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​​Arup Honoured with Multiple Awards at HKIE 50th Anniversary

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Arup, a global built environment consultant, has been recognised with eight awards at The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) 50th Anniversary Legacy Award, including five Grand Awards and three Merit Awards, honouring its continuous contributions to engineering, industry and society in Hong Kong and beyond.

“Since establishing our Hong Kong office in 1976, Arup has transformed the cityscape through our multidisciplinary expertise, from strategic planning and iconic buildings to critical infrastructure and cultural hubs. These accolades reaffirm our decades of commitment to advancing the city’s progress and contributing to its sustainable development,” said Theresa Yeung, Managing Principal, East Asia.

Fire Engineering Approach for Large Spaces

Grand Award in Innovation category

In the early 2000s, Arup pioneered a revolutionary fire safety solution for large atria by combining long-throw sprinklers with infrared flame detectors. First implemented at Langham Place and the International Commerce Centre, this innovative approach transformed how architects and engineers address fire safety in expansive areas. The system’s success has enabled the creation of iconic spaces in Hong Kong, from shopping malls to airport terminals, while maintaining both aesthetics and functional integrity. It has also set a new standard for fire safety engineering in Hong Kong.

HSBC Data Centre

Grand Award in Industrial category

The HSBC Data Centre in Tseung Kwan O marked a milestone in Hong Kong’s digital infrastructure development. As Asia’s largest data centre when completed in 2008, it pioneered new standards in security, reliability, and sustainability. The facility processes transactions for HSBC operations across 30 countries, strengthening Hong Kong’s position as a global financial hub. Its groundbreaking Tier III+ design, with capability for Tier IV upgrade, set new benchmarks for data centre development. The project’s innovative features, from advanced security systems to sustainable design elements, continue to influence data centre construction worldwide.

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Stonecutters Bridge

Grand Award in Infrastructure category

With the world’s tallest freestanding monopole towers and 1,018m cable-stayed span, Stonecutters Bridge stands as an icon of Hong Kong’s engineering excellence. Commissioned in 2009, it features unprecedented innovations, including the most extensive use of structural stainless-steel skin globally in the upper portion of the bridge towers. The bridge serves as a vital link in Route 8, connecting the bustling Kwai Chung Container Terminals to Hong Kong’s transport network. Its elegant design and technical innovations have earned numerous international awards, while its dramatic presence has become an exemplary showcase of Hong Kong’s world-class infrastructure.

Terminal 1, Hong Kong International Airport

Grand Award in Infrastructure category

Hong Kong International Airport Terminal 1 has revolutionised airport design with its iconic barrel-vaulted roof structure, creating one of the world’s most efficient and passenger-friendly airports. The innovative design features 129 parallel vaults spanning 36m each, creating vast column-free spaces flooded with natural light. Since its 1998 opening, the terminal has grown from handling 35 million to over 50 million passengers annually, showcasing its remarkable adaptability. The terminal’s enduring success and consistent ranking among the world’s best airports demonstrate how innovative engineering can create sustainable, efficient, and beautiful transportation hubs.

West Rail

Grand Award in Infrastructure category

The West Rail Line has enhanced connectivity in Hong Kong’s New Territories, with the Yuen Long Section standing as its most impressive achievement. This 7.6km section features Hong Kong’s most extensive elevated rail viaduct and three major stations. Its groundbreaking noise control system achieved an unprecedented 24dBA reduction, setting new global standards for urban railways. The project’s sophisticated integration of infrastructure with community needs, particularly at the 480m-long Tin Shui Wai Station, demonstrates how innovative engineering can enhance urban development while protecting community well-being.

Two other influential projects where Arup played a key role – Kai Tak Sports Park and the Hong Kong Section of Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link – also received Grand Awards. Other winning projects include:

  • Admiralty Station extension – Merit Award in Infrastructure category
  • Hong Kong West Drainage Tunnel – Merit Award in Infrastructure category
  • Shenzhen Bay Bridge – Merit Award in Infrastructure category

In addition, Ir Dr Andrew Chan, former Chair of Arup Group’s Trustee Board, was bestowed with the HKIE Honorary Fellow title for his remarkable contribution to the HKIE, engineering industry and society.

The HKIE 50th Anniversary Legacy Award is designed to celebrate outstanding engineering projects, groundbreaking technologies, and transformative initiatives that have made a lasting impact on the engineering landscape, industry and society of Hong Kong and across the globe over the past five decades.

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Arup Appoints APAC Managing Director to Drive Asia Pacific Growth

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Global sustainable development consultancy, Arup, is targeting significant growth in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region with the appointment of a new APAC Managing Director, TC Chew, who is set to drive ambitious expansion plans in one of the fastest-growing regions in the world. Accounting for 39 percent of global GDP and forecast to continue growth for the next 20 years, Mr Chew expects the APAC region will be an influential global powerhouse in steering sustainable development trends.

“From the unprecedented demand for digital and data services, the strength manufacturing for green energy technologies, and acceleration of urbanisation and creation of new capital cities, APAC has the potential to shape global sustainability targets in coming decades. Arup’s strengths in supporting sustainable outcomes across a range of growing sectors position us well to address the sizeable demand for resilient infrastructure, mobility, greener energy and vibrant, inclusive cities. Our focus in APAC will be supported by borderless collaboration across our offices, so our clients can better access the wide range of technical expertise we possess,” said Mr Chew.

Arup has a well-established market presence of over six decades with 28 offices across the APAC region and aims to grow its headcount of over 6,400 in APAC to around 10,000 by 2030. The firm launched its first office in the Asia Pacific region in Sydney, Australia in the 1960s to design engineering solutions for the iconic Sydney Opera House. Since then, it has grown into a collective of engineers, designers and built environment specialists shaping the built environment of some of the region’s most dynamic cities. Other major Arup projects have included the Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong, the Macau Bridge connecting the Macau Peninsula and Taipa, and the Merdeka 118 building in Malaysia.

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Mr Chew moves into the Managing Director role from his position as the firm’s Global Rail Business Leader, responsible for the design and delivery of major multidisciplinary projects around the world. Before joining Arup in 2018, he held a range of senior executive positions in the APAC region and will be relocating to Singapore for the position. As the base for the firm’s Managing Director and a strong concentration of APAC leadership, Singapore is recognised as a key strategic hub for driving growth and impact across the region.

The broader APAC Leadership Team will be distributed across the region which includes Kate West taking on the newly created role of Chief Officer, Business & Markets, APAC to oversee the growth and diversification of the firm’s business in the APAC region. New Market Leaders for the region will implement the growth and transformation ambitions for priority sectors which are Michael McGowan for Transport, Yoong Heng Tan for Energy, Water & Resources, and Anthony Chiu for Property, Science & Industry.

Paul Coughlan, Arup’s current global Chief Operations Officer will relocate to Singapore to take up the role of Chief Officer, Performance & Operations, APAC to oversee operations led by Managing Principals, Liam O’Donohue in Australia & New Zealand, Lau Ching Luan in Southeast Asia, and Theresa Yeung in East Asia.

“We will leverage the strong alignment of Arup’s strategic priorities with the APAC region’s accelerating global influence. Although it is one of the most diverse regions, it faces many shared challenges when it comes to confronting the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and social inequality, while also being the most vulnerable region to the impacts of climate change,” added Mr Chew.

The new Arup APAC region structure and leadership team will come into effect from today, 1 April 2025.

Canberra theatre centre design concept

Architectus, Henning Larsen & Arup Announced as the Consortium to Transform Canberra Theatre Centre

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Canberra theatre centre design concept

 

Australian architecture and design firm Architectus, international studio Henning Larsen and global consultants Arup have been chosen as the winning consortium to transform the Canberra Theatre Centre into a vibrant, multi-event, all-inclusive space that will, in consultation with First Nations peoples, be the anchor project for the future of Canberra’s Civic and Cultural District into an internationally recognised arts precinct.

 

The design vision for the Canberra Theatre Centre is an environment that reflects and represents diverse cultures and voices. An internationally recognised cultural precinct with impeccable design credentials that serves as a new community meeting place for Canberrans, and a home for artists from across the globe. The winning tender included early preliminary designs that depict a new theatre building with a bold and sophisticated façade treatment, and which references to the formal landmarks of Canberra.

 

Architectus Principal and Public Sector Leader, Dr Stephen Long said, “Our collective is thrilled to be working alongside the ACT Government to deliver a world-class experience that has the potential to fuel the creative spirit of Canberra.

 

“We will approach the design process through the lens of the audience and the performers. We will continue to work from the inside out to create a National theatre with an international reputation. We will also work from the outside in to create a theatre that is enmeshed in the city and landscape, one that holds its place in the context of Canberra’s ensemble of National culture and arts buildings and brings vibrancy to the Canberra Civic and Cultural District. We seek to create a project that is an exemplar of elegance, function and sustainability.”

 

Canberra theatre centre with render

 

Henning Larsen Partner and Design Director, Viggo Haremst said, “We are honoured to have been selected for the renewal of the Canberra Theatre Centre. Our design ambition is for the centre to become a national landmark and an international destination, drawing artists and audiences from around the world to Canberra’s new cultural heart.

 

“Together with Architectus and Arup, we’ve approached the design with great care considering the architecture and all other elements of design to create a vibrant and inclusive place that honours the history and beauty of the land. A cultural hub that celebrates the community, its diverse heritage and artistic expression, where people come together to share in the power of performance and storytelling.”

 

Arup, a world leader in theatre planning, will collaborate with Architectus and Henning Larsen to ensure the theatre has the form and function required to support the highest level of national and international touring shows.

 

Arup Australasian Arts & Culture Business Lead, Hannah Slater said, “We are excited to be working in collaboration with Architectus and Henning Larsen on this landmark project that embeds dialogue and creation in the civic heart of Canberra.

 

Canberra theatre centre design concept theatre interior

 

“Our design approach will provide the opportunity for the project to knit the stories of this place into the city through establishing a transparent, connected and inviting Centre. Arup provides diverse technical engineering skills and detailed Theatre Architecture expertise, contributing to the realisation of this ambition.”

 

The team shares a long history of delivering globally significant cultural projects including the multi-award-winning Harpa Concert Hall in Iceland by Henning Larsen and Arup, and Architectus and Arup collaborated on the recently opened Art Gallery of New South Wales Sydney Modern Building. Architectus and Henning Larsen also work together on several high-profile commercial projects in Sydney and Brisbane.

Bentley Systems to Host Infrastructure Leaders at the Year in Infrastructure 2019 Conference in Singapore

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The structural design of the Marina Bay Sands was done by Arup and was the 2010 Year in Infrastructure Award winner for Innovation in Structural Engineering

Bentley Systems, Incorporated, the leading global provider of comprehensive software solutions and digital twin cloud services for advancing the design, construction, and operations of infrastructure will host its Year in Infrastructure 2019 Conference and awards ceremony at one of the most iconic buildings in Asia, the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore.

 

 

Advancing BIM through Digital Twins is the theme of this year’s conference, which takes place 21 to 24 October, 2019.

The Year in Infrastructure Conference is an annual global gathering of leading executives of infrastructure design, construction, and operations focused on best practices and technologies for going digital. This year’s conference features nearly 100 speakers and more than 150 informative sessions including keynotes by leading industry experts, user success stories, interactive workshops, panel discussions, and technology demonstrations.

Dr. Ayesha Khanna, co-founder and CEO of ADDO AI, is a keynote speaker for the Year in Infrastructure 2019 Conference

Dr. Ayesha Khanna, co-founder and CEO of ADDO AI, an artificial intelligence (AI) advisory firm headquartered in Singapore, is one of the guest keynote speakers for this year’s conference. Dr. Khanna has been a strategic advisor on artificial intelligence, smart cities, and fintech to clients including SMRT, SOMPO, and Smart Dubai. She was also named one of South East Asia’s groundbreaking female entrepreneurs by Forbes magazine in 2018.

Keith Clarke, chairman of the board for UK-based Forum for the Future, is the other featured guest keynote speaker. Clarke is a chartered architect with more than 40 years of experience in construction and engineering and was formerly the chief executive of the global engineering and design consultancy firm, Atkins. He is a non-executive director for Sirius Minerals plc, chair of Future Cities Catapult and Tidal Lagoon Power plc, vice president of the Institute of Civil Engineers, patron of the Environmental Industries Commission at Oxford, and has honorary fellowships from the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Institution of Structural Engineers, and Cardiff University. He is also visiting professor for sustainable design at Aston University.

Attendees will hear from other industry thought leaders and learn about technologies and best practices that are shaping the future of infrastructure delivery and operations. Speakers from Bentley’s strategic partner organizations, including Microsoft, Siemens, and Topcon will participate in technology demonstrations, presentations, and discussions on numerous topics.

New to this year’s conference are ACCELERATE sessions led by Bentley’s application experts. Featuring more than 20 topics, the sessions give infrastructure experts exclusive insights into how their organizations can master the latest enhancements and key capabilities of Bentley applications to help drive efficiency through multidiscipline workflows.

Attendees can learn best practices through Academies Day sessions led by industry experts. Academies Day features six sessions: digital advancement, construction, constructioneering, research, reality modeling, and process industries. The academies team will also conduct live, interactive sessions in the Technology Pavilion throughout the conference.

In addition, the 2019 finalists in Bentley’s Year in Infrastructure Awards program will present their projects during industry-focused forums — Buildings and Campuses, Digital Cities, Industrial Infrastructure, Rail and Transit, Roads and Bridges, and Energy and Water Utilities. Winners will be announced at a gala and awards program at the conclusion of the conference.

Chris Barron, chief communications officer for Bentley Systems, said, “We’re pleased to be hosting our Year in Infrastructure conference and awards gala in Singapore again this year. Singapore is a leader in innovative use of technology for the delivery and operations of infrastructure and was named a Smart City in 2018, so it is a fitting and inspirational location to host an event that explores the innovations and best practices of technology use for outstanding infrastructure projects around the world. And we’re proud to note that the extraordinary Marina Bay Sands structural system was designed by Arup using Bentley software and is a spectacular example of excellence in structural design and engineering.

Arup Expands Cities Capabilities across Southeast Asia with New Leadership Appointments

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Arup, a global design and consulting firm, announces two new additions to the senior leadership team with the appointment of Andy Hodgson, as Singapore’s Advisory Services Leader and Tony Chan, as Associate Principal, Southeast Asia’s Cities and Planning team. Together they will support the firm in expanding its capabilities across Southeast Asia, furthering the aspirations of the Arup Future Cities Hub.

Andy Hodgson

“Andy and Tony both bring strong experience working in Asia, furthering our mission to deliver the best quality work for clients and shape better cities across the region. They are both solid integrators of multidisciplinary teams and have a long track record of leading sizeable projects and successful teams. We are excited to have them on board,” said Marianne Foley, Consulting Sector Leader, Arup.

With more than 17 years of experience in infrastructure advisory, Hodgson specialises in providing strategic counsel to a range of clientele including developers, investors and government institutions. As the Advisory Services Leader at Arup, he will help clients across the region formulate infrastructure strategies, assess technical and commercial viability of investments, unlock enterprise value and set long term plans to achieve economic development aspirations. He previously served as director and regional transport advisory lead for Atkins Acuity in Singapore and Southeast Asia.

“I am delighted to be joining Arup at such an exciting time for infrastructure development across Asia. Arup is an established leader in delivering large, technically challenging and strategic city-shaping projects globally. I’m really looking forward to building on Arup’s reputation with my range of experience in this area.

Tony Chan

With a strong background of 19 years in sustainable urban development, Chan specialises in leading multidisciplinary teams to efficiently integrate masterplanning and urban design with infrastructure projects. Tony joins from CPG Singapore and was previously a founding member of Arup’s Planning, Development and Design team in Shanghai, where he led various award- winning projects. Tony has since played a key role in a number of pivotal projects across the region such as the creation of the Eastern Economic Corridor in Thailand.

“With cities facing a myriad of physical and geopolitical challenges, I’m looking forward to help clients define and develop urban projects that can be delivered in an integrated and resilient manner. Arup’s commitment to shape thriving, healthy and successful cities is very aligned with what I hope to achieve in this space,” elaborated Chan.

Arup Unveils First Future Cities Hub to Drive Innovation and Growth in Southeast Asia

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Arup, a global design and consulting firm recently announced the launch of its first Arup Future Cities Hub on its 50th anniversary in Singapore.

Supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), the Arup Future Cities Hub will serve as a focal point for Arup’s consulting expertise in advisory, planning and design across Southeast Asia. With Singapore as a springboard, Arup will be working with public agencies and private sector entities on urban development, transport, social and infrastructure in the region.

“Singapore is the home to the best talent, underpinned by high quality infrastructure and regional connectivity. With EDB’s support, we are excited to launch the Arup Future Cities Hub on our 50th anniversary in Singapore,” said Tan Yoong Heng, Arup Singapore’s Office Leader.

He added, “Arup’s vision to shape a better world is closely aligned with Singapore’s economic transformation ambitions from a trade hub to innovation hub. We aim to bring the same bold, progressive and innovative city planning vision and goal to our clients. Our ambition is to bring the design leadership that we have established in Singapore to the future developments in cities across Southeast Asia.”

Southeast Asia is undergoing a process of hyper urbanisation and with the urban populations expected to grow by another 100 million to reach 373 million people in 2030, urban infrastructure planning has become more critical than ever before. Cities in the region will need to address urbanisation challenges and plan for sustainable and resource-efficient infrastructures. 

Over the next five years, the Arup Future Cities Hub will focus on strengthening its advisory, planning, design and specialist consulting capabilities to address critical needs. Arup will also be growing its offerings in digital, advisory, urban mobility, infrastructure masterplanning, resilience and sustainability consulting.

Cities and Planning Leader, Neil Walmsley said, “Singapore is a natural choice to build Arup’s Future Cities Hub. The nation has a strong ambition to develop its highly skilled workforce and economic leadership in the region – and we are excited to contribute to nurturing designers, planners, engineers and strategists of the future. The goal for our Future Cities team is to help Singapore develop a resilient, sustainable and smart future, while exporting best practices to the region.”

The Future Cities team will be expected to grow to more than 60 staff, with a balanced, diverse and quality team that combines local knowledge and understanding with a broad range of international expertise by 2023.