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Atkins acquires Singapore based project management business

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WS Atkins plc (‘Atkins’ or ‘the Group’) has acquired Confluence Project Management Pte. Ltd. (‘Confluence’), a project management business with operations in Asia Pacific, the Middle East and India, for a debt-free cash consideration of £8.4m.

 

Confluence is an international consultancy offering services in the areas of project and construction management, and specialist programming and planning. In the year to 30 June 2013 the company, which employs casino pa natet around 200 people, reported revenue of around £14.5m.

 

The business’ teams in Singapore, Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi and India will integrate with Atkins’ existing operations in Asia Pacific and the Middle East. The acquisition complements well the Group’s Faithful Gould project and cost management consultancy business and, in particular, augments its presence in the commercial, retail and hospitality sectors.

 

Prof Dr Uwe Krueger, chief executive officer, commented: “This acquisition is an important further step in the delivery of our strategy to increase our regional focus and grow our business in Asia Pacific and the Middle East.  This business brings highly reputed client and sector knowledge and complementary regional presence and capacity to our existing project management business, as well as the ability to service increasingly complex projects for our global clients.”

A Revolution in Lift Cables

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KONE-UR_city_2

Kone’s new UltraRope opens up a world of possibilities in high-rise building design.

Building upwards is seen as the sustainable urban solution, and the number and height of tall buildings built around the globe has increased rapidly in recent years. This trend continues, with nearly 600 buildings of 200 meters or more, currently under construction or planned to be built over the next few years, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. While there are currently three buildings in the world that top the 500-meter mark, there are plans for 20 more such buildings to be built in coming years. The buildings can continue to go higher, as a result of a breakthrough in lift technology – the KONE UltraRope.

On 1st October 2013, KONE launched the UltraRope and announced that Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands is the first building in the world that had already installed this new technology. It is set to break industry limits and enable future elevator travel heights of 1 kilometer – twice the distance currently feasible. This is made possible by replacing the steel ropes from which the elevator cars are suspended, with one made of carbon fibre.

A disadvantage of steel ropes is that they are heavy. For a travel distance of 500 metres, for example, longer ropes are required and they weigh as much as 17,000kg just to move the elevator safely.  Beyond this distance, more ropes are needed just to carry the weight of the ropes themselves. With all these added mass, it results in higher energy consumption.

 

KONE UltraRope

Comprised of a carbon fiber core and a unique high-friction coating, KONE UltraRope is very light and extremely strong. It cuts the weight that needs to be moved by the hoisting system – the moving masses – exponentially as the travel distance grows. This enables much greater future travel heights and significant energy savings in elevator operation.

The unique design of KONE UltraRope makes elevators far less sensitive to building sway than conventional steel rope. Strong winds are a significant concern for buildings over 250 meters in height as they may begin to sway during strong winds or earthquakes. Unlike conventional steel rope, KONE UltraRope resonates at a completely different frequency to other building materials, meaning elevators hoisted with it are better-equipped to operate in extreme weather conditions. This amounts to less elevator downtime and less inconvenience for building users.

KONE UltraRope’s special, high-friction coating is highly resistant to wear and abrasion, making it more durable than other elevator hoisting solutions, and extending the regular lifetime by two times. The rope’s coating also means it does not require lubrication to counteract the abrasion that the wires in steel rope are susceptible to. KONE UltraRope does not corrode or stretch over time like steel rope, which needs to be shortened periodically causing elevator downtime.

The new technology was developed and tested rigorously both in real elevators and simulation laboratories at KONE’s research and development facilities in Finland. Since 2010, it has been tested in operation at the world’s tallest elevator testing laboratory, KONE’s Tytyri facility built over 300 meters underground adjacent to an active limestone mine. Properties like tensile strength, bending lifetime, and material aging are just some of the qualities that have been measured.

All these benefits of UltraRope adds up to unprecedented eco-efficiency, durability and reliability in future high-rise elevator travel. It indeed opens new possibilities in future high-rise building design, and is a solution for existing buildings in terms of energy efficiency.

 

KONE People Flow Intelligence

KONE access 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During the launch of the revolutionary UltraRope, KONE concurrently announced their launch of a new technology – KONE People Flow Intelligence.

“We know that property owners and developers are under increasing pressure to ensure their tenants can move around buildings as quickly and comfortably as possible, and simultaneously provide improved security and access control. At the same time, building users expect to be able to move through various public spaces smoothly and intuitively. KONE People Flow Intelligence solutions address these demands,” says Ari Virtanen, Senior Vice President for KONE Access Control and Integrated Solutions.

The KONE People Flow Intelligence portfolio includes four product areas: access control, destination guidance, information communication, and equipment monitoring. The solutions are modular, flexible, and third-party compatible, meaning building owners can either take the whole integrated package or pick and choose the solutions they want and need to complement the existing systems in their buildings.

KONE’s new access solutions can connect elevators seamlessly with all entry points in a building, including turnstiles and automatic doors, to provide maximum security while ensuring a smooth journey. Destination solutions take into account the number of people waiting to use the elevators and their destination floors when they assign and guide individual users to their assigned elevators. This improves elevator traffic handling capacity and performance, leading to less crowded elevators, shorter travel times and fewer stops. Traditional elevator call buttons can be replaced by touchscreens in KONE’s new destination solutions. A unique destination feature is the new KONE RemoteCall™ mobile application, which allows users to call an elevator from anywhere in the building using their smartphone.

KONE’s information screens can be placed inside elevator cars or anywhere else in a building, and can be used for example, to guide building users to their destination, provide information about the building, or serve as a platform for media content. KONE’s monitoring solutions enable the surveillance and configuration of elevators and escalators in real time across multiple locations. These new solutions combine industry-leading technology with state-of-the-art design. They are modular and flexible, adapting to clients’ changing needs.

 

For more information, visit www.kone.sg

 

 

 

 

High Efficiency Air Conditioning Solutions for a Greener Building

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Carrier, the world’s leader in high technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions, announced a range of high efficiency commercial chillersolutions to support Singapore’s growing green building market. Carrier is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).

According to a 62-country study by McGraw-Hill Construction, Singapore is the most heavily involved country in green building. In 2012, 66 percent of the country’s project work was green as compared to the global average of 38 percent.

“For Carrier Singapore, preservation of the environment and protecting our finite natural resources remains a central tenet of our business. We are proud to continue to support Singapore’s ambitious green building goals by providing the industry with innovative and efficient solutions that maximize energy efficiency,” said Oon Wee Chin, vice president, Singapore and Southeast Asia, UTC Climate, Controls & Security.

With heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) accounting for 50 percent of a building’s energy consumption, Carrier’s innovative new products provide Singapore’s building and construction industry with a range of solutions designed to reduce energy consumption while creating comfortable indoor environments. Incorporating industry-leading technologies,the Carrier 23XRV, AquaForce® 30XW-V variable frequency drive (VFD)screw chiller and heat pump, and the beste online casino Carrier 19XR-E two-stage centrifugal chiller and heat pumpfor commercial and light commercial buildings, epitomize Carrier’s long-held commitment to the environment and dedication to innovation.

Carrier developed three high efficiency air conditioning solutions to help buildings maximise their energy efficiency while at the same time reducing their environmental footprint. 

1) The Carrier 23XRV VFD tri-rotor screw chiller is the world’s leading efficiency screw chiller with a 600 ton capacity and uses the ozone-friendly HFC-134a refrigerant. The 23XRV is capable of achieving low operational costs and is 20 to 40 percent more energy efficient than other water-cooled screw products in the market today. A similar Carrier chiller has enabled the Tokio Marine building in Singapore’s Central Business District to achieve the highest system efficiency in Singapore for a central commercial air conditioning system

2)The new 19XR-E centrifugal chiller and heat pump has a capacity of 800-1500 tons and incorporates a leading-edge two-stage gear drive compressor pioneered by Carrier to integrate air conditioning, heat pump, energy recovery andice thermal storage delivering temperatures as high as 65 degrees Celsius  and as low as -6 degrees Celsius

3)The AquaForce™ 30XW-V VFD screw chiller and heat pump with a capacity of 170-460 tons,uses the innovative Greenspeed™ VFD technology to deliver high performance and optimal energy consumption. AquaForce allows the precise matching of capacity with building load changes, making it ideal for green hotels, subway transport and office buildings. The compact design makes it suitable for retrofit projects as well

Carrier’s new range of light commercial products includes the high efficiency 30WQ/61WQ water heat pump;  full inverter Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) System with high heating capabilities;  new hydronic system and AquaFlow™ Variable Water Volume (VWV) System that offer one-stop intelligent HVAC management functions.

 

For more information, visit Carrier at www.carrier.com. Follow Carrier on Twitter @CarrierGreen.

Philips Lighting: Taking Light to the next level

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PSFK report reveals 12 key trends driving the ‘Future of Light’ and showcases Philips’ role at the forefront of the lighting revolution

Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Light is at the heart of our communities, our technological advances and our sustainable world. Speeding up this new age of digital light will unlock even greater health, well being, sustainability and economic benefits for society as a whole. This is the conclusion of an independent report – ‘The Future of Light’ – published today by think tank PSFK Labs and supported by Philips. The report is available on www.psfk.com , and accessible as a SlideShare slide show and as an iOS or Android app.

Based upon expert interviews and more than 50 case studies, the report summarizes 12 trends which have been grouped into four themes showing the way lighting can be used to create experiences, tell stories, convey information and promote wellness.

“We are at the forefront of a digital revolution in lighting. As part of our commitment to creating a healthier and more sustainable world, Philips will continue to shape the future in lighting. Our insights, expertise and ground-breaking innovations create a positive impact on people’s lives and help our partners realize their vision,” comments Rogier van der Heide, Vice President and Chief Design Officer, Philips Lighting. “The ‘Future of Light’ is a fascinating opening salvo – and will  bear fruit over the coming years as people take inspiration from the report.”

The PSFK report highlights projects which collectively demonstrate the numerous benefits of light, ranging from healthy sleep patterns and feelings of safety, through to macro issues, including the readdress of resource scarcity and climate change. The projects profiled span from a derelict gas station transformed into an art installation to high-profile design work like the 75th anniversary lighting of the San Francisco Bay Bridge.

A number of Philips innovations are profiled in the report including Philips CityTouch which helps cities deliver intelligent public lighting, Philips’ SchoolVision and Healwell solutions, both proven to have a positive impact on people’s physical and emotional states, and Philips Hue, the smart connected LED bulb which in a paradigm shift in experiencing light at home.

“Light’s importance in daily life cannot be overstated. It has the ability to enhance feelings of well-being, build vibrant communities or set the stage for a grand reveal, yet it is often only noticed in its absence. With this report, PSFK showcases the vast potential that light has to positively impact people’s lives across the globe,” said Piers Fawkes, President & Founder, PSFK.

Johnson Controls affirms strategic commitment to China with new corporate headquarters in Shanghai

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SHANGHAI –September 17, 2013 –Johnson Controls, a diversified global industrial company in the building and automotive industries, today held a signing ceremony with Shanghai Hongqiao Linkong Economic Zone for its new China corporate headquarters. Featuring sustainable construction and state-of-the-art building technologies, the Johnson Controls corporate campus will be a symbol of the company’s commitment to a strong industry leadership presence in China.

“As China continues to be one of the major growth markets for Johnson Controls, the new corporate headquarters in Shanghai will create a centralized and sustainable workplace to continue our business growth in China and the Asia Pacific region<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: オンライン カジノ small;”>”, said Alex Molinaroli, vice chairman of Johnson Controls. “This innovative, green campus reflects our commitment to China and will also demonstrate our capabilities to exceed customers’increasing expectations with our world class smart building technologies and energy efficiency solutions.”

The design and construction of the new campus will achieve China’s Three Star Green and LEED Platinum building certifications to become a landmark for China and the Asia region. To make this possible, Johnson Controls will employ multiple integrated building technology solutions that will reduce the building’s water and energy use. Regionally manufactured materials will be used for this project and special attention will be paid to indoor and outdoor environments. All together, this will result in a 48 percent reduction in the building’s energy consumption over traditional building designs per year.

BCA-SIA-SGBC International Tropical Architecture Design Competition Reveals Winning Projects

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The International Tropical Architecture Design Competition is in its third year running. It was initiated by BCA, the Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA) and the Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC) in 2011. This year’s competition, with the theme “Live, Study, Play – Our Green Campus”, contestants had to demonstrate the essentials and key constituents of a green campus and submit a design for one component or building of a campus. Entries had to be applicable for the tropical climate and showcase innovative and sustainable designs. Entries also had to show how the proposed building would integrate with the other functional spaces and buildings in a campus. The entries also had to focus on incorporating both active and passive design strategies, renewable energy (if applicable) and other ecological features; ensure that the design concept allows end-users; cultivate behaviours or actions that would keep the campus community sustainable in the tropical climate; highlight how to reduce carbon footprint; be based on a green assessment tool of choice to validate the sustainable design concepts; and  include a degree of feasibility based on resources available in the present day.

A three-member team from the National University of Singapore and University of Melbourne has won the International Tropical Architecture Design Competition 2013 for Institutes of Higher Learning for its entry on “Mushroom Community Campus”, the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore (BCA) announced on 12 September 2013. The competition, a co-located event of International Green Building Conference (IGBC) 2013, was opened to architecture students from institutes of higher learning around the world and focused on tropical green architecture and sustainable building design solutions.

The competition aims to nurture future architects and leaders in tropical green building designs and to promote awareness of the need for sustainable living in the region. A total of 19 teams from five countries including China, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam submitted entries for this year’s competition, themed “Live, Study, Play – Our Green Campus”. Five teams from Singapore and Australia (joint submission), India, Indonesia and Vietnam were shortlisted for the final judging, which was held on Tuesday, 10 September 2013 during the 2013 Singapore Green Building Week.

The winning entry, the “Mushroom Community Campus”, is a joint submission by Pham Huu Loc (Team Leader) and Ng Pui Shan from the National University of Singapore and Hoang Van Anh from the University of Melbourne. The “Mushroom Community Campus” envisions a vocational education, training and research centre, specialising in environment, agriculture, forestry, education and sustainability management, in Sapa, Vietnam.

Based on a biophilic design concept of using fresh air, daylight and water features, the campus design utilises natural resources such as an innovative earth-air tunnel that helps to reduce the energy required for conditioning the air by using the thermal properties of the earth as heat exchanger. Other features such as photovoltaic panels, solar water heating and rainwater harvesting further enable the campus to be almost completely self-sustainable and reduce energy consumption net carbon dioxide emission by more than 70 percent. The resultant design was an integrated one which included inputs from more than one discipline, and showed a good match between design and site context, resulting in a unique form which interested the judges.

Picture featured (From left): Mr Quek See Tiat, Chairman of the Building and Construction Authority with Ng Pui Shan and Pham Huu Loc both from the National University of Singapore.

For more information: www.bca.gov.sg

MIPIM Asia Awards 2013 Honours Outstanding Pan-Asian projects

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Paris, September 10, 2013 – MIPIM Asia, the property leaders’ summit in Asia Pacific, today reveals the 32 winning projects in the 7th edition of the MIPIM Asia Awards competition, which have honoured outstanding real estate projects in the Asia Pacific region since 2007.

 

The MIPIM Asia Awards jury, headed by Mr. Vincent H.S. LO, Chairman of Shui On Group, examined 98 projects from 13 countries, which entered this year’s competition. Project submissions covered the region with entries from China, Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Bahrain and Russia.

 

Commenting on the 2013 Awards, MIPIM Asia Director, Filippo Rean, noted, “what is particularly striking is the quality of projects that were submitted from across the Asia Pacific region. Entries from nine different countries made it onto the jury’s final winners list which confirms the vibrancy of the real estate sector and the innovation which is taking place throughout the region.”

 

The 16 industry experts composing the international jury selected the winners in 11 distinct categories, for a total of 32 winning projects, which are:

 

BEST INNOVATIVE GREEN BUILDING

 

  • CIC Zero Carbon Building , Hong Kong
  •  Pearl River Tower, Guangzhou, China
  • Tree House, Singapore

 

BEST MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT

  • Jem, Singapore
  • Jing An Kerry Centre, Shanghai, China
  • L’Avenue Shanghai, Shanghai, China

 

BEST OFFICE & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

  •  Jing Mian Xin Cheng, Beijing, China
  • Liaogou River Headquarters Business Park, Jining, China
  • Skyview Corporate Park, Gurgaon, India

 

BEST RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT

  •  Cube 8, Singapore
  • IDEO MORPH 38, Bangkok, Thailand
  • Miro, Singapore

 

BEST RETAIL & LEISURE DEVELOPMENT

  • iapm Mall, Shanghai, China
  • Palm Island Chongqing, Chongqing, China
  • The STAR, Singapore

 

BEST RETAIL STORE DESIGN

  • Audi Terminal, Singapore
  • Hankyu Umeda Flagship Department Store,Osaka, Japan

 

BEST URBAN REGENERATION PROJECT

  • Centres of Central, Hong Kong
  • Tianjin Cultural Centre, Tianjin, China
  • Yasumoto International Academic Park and Wu Ho Man Yuen Building, Hong Kong

 

BEST FUTURA PROJECT

  • Gotjawal Village, Seogwipo, South Korea
  • Sequis Tower, Jakarta, Indonesia
  • World Confucianism*Sunbi Culture Park & Korean Cultural Theme Park, Andong, South Korea

 

BEST FUTURA MEGA PROJECT

  • Bhartiya City, Bangalore, India
  • Dai Nippon Printing Ichigaya Factory Redevelopment, Tokyo, Japan
  • Vung Ro Bay Masterplan, Tuy Hoa, Vietnam

BEST CHINESE FUTURA PROJECT

  •  K11 Beijing Art Mall, Beijing, China
  • Nanjing Eco-Tech Island Xin Wen Ti Tech Park, Nanjing, China
  •  Taihu New City Cultural Zone & Lang Kwai Fong Wuxi, Wuxi, China

 

BEST CHINESE FUTURA MEGA PROJECT

  •  Hangzhou Crystal City Master Plan, Hangzhou, China
  • Nanhu New Country Village Master Plan, Jiaxing, China
  • The Habitat, Qinhuangdao, China

 

 

MIPIM Asia delegates will get to vote online for their favourite projects in each category, and their votes, combined with the jury’s vote, will determine the Gold, Silver or Bronze ranking of the winners. This final ranking will be revealed during a gala dinner on Tuesday 5 November, at Hong Kong’s Grand Hyatt Hotel.

The MIPIM Asia Awards jury also selected the winner of the Special Jury Award, which will be revealed during MIPIM Asia Awards gala dinner.

 

More info at http://www.mipim-asia.com/en/the-programme/awards/

 

 

 

HDB’s Punggol Breeze Bags FIABCI Singapore Property Award 2013

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The Housing & Development Board (HDB) has won the FIABCI Singapore Property Award 2013 in the Master Plan Category for its project, Punggol Breeze.

FIABCI Singapore Property Awards 2013

This is the third consecutive year that HDB’s efforts in creating a better living environment for Singaporeans, has been recognized by FIABCI [Federation Internationale des Administrateurs de Bien-Conselis Immobilisers], the International Real Estates Federation. With this win, Punggol Breeze earns the prestige of representing Singapore at the renowned FIABCI Prix d’Excellence Awards, the pinnacle of awards in the international real estate arena.

The FIABCI Singapore Property Award is Punggol Breeze’s fourth accolade. Other awards received include the BCA Universal Design Award (Gold) 2013, HDB Design Award 2013 and HDB Construction Award 2013 – Certificate of Merit.

A ‘Gateway’ to Quality Living in the Heartland

Punggol Breeze is a premium Build-To-Order (BTO) project comprising 964 four- and five-room flats in 12 blocks. Completed in December 2012, it is bounded by Punggol Drive and Edgefield Plains, and is conveniently served by the nearby Oasis LRT station, which is two stops away from the Punggol MRT station.

Its design draws inspiration from the concept of a “gateway” – residents walking along the pedestrian boulevard from the LRT station to Punggol Breeze are greeted by a “gateway” framed by four distinctive blocks which leads them seamlessly to the precincts, amenities, and facilities beyond. The project sports a contemporary yet sleek finish, defined by grey, clean cut lines bordering the façade, and contrasted against orange hues. From afar, Punggol Breeze’s carefully variegated skyline, and staggered elevations of the blocks further accentuate its distinctive character.

To realise the vision of Punggol Breeze as a lush and tranquil sanctuary, concerted effort was made to incorporate expansive greenery and integrate them with community spaces for residents. One of the highlights is a 270m linear roof garden atop the multi-storey car park, currently the longest roof garden in Punggol. While the extensive greenery helps to reduce heat and glare, the central location of the roof garden in the precinct enables residents casino online to enjoy the breathtaking sight of verdant foliage from their homes. To facilitate fostering of familial ties, as well as encourage bonding and interaction amongst the community, social and recreational spaces are carved out for facilities such as the children’s playground, fitness corners, and resting shelters for informal gatherings.

Another key feature of Punggol Breeze is its 7,000sqm common green which is adorned with palm trees and willows, and evokes a natural glasslands setting. Besides enjoying the communal facilities, residents can take strolls along the pedestrian paths and jogging track. Additionally, pockets of spaces have been reserved for future community use, and residents will be invited to contribute their ideas when designing these spaces.

Dr Cheong Koon Hean, Chief Executive Officer of HDB, said, “HDB is once again honoured to receive the FIABCI Singapore Property Award 2013. It is indeed a recognition of HDB’s efforts in providing functional and aesthetically-appealing living environments. This is aligned with HDB’s Roadmap to develop well-designed, sustainable, and community-centric towns. We endeavour to keep up with the good work in delivering quality and value for money homes for Singaporeans.”