Unispace Group has announced Tim Larson, currently Design Principal at its experiential design agency Downstream, will be heading up Unispace’s Asia business. Tim has played an instrumental role in building and establishing the Downstream business, headquartered in Portland USA, over the last 27 years and has delivered work for clients including Microsoft, KPMG and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). He has led the firm’s work in experiential design and user-activated environments, pioneering new approaches in innovation spaces, technology labs, visit centres, retail stores, sports and entertainment venues and public space communication technology.
In his new role as Unispace’s Managing Director, Asia & Chief Creative Officer, based out of Singapore, Tim will focus on accelerating Unispace’s and Downstream’s growth in the region. Global workplace strategy, design, and construction firm Unispace has offices across Asia including Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangalore in India. Asia represents a significant growth market for Unispace Group, and the regional team has delivered workplace projects for clients including Trip Advisor, NielsenIQ, and Vayner Media.
Unispace Group acquired Downstream in 2021; the firm has delivered industry-leading spaces that integrate interactive digital and physical experiences in global tech hubs, flagship retailers, major sports venues, education spaces, and other public and private destination environments around the world.
Steve Quick, Global CEO, Unispace shared: “Tim Larson has been an invaluable asset to Unispace Group – his innovative thinking and dedication have helped shaped Downstream into the thriving global business it is today, delivering exceptional experiences for our clients. Now, as Tim pivots to Managing Director, Unispace and Chief Creative Officer in Asia, we’re excited to witness him spearhead the expansion of the Unispace and Downstream brands within the dynamic Asia market.”
Tim Larson, Unispace Managing Director & Chief Creative Officer, Asia said: “I’m excited about this new chapter within Unispace Group. Asia is a region close to my heart, after having worked closely with clients and colleagues here for several years. It’s a fast-evolving market, where we have seen strong return to office trends. Businesses are also eager to adapt to and learn about the latest workplace trends creating work environments that will accelerate the employee experience and contribute to people and business success.”
At its annual Year in Infrastructure conference, Bentley Systems, Incorporated described 2023 as a “groundbreaking year” for infrastructure intelligence. Citing users’ projects, CEO Greg Bentley highlighted how infrastructure organizations are overcoming the engineering resource capacity gap through infrastructure intelligence strategies. When asked to quantify the engineering hours saved through digital advancements, the Going Digital Awards finalists reported significant median savings of 18%.
Engineering data serves as the foundation and digital twins as the building blocks of infrastructure intelligence. With iTwin Platform, engineering data in Bentley Infrastructure Cloud (ProjectWise for project delivery, SYNCHRO for construction, and AssetWise for asset operations) can be aligned, queried, and managed to increase infrastructure intelligence over the lifecycle of projects and assets. Bentley Systems estimates that the company’s engineering users accumulate at least 100 million new unique digital components per month within their respective ProjectWise environments, teeing up potential infrastructure intelligence benefits across construction, operations, and maintenance. As an indication that digital twins are becoming mainstream, the proportion of Going Digital Awards finalists crediting iTwin has risen to 64% in 2023.
Greg Bentley highlighted multiple infrastructure intelligence strategies that organizations are using to further compound the value of their data, including reusing digital components, integrating subsurface modeling, and incorporating, into evergreen digital twins, operational data from IoT sensors, drones, and even crowdsourcing. He also explained how Going Digital Awards finalists and organizations in Singapore are accelerating their infrastructure intelligence through the use of AI.
Groundbreaking Infrastructure Intelligence in Singapore
In Singapore, the location for the 2023 Year in Infrastructure conference, digital twins are extensively used to optimize decision-making and operations:
PUB, Singapore’s national water agency, is working in collaboration with Bentley Systems on a Singapore National Research Foundation-funded project to develop a new system in detecting and localizing water system anomalies and leaks in near real time. Through a high-fidelity digital twin, AI-based predictive models, and hydraulic network model calibration and simulation, the project could potentially help in improving network resilience and water conservation.
SMRT Trains, the leading multi-modal public transport operator in Singapore, uses AssetWise Linear Analytics software as the basis for its Predictive Decision Support System to prioritize maintenance. The digital twin system has enabled SMRT to meet its service reliability targets by optimizing maintenance deployments.
Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) fully leverages Bentley Systems’ EMME and DYNAMEQ mobility digital twin software for its long-term and short-term planning, including operational traffic models for traffic impact and scheme analysis. This includes using Bentley Systems’ agent-based travel demand model.
The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) is a leader in digital twin adoption. Dr. Victor Khoo, Director of Survey and Geomatics, SLA, joined the Year in Infrastructure conference to discuss Singapore’s national digital twin journey and share how a 0.225-meter accurate nationwide reality mesh from aerial surveying is incorporated with extensive inputs from other mapping datasets to produce a complete digital twin of the city, which is then shared with multiple agencies and research institutes to support Singapore’s sustainability initiatives.
Accelerating Infrastructure Intelligence with Bentley Infrastructure Cloud
Following Greg Bentley’s keynote, Bentley Systems’ product and technology leaders explained how the company’s offerings increasingly help users derive greater infrastructure intelligence from their data.
“Bentley Infrastructure Cloud, including ProjectWise, leverages infrastructure digital twins to unlock data in order to apply AI and accelerate infrastructure intelligence,” said Mike Campbell, Chief Product Officer.
Henry Okraglik, Global Director of Digital, WSP Australia, joined the Year in Infrastructure conference to explain the benefits of becoming data-centric through Bentley Infrastructure Cloud.
“As we’ve digitally matured, we’ve been able to embrace capabilities from Bentley Infrastructure Cloud to improve construction staging and planning, track and export quantity data across project phases, reduce the need for physical site visits, and a lot more,” said Okraglik.
For example, using ProjectWise, SYNCHRO, iTwin, and other Bentley products, WSP was able to reduce modeling time by 60%, increase productivity by 25%, and reduce the carbon footprint by 30% on a rail network project in Melbourne.
Advancing Bentley Open Applications with iTwin
To systematically introduce the benefits of digital twins in the design phase, Campbell announced the addition of iTwin capabilities in Bentley Open Applications, for modeling and simulation, starting with MicroStation. With iTwin capabilities and workflows natively integrated, Bentley Open Applications will be able to automatically create digital twins during the design process, enabling users to collaborate in real-time, evaluate the impact of changes more seamlessly, reduce rework, and expedite infrastructure intelligence.
“Today, digital twins are critical enablers of how infrastructure assets are built and operated. With iTwin-powered capabilities coming to Bentley Open Applications, all our users will also be able to leverage digital twin technology to improve their efficiency and effectiveness during design,” said Campbell.
Generative AI, powered by iTwin
Embracing AI’s potential to accelerate infrastructure intelligence, the company highlighted its existing analytical AI capabilities, powered by iTwin, for asset monitoring, and articulated its multi-faceted approach to generative AI for design. This approach is guided by the company’s commitment to help users gain ever more value from their own engineering data secured in Bentley Infrastructure Cloud – maximizing their potential from generative AI, while also ensuring each account retains explicit access and control.
Julien Moutte, Chief Technology Officer, provided examples of generative AI for infrastructure engineering, beginning with an AI agent assisting engineers in further optimizing site layouts by leveraging designs and data from previous projects. He also showed how generative AI can be applied to minimize time spent on project documentation by automating drawing production with fit-for-purpose annotations.
“We believe iTwin-powered generative AI capabilities will support engineers by augmenting the work they’re already doing. We see iTwin becoming a copilot to support better decision-making, reduce repetitive tasks, and increase design quality. It can help close the engineering resource capacity gap – not only by empowering current engineers to produce more but also by enabling a more rewarding work experience, enticing future engineers to join the community advancing infrastructure,” said Moutte.
RSP Architects Planners & Engineers (Pte) Ltd (RSP), a global multidisciplinary architectural and engineering design group headquartered in Singapore, has announced a bold growth plan with the introduction of a new expertise ecosystem, represented by a revitalised brand identity built on its solid foundation. With close to 70 years of experience, RSP has seen itself building alongside Singapore for wide-ranging projects from Jewel Changi Airport to Funan, constantly evolving with their customers to meet their ever-changing needs.
Putting forth purposeful design solutions that harness the firm’s multi-disciplinary experience, RSP’s goal is to create meaningful spaces where design solves the real needs of humanity. Guest-of-Honour Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development, graced the unveiling of the new RSP brand, which was in conjunction with the inauguration of the firm’s new office space.
Welcoming Visionary Leadership
Newly appointed Chairman of RSP Singapore, Mr Kiat Lim, shared how RSP aims to make a purposeful impact on the built environment with innovation and sustainability at the forefront. “Globally, the built environment is radically shifting. To meet changing consumer needs that are increasingly more environmentally conscious, community-minded and extending from the physical to virtual realms, architectural design is no longer just about building spaces, but designing for sustainability, experiences and in the digital world,” said Mr Lim.
RSP also established the RSP Global Design Council, comprising top designers from RSP’s 17 design hubs worldwide. Recognising the transformative power of design on a global scale, this council is dedicated to marrying local culture with global expertise in the firm’s design sensibilities by delving into the essence of local culture, understanding how people interact within spaces, and leveraging architecture to tell captivating stories.
“As a forward-looking company, we are committed to going beyond the expected to design spaces. Humanity-centred design at RSP is an approach that focuses on people’s needs not as individuals but as societies with complex, deep-rooted problems. When we design a space, we look at the entire environment and how the space should exist and relate. We deeply consider the people, communities and environment that inhabit them,” added Mr Lim.
Creating innovative and environmentally friendly design for humanity
RSP places people, communities, and the environment at the core of architectural design. It has evolved to address changing consumer needs that now emphasise environmental consciousness and community engagement, and extends from the physical to the digital domain. RSP will be rolling out a series of business initiatives to address the radically shifting built environment.
The firm champions environmentally aware design with the launch of its sustainability studio RSP.SM Energy group, advocating for the importance of sustainability and minimising carbon footprints. Led by Suen Wee Kwok, Executive Director at RSP Singapore, together with RSP’s engineering arm Squire Mech (SM), the launch of this studio is in tandem with Singapore’s goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, strengthening efforts actively contributing to the reduction of Singapore’s carbon emissions and energy usage by implementing Asset Enhancement Initiatives (AEI).
RSP also prides itself in its design innovation; the new RSP Lifestyle group brings meaning to better design, pushing boundaries to tackle complex problems by finding new materials and employing methodologies that foster better spaces. Headed by Law Yoke Foong, Head of Business and Executive Director at RSP Singapore, the first brainchild of RSP Lifestyle is The Sun Bar, a bespoke bar that uses sustainable material samples that form eye-catching skin, in collaboration with Cosentino, a global leader for surfaces.
RSP as a forward-looking and future-ready company
RSP’s success is fuelled by its talented individuals – RSP Academy is a collaborative global effort between RSP’s Singapore and China offices, focusing on highlighting design excellence from an academic perspective. Sonny Chionh will be overseeing the firm’s educational engagement efforts; the aim is to increase recognition of outstanding projects among the public by collaborating with educational institutions worldwide and fostering a greater understanding and appreciation for the Built Environment.
RSP is also exploring contemporary dimensions such as the Metaverse and AI that enable their design expertise to transcend physical spaces. The launch of RSP META – RSP’s first venture into the Metaverse – merges the traditional experience in architecture with digital skills. Collaborating with Pantheon Lab to enhance the end-user experience through AI, RSP leverages their knowledge of spaces to help an improved virtual assistant that will enhance current concierge experiences. RSP also unveiled its updated logo, featuring the new sky-blue brand colour, which exemplifies the brand’s empathetic approach to design and its commitment to delivering thoughtful design for people, communities and the environment.
Transforming BSD City into a smart integrated digital city, Sinar Mas Land has achieved a significant milestone as the company has recently inked a pivotal partnership with Samsung, one of the global top-notch companies and the biggest corporation in South Korea. Through its subsidiary, Samsung C&T Engineering & Construction Group (Samsung C&T-E&C Group), this collaboration aims to drive the development of smart cities in Indonesia.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Michael Widjaja (Group CEO Sinar Mas Land) and Oh Sechul (CEO Samsung C&T-E&C Group), witnessed by Gandi Sulistiyanto (Indonesian Ambassador to Republic of Korea) on 26 September 2023 in Samsung C&T Headquarters in Seoul, South Korea. Both companies plan to bring in integrated collaboration in smart home technology, establishment of urban and IT infrastructure, and application of new renewable energy technology.
CEO Samsung C&T-E&C Group, Oh Sechul said, “Currently, Indonesia is booming with smart city projects, such as capital relocation and new city development. Samsung C&T-E&C Group plans to actively participate in such projects utilizing our smart city-related infrastructure technologies and capabilities.”
Group CEO Sinar Mas Land, Michael Widjaja added, “We set a new bar of smart city development in Indonesia through the BSD City. The governments see it as a benchmark of how they want to build the new capital city. We will bring the technologies in this collaboration into our townships in the Greater Jakarta Area, Batam, Surabaya and Balikpapan, which is close to the Nusantara capital city.”
BSD City has been developed since 1989. Sinar Mas Land transformed the township into an integrated smart digital city. The transformation is unlocked by utilizing technologies and capabilities from global technology companies. More than the high technology application, BSD City and other Sinar Mas Land projects are developed in line with ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) principles. This effort is a part of Sinar Mas Land’s commitment to make sustainable smart cities in Indonesia. BSD City is a township that is complemented with various facilities, infrastructure, and easy access for all residents.
Samsung C&T’s Engineering & Construction Group has more than 40 years of engineering and construction experience operating throughout the world. The group focuses on the following key areas: commercial and residential buildings, civil infrastructure, and plant construction. Its landmark projects include Burj Khalifa in Dubai – the world’s tallest building, and Indonesia Financial Centre 2 in Indonesia. (*)
Lendlease recently announced that it will be partnering with Surbana Jurong as the go-to-market partner to deliver Podium for Development (P4D) – a transformative digital ecosystem that connects developers, designers, and the supply chain, delivering high construction productivity and promoting sustainable building practices.
Traditionally, the design process requires months of detailed design work and engineering before the building can be drawn and documented to capture the full complexity of the design. After the back-and-forth between many parties in the design process, the plans are then tendered to find a builder. Often, a builder may suggest using different materials or components that do not match the exact design intent. This can lead to additional time and money spent on redesigning to accommodate these changes, resulting in wastage.
The inadequate communication and collaboration between stakeholders along the value chain creates design errors which accounted for 38% of construction disputes. Furthermore, only 31% of projects have managed to stay within 10% of their proposed budgets.1 The industry’s annual productivity growth has only increased by 1% over the past 20 years as compared to 2.8% for the total global economy while contributing 40% of the world’s total global greenhouse gas emissions.2
By harnessing design automation algorithms and computational capabilities within an open ecosystem, Lendlease aims to facilitate construction using prefabricated components directly supplied by manufacturers. This approach promotes Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA), which is more productive and sustainable than traditional methods of construction.
Building from Reality
With P4D, Lendlease seeks to collaborate with other developers globally and unify these fragmented nodes in the building process into an open digital platform that accelerates the entire process from design to supply, enabling DfMA. The platform choreographs advanced computational algorithms to match design requirements with the supplier-defined kit-of-parts to generate building designs. These design models automatically account for building specifications under prevailing regulations such as identified land use, height restrictions and other planning parameters for residential, industrial, commercial and eventually, mixed-use development applications.
P4D allows detailed building models to be automatically generated based on a menu of options which include a number of units for residential developments, the desired floor-to-ceiling height and loading limit for industrial applications and even the estimated cost of the project and timeframe. More importantly, it can generate a building based on the optimal components, and fit for purpose from suppliers. This provides confidence early in the design process which ensures greater accuracies and certainties right from the start.
Creating an ecosystem to drive sustainable outcomes for everyone
Lendlease is in advanced negotiations with other developers and building authorities in Singapore and elsewhere on leveraging P4D to design and deliver projects in the future. The partnership with Surbana Jurong seeks to deliver this product – drawing on the rich experience and expertise of the wider Lendlease Digital ecosystem in Singapore, Silicon Valley, Sydney and Milan and support by the Economic Development Board of Singapore (EDB) – to the global built environment sector.
“As an industry, we need to be building better at speed and in scale. Our ambition for P4D is to re-imagine how we create by changing entrenched methodologies and behaviours. This is why we are working with like-minded partners such as Surbana Jurong and inviting other developers and players in the built environment industry to join us in this journey as we promote the best sustainable building practices that can be replicated and benefit other communities globally,” said Bill Ruh, Chief Executive Officer, Lendlease Digital.
“As a multidisciplinary global urban and infrastructure consultancy, Surbana Jurong is heavily vested in smarter ways of designing and engineering that cut costs and time, and optimise precious resources. P4D gives architects, designers and suppliers greater control to drive higher productivity in the built environment sector, as well as net zero and zero waste outcomes at the earliest stages of a project life cycle to reduce embodied carbon levels. We are excited about the prospect of collaborating with multiple project stakeholders on the cloud at the design stage. This is the next big step for the industry to bring Singapore’s Built Environment Industry Transformation Roadmap to life,” added Yeo Choon Chong, ASEAN Chief Executive Officer, Surbana Jurong.
Richard Kuppusamy, Chief Product Officer, Podium also chimed in, saying, “By generating a structural design in 15 to 20 minutes instead of the months involved in design using current methods, P4D leverages what is replicable and repeatable in building design via computational algorithms and AI. With the possibility of 70% of the building design being automated by P4D, human designers can focus their energy and efforts on more complex and subjective aspects of creativity.”
1 KPMG’s report ‘Climbing the curve’.
2 McKinsey Global Institute report – ‘Reinventing construction: A route to higher productivity’.
Bentley Systems, Incorporated the infrastructure engineering software company, recently announced the finalists of the 2023 Going Digital Awards in Infrastructure. The annual awards programme honours the extraordinary work of Bentley software users advancing infrastructure design, construction, and operations throughout the world. Twelve independent jury panels, representing 12 award categories, selected the 36 finalists from over 300 nominations submitted by 235 organisations from 51 countries.
Representatives from the finalists’ organisations presented their projects to a panel of independent judges to determine the winners and meet with global press and industry executives at the 2023 Year in Infrastructure and Going Digital Awards event, which was held at Marina Bay Sands from 11 to 12 October 2023.
Chris Bradshaw, Bentley Systems’ Chief Marketing Officer, said, “We are so excited to be back in Singapore to present the Going Digital Awards finalists in front of our users and those attending virtually, as well as invited press and analysts at the 2023 Year in Infrastructure and Going Digital Awards event. These projects reflect how organisations have improved their workflows by embracing digital technologies to maximize efficiency and cost savings. I congratulate the finalists for advancing infrastructure intelligence by adopting Bentley Infrastructure Cloud, iTwin Platform and products, and Bentley Open Applications and I wish them success on their future projects.”
The finalists in the 2023 Going Digital Awards in Infrastructure were:
Bridges and Tunnels
China Railway Changjiang Transportation Design Group Co., Ltd., Road & Bridge International Co., Ltd., Chongqing Expressway Group Co., Ltd. – Comprehensive Application of BIM-based Digital and Intelligent Design and Construction for the Liaozi Grand Bridge, Chongqing City, China
Collins Engineers, Inc. – Digital Twins and Artificial Intelligence for Historic Robert Street Bridge Rehabilitation, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
WSP Australia Pty Ltd. – Southern Program Alliance, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Construction
Dura Vermeer Infra Landelijke Projecten, Mobilis, Gemeente Amsterdam – Bruggen en Straten Oranje Loper, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Laing O’Rourke – New Everton Stadium Project, Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom
Arcadis – RSAS – Carstairs, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
Mott MacDonald – Standardizing Delivery of Phosphorus Removal Schemes for the UK Water Industry, United Kingdom
Phocaz, Inc. – CAD Assets to GIS – A CLIP Update, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Facilities, Campuses, and Cities
Clarion Housing Group – Twins: Creating a Golden Thread across Digital Estates, London, United Kingdom
Port Authority of New South Wales – Port Authority of New South Wales: A Case Study in Digital Transformation, New South Wales, Australia
vrame Consult GmbH – Siemensstadt Square – Digital Campus Twin in Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Process and Power Generation
MCC Capital Engineering & Research Incorporation Limited – Green and Digital Plant Construction Project of Linyi 2.7 Million Tons of High-Quality Special Steel Base, Linyi, Shandong, China
Shanghai Investigation, Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd. – Digital Asset Management of Hydropower Projects Based on Digital Twins, Liangshan, Yibin, and Zhaotong, Sichuan and Yunnan, China
Shenyang Aluminum & Magnesium Engineering & Research Institute Co., Ltd. – Digital Twin Application Project of Electrolytic Aluminum Engineering of Chinalco China Resources, Lvliang, Shanxi, China
Rail and Transit
AECOM Perunding Sdn Bhd – Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System Link, Malaysia and Singapore
IDOM – Value Engineering Stage for Detailed Design & Supervision of the Rail Baltica Project, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania
Italferr S.p.A. – New High Speed Line Salerno – Reggio Calabria, Battipaglia, Campania, Italy
Roads and Highways
Atkins – I-70 Floyd Hill to Veterans Memorial Tunnels Project, Idaho Springs, Colorado, United States
Hunan Provincial Communications Planning, Survey & Design Institute Co., Ltd. – Hengyang-Yongzhou Expressway in Hunan Province, Hengyang and Yongzhou, Hunan, China
SMEC South Africa – N4 Montrose Interchange, Mbombela, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Structural Engineering
Hyundai Engineering – Automated Design of Civil and Architectural Structures with STAAD API, Seoul, South Korea
L&T Construction – Construction of 318 MLD (70 MGD) Wastewater Treatment Plant at Coronation Pillar, New Delhi, India
RISE Structural Design, Inc. – Dhaka Metro Rail Line 1, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Subsurface Modeling and Analysis
Arcadis – South Dock Bridge, London, United Kingdom
OceanaGold – Validation of Digital Management Tools for OceanaGold’s Waihi Tailings Storage Facility, Waihi, Waikato, New Zealand
Prof. Quick und Kollegen GmbH – Deutsche Bahn Neubaustrecke Gelnhausen – Fulda, Gelnhausen, Hessen, Germany
Surveying and Monitoring
Avineon India P Ltd. – Provision of Services on the Generation of CityGML Models of Kowloon East for the Lands Department, Hong Kong SAR, China
Italferr S.p.A. – The Digital Twin for Structural Monitoring of St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
UAB IT logika (DRONETEAM) – DBOX M2, Vilnius, Lithuania
Transmission and Distribution
Elia – Digital Transformation and Connected iTwins in Smart Substation Design, Brussels, Belgium
PowerChina Hubei Electric Engineering Co., Ltd. – Full Life-cycle Digital Application on Xianning Chibi 500kV Substation Project, Xianning, Hubei, China
Qinghai Kexin Electric Power Design Institute Co., Ltd. – 110kV Transmission and Transformation Project in Deerwen, Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, China, Gande County, Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai, China
Water and Wastewater
Geoinfo Services – Achieving Drink from Tap 24×7 Water Supply System for Emerging Economies, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India
L&T Construction – Rajghat Multi Village Rural Water Supply Scheme, Ashok Nagar and Guna, Madhya Pradesh, India
Project Controls Cubed LLC – EchoWater Project, Sacramento, California, United States
Fraser Residence River Promenade, a serviced residence managed by Frasers Hospitality, has officially opened for bookings. Occupying a prime riverfront location by the Singapore River, this serviced residence will set elevated standards in serviced living, incorporating heritage conservation with modern luxury and sustainability features.
Situated on Jiak Kim Street, Fraser Residence River Promenade is part of Frasers Property Singapore’s integrated precinct, located on a rare residential site along the iconic Singapore River. This strategic positioning offers residents a front-row seat to the serene ebb and flow of the river, while enjoying the picturesque city skyline that serves as the backdrop. For residents and visitors alike, the river provides a tranquil escape and serves as a reminder of Singapore’s rich heritage.
Beyond being just a serviced residence, Fraser Residence Promenade is surrounded by an abundance of recreational and lifestyle opportunities. From upscale shopping centres like the Great World Mall to quaint cafes, eateries and nightlife along Robertson Quay, Clarke Quay and Boat Quay,
it is a riverfront neighbourhood with a story to tell in every corner, and further exploration yielding delightful discoveries. One of the prominent attributes of Fraser Residence River Promenade is its impeccable connectivity. A short walk away from Great World and Havelock MRT stations, residents have almost the entirety of downtown Singapore within their easy reach. Destinations like Chinatown offer cultural experiences, while Orchard Road is a stone’s throw away for every shopping enthusiast’s paradise. Additionally, the Central Business District is highly accessible with only a five to 10-minute ride away from the residence, making it convenient for professionals looking to commute to work.
Embracing waterfront living
Fraser Residence River Promenade offers breathtaking views of the Singapore River and the cityscape beyond. Apart from these immediate views, the area around Fraser Residence River Promenade is lush with green spaces, parks, and trails, including Kim Seng Park and Fort Canning Park. These spaces offer residents a chance to escape the urban jungle and reconnect with nature. Whether it is a morning jog, a leisurely evening walk, or a weekend family outing, the abundance of outdoor nature spots ensures there is something for everyone.
Central to the residence’s design is the outdoor swimming pool, a haven amidst the urban landscape. Residents can soak in the sights, sounds, and rhythms of the city while being cocooned in a serene aquatic environment. Residing alongside the river has its advantages, a variety of recreational and lifestyle activities being one of them. From waterfront dining to scenic boat rides, residents can make the most of their river
locale.
CEO of Frasers Hospitality, Ms Eu Chin Fen, said: “Fraser Residence River Promenade exemplifies our distinctive brand, blending luxury, historical charm, and environmental responsibility with contemporary serviced living. Combining conservation with exceptional design and functionality, this riverfront property showcases the finest aspects of what we deliver to our guests.”
Fraser Residence River Promenade is part of Frasers Property Singapore’s integrated precinct comprising the luxurious residential development, Rivière, and three conserved warehouses with lifestyle offerings.
Ms Soon Su Lin, CEO of Frasers Property Singapore, said: “We’re excited to play a role in enhancing the vibrancy of the Singapore River with our integrated precinct that aims to offer inspiring spaces for the community to live, work, and play. Following the completion of our residential development Rivière earlier this year, we are pleased to work with Frasers Hospitality to offer the Group’s sixth serviced residence in Singapore. This includes converting one of the conserved warehouses into The Living Room, a welcoming space for the serviced residence. We look forward to unveiling the lifestyle offerings at the warehouses early next year.”
A commitment to eco-conscious living
Managed by Frasers Hospitality, Fraser Residence River Promenade will house 72 meticulously designed apartments, with unit sizes ranging from 258 sq ft to 516 sq ft. Its location at Jiak Kim Street is the former site of three historic warehouses, originally built in 1919 as storage spaces that supported Singapore’s entrepot trade. The warehouses were later home to the iconic nightclub Zouk. The residence provides unparalleled access to recreational hotspots and efficient public transport, with sweeping views of the Singapore River and the cityscape, all while maintaining a commitment to eco-conscious living. Aligned with Frasers Hospitality’s commitment to providing sustainable living experiences for guests, Fraser Residence River Promenade has eco-friendly offerings and integrates intelligent building management systems.
The residence is certified Green Mark GoldPLUS by the Singapore Building and Construction Authority for its robust sustainability features. The residence features a high-performance façade and double-glazed laminated glass for energy efficiency, with urban heat island mitigation materials covering 64 per cent of the site. The residence also boasts centralised air-conditioning systems and lighting surpassing the Singapore Standard SS530 by 65 per cent. Other features include energy-conserving elevators and filtered and sparkling water taps. To optimise energy consumption, each apartment is equipped with smart room technology, including the Building Management System and master switch controls. Additional carbon footprint-reducing initiatives include the provision of bicycles for guests to explore the vibrant neighbourhood.
Fraser Residence River Promenade is a testament to the possibility of coexisting harmoniously with nature while ensuring a high standard of living. Meticulously designed by the award-winning SCDA Architects, every facet of the residence reflects thoughtful planning that prioritises the environment. The residence’s achievement of the prestigious BCA Green Mark GoldPLUS certification further underscores its unwavering commitment to sustainability and eco-conscious practices. The level of dedication to green practices is evident in the property’s everyday operations and structural features. It is infused with innovative technological solutions aimed at reducing its carbon footprint. From architectural features that promote natural ventilation and lighting to systems that minimise energy consumption and water usage, every decision has been tailored to ensure an eco-friendly environment. At Fraser Residence River Promenade, these practices enhance the resident experience, providing both comfort and peace of mind that comes from knowing that we respect and value the environment.
Where heritage meets comfort
Guests will also be able to enjoy the development’s state-of-the-art amenities. These include a well-equipped gymnasium, an outdoor swimming pool, and complimentary access to The Living Room within one of the conserved warehouses. The Living Room provides a communal space for residents to relax and connect, with a selection of complimentary amenities inclusive of daily breakfast, local snacks, and an extensive array of beverages and evening cocktails. Fraser Residence River Promenade is also a pet-friendly property.
Fraser Residence River Promenade stands as a vivid example of the seamless blend of historical relevance and contemporary design. The site hosts three conservation warehouses dating back to 1919, which have been thoughtfully integrated into the modern framework of the development. These warehouses, relics of the early 20th century, have witnessed Singapore’s metamorphosis from a bustling trading post to the modern metropolis it is today. These warehouses were also home to the former Zouk, the iconic nightlife entertainment that holds a special place in the hearts of many millennials in the region. The conservation warehouses will now offer various lifestyle services to provide residences with a holistic living experience. In reimagining these spaces within the new development, Fraser Residence River Promenade offers a rare glimpse into the past. The result is a residence that offers its inhabitants a deep sense of historical connection while catering to today’s urban comforts.
While historical charm is a significant draw, the residence ensures that modern-day comforts are at the forefront. Each apartment boasts state-of-the-art amenities, such as smart room technology with wireless chargers and control panels, smart TVs with casting technology that can stream personal
favourite sites like Netflix, complemented by Bang & Olufsen Bluetooth speakers, and well-equipped kitchenettes with premium water filter taps. Even the bathrooms exude luxury, fitted with Dyson Supersonic hair dryers rain showers, and bidet seats. Beyond the individual apartments, Fraser
Residence River Promenade does not skimp on leisure amenities. Residents have access to a 24/7 well-equipped gymnasium for their fitness needs.
Post-workout or as a daily indulgence, they can take a dip in the outdoor swimming pool, which serves as a serene oasis in the heart of the city.
Additionally, the residence boasts The Living Room, a hub for residents to mingle and share stories while treating residents to complimentary
offerings, ranging from a delightful breakfast and local snacks to a vast selection of beverages and evening cocktails.
Opening Special
From 27 September to 1 December 2023, Fraser Residence River Promenade is offering an opening special with exclusive perks, including complimentary breakfast, all-day snacks, happy hour, early check-in at 10am / extended check-out at 4pm (subject to availability). Interested guests can make bookings directly at the official Fraser Residence River Promenade website, using promo code “OPS” to claim this exclusive offer. To enjoy Fraser World privileges, including access to Members Only promotions, click here to sign up for free as a Fraser World member.
Bold visions for the future of Singapore’s mature industrial estates have emerged from JTC’s “Reimagining Singapore’s Industrial Landscape” ideas competition. The initiative invited architectural, planning, and design professionals to submit innovative blue-sky ideas for the Yishun and Kallang-Kolam Ayer industrial estates, with the goal of transforming them into sustainable and vibrant communities. The proposals comprised a range of cutting-edge approaches to urban planning and design, offering a glimpse into the exciting possibilities to meet the evolving needs of a more sustainable manufacturing landscape.
Optimisation through multi-functional spaces
Characterised by predominantly single-use and low-density developments, both Yishun and Kallang-Kolam Ayer estates present opportunities for space optimisation and enhancements through the integration of industrial and non-industrial uses. New mixed-use urban models, building typologies and modular developments were proposed to create vibrant manufacturing landscapes as attractive work environments for young talents.
The proposal for transparent factories would allow the public to be able to have a more immersive visitor experience viewing labs and production facilities first-hand and also serve as an avenue to promote industrial tourism. Assessing the potential of such models and typologies serves as a pertinent step towards creating more sustainable and vibrant workspaces that meet the needs of Singapore’s growing population while also addressing the pressing issue of land scarcity.
Planning for the future of industry and manufacturing
As industrialists increasingly adopt robotics, automation and digitalisation, it presents an exciting opportunity to explore new planning paradigms that help JTC’s estates remain adaptive to emerging trends and future technologies. The ideas explored how Yishun and Kallang-Kolam Ayer industrial estates could adopt the concepts and principles of Industry 4.0 and 5.0 by better synergising human and machine work ecosystems. This included integrating technologies such as autonomous goods vehicles and sensor-laden collaborative robots that can work alongside humans to create more efficient and sustainable production processes in the estates.
Repurposing industrial buildings for new use
The adaptive reuse of existing industrial buildings presents a sustainable alternative to demolition and new construction as it can reduce waste and conserve resources. It also preserves the heritage of the estate while integrating it with the larger community. Several proposals explored the repurposing of key buildings that exhibit cultural and historical values. For example, in Yishun, the existing row of JTC’s flatted factories facing Sungei Simpang Kiri has been identified for rejuvenation and repurposed as a riverfront SOHO. Another proposal explored the transformation of JTC’s Terraced Factories at Kallang Way 5 into an ‘Innovation Ground’, a co-working and co-living space for the community.
Activating green and blue networks
As a fundamental pillar of JTC’s work, sustainability is a crucial consideration in the development of each estate. Building on the existing waterways, the proposals present ways to activate the area’s green and blue networks to seamlessly connect the industrial estates with the surrounding residential neighbourhoods. The competition also served to explore ways to enhance biodiversity and harmonise nature with urban infrastructure.
These networks incorporate urban greening strategies, biophilic building designs, and leveraging the waterways including Kallang River, Pelton Canal, and Sungei Simpang Kiri for recreation and as an alternative mode of transport. The integration of green and blue networks can provide a range of benefits, including improving air quality, promoting biodiversity, and mitigating the Urban Heat Island Effect for the community.
Ms Tang Hsiao Ling, Director of Urban Planning & Architecture Division, JTC, said, “With Singapore’s limited land, it is critical for JTC to continuously look at new ways to optimise industrial land. In master planning industrial estates, we also need to ensure the planning and development of such infrastructure remain agile and sustainable over the long haul while marrying the needs of different industries and their surrounding communities. The bold concepts put forth for Yishun and Kallang-Kolam Ayer industrial estates are inspiring in envisioning how the future of mature industrial estates may look like. These are places where urban ecosystem melds with nature, where businesses unite for synergised growth, and where people forge connections that ignite innovation and a sense of community.”
A total of 26 proposals were submitted for the competition, out of which seven were shortlisted. JTC will review proposals received from the competition and identify suitable ideas to help in the future planning of Yishun and Kallang-Kolam Ayer, as well as other mature industrial estates in Singapore.
Proposals for ‘Reimagining Singapore’s Industrial Landscape’ Ideas
Competition 1. Optimisation through multi-functional spaces
Broadway Malyan’s “Singapore Makers Land” explores the introduction of transparent factories, where the ground floor spaces of industrial developments are made more porous to engage the public. Showrooms and product galleries offer a more immersive visitor experience, allowing the public to interact with innovative production processes and even customise their own designs and products. On top of the factory, large greenery public spaces are introduced to bring public interaction closer to the buildings to promote better integration of spaces.
Planning for the future of industry and manufacturing
In Broadway Malyan’s “Singapore Makers Land” ” the Summit is a unique space where humans and robots interact seamlessly, with machinery being just as much of an inhabitant as the workers around which the factory is designed. Utilising automation, these robots complement human operations and act as a ‘tag team’, enabling the Kallang-Kolam Ayer industrial estate to be transformed to cater to high-tech industries.
Repurposing industrial buildings for new use
Arup’s “The Intersections” explores the adaptive reuse of existing developments along Sungei Simpang Kiri, including the row of JTC’s flatted factories, by repurposing them from industrial use to residential. The adaption will involve changes to the structural works of the existing development in stages, as well as extensions along the canal to be developed into a riverfront SOHO.
Activation of green and blue networks
“The Intersections” by Arup explores the activation of an extensive green and blue network that connects the Yishun industrial estate to surrounding neighbourhoods. The aim is to create an attractive ‘industry in nature’ that is ready for climate change. Here, urban greening plays a crucial role in achieving this goal, not only by creating a vibrant green neighbourhood but also by mitigating the heat generated in the estate. Sungei Simpang Kiri is enhanced through the addition of elements such as bridges, extended boardwalks, paths, and a cycle track. The canal is transformed into a mix of tranquil and lively spaces suitable for all types of activities and uses.
In WOHA’s “River, Island, Jungle”, 50% of land in the Kallang-Kolam Ayer industrial estate is set aside to integrate as much greenery into the estate as possible on the ground, mid-level and roof level, thereby bringing forest strata and biodiversity vertically upward. The urban massing is designed in response to nature’s ways, incorporating the forest floor, understorey layer, canopy layer, and emergent layers, each with its own rich biodiversity. The proposal also explores the use of water transportation as part of Singapore’s future mobility networks, with a W-line network for water-based personal mobility devices, water ferries, and taxis that run through the entire estate.
Blue-sky Ideas for Rejuvenating Mature Estates
To explore ways to optimise land, create new spaces for growth industries, and devise conducive work environments, JTC called for a Request for Proposal and invited local and international design professionals to submit concept proposals for the rejuvenation of two mature industrial estates: Yishun and Kallang-Kolam Ayer. This exhibition showcases the exciting blue-sky ideas that reimagine what manufacturing in a city can be. The ideas present different visions and strategies for brownfield redevelopment and the benefits it brings, including improved connectivity within the estates, injection of street life vibrancy, more greenery and biodiversity reintroduced into the urban fabric, as well as the creation of spaces that foster a sense of community.
Grundfos, Salling Group and Nykredit were finalists for the Climate Impact Award, which was awarded on the basis of, among other things, goals, ambitions and documented results. Between inspiring presentations and heated debates, winners of this year’s awards were announced when the Sustainability Awards were held by the Danish Chamber of Commerce and EY on 14 September 2023.
The Climate Impact Award was among the awards presented in the Stock Exchange Hall, which was filled to the last row of chairs. The winner of the Climate Impact Award was selected by an independent jury that assessed eight nominated companies based on a number of criteria. Out of the eight nominees, three finalists were selected:
Grundfos
Salling Group
Nykredit
And so it was Grundfos that came out on top. The Climate Impact Award is an award given to a company that has particularly ambitious goals and actions in its work on climate change, says Jan C. Olsen, CEO of EY in Denmark.
“With the Climate Impact Award, the focus is on companies that are already doing well but want even more. For example, by introducing new initiatives that can inspire and set new standards. It is therefore about clear impact, and the criteria for the award are tough, so solid results must be shown that support ambitions and goals. The independent jury found Grundfos to be a good example of this.”
The value of lifting together
Among other things, the jury justified the choice of Grundfos with their solid results and a complete plan for net zero. The jury also highlighted Grundfos’ partnerships to find solutions to, for example, more climate-friendly production.
“This year’s winner of the Climate Impact Award is very ambitious and at the same time understands the value of pulling together. Many exciting initiatives can be highlighted, and at the same time, Grundfos also has a global impact across the value chain. They go beyond the country’s borders – with positive impact and change,” says Brian Mikkelsen, CEO of the Danish Chamber of Commerce.
Mikael Geday, Group Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer at Grundfos, says: “Making a positive impact on the world’s water and climate challenges is deeply rooted in our business. Thanks to strong collaboration across Grundfos, our Science-Based Targets were approved last year, and we have already, in 2023, allocated DKK 150 million to support initiatives that will enable the realisation of our 2050 Net Zero target. We are immensely proud of the recognition it is to receive the Climate Impact Award for this work.”
Eco Expo Asia 2023 will be held at the AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong from 26 – 29 October 2023, with online business matching services “Click2Match” available from 19 October to 6 November. The exhibition will bring together leaders from Mainland Chinese regions and overseas, with new pavilions for Jiangsu and Hunan provinces, the cities of Shanghai and Zhongshan, the Macao SAR as well as a debut hydrogen pavilion from Hong Kong. These new additions come alongside returning pavilions from Japan, Canada, Hong Kong, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, presenting solutions to the most imminent global climate issues.
Under the theme of “Taking the Leap towards Carbon Neutrality”, the show aims to gather prominent figures from Mainland China and the global environmental industry to promote concepts such as carbon reduction, the circular economy and new energy. This is with the ultimate goal of transforming Hong Kong into an international hub for green technology and finance. In addition to the returning exhibition groups from Canada and Japan, several new groups from Mainland China will mark their debut participation.
Strong support of the Greater Bay Area
Eco Expo Asia has gathered strong support from the Greater Bay Area, with the participation of the new Macao SAR and Zhongshan pavilions, as well as a hydrogen pavilion composed of Hong Kong companies. This, with the return of the Guangzhou and Shenzhen pavilions, will help to reinstate the role of Hong Kong as a catalyst in facilitating inter-cooperation within this thriving megalopolis. Recently the Legislative Council Panel on Environmental Affairs and the Environment and Ecology Bureau visited Guangzhou and Shenzhen in a bid to pursue talks to establish a “Zero Waste Bay Area” for Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. The presence of these pavilions, together with many other waste management companies, will make this edition an ideal platform to discuss ongoing developments in this area.
Participation from various Mainland Chinese provinces and cities
Other new pavilions from Mainland China include those from Jiangsu and Hunan provinces, as well as the city of Shanghai. Jiangsu province in East China is well represented in renewable energy, registering over one million green electricity certificates this year, each representing 1,000 kilowatt hours of green energy. Hunan province meanwhile contains robust supply chains for green hydrogen, particularly in the cities of Zhuzhou and Changde. The city of Shanghai meanwhile frequently experiments with green initiatives, including the green credits scheme rolled out earlier this year as well as the recent announcement to launch an electric cruise ship on the Huangpu River. Eco Expo Asia 2023 will further explore these topic areas, with leading players in renewable energy, hydrogen, green finance and more all taking part in this year’s show.
Global green industry leaders unite at Eco Expo Asia 2023
Eco Expo Asia also attracts the leading players in green industries from around the world, with confirmed participation this year from 11 countries and regions including Austria, Canada, Finland, Hong Kong, Japan, Macao, Mainland China, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan and the USA. Several big names including Alba, Baguio, China Everbright Environment, GMI Motors, Grander Technology, Huawei International, Wallbox and Wisdom Motors will be present at the fairground in October.
Eco Expo Asia 2023 will take place from 26 – 29 October 2023 at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong, with the online matching service “Click2Match” available from 19 October to 6 November 2023. The show will once again be jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd and co-organised by the Environment and Ecology Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
