National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said the construction industry is pushing for the use of 3D technology to help raise productivity.
He said in his blog on Tuesday that the two-dimensional Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawings that architects and engineers rely on is gradually being replaced by the more superior 3D.
Their new tool, the Building Information Modelling (BIM), uses computer technology to create 3D building models.
Mr Khaw said with BIM, architects, engineers, building owners and facilities managers are able to see, work and fix problems before, during and after construction.
He said this saves time and effort, as rework and wastages are minimised.
Mr Khaw said BCA’s Centre for Construction IT (CCIT) champions the use of BIM and incentivises technology adoption through the Construction Productivity and Capability Fund (CPCF).
Some 250 companies have applied for funds from the CPCF to cover software and hardware costs, as well as training and consultancy.
They are also actively recruiting graduates with BIM training.
Mr Khaw said a recent CCIT survey found that on average, companies in the built environment are willing to pay 10 per cent to 20 per cent more for graduates who are BIM-trained.
Many projects here have been conceived and built with BIM involvement.
SAFRA Toa Payoh and the ArtScience Museum were among the first building projects to harness the BIM technology.
The upcoming Sports Hub, the Star and the Sky Habitat are the more recent BIM projects.
Mr Khaw said many more buildings will follow, as BIM transforms the way Singapore’s building professionals collaborate together.
He said the common aim is to deliver more competitive and challenging projects that will be the pride of Singapore’s construction industry.
“This 3D revolution… has serious applications in many other industries: automobile and aircraft manufacturing industries, healthcare and medical education, etc. It pushes up productivity and effectiveness. And of course, there is potential for the construction industry too. That is why the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) is promoting the 3D technology,” he said.
Mr Khaw, who opened the BuildTech Asia Exhibition on Tuesday, noted one exciting activity - an online BIM Competition.
The contest, which is part of BCA’s celebrations to mark the 2nd Singapore Construction Productivity Week, attracted more than 300 participants from close to 40 teams.
This is triple the participation rate at last year’s inaugural competition.
Mr Khaw said it speaks volumes about how the industry has been venturing into the technology to raise productivity.
He added that the real test is in the industry’s response to BIM.
