Construction sector to adopt "game-changing technologies" in Singapore: Khaw

SINGAPORE - Developers who successfully bid for projects on selected government land sales sites will have to adopt more productive construction methods by the end of this year.

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National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan posted the following on the official MND blog today:

Game-changing Technology to Up Productivity

We need game-changing construction technologies to boost our construction productivity and reduce our reliance on construction workers.

A 10-storey building extension to the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport Hotel, owned by OUE Limited, will be constructed using Prefabricated Pre-finished Volumetric Construction (PPVC) method.

This is a proven game-changing technology elsewhere but still relatively new in Singapore. We hope it will become common practice soon.

The public sector is also joining in the productivity drive.

NTU will be constructing its sports hall using Cross Laminated Timber (CLT). This is another game-changing technology.

PPVC and CLT enable manpower and time savings of up to 50 per cent and 35 per cent respectively, as compared to conventional construction methods.

PPVC relies on building components which are manufactured in a factory, thus reducing the need for workers, and cutting down on noise and dust at the construction site.

CLT is a new construction material which is safe and is 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.

We are speeding up the adoption of such game-changing technologies.

First, the Government will walk the talk and deploy such technologies in selected public sector projects.

Second, we will now make it a requirement for successful bidders of selected government land sales sites to adopt productive technologies like PPVC and CLT.

Third, BCA will provide funding support to adopters of such technologies.

Fourth, BCA and the industry are working closely with SPRING Singapore to develop Singapore Standards on the codes and guidelines for these new technologies.

Fifth, the BCA Academy will roll out a series of workshops and seminars on new technologies to build up expertise in the industry.

The desired outcome of these efforts is for our construction industry to be cleaner, quieter and faster, without compromising on safety and quality.