– The Tuas Port Phase One project will use 360,000m3 of low-carbon CO2 mineralised concrete, coupled with green cement1, from Pan-United
– In total, over 113.8 million kg of CO2 will be prevented from entering the atmosphere, equivalent to planting 1.9 million trees or removing 24,500 cars
An artist’s impression of Tuas Port after it is fully completed. Photo credit: PSA
Pan-United Corporation Ltd (泛联集团, “Pan-United”) is driving sustainable change in Singapore’s built environment with the use of 360,000m3 of carbon dioxide (CO2) mineralised concrete over a 2.5-year period for Tuas Port. This specialised low-carbon concrete is a building material for the berths and stacking yards at the Phase One container berth project by PSA Corporation Ltd (“PSA”).
Upon completion in early 2024, Tuas Port Phase One will effectively become a man-made carbon sink that prevents the emission of over 113.8 million kg of CO2 from entering the atmosphere. This is equivalent to planting 1.9 million tree seedlings or removing 24,500 cars from the road2. When fully completed in the 2040s, Tuas Port will be the world’s largest fully automated port capable of handling 65 million TEUs (20-ft equivalent units) annually.
Ms May Ng (黄美美), CEO of Pan-United, said: “We are delighted at PSA’s commitment to the use of our CO2 mineralised concrete for its Tuas Port Phase One project. It will contribute to PSA’s efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. We will continue to champion sustainability in Singapore and globally, and work alongside fellow industry leaders in our journey to reach new frontiers in decarbonising Singapore’s built environment.”
CO2 mineralised concrete: lower embodied carbon emissions and higher strength
Unlike operational carbon emitted from buildings in use, embodied carbon is emitted throughout the construction process before a building is completed, i.e. from the manufacture of building materials right up to onsite work on a new building project. This fact makes it possible, during the design stage, to choose building materials and methods that can lower embodied carbon. Once a building is operational, carbon emissions can only be reduced from energy used in lighting, power and air conditioning.
Ms Ng added: “So far, greening initiatives have focused largely on reducing operational carbon after the building is completed. Yet the best results can be achieved as early as the design stage if builders opt for low-carbon materials such as CO2 mineralised concrete, to incur the lowest possible embodied carbon footprint for a building even before it comes in use.”
The production of CO2 mineralised concrete is a carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) technology that permanently embeds industrial waste CO2 as a mineral in concrete, making it a carbon sink for embodied carbon emissions.
Pan-United’s CO2 mineralised concrete is the first and only such concrete to be inducted into the Singapore Green Building Council’s new Ready-Mix Concrete (Carbon Capture & Utilisation) category. In the Green Mark 2021, CO2 mineralisation technology is listed in a newly-created “Whole Life Carbon” category under an “Innovation” section.
Beyond Tuas Port, other notable developments in Singapore like the JTC semiconSpace, Avenue South Residence, Linde’s gasification complex at Jurong Island and CapitaLand’s 15-storey building at 3 Science Park Drive, have also used CO2 mineralised concrete.
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1 Green cement is a low-clinker cementitious material
2 United States Environmental Protection Agency Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator
Global construction consultancy, Linesight, has released new data revealing commodity prices for the final quarter of 2022 remained elevated with upward pressure expected through 2023 on some key commodities. Despite ongoing inflationary challenges amid a slowing global economy, construction activity in Singapore is resuming and progressing at a steady pace. While some commodities such as lumber and steel will trend downwards in the short-term, there will be upward pressures in later quarters as recovery builds momentum and prices react to strengthening demand. The findings are part of Linesight’s Q4 2022 Singapore Commodity Report.
Following a substantial decline in Q3 2022, copper prices were volatile in Q4 2022 and increased by 13.8%. Global copper demand is expected to strengthen in 2023 as it begins to experience the full effects of China’s reopening and the country’s significant investments in construction in late 2022. Domestic copper prices are expected to rise considerably in the longer term driven by the financing of green public infrastructure projects.
Weak residential construction and soft infrastructure output have influenced a marginal fall in steel and lumber prices in Q4 2022 and this trend is projected to continue into Q1 2023, decreasing by a further 1%. As we look ahead into 2023, works on several large civil engineering projects and the resumption of public residential construction will pose a considerable upside risk to the price outlook.
At a sectoral level, data center activity in Singapore has been impacted by the recent moratorium, with a rising number of developers and owners assessing the market position and starting to look at other Southeast Asia locations in more detail. It is expected the construction output of semiconductor facilities will also be affected as a result of recent movements within the US market to boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing. While many sectors continue to face uncertainty, the life sciences industry has continued a growth trajectory since the pandemic threw its importance into sharp focus. Manufacturers are increasingly basing headquarters in Singapore as the country develops into a hub for this flourishing industry.
Michael Murphy, Director at Linesight Singapore, said: “Despite a challenging environment, the Singapore construction sector is showing resilience and there is optimism for increased output driven by the recommencement of halted infrastructure projects and the government’s commitment to complete all delayed housing projects by H1 2025. Adopting a more strategic approach to supply chain management and exploring opportunities for modern methods of construction are key strategies for clients to adopt to help mitigate risks.”
Potential for a high-rise residential development with direct access and unblocked view of Jurong Lake Gardens
JLL announced its appointment as sole marketing agent of Lakeside Towers, a collective sale site along Yuan Ching Road, that has just been launched for sale by tender.
Completed in 1981, the 99-year leasehold Lakeside Towers comprises 144 units in two 16-storey blocks prominently located along Yuan Ching Road and next to the scenic Jurong Lake Gardens. A new residential development on this strategically located site would provide its residents with direct lakefront access and panoramic views of the lakes and gardens.
Under the 2019 Master Plan, the 14,236.1 sqm site is zoned ‘Residential’ with a gross plot ratio (“GPR”) of 2.1. However, the current as-built gross floor area (“GFA”), which has been duly verified with the competent authority, is equivalent to a GPR of 2.35953. Based on the minimum average size control of 85 sqm, the site may accommodate up to 395 apartments.
The Property is located on the fringe of Jurong Lake District location, which will be the second central business district (“CBD”) the Urban Redevelopment Authority is focusing on establishing, Lakeside Towers enjoys the tranquility of a lakefront environment prized for a private residential development yet easily accessible to all the hustle and bustle of the retail, food and beverages, healthcare, leisure and active lifestyle amenities and infrastructure of a multi-functional hub.
Jurong Gateway, an enlarged new centre including the Jurong East MRT Interchange and the surrounding commercial and mixed-use buildings slated to be the commercial hub of the second CBD, is within a short three minutes’ drive away from Lakeside Towers.
Residents from the Lakeside Towers can take a ten-minute walk to Lakeside MRT Station, which is just one stop from Jurong Point, one of the largest shopping malls in Singapore, and two stops away from the Jurong East MRT Interchange (future Integrated Transport Hub), connecting one easily to multitude of amenities and facilities and the rest of the island. This also holds true for the driving population with its easy accessibility to two major expressways, the PIE and the AYE.
With Singapore’s third National Garden at Jurong Lake located just a step out from the development, residents will be able to enjoy the array of community spaces and activities amidst greenery and nature. From canoeing to taking a leisure jog at the garden, there are aplenty of activities to keep the residents engaged. There are also numerous sports and recreational centres namely Jurong East Sports Centre, SuperBowl Jurong, SAFRA Jurong and ActiveSG sports village @ Jurong Town that residents can enjoy.
Established shopping amenities, popular eateries and hip cafes are readily accessible within the precinct. Jurong Leisure Complex, JEM, Westgate, IMM are all in close proximity of Lakeside Towers. The favorite Taman Jurong Food Centre which houses plenty of hawker delights are also in proximity. With STB’s long-term plans of building an integrated development at Jurong Lake District more retail offerings are slated to be available soon.
For families with young children, there are many schools nearby, with the Lakeside Primary School within 1 km from the site and others within 2km include Rulang Primary School, Fuhua Primary School, Jurong Primary School, Shuqun Primary School, Yuhua Primary School and Boon Lay Garden Primary School. The Canadian International School is also a short drive away along the major thoroughfare Boon Lay Way.
“Lakeside Towers, with its direct access and unblocked view of Jurong Lake Gardens, will provide its future residents a unique living and active lifestyle extending to the Jurong Lake Gardens as your own backyard that is difficult to replicate elsewhere on the island. It is also close to many malls and amenities in the vicinity which residents can immediately enjoy. Residents will also benefit from the upcoming extensive second CBD and the tourism plans for this cluster in the years to come. We expect such excellent attributes of the site to appeal to a diverse range of buyers,” says Mr. Tan Hong Boon, Executive Director at JLL.
“Being in the second CBD and the existing employment centres such as International Business Park, the existing Jurong industrial estates, the mega Tuas Port, potential rental demand for private housings is on course to increase strongly, leading to investment demand for private housings in this area,” he added.
At the reserve price of $350 million, the corresponding unit land rate reflects about $1,244 per sq ft per plot ratio (psf/pr) at the base GPR 2.35953 after factoring in an estimated lease top-up premium with no land betterment charge. If the 10% bonus GFA is factored in, the corresponding unit land rate will be at about $1,196 psf/pr inclusive of a lease top-up premium and a land betterment charge.
The tender for Lakeside Towers closes on Wednesday, 12 April 2023 at 3.00 p.m.
Envision Digital, the decarbonisation software leader for net zero, unveiled new investments and partnerships to further Singapore’s sustainability and net zero goals. These new initiatives were announced at the company’s fifth anniversary celebrations which took place this morning at the National Gallery Singapore and attended by Guest-of-Honour, Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies, Mr Heng Swee Keat. DPM Heng was also joined by more than 80 executives from the public and private sectors.
New investments to propel Singapore’s green ambitions
As part of Envision Digital’s expansion plans in Singapore and the region over the next five years, the company announced that it will be setting up a Net Zero Centre of Excellence (COE). The new Net Zero COE will be a research and innovation hub focused on promoting sustainability across three major sectors – green finance, transportation (air, land, sea) and large-scale real estate portfolios.
At the same time, OCBC Bank has entered into a strategic partnership with Envision Digital, under which the Bank plans to develop green and sustainable financing solutions that harness Envision Digital’s net-zero technologies, which will help businesses better monitor and report their carbon emissions and environmental impact. OCBC Bank is also exploring utilising Envision Digital’s solutions to measure and track its carbon footprint within its own operations.
Ms Elaine Lam, Head of Global Corporate Banking, OCBC Bank, said, “As part of our contributions towards greening the entire economy, we are excited to partner with Envision Digital to support customers in our key markets across Asia in their transition to a low-carbon, net-zero world.”
Separately, Envision Digital will also establish a Digital Battery Centre of Excellence (COE) with an initial focus on safety, life cycle management, battery swapping and smart networks for Electric Vehicles (EV) and Energy Storage batteries. The Digital Battery COE will cater to Singapore’s rapidly growing EV market, which is forecast to grow by around 23% between 2023 to 2027.
Ong Kim Pong, Regional CEO, Southeast Asia, PSA International, who has signed an MOU to partner Envision Digital for the Digital Battery COE said, “We are pleased to be working with Envision Digital to explore innovation opportunities and develop capabilities across different aspects of the supply chain through the new Digital Battery COE. As PSA pursues electrification at scale, we look forward to collaborating with industry experts to break new frontiers in the world of digital batteries and EVs.”
Inaugural partnership with National Gallery
Singapore
At the event, Envision Digital also unveiled an inaugural partnership with the National Gallery Singapore to support the Gallery, currently comprising two National Monuments (the City Hall and former Supreme Court buildings), to become a Super Low Energy building in its journey to becoming net zero. As the first sustainability partner of the Gallery, Envision Digital
will equip the Gallery with technology as well as training and consultancy to track its carbon footprint and optimise overall energy consumption. These will support the Gallery’s decarbonisation journey.
Chong Siak Ching, CEO of National Gallery Singapore, said, “As an art museum that occupies two historic monuments, we are committed to sustainable practices anchored on respect for our environment and generating positive social impact. We are delighted to collaborate with Envision Digital as a key sustainability partner to become a Super Low Energy building by 2025, in our journey to achieve net zero before 2045.”
Lei Zhang, Founder and CEO, Envision Digital, said, “We are delighted to announce new investments and partnerships focused on key areas of innovation and technologies. We aim to play an integral role in globalising net zero partnerships, helping to empower stakeholders to achieve the step-changes needed for wide-scale decarbonisation.”
Apart from the COEs, Envision Digital announced net zero partnerships with companies in Singapore and across the region, in sectors like green finance, transportation, infrastructure, and energy. (Please refer to Annex A for additional quotes.)
Recently, SMRT Trains announced their partnership with Envision Digital to reduce Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) energy consumption through predictive Artificial Intelligence (AI) to adjust setpoints, while maintaining commuter comfort.
Lam Sheau Kai, President, SMRT Trains, said: “Trains is the greenest mode of public commute in Singapore. To further reduce SMRT’s carbon footprint and accelerate our journey to net zero, we are expanding our green initiatives, which include our partnership with Envision Digital to lower energy usage in stations.”
Since setting up its global headquarters in Singapore five years ago, Envision Digital has grown rapidly and made headways in solidifying its relationships with the local government and leading companies. It now employs over 230 people in Singapore across various functions such as R&D, engineering, and others, and has more than 1,000 employees across Asia, Europe, and North America.
LED lighting installation in Cambridge University’s Estates Division West Cambridge site
Signify has teamed up with the University of Cambridge’s Estates Division to illuminate the University’s West Cambridge site with energy-efficient outdoor LED lighting. With more than 300 new and upgraded lights, the project was delivered in six months – from initial discussions through to project completion – and is expected to generate significant cost savings on energy, annually (based on 2021 rates), which is all the more important against the backdrop of an ongoing energy crisis. In addition, the new LEDs require less maintenance time and will provide an improved night-time experience for the users of the site.
Dating back to 1920, West Cambridge is an important part of the University of Cambridge estate, with University and private tenants accessing roads, footpaths, parking and bus routes. The site’s enhanced lighting design is part of a long-term development masterplan that aims to create a high quality, well-connected research environment that will enable the University and community to grow and flourish.
Over the decades, different generations of outdoor lighting have been installed around the site, leading to a mix of technologies and an inconsistent look and feel. Philips TownTune luminaires will light the campus’s roads, paths and car parks as part of a site-wide development to provide consistency of design, improve wayfinding, and reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. In addition, the luminaires have an upward light output ratio of zero, therefore minimizing sky glow and the impact on the night sky.
Each of the new luminaires is equipped with a unique QR code connected to the Signify Service Tag application. Site managers can scan the QR code to access documentation and data, configure the luminaire directly at the installation site, and access the latest spare part information, including any new generation updates. The Service Tag application also supports asset management data, allowing organizations to document information to better manage lighting assets.
“The team at Signify worked with us to help meet our goals – including energy savings and a reduction in carbon emissions,” said Adam Fjaerem, Building Energy Manager at the University of Cambridge. “Working with Signify was more like a partnership between two teams going after the same mission. We are looking forward to working with them on the next phase of the project.”
“We’re very proud to have partnered with an institution as prestigious as the University of Cambridge. It is extremely rewarding to see the lighting overhaul at West Cambridge bringing the site together with beautiful light and coherent design. It’s fitting that the next generation of engineers will enjoy a learning environment that is so well-adapted for their needs,” commented Dervan Alleyne, Director Public & Sport Lighting Solutions UK at Signify.
Asset World Corp Public Company Limited or AWC, Thailand’s leading integrated lifestyle real estate group, launches “Co-Living Collective: Empower Future” at ‘The Empire’ with investment of 1 billion baht (30.5 million USD) to set new benchmark at ‘The Empire’ to become a new revolutionary lifestyle space that embraces the future of work-life integration, leading new benchmark, strengthening Thailand as world-class destination for global workforce.
The “Co-Living Collective: Empower Future”, the first and largest of its kind to offer co-living space to tenants, aims to create a wholly integrated collaborative model of co-living workspace that empower people to achieve their next levels of success in life, both professionally and personally. The Empire is set to redefine modern workplaces and serve as a world-class lifestyle workplace destination with 1,500 square meters of co-living space, bringing home-like experience and large facilities to the workplace such as a living room, a communal open kitchen and dining area, and a kids’ room and pets’ hotel.
Moreover, “Co-Living Collective: Empower Future”, at The Empire will offer EA Rooftop, the largest world-class rooftop and F&B haven with a variety of awe-inspiring international gastronomic offerings, embracing with the hotelization experience offering through AWC Infinite Lifestyle (AWI) while creating sustainable values for all stakeholders. The project is set to be fully launched in 2023.
“Today, new generations of working people are increasingly seeking personal value and purpose at work while striking a balance between work and lifestyle. The roles of physical workplaces have therefore become more multi-faceted to facilitate connection, collaboration and innovation as well as to promote positive employee experiences and retain talents,” said Wallapa Traisorat, Chief Executive Officer and President, Asset World Corp Public Company Limited or AWC.
“As AWC’s flagship lifestyle office complex that continues to evolve, ‘The Empire’, currently value at 20 billion baht, is launching series of exciting new benchmark with the aim of creating an integrated collaborative model of ‘Co-living Collective: Empower Future’ to help people achieve work-life integration,” Wallapa said.
The “Co-Living Collective: Empower Future” concept at The Empire is envisioned as productive and collaborative spaces for working people to work with their colleagues while making the best of their creativity and increasing their efficiency, while cultivating a diverse community of like-minded people to get together for valuable and meaningful interactions.
Central to the co-living concept is The Residence at Empire Co-living:. A combination of uniquely designed workspaces on the 53rd floor that offers as a complimentary service for all tenants, aiming at making employees feel at home in a relaxing atmosphere with home-like features such as a living room, a recreational zone, a breakout area for video games and sports tables like pool and table tennis, a communal open kitchen and dining area, a kids’ room and pets’ hotel, and a nursing lounge for moms and their babies. The design will also include shared communal spaces for individual work, group discussions and meetings as well as a body-mind zone with a nap lounge for a fresh restarts, showers and changing rooms. Other features include a swing floor option, fully or partly furnished workspaces with materials and equipment tailored to tenants’ needs, such as flexible partitions, modular furniture, ergonomic furniture, as well as design and decorating advice services for convenience during construction. With a total area of 1,500 square meters spanning across the 53rd floor, the co-living space of The Empire create the new benchmark of the commercial real estate industry.
This year, ‘The Empire’ is also unveiling ‘EA Rooftop’, Thailand’s new and largest landmark rooftop destination, a fully integrated F&B lifestyle destination spanning over 8,460 square meters, bringing together the world’s most renowned culinary experiences in one place. With the design concept under “EA” (eh-ah), The Empire Rooftop derives its name from the meaning of “freedom, air, celebration.” Located on 55th to 58th floors of The Empire, EA Rooftop will be an ultimate dining destination, leading by Nobu and many more restaurants, where visitors can enjoy a great variety of gastronomic experiences that cannot be found elsewhere.
AWC also continues to offer Hotelization to all tenants through the AWC Infinite Lifestyle (AWI) application which connect tenants to the entire network of AWC affiliated hotels where they can enjoy hotel facilities and the “Office-Home-Hotel-Retail” concept that aligns with the New Normal lifestyle where people can work from anywhere. As Bangkok’s most prominent building, ‘The Empire’ continues to create sustainable values and is on track to achieve LEED Certification, the standard for sustainable green buildings, and WELL standard to promote the health and wellness of occupants and visitors.
“The Empire strives to become an empowering corporate address, with uniquely curated lifestyle spaces where business and recreation become one by blending Bangkok’s dynamism with a wide range of unparalleled service offerings,”
“AWC is committed in building a better future, we believe the Empire will play a key role in driving Thailand as a global destination for international work force. Once the launch is fully completed, the new Empire will become an ideal urban destination that fosters new professional and social circles of like-minded and trend-leading yet socially responsible people and businesses. We will build a better future together with The Empire Co-Living Collective, empower future.” said Wallapa.
Singapore-headquartered global design, engineering, project and construction management firm, Meinhardt Group, is pleased to appoint Mr Eugene Seah as its Global Board member. Mr Seah will be helming a variety of senior leadership roles including Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Meinhardt’s Singapore operations and Senior Director, Group CEO office, based in Singapore.
“We are excited to welcome Eugene into the Meinhardt Group. Eugene has a formidable reputation, endless energy and solid experience in the built environment industry having successfully undertaken various senior leadership roles covering Singapore and overseas markets. I am looking forward to working closely with Eugene to bolster our business in Singapore, and implement new initiatives and business lines across the Group,” said Mr Omar Shahzad, Meinhardt Group CEO.
Mr Seah joins Meinhardt Group from Surbana Jurong (SJ) Group where he spearheaded a number of leadership roles. He led SJ’s Smart Cities business unit as the Managing Director of Surbana Technologies. His other responsibilities included Senior Director, Group CEO’s office, in charge of the Group’s special projects and strategic initiatives, namely, the Key Account Management Office, Digital Management Office, and Sustainability and Resilience Office. He was also a Director on the Boards of Threesixty Cost Management and Threesixty Contract Advisory, and an Adjudicator in the Singapore Mediation Centre.
Mr Seah graduated with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) (1st Class Hons) from the University of Reading in 1999 and a BSc in Technology Management and Computing (1st Class Hons) from the University of Portsmouth in 2002. He also completed a Master of Science (MSc) in Construction Law and Arbitration from the joint NUS and Kings College London, an MSc in Sustainable Building Design from the University of Nottingham, and the Senior Management Development Programme from Harvard Business School.
Mr Seah is also a Green Mark and Infrastructure Sustainability Accredited Professional. He is an ardent advocate for the greater deployment of digital advancements and technologies in both the design and implementation of projects to achieve better outcomes in terms of sustainability, resilience and efficiency.
“I am excited to be an integral part of Meinhardt Group, the largest privately held engineering design firm in Asia. The Group is highly renowned for delivering innovative technical and buildable solutions for large and complex urban development and infrastructure projects. In addition to business related goals, I will also be keen to use the Meinhardt Group platform to encourage students, engineers and young professionals to pursue a career in addressing complex urban development and climate change challenges,” said Mr Seah.
Guoco Midtown, the mega integrated mixed development by GuocoLand Limited (“GuocoLand”), has injected 709,000 sq ft of new premium Grade A office space in Singapore’s Downtown Core business district as its 30-storey office tower achieved its Temporary Occupation Permit (“TOP”).
The other components of Guoco Midtown, including the Network Hub, two retail clusters (Midtown Square and Midtown Market), luxury condominium Midtown Bay and the conserved former Beach Road Police Station (Midtown House), will be progressively completed in 2023.
Across the road at Tan Quee Lan Street, construction of Midtown Modern, Guoco Midtown’s second luxury condominium, as well as a third retail cluster (Midtown Common) right above Bugis interchange MRT station is also on schedule. This phase of Guoco Midtown is targeted to be completed by early 2024.
When fully completed, the entire 3.2-hectare Guoco Midtown will introduce its unique mix of premium offices and luxury residences, coupled with innovative retail concepts and 30 gardens and landscaped spaces into the heart of the city. It is expected to welcome more than 10,000 people – a new “Midtown” community of business executives, residents, shoppers and visitors – daily into the Beach Road-Bugis district.
Strong take-up as Global MNCs attracted to Guoco Midtown’s unique character
Guoco Midtown has received robust interest from major multinational corporations looking for quality office space in the heart of the city, and has achieved 80 per cent pre-commitment take-up to-date, including deals in advanced stages of negotiation. Secured and prospective tenants come from a wide range of industries such as banking and finance, chemical, consumer brands, energy, maritime, professional services, reinsurance and technology.
Ms Valerie Wong, GuocoLand’s Managing Director of Asset Management, said, “At Guoco Midtown, we will have tenants from multiple sectors, just as we currently do over at Guoco Tower. Besides being a more resilient business model, we find that tenants enjoy the diversity and being part of a larger business community which may at times result in unexpected networks and partnerships.”
One of Guoco Midtown’s anchor tenants is Pacific International Lines (“PIL”), a global shipping company and Southeast Asia’s largest home grown carrier with a fleet of 100 vessels. Other tenants include multinational corporations such as German chemical company BASF, Chinese Internet technology company NetEase Interactive Entertainment and Liechtenstein’s VP Bank, a leading bank for private clients and intermediaries.
Mr Lars Kastrup, Chief Executive Officer, PIL said, “As PIL aims to be a future focused organization, we would like our workspace to support us in developing a collaborative and innovative workforce. Guoco Midtown’s office spaces, which facilitate good physical-digital alignment, are well-suited to achieve our goal. Being located in an integrated and green development like Guoco Midtown, with its conveniences and offerings such as the Network Hub, will enable us to drive connectivity and sustainability as a dynamic shipping line. We also appreciate the fact that the development will help us promote a balanced live-work-health lifestyle among our people.”
At Guoco Midtown, in addition to its premium office spaces, there are recreational facilities including a 40-metre swimming pool, as well as office tenants-only end-of-trip facilities such as bicycle racks, showers, lockers, and changing rooms, and even BBQ pavilions at the Level 7 garden and the Level 29 roof garden. The development was also conferred the Green Mark Platinum Award by the Building and Construction Authority for achieving high standards in sustainability with features that conserve energy and water.
Added Ms Wong, “Many companies today are rethinking how their office real estate can better serve their organisational objectives. As a landlord, we see tenants as long-term partners and strive to support them in their transformation journey. The offerings at Guoco Midtown, including the Network Hub and our flexible leasing concept, as well as the amenities focused on wellness and recreation, are the results of our engagement with tenants and prospects at Guoco Tower and Guoco Midtown.”
Network Hub – meeting the future needs of companies
Guoco Midtown supports traditional office tenants’ move towards hybrid and shared workspaces by providing complimentary access to the Network Hub, Singapore’s first-of-its kind business networking club with best-of-class facilities and amenities.
One of the key facilities of the Network Hub is a spacious hybrid meeting and event space that can accommodate townhalls, product launches, seminars, training and networking sessions for more than 200 people. Other facilities include soundproof pods for focus work, communal seating for hot-desking, collaborative work or just to have quiet time to work privately, as well as a spacious café lounge for informal discussions.
Ms Wong said, “With hybrid working here to stay, demand for flexible spaces, short-term office suites and meeting spaces will persist – especially as workplace practices continue to evolve. We also support tenants’ future expansion needs by providing meeting and training facilities which can be booked on demand and private office suites on short leases.”
“These innovations are the result of GuocoLand’s continuous exploration to help tenants better utilize their spaces and future-proof their offices by increasing their agility to respond to changes in business cycles,” she added.
Innovative retail concepts and placemaking programmes
Occupants of Guoco Midtown can also look forward to a wide selection of retail and F&B options and services at the three retail clusters totalling 50,000 sq ft.
Porsche Singapore, one of Guoco Midtown’s anchor retail tenants, will be introducing a new automotive retail concept through its new showroom, Porsche Studio Singapore. The showroom combines car displays with an integrated F&B experience, as well as co-working and community exhibition spaces to deliver more customer-centric experiences. The partnership between Porsche Singapore and GuocoLand will also see larger-scale community events at Guoco Midtown’s public event spaces.
With GuocoLand’s stellar track record of building and managing quality integrated mixed-use developments, coupled with its experience in placemaking, Guoco Midtown will play a key role in transforming the Beach Road-Bugis district as the new “Midtown” of Singapore.
On Guoco Midtown’s placemaking and programming initiatives, Ms Wong said, “Besides the ‘hardware’ like the Network Hub and the recreational facilities, Guoco Midtown’s office tenants will also enjoy the ‘software’ through regular activities that we will organise, such as fitness classes, music performances or even business events and training for executives.”
Guoco Midtown is directly connected to the Bugis interchange MRT station, which is served by both the East-West Line and Downtown Line. It is also within walking distance to the North South and Circle Lines. Guoco Midtown is also linked to the wider Beach Road-Bugis vicinity through an underground pedestrian network and a network of second-level linkways and bridges.
A multi-billion development, Guoco Midtown’s site on Beach Road is a joint venture between GuocoLand and Hong Kong-listed Guoco Group Limited, while the site at Tan Quee Lan Street is jointly developed by GuocoLand, Hong Leong Holdings Limited and Hong Realty (Private) Limited.
International design, engineering and advisory company Aurecon has appointed Dr Alex Katsanos as its Managing Principal, Advisory for Greater China. Alex is based in Hong Kong and will report to Alton Chow, Managing Director for Greater China.
This key appointment complements Aurecon’s Asia business growth strategy, providing a springboard for the company to unlock new ideas and opportunities, as well as differentiate itself in a highly competitive market.
Alton shared, “We see enormous growth potential for our advisory business in Greater China, amid rising demand for technically-led services and solutions. Alex’s multi-disciplinary international experience, coupled with his strong business acumen and knowledge of local market dynamics will position us well to help our clients elevate their business to a new level. Alex’s appointment will catalyse Aurecon’s next phase of growth in Asia.”
Reiterating the importance of Aurecon’s concerted effort to expand its advisory business internationally, Julian Dolby, Group Managing Principal, Advisory at Aurecon said, “We are delighted to have Alex on board and his appointment reflects the ambitions we have for our Advisory business. Asia forms a key pillar of our commitment to deliver greater value and impact for our clients across all project stages. By leveraging the full breadth of our advisory expertise and deep technical design capability alongside his broad experience and client centric mindset, Alex will enable us to better tailor innovative and high value solutions for our clients in Greater China.”
About Alex Katsanos
Alex is a management consultant and advisor on policy, with 24 years of international experience, in the infrastructure space. His expertise focuses on public sector policy, operational improvement, capital planning, Smart City and data strategy, sustainability and procurement excellence. Over the course of his career, Alex has worked across most infrastructure sub-sectors, both for government and private clients in East Asia, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and Africa. For the past decade, his focus has largely centred on Hong Kong and Greater China, where his intimate understanding of these markets will be instrumental in driving Aurecon’s growth.
With his strong track record in starting up and growing advisory services in infrastructure focused consultancies, Alex will leverage Aurecon’s core strengths to expand its advisory services for the private and public sectors in Greater China. Apart from growing Aurecon’s existing suite of services, Alex will also spearhead the development of new propositions that meet changing market demands and advance the government’s strategic goals.
“As China opens up its borders and Hong Kong gradually increases its construction expenditure to its highest levels by the middle of this decade, there are significant challenges
that require bold policy initiatives in the public sector, as well as digital transformation work in the private sector. In this environment, there are ample opportunities for innovative businesses like Aurecon to provide tailored advisory services that help clients solve these challenges. I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues to grow a service offering that will maximise impact for our clients in Greater China,” Alex said.
Before joining Aurecon, Alex has been a consultant for firms including McKinsey & Company and Arcadis. As a leading expert in his field, Alex was the principal author of several landmark public sector reports, such as the recent report “Improving Time, Cost and Quality Performance of the Hong Kong Construction Industry” for the Hong Kong Construction Industry Council. Alex holds a PhD degree in Engineering from the University of Surrey, United Kingdom and is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers.
Bureau Veritas is delighted to announce the opening of a “Net Zero” centre of excellence to support customers in their efforts to reduce energy consumption, decarbonise their activities, and ensure the traceability of their declarations. This project is supported by Envision Digital’s technology. The centre will help organisations to achieve significant progress towards their “Net Zero” commitments, thanks to digitised, verifiable and certifiable processes. Thanks to its collaboration with Envision Digital, Bureau Veritas will benefit from the expertise of a world leader in carbon footprint reduction and monitoring.
To help organisations reduce their carbon footprint and ensure the level of transparency that is required today, Envision Digital, the technological leader in artificial intelligence and IOT (AIoT) for Net Zero targets and decarbonisation, and Bureau Veritas, world leader in testing, inspection and certification, are combining their expertise to develop an integrated service offer for energy management and carbon monitoring, that will be hosted in a “Net Zero” centre of excellence.
This centre will propose solutions in three areas:
❖ Real time certification of carbon emissions to ensure credibility and facilitate extra-financial data reporting (CSRD, ESG, etc.)
❖ Attaining the energy and carbon goals defined while optimising costs (monitoring and optimisation of carbon emissions, results-based commitment on expected savings, etc.)
❖ Funding the investments required for carbon emission monitoring (supply of sensors, platform installation, energy-carbon management service) via the energy savings certificates scheme, for which Bureau Veritas is one of France’s leading experts via its Capital Energy subsidiary.
“This centre of excellence is being created in response to an increasingly demanding regulatory context and sharp rises in energy costs. The centre represents a fundamental innovation for our customers, because it will enable them to attain their “Net Zero” targets faster. It is further proof of Bureau Veritas’ commitment to helping its customers to be more efficient and credible in the implementation of sustainable solutions. As an independent third party, we will be proposing services & solutions for today’s energy and ecological challenges, assisted by Envision Digital, leader in its field,” explained Jacques POMMERAUD, EVP Africa, France & Government Services at Bureau Veritas.
“The EnOS™ digital platform that we are making available to the Bureau Veritas teams is based on our AIoT technology, combining an IoT platform with advanced expertise in artificial intelligence for decarbonisation. In the current situation of strong energy and environmental tension, this solution enables evaluation and optimisation of customers’ energy consumption and carbon footprint, to accelerate the transition to a carbon-free economy. Thanks to the know-how of world leader Bureau Veritas, our customers will have access to the services of a shared carbon centre of excellence, encouraging an overall approach and dedicated to the implementation of practical, efficient and innovative solutions,” added Maher CHEBBO, Managing Director of EMEA at Envision Digital.
From one end of the chain to the other [see diagram below], Bureau Veritas and Envision Digital will be proposing a secure, modular, digital decarbonisation system to their customers, along with overall technical assistance; this model is already in place throughout the world.
The creation of this carbon centre of excellence represents a further milestone in the joint efforts made by the two companies since 2021, when their partnership was first announced.
*EnOS™, Envision Digital’s proprietary AIoT operating system, connects and manages over 240 million connected objects and 560 gigawatts of energy assets worldwide. Its monitoring solution, Carbon Envision Ark, earned Envision Group a place on Fortune magazine’s “Change The World” list in 2021.
