The 7th edition of BuildTech Asia concluded on 26 October with a record number of visitors and international participation since its inception.
A key anchor event of the Singapore Construction Productivity Week, BuildTech Asia 2017 welcomed some 11,000 professionals, technology experts and distributors from the built environment sector.
Organised by Sphere Exhibits and hosted by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), BuildTech Asia 2017 featured a variety of cutting-edge technologies and solutions in Asia. Over 130 exhibitors showcased virtual reality, drones, smart solutions and other productive technologies in addition to staple exhibits such as construction machinery, equipment, building materials, architectural solutions, and quality finishes at the building technology trade show from 24 to 26 October 2017.
At the opening ceremony of the Singapore Construction Productivity Week, Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for Social and Family Development and Second Minister for National Development, launched a Construction Industry Transformation Map (ITM) for Singapore’s built environment sector. Recognising key global trends which impact the sector such as digital revolution, rapid urbanisation and climate change, the ITM identified Integrated Digital Delivery (IDD), Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA), as well as green building as key transformation areas to address the challenges faced by the sector.
Mr Hugh Lim, CEO of BCA, said that the transformation process will lead to greater investment in capability building and more collaboration amongst firms to capture new business opportunities. It will also attract more Singaporeans to join the sector as a more technologically advanced workforce is needed.
Echoing the trend in industry transformation, Mr Chua Wee Phong, Chairman of Sphere Exhibits Pte Ltd, said: “BuildTech Asia is proud to present a strong showcase of cutting-edge and advanced technologies for the built environment sector. We are heartened to see exponential growth in international attendance which is a strong indicator of the importance of regional industry collaboration, and co-operation between the government, trade industry and community. Such integration across construction markets in the region and beyond signals a strong interest in continued cross-sharing of knowledge and setting of common initiatives that will propel the industry forward.”
Bolstering and furthering regional knowledge exchange
The inaugural SMART Women in Built Environment Conference held alongside BuildTech Asia 2017 was attended by more than 100 industry professionals. Organised by the Prestressed and Precast Concrete Society, Structural Engineering World Congress and Sphere Exhibits Pte Ltd, the conference provided a unique perspective on the current progression and empowerment of women professionals in the built environment sector in the region.
Ms Sim Ann, Senior Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth, and Trade and Industry, was the Guest-of-Honour. She said that cities around the world including Singapore face pressures of resource scarcity, climate change and population growth. More than ever, we need innovative and sustainable solutions for urban living. As an integral part of the workforce, women have an important role to play in this transformation effort, as leaders, experts and professionals.
Er. Emily Tan, the Organising Chairman of the conference, said: “Regardless of the different practices in each country, both men and women have to be Skilled, Motivated, Articulate, Resourceful and Transformed for the industry to transform and become more productive. We hope that this conference has seeded motivation for more young women to press on, thrive and excel in an ever-changing built environment sector that is no longer gender-specific.”
Leading female professionals and Government representatives from Australia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore shared the challenges that women face moving up the career ladder in the sector, how they can use their skills to excel in their fields, and ways to retain and empower women in the industry. The conference also served as a forum for all professionals to share their experiences.
Ms. Vivien Ng from VB+E who attended the conference said: “The concept of developing women professionals to step up into the industry into leadership roles provided a different perspective whilst ringing a bell to those already in the force. It is good to have such a platform to inspire and encourage younger professionals to enter the industry confidently.”
A new Built Environment Summit organised by the Singapore Contractors Association Ltd (SCAL) was also held in conjunction with BuildTech Asia 2017. International and local industry experts and leaders discussed what it takes for the built environment sector to remain relevant, seizing opportunities in a growing regional construction market and maintaining business competitiveness.
Bridging industry collaborations between the East and West
Singapore has established itself as Asia’s infrastructure hub, with BuildTech Asia facilitating knowledge sharing in the region. Some 30 trade delegates visited The Wave at the Nanyang Technological University of Singapore, the first large-scale building in Southeast Asia built using Mass Engineered Timber. Delegates also visited Nanyang Crescent Residential Halls, one of the first few high-rise projects in Singapore to adopt Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction (PPVC).
In addition to the wide range of associated trade activities, over 30 local and overseas trade mission groups visited BuildTech Asia and fostered business alliances through networking events. The trade show also seeded new partnerships in the region with European markets that were interested to explore more integrated business opportunities.
This year, BuildTech Asia has successfully garnered increased interest from developers as well as architects and interior designers who now see more relevance and the increased importance of their involvement on the trade floor.
Ar. Joan De Leon Tabinas, Chairperson of Architects Working Abroad (ASEAN) and President, Singapore Chapter of the United Architects of the Philippines, said: “We are happy to foster a partnership with BuildTech Asia as we explore more synergistic opportunities amongst our ASEAN counterparts. BuildTech Asia has established itself as a strong regional go-to marketplace for those involved in the built environment sector. Now that AEC is in force, integrated sharing of topics such as infrastructure development between countries will lead to mutual benefits to economies in ASEAN as well as the rest of the world. This will serve as a wide window of opportunity for the advancement of industry and profession towards global practice.”
A showcase of the latest building solutions and innovations
As the region’s leading building technology trade show, BuildTech Asia 2017 brought together an inspiring showcase of the latest building solutions and innovations from countries such as Austria, China, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
A bigger Singapore Public Sector Built Environment Leadership Pavilion showcased 10 public agencies in Singapore that have applied smart solutions and productive technologies in their projects. Visitors also witnessed a live demonstration of constructing building services with prefabricated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) modules at the new Productivity Technology (ProTech) Demonstration.
Innovations by 10 finalists of the second SCAL Productivity and Innovation Awards (PIA) were also showcased for public voting at BuildTech Asia 2017. The PIA is an industry initiative to raise productivity in the construction sector through a ground-up approach for innovative ideas.
The three winning innovations announced at the SCAL Built Environment Summit were:
Gold: Koh Brothers Building and Civil Engineering Contractor (Pte) Ltd’s Moveable Lifting Frame Wall Formwork
Silver: CS Construction & Geotechnic Pte Ltd’s Reinforced Concrete Pile Handler Machine
Bronze: Straits Construction Singapore Pte Ltd’s Easy Safe Adjustable Riser Platform
Mr Kenneth Loo, President of Singapore Contractors Association Limited (SCAL), said: “SCAL will continue to champion the adoption of game-changing technology, innovative processes and capability building to improve construction productivity as contractors prepare for the future economy. The Productivity and Innovation Awards is an example of such an effort in our continued efforts to expand the foundation of the development of innovative yet practical solutions. BuildTech Asia has proven to be the ideal platform to showcase and broadcast these ideas and prototypes within the industry, in line with government collaborations in this sector. We are happy to continue to co-locate such efforts alongside BuildTech Asia and more importantly, encourage firms in the sector to develop a productive work culture as we strive to realise and deliver the Construction ITM towards a common vision in driving productivity and innovation.”
BuildTech Asia will return to the Singapore Expo in October 2018. Organisations which are keen to exhibit at BuildTech Asia 2018 are welcome to reserve their spaces early. Those interested in forming a trade delegation group are encouraged to email their inquiries to buildtechasia@sph.com.sg
For more information, visit www.buildtechasia.com
About BuildTech Asia 2017
Hosted by Building Construction Authority of Singapore (BCA), and held during the Singapore Construction Productivity Week (SCPW), BuildTech Asia 2017 is now into its 7th edition focusing on technologies that address the challenges of building and construction across different vertical industries. BuildTech Asia 2017 is 3-day trade event dedicated to make a difference to the future of the industry. For more information, please visit www.buildtechasia.com
About the Singapore Construction Productivity Week (SCPW)
Organised by the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore (BCA), the Singapore Construction Productivity Week (SCPW) is an industry hallmark event for developers, architects, consultants, builders and suppliers to exchange ideas on construction productivity, as well as share the latest developments in new productive technologies, best practices and success stories. For more information, please visit www.scpw.sg
About Sphere Exhibits Pte Ltd
A wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore Press Holdings (SPH), Sphere Exhibits, which stands for “SPH Events, Roadshows and Exhibitions”, aims to be the leading events company catering to a diverse mix of trade and consumer clientele. Backed by a committed and experienced team of professionals and SPH’s comprehensive range of media platforms, Sphere Exhibits’ shows, events and exhibitions centre on unique concepts that attract local audiences and regional participants. Among the 20 Sphere Exhibits’ events are The IT Show, COMEX, Licence2Play, Asian Masters and Kidz Academy. Leveraging on its expertise in event conceptualisation, planning and execution, Sphere Exhibits delivers memorable and quality events that meet the objectives of its clientele and partners.
About Singapore Press Holdings Ltd
Incorporated in 1984, main board-listed Singapore Press Holdings Ltd (SPH) is Asia’s leading media organisation, engaging minds and enriching lives across multiple languages and platforms, ranging from print, digital, radio and out-of-home media.
SPH owns award-winning newspapers, magazines and best-selling books in both print and digital editions, as well as online classified businesses in the region. In addition, SPH has two English radio stations and one Chinese radio station, an out-of-home digital advertising unit, a regional events and conferences arm, and runs a chain of modern retail convenience stores.
SPH REIT comprises Paragon, a premier upscale retail mall and medical suite/office property in Orchard Road and The Clementi Mall, a mid-market suburban mall. SPH’s latest retail development is The Seletar Mall located in Sengkang.SPH is in the healthcare sector, operating private nursing homes under Orange Valley.For more information, please visit www.sph.com.sg
About Building and Construction Authority
The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) of Singapore champions the development of an excellent built environment for Singapore. BCA’s mission is to shape a safe, high quality, sustainable and friendly built environment, as these are four key elements where BCA has a significant influence. In doing so, it aims to differentiate Singapore’s built environment from those of other cities and contribute to a better quality of life for everyone in Singapore. Hence, its vision is to have “a future-ready built environment for Singapore”. Together with its education arm, the BCA Academy of the Built Environment, BCA works closely with its industry partners to develop skills and expertise that help shape a future-ready built environment for Singapore. For more information, visit www.bca.gov.sg
