vision of ideal lives.”
Following an iconic launch viewed by over 500 million people worldwide, OMNIYAT, Dubai’s leading luxury real estate developer, once again lit up the skies of Dubai to celebrate breaking ground on its highly anticipated architectural masterpiece, ORLA, Dorchester Collection, Dubai. Following OMYNIYAT’s ground-breaking tradition, three brilliant beams of light branded the skies above Palm Jumeirah, representing ORLA’s three iconic structures, and its sistership with One at Palm Jumeirah and AVA at Palm Jumeirah in a trifecta of exclusive luxury.
Set on the sand of the Arabian Gulf at the beachfront apex of the Palm Jumeirah, ORLA, Dorchester Collection, Dubai – a residential jewel designed by world-renowned Foster + Partners and managed by legendary hospitality brand Dorchester Collection – will offer a bespoke lifestyle steeped in sumptuous style and sophistication.
Founder & Executive Chairman of OMNIYAT, Mahdi Amjad said: “Following the phenomenal success of last year’s launch of ORLA, Dorchester Collection, Dubai, we are excited to watch the rise of this highly anticipated property, which is the creative culmination of three leaders in their respective fields – Dorchester Collection, Foster + Partners, and OMNIYAT. This is the next step on a journey to an iconic destination – at the peak of Palm Jumeirah, and the pinnacle of ultra-luxury living. This milestone ground-breaking of our 13th exclusive project reflects OMNIYAT’s commitment to redefining the standard of luxury across Dubai.”
Comprising 86 two-to-four-bedroom homes, three outstanding sky palaces and one of the largest private mansions on the Palm Jumeirah, ORLA, Dorchester Collection Dubai, combines uninterrupted 270-degree sunrise to sunset views of both Dubai’s futuristic skyline with calming turquoise waters to provide residents privacy, prestige and personalised service to ensure they enjoy an unparalleled lifestyle.
Showcasing OMNIYAT’s visionary philosophy to create iconic and bespoke residential partnerships with elite hotel groups, its fourth development to be managed by the Dorchester Collection will include world-class facilities and amenities, such as a private, resident-only 300 square-metre beach club; a large, temperature-controlled outdoor infinity pool; a private cinema; a state-of-the-art fitness centre; a business centre with two meeting rooms, a boardroom a multi-functional events space; and library and cigar lounges; among others.
One of the biggest threats to concrete longevity is corrosion. Under static conditions, reinforced concrete is at very low risk for corrosion. However, when adding cracking, chloride exposure from seawater or deicing salts, and long-term carbonation to the equation, the vicious cycle begins. Corrosion causes reinforcing metal to expand, pushing on the concrete cover and causing it to spall off, subjecting the reinforcement to additional corrosives and deterioration.
For this reason, corrosion-inhibiting admixtures are often used in the construction of concrete buildings in harsh environments like seacoasts or regions that use heavy deicing salts. MCI®-2005 is one such admixture that meets the corrosion inhibitor requirements under ASTM C1582 and promotes greater concrete longevity.
MCI®-2005 stands out from the crowd as the only corrosion-inhibiting concrete admixture that is also a USDA-certified, biobased product. MCI®-2005 contains 67% USDA-certified biobased content and is therefore a great way to earn credits toward LEED certification through the use of renewable materials. It is also a good choice for US federal agencies and their contractors seeking to meet minimum biobased content purchasing requirements, or for projects seeking to meet Estidama Pearl and BREEAM green building rating requirements in other parts of the world.
Singapore’s construction sector is showing signs of strength and stability into 2023, having risen 10 percent year on year in the fourth quarter of 2022 following an 8.1 percent growth in the third quarter. Greater investment in collaborative contracting could be key to building further on the current rate of recovery, according to Turner & Townsend’s Singapore Market Intelligence Report: April 2023.
The global professional services company expects this growth to continue, forecasting total construction demand to be between S$27bn and S$32bn in 2023. Despite challenges and uncertainties, the construction industry will likely outpace the wider economy this year.
Pent-up demand for public and private construction is one of the factors driving the success of Singapore’s construction sector. The bulk of anticipated construction work in 2023 is for residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects, with a robust pipeline of both public housing as well as private residential developments resulting from previous successful en-bloc transactions and government land sites sold in 2021 and 2022. Commercial construction demand is also expected to ramp up in 2023, including the redevelopment of old commercial premises to enhance asset values and the recommencement of major projects that were halted during the pandemic.
Singapore’s government has also set out refreshed infrastructure priorities, with the 2023 budget laying out a plan for some key construction and infrastructure needs that point toward a more consensus-driven approach. There are several measures broadly aimed at increasing productivity, such as the S$4 billion National Productivity Fund top-up, the new Enterprise Innovation Scheme, and the S$1 billion boost to the Singapore Global Enterprises initiative.
The local construction sector has room to grow but remains vulnerable to global challenges such as high inflation and rising interest rates. This uncertainty has resulted in construction costs remaining high despite a year-on-year decrease in prices for steel bars (13.9 percent) and concreting sand (1.7 percent), holding back a rebound in other types of construction projects. While the industry’s performance is steady, it has the potential for further growth if major players can take tangible steps to overcome the challenges and if delayed projects resume.
Considered together, these factors call for more investment in collaborative contracting. This inclusive approach, advocated by Turner & Townsend and other industry players, creates value through closer consultation among stakeholders and has the potential to re-energise Singapore’s built environment beyond its current rate of recovery. Implementing collaborative contracting practices takes time and requires trust from all parties from the start. Singapore’s government is already encouraging this, with the Building and Construction Authority recently refreshing the Built Environment Industry Transformation Map (ITM) to combine the previous Construction and Real Estate (Facilities Management) ITMs into a single map focusing on a value-chain approach.
Khoo Sze Boon, Managing Director, Singapore and Vietnam at Turner & Townsend, said: “To prepare for the future and meet construction needs, better collaboration across the supply chain is critical in driving towards an advanced and integrated sector. Embracing new ways of working, such as collaborative contracting, could herald a new level of partnership and industry cooperation. Adopting the latest frameworks and technologies will help our industry improve efficiency and productivity, driving greater value into projects big and small across the city. To transform Singapore’s Built Environment for tomorrow, we need to drive collaborative contracting efforts today.”
The EC350DL vibro hammer solution was developed by Volvo’s Special Application Solution (SAS) team to operate in perfect harmony with any vibro hammer, enabling OKP to work efficiently, reliably and comply with the Singapore government’s site safety requirements.
The EC350DL complete vibro hammer solution meets the safety requirements in Singapore while working efficiently and reliably.
As a brand synonymous with safety, Volvo has designed attachments to work in perfect harmony with its excavators and offers customers a complete solution that is proven, reliable, and backed by a full warranty and servicing.
“Choosing a package of Volvo machines and perfectly matched attachments gives contractors peace of mind that work will be completed efficiently and comply with the government requirements in Singapore,” says Joseph Low, Senior Manager for Productivity and Retail Development at Volvo Construction Equipment Singapore.
One such contractor benefitting from this peace of mind is leading transport infrastructure and civil engineering company Or Kim Peow Contractors Pte Ltd (OKP), which recently purchased two new Volvo EC350DL excavators with a specially designed front attachment for vibro hammer applications.
OKP’s Volvo EC350DL excavator installing sheet piles to construct the retaining wall on the Sungei Selarang and Subsidiary Drain A improvement project.
OKP has deployed one of the excavators to work for 8 to 12 hours a day on a project to improve the Sungei Selarang and Subsidiary Drain A, positioning sheet piles efficiently and effectively to construct the retaining walls.
“We have a tight schedule for the project and its progress is affected by the high and low tide of the water so we needed a solution that would be reliable and powerful enough to put the sheet piles in place quickly,” explains Kance Liong, Senior Project Manager at OKP.
“Besides efficiency, safety is our topmost priority, and we are confident in the complete solution from Volvo to meet both our criteria. This allows us to work with peace of mind, whereas if we used a third-party front attachment, it may not be certified by the authorities and may fail, causing more trouble for us,” Liong continues.
“In addition, the excavator is also reliable and fuel efficient, and Volvo’s aftermarket service support is among the best in Singapore. Our first choice of equipment purchase is Volvo nowadays,” he concludes.
The Volvo excavator and vibro hammer have been designed to work in perfect harmony with each other.
