Building a Safe, Liveable, and Smart Singapore
As Singapore successfully rode out the shockwaves of the COVID-19 pandemic, our construction industry has emerged stronger than ever and continues to power the rise of Singapore as one of the world’s most liveable and vibrant cities. After a slight dip of 0.5% in 2022, the total value of contracts awarded for construction rose by 13.5% in 2023, according to data from the Department of Statistics.
Our nation has earned a well-deserved reputation for being safe and liveable, and since the birth of our Smart Nation initiative in 2014, our vision has evolved into designing Singapore into a home that’s safe, liveable, and smart.
For architects, designers, and builders on the ground, turning this vision into reality means staying ahead of the curve and embracing innovative practices. Our work is the backbone of this transformation, ensuring that every project not only meets – but exceeds – the standards of safety, liveability, and technology integration. It's about creating spaces that are both functional and forward-thinking, making a tangible impact on the daily lives of Singaporeans.
Universal design: A more inclusive Singapore for everyone
As the world embraces inclusivity, so too has the construction industry, and Singapore is among the leaders in this area with our adoption of universal design (UD) philosophies – a new way of thinking that champions an inclusive, accessible living environment for everyone. In action, universal design transforms buildings, environments, and spaces into places where people of all ages and abilities, including the young, the elderly, and those with disabilities, can fully enjoy working, living, and playing.
Best of all, this utopia isn’t simply a pipe dream or a plan that’s ‘pencilled in for later’ – it’s a growing reality in Singapore, thanks to efforts to promote universal design philosophies in our construction industry. Today, excellence in universal design is being recognised by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) through their UD Mark Certification Scheme, UD Mark Award, Universal Design Mark Plaque and Decal, and other initiatives.
One of these landmark awards is the Universal Design Excellence Award. In 2023, RSP Architects Planners & Engineers (Pte) Ltd scooped up the award twice for their work on the Bird Paradise and Mandai Wildlife West, as well as the Changi Airport Terminal 2 Expansion projects, while DP Architects Pte Ltd earned this recognition for designing the ambitious One Punggol, an integrated resident-centric hub envisioned as the heartbeat of an ecologically sustainable community in the northeast of Singapore.
To guide the design of new buildings and ensure a set standard of accessibility and user-friendliness, the Code on Accessibility in the Built Environment clearly defines the minimum accessibility requirements for new developments, as well as building alterations and additions.
BCA is also driving greater adoption of universal design in existing buildings via its Accessibility Fund. Available till the end of March 2027, the Accessibility Fund offers funding for existing buildings to add essential accessibility or additional universal features. For architects, designers and building contractors in this space, initiatives like this can significantly improve their abilities to implement universal design ideas into projects.
Designing for climate change: Material selections
Climate change is presenting a new set of challenges for construction industries across the globe, and especially so in sun-soaked Singapore, which sits just one-and-a-half degrees north of the equator. While air conditioning is one way to stay cool on our tropical island, a continued reliance of increasing levels of air conditioning stands at odds with our nation’s sustainability goals.
A more sustainable solution is choosing naturally cooling materials, an option that is becoming more popular among professionals in Singapore’s construction industry. In fact, a clear trend towards using cooler, more sustainable building materials is already emerging, and it’s not purely for environmental reasons. Architects, designers, and building contractors who showcase this type of forwarding thinking are illustrating their proactiveness in furthering Singapore’s sustainability goals, their ability to abide by environmental regulations, and their commitment to lowering energy use – and thus, costs – for property owners, giving them a distinctive competitive edge.
Another interesting material that is gaining popularity in construction markets worldwide is bamboo, thanks to its durability, cooling impact, and lower carbon footprint. According to HFF Market Intelligence, the global Bamboo Construction Products market was valued at $18 billion in 2023 and is estimated to reach a revenue of $22.7 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.22% from 2023 to 2030.
Meanwhile, traditional construction materials like concrete and steel can be reinforced using insulating material with high R-values (a measure of the thermal resistance of a material) to improve cooling efficiency. Polystyrene and polyurethane, for example, have exceptionally high R-values, which can boost the thermal insulating effectiveness of doors, floors, and walls.
All these are becoming increasingly popular in construction industries around the world and are anticipated to catch on here as well.
Building for sustainability: Rethinking design
Architects and designers play a key role in the sustainability of our nation’s buildings, as they conceptualise the design and orientation of spaces and buildings. Taking reference from built environment sectors outside of Singapore, we see how designers are rethinking the positioning of glass façades and windows – orientating them away from the east and west where sunlight is strongest to reduce greenhouse (warming) effects, prioritising liveability and sustainability over aesthetics. Other innovative cooling strategies include water features, green roofs, and even incorporating lighter paint colours to reflect heat.
Interestingly, we also see designers integrating sustainability into their products by using recycled and upcycled materials. Reclaimed wood, which is wood taken from old ships, buildings, and stores, is one material that is turning up in new, sustainability-focused projects. Also, recycled glass and plastics are given a new lease of life as decorations or building materials. Likewise, upcycled fabrics are being reimagined and reused in furniture, adding another touch of sustainability and environmental awareness into buildings and their contents.
Construction 4.0: Embracing the future of building
As these trends shape the construction industry at home and overseas, a wave of new technological developments is also shaking up the scene and bringing digital transformation into to our industry. The era of ‘Construction 4.0’ is revolutionising the way things are done across the industry with the promise of enhanced productivity, quality, sustainability, and safety. While the promise is bright, the challenge is identifying the right technological solutions as projects, contexts, and use cases vary for each player within the construction industry.
For design and architectural firms, technological solutions that enhance design efficiency are set to shine. Here, solutions with capabilities in 3D modelling, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (XR) offer huge potential in allowing clients and contractors to easily visualise and experience designs, before raising concerns and addressing shortfalls.
The Singapore government has adopted these technologies with its innovative ‘Virtual Singapore’ project, which uses Dassault Systèmes’ smart city offering, ‘3DEXPERIENCity®’, to create a dynamic, 3D digital model of the city and connect all stakeholders in a secure, controlled environment. According to the technology provider, the system uses “images and data collected from various public agencies, as well as legacy and real-time data,” which allows “all users to visualise in 3D how the city will be developed and evolve with time in response to population growth, new construction and other major events.”
Beyond design, the implementation of prefabrication and modular construction methods is also gaining momentum. These modernised approaches significantly reduce construction time, minimise waste, and enhance quality control by allowing components to be built off-site in controlled environments, then assembled on-site. This shift both improves efficiency and promotes more sustainable building practices.
Furthermore, Building Information Modelling (BIM) is revolutionising project management by enabling all stakeholders to collaborate through a shared digital model. This enhanced coordination reduces errors and streamlines the construction process, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget. The integration of these advanced technologies is crucial for the continued growth and success of our construction industry in the digital age.
Built Environment ITM: Building a world-class, resilient sector
Looking at our industry though a macro lens, we see a defining feature of our space being BCA’s Built Environment Industry Transformation Map (ITM) – a continually evolving plan that according to BCA, “comprises global champions and value chain alliances, offering innovative, sustainable, and in-demand solutions, and quality jobs, supported by a competent Singapore core.”
This roadmap covers three major components of the construction industry, namely Integrated Planning and Design (IPD), Advanced Manufacturing and Assembly (AMA), and Sustainable Urban Systems (SUS) – and is enabled by value chain transformation, technology adoption, and a competent workforce.
The IPD component emphasises the importance of early and continuous collaboration among all stakeholders in a construction project. By using digital platforms and BIM, IPD aims to create a seamless workflow that integrates various disciplines and reduces errors and rework. Meanwhile, AMA leverages advanced technologies to automate fabrication and improve work environments in factories, while driving the co-location of synergistic construction activities to optimise land use and logistical processes.
Finally, the SUS element of the plan focuses on accelerating the industry’s decarbonisation efforts, streamlining operations, and improving the maintenance of buildings – guiding Singapore towards our net zero aspirations, and creating a more sustainable and liveable built environment for all.
Forging a safer, smarter, more liveable and sustainable future
As we advance into this transformative era, it’s clear that the construction industry is at the forefront of Singapore’s vision for a safe, liveable, and smart nation. The integration of advanced technologies, sustainable practices, and inclusive design principles is reshaping our built environment, and setting new benchmarks for the wider global construction industry.
The Built Environment Industry Transformation Map (ITM) exemplifies our commitment to enhancing collaboration, productivity, and sustainability across all facets of construction, while our adoption of universal design philosophies is transforming our urban landscapes and ensuring spaces are accessible for all individuals, regardless of age or ability.
As architects, designers, builders, and industry stakeholders, we are driving the evolution of our urban environment, creating a legacy of innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity for generations to come. Cheers to our shared vision of building a safe, liveable, and smart city for everyone to enjoy.