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Deckshield takes Galaxy Macau to greater heights

6 February, 2016/in Construction, Product/by Editorial Staff

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Phase 2 of mega casino Galaxy Macau’s development plan included the creation of a high performance car parking facility, ensuring that visitors to the resort would drive into a clean, quiet and visually appealing environment. The HK16 billion-construction project would see Macau’s new venue expand by 450,000 sq metres, with 3,600 hotel rooms and 500 more tables in the casino. This growth would see Galaxy Macau significantly increase both its footprint and customer volume.

To accommodate this expansion, a multi-storey car park that would reflect the site’s high standards of customer satisfaction, aesthetics and functionality was required. The resort knew that this was essential in order to provide a high quality visitor experience and to avoid delays, traffic congestion and failures from over-capacity and over-use.

Over 50,000 sq metres of high performance flooring materials was required to create the desired finish.

Thanks to the success of Flowcrete Hong Kong’s work supplying floors for Phase 1 of the project, the casino’s operators once again turned to the resin flooring specialists to provide a high performance, reliable and long-lasting surface for its upgraded car parking structure. Over 50,000 sq metres of high performance flooring materials was required to create the desired finish. The main floor area was coated over a nine-month period using 20,000 sq metres of the flexible, polyurethane deck coating system Deckshield ID as well as 14,500 sq metres of Deckshield LBD, which has been designed to act as a barrier to protect against moisture rising from the substrate.

Deckshield ID has been specifically formulated to optimise the floor area within large, multi-storey car parks. Deckshield ID is exceptionally robust, which means that it can withstand heavy vehicles constantly moving in tight circles. The chemically resistant nature of Deckshield ID also prevents exposure to automotive fuels and oils from deteriorating the finish. To ensure that the car park is a quiet and calm environment, Deckshield ID’s texture has been designed to reduce unpleasant tyre squeals.

Galaxy Macau chose a sleek, modern grey colour for the floor finish, which not only created a contemporary aesthetic but it would also provide an effective backdrop for the bright yellow signage and demarcation. Underneath the finish, 10,000 sq metres of both Isocrete K-Screed and the damp proof membrane system, Isocrete M-Bond Extra, was applied to ensure that the floor build up was robust and that the finish would be protected from moisture rising out of the substrate.

2,300 sq metres of Deckshield IDSD High Grade was used on the multi-storey facilities ramp while 10,000 sq metres of Flowcoat SF41 3mm Composite was applied in the loading bay and back of house areas.

During Phase 1 of Galaxy Macau’s construction, which was completed in 2010, Flowcrete Hong Kong supplied 15,000 sq metres of Deckshield in the initial car park and 18,000 sq metres of Isocrete K-Screed in the casino’s basement floor.

General Manager of Flowcrete Asia, Francis Tang, said, “It is imperative that the building materials specified for a location such as Galaxy Macau live up to the high standards of the venue. For our work during both phases one and two of the casino’s development, this meant providing the required functionality to support the operations of such a large, complex site while also ensuring that the environment constantly conveys a clean, visually appealing image.”

He added, “The expertise and experience at Flowcrete Hong Kong combined with our high quality flooring materials meant that we were ideally positioned to meet Galaxy Macau’s needs. We are committed to working closely with the resort as it develops and grows over the coming years.”

Singapore receives top regional accolades at AFEO

16 December, 2015/in News/by Editorial Staff

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The annual awards pay tribute to engineering achievements that have demonstrated outstanding engineering skills and made significant contributions.

For the first time for Singapore, a total of five engineering projects across multiple industries clinched the prestigious ASEAN Outstanding Engineering Achievement Awards 2015 presented at the Conference of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (CAFEO) held in Penang on 25 November 2015.

Presented by AFEO, the annual awards pay tribute to engineering achievements that have demonstrated outstanding engineering skills and made significant contributions to the engineering progress and the quality of life in ASEAN. All winning projects from Singapore this year had been selected by IES for this award from amongst the IES Prestigious Engineering Achievement Awards 2015 recipients.

“IES is proud of our local engineering teams for bringing honour not only to themselves, but to the Singapore engineering fraternity. The winning of five awards adds jubilation to Singapore’s 50th birthday and recognises the remarkable engineering work being conducted in Singapore,” said Er. Chong Kee Sen, President of IES, who led a 33-member contingent to represent Singapore at CAFEO.

The five winning projects are:

Speak to Me in My Language by A*STAR, Institute for Infocomm Research
Towards Better Living and Greater Sustainability through “Smart Planning”- Urban Environmental Modelling (UEM) by Building Research Institute, Housing & Development Board
Jurong Rock Caverns by JTC Corporation
Innovative Hybrid Membrane Dehumidifier (MD)-Indirect Evaporative Cooling (IEC) System For All-Weather Air-conditioning Without Compressors by National University of Singapore & King Abdullah University of Science & Technology
Samwoh Eco-Green Building – First Building in the Region Constructed Using Up to 100 percet of recycled concrete aggregate by Samwoh Corporation Pte Ltd

The event also saw the conferring of the AFEO Honorary Fellowship title upon five eminent persons from Singapore, in recognition of their outstanding services, greatness of spirit, integrity and devotion to the engineering profession, IES and Singapore. They are:

Prof. CHEONG Hee Kiat, President, SIM University, Singapore
Mr. Brian CHANG, Chairman, Blue Capital Pte Ltd
Er. ONG See Ho, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Building Control), Building and Construction Authority
Er. NG Say Cheong, Director (Upgrading Construction Management), Building Quality Group, Housing & Development Board
Er. TANG Kin Fei, Group President & CEO, Sembcorp Industries Ltd

IES represented Singapore at the 33rd Conference of the CAFEO held in Penang from 23 to 26 November 2015. Since 1982, the annual CAFEO has been hosted with rotation by 10 ASEAN member countries including Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar.

KONE opens one of world’s tallest elevator test towers

14 December, 2015/in News/by Editorial Staff

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Kunshan test tower is the tallest among KONE’s eight global testing facilities.

KONE, one of the global leaders in the elevator and escalator industry, recently celebrated the opening of one of the world’s tallest elevator test towers. The new 36-floor tower is centrally located at the KONE Park manufacturing site, engineering facility and research and development (R&D) center in the Kunshan New and Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone in Eastern China.

Reaching a height of 235.6 meters, the tower contains 12 shafts that can be reconfigured for testing new high-rise solutions and components. Permanent features include a high-speed elevator that carries visitors to a sky lobby and showroom at speed of up to 10m/s. This is the world’s first double-decker elevator to feature KONE UltraRope(TM) super-light rope technology.

“The new test tower demonstrates our strong commitment to developing R&D in mid- and high-rise elevator technology. We are the industry leader in China, and this investment will further strengthen our position in a rapidly changing market. Now that we have additional capacity and capability to test our innovations, we will be able to deliver new products faster than ever before,” says Henrik Ehrnrooth, CEO and President at KONE.

The Kunshan test tower is the tallest among KONE’s eight global testing facilities. KONE’s underground testing facility in Tytyri, Finland, is 305 meters deep, allowing the company to test elevators at speeds up to 17 m/s – the only testing facility in the world where such speeds can be reached. In the new Kunshan test tower, the maximum speed is 15 m/s.

The Kunshan R&D team works in close collaboration with KONE’s existing high-rise laboratory researchers in Finland. “It will bring our R&D units in Finland and China closer together. Geographically it benefits us to have two separate laboratories near our markets in Europe and Asia, serving both hemispheres,” adds Ehrnrooth.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Finnish Minister of Economic Affairs Olli Rehn, the Vice Mayor of Suzhou Xu Huimin, as well as KONE Chairman Antti Herlin, and KONE President and CEO Henrik Ehrnrooth.

Plazit-Polygal launches economic new roofing material

3 December, 2015/in News, Product/by Editorial Staff

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The easy-to-fit system comes in five colours. Image courtesy of Plazit-Polygal

Plazit-Polygal, a producer of polycarbonate building materials, has launched Topgal, a modular range of translucent roofing material, which is attractive, economic, flexible and easy to install.

The Topgal range is suitable for any building that requires natural light, such as sports stadiums, commercial buildings and even pool enclosures. The Topgal sheets come in five different colours: clear, bronze, ice, blue and polyshade silver. It also comes in a variety of sizes and thickness levels, and delivers different levels of light transmission to meet even the most demanding of needs.

Topgal panels are linked together with easy-to-fit connectors, which create a mechanical lock between the sheets, ensuring that the panels are strong and watertight. Fixture points are hidden and the sheets can be flexed to suit any type of structure.

The Topgal system. Image courtesy of Plazit-Polygal.

“The Topgal system is translucent but all damaging UV rays are filtered out while heat transference is limited,” said Tito Asher. “It is modular so units can be added as needed,” he added.

The Topgal standing-seam panels and components integrate the unique properties of multi-wall structures to deliver superior strength, rigidity and thermal insulation. Topgal sheets are manufactured in 600 mm and 1,000 mm widths (centre to centre) and in thicknesses from 8 mm to 20 mm. In addition to the standard colours, Plazit-Polygal can tailor special colours and solar radiation levels. Find out more at www.plazit-polygal.com.

Volvo Trucks releases five new features for rough terrain

2 July, 2015/in News, Product/by Editor

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Volvo Trucks continues to improve productivity within construction by releasing another five new features, including Volvo Dynamic Steering for dual front axles and increased front axle loads. This further highlights Volvo Trucks’ special attention to the construction segment.

The first Volvo FMX from 2010 was followed up with a completely updated version in 2013, including innovative breakthroughs such as Volvo Dynamic Steering. In 2015 Volvo Trucks introduces a new series of solutions that enable trucks and drivers operating in tough conditions to perform their work more smartly and efficiently.

“Volvo trucks have a solid reputation for their quality and drivelines. By adding new, innovative features we give our customers access to a broader range of options and unique ways to improve productivity,” says Ricard Fritz, Vice President, Volvo Trucks Brand.

In addition to introducing a heavy duty bumper for the Volvo FH series and the industry-first Automatic Traction Control function for the Volvo FMX, five more features are now available:

Volvo Dynamic Steering for dual front axles: Volvo Dynamic Steering is now also available on trucks with dual front axles, a very common configuration in construction operations. Since such trucks often carry particularly heavy loads or superstructures, the benefits are very noticeable for the driver. In addition to far lower turning resistance at low speeds, the steering wheel returns automatically to the straight-ahead position after full lock, cutting out the need for added effort in close-quarter manoeuvring and saving the driver both time and energy. Volvo Dynamic Steering, which was launched in 2013 and was showcased in for example the YouTube hit “The Hamster Stunt”, consists of an electric motor that compensates for vibration and steering wheel movement while minimising the amount of force needed to steer the truck.

Increased front axle loads, dual front axles: Volvo’s heavy duty trucks with dual front axles increase the maximum technical capacity from 18 to 20 tonnes. Customers benefit from both improved productivity and added flexibility. The extra capacity translates directly into increased income-earning capacity, something that is particularly valuable when transporting heavy materials in construction operations. On a 4-axle truck with a gross weight of 32 tonnes the load bed is also longer and there is greater flexibility regarding where to place a load such as gravel in a tipper body. This means maximum load is reached more quickly when loading and that the driver can be certain about meeting weight limitations. Higher load capacity above the front axles also permits a greater variety of crane configurations and allows other applications with considerable weight on the front axles.

Five-axle trucks, 10×4 and 10×6: On many markets, the trend is towards increased gross combination weights of between 50 and 76 tonnes. In order to meet the demand for heavier applications both on highways and in construction, Volvo Trucks is now launching factory-built 5-axle combinations. The two front axles permit up to 20 tonnes maximum load and the three rear axles can handle up to 36 tonnes, resulting in both increased payload and greater flexibility for customers. This solution is also suitable for concrete pumps and large crane trucks that need uniform axle load distribution. By reducing pressure on the axles, many of these vehicles can be transported over longer distances on regular highways, resulting in both faster transportation and increased income potential.

Rear air suspension in combination with driven front axle (Volvo FMX): The new possibility of combining an air-suspended rear axle with a driven front axle permits the highest level of comfort even for trucks with all-wheel drive. Whereas leaf springs are generally dimensioned for the heaviest weights, air suspension offers the flexibility of adjustment to suit the weight of the load. This results in a smoother driving experience and less wear on truck, driver and road surface. Thanks to less vibration – especially when the truck is driven without a load – the driver can maintain a higher average speed on bumpy construction site roads and can thus handle more deliveries during each shift. In addition to the enhanced comfort, Volvo Trucks’ air suspension also offers ground clearance of at least 300 mm and effective protection for all vulnerable components.

Electronic Brake System for drum brakes: Now even customers who specify drum brakes for operation in particularly dusty or wet conditions can benefit from the advantages of Volvo’s Electronic Brake System (EBS). The system’s electronics give access to a range of intelligent functions such as Hill Start Aid for better control on steep gradients. Safety is also improved thanks to integration of engine braking and retarder function, known as Brake Blending. In addition to improved brake function, EBS in combination with drum brakes also offers access to Volvo Dynamic Steering (not with drive to the front wheels) and more efficient gear changes since I-Shift obtains some of its information from the electronic braking system.

“We want to be the leading brand in the construction segment just as we are in long haul. These new features in combination with our completely updated product range clearly sets a new standard for what a construction truck can deliver,” says Ricard Fritz, Vice President Volvo Trucks Brand.

The Volvo Trucks construction offer

In addition to the Volvo FMX, Volvo FH and Volvo FH 16, the Volvo Trucks construction vehicle range also encompasses the Volvo FL with four-wheel drive and gross weight of up to 18 tonnes, and the Volvo FE with maximum gross weight of 26 tonnes. Together with an extensive workshop network and advanced services for excellent availability, customers benefit from considerable flexibility to create individually tailored and safe solutions.

Watch the feature film here:

BuildTech Yangon 2015 to meet wider regional participation in Myanmar’s growing construction sector

27 March, 2015/in News/by Editorial Staff

Reading Time: 5 minutes

30 per cent more exhibition space, dedicated business seminar series and stronger participation to address growth opportunities in CLMV countries.
BuildTech Yangon, the definitive trade show for the building and construction development sector, returns this year with a larger exhibition from 27 to 29 May 2015 at the Myanmar Convention Centre in Yangon. Organised by Sphere Exhibits, a subsidiary of Singapore Press Holdings, and co-organised by Myanmar Construction Entrepreneurs Association (MCEA), the three-day trade show aims to serve the construction development of Myanmar with a focus on infrastructure, residential and commercial buildings, transportation, manufacturing and trading.

BuildTech Yangon 2015 is supported by the International Power Access Federation (IPAF), Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM), Myanmar Engineering Council (MEC), Myanmar Engineering Society (MES), Myanmar Industries Association (MIA), Singapore Business Federation (SBF), Singapore Institute of Limited (SIBL), The Republic of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry (UMFCCI), Vietnam Association for Building Materials (VABM), Vietnam Building Ceramic Association (V BCA), Vietnam Electronic Industries Association (VEIA), Vietnam Electrotechnical Industry Association (VELINA), and the Workplace Safety & Health Asia (WSH Asia). The trade show will see strong participation from the Southeast Asia region including Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The three-day trade show will feature an exhibition of 12,000 square metres with an impressive showcase from some 150 companies from around the region namely Germany, Korea, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Bautek, DGL International (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, FT Technologies Pte Ltd, JCB, Jenmon, Kumkang, PDS International, Peri Asia, Mines & Minerals Resources, Poh Cheong and Modern Building Materials are among some of the industry leaders that have confirmed their participation.

U Tha Hthay, Chairman of Myanmar Construction Entrepreneurs Association, said: “BuildTech Yangon is an important trade show for the building and construction industry to equip our local professionals with the necessary knowledge and training to excel in the field, especially in areas such as high-rise construction. With this trade show, we aim to drive the adoption of new technologies and building materials that will elevate construction industry standards and skills of our workforce, and hasten the further development of key infrastructure, new homes, factories and satellite towns over the next few years.”

Leveraging on a booming building & construction sector

Myanmar’s construction industry is growing exponentially due to the country’s rising population and strong economic growth. The construction industry registered a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.52 per cent from 2009 to 2013. In the second quarter of 2014 alone, the Yangon City Development Committee approved the construction of more than 1,000 high and low-rise buildings in the city, two times more than the number of approved construction projects in 2013.

The Myanmar Ministry of Construction targets to build more than one million houses in the period of 20 years to meet the demand for residential real estate. In addition, the development of Special Economic Zones in Myanmar will further drive urbanisation and the construction of new production facilities.

Mr. Chua Wee Phong, Chairman of Sphere Exhibits Pte Ltd, said: “The CLMV countries – Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, are expected to grow at a robust pace over the medium term until 2018. Following the success of our first trade show last year, we are seeing greater interest from building and construction industry players to bring the latest technologies and innovative solutions as well as seek new business casino partnerships at BuildTech Yangon 2015. As we strengthen our relationship with MCEA, there are also plans to further develop the BuildTech series of trade shows to other parts of Myanmar in the near future to cope with this robust industry development.”

A special CMLV pavilion will be featured at the trade show this year that empowers visitors to unlock new business pathways and access to networking opportunities in this region. Businesses who are keen to exhibit in this special pavilion are advised to contact the organisers directly to secure selected premium spaces which are available until the end of March 2015.

Robust networking and knowledge sharing platform

In addition to the comprehensive showcase of technologies and products, BuildTech Yangon 2015 also serves as the preferred platform for the exchange of knowledge and industry solutions. The trade show will feature a three-day business seminar series where more than 20 industry professionals and leaders from Myanmar and around the world get together to drive key industry discussions across sustainable building and construction, investment, vertical construction and town planning solutions, building automation as well as green architecture and design. Over 500 delegates are expected to attend this thought-provoking and enlightening series of complimentary business seminars which are open to all trade visitors who attend the trade show.

Sphere Exhibits recently collaborated with Myanmar Industries Association to organise a series of industrial park visits to key locations as part of a series of key marketing efforts at bringing the trade show closer to the industry. Over 100 key industry professionals and decision makers participated in this series of outreach programmes in Shwepyitha, Hlaingtharyar and Dagon Seikkan industrial parks over two days. U Kyaw Lwin, Chairmain of Shwepyitha Industrial Zone 2 to 4 commented that, “Such efforts not only help to increase the profiles of participating industrial parks; they also reinforce confidence in BuildTech Yangon as the definitive trade platform for the industry by the industry. As we look forward to the trade show, we are confident that industry players in the building and construction sector would find this trade platform beneficial to their professions.”

BuildTech Yangon is projected to host some 4,000 industry professionals including architects, engineers, surveyors, contractors, developers and investors.

Visitor pre-registration for BuildTech Yangon 2015 is now open till 20 May 2015.
Please register for the complimentary series of business seminars online at www.btyangon.com/register

OneBuild@JB dedicated to the vibrant Southern Malaysia’s market

27 March, 2015/in News/by Editorial Staff

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Iskandar Malaysia, termed as ‘Malaysia’s Super Economic Corridor’ costing over USD 100 billion, is one of the largest size economic development regions in Asia in recent history. The push for construction and infrastructure development in this Southern Peninsular Malaysia’s region grows dramatically since the release of Iskandar Malaysia.

In response to growing interest from local and foreign investors to Iskandar Malaysia, the inaugural edition of OneBuild@JB – Southern Malaysia Buidling Materials and Construction Technology Exhibition will make its debut from 23 – 26 April 2015 at Expo @Danga City Mall, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.

“With more industry players setting its sight on Iskandar Malaysia, the region is expecting a stronger capital inflow and investment. Therefore, we are in an effort to provide a premier platform where these industry players can connect with the right network for their business ventures,” said Mr. Lim Kean Boon, Managing Director of organizer, One International Exhibition Sdn. Bhd.

OneBuild@JB 2015 is the one and only, as well as most comprehensive building materials and construction trade show in Johor for recent years. It is established as a one-stop trading and sourcing platform designed for industry players to explore business opportunities and for industrial professionals to obtain the most updated solutions in building and construction sectors, specifically in Southern Peninsular Malaysia’s market. The co-located Green Conevo Expo features the best of knowledge in Green Technology, providing a truly comprehensive platform for participants and industry stakeholders in southern region.

The event is fully supported by Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB), which is the local authoritative government body in construction industry. The major organizations or associations involving in different fields of building and construction sectors such as Johor Master Builders Association (JMBA), Malay Contractor Association of Johor State (PKMMNJ), Institute of Engineers Southern Branch (IEM SB), Building Materials Distributors Association of Malaysia (BMDAM), just to name a few, have been giving their most support and collaboration to the anticipated OneBuild@JB.

“Having 135 booths and participation from more than 80 companies, OneBuild@JB aims to tap on the opportunities that it will create for the promotion and betterment of Johor’s building and construction industry. We are glad that the new idea and appearance of OneBuild@JB is well-accepted by local and international market players whom shall bring a very great product and technology showcase for our visitors during the exhibition. Other than that, visitors are encouraged to attend the seminars which are specifically designed for them andtheir work fields. These programs are definitely useful and informative for their professionalism,” added by Mr. Lim Kean Boon.

The seminars held during OneBuild@JB shall be conducted by industry professionals, including CIDB Holdings, Institute of Engineers Southern Branch, Malaysia Green Building Confederation (MGBC), Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) Southern Chapter and other industry-related organizations. The topics shall cover construction technique, health and safety, green technology, engineering issues and etc.

OneBuild@JB is the must-visit event for visitors, notably developers, contractors, architects, consultants, engineers and heavy machinery owners, not to look forward to the various showcases and enrichment programs dedicated to the building materials sector and construction technology, but also to witness the largest and most comprehensive building and construction event in Johor.

For more information or pre-registration, visit www.oneinternational.com.my

Northpoint City to Transform Singapore’s Yishun Precinct

18 February, 2015/in News/by Editor

Reading Time: 3 minutes

SINGAPORE – Frasers Centrepoint Limited (“FCL”) has awarded the main contract for the construction of Northpoint City to Lum Chang Building Contractors

(“LCBC”) and spadework will commence on 15 April 2015. When completed in 2018, Nee Soon’s most iconic integrated development will cap the landmark change envisioned for the precinct, one of the earliest townships developed in the late 1970s.

The transformation of Nee Soon involves close collaboration between the private and public sectors. FCL will be working towards amalgamating the development’s residential and retail components with the town’s main transportation network and community facilities.

With a gross floor area of about 1.33 million square feet, Northpoint City will include the 920-unit North Park Residences, the largest retail mall in the Northern region of Singapore with over 500 outlets, a first-of-its-kind Community Club within a shopping mall, a vibrant Town Plaza equivalent to the size of 10 basketball courts, as well as an integrated transport hub consisting of an air-conditioned bus interchange and shopping underpass to Yishun MRT Station.

“The partnership between the agencies and FCL will create a new Nee Soon. The changes will be exciting. Residents and businesses can look forward to a greener landscape. There will be integration of community and healthcare facilities, transport infrastructure, as well as attractive lifestyle offerings,” said Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Law and Member of Parliament for Nee Soon Group Representation Constituency.

“The mature precinct’s proud heritage will be assimilated with the new, giving it a vibrancy that will be welcomed by both long-time and new residents,” added Mr Cheang Kok Kheong, CEO of Development and Property at FCL.

“We’ve been the developer and mall operator of Northpoint Shopping Centre for more than 22 years and we understand the needs and wants of Nee Soon residents. In our plans, we have been consistently guided by the spirit of community. Northpoint City’s transformation will celebrate and accentuate Nee Soon’s unique personality as a suburban hub with plenty of heart-ware.”

Making way for more greenery in Nee Soon

The roof-top Community Garden in the upcoming Northpoint City, which underpins this strong community focus, accordingly takes pride of place in FCL’s blueprint for the development.

The size of nearly three basketball courts and readily accessible to Nee Soon residents, the Community Garden will supplement the existing Town Garden and the needs of residents by providing them with an easily accessible green respite that also offers a host of recreational activities. The multi-purpose plaza set amid lush tree formations in the Community Garden offers residents with an expansive area under the cover of green canopy for various leisure activities such as morning strolls, outdoor exercises and picnics.

Northpoint City elevates the concept of an integrated development to a new level. Its retail underpasses and covered walkways will give commuters and shoppers comfortable and seamless access to the air-conditioned bus interchange and Yishun MRT Station. This integrated transport hub will bring residents within ‘doorstep’ distance in, around and beyond Nee Soon with seamless connectivity.

FCL and Lum Chang renew long-standing partnership

FCL has awarded the main contract for the construction of Northpoint City to LCBC. The award builds on FCL and LCBC’s established partnership. The contract is the third to be awarded by FCL to the local contractor, with the first being Tangerine Grove in 2007. This was followed by Esparina Residences in 2013 – also a joint development with LCBC. Currently, FCL and Lum Chang are also joint venture partners for Twin Fountains, an executive condominium development in Woodlands.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lum Chang Holdings Limited, LCBC has amassed a portfolio of construction projects worth over S$8 billion since 1970. These projects span healthcare facilities, key infrastructure amenities, institutional and commercial buildings, and residential developments for both public and private sectors, including the Ang Mo Kio Integrated Transport Hub.

Construction of the integrated development will commence on 15 April 2015, with the whole project slated for completion by 2018.

Turkey’s Tallest Structure Relies on Platform SCP for Faster Construction

30 January, 2015/in News/by Editor

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Project : Skyland Office Tower, Istanbul / Turkey

“Skyland – All-in-One at the Heart of Istanbul”: at 284 m height each, the Skyland Office Tower (image r.) and Residence Tower will be Turkey’s tallest buildings upon completion.
Photo: Eroğlu

Scheduled to reach 284 m height upon completion, construction of the Skyland Office Tower under way in the heart of Istanbul Building contractor of what will be Turkey’s tallest structure selected Doka’s Platform SCP for construction. Known to provide a significant edge when going head-to-head against other systems available in the market, the highrise-core forming machine ensures rapid construction progress. Doka also provides protection screen Xclimb 60 for both, the Skyland Office and Residence Towers.

Istanbul / Turkey — A new project of superlatives under the slogan “All-in-One at the Heart of Istanbul” is creating a buzz in the Turkish metropolis. Builder Eroğlu selected the evocative name “Skyland” for his three skyscrapers: at 284 m height each, the Skyland Office and Residence Towers will be Turkey’s tallest buildings upon completion. The Skyland Hotel completes the highrise-triad designed to meet the requirements of modern living, working and playing in the European part of the city that is home to millions.

Formwork technology is also expected to live up to all demands with respect to speed and safety during the construction process. For this reason, the building contractor Alcen decided on a global leader among formwork suppliers for erecting the Skyland Office Tower: Doka.
Best engineering solution wins out.
The challenge presented by the office tower in terms of formwork technology is twofold: For one, the architects decided on a triangular ground plan and therefore also building core. For another, the risk of earthquakes in Istanbul presents special challenges related to static engineering. Thus, lower level walls are 1.5 m thick, at 100 m they measure 1.1 m, with the wall thickness reduced to 60 cm in the final storeys. Additional stability is created thanks to monolithic construction, where walls and floors are reinforced in one go. Given these demands, Doka’s sophisticated formwork concept and the self-climbing Platform SCP came in ahead of the competition. “We got introduced to this system during the Ağaoğlu Maslak 1453 project; now we are using it to erect the entire primary core of this skyscraper. Doka submitted a better engineering solution”, so Alcen Owner Alparslan Sabanci: “The head-to-head comparison proves us right. The construction progress shows that we made the right decision when selecting the Platform SCP.” As the Skyland Office Tower is continuing to grow taller, the adjacent Skyland Residence Tower built with an alternative commercial system available in the market, is noticeably lagging behind.
Optimised platform for highrise cores.
Doka’s self-climbing Platform SCP is virtually predestined to meet these challenges. Any ground plan can be formed quickly and flexibly with the new version of this modular highrise core forming machine. A few high-performing hydraulic cylinders raise the wall formwork – in this case Doka’s large-area formwork Top 50 – along with the working platform in one lift to the next casting section. With its newly developed lifting unit, the Platform SCP now adapts even more flexibly to complex layouts. As well as anchoring the lifting units to the structure on both sides (like in shafts), there is also an extended solution which makes it possible to transfer the forces on one side only. This makes it easy to use the system where there would not otherwise be enough walls, or where there are openings in the opposite walls.

In order to even further optimize and accelerate the construction progress, Doka experts pulled out all the stops during planning and divided the forming jobs between two platforms. They can therefore be climbed independent of each other to the next casting section and add more flexibility to the processes. Thus, the planned weekly cycle is within close reach.

Safety is the deciding factor.
Apart from that, the self-climbing Platform SCP offers a high level of safety on the entire site. The all-round enclosure of working surfaces allows work to take place safely and unaffected by weather conditions. Giant platform surfaces are ideal for depositing reinforcement and site equipment.

It is not only the building core that benefits from Doka’s safety systems. The building contractors put their trust in the protection screen Xclimb 60 with trapezoidal sheet enclosure at both, the Skyland Office Tower and the Residence Tower. This flexible enclosure for all highrise projects consists of a hydraulically climbed system that can also be quickly repositioned by crane if sufficient crane capacity is available. Protection screens can be dimensioned very flexibly, permitting last-centimetre adjustment to any layout. This Doka System ensures safe working conditions at any height on 15 tower constructions in Istanbul.

Doka Formwork Instructors deployed on the construction site see to it that the Platform SCP is assembled properly and the construction crew receive instruction. Formwork planning was executed by Competence Center Highrise experts at Doka Headquarters in Austria in cooperation with the engineering team of Doka Turkey.

Project Facts:

Skyland Office Tower
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Builder: Eroğlu
Construction company: Alcen
Construction start: 2013
Scheduled completion: 2016
Type of structure: Office building
Height of structure: 284 m
Storeys: 65 + 5 basement levels
Used: Products: Platform SCP, Large-area formwork Top 50, Column formwork Top 50, Protection screen Xclimb 60, Framed formwork Framax Xlife
Services: Formwork planning, Competence Center Highrise, Formwork Instructor

: “Skyland – All-in-One at the Heart of Istanbul”: at 284 m height each, the Skyland Office Tower (image r.) and Residence Tower will be Turkey’s tallest buildings upon completion. Photo: Eroğlu

: Triangular ground plan provides a challenge in terms of formwork technology: Doka’s self-climbing Platform SCP allows for fast, flexible and safe forming of any ground plan. Photo: Doka

: As the Skyland Office Tower (image r.) is continuing to grow taller, the adjacent Skyland Residence Tower built with an alternative commercial system available in the market, is noticeably lagging behind. Photo: Doka

AECOM wins key advisory role on third consecutive Olympics

23 October, 2014/in News/by Editor

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AECOM has been appointed as advisor to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Tokyo Organizing Committee of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games for the development of the venues and infrastructure for the Games. The appointment makes it the third consecutive Olympic and Paralympic Games AECOM has been involved with following the masterplan for London 2012 Games and Legacy and the competition-winning masterplan for Rio 2016.

Working with our partner consultant Arup, AECOM will advise on the design development of venues and contribute to the strategy for overall delivery of the design and construction of the venues from the preparation stage through to the legacy transformation. The scope of work also includes masterplan review, as well as advising on transportation, security, sustainability and legacy.

“Olympic Games are an important part of AECOM’s sucess in regenerating and promoting cities around the world,” commented Michael S. Burke, AECOM president and chief executive officer. “By harnessing our global expertise as the world’s premier fully integrated infrastructure firm, AECOM will be able to support the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee in online slots delivering a memorable Olympic Games.”

“AECOM’s breadth of experience and passion for delivering world sporting events has seen us work with cities across the world, from bid through to legacy. We are proud of our work that delivers both a successful event while helping to position sport as a catalyst for wider urban regeneration and development.” said Bill Hanway, head of global sports at AECOM, the firm responsible for the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games’ masterplans. “We are incredibly honoured to be part of three consecutive Games, especially the opportunity to continue this work as part of the Tokyo 2020 team and to deliver a truly amazing event.”

The global multidisciplinary team will be having a series of workshops in Tokyo with the client team to ensure the successful delivery of the Games and the post-Games legacy.

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