Construction Archives

Unique Roof Creates Thailand’s Largest Column-Free Exhibition Space

24 February, 2017/in Architecture, Construction, Design, News/by Editorial Staff

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC).

The Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC) now has so much open space that exhibitors have the capability to stage displays reaching 25 m into the air. Exhibitors and visitors to the newly expanded exhibition centre will benefit from unblocked views and an innovative roof which is capable of accommodating huge suspended displays. The BITEC now has so much open space that were it to stage an aviation show, Airbus would be able to showcase a full-sized A380 model indoors.

In line with the vision of its owner, BHIRAJ BURI Co., Ltd, the new BITEC heralds an era of unrivalled exhibitions and related events in Bangkok. The exhibition centre opened in 1997 and is located in the Bang Na district of the city.

As the lead structural engineer, Aurecon office in Thailand played a key role in the expansion project. The company worked closely with the architect to balance aesthetics and engineering practicalities, optimising the design while also respecting the architect’s desire for a dramatic addition to the Bangkok skyline – complete with elegant masts and cables. In addition to the detailed design of the finished structure, the company worked out a detailed construction sequence to facilitate the erection of this unusual structure for the main contractor, Italian-Thai Development.

Creating Space and Width
Stretching to 108 m between columns at its widest section, the new long-span structure gives the venue its impressive floor space possibilities. The expansion more than doubles the area of the exhibition centre, adding 40,000 square metres to the existing 35,000 square metres.

The expansion has two distinct, large areas, each with a different clear height. The first section features a height of 25 metres – high enough to accommodate the tail section of an Airbus A380 replica – with a 108-metre column-to-column span; while the second has a clear height of 15 metres with a 90-metre column-to-column span. The light-weight roof also has the capacity to support large hanging loads.

Illustration 1.

One of the biggest challenges for the design was supporting the weight of the roof. To counter this, Aurecon’s engineers used advanced modelling and structural analysis to evaluate the size, specification and siting of the cable-stays, together with the optimum lattice design for the roof truss.

To create such long column-to-column spaces, Aurecon designed an innovative support system for the roof structure. This design has the main roof truss supported by fore stays on each side, with these cables then supported on masts around the edge of the building. A further cable from the top of each mast is anchored to the ground, via a configuration that incorporates a back stay, tie stay and reaction beam. There is one mast design for every three roof trusses (See Illustration 1).

Getting the Sequence Right
More importantly, a detailed erection sequence was developed for the building contractor, which required the roof’s lattice structure to be jacked above its final resting height during assembly. Doing this meant that as the contractor systematically removed the jacks – in line with the erection sequence – the downward motion induced the required tension in the cable stays to meet design requirements.

To create such long column-to-column spaces, Aurecon designed an innovative support system for the roof structure.

“One of the most significant engineering challenges was making sure we got the erection sequence right,” explained Pisit Yingmanokit, Technical Director, Aurecon in Thailand, the project’s senior structural engineer. “It was quite a meticulous process to ensure the roof would maintain its desired shape and strength, but the end result is something unique in Thailand, allowing the venue to stage much bigger and better events.”

“Aurecon is proud to have had the opportunity to collaborate with one of Thailand’s premier property developers to engineer the focal element of the BITEC expansion,” said Thiti Ariyakul, Project Leader and Executive Director of Aurecon in Thailand. “It is a perfect showcase for the design and engineering talent of Thailand, with every phase of the job handled by a Thai company.”

The new BITEC venue welcomed its first exhibition on 23 November 2016.

JLL Introduces Virtual Reality Tool for Real Estate Design and Build

22 February, 2017/in Construction, Design, News, Product, Technology & Softwares/by Editorial Staff

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The virtual reality tool captures 360-degree spherical images through a series of cameras at the project site.

Real estate consultant JLL has launched VR360 Services, a new technology application that allows clients to watch their real estate projects take shape from anywhere in the world.

The virtual reality tool captures 360-degree spherical images through a series of cameras at the project site. By logging into an online application, clients can explore their building projects and look around in all directions, mimicking a real life site visit. Providing transparency from the start to finish of a project, VR360 Services enables clients to track the progress of their build closely, identify any problems, and highlight potential issues that may impact the future fit-out or design.

“VR360 Services lets our clients stay on top of their projects by bridging geographical barriers and bringing them closer to their sites. They can log in from a computer, tablet or mobile device and have a virtual walk through the spaces in their own time,” explains Martin Hinge, Managing Director, Project & Development Services, Asia Pacific, JLL.

“Another advantage that VR360 Services provides is the recording of wall, floor and ceiling construction, including electrical and mechanical plumbing systems. This will transform the way clients manage their facilities in future as they can better plan refurbishments and repairs like building in additional power points or repairing blocked pipes.”

One of the early adopters of the application, a multinational technology company with significant Asia Pacific presence, has successfully implemented VR360 Services in its latest construction projects in China and Singapore, allowing stakeholders to watch their sites at every stage of development from Malaysia, India, Singapore, Vietnam and the U.S. By creating an interactive environment where clients have first-hand insights, VR360 Services acts as a substitute for conventional site photo records.

“This exciting development demonstrates how we are making a difference to our clients’ experience. Besides offering them greater connectivity to their projects, VR360 Services also provides seamless communication so we can resolve on-site issues together,” says Ian Chadsey, Solutions Development Director, Asia Pacific, JLL. “New technology is having a profound impact on the real estate industry. VR360 Services is just one example of how, as a firm, we’re applying innovative thinking to help our clients maximise efficiency and improve processes.”

Click HERE to sign up for your free VR360 tour.

Aurecon’s Smart Engineering Delivers Spectacular New Dubai Resort

19 December, 2016/in Construction, Design, News/by Editorial Staff

Reading Time: 5 minutes

A view of the property’s exterior.

Innovative structural engineering was needed to ensure Dubai’s newest tourism hotspot, the Jumeirah Al Naseem, took full advantage of its spectacular location. Construction of the Jumeirah Al Naseem was announced in late 2012 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ruler of Dubai. At the time, he emphasised how Dubai’s tourism infrastructure must match the UAE’s increasingly strong position as an international tourism hub. Global infrastructure and engineering advisory firm Aurecon rose to the design challenges, helping ensure the venue delivers a truly five-star experience for its guests.

The opening of the new 430-room Jumeirah Al Naseem gives substance to the Ruler of Dubai’s ambition. The fourth luxury hotel within the Madinat Jumeirah Resort development, the Jumeirah Al Naseem links with the three existing Jumeirah resorts, which occupy a prime spot on the stunning local coastline. The Resort, Dubai’s largest, was recently named in the Top 3 hotels of the Middle East and Africa by Travel + Leisure magazine.

Aurecon started work on the Jumeirah Al Naseem in December 2012 when the company was invited to collaborate on a range of engineering disciplines by leading development and management company, Mirage Leisure and Development. Aurecon and Mirage have collaborated on several previous developments within the Madinat Jumeirah Resort. Other companies appointed to the project included South African architects, Northpoint, who delivered the concept, and the Dubai office of Woods Bagot, who served as executive architect.

Having been awarded several engineering disciplines within the project, Aurecon began its design work in 2013. Civil and structural work was led by the local Dubai office with support from Aurecon’s office in Cape Town, while acoustics design, vertical transportation, marine design, waste management and geotechnical design was handled by experts in other global offices in Australia and South Africa.

Wouter Brand, Technical Director of Buildings and the Project Director for Aurecon’s work on the Jumeirah Al Naseem, says the company’s previous experience in the region, particularly in hotels and resorts, proved invaluable in making this project a success.

The opening of the new 430-room Jumeirah Al Naseem gives substance to the Ruler of Dubai’s ambition.

“Our knowledge of the local construction industry was as important as our ability to provide engineering solutions to the many design challenges of the project,” he said. “Creating a seamless connection with the rest of the resort was essential, as was making the most of its geographic location, lying across the water from the spectacular Burj Al Arab Jumeirah and delivering incredible sea views to all guest rooms.”

Challenging Designs
One of the biggest challenges to the structural design was to accommodate the complex building geometry and orientation of the hotel rooms, which were not compatible with the structural grid of the supporting basement car park. The lower level car park was designed with a rectangular grid of supporting concrete columns and walls for effective traffic flow and generous parking bay sizes. However, the structural column grid for the superstructure was restricted by the orientation of the hotel rooms and corridors, as well as the siting of the public entrances, retail and services spaces on the ground floor.

Adjusting the orientation of the hotel was not an option because every room was required to have a sea view; while the grand entrance hall was situated to give guests a sweeping vista of the iconic Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. With numerous balconies and floor plates that stepped back with increasing height, the combined design challenges made for an intricate and highly detailed engineering process.

“The optimal solution to this engineering challenge was the introduction of a concrete transfer slab to overcome the differences between the column grid above and below the ground level” said Faan Calitz, Technical Director of Structural Engineering at Aurecon. “The transfer slab system, which in certain areas is in excess of a metre thick, proved to be one of the challenging technical aspects of the project.”

The design had to ensure low deflection of the transfer slab and provide structural redundancy against earthquake loads. It was made more demanding because the transfer slab does not have a uniform thickness or a uniform top level, as it also has to support landscape, planting and pool areas, which lie at different levels around the ground floor of the hotel.

Geotechnical and Marine
Early involvement with the geotechnical and enabling works contractor was also crucial to the success of the project. Aurecon recommended the site be vibro-compacted to improve soil conditions and reduce the risk of liquefaction, which can occur during a seismic event. This compaction lowered the ground level by 400 mm and was an effective ground improvement solution.

Aurecon started work on the Jumeirah Al Naseem in December 2012.

In addition, Aurecon carried out a Marine Study for the project, which assessed the vulnerability of the coastal development to severe storm surges. The study included a risk assessment of possible flooding and associated inundation and run-up levels, and care was taken to ensure that ground floor levels of the hotel were above possible flood levels. Aurecon also designed marine protection elements, which included sheet piling to the front of the property to prevent undermining of the structure.

Local Knowledge
As with all projects in Dubai, Aurecon’s design had to be approved by Government authorities before any construction could proceed. This approval process is aimed at ensuring the highest standards of design and construction quality are maintained in Dubai.

“Aurecon understands the importance of achieving an approved design within the available timeframe, because this is essential if a contractor is to commence construction on time,” said Ben Hawkes, Senior Structural Engineer who was based at the project site. “The Middle East is well-known for the scale and spectacular nature of its designs, as well as ambitious timeframes that are set for development. This all adds to the importance of ensuring that the execution of any project includes a robust plan for achieving authority approvals.”

“At Aurecon, we are committed to engineering solutions that suit the designs and dreams of our clients,” he concluded. “Although it’s only one part of the overall development, the location and guest experience of Jumeirah Al Naseem is crucial to ensuring Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah Resort remains one of the world’s leading tourist destinations for many years to come.”

Rugged Fluke Laser Levels Deliver Simplicity and Accuracy to Perform Layout Tasks Fast

11 December, 2016/in Construction, Product, Technology & Softwares/by Editorial Staff

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Fluke laser distance meters are fast and easy to use, improving accuracy and reducing measurement error. The simple one-button operation utilises advanced laser technology to instantly measure distance between two objects. As such, Fluke laser distance meters are well received in the market, attracting users from construction and electrical industries.

However, Fluke does not stop here. Fluke introduces Fluke® Laser Levels, a new range of professional-grade, precision tools that are designed to survive a one-metre drop and keep working. The Laser Levels feature a fast settling, self-levelling gimbal that quickly delivers accurate reference points, expediting electrical and HVAC layouts.

Fluke Laser Levels come in three-point laser levels for fast accurate layout of reference points, horizontal and vertical cross line laser level for rapid accurate levelling, and layout as well as laser line detectors with visual and audible indicators for ease of use in high ambient light settings.

The three-point laser levels are accurate to 6 mm at 30 metres (1/4 inch at 100 feet) and the line laser levels are accurate to 3 mm at 10 metres (1/8 inch at 30 feet). For long-range applications, green lasers, which provide up to three times brightness for improved visibility, are also available (Fluke-3PG and Fluke-180LG).

The Fluke Laser Levels are also built with a rugged case design to withstand rough handling on the job site. With such ruggedness and accuracy in Fluke Laser levels, long and tedious layouts will become a thing of the past. For more information, please click HERE.

MHE-Demag Opens Southeast Asia’s Largest Crane Manufacturing Plant

9 December, 2016/in Architecture, Construction, Design, News/by Editorial Staff

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Bukit Raja manufacturing facility is also a showcase of MHE-Demag’s innovative solutions.

MHE-Demag, a joint venture between Terex MHPS GmbH and Jebsen & Jessen (SEA) Pte Ltd, has officially opened its largest manufacturing and warehouse facility in Bukit Raja, Malaysia. Developed at a cost of RM45 million, the facility can operate at a capacity of 200,000 production hours a year, a 54 percent increase from the previous site. The facility is also expected to support the fabricated metal products and machinery & equipment industries; two key areas that have been identified as drivers for the manufacturing sector to attain its projected growth of 5.1 percent per annum.

With a built-up area of close to 15,000 square metres sitting on over 26,000 square metres of land, the plant is also the largest and first-of-its kind crane manufacturing facility in Malaysia and the region. Capable of building cranes of up to 50-meter span, this plant will primarily serve customers from Malaysia, Australia, Cambodia, Myanmar and Singapore, who hail from various industrial sectors where lifting, moving and maintenance of materials or machineries are required.

Mr Karl Tilkorn, Regional Managing Director, MHE-Demag, said, “This investment cements MHE-Demag’s commitment to Malaysia over the past 40 years, and is an important step forward for us. This plant is the largest and most modern of our eleven manufacturing facilities across the Southeast Asian region. Each industrial crane needs to be individually designed and custom fabricated, hence the larger production facility along with state-of-the- art equipment will allow us to maintain our leadership position to meet the high standards required by our growing customer portfolio, particularly with the prestigious projects we have secured.”

The facility will also host MHE-Demag’s Regional Training Centre, where employees and customers throughout the Group will attend skills training and upgrading programmes to ensure excellence in operations, maintenance and safety for industrial cranes is maintained. The factory has also been built in reference to the Malaysian Green Building Index, incorporating the most environmentally friendly solutions.

Mr. Frankie Chan, Managing Director of MHE-Demag Malaysia said, “We have put a lot of focus on creating conducive work areas that have a low impact on the environment. This includes building for natural ventilation and employee well-being; from utilising translucent panels to allow for extensive natural light to investing in ergonomic workstations. Our Regional Director, Mr. Joergen Moeller, also personally managed the construction process of this manufacturing facility from design to final stage. I strongly believe the new factory will enhance employee comfort and increase their motivation, leading to greater customer satisfaction.”

. Leading MHE-Demag material handling products such as lift trucks, dock levellers, aerial work platforms, building maintenance systems for safe working at heights, as well as automated car parking systems are employed in industrial applications throughout this facility.

Easily accessible via the North Klang Valley Expressway, Federal Highway, the New North Klang Straits Bypass and the new proposed Coastal Highway, the Bukit Raja manufacturing facility also connect to major ports such as Port Klang, Northport and West Port within 30 minutes.

Besides Bukit Raja, MHE-Demag has another manufacturing facility at Simpang Renggam, Johor, and twelve sales & service offices within Malaysia. In addition, a service depot is also established in KLCC.

Paya Lebar Quarter Urban Regeneration Project by Lendlease Set to Transform Paya Lebar

6 December, 2016/in Architecture, Construction, Design, News, Sustainability/by Editorial Staff

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Artist’s impression of Paya Lebar Quarter. Image courtesy of www.payalebarquarter.com

Lendlease, an international property solutions provider with over 40 years’ experience in Singapore, recently unveiled Paya Lebar Quarter, an urban regeneration mixed- use development bringing together progressive workplaces, dining, shopping and generous green public spaces. The project is set to catalyse the area’s regeneration into a bustling, pedestrian- friendly new city precinct while retaining its cultural richness.

Expected to be completed in phases with retail and commercial in H2 2018 and residential in H1, 2019, Paya Lebar Quarter will be a significant landmark of Urban Redevelopment Authority’s (URA) 12-hectare Paya Lebar Central, the most centrally located regional commercial hub in Singapore.

Located just 10 minutes from the CBD by car or train, the 3.9 hectare Paya Lebar Quarter development enjoys excellent connectivity with direct connections to the Paya Lebar MRT interchange. Aligned with Singapore’s vision to be a car-lite city, Paya Lebar Quarter is one of the first developments to incorporate a cycling path within the precinct that facilitates a continuous connection to the wider Park Connector Network. Office occupants will also have access to end-of- trip-facilities, making active commuting to work, such as cycling, a reality.

“Urban regeneration is a key pillar of Lendlease’s strategy and it comprises over 70 percent of Lendlease’s S$49.3 billion international development pipeline. With its central location, Paya Lebar Quarter will lead the way in regenerating the area and will turn it into a vibrant hub offering a new and dynamic city life,” said Mr Richard Paine, Managing Director of Paya Lebar Quarter.

The Paya Lebar Quarter architecture responds to the area’s heritage with inspiration drawn from the intricate weaving patterns of the Songket, a traditional brocade textile of the Malay culture; the design language and gold-and-silver colour palette for the façade seek to unify the buildings and public areas to seamlessly weave the seven buildings into a single tapestry.

From the start of the planning for Paya Lebar Quarter, Lendlease has been closely engaged with community stakeholders, ensuring that its design enables social inclusivity and builds community heartware, an increasingly important consideration as cities urbanise.

One of the signature features of Paya Lebar Quarter is the generous provision of 100,000 square feet of green public spaces (the size of more than 20 basketball courts). These public spaces will be where the community can bond and build a network of relationships through spontaneous interactions, collective celebrations and new friendships among those who live, work and play at Paya Lebar Quarter. There will be a covered outdoor event space, which will also help enhance a strong community spirit and culture by hosting large scale celebratory, festive and community events.

One of the signature features of Paya Lebar Quarter is the generous provision of 100,000 square feet of green public spaces. Image courtesy of www.payalebarquarter.com

“We are glad that the distinctive cultural heritage and community spirit of this area is reflected in Paya Lebar Quarter,” said Prof Fatimah Lateef, Member of Parliament (MP) for Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency (GRC) for the ward of Geylang Serai. She added, “The development complements and adds to the revitalisation of the precinct as well as the dynamism of the area. It will complement the adjacent development of Wisma Geylang Serai, due for completion in 2018. This area will be a new place for the community to hangout and to own. It is befitting as a location in the Geylang-Paya Lebar sub-regional centre.”

Progressive and Creative Place-making
Paya Lebar Quarter will serve a working population of 22,000 in the local catchment area within 7 minutes’ walk and approximately one million residents in the trade area. When the wider Paya Lebar Central precinct is fully developed, Paya Lebar Quarter is expected to have 52,000* workers in its immediate catchment.

Mall:
The Paya Lebar Quarter mall will be the social heart of a vibrant Paya Lebar retail precinct, with over 200 retail shops offering a multitude of exciting indoor and parkside dining, lifestyle and fashion options for residents, office executives and shoppers. NTUC FairPrice Finest and Kopitiam are the first two anchor tenants to sign up at Paya Lebar Quarter mall, taking over 22,000 sq ft and 15,000 sq ft of space respectively.

Workplace:
Three Grade A office towers with close to one million square feet of high quality work space will be within the development. These offices are designed for businesses that embrace a progressive work culture that promotes collaboration, health and wellbeing, flexibility and productivity.

Residences:
Park Place Residences at Paya Lebar Quarter comprises three towers with 429 units that offer residents a private sanctuary in a vibrant and centrally located city precinct. Residents can enjoy a connected city lifestyle with easy access to a myriad of amenities, activities and green public spaces.

Building a Green, Active, Engaged Precinct
Paya Lebar Quarter’s sustainability vision focuses on building an Active, Green and Engaged environment for people who live, work and play there. The development is on track towards being the first development to achieve the BCA Green Mark 2015 Platinum rating. In addition, the project has also incorporated evidence-based design strategies across the precinct to enhance occupant health and wellbeing.

“Lendlease has always had a reputation as a sustainability leader. In FY15, we have received 69 awards recognizing our global environmental and social leadership,” said Mr Paine.

For more information, visuals and a preview of how Paya Lebar Quarter will lead the transformation of Paya Lebar into a dynamic business and lifestyle hub, please visit www.payalebarquarter.com.

Joint Venture Between BPE Asia Real Estate and National Properties Sees Construction of Seven Luxury Properties

2 November, 2016/in Construction, Design, News/by Editorial Staff

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The houses will have an exclusive access road and impressive unobstructed panoramic sea views.

BPE Asia Real Estate (“BPE Asia”) and National Properties, a subsidiary of National Electronics Holdings Limited (HKSE Stock Code: 213) announced recently a joint venture for the construction of luxury detached houses in Tai Tam, the Island South District of Hong Kong.

Mark Fogle, Managing Director & Head of Real Estate for BPE Asia said, “Along with my partners Charles Lam and Malcolm Lai, we have previously completed two projects with National Properties (110 Repulse Bay Road and 56 Peak Road), which were very successful developments. Hong Kong is one of the most robust financial centres in the world and there remains strong demand for luxury housing against a background of limited new supply. In our view, National Properties has created some of the highest quality landmarks on Hong Kong Island and we are honoured to be partnering once again.”

The proposed development includes seven luxury detached houses located on a site of approximately 32,390 square feet (3,009 square metres) each to be constructed with an elegant classic design including basement carports, private infinity pool and internal elevator. The property is located in the prestigious Tai Tam area in close proximity to the beach, the American Club and the Hong Kong International School.

Loewe Lee, Managing Director of National Electronics Holdings Limited said, “The Tai Tam project exemplifies the hallmark characteristics of National Properties’ developments including spectacular views, exceptional design, a superior level of refinement and an elegant living environment. We are very pleased to once again be partnering with members of the BPE Asia team in this initiative.”

Site formation and foundation works for the project have been completed and the construction of superstructure works is ongoing. Completion of the first show house is expected in 18 months’ time (mid 2017).

Charles Lam, Managing Director of BPE Asia said, “The Hong Kong residential property market is unlike any other gateway city in Asia. Hong Kong has a population of approximately 7.5 million people of which approximately 1.4 million live on Hong Kong Island, yet there are less than 750 single family detached or semi-detached houses located within developments of eight homes or less. Furthermore, we estimate that there is an average supply of just 15 such houses coming to the market per annum over each of the next three years.”

Education Plays a Big Role in Konstruksi Indonesia

28 October, 2016/in Construction, Events, News/by Editorial Staff

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The construction sector is forecast to grow by 8.1 percent in 2017.

The Indonesian government’s focus on accelerating infrastructure development in all parts of Indonesia, as declared by President Joko Widodo, has pushed growth of the construction sector.

According to the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), as government and private sector infrastructure projects escalate, the construction sector is forecast to grow by 8.1 percent in 2017. This condition is expected to boost investment that will drive growth in related industries, create jobs and absorb labour.

One of the major impacts of the construction sector growth is the increasing demand for construction service companies and its workers. The Director General of Construction Development at the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PWPH), Yusid Toyib stated, “Indonesia is facing a significant challenge in developing the construction service businesses and providing skilled construction workers. Especially after the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community, the local construction service companies and their workers should be able to compete at providing high-quality work, both in Indonesia and abroad.”

Data from the Central Bureau of Statistics shows that, in the first quarter of 2015, the construction sector absorbed only 7.72 million people compared to the industrial sector (16.38 million people), trade (26.65 million people) or the agricultural sector (40.12 million people). The low absorption of people by the construction sector was caused by the unavailability of competent workers. Furthermore, first quarter 2016 data from the National Construction Service and Development Board (LPJKN) indicated that the number of certified construction workers was only 500,566 people.

“The improvement of companies’ managerial capacity and workers’ skills in the construction sector is our particular concern. We have been working together with various professional associations and institutions related to the construction sector to improve the managerial competency and technical expertise of construction workers. In addition to that, we also encourage them to keep participating in skills training and certification programme in order to be able to compete with workers from other countries,” explained Yusid.

Yusid also mentioned that the Ministry of PWPH continues to promote Regulation No. 45/PRT/M/2015 on Continuing Professional Development (CPD) that calls for all construction workers to develop their expertise and professional attitude on national and international scale. This regulation was issued to anticipate the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community this year.

As the host of Konstruksi Indonesia in 2016, which this year will be co-located with The Big 5 Construct Indonesia 2016, the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing expects companies from the construction industry to leverage these two events to get valuable insights on new equipment and best practices in the construction sector. Hundreds of local and international exhibitors will bring to Indonesia the most innovative and never-seen-before products for the built environment at The Big 5 Construct Indonesia 2016. Organised by dmg events Middle East, Asia & Africa, the event also provides an extensive educational programme. Construction professionals will be able to attend for free, dozens of CPD Workshops delivered by industry experts, including topics such as Project Management, BIM, LEED and a day of workshops dedicated to sustainable topics on 11 November.

“The Big 5 Construct Indonesia 2016 is tailored specifically to meet the needs of the local construction sector. Not only we will bring the best and latest products for the built environment from global manufacturers: the event will host a series of free-to-attend, practical workshops providing industry trends, tools, applications and techniques for the construction and infrastructure sectors in Indonesia,” said Ashley Roberts, Event Director, dmg events.

Konstruksi Indonesia and The Big 5 Construct Indonesia 2016will be held in conjunction with Indonesia Infrastructure Week 2016 from 9 November to11 November at the Jakarta Convention Centre. The exhibition will present around600exhibitors from more than20 countries, as well as bring together stakeholders from central and local governments and the private sector.

Further information about participating and visiting this event can be obtained through www.indonesiainfrastructureweek.com. You can also register yourself as visitor throughhttps://registration.n200.com/survey/39r5vmqwo41a2.

Sources:
1) http://www.bappenas.go.id/id/berita-dan-siaran-pers/siaran-persmencapai-pertumbuhan-ekonomi-53-serta-pengurangan-tpt-53-56-dan-tingkat-kemiskinan-95-105-pada-2017/

2) http://br-online.co/tenaga-kerja-konstruksi-dan-pembangunan-infrastruktur-di-indonesia/

3) Lembaga Pengembangan Jakas Konstruksi Nasional: Potret Tenaga Kerja Konstruksi Indonesia 2016

CDL’S Forest Woods Receives Strong Interest Ahead of Launch

16 October, 2016/in Construction, Design, News, Technology & Softwares/by Editorial Staff

Reading Time: 3 minutes

There were large crowds at the Forest Woods show flat preview that started on 24 September.

Forest Woods by City Developments Limited (CDL) and joint venture partners, Hong Leong Holdings Limited and TID Pte Ltd, has received keen interest since its show flat preview began on 24 September. There were strong enquiries for this highly anticipated new condominium in Serangoon Central which is expected to be launched next week.

Forest Woods comprises seven 12-storey blocks, most of which are within the one-kilometre radius of Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School (Primary) and Yangzheng Primary School, making it a major draw for families with children. Other schools in the vicinity include: Cedar Primary School, CHIJ Our Lady of Good Counsel, Maris Stella High School, St. Gabriel’s Primary School, St. Gabriel’s Secondary School, Stamford American International School, Xinghua Primary School, Zhonghua Primary School and Zhonghua Secondary School.

The project offers one-bedroom with study to four-bedroom apartments, and single-storey five- bedroom penthouses. Unit sizes range from 506 square feet (sq ft) for a one-bedroom with study to 2,185 square feet for the largest penthouse unit. Apartments are attractively priced from S$688,000 for a one-bedroom with study unit, S$838,000 for a two-bedroom, S$1.1 million for a three-bedroom, and S$1.65 million for a four-bedroom.

Flexible Layout and Finishes for Different Lifestyles

An illustration of a 3-bedroom unit at Forest Woods.

Catering to varied lifestyle requirements, select units offer the option to customise rooms with flexible layout and configurations. For example, the Open Study concept is suitable for parents who wish to supervise their children from any part of the home. The Ensuite Study concept is ideal for working professionals who prefer to work in the comfort and privacy of his or her expanded bedroom. For fashionistas who need space for their trove of beloved items, they may opt for the Walk-in Wardrobe concept.

Home owners of all units are given a choice of either a warm or cool colour scheme for the finishes, accompanied with the finest in branded kitchen appliances from Bosch and bathroom fittings from Grohe.

Making Life Better With Smart Home Technology
Forest Woods leverages smart home technology to make life better in tangible yet subtle ways. All units will be equipped with:

Smart Home Center Lite to easily control smart devices and sensors installed
Smart Door Sensor to monitor the opening of doors for added security
Smart IP Camera to monitor what is happening at home when residents are away
Smart Lighting Control and Air Conditioner Control to automate lights and air-conditioning remotely.

When Forest Woods is completed, residents can also add on the Smart Digital Lock, Smart Wall Plug, Smart Smoke Sensor, Smart Multimedia, Smart Roller Blind, and Smart Motion Sensor, for an additional cost.

Mr Chia Ngiang Hong, CDL Group General Manager said, “For a few years, no project of this size was launched in the much sought-after Serangoon Central area. We have received strong interest for this highly-anticipated launch as Forest Woods comes across as a compelling purchase for new home buyers, upgraders and investors. It has an extremely prime location in a mature estate, very near the Serangoon MRT Interchange, bus interchange and Nex Shopping Mall, with easy access to amenities, expressways and many schools. Forest Woods also offers great value at attractive pricing, and several unique facilities. We expect a good take-up when sales commence.”

Technologies that are Shaping the Future of the Construction Site

27 September, 2016/in Construction, Product, Technology & Softwares/by Editorial Staff

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Article and infographic contributed by Autodesk.

Technology is dramatically transforming the construction industry, with professional-grade wearables and new survey methodologies, making construction sites safer and even accessible from remote locations.

Here’s a quick look at three technological breakthroughs that you may see on construction sites in the near future.

1. A smart badge that provides a real time view of the construction site

Workers can use the call button on the B3 Badge to request for help in emergency situations. (Image Credit: Redpoint Smart Badge and Asset Tags)

Imagine sitting a few hundred kilometres away from the construction site and having detailed visibility into workforce activity. Innovations like Redpoint Positioning’s compact and wearable B3 Workforce Safety Badge makes this possible.

This badge is equipped with an Indoor GPS platform that allows contractors to view and record workforce activities from remote locations. As an early Autodesk Forge partner, Redpoint Positioning leverages the Forge Platform’s APIs to monitor and record real time job site activities directly within BIM 360. Contractors can use this real time data to alert workers with a loud alarm if they enter danger zones or areas with electrical hazards.

The DAQRI smart helmet’s anti-reflective, scratch resistant face shield replaces safety glasses, and workers can use in-built USB ports to power additional equipment like flashlights. (Image Credit: DAQRI Products)

2. Smart helmets that provide in-depth information on construction sites
Hard hats and safety glasses are essential on construction sites, but they aren’t exactly high-tech. DAQRI, an LA based AR company has designed an “Industrial Augmented Reality (AR) Helmet” that features thermal imaging, head tracking, motion sensing, pattern recognition and much more. In contrast to an ordinary hard hat, the DAQRI helmet does much more than just protecting your head. Its in-built cameras and sensors provide workers with detailed real-time information about their surroundings. For instance, when a worker glances at a pressure gauge, the helmet can alert him if it displays a reading outside the expected range. Overheated panels and instruments can also be easily detected by thermal imaging tools and sensors, thus helping prevent accidents on the construction site.

3. Getting a bird’s eye view of projects with drones

Some contractors are already piloting drones to conduct site surveys, but what’s even more exciting is the potential to turn the footage captured by these unmanned aerial vehicles into actionable and relevant intelligence for businesses.

Contractors can use this Dashboard to view real time updates captured by the EVO3, hence getting a glimpse of work that’s ahead, on time or behind schedule. (Image Credit: Skycatch)

Skycatch’s EVO3, for example, not only takes off and lands on its own, but also provides workers with a Dashboard interface to overlay aerial footage over construction plans and detect changes in progress, all from the sky and in real-time. Don’t want to invest in buying your own fleet? SkyCatch is also bringing the “sharing economy” ethos to drones with a new service called Workmode that helps companies find and hire unmanned aerial vehicles for mapping jobs, surveying, and other work.

Less Dust, More Data
From drones to sensors and every gadget in between, it’s plain to see why construction sites across the world are focusing on technology. While contractors are unlikely to go hi-tech overnight, the benefits of capturing data and leveraging it for greater planning and worker safety are simply undeniable.