News Archives

Cosentino Announces Dekton® Ukiyo Fluted Collection with Designer Claudia Afshar

20 November, 2023/in News /by Editor

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Cosentino, the global leader company in the production of sustainable surfaces for architecture and design, announces Dekton® Ukiyo, a new textured collection that features linear fluting and offers liveable luxury with the durability of Dekton®. Created in collaboration with the internationally recognised high-end interior and product designer, USA-based Claudia Afshar, the collection is available in ready-to-install fluted tiles, one of the first offerings of its kind in the industry. Its textures bring distinctive depth and dimension to any space, be it residential or commercial.

Dekton® Ukiyo is inspired by Japanese and contemporary design and celebrates the art of minimalism and embracing the present. Ukiyo in Japanese means to “live in the moment” and the Dekton® collection is designed to awaken the senses and evoke a feeling of wellness by achieving a beautiful, calm state in the space. It embodies a rich palette of sensations, showcasing a geometric yet smooth structure that creates harmonious designs both inside and outside.

“Playing with texture is timeless, and it is so important in all materials, not just fabric,” said Claudia Afshar. “I have always been inspired by the materials found in nature and making the spaces I design as comfortable, warm and authentic as possible. Ukiyo is calming yet simplistic, and the colourways and fluting are romantic, but also contemporary and masculine to achieve balance.”

Specially designed for vertical cladding application, Dekton® Ukiyo will be available in a matte finish and two fluting options: GV2 with groves set 25 mm apart and measuring 5mm wide and 3 mm deep; and GV3 with groves set 11 mm apart and are 4mm wide and deep. Both will come in tile size 17.7 inches by 118 inches (450 mm x 3000 mm). To launch the Ukiyo offering, Afshar hand-selected five existing Dekton® colourways: Bromo, Kreta, Nacre, Umber, and Rem to provide a comprehensive colour palette to work independently and together.

Dekton® products are full life cycle carbon neutral and were selected for the collection due to their sustainable properties and high-performance capabilities. Dekton® Ukiyo is ideal for a virtually limitless range of vertical applications ranging from facades and fireplaces to custom furniture and so much more.

“Every day I strive to think outside the box in order to create something unique, yet special for each project. This collaboration offers just that and I am so thankful to the entire Cosentino team for bringing this collection to the market” said Afshar.

Dekton® Ukiyo Colourways

Bromo offers a dark grey shade, inspired by homogeneous metamorphic rocks such as slate. Subtle, faded graphics, a carefully-created texture and a natural aesthetic define this evocative colour, perfect for any type of environment.
Kreta is inspired by classic cement floors, with calm movement. The design is even and controlled, although it provides darker or lighter areas depending on the density of the pattern. Its matte texture and grey tone combine with any type of material and make it suitable for diverse applications.
Nacre boasts movement that engages all senses – the trowel marks that bring the colour to life, and the subtle interplay of light and shadow that accompanies every inch of the design. The touch delights with a silky finish as the fingers run over the different reliefs and scattered gradients. A pleasure for its high decorative and emotional value.
Umber features a timeless, rebellious colour with its own personality and a special charisma. The terracotta is warm and very attached to the Earth and closely connected to nature.
Rem provides intricate design, with brown and grey veining and hints of gold. Its fine veining under a subtle grain offers the ultimate in natural sensitivity.

The Ukiyo collection is available for viewing at Cosentino City Singapore, located at 5 Straits View, Marina One The Heart (West Tower), #01-16/17, Singapore 018935.

GuocoLand Wins Top Honours at Three Major Award Ceremonies

15 November, 2023/in News, Awards /by Editor

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At The Edge Singapore Billion Dollar Club Awards held recently, GuocoLand Limited was named the Overall Sector Winner for the Real Estate Companies category. The Billion Dollar Club honours the best and most valuable companies listed on the Singapore Exchange with at least S$1 billion in market capitalisation.

The title of The Edge Singapore Billion Dollar Club’s Overall Sector Winner is awarded to companies based on the following evaluation components:

Returns to shareholders over three years;
Growth in profit after tax over three years;
Weighted return on equity over three years; and
ESG score based on ESG risk rating score as provided by Morningstar Sustainalytics.

In addition, GuocoLand won a total of fourteen awards and took top honours at Singapore’s two major real estate industry awards – including its third consecutive year as Top Developer at the 7th EdgeProp Singapore Excellence Awards 2023 and the Best Developer at the 13th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Singapore) 2023.

GuocoLand’s latest integrated development, Lentor Modern, emerged as one of the biggest winners with a haul of 10 wins across both awards. The development received three wins at the 13th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Singapore) 2023 (“APA 2023”) on 27 October 2023, namely Best Integrated Development, Best Private Condo Development and Best Private Condo Architectural Design. For its commitment to sustainability in the built environment, GuocoLand was also conferred the Special Recognition in Sustainable Design and Construction and Special Recognition in ESG awards for the third year.

At the 7th EdgeProp Singapore Excellence Awards 2023 (“EPEA 2023”) held on 6 October 2023, Lentor Modern clinched seven awards, including Top Development, Landscape Excellence, Design Excellence, Sustainability Excellence, Innovation Excellence, Marketing Excellence, and Showflat Excellence in the Mixed-use (Uncompleted) category.

Mr Cheng Hsing Yao, Group Chief Executive Officer of GuocoLand, said, “In the twin engines of our development and investment businesses, we always focus on the experience of our customers. In conceptualising our products and services, we also look at emerging trends, so that they can be future relevant. We are very honoured to be conferred these awards.”

Numerous Accolades for Lentor Modern Set the Bar for Lentor Hills Estate

Lentor Modern, the first and only integrated mixed-use development in the Lentor Hills Estate, is spearheading the transformation of the neighbourhood. Surrounded by greenery, the development bridges nature with modern conveniences. When completed, it will have a wide selection of retail offerings, including a 12,000 sq ft supermarket and 10,000 sq ft childcare centre, and direct access to the Lentor MRT Station on the Thomson-East Coast Line. Designed by ADDP Architects and Ortus Design as landscape architect, the development boasts unique features such as a Flex Room within the 2- to 4-bedroom units, which provide adaptable spaces to cater to various living needs and an abundance of shared amenities that support a live-work-play lifestyle.

Ms Dora Chng, Director (Residential), GuocoLand, said, “Lentor Modern is our third project in the ‘Modern’ series, and the recognition it has received from both buyers and our industry peers affirms our team’s capabilities to conceptualise and design quality residential and integrated developments that meet the needs of residents, tenants and visitors. Lentor Modern will be pivotal in the transformation of the Lentor Hills estate, and will create lasting value for the community and enhance the residents’ quality of life.”

Johnson Controls to Unveil Pioneering Sustainable Solutions at WETEX 2023

14 November, 2023/in Events, News /by Editor

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Johnson Controls the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, announced recently its participation at the 23rd Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX), the region’s largest Sustainability & Clean Energy Technology Exhibition, hosted by the Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) at the Dubai World Trade Centre. With nearly 140 years of innovation, Johnson Controls will use this platform to unveil an array of groundbreaking sustainable solutions that redefine the future of building technology.

Scheduled from 15 to 17 November, WETEX 2023 is a key gathering for leading sustainable technology companies worldwide, providing a unique opportunity for Johnson Controls to present innovations and underscore its commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly building solutions.

Mohammad Khalid, vice president and general manager of Johnson Controls Middle East & Africa said: “At WETEX 2023, we aim to showcase our vision of creating environmentally sustainable and technologically advanced spaces. We are committed to transforming the environments where we live and work with innovative as well as sustainable solutions to deliver a new era of autonomous buildings. Our participation in the event underscores our dedication to a greener world.”

Key highlights at WETEX 2023 include:

During WETEX 2023, Johnson Controls will showcase a comprehensive portfolio of energy and sustainable solutions, which includes:
OpenBlue Services: Johnson Controls’ comprehensive digital offering paves the way for efficient, intelligent, and environmentally responsible building management.
HVAC Solutions: Advanced heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems designed for enhanced comfort and energy efficiency.
Metasys Building Automation System: Cutting-edge technology optimizes building performance and
Cooling as a Service (CaaS): A pioneering approach to cooling solutions that align with sustainability goals.
Energy Efficiency and Air Quality Systems: Innovative solutions to enhance energy efficiency and indoor air quality.
Fire Suppression Capabilities: State-of-the-art fire suppression systems for building safety.

Johnson Controls’ participation at WETEX 2023 underscores its leadership in delivering holistic solutions for sustainable, smart, and healthy buildings. As the global leader in this space, the company is eager to collaborate with industry leaders, professionals, and stakeholders to address today’s sustainability challenges.

Visitors to WETEX 2023 can gain valuable insights into the future of sustainable building technology and interact with Johnson Controls’ experts to understand how these solutions positively impact the environment, businesses, and communities. WETEX is hosted annually under the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai and under the patronage of HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy.

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Bentley Systems Announces Seequent’s Acquisition of Geothermal Simulation Leader Flow State Solutions

13 November, 2023/in News, Product /by Editor

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Bentley Systems, Incorporated recently announced that Seequent, The Bentley Subsurface Company, has signed an agreement to acquire Flow State Solutions, an industry leader in geothermal simulation software. The move further solidifies Seequent’s position as the most comprehensive subsurface software provider for the geothermal industry.

Flow State Solutions’ geothermal reservoir, wellbore, and surface network simulation software helps project developers and operators better understand geothermal resources for asset development and optimisation and improved well performance. Combining Flow State Solutions’ Volsung portfolio with Seequent’s capabilities creates the most robust end-to-end solution for reservoir analysis available. Detailed models of the subsurface built in Leapfrog Energy can be utilised in Flow State Solutions’ simulation environment to build a full picture of a geothermal asset.

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Geothermal industry leaders are already utilising both solutions to better understand their resources. Simon Webbison, Vice President, Exploration and Resource Management, Ormat Technologies Inc., said, “Ormat Technologies is one of the largest and most active geothermal companies globally, and we are delighted to see the combination of Seequent and Flow State Solutions software capabilities through this acquisition. We already use both companies’ software to better understand our geothermal assets and predict performance, and we are looking forward to working with the joint team to continue driving our success.

Graham Grant, CEO, Seequent, said, “We are delighted to welcome the Flow State Solutions team to Seequent. Geothermal has the potential to help solve the world’s biggest energy challenges. With this acquisition, Seequent’s best-in-class subsurface analysis software enables a full understanding of geothermal asset performance.”

Flow State Solutions co-founder Jonathon Clearwater, who joins Seequent as Technical Domain Expert, Reservoir Engineering, said, “We are excited to join Seequent’s energy team. By combining Seequent’s expertise and our technical capability in geothermal modeling, we are looking forward to making a significant contribution to the renewable energy transition through improved management of natural resources.”

Launch of the Built Environment Innovation Hub @ BCA Braddell Campus

2 November, 2023/in News /by Editor

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Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Finance and Second Minister for National Development recently unveiled the Built Environment Innovation Hub (BEIH) at the Building and Construction Authority’s Braddell Campus. The opening of the BEIH was attended by more than 200 built environment professionals, research partners and innovators, celebrating a significant milestone in Singapore’s Built Environment transformation journey.

Connect: Hub for Collaboration

The BEIH is envisioned to be a collaborative space to connect like-minded individuals, showcase innovative technologies and ideas, and transfer knowledge to accelerate the transformation of the Built Environment (BE). One use of the space is for it to be a “living laboratory”, allowing collaborators to be co-located on the same campus, so as to be able to conduct research, test-bed and refine in-demand BE solutions in a real world environment.

For example, BCA, in partnership with key collaborators from the National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), Kajima Corporation and Surbana Jurong, are experimenting with a novel approach in cooling office spaces that achieved 55% reduction in cooling energy based on a two-week proof-of-concept experiment. By leveraging and maximising the use of natural ventilation, together with traditional cooling methods such as fans and air-conditioning, a network of sensors provide real-time monitoring of parameters.

These include outdoor weather conditions, indoor air quality, temperature, noise and occupancy levels, aiding the cooling system to recognise the ideal conditions to maximise the use of natural ventilation. This helps to reduce reliance on energy-intensive air conditioning, saving energy while yet maintaining thermal comfort.

Besides being a living laboratory for research, the BEIH can bring stakeholders together to uncover more about the latest in technology through exchange and networking sessions. Started in October 2022, these curated sessions with technology themes aligned with the Built Environment Industry Transformation Map (BE ITM) have brought together more than 300 local and international stakeholders, industry partners and solution providers across the BE value chain to connect, showcase and deliberate how innovative BE solutions can be readily deployed in our region.

In addition, initiatives such as the Built Environment Accelerate-to-Market Programme (BEAMP) continue to bring together innovators and BE firms in developing technology solutions to address real-world challenges in the built environment. This bridges the gap between solution development and market adoption. To date, BEAMP has supported partnerships with more than 60 corporates, startups and SMEs, resulting in the development of 44 innovative Built Environment solutions.

Building on the success of previous editions of BEAMP, the fifth cycle of BEAMP will be launched in the first quarter of 2024 with the continued support of Enterprise Singapore and JTC. The programme will provide additional support for companies to conduct small-scale commercial trials to gain early market traction and build track records to bolster their chances of commercialisation in the wider industry. The support for projects that require accelerated development will also be increased from $30,000 to $50,000.

Catalyst for Knowledge and Skills Transfer

Successful technology deployment requires knowledge and learning to be transferred seamlessly to BE professionals. Earlier this year, BCA announced the appointment of BCA Academy as the dedicated Continuing Education and Training (CET) Centre for the Built Environment sector.

The CET Centre will prioritise deepening in-demand skills and broadening knowledge in emerging areas. To complement existing bespoke leadership training, BCA will build competencies towards enterprise development to better drive value chain transformation. Additionally, BCA Academy will also be launching five new SkillsFuture Career Transition Programmes (SCTPs) aligned to the BE ITM. These programmes, which include Digital Delivery, Sustainable Design, Computational Design, Smart and Sustainable Facility Management and Integrated Project Management Delivery, aim to help mid-careerists, transit and pivot into the BE sector and help firms build up their talent pipeline.

With the new facilities, the BCA Braddell Campus has initiated a campus-wide digitalisation plan to make learning more engaging, interactive and immersive. It has gone beyond traditional classroom experience and leveraged technology-enabled learning tools and platforms. For example, BCA along with Serl.io are developing an AI Driven Mixed Reality Experiential Learning Platform (AMRAS) that leverages technology such as HoloLens. The tool simulates real-world scenarios utilising 3D animated objects to engage adult learners to react or interact in situations that stimulate real life experiences. This immersive tool enhances knowledge retention and confidence, benefitting training in areas such as lift maintenance, pipefitting and plumbing.

Showcase: Exemplifying Innovation and Technology through BEIH

Finally, the BEIH underscores the industry’s commitment to transformation and progress, in line with our ambitions outlined in the refreshed BE ITM. Guests at the BEIH launch were treated to tours of two new Green Mark certified3 buildings at the BCA Braddell Campus:

(1) a 7-storey mid-rise Zero Energy Building (ZEB); and
(2) a 16-storey high-rise Super Low Energy Building (SLEB). These two buildings are a showcase of innovative construction methods, sustainable materials, integrated digital planning and smart building systems. These buildings achieved remarkable construction productivity improvements of 15% through the use of integrated planning and design and productive building methods. The cutting-edge green features will help to realise energy savings exceeding 46%.

Unispace Group Promotes Tim Larson to Managing Director & Chief Creative Officer

30 October, 2023/in News /by Editor

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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.”

Bentley Systems Recognises the Year in Infrastructure 2023 as Groundbreaking for Infrastructure Intelligence

27 October, 2023/in News /by Editor

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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 Charts New Expertise Ecosystem to Pioneer Change in the Built Environment Sector

26 October, 2023/in News, Technology & Softwares /by Editor

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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.

Sinar Mas Land and Samsung C&T Collaborate to Develop Smart City in BSD City

25 October, 2023/in News /by Editor

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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 Unveils Podium for Development Digital Ecosystem to Build Better and Faster

24 October, 2023/in News /by Editor

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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’.