Meinhardt Singapore Marks Its Golden Jubilee in Singapore
Global planning, design, project and construction management firm, Meinhardt Group, is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its headquarters, Meinhardt Singapore.
“This is a significant milestone marking half a century of Meinhardt’s engineering achievements and dedication to shaping the future of cities. As we celebrate this occasion, we reflect on our rich history, the legacy we have built, and the transformative impact we have had on Singapore’s skyline and beyond. As one of the world’s leading multi-disciplinary planning, design, project and construction management consulting firms, Meinhardt has established a strong global presence and continues to lead the way in delivering innovative and sustainable solutions,” said Dr S. Nasim, Executive Chairman, Meinhardt Group.
Founded in 1955 and establishing its Singapore presence in 1974, Meinhardt Group has grown from a 10-staff offshore office to a global powerhouse with over 6,000 employees across 61 offices worldwide. Valued at an estimated US$30 billion annually, its projects span the globe, demonstrating its ability to manage some of the world’s largest and most complex building and infrastructure projects. Today, it is one of the most awarded engineering consultancy firms in Singapore and the largest privately-held design and engineering firm in Asia.
“As we celebrate our Golden Jubilee, we recognise the immense contribution of our dedicated staff, valued clients and partners who have been instrumental in our success. This anniversary is more than just a celebration of time. It signifies our commitment to technological advancement, innovation, sustainability, and industry-leading urban development and professional consultancy services. The event will not only highlight our past successes but also underscore our future aspirations as we continue to shape the cities of tomorrow,” said Dr Nasim.
“We have been privileged to play a significant role in shaping Singapore’s built environment and are excited to continue this journey as we expand our global presence and embrace new opportunities in digitalisation and sustainability,” he added.
A Legacy of Innovation and Excellence
Over the past decades, Meinhardt Group has played an integral role in shaping the skyline, infrastructure and future of the nation. The firm’s contributions are etched into the very fabric of the city, seen in the iconic landmarks that define modern Singapore – Guoco Tower; Marina Bay Financial Centre; Resorts World Sentosa; One Raffles Quay; The Sail@Marina Bay; Asia Square; the intricate networks of MRT lines, the revitalised Terminal 1 at Changi Airport, and the magnificent Gardens by the Bay Conservatory, to name a few examples.
Meinhardt is also proud to have contributed to many of Singapore’s “firsts”:
- Meinhardt was the QP supervision consultant for The Marina Coastal Expressway, Singapore’s first undersea traffic tunnel.
- Marina Bay Financial Centre was recognised globally for its enduring significance with the 2023 Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) Awards’ 10 Year Award.
- The engineering solutions provided for 8 Shenton Way, Singapore’s tallest skyscraper with Green Mark Platinum certification, was the winner of the 2023 CTBUH Awards’ Future Project Award.
- Gardens by the Bay won the 8th Best Attraction in the world by Traveler’s Choice Awards in 2024. Meinhardt provided civil, structural and geotechnical design services for the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, ancillary facilities and 18 Supertrees. It also provided the civil infrastructure works for the entire development.
Meinhardt has also contributed significantly to the social infrastructure in Singapore. Sengkang Hospital is an example of their contribution to healthcare infrastructure. As a recipient of the 2023 MOH Holdings Distinguished Award, this hospital is more than just a medical facility; It is a vital foundation of community health.
Public housing is another area where Meinhardt has made a difference. Meinhardt provided engineering design services for SkyVille @ Dawson HDB residences which raised standards and transformed public housing in Singapore.
NS Square in Singapore exemplifies national pride and sustainability. Recognised with the esteemed BCA Green Mark Platinum for Super Low Energy, Meinhardt has utilised innovative space planning, integrated a district cooling system, and incorporated solar-powered, eco-friendly green roofs. This transformation makes NS Square more than just a public space; it stands as a symbol of environmental responsibility.
Meinhardt is also the recipient of multiple awards and accolades, both locally and internationally. In 2014, Meinhardt was conferred, amongst others, the International Headquarters (IHQ) Award from the Economic Development Board (EDB). Last year, Meinhardt’s Civil and Structural (C&S) Engineering team clinched several industry awards for healthcare projects including the 2023 MOH Holdings Distinguished Award for the National Centre for Infectious Diseases & Centre of Healthcare Innovation, as well as Sengkang General and Community Hospitals.
The C&S team was also part of the collective that won the President’s Design Award Singapore 2023 for CapitaSpring. For the same project, it received the Association of Consulting Engineers Singapore Design Excellence Award in 2022; The Institution of Structural Engineers Singapore Structural Award (High-rise/Slender Structures) in 2022; the Singapore Structural Steel Society Structural Steel Excellence Award in 2023, and the Best Tall Building, Asia award, and the Best Tall Building 200-299m award under the 2023 CTBUH Awards.
This year, the C&S team has added three notable BCA awards to its list of accolades:
- BCA Design and Engineering Safety Award 2024 for the JTC Logistics Hub @ Gul
- BCA Project of the Year Award 2024 (Industrial) for the JTC Logistics Hub @ Gul
- BCA Project of the Year Award 2024 (Residential) for The Woodleigh Residences and The Woodleigh Mall
The Mechanical & Engineering (M&E) team of Meinhardt Singapore was conferred the 2024 ACES Design Excellence Awards (Merit) for its work on “The GEAR”, a state of-the-art regional HQ and the first Research and Development Hub of Kajima Development outside of Japan.
Building the Digital Future with IMDA’s Digital Leaders Programme
Looking ahead, Meinhardt is committed to driving digital transformation in the Built Environment sector. Meinhardt’s partnership with Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), through the Digital Leaders Programme (DLP), is a cornerstone of this journey. The DLP empowers companies like Meinhardt in building robust digital capabilities to seize new business opportunities.
Through the programme, Meinhardt has established a dedicated digital team, including data and software engineers, to drive their digital transformation efforts. This initiative not only helps us stay ahead in the competitive landscape today but also aligns with Singapore’s vision of becoming a Smart Nation.
Meinhardt’s Digital Technology Solutions (DTS) team has committed and embarked on two key projects:
- Generative AI Urban Consultancy Augmentation Tool that ingests Meinhardt’s deliverables and intellectual capital to allow for the generation of new reports, knowledge and deliverables geared towards and fine-tuned for urban consultancy. This tool aims to improve the quality of consultancy deliverables while saving time and effort for their consultants.
- AI Analytics for Built Environment Tool to ingest, aggregate, consolidate and analyse vast amounts of data generated across the lifespan of a built asset, but mainly focused on asset/facilities management and project management in construction. This tool will allow built asset owners to have greater insight into their buildings and make data-driven decisions.
“Our partnership with IMDA is a testament to our commitment to leveraging technology to drive innovation and efficiency in the Built Environment sector. We are proud to be at the forefront of this digital revolution, developing AI tools and solutions that will redefine how we design and manage our projects. At Meinhardt, innovation is in our DNA. We are continuously exploring new technologies and approaches to enhance our service offerings and deliver sustainable solutions. Our goal is to not only meet the current needs of our clients but to anticipate and address the challenges of the future, ensuring that we remain a trusted partner in shaping the cities of tomorrow,” said Mr Omar Shahzad, CEO of Meinhardt Group.
“We would like to congratulate Meinhardt on marking its 50th year in Singapore. IMDA is excited to partner with forward-looking enterprises like Meinhardt to develop core digital competencies and innovate with emerging technologies such as generative AI. This helps companies gain a leading edge while raising productivity. We welcome more like-minded enterprises to join our Digital Leaders Programme to gain a competitive advantage as IMDA continues to develop Singapore’s digital future,” said Mr Leong Der Yao, Assistant Chief Executive, Sectoral Transformation Group, IMDA.
Pioneering Sustainability in Engineering
Sustainability is at the core of Meinhardt’s mission. As a key contributor to Singapore’s Green Plan 2030, it is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 and carbon net zero by 2050 or sooner, with a clear roadmap for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and integrating sustainable practices into every project.
As part of its master planning and urban infrastructure planning advisory services, Meinhardt has incorporated the Environmental Sustainability Design (ESD) and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework. By adopting advanced construction techniques such as Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA), 3D Printing, and Integrated Digital Delivery (IDD), Meinhardt is not only reducing its carbon footprint but also contributing to the development of green cities around the world.
Their efforts in sustainable engineering have been recognised with multiple Green Mark Awards from the BCA and other international agencies. From their work on Singapore’s first net zero energy building to their involvement in the design of green skyscrapers like 8 Shenton Way, Meinhardt continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in sustainable engineering. Their projects not only meet current environmental standards but also set new benchmarks for sustainability in the built environment.
“Singapore is committed to the global decarbonisation agenda, and our engineers and other stakeholders need to play a key role in achieving these targets we have committed to, and in managing and mitigating the inevitable consequences of climate change by ensuring our designs make optimal use of resources and energy. As we move towards a greener and more sustainable future, the Built Environment sector stands at the forefront of this transformation, and the role of engineers and engineering companies is more critical than ever,” said Dr Nasim.
Meinhardt is dedicated to continuing its legacy of excellence and innovation. Their strategic roadmap focuses on expanding their global footprint, enhancing their digital capabilities, and fostering a culture of excellence. They are committed to investing in people and technology to ensure they remain at the forefront of industry trends and continue to deliver powerful engineering solutions to their clients.
“Our future lies in our ability to adapt and innovate. As we look to the next 50 years, we are committed to driving sustainable development and enhancing our digital capabilities to deliver even more value to our clients and communities worldwide. We believe that our proven expertise in design, engineering, project and construction management, coupled with our laser focus on digital transformation, positions us well to lead the industry into a new era of growth and resilience. We aim to transform cities and shape a better, more sustainable future for all,” said Mr Shahzad.
