More contractors in Singapore are adopting game-changing technologies that are changing the way we build and live.
By Romesh Navaratnarajah
Technology is rapidly changing the way buildings are being built around the world, with new construction methods being adopted every year to raise productivity and improve the work environment at construction sites.
However, some of these technologies seem totally outlandish.
For instance, 3D printing has already been used in China to build homes in just one day. Over in England, the first full-size Lego house was constructed a few years ago using over three million plastic bricks.
These ideas haven’t caught on in Singapore, and one has to wonder whether such properties are structurally safe. I don’t think many homeowners here would want to live in a house built in 24 hours.
But there is still a need to deploy game-changing technologies to boost construction productivity and reduce reliance on construction workers, said former National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan in a blog post last year.
One way the industry is embracing change is by transforming construction into a manufacturing-like process by incorporating Prefabricated Pre-finished Volumetric Construction (PPVC).
“This is a proven game-changing technology elsewhere, but still relatively new in Singapore. We hope it will become common practice soon,” wrote Mr Khaw.
Like Lego but not Lego
The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) noted that for PPVC, entire flats or modules complete with internal finishes, fixtures and fittings are manufactured in factories, and are then transported to site for installation in a Lego-like manner.
“Construction will be more efficient, requiring less use of labour and achieving better quality control. In addition, there will be less noise and dust in the construction vicinity,” said the BCA, adding that PPVC can be used for residential and mixed-use developments, as well as hotels, hostels and nursing homes.
Mr Khaw cited the 10-storey extension to the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport Hotel, owned by OUE Limited, as an example of a project built using the PPVC method.
In addition, property developer City Developments Limited (CDL) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) were recognised for using PPVC in their projects during the recent Singapore Construction Productivity Week (SCPW) 2015.
Construction on NTU North Hill, the university’s first PPVC hostel project, has already started and is expected to complete in the second quarter of 2016.
Meanwhile, CDL is using this technology in the development of The Brownstone, a recently launched executive condominium (EC) at Canberra Drive in Sembawang. The project comprises eight 10 to 12-storey blocks with 638 units constructed using some 5,000 building modules.
“By far, this is likely the largest application of PPVC in a large-scale residential project in the world,” BCA said.
At the opening of the SCPW, BCA Chairman Quek See Tiat said there are a few more PPVC projects coming up. “Three private residential sites under the Government Land Sales (GLS) programme at Yishun, Jurong West and West Coast Vale will require PPVC to be adopted. Public sector agencies such as JTC and MOH Holdings will also be using PPVC for their upcoming projects.”
Natural building blocks
Another type of technology that’s slowly being adopted is Cross Laminated Timber (CLT).
“CLT is made of timber layers glued under pressure to form prefabricated thicker panels which can be used as load bearing surfaces,” said Mr Khaw. “CLT is a new construction material which is safe and commonly used in Europe. CLT meets the same fire safety requirements as concrete and steel. Our Singapore Civil Defence Force has assessed the material and is allowing the use of CLT for buildings up to 24 metres,” he added.
Besides residential and hotel projects, CLT construction has also been used in other developments overseas, such as healthcare facilities, sports halls and other institutional projects, noted the BCA.
According to the Authority, contractors like Lend Lease, Venturer and CLT Builders can tender for CLT projects here. NTU has already committed to using CLT for its upcoming sports hall.
The BCA is also looking into Building Information Modelling (BIM), a key tool for Virtual Design and Construction (VDC). The 3D modelling technology allows building professionals such as architects, engineers and contractors to explore a building project digitally through an integrated process, before it is even built.
“It allows construction to occur twice – first in the virtual environment, then the actual one on site. This is almost like a full-dress rehearsal to ensure the work on site is done right the first time,” said the BCA’s Quek.
He disclosed that some local projects have adopted this technology, one of which is Mapletree Business City II.
“Increasingly, our sector realises that greater use of construction IT helps construction firms work better and faster, with less manpower.
“Construction intelligence through IT can also carry out real-time monitoring of key data from project sites and enable quick, effective decision making.
“Another technology which has potential for wider adoption is smart drones for construction. Using drones, site surveys can now be done in days, compared to months using traditional manual methods. Smart drones can also be used to perform aerial inspection of buildings and thus reduce the need for workers to work-at-height,” he added.
Despite the benefits of using such technology to support construction methods, cost is still a key challenge.
“Given that these advanced technologies are still new to Singapore, and the cost of our foreign labour is still relatively low, these technologies will be more expensive than the conventional labour-intensive methods of construction, at least in the initial years of adoption,” said the BCA.
Contractors that have started using PPVC and CLT have shared that their construction costs are about 10 to 15 percent higher.
But the BCA is confident that as more builders adopt new technologies, cost premiums will drop. “One good example is the adoption of drywall. Given its wider adoption and hence economies of scale, its cost has reduced over the years, and is currently comparable to conventional brick wall.”
Skills you need
To build up expertise and keep industry professionals up to date on the latest technological advancements, the BCA Academy plans to roll out a series of new courses, which include a Masters programme for International Construction Management, with a major in Construction Productivity. “This programme will equip construction managers with the latest construction management and productivity concepts, as well as the necessary skills to efficiently manage construction resources. The first intake will start around March next year,” said Quek.
The BCA will also provide funding support to adopters of new technologies. “Since the second tranche of $450 million of the Construction Productivity and Capability Fund was launched in June this year, more than $22 million of the fund has been committed, benefitting more than 2,600 firms,” stated Quek.
More recently, the BCA also revised the tender evaluation framework for government construction projects by increasing the productivity weightage to 10 percent of the total score, revealed media reports.
The revised framework will be fully implemented from January 2016.
This will allow builders with good productivity records in their previous projects, as well as investments in technology adoption and workforce development, to have an advantage when tendering for government projects.
Advantages of construction technologies in Singapore
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