Built Environment Industry Group (BEIG)

In May this year, in recognition of the significant role that Australian, and Australian-related companies, play in the built environment in Singapore and the broader region, based in Singapore, the AustCham Built Environment Industry Group was established.

The membership of the Chapter includes some 16 people, representing 11 companies as well as the Australian High Commission and Austrade. The companies represented include privately owned facilities providers, publicly listed construction companies, architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, project managers, urban planners, property economists and public research specialists. Indeed, a full range of the services involved in the built environment.

The Chapter is Chaired by Tim Chapman, the Deputy CEO (Operations) Singapore for Surbana Jurong Group and the Vice Chair is Peter Hyland, the Regional Director of Cistri Pte Ltd. Since establishment the group has met four times up to the end of November. The ongoing support of Kate Baldock and Katrina Campbell has been significant, and much appreciated in getting the Group established.

One of the key initial priorities of the Group was to establish its Objectives and Strategic Action Plan. As a result an outcome of the first two meetings was the defining of the Purpose and Objectives outlined below.

Purpose

  • To identify the BE industry challenges to the development and engagement of Australian businesses in the Built Environment sector in the Singapore market and within the broader region.
  • To develop strategies which address the identified challenges for further consideration by AustCham.
  • To drive – through engagement with AustCham government bodies, and industry groups – participation of Australian businesses in the Singapore BE industry with a priority focus on AustCham Member businesses.

Objectives 2019

  • Form group, establish organisational arrangements, responsibilities of members
  • Formalise 2019/20 Strategic Action Plan (SAP) and present to Board at 19 August 2019 Board meeting
  • Identify initial list of challenges and prioritise
  • Development of strategy to address the No 1 identified challenge
  • Review list of challenges on a quarterly basis
  • Publish one discussion paper by end January 2020 (The initial paper currently underway is an examination and quantification of the Australian influence on the Singapore property market, and through this, the whole economy. This paper is being led by Jack Backen from Cistri.)

Objectives 2019

  • Deliver on actions outlined in SAP
  • Publish two discussion papers relating to the identified challenges
    • Paper 1: Target date June 2020
    • Paper 2: Target date November 2020
  • Conduct a Built Environment Industry Group event
    • Target date August/ September 2020
    • Format to be defined

In order to appreciate the range of members of the Group, and the companies they represent, a number of them have been profiled for this article and they have specifically been asked to give some insights into what they see they will derive from their involvement in BEIG.

COLIN EDDISON, AURECON

Colin is an Associate and Mechanical team leader in Aurecon’s Built Environment team. He has lead projects in Singapore and across South-East Asia in Data Centres, mixed-use developments, education and entertainment sectors. He moved to Singapore in July 2018.

Aurecon Singapore is a global engineering and infrastructure advisory firm with over 7000 employees across Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Middle East and Africa. The Singapore office has grown beyond 100 people in recent times. Aurecon is owned by its employees with our head office in Sydney.

Aurecon partners with our clients across many sectors and geographical locations to provide multi-discipline expertise. We are embracing digital solutions to find better value for our clients and exploring new technologies and ideas to solve the most complex problems. Our Singapore office has teams in Buildings, Data & Telecommunications, Infrastructure and Advisory.

With our large presence in the Australian market, we see the importance of promoting Australian businesses, innovation and people in Singapore and across the region. There are some exciting things happening as part of the Australian infrastructure boom and the strong historical connection between Singapore and Australia presents us with an obvious opportunity to grow collaboration. We believe that Australia has a big part to play in the future of this region.

EDWARD BELIN, DIRECTOR, PUBLIC RESEARCH AND DESIGN

Public Research + Design is a unique research consultancy that works with clients across government, property development, architecture and business. We marry anthropological research with design-thinking and data, to create compelling and attractive people-centred experiences and journeys.

We work across research, experience design and strategy to achieve positive business and community outcomes. Every project is different – currently we are working with a precinct developer to research the user profile of a particular suburb, analyse the trading area and provide recommendations in regards to the design of the precinct, tenant-mix activation, and place-making so that the experience of the precinct is uniquely designed for each of the different user groups. We also work on a project where we research how shared spaces in large building complexes can be designed better for social harmony.

We are a boutique consultancy that helps large companies in the built environment industry to deliver better products for the end user. Collaborating with companies in the BEIG is therefore a great opportunity for us. We hope to do business with our colleagues from the group in the future and support Australian companies in Singapore.

DARREN BENGER, ATA ARCHITECTS (SINGAPORE)

Darren is Director of Viv ATA Pte Ltd, an architectural practice licensed by the Board of Architects, Singapore. Darren obtained his B. Architectural Studies and B. Architecture (Hons) degrees from the University of Adelaide.

Darren has resided in Singapore since 1996 and has been a member of AustCham for many years. Darren is a member of the Australian Institute of Architects (International Chapter) as well as being a long-serving member of Council of the Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA). He also had the privilege of being on the council of the Singapore Chapter of Learning Environments Australasia since its establishment.

PUNIT JOSHI, BLUESCOPE

Punit is the Vice President of Strategy & Business Development at BlueScope, Australia’s largest manufacturer of Steel. He is responsible for leading the Digital Strategy Planning & Business Development within the company. Punit has been vital in helping to influence, educate and refine the company’s digital B2B capabilities across value chain to ensure sustainable business growth through improved customer experience, operational efficiency and business model refinement.

BlueScope is one of the world’s leading manufacturer of painted and coated steel products. We are focused on the global building & construction industry with great strengths in engineered steel buildings in key markets. NS BlueScope Coated products is a 50:50 joint venture enterprise between BlueScope and Nippon Steel. We serve the building and construction, manufacturing, and home appliance industries with innovative, high quality coated & painted steel products and solutions across ASEAN and North America.

We see BEIG providing excellent networking opportunities with like-minded business groups in Singapore and Australia amongst designers, contractors, developers, operators, etc.

We also see the opportunity to establish connections with Building & Construction sector institutes, research agency, etc.

Identifying key trends & challenges in the building & construction industry and contribute in addressing some of those challenges through greater collaboration amongst different stakeholders.

WILL KENNEDY-COOKE & DANIEL MALCCHINI, WT PARTNERSHIP

Will Kennedy-Cooke is Managing Director (South East Asia) with over 15 years of experience in the Region and 34 years internationally. Based in Singapore, he is currently responsible for the overall services delivery across all built environment sectors by the business in ASEAN countries and provides the key interface for coordination with the WTP network in other regions.

Daniel Malcchini relocated from Australia to Singapore in 2007 and has worked in a range of construction sectors over his 22 years of professional experience including commercial, education, retail, hospitality, industrial, corporate fitout, infrastructure, civic and residential projects covering both new works and refurbishments of varying complexity.

WT Partnership is an award-winning, international Quantity Surveying & Construction Cost Management consultancy established 70 years ago, that has operated continuously in Singapore since 1962 and has a current staff of about 1000 across Asia (excluding India).

We are an independent business dedicated to construction cost consultancy, wholly owned by working Directors who deliver impartial objective advice to our clients in 360 degrees of the asset management cycle from inception to disposal, including refurbishment and facilities management consultancy. WTP is responsible for delivering notable projects in the region providing a wide spectrum of QS services throughout Asia, including being a market leader in the provision of Technical Advisor Services for the delivery of Infrastructure through both Public and Private funding.

WT

Will and Daniel oversee WTP’s international projects in ASEAN, providing opportunities for Clients to engage with our experience with the diverse characteristics and capabilities within each market. Involvement with the Built Environment Industry Group provides the opportunity to leverage on WTP’s in-depth knowledge of Asian markets and collaborate with the complementary strengths of other Australian expertise to positively engage with the continued development in the Region.

NEIL GUNN, BG&E CONSULTING ENGINEERS PTE LTD

Neil is the Regional Manager of BG&E Consulting Engineers Pte Ltd, a consulting engineering practice licensed by the Professional Engineering Board and registered on the BCA Panel, Singapore. Neil’s career spans across Australia, Middle East, Europe and SE Asia and he has played key roles in the establishment and growth of the BG&E Singapore and Perth Offices.

BG&E is a civil and structural engineering consultancy established 50 years ago in Western Australia. Our team is based in five offices across Australia, three offices in the Middle East, Singapore, London and Auckland. We have over 500 permanent staff across our international offices.

BG&E is recognised within the industry for providing high standards of engineering on technically challenging projects. We deliver solutions that are practical and focus on constructability.

We specialise in our selected fields of civil and structural engineering where we strive towards technical excellence. We are employee owned and our staff, who share innovative ideas and a problem-solving ‘can do’ attitude, have a vested interest in achieving successful outcomes.

We have won numerous engineering awards in recognition of the high standard of work. These awards are an acknowledgement of our contribution to the engineering industry and the outcomes we deliver for our clients.

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Being part of the Built Environment Industry Group is key to further understanding the region’s strengths and how best we can add value and bring innovation through the sharing our international experiences and learning from others regional knowledge.

RICHARD CONEY, PURE PROJECTS

Richard is Regional Director and co-founder of Pure Projects and has extensive experience in the delivery of commercial building projects and has acquired project management skillsets including Project and Construction Management, Design Management and Tenancy Delivery.
He has over 15 years of experience in the Consulting and Construction industry and has led and delivered projects in Australia, UAE, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand and China.

Pure Projects is a specialist Project Management service provider. Our business is founded on the principle of valuing long term relationships with our clients, partners and suppliers.

REGIONAL EXPERIENCE – PROJECTS

ANGSANA TELUK BAHANG, MALAYSIA

Project Type:   Mixed Use – Hotel, Resort and Wellness Project in Penang, Malaysia
Client: Senja Aman        
Services Provided: Project Management Services

THE SHOPPES AT MARINA BAY SANDS, SINGAPORE

Project Type:Retail – Luxury Shopping Mall in Singapore, over 1,000 retail shops delivered over 10 years.
Client: Marina Bay Sands           
Services Provided: Retail Tenancy Co-ordination, RFC Project Management Services and Retail Design Services

As an Australian founded firm operating across the Asia Pacific, we see our involvement with AustCham’s BEIG as an opportunity to collaborate and work closely with other Australian founded / operated firms regionally.

We see BEIG as a unique building industry platform in which the group members can seek ways to share and transfer industry knowledge to communicate throughout the industry that Australian firms have a lot to offer to the regional Asian building and construction industry.

We feel it’s a great initiative for Australian firms to band together and assist each other through the transfer of knowledge to better help Aussie firms to expand and develop their professional reach in the Asian markets, seek new business opportunities, improve existing business contacts and relationships, and continually promote Aussie businesses as trusted, reliable and responsible operators with a can-do attitude.

SUZANNE OGGE, studioMilou

Suzanne Ogge joined studioMilou in 2009, bringing to the company over a decade’s experience working with the UN on international heritage project management in Asia, the Arab States and the Caucasus. Suzanne is familiar with cross-cultural working environments and along with managing the heritage projects, steers the company’s strategic development and client relations, notably in the Asia-Pacific region.

studioMilou is an architectural firm based in Singapore with branches in Paris and Hanoi which privileges beautifully crafted design. Led by French and Australian directors, Jean-Francois Milou and Suzanne Ogge, the studio has a track record in award-winning museum and public projects including the National Gallery Singapore and iconic Carreau du Temple in Paris, both recipients of the Australian Institute of Architecture International Chapter Awards for Public (2015) and Heritage Architecture (2019).

An international leader in adaptive reuse and heritage projects, the company has expanded further in Singapore and Asia over the past decade with a growing folio of high-end residential, public and landscape projects that bring simple solutions to complex design issues.
Through involvement in the Built Environment Industry Group, studioMilou intends to contribute to stronger networks for Australian professionals and companies in Singapore, and to support greater collaboration in both Southeast Asia and Europe.

National Gallery Singapore, Singapore | AIA International Chapter Architecture Awards (PUBLIC), 2016

JUSTIN TAYLOR, KAER

Justin joined the Kirkham Group – a conglomerate which owns multiple real estate and engineering-related businesses in Asia, in 1995.

As the founding employee and CEO of Kaer Pte Ltd (Kirkham Group’s fastest growing business), Justin expanded Kaer to become South East Asia’s first provider of financially and sustainably responsible solutions for air conditioning assets and scaled Kaer’s operations in Asia.

Kaer is the largest and fastest growing “Air-conditioning as a Service” company operating throughout Asia. With over 60 years of experience in delivering precise conditions to data centres, commercial properties and campuses, Kaer launched this revolutionary business model to allow building owners to purchase air-con on a pay-as-you-use basis in 2013.

As Kaer is responsible for all of the capex and opex associated with running the system (including electricity), Kaer’s investment in productivity enhancing AI software has delivered the most reliable air-conditioning systems in Asia winning global awards and recognition.

Recent acquisitions into the Kaer portfolio include the Paya Lebar Quarter development by Lendlease as well as other commercial properties owned by international REITs.

Justin revolutionised Kaer’s business with the conceptualisation and launch of Kaer Air; the world’s first model supplying “air” as a service. Heralded as one of the top 18 breakthrough business models globally, Kaer Air has disrupted the property industry. By leveraging Kaer’s state-of-the-art engineering and IT capabilities, Kaer delivers ground-breaking sustainability and financial returns; and new asset solutions for land owners, developers, investors and managers. Justin now leads the expansion and growth of Kaer’s portfolio of assets which currently serves 25 million square feet of spaces across Singapore, India and Malaysia.

Outside his role at Kaer, Justin is a Director of the Emerald Hill Group and is an active member of YPO where he sits on the International Board, is the Vice Chair of the Board and a member of the Governance and Succession Committee.

Based and living in Singapore since 1995, Justin has a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) , Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Master of Laws (LLM).

PETER HYLAND and JACK BACKEN, CISTRI PTE LTD

Peter is the Regional Director and Jack, Director of Property Economics of Cistri both based fulltime in Singapore since 2016.Cistri is the international arm of Urbis Australia.

Cistri is an independent urban development consultancy firm. Our team brings together expertise in urban planning, design, economics and property to create value for successful property development, cities and communities.

Our approach is collaborative. We work with clients and partners to produce meaningful and innovative outcomes. We bring clarity to complex challenges and deliver solutions that shape cities and communities for a better future.

We advise developers, property owners, investors, private firms, NGOs, community groups, industry associations and all levels of government.

Cistri was very honoured in 2018 to be appointed by the URA and STB to prepare the long-term strategy for Orchard Road.

Orchard Road has long been Singapore’s prime retail and dining destination. To inform the Singapore Government’s efforts to rejuvenate Orchard Road amidst a changing retail landscape, Cistri led a 10-member consortium to undertake a comprehensive study of issues facing Orchard Road and develop strategies to address these issues.

We see the BEIG as a valuable forum to share intelligence and insights, promote Australian businesses. We also see it as an opportunity to act collaboratively to maximise opportunities for Australian business in Singapore and the region more broadly.

Involvement in the BE Industry Group

The Built Environment covers a wide spectrum of interests across industry sectors and job disciplines. Being a part of the Built Environment industry group allows all stakeholders to keep up to date with rapidly emerging trends with insights and forecasts being shared amongst the members.