Page 9 - Demo

7SINGAPORESOURCEBOOKFORARCHITECTSDESIGNERS&BUILDINGCONTRACTORS2024/2025AsSingaporesuccessfullyrodeouttheshockwavesoftheCOVID-19pandemicourconstructionindustryhasemergedstrongerthaneverandcontinuestopowertheriseofSingaporeasoneoftheworldsmostliveableandvibrantcitiesAfteraslightdipof05%in2022thetotalvalueofcontractsawardedforconstructionroseby135%in2023accordingtodatafromtheDepartmentofStatisticsOur nation has earned a well-deserved reputationforbeingsafeandliveableandsincethebirthofourSmartNationinitiativein2014ourvisionhasevolvedintodesigningSingaporeintoahomethatssafeliveableandsmartForarchitectsdesignersandbuildersonthegroundturningthisvisionintorealitymeansstayingaheadofthecurveandembracinginnovativepracticesOur workis thebackbone ofthistransformationensuringthateveryprojectnotonlymeets–butexceeds–thestandardsofsafetyliveabilityand technologyintegrationItsaboutcreatingspacesthatarebothfunctionalandforward-thinkingmakingatangibleimpactonthedailylivesofSingaporeansUniversalDesignAMoreInclusiveSingaporeforEveryoneAstheworldembracesinclusivitysotoohastheconstructionindustryandSingaporeisamong theleadersin thisarea withouradoptionofuniversaldesign(UD)philosophies–anewwayofthinkingthatchampionsaninclusiveaccessiblelivingenvironmentforeveryoneInactionuniversaldesigntransformsbuildingsenvironmentsandspacesintoplaceswherepeopleofallagesandabilitiesincludingtheyoungtheelderlyandthosewithdisabilitiescanfullyenjoyworkinglivingandplayingBestofallthisutopiaisntsimplyapipedreamoraplanthatspencilledinforlater–itsagrowingrealityinSingaporethankstoeffortstopromoteuniversaldesignphilosophiesinourconstructionindustryTodayexcellenceinuniversaldesignisbeingrecognisedbytheBuildingandConstructionAuthority(BCA)throughtheirUDMarkCertificationSchemeUDMarkAwardUniversalDesignMarkPlaqueandDecalandotherinitiativesOneoftheselandmarkawardsistheUniversalDesignExcellenceAwardIn2023RSP ArchitectsPlanners&Engineers(Pte)Ltd scoopedup the award twice for their work ontheBirdParadiseandMandaiWildlifeWestaswellastheChangiAirportTerminal2ExpansionprojectswhileDPArchitectsPteLtdearnedthisrecognitionfordesigningtheambitiousOnePunggolanintegratedresident-centrichubenvisionedastheheartbeatofanecologicallysustainablecommunityinthenortheastofSingaporeToguidethedesignofnewbuildingsandensureasetstandardofaccessibilityanduserfriendlinesstheCodeonAccessibilityintheBuiltEnvironmentclearlydefinestheminimumaccessibilityrequirements fornew developmentsaswellasbuildingalterationsandadditionsBCAisalsodrivinggreateradoptionofuniversaldesigninexistingbuildingsviaitsAccessibilityFundAvailabletilltheendofMarch2027theAccessibilityFundoffersfundingforexistingbuildingstoaddessentialaccessibilityoradditionaluniversalfeaturesForarchitectsdesignersandbuildingcontractorsinthisspaceinitiativeslikethiscansignificantlyimprovetheirabilities toimplementuniversaldesignideasintoprojectsDesigningforClimateChangeMaterialSelectionsClimatechangeispresentinganewsetofchallengesforconstructionindustriesacrosstheglobe and especially soin sun-soaked Singaporewhichsitsjustone-and-a-halfdegreesnorthoftheequatorWhileairconditioningisonewaytostaycoolonourtropicalislandacontinuedrelianceofincreasinglevelsofairconditioningstandsatoddswithournationssustainabilitygoalsAmoresustainablesolutionischoosingnaturallycoolingmaterialsanoptionthatisbecomingmorepopularamongprofessionalsinSingaporesconstructionindustryInfactacleartrendtowardsusingcoolermoresustainablebuildingmaterialsisalreadyemerginganditsnotpurelyforenvironmentalreasonsArchitectsdesignersandbuildingcontractorswhoshowcasethistypeofforwardingthinkingareillustratingtheirproactivenessinfurtheringSingaporessustainabilitygoalstheirabilitytoabidebyenvironmentalregulationsandtheir