24/7 shift rotations and AI monitoring: How builder delivers flats and amenities to Tengah BTO residents on time

For home owners who have purchased Housing Board (HDB) Build-to-Order (BTO) flats, the Building Service Centre (BSC) is a familiar feature.  

Typically set up by the builder of the BTO project, this temporary on-site centre provides support – and peace of mind – for new home owners settling into their flats by rectifying construction defects, addressing feedback and providing after-sales service.

At Plantation Village in Tengah, however, staff members at China Construction (South Pacific) Development Co Pte Ltd (CCDC)’s BSC went beyond their call of duty. 

Last June, just before the Dragon Boat Festival, they brought festive cheer by going from unit to unit to distribute rice dumplings to the residents. The simple gesture, though unexpected, was warmly welcomed, with many residents showing their appreciation through thank-you notes. 

Such is the level of dedication CCDC brings to each project – ensuring best-in-class service and construction standards for end users. Even as the Covid-19 pandemic delayed progress across many developments, the company remained committed to delivering projects without compromising safety and quality.

For Plantation Village in particular, a CCDC spokesperson says the firm mobilised “over 80 supervisory staff, 300 in-house workers and more than 1,500 subcontractor workers in coordinated shifts around the clock” to complete the 15 residential blocks and Plantation Plaza, the neighbourhood centre, on time. 

This meant residents had access to essential amenities and services – such as shops and eateries – almost immediately after moving in. 

For its stellar project management and innovation, CCDC received the Construction Award for the housing category at this year’s HDB Awards. 

The Construction Award recognises contractors who excel not only in project management and construction quality, but also in public engagement and innovation when delivering HDB building and upgrading works. 

More important to CCDC, however, was that residents were happy with their new homes. 

“Residents not only expressed appreciation for the immediate convenience offered by Plantation Plaza, but also sent letters to their Member of Parliament to compliment our work,” says the CCDC spokesperson.

Building smarter and safer with technology

While the early access to amenities was a welcome start for residents, it was part of a larger mission for CCDC: to deliver high-quality homes. 

The firm envisioned a green, sustainable housing district with community spaces, constructing terraced landscapes with tree-lined paths, elevated quadrangles, benches and trellises for residents to interact.

Building these staggered landscape levels and surrounding residential blocks required meticulous coordination. 

For example, tower crane placements and precast deliveries had to align with differing block completion dates. Likewise, the construction schedules for two multi-storey car parks – with a connecting basement car park and environmental deck – demanded careful planning to ensure safety and efficiency.

To manage these complex and interlocking schedules, the company applied technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) safety monitoring and comprehensive building information modelling (BIM).

AI-enabled surveillance cameras minimised on-site accidents by monitoring and flagging unsafe behaviour in real time. BIM was used to create virtual sample units for each apartment type, allowing early detection and resolution of potential technical challenges. 

BIM also supported the construction of the neighbourhood’s centralised cooling system, a water-cooled, energy-efficient system that helps residents lower their utility bills and carbon footprint.  

Through these innovations, the CCDC spokesperson says the company was able to “deliver better outcomes such as safer construction sites, higher quality homes and more sustainable communities”. 

Green features with people in mind

Even as it strove for efficiency, CCDC went the extra mile to minimise its environmental impact.

Eco-conscious features like a waste conveyance and stormwater management system were built with precast elements, improving safety and reducing waste. Lower-emission motorised wheelbarrows were also used on site.

For the Common Green areas, CCDC proposed an alternative design that replaced precast panels sitting on the ground with full reinforced concrete slabs with drainage. 

This not only reduced the risk of uneven ground settlement and lowered long-term maintenance needs, but also eliminated stagnant water areas and mosquito breeding grounds. The level, flat surface also helps to prevent fall and trip hazards, while providing a safe space for children to play.

CCDC’s sustainability efforts were recognised with a slew of accolades. This includes the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) Green Mark Platinum rating for Plantation Plaza – the highest certification level accorded by BCA for a building’s exceptional standards of environmental performance and sustainability.

The numerous awards received by CCDC are a testament to the company’s commitment to construction excellence and to every team member’s dedication to building better homes in Singapore.

Says the company representative: “This recognition belongs to every worker who braved challenging conditions, every engineer who solved complex problems, and every supervisor who maintained the exacting quality standards throughout this strategically important project.

“Plantation Village embodies CCDC’s belief that construction must evolve beyond simply erecting structures, to creating integrated, intelligent communities that anticipate residents’ needs while protecting the environment.”

Learn how the Housing Board and its partners work to deliver homes Singapore residents love returning to.