construction excellence award 2009

MEDIA RELEASE

BCA CONSTRUCTION EXCELLENCE AWARD 2009 Eight projects rewarded for good workmanship

1. A total of six awards and two certificates of merit will be given out in BCA’s

Construction Excellence Awards this year, out of a total of 15 nominations.

2. The annual competition, first introduced in 1986, principally recognises

builders' workmanship, focusing on downstream post-design work, such as project

management, technical capability and quality of the completed project.

3. Of the eight winners, five were private residential developments. Among

these, there was notable improvement in the quality of the projects and

performance of the winners.

4. Top local builder, Woh Hup Pte Ltd who clinched two Construction

Excellence Awards for Blossoms @ Woodleigh and ICON this year, has clearly

benefited from the BCA Quality Mark for Good Workmanship Scheme. Both

private residential developments achieved high CONQUAS points of 92.6 and

90.4 respectively. Woh Hup is a clear leader in delivering projects with excellent

workmanship. They have the distinction of building 9 out of the 16 private

residential projects which have a CONQUAS score of 90 & above, a rare feat, of

which 7 of these have also received the BCA Quality Mark certification.

5. The BCA Quality Mark scheme, which had its debut in 2002, seeks to

ensure the consistent delivery of quality homes. It has a set of prescribed

standard which assesses the internal finish of every single apartment unit within a

residential project, including water-tightness tests in all bathrooms. Each unit

must attain a minimum score and have no major defects in order for the project to

receive the Quality Mark. To date, some 26,000 residential units have been

committed or assessed under the BCA Quality Mark Scheme. Last year, about

44% of units launched were committed to the Scheme.

6. Building projects that received the BCA Quality Mark have reportedly

scored much higher in CONQUAS and received little or less feedback on defects

from homeowners. Owing to the scheme, potential major defects and leakages in

about five percent of total units assessed were detected and rectified before the

units were handed over to homeowners, thus reducing any unhappiness and

inconvenience to homeowners.

7. Besides Woh Hup’s Blossoms @ Woodleigh and ICON, the other winning

projects are St Regis Hotel, Residences @ Evelyn, Citylights Condominium, The

Tresor, Ferry Terminal at Marina Coastal Drive and 36 Kaki Bukit Place. Details

of the winners are in Annex A.

8. The winners will be receiving the award from Ms Grace Fu, Senior Minister

of State for National Development and Education, during the BCA Awards

ceremony on 27 May 09.

Issued by the Building and Construction Authority on 18 May 2009

About CONQUAS

The Construction Quality Assessment System (CONQUAS ) was introduced in Singapore in 1989 and serves as a standard assessment system on the quality of building projects. It assesses structural works, architectural and mechnical & electrical

works. CONQUAS is widely recognised as the de facto yardstick for quality in Singapore and also accepted internationally as a benchmarking tool for quality. Countries

such as Hong Kong and Malaysia have adapted CONQUAS to their construction

industry. CONQUAS is now a registered trademark in Singapore, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong SAR, United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, Thailand and India.

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The BCA Construction Excellence Awards were introduced in 1986 and is now

into its 23rd year of competition. To date, BCA has conferred 152 Awards and 158

Certificates of Merit (1986~2008). Invitations for nominations for the 2008 Awards

were made in August 2008 to architectural and engineering consultancy firms,

government departments, statutory boards as well as construction firms. This

year, 15 projects were nominated and 12 were short listed for evaluation.

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Builders are the principal recipients of the Award. Developers and consultants

(Architects, Structural Engineers, M&E Engineers and Quantity Surveyors) who

were involved in the project will also be acknowledged.

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There are 7 award categories as follows:

a. Commercial/Mixed Development Buildings

b. Industrial Buildings

c. Institutional Buildings

d. Residential Buildings ($1200 / m2 and Above)

e. Residential Buildings (Below $1200 / m2 )

f. Small Buildings - $3 million to $10 million

g. Civil Engineering Projects

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Projects were assessed by the Assessment Committee in 3 stages:-

a. Builders' presentation on the construction process;

b. Site visits; and

c. A committee meeting to deliberate the results.

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The assessment of the nominations is based on the following criteria:

a. Builder's overall management of the project;

b. Builder 's technical capability and innovations; and

c. Quality of the completed project.

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Chairman:

Mr Lee Kut Cheung

BCA Board Member (April 2005 – Mar 2009)

Director

RSP Architects Planners & Engineers (Pte) Ltd

Members:

Mr Chng Chee Beow Wing Tai Land Pte Ltd

Ms Chia Oi Leng Nanyang Technological University

Mr Chue Fook Chee CNA Group Ltd

Mr Peter Lee Singapore Polytechnic

Mr Ler Seng Ann Urban Redevelopment Authority

Mr Pek Lian Guan Tiong Seng Contractors (Pte.) Ltd.

Mr Tan Kim Chwee Housing and Development Board

Mr Khor Thong Meng Allgreen Properties Limited

Assoc Prof Ting Seng Kiong Nanyang Technological University

Mr Eddie Wong City Developments Ltd

Dr Tan Guan T.Y.LIN International Pte Ltd

Mr Tan Soon Kian Poh Lian Construction Pte Ltd

Mr Lam Siew Wah Building and Construction Authority

Mr Tan Tian Chong Building and Construction Authority

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St. Regis Hotel (Commercial / Mixed Development Buildings)

Builder

Kajima Overseas Asia Pte Ltd - Tiong Seng Contractors (Pte) Ltd

Client City Developments Limited, Hong Leong Holdings Ltd & TID Pte Ltd

Architectural Consultant


Structural Consultant


M&E Consultant

Squire Mech Pte Ltd

Quantity Surveyor

Davis Langdon & Seah Singapore Pte Ltd

Construction Cost

S$180.0 million

Construction Period

34.0 months

Gross Floor Area

30,850m2

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St. Regis Hotel

St. Regis Hotel, located right at the junction of Tanglin Road and Tomlinson Road

is jointly constructed by Kajima Overseas and Tiong Seng Contractors. It is 20-

storey high and cladded in glass with 299 Guestrooms.

Key Construction Features

The main constraints were the construction over the existing 9.0m wide and 5.5.m

deep drainage canal across the site and the proximity of high-end private

residences, shopping centre and hotel. With proper planning and good

management, the project clinched several awards for site safety from MOM and

achieved a distinctive CONQUAS score of 92.0.

Key features commendable for the award are as follows:

(a) invented a “Noise Container” hood to control direction and reduced noise

generated during excavation, piling and hacking

(b) saved 20,000m3 of water by reducing, recycling and reusing of water for

stabilizing bored holes prior to casting

(c) re-arranged the carpark lots to reduce the requirement of 3 basement

levels to 2 basement levels

(d) adopted a perimeter beam plus flat slab system instead of the beam slab

system to increase the ease of construction

(e) omitted external scaffolding by using precast perimeter beams, precast

gable end walls and unitized curtainwall. This also reduced the risk of

falling from height and falling objects in the busy town area.

(f) used drywall for internal partition and improved productivity

(g) relocated spray paint work on interior design panels from site to factory for

better quality works and greener working environment

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Blossoms @ Woodleigh (Residential Buildings - $1,200/m2 and Above Category)

Builder

Woh Hup (Pte) Ltd

Client

Woodleigh Gardens Pte Ltd




KTP Consultants Pte Ltd

M&E Consultant

Beca Carter Hollings & Ferner (SE Asia) Pte Ltd

Quantity Surveyor

KPK Quantity Surveyors (Singapore) Ptd Ltd

Construction Cost

S$44.5 million

Construction Period

29.5 months

Gross Floor Area

28,835m2

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Blossoms @ Woodleigh

This is a condominium housing development comprising 2 blocks of 15-storey

residential buildings with 204 units, a basement carpark, swimming pool and

various recreational facilities. It is located at Woodleigh Close off Upper

Serangoon Road.


Woh Hup has demonstrated once again that it had an effective management

system capable of constantly delivering good quality projects as illustrated in this

project which finished with a remarkable CONQUAS score of 92.6 points. This

project also achieved an average 85.8 Quality Mark (QM) score and a clean

safety and environmental compliance record.

Woh Hup completed the project in 29 months and the key features contributing to

the award are as follows:

(a) used system formwork, e.g. aluminium table forms for floor slabs, jump

forms for core walls, etc, to increase productivity and improve safety

(b) used pipe jacking method to divert minor sewer line to avoid opening road

and damaging trees

(c) adopted screedless floor for installation of stones in living and dining areas

(d) the basement was redesigned with openings at side to reduce

requirements for mechanical ventilation. A ductless ventilation system was

used instead.

(e) redesigned the reinforced concrete (RC) Jaccuzi at the roof to pre-

fabricated fibre glass with integrated pump and piping, thus improving

speed of construction and resulting in better finishes

(f) adopted a RC flat slab system with perimeter beam for superstructure. This

system facilitated the use of system formwork and allowed flexibility in M&E

planning especially without the internal beams.

(g) RC stump was constructed on all external half-brick walls to house M&E

points. This prevent hacking the brickwall and enhanced the water-

tightness of external walls

(h) provided 350mm high RC kerb at wet areas to enhance water-tightness

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Residences @ Evelyn (Residential Buildings - $1,200/m2 and Above Category) Builder

Shimizu Corporation

Client

City Developments Limited


DP Architects Pte Ltd


Arup Singapore Pte Ltd

M&E Consultant

Beca Carter Hollings & Ferner (SE Asia) Pte Ltd

Quantity Surveyor

KPK Quantity Surveyors (Singapore) Pte Ltd

Construction Cost

S$71.5 million

Construction Period

58.0 months

Gross Floor Area

30,306m2

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Residences @ Evelyn This is a premium condominium development along Evelyn Road comprising 2

35-storey tower blocks with 208 units.


The builder’s committment and effort towards excellence are notable through the

various awards achieved i.e. MOM ASPA Merit in 2004, Silver in 2005 and Gold in

2006, Innovation Award 2005 (Noise Control), CDL (the client) EHS Excellence

Award and BCA Green Mark – Gold Award. In quality, the development achieved

a solid 91.6 CONQUAS points with an average QM score of 84.2 and 95.6% units

passing the first assessment.

Shimizu Corpoation’s contributions to the award are as highlighted below:

(a) used 3-Dimensional simulation with animations to plan workflow and

determine method of construction in planning stage

(b) adopted flat slab with drop panel and raft foundation to ease basement

construction

(c) used system formworks and pre-fabricated componments to achieve better

speed, quality and safety, e.g. table form for flat slab, self-climbing

formwork system for external walls and columns, precast air-con ledges,

precast in-filled walls, unitized curtain wall panels for external facde, multi-

tiers hanging stages scaffolding platform for external plastering, etc.

(d) changed the cast insitu 15.3m high Roof Crown at 110m height to precast

using 54 pieces of precast wall panels and 4 pieces of precast beams. It

sped up construction, improved safety as it omitted the need for external

scaffoldings and working platforms and achieved better quality finishes.

(e) used drywall and precast hollow walls which improved housekeeping

(f) used sub-frame door system with “lift-off” hinges to improve quality

(g) used ductless system with CO sensors at car park to omit ventilation duct,

which improved comfort, reduced noise and provided more head room

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ICON (Residential Buildings - $1,200/m2 and Above Category) Builder

Woh Hup (Pte) Ltd

Client

Far East Organization


Ong & Ong Pte Ltd



M&E Consultant

J Roger Preston (S) Pte Ltd

Quantity Surveyor


Construction Cost

S$101.3 million

Construction Period

44.5 months

Gross Floor Area

55,159m2

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ICON ICON is a mixed development at Gopeng Street comprising 2 residential

apartment blocks with 646 units linked by a podium with shops at the 1st storey.


The project took 44.5 months to complete and achieved an excellent CONQUAS

score of 90.4 points. Performance in Quality Mark (QM) assessment was good

with 95.4% of units passing at the first inspection.

The main constraints were the close proximity to an old temple, MRT station,

hotel, offices & HDB buildings and the tight footprint of the building with limited

space for storage and movement. The construction was further complicated with

the homeowers’ freedom to select layout and finishes.

Builder’s strategy and contribution to improve on safety, environment, productivity

and quality were:

(a) changed the pile foundation to pile-raft foundation to speed up construction

(b) changed the 1st storey beam-slab system to flat-slab to reduce ground

works

(c) adopted a reinforced concrete flat slab design with perimeter to facilitate

use of system formwork and allowed more flexibility to accommodate M&E

services

(d) developed a comprehensive Defects Management Programme to minimise

complaints on defects

(e) used innovative methods / products e.g.

• SETECO formwork system for better aligned and finished gable wall,

• composite aluminium panel (albolic panel) for external facade to

provide a clean and sleek look

• engineered timber flooring to eliminate sanding

• special silicone facade paint was used to reduce dirt

• screedless floor for installation of stone finishes at living and dining

rooms

• used self-climbing tower crane to overcome site constraints

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Citylights Condominium (Residential Buildings - $1,200/m2 and Above Category) Builder

Dragages Singapore Pte Ltd

Client

CAPITALAND RESIDENTIAL SINGAPORE PTE LTD


DP Architects Pte Ltd


Tham & Wong LLP

M&E Consultant

Belmacs Pte Ltd

Quantity Surveyor

Davis Langdon & Seah Singapore Pte Ltd

Construction Cost

S$92.9 million

Construction Period

35.0 months

Gross Floor Area

61,302 m2

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Citylights Condominium The Citylights Condominium is located at the junction of Kallang Road and

Lavender Street just outside the Lavender MRT Station. There is a total of 4

blocks of 41 storey residential buildings comprising 590 units and 10 units of

terrace houses converted from conserved shop houses.


Dragages completed the project in 35 months with no extension of time, no

demerit point or stop-work order from MOM and NEA and achieved a very high

CONQUAS score of 88.9. For QM certification, 94% of units passed QM

requirements on first inspection with an average of 83.2 points per unit for quality.

As a design and build contract where further designs and detailings were required

to develop around the novated concept drawings, Dragages’ contributions in the

design played a critical role in winning the CEA award as highlighted below:

(a) adopted RC shear wall to simplify superstructure by omitting beams and

columns to improve speed of construction

(b) all components on a typical floor were precast except the shear walls and

columns

(c) to fit in the precast components after the RC shear wall was constructed to

eliminate joints and provide a clean and continuous finish

(d) used adjustable mould for precast works to accommodate different sizes

(e) elevated basement carpark to avoid excavating into the marine clay layer

and reduced risk

(f) used composite aluminium panels to clad lift shafts to improve productivity

(g) used facade working platform system to omit needs for scaffold in external

works

(h) redesigned the multi-storey car park to house the same number of cars in 5

levels instead of 7 levels, saving $1 million for client

(i) adopted screedless floor method for installation of floor tiles and timber

strips, reducing wet trades

(j) used movable catch fenses to catch falling objects

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The Tresor (Residential Buildings – Below $1,200/m2 Category) Builder

Poh Lian Construction Pte Ltd

Client

Keppel Land Realty Pte Ltd


Ong & Ong Pte Ltd



M&E Consultant

Alpha Engineering Consultant

Quantity Surveyor

Rider Levett Bucknall

Construction Cost

S$21.6 million

Construction Period

26.0 months

Gross Floor Area

10,468 m2

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The Tresor

The condominium development comprises 2 blocks of 5-storey apartments with

64 units bounded between Duchess Road and Duchess Avenue.


Poh Lian Construction completed the project in 26 months and achieved a good

CONQUAS score of 87.3 for workmanship. The main constraints were the

restricted working hours and noises due to the proximity of private residential

developments and risk/obstruction caused by the narrow service roads

The commendable features are:

(a) conversion of bored pile to raft foundation system to improve speed and

generate less noise and dust

(b) used silent piler/extractor for installation and extraction of temporary sheet

pile to reduce noise and vibration

(c) raised the basement level and adjusted the basement wall inward resulting

in reduced risk, cost of excavation and construction

(d) relocated rain water sump away from basement and reduced risk and

construction time

(e) adopted flat slab system over conventional beam slab to improve

buildability

(f) used Ductless fan mechanical ventilation system with CO sensor at raised

basement to omit elaborate duct works and improve energy efficiency

(g) used Sunpipes with photocell to pipe in natural light to basement car park

to reduce artificial lightings

(h) installed solar powered lights at E deck to save energy

(i) installed extra irrigation system to recycle rainwater for landscape irrigation

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Proposed New Erection of 2-Storey Ferry Terminal with Roof Garden At Marina Coastal Drive (Institutional Buildings Category)

Builder

Toa Corporation

Owner Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore

Client Housing and Development Board

Project Management

Surbana International Consultants Pte Ltd





M&E Consultant


Quantity Surveyor


Construction Cost

S$12.7 million

Construction Period

19.5 months

Gross Floor Area

5,522 m2

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Proposed New Erection of 2-Storey Ferry Terminal with Roof Garden At Marina Coastal Drive The Marina South Pier is located at Marina South along Marina Coastal Drive as a

gateway for visitors to Southern Islands and boarding vessels anchored at the

south-eastern waters.


The 2-storey terminal building is completed in 19.5 months with no demerit point

for lapses in safety and environment and achieved a good CONQUAS score of

83.9 points. The main constraint was the piling works at the edge of the sea.

Notable features of the project are:

(a) extensive usage of precast and prefabricated components to speed up

construction and delivered better quality works. Awarded Certificate of

Merit for BCA Best Buildable Design Awards 2007.

(b) replaced insitu RC ground floor slab with hollow core slab to avoid contact

with ground water / rising damp

(c) off-site fabrication of steel lift frame in one piece to increase manpower

saving

(d) used siphonic drain system at roof to avoid overflow

(e) reduced stresses on glasses by using special Point Support Glass (PSG)

system for curtain wall

(f) used vertical versicell at sloped turfing to prevent water from flowing to the

timber decking at the roof garden

(g) aluminium tray was installed behind the granite cladding as secondary

water tightness protection for the kiosk, toilet and shop roof

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36 Kaki Bukit Place (Small Buildings - $3 million to $10 million Category) Builder

China Construction Builders Pte Ltd

Client

Grow-Tech Properties Pte Ltd

Principal Consultant

TAA Architects Pte Ltd



M&E Consultant

Rankine & Hill (Singapore) Pte Ltd

Quantity Surveyor


Construction Cost

S$5.6 million

Construction Period

14.0 months

Gross Floor Area

4,784 m2

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36 Kaki Bukit Place This is a 5-storey industrial building with basement located at Kaki Bukit Place.


The industrial building is constructed at a cost of $5.6 million. It was completed in

a very short time of 14 months and still achieved a commendable CONQUAS

score of 82.5 points, especially in the industrial building category. The main

constraints were the proximity of nearby buildings and the narrow congested

entrance road hindering the speed of lifting and delivery of materials.

With careful planning and good site management practices, the builder managed

to complete the building with no lapses in safety and environmental issues. Some

of the commendable features worth mentioning are:

(a) relocated the ramp to basement car park and lowered the transformer and

switch room to basement avoided a costly over $1 million diversion of HT

cable

(b) cost saving for client by replacing the bored piles with RC piles after careful

study of the soil condition. This also significantly reduced the risk of

damaging an underground power cable running across the proposed

building.

(c) some saving for client by replacing the 6m high single sheet glass with 2

pieces of thinner 15mm thick glass panels

(d) replaced screed floor finishes with power float finishes reduced wet trade

and saved time in construction

(e) redesigned the window cladding so that it could be installed from inside the

building, thus omitting the need for external scaffold and reducing the risk

of falling from height

construction excellence award 2009

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