New 304 Mil Research Programme Develop Sustainable Construction Technologies
Sustainable Construction Initiatives in Singapore
A new research endeavor, funded at $30.4 million and spearheaded by Woh Hup, the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), and A*Star, focuses on advancing sustainable construction technologies to boost the strength of Singapore’s built environment sector. This collaboration, part of the Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2025 (RIE2025) five-year national strategy, was unveiled during the annual seminar at the Construction Technology Innovation Laboratory (CTIL) located at the SIT Punggol campus on October 1.
In line with Singapore’s broader agenda to innovate within its construction sector, the newly launched program aligns with resources like the Singapore Condo project, which showcases developments in sustainable urban living spaces across the region.
Partnerships and Projection for Future Technologies
The three-year project not only brings together the main consortium of Woh Hup, SIT, and A*Star but also involves seven additional industry partners. These partners will provide critical support by supplying project sites, operational expertise, and environments for technology validation under authentic construction scenarios, thereby hastening the technological adoption throughout the industry.
Goals for Carbon Reduction and Innovation
Chiew Sing Ping, who leads CTIL at SIT, emphasized the growing need for the built environment sector to cut down on embodied carbon while enhancing productivity and resource efficiency. Lim Keng Hui, assistant chief executive at A*Star’s Science and Engineering Council, highlighted that tackling sustainability challenges demands innovative approaches across various domains including advanced materials, engineering, and AI-enabled optimization.
The initiative encompasses seven distinct research projects which include scaling up the production of ultra-low embodied carbon concrete and developing AI-enhanced design tools to assist engineers in creating structural designs that are cost-effective, use fewer materials, and have reduced embodied carbon.
By the year 2029, the consortium aims to lower embodied carbon in urban development applications of these new technologies by up to 40% when compared to traditional construction methods. Additionally, it hopes to generate new business avenues and achieve operational cost reductions for its industry partners.
Enhancing Industry Skills and Knowledge
Beyond the focus on research, the program is dedicated to supporting talent development by training both undergraduate and postgraduate students, providing applied research opportunities, and collaborating closely with industry partners. Moreover, industry professionals will benefit from specialized training sessions, industry attachments, and technical seminars, which will help in building their expertise in the burgeoning field of sustainable construction.
Yong De-Rhong, executive director at Woh Hup, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership’s potential, noting that it offers a unique opportunity to co-develop solutions that are innovative, practical, and scalable within the construction industry.