Bentley Announces Finalists in 2017 Be Inspired Awards Programme

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Bentley Systems, Incorporated, a leading global provider of comprehensive software solutions for advancing infrastructure, today announced the finalists in the 2017 Be Inspired Awards programme. The annual awards honour the extraordinary work of Bentley users advancing infrastructure design, construction, and operations throughout the world. Ten independent jury panels comprising distinguished industry experts selected the 51 finalists from more than 400 nominations submitted by organisations in more than 50 countries.

The finalists will present their innovative projects to their peers, the jurors, industry thought leaders, and more than 120 members of the media as part of related infrastructure forums at The Year in Infrastructure 2017 Conference, October 10 to 12, 2017 in Singapore at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre.

This gathering of leading professionals in the world of infrastructure design, construction, and operations will feature:

  • Thought-provoking keynotes by Bentley senior executives and prominent industry thought leaders
  • Live technology presentations from Bentley’s alliance partners – Microsoft, Siemens, Bureau Veritas, and Topcon
  • Opportunities for attendees to meet and have one-on-one discussions with awards finalists
  • Informative industry forums and panel discussions featuring speakers from Microsoft, Siemens, Bureau Veritas, Australia Road Research Board, Applied Research & Associates, Building and Construction Authority of Singapore, and more
  • Be Inspired Awards finalists’ presentations on October 10 and 11, 2017
  • Evening ceremony and gala featuring announcement of the Be Inspired Awards winners on October 12, 2017

The Year in Infrastructure 2017 Conference is an ideal opportunity for management-level executives in engineering firms, architecture firms, construction companies, and government or owner-operator organisations responsible for the design, delivery, and/or operations of infrastructure to share best practices and meet infrastructure professionals from around the world. All those who submitted a nomination in the Be Inspired Awards programme are also invited to attend.

Bentley Systems Chief Communications Officer Chris Barron said, “The Year in Infrastructure Conference is a one-of-a-kind networking and learning experience for infrastructure leaders from around the world. This year we have an unprecedented number of participants for the Be Inspired programme, and are pleased to congratulate and acknowledge all of the participants for their excellent work and inspiring projects. Conference attendees will have the chance to meet the awards finalists, and see them present their projects, which represent this year’s most outstanding BIM advancements in global infrastructure.”

This year’s conference will be held for the first time in Singapore at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, one of the most iconic buildings in Asia. The structural design of Marina Bay Sands was done by Arup and was Bentley’s 2010 Be Inspired Award winner for Innovation in Structural Engineering.

Mike Lee, vice president of sales, Marina Bay Sands, said, “Marina Bay Sands is honoured to be the chosen venue for Bentley Systems’ first-to-Singapore conference. Our relationship with Bentley dates back to our construction days, as our iconic building was structurally engineered using Bentley Systems software. We look forward to welcoming Bentley and its delegates to our integrated resort to experience its multitude of business, leisure, and dining offerings under one roof.”

Click HERE to read more about the award finalists, conference speakers, supporting partners and more.

Opportunities Aplenty at Two Hong Kong Lighting Shows

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The 2016 launch of HKTDC Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo demonstrated the need for a fair with a tight focus on outdoor lighting for industrial/commercial use as more than 11,000 buyers came from 116 countries and regions. The second edition, Outdoor and Tech Light Expo 2017, is expected to feature around 400 quality exhibitors of specialist products.

Outdoor and Tech Light Expo 2017 will be held at AsiaWorld-Expo while the concurrent HKTDC Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) takes place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from October 27 to 30, 2017, with more than 2,660 exhibitors expected to show a great variety of lighting products.

Zoned for Convenience
To facilitate sourcing, exhibits are presented in sectors. The Outdoor Lighting zone will feature for lighting for outdoor spaces including landscape lighting for gardens, floodlights, halogen lamps and solar lighting. Professional and Industrial Lighting covers lights for workshops, event venues and exterior lights for warehouses, while Advertising Lighting displays lighting for marketing, promotion and advertising purposes. New in 2017 is Lighting Solutions and Systems, which brings together multiple lighting technologies in systems and solutions that can help maximise performance, energy efficiency and cost savings.

Extra Sourcing Opportunities
Visitors will be able to derive additional benefits by attending seminars and forums, which impart useful information. The Networking Reception and other social activities are equally valuable for expanding contacts. VIP buyers have access to the VIP Lounge with complimentary snacks and beverages, Internet access, newspapers and magazines, with private meeting rooms.

KLRCA Becomes First Arbitral Institution to Launch Standard Form Building Contracts

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The Standard Form of Contracts (SFC) is aimed at filling the gaps of existing standard form building contracts.

The Kuala Lumpur Regional Centre for Arbitration (KLRCA) launched its suite of Standard Form of Building Contracts on August 15, 2017 at the Majestic Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. Its Standard Form of Contracts (SFC) is a suite of standard form contracts inspired by the prevalent issues plaguing the Malaysian construction industry. It is aimed at filling the gaps of existing standard form building contracts in governing relationships, rights and duties of parties to a building construction project.

KLRCA’s SFC is Malaysia’s first ever CIPAA-compliant suite of building contracts and contains more mechanisms for parties to resolve disputes and deadlocks including mediation, encouraging parties to continue work despite disputes, while preserving parties’ rights till completion –making continuity of works and working relationships its highest priorities. KLRCA is the first arbitral institution in the world to launch a suite of this kind – it is suitable for all building construction projects in Malaysia, which will be customisable and complimentary.

The half-day event commenced with remarks by the Director of the KLRCA, Datuk Professor Sundra Rajoo and presentations on the Introduction to the Contracts, Advantages of the Contracts and Key Features of the Contracts Website. Key industry players comprising architects, lawyers, quantity surveyors, contractors, property developers, engineers nationwide were in attendance to witness this monumental milestone.

At the launch, Datuk Professor Sundra Rajoo touched on KLRCA’s existing relationship with the construction industry. “The players of the construction industry have already benefited from the efficient dispute resolution processes and acknowledge our continuous efforts to further tailor the legal framework to their needs. There is no better illustration than our recent statistics; as of today, we have more than 1100 registered cases (as compared to 22 cases in 2010),” he said.

He acknowledged the issues surrounding the construction industry in Malaysia and added, “Although the numbers are impressive, the problem runs deeper – and rather than just hacking at the leaves it would be better to dig at the roots instead. We have come to realise that the problem goes beyond simple payment issues and stems from the contracts used by the parties.”

Honourable Azalina Othman Said backed the need for the SFC.

Offering KLRCA’s SFC as solution to these issues, he explained, “KLRCA’s SFC were engineered in a way to become a hybrid that bridges and fills the gaps of local and foreign standard form contracts with due consideration given to current laws and judicial precedents impacting the Malaysian construction industry while simultaneously maintaining a recognisable model.”

Gracing the launch was the Honourable Azalina Othman Said, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department. The Minister backed the need for KLRCA’s SFC in stating, “In the short space of just three months, led by the Government of Malaysia’s vision of improving the nation’s construction industry, Datuk Professor Sundra Rajoo and his KLRCA team together with a line-up of dedicated industry experts making up the advisory committee embarked on a tedious and arduous journey to produce a more complete, refined and easy to use suite of Standard Form of Building Contracts; the ‘KLRCA Standard Form of Contracts (SFC).”

“While several Standard Form of Building Contracts already exist in the market today, there remain noticeable gaps that require addressing and bridging. KLRCA saw the need to address this. The role of an ADR Centre has gone beyond the days of just merely resolving disputes. It now also extends to dispute avoidance,” she said.

More than 600 participants of the various disciplines involved in the construction industry and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scene were gathered in Kuala Lumpur to attend the long-awaited launch, which introduced a solution to the myriad of challenges faced throughout the nation’s construction industry to pave the way to a truly effective and comprehensive regime.

The Malaysia-centric contracts will be tweaked in the coming months to meet and suit international standards for projects outside Malaysia. KLRCA’s SFC is the Centre’s second significant product launch for the year 2017. It was only in May, during the Kuala Lumpur International ADR Week (KLIAW) 2017 that the Centre introduced its 2017 Arbitration Rules. Included in the new rules were many new provisions to ensure expeditious and cost-effective administration of arbitration proceedings.

Exhibition Tracing DP Architects’ 50 Years Design Journey Opens to Public

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This exhibition is part of the line-up of events celebrating DP Architects’ 50th anniversary. Image courtesy of DP Architects.

DP Architects’ exhibition tracing the firm’s 50 years architecture journey is now open at The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) Centre this evening. The exhibition was officially opened by guest-of-honour Minister of National Development Lawrence Wong.

The firm was founded as Design Partnership in 1967, and incorporated as DP Architects in 1975. DP has evolved in tandem with Singapore’s nation building, becoming an important contributor to the country’s public projects and urban development. The firm’s work in Singapore has played a critical role in shaping the urban landscape: beginning with early projects like People’s Park Complex and Golden Mile Complex, early architectural anchors that helped introduce Singapore to new styles of modernist architecture; to some 20 projects on and around Orchard Road that redeveloped the retail corridor; to more recent projects like Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay and Singapore Sports Hub that have become integral components of the urban fabric.

A Common Line | One Global Studio curates DP Architects’ portfolio of works within the context of Singapore’s architectural history as well as the firm’s global projects. The works are presented through over 2,000 never-before-seen architectural drawings, in chronological order, showcasing the breadth of DP’s portfolio; 37 reconstructed models, some larger than typical building models, investigating the practice’s design methodology by typology; a specially commissioned wall-sized illustration, titled Building Blocks by local illustrator, Lee Xin Li; and an interactive visual display that customises Augmented Reality technology to allow visitors to reimagine the future through an immersive visual experience of two key urbanscapes, Orchard Road and Marina Bay.

The works are presented through over 2,000 never-before-seen architectural drawings, in chronological order. Image courtesy of DP Architects.

On the exhibition, DP Architects’ senior associate director and head of exhibition Ng San Son said, “This exhibition was over a year in the making and it is a retrospective of our design journey over the past five decades. We hope that visitors to the exhibition will not only query the function of architecture and urbanism, rethink conventions, but also encourage conversations as they relate their memories of the spaces they have interacted with, in one way or another.

The exhibition opens from August 12 to September 29, 2017, 9 AM to 5 PM (closed on Sundays) at The URA Centre. A half-hour architect-guided tour is offered on selected Saturdays at 11 AM. This exhibition is part of the line-up of events celebrating DP Architects’ 50th anniversary.

Euro Auctions to Hold First Ever Hong Kong Sale

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Jonnie Keys in front of Euro Auctions Banner.

Euro Auctions, worldwide auctioneers of industrial plant, construction equipment and agricultural machinery, is holding its first ever sale in Hong Kong on Thursday, September 14, 2017 to dispose of surplus equipment from leading construction, rental and financial institutions in the region. Euro Auctions is proud to report that this sale is supported by Mitsubishi Bank and Hong Kong Trade Department Council (HKTDC), as well as many other leading banks and financial institutions in Hong Kong.

With a large number of construction projects taking place in Hong Kong, a steady supply of used construction equipment and machinery has been coming onto the market and Euro Auctions’ first Hong Kong sale is expected to contain approximately 400 lots. Already consigned are a large range of 45-tonne excavators down to mini variants, over 20 articulated dump trucks, 10 mobile cranes ranging from 25 to 75 tonnes plus other associated equipment. A good selection of access equipment and smaller items such as generators and compressors will also feature with additional lots still expected to be consigned to the sale. All the major brands will feature including Komatsu, CAT, Doosan, Hitachi and Kobelco.

Euro Auctions is providing full logistical support for this sale by supplying detailed machine specifications to aid transportation and supplying shipping costs for each piece of equipment to all the major shipping destinations around the World.

In order to accommodate this auction, Euro Auctions has acquired a facility at DD78 Lot 1479, Kaw Liu village, Ta Kwu Ling, Shungshui, New Territories, Hong Kong, which consists of a secure asphalt base compound. All equipment can be viewed during the two weeks prior to the auction date and will be arranged for easy viewing and assessment with a member of the Euro Auctions team in attendance to provide help and assistance as required.

Registration and bidding for this sale will take place at the Panda Hotel, Tsuen Wan Hong Kong, with the auction being broadcast in real time with online bidding also available through the Euro Auctions online bidding platform which will open the auction to a global audience.

“We’re delighted to be able to work with Wealth Mind Equipment Limited and some of the leading rental and construction companies in Hong Kong to provide them with a means to dispose of their equipment into the world market. Construction equipment demand around the world has continued to grow with strong demand in the USA and Europe, together with recovery in key markets such as Australia and Russia making equipment prices strong around the world.” explains Jonnie Keys, Euro Auctions’ Commercial Manager.

One of Euro Auctions’ bid catchers.

What also makes this event unique is that the sale will be simultaneously transmitted and shown at Euro Auctions’ recently acquired, 22-acre purpose built auction complex in the Jebel Ali Free Zone area of Dubai, UAE. This includes a 360-seat fully air conditioned and enclosed auction arena and it hosts its own inaugural sale the day before on September 13, 2017. Bidders from around the globe will also be able to access both the Dubai and Hong Kong sales via Euro Auctions’ Free Internet Bidding Service and place bids.

“We’re excited at the prospects this auction presents us. It enhances our service to our existing customers in this region and also gives us access to new buyers and sellers in the Asian marketplace. Over the coming months we expect to see more equipment leaving Hong Kong and ultimately continue to meet the needs of customers elsewhere. In particular this sale will present the excellent equipment now available in Hong Kong to buyers from Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Myanmar,” continues Jonnie Keys, Euro Auctions’ Commercial Manager.

Upcoming Auctions
Euro Auctions has a number of additional auctions scheduled over coming months including the next big three‑day Leeds auction starting on August 23, 2017. There are one-day sales in Brisbane, Australia on August 31, 2017; in Zaragoza in Spain on September 12, 2017; with the inaugural sale at the newly acquired site in Dubai on September 13, 2017; and a two day sale in Dromore in Northern Ireland starting September 15, 2017. Yoder & Frey, Euro Auctions’ US operation is also scheduling two auctions: Ashland, Ohio on September 20, 2017 and in Florida on October 25, 2017.

Full details and catalogues for all forthcoming Euro Auctions events are available on its website at www.euroauctions.com and separate Bidder Numbers are required to bid on any Lot at each event which can be done either in person at the sale or via Euro Auctions’ Free Internet Bidding Service.

Siemens Launches First Fully Integrated Digitalisation Hub in Singapore

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Image courtesy of RENDY ARYANTO / Visual Verve Studios

Siemens launched its first fully integrated Digitalization Hub in July 2017 to bring its expertise and innovations in the Internet of Things (IoT) to the Southeast Asian market. Siemens will be co-creating future digital applications with customers and partners to build a digital ecosystem.

The launch took place simultaneously at parallel events in Singapore and at Siemens’ headquarters in Munich: Singapore’s Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, and the President and CEO of Siemens AG, Joe Kaeser, unveiled a plaque in Munich to mark the Hub’s opening, while Singapore’s Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry), S. Iswaran, and the CEO of Siemens Singapore, Armin Bruck, opened the Hub in Singapore.

Supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), the Hub brings together data scientists, solution architects, software engineers, system experts and domain specialists from the urban infrastructure, industrial and healthcare sectors. These professionals will experiment, learn, develop and test-bed innovations and future-ready digital solutions that help businesses become more efficient and sustainable.

An integral part of the Digitalization Hub concept is MindSphere, an open, cloud- based IoT operating system that offers data analytics, connectivity capabilities and tools for developers, applications and services. This platform helps evaluate and process data to gain insights and optimise asset performance for maximised productivity.

“Innovations have been a vital part of Siemens’ DNA for 170 years. With this Digitalization Hub, we’re creating synergy and an ecosystem for our teams, customers and business partners to tap into the benefits that digitalisation can bring,” said Joe Kaeser, President and CEO of Siemens AG. “Singapore is the ideal location for this Hub because of its distinctively advanced industrial and urban infrastructure development, combined with the government’s Smart Nation thrust to enable a digital economy.”

Sixty specialists from a variety of disciplines will work at the Hub at the outset. The number of digitalisation experts is expected to reach 300 by the year 2022. The key target areas for the Hub are urban infrastructure, advanced manufacturing and healthcare.

To mark the launch of the Siemens Digitalization Hub, three collaboration agreements were signed with Singapore partners. Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) will partner with Siemens to create and showcase data-driven innovations for urban infrastructure, such as innovative mobility solutions based on self-driving vehicles, and advanced data analytics for optimising the performance of green buildings.

SP Group will collaborate with Siemens to build a next-generation energy management software platform for SP’s 24/7 control centres, to enable more robust planning, surveillance and predictive maintenance of Singapore’s electricity network. They will also create a multi-energy urban micro grid solution to help consumers save energy and cost.

The electronics arm of Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd, a leading technology, engineering and defence group; Singapore Technologies Electronics Limited (ST Electronics), and Siemens signed a partnership agreement to co-create and proactively market innovative digital use cases in the field of transportation (roads, harbours, airports and mass transit). The focus is on applications and solutions for connectivity, cyber security, data convergence, analytics and contextualisation. These applications will use MindSphere to enable expansion into further market segments.

Laguarda.Low Architects Awarded for Oct Bao’an Waterfront Development

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New York City-based Laguarda.Low Architects has been awarded first prize in an international competition conducted by OCT Group for the design of OCT Bao‘an, a new large-scale planned waterfront development in Shenzhen’s Bao‘an district in China. With stunning views of Qianhai Bay, Laguarda.Low’s master plan and design encompasses a 128-acre site and creates dynamic spaces for business, retail and entertainment.

As both Master Planner and Master Architect for the project, and in collaboration with renowned landscape design firm SWA, the Laguarda.Low Architects’ design integrates nature, recreation and culture into a new urban setting. The site is divided into four primary zones, connected by pedestrian paths, integrated waterscapes, and landscaped promenades. The four zones include a new Urban Business District, a multi-level Retail Park, a Culture Heritage Park and a Book Market.

“We are very proud to have been selected to design such a dynamic development that will incorporate the Laguarda.Low vision for this location,” states John Low, Principal of Laguarda.Low. “OCT Bao’an is an outstanding development and we’re confident that this project will complement the evolving neighbourhood in one of China’s most important cities.”

Laguarda.Low’s plan positions a multi-level retail village at the centre of the site, surrounded by four residential towers to the northeast; three office towers to the southeast; a hotel to the south; an indoor mall to the west; and a new performance hall and an exhibition facility to the north, across from the city’s green belt. A central loop connects the various zones and provides access to parking below.

At the south end of the site, the Urban Business District includes seven 13-storey office buildings and a 13-storey hotel. The tiered glass structures feature landscaped terraces and green roofs that collect rainwater and limit solar heat gain. The office buildings serve as a captivating backdrop to the waterfront development and frame the sloping, landscaped-formed retail park to the east, providing direct access to the waterfront. Large domed skylights merge the line between indoor and outdoor spaces. The four-story design elevates the traditional shopping experience with expansive natural light, dynamic circulation and expansive green spaces.

At the north end of the site, the Cultural Heritage Park provides numerous options for leisure and entertainment, including a retail centre and pedestrian paths leading to an open-air plaza and a performing arts centre next door. Water serves as a key element of the design by separating the various aquatic activities and creating a sense of discovery among spaces where visitors can explore the waterfront promenade and excursion boats, as well as a new Cultural Heritage Centre, X Sports Park, playground, food and beverage garden, and performance amphitheatre.

The Book Market is situated on the eastern parcel of the site, adjacent to a new library and youth centre. The subterranean space houses a multi-level bookstore and food hall with direct connections to the subway and the neighbouring youth facilities. Above the structure is a landscaped park that surrounds a dramatic skylight and space to appreciate the natural beauty and tranquillity of the outdoors.

“Our firm is honoured to again be working with OCT Group, and add to their impressive roster of 21st century developments,” said Pablo Laguarda, Principal of Laguarda.Low. “We are dedicated to contributing the highest quality design to Shenzhen’s growing business and entertainment districts, and OCT Bao’an will showcase our shared passion for design that does the utmost to enhance the surrounding environment.”

The spectacular waterfront site sits 13 miles west of Shenzhen’s city center and is less than an hour drive from Hong Kong. The development also includes two subway stations on Shenzhen’s Huangzhong Line (Line 5), making the area prime for development.

BEX Ramps Up 10th Anniversary Edition With Sustainability Focus

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BEX Asia is set to welcome international visitors this September. Image courtesy of www.facebook.com/BEXAsia

Build Eco Xpo (BEX) Asia, Southeast Asia’s leading trade exhibition for the green building market, is set to welcome international visitors this September. Paving the future for a greener, sustainable living, the event will be held in conjunction with Mostra Convegno Expocomfort (MCE) Asia, a regional HVAC-R, water and energy exhibition, and the International Green Building Conference (IGBC), at Marina Bay Sands from 12 to 14 September 2017.

According to the UN, half of Southeast Asia’s population will be urban residents by 2018. Cities account for 60 to 80 percent of energy consumption and generate more than 70 per cent of the human-induced greenhouse gas emissions. Shining the light on the latest solutions for building developers and managers, BEX Asia 2017 and its co-located event, MCE Asia, are expected to play host to over 450 exhibiting companies internationally and attract over 12,000 visitors across the region.

Promising an all-rounded experience for participants, BEX and MCE Asia will feature complementary seminars that will offer a mix of perspectives to support knowledge building and exchange and inspire innovation in the industry.

“Increasing awareness of the repercussions of climate change and translating this to action is key in the fight against climate change. For 10 years, our goal has been to inspire the industry to innovate and increase adoption of sustainable practices and technology in their projects. The 10th anniversary edition of BEX Asia brings all industry stakeholders together for a meaningful conversation on driving the region’s sustainability agenda in the next ten years,” commented Ms. Louise Chua, Project Director of BEX Asia at Reed Exhibitions.

New features continue to be added as BEX Asia evolves to keep pace with the industry. The 2017 edition will feature BEX-MCE Green Trails, a specially curated site tour designed to provide a deeper experiential understanding of green building practices and infrastructure in Singapore. The tour will take visitors to outstanding Green Mark Platinum buildings in Singapore, including BCA Skylab, CapitaGreen, Mapletree Business City and United World College Southeast Asia.

Endorsing Change for a Sustainable Future
This year, BEX Asia looks ahead to push forth a change in mindset to accelerate Southeast Asia’s green building developments. For the first time, the use of cutting-edge technology such as virtual reality (VR) in building design and construction will be featured to encourage designers, developers and contractors to incorporate these tools in their future projects. With demos and VR games from AAF International Asia- Pacific, Resource Data Management Asia and Nanyang Polytechnic, visitors will be able to experience building functions in a fun and engaging way.

Topics such as sustainability in interior design, intelligent green buildings, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for intuitive and smart buildings will also be key discussion areas at the event. Visitors can look forward to the Smart Web feature area that will showcase the latest technologies from Azbil Singapore, Creston and Synergix, designed to accelerate automation amidst technological advancements such as the Internet of Things. The area will feature intelligent solutions such as building and lighting controls, HVAC optimization, access & security controls and electrical network controls that provide actionable insights to help drive better building efficiency.

Visitors at BEX Asia 2017 should also look out for an installation by G3 that leads the trend in smart buildings. Set within the exhibition floor will be the ‘FINCH’, a smart living space that is modular, relocatable and sustainable. Fabricated using cross-laminated timber (CLT), FINCH is adaptable and future-proof. It can be interconnected and stacked, creating limitless options for living and working spaces in any environment.

Cementing BEX Asia’s position as a leading industry platform for innovations solutions, more than 193 exhibitors have already agreed to participate at BEX Asia 2017, including top names such as AAF, AGC, Ariston, Azbil, Big Ass Fans, Belimo, Camfil, Crestron, ebm-papst, Kansai, Nippon, Parex, Reflex Winkelmann GmbH, ST Electronics, SMARDT, and Waldmann.

Driving Towards Net Zero Energy Building (NZEB)
MCE Asia, the Asian edition of Mostra Convegno Expocomfort (MCE), Europe’s longest running trade exhibition for environmentally friendly comfort technology, is set to open its doors for the third year running.

BEX and MCE Asia will feature complementary seminars. Image courtesy of www.facebook.com/BEXAsia

Contributing to the region’s green building agenda, MCE Asia will see top names such as ebm-papst Southeast Asia, AGC Asia and Reflex Winkelmann GmbH returning to showcase their latest innovations focusing on energy, efficiency for heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and ventilation. These household names will be joined by first time exhibitors such as AAF Singapore, Kyung Dong Industrial and Yanmar Asia, with an array of solutions that represent next-generation fittings, fixtures and controls for sustainable buildings of the future.

Specially for HVAC-R and plumbing contractors, engineers, consultants, facilities managers and owners, MCE Asia will deep dive into topics such as air and water sustainability in healthcare and ways to design and manage energy-efficient buildings. The event also incorporates pavilions representing Canada, China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Netherlands among others, bringing delegates closer to the opportunities and innovations in these markets.

BuildTech Yangon Synergises Green Network Development in Myanmar

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The 4th edition of BuildTech Yangon concluded on 20 May 2017 after three days of industry discussions, international dialogues, commercial engagements and knowledge sharing in Myanmar. Organised by Sphere Exhibits, a subsidiary of Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) and co-organised by the Myanmar Construction Entrepreneurs Association (MCEA), BuildTech Yangon 2017 is the leading industry event focusing on the value chain for the build environment sector in Myanmar.

Graced by the Guest of Honour, U Zaw Aye Maung, Minister of Ethnic Affairs, Ministry Yangon Region Government, BuildTech Yangon 2017 focused on green buildings, key solutions and technologies, redefining Myanmar’s building and construction sector. Attended by high profile delegates, dignitaries and key decision makers, the event took a focused approach in addressing key policies in the country’s city development.

Advancing the Green Building Network in Myanmar
A highlight this year was the inaugural Green Building Conference, an innovative two- day event designed to help nurture sustainable and green development whilst fostering the formation of a National Green Building Council in Myanmar.

The World Green Building Council (WGBC) participated in BuildTech Yangon for the first time this year, supported by the Singapore Green Building Council, the country’s representative to the eminent international group. WGBC held several meetings with local industry associations to discuss the development and nurturing of Myanmar’s green building movement.

Delegates to the Green Building Conference had access to sessions on a range of topics that included cases studies on recent green projects and introductions to green buildings and green architecture. Panel discussions with a wide range of experts on the topics of Regulations, Certifications & Policies Building and Housing adapted to Climate Change and Innovative Solutions towards a Greener Yangon were well received.

Dr. Swe Swe Aye, Chairman of the Green Building Committee, Building Engineers Institute of Myanmar and co-organiser of the Green Building Conference, said: “The inaugural Green Building Conference was a tremendous success, and we are thankful for the experts in green building construction who took time from their busy schedules. The Green Building Committee and Building Engineering Institute welcome the opportunity to be able to collaborate closely with local and regional green building experts and authorities in the region.”

Delegates and visitors also saw the latest in green technologies and sustainable and energy efficient solutions at the Green Pavilion. Participating companies from China, India, Italy, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand showcased a wide array of innovative products, solutions, and materials on the trade floor.

Mr. Ryo Lau K.S, Sales Engineer of Master Wire Cable Sdn Bhd said, “As a Malaysian company that has taken the plunge to explore opportunities, we have identified a gap in the manufacturing and supply of cables in Myanmar. There is a vast potential in Yangon as the city expands its infrastructure and building construction capabilities and needs. We are happy to have obtained good sales leads at the trade show.”

Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding between the Myanmar Construction Entrepreneurs Association (MCEA) and the Singapore Institute of Building Limited (SIBL) was renewed to further extend their collaboration in advancing the industry. I&H Engineering Co., a joint venture between the Myanmar Ministry of Construction and I&H Asia Pacific, launched their new factory located just outside of Yangon, while trade missions from across the region held closed-door networking sessions.

Championing Industry Leaders
Mg Mya Hnin Bi from THS Construction was the winner of this year’s highly anticipated brick laying competition, which featured a live assembly of a set prototype of a model building. The national competition saw 20 companies competing to win the accolades, and spurring improvements in brick layer techniques and skillsets in the local construction sector.

The objective of this national competition aimed to increase the skill level of workers in the industry as well as to incentivise award winners to further their skills in similar international brick laying competitions. Brick laying is an important and essential skill that is much-needed in the construction industry. Competitions such as this will encourage workers to sign up to bricklaying courses in Myanmar’s effort to stay ahead.

Some 1,000 guests also came together for the MCEA annual gala which took place on 19 May 2017. Awards, jointly presented by MCEA and Sphere Exhibits, were given to young construction entrepreneurs for their exemplary contributions to the industry and community. They included Diamond, Gold and Silver Awards for the Best Contractors and Best Projects, and individual accolades for MCEA’s Man of the Year and the Builder of the Year Award.

For more information, visit www.btyangon.com/en.

14th Guangzhou Electrical Building Technology Opened With Strong Support

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The Guangzhou Electrical Building Technology fair held its 14th edition from 9 to 12 June, 2017 in the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Guangzhou. The fair hosted over 180 industry-leading suppliers from around the world and drew attention from notable industry associations and enterprises, and hosted renowned exhibitors such as include Auguan, Bittel, Canall, CATO, OUCHUANGYUAN, Panasonic, povos, Power2control, Xiaomei, S&B, Seyoung, Szsaw, Tender, T-Touching, Vanhi, wintom and many more.

These brands showcased their latest technologies and solutions for the electrical engineering, intelligent building and smart home markets. The four-day event attracted a diverse range of professional visitors, including system integrators, architects, designers, engineers and end-users.

A key highlight of the 2017 fair was the full schedule of reputable events welcoming influential speakers from the industry to deliver important insights. Backed by numerous industry associations, the fair had more than 13 seminars evolving around two themes: intelligent building and smart home standards, and intelligent buildings, smart homes and smart hotels.

Supported by well-known domestic and overseas standards organisations, the Guangzhou Electrical Building Technology fair brought back popular forums on intelligent building and smart home standards to share the latest development trends. The forums aimed to enhance communication between different standards and systems, and strengthened the integration of new technologies and Internet of Things (IoT). Participating associations. Some topics discussed include Bluetooth 5 and its facilitation in smart home development, EnOcean Batteryless Wireless Technology for Intelligent Buildings and IoT, and much more.

The Guangzhou Electrical Building Technology show, along with the concurrently held Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition, was headed by the biennial Light + Building event. The next edition of Light + Building will take place from 18 to 23 March, 2018 in Frankfurt, Germany. To find out more about GEBT, please click HERE.