Promenade Peak condo in River Valley to replace substandard concrete slab found during construction
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Demolition works at Promenade Peak condominium on Aug 27.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
SINGAPORE - A concrete transfer slab in Promenade Peak – a 63-storey condominium in River Valley that is under construction – has failed to meet quality standards and is being dismantled and replaced, The Straits Times has learnt.
Such slabs redistribute and transfer the load from the upper floors of a building to columns or walls below. They are used when the location of columns or walls on the upper floors differs from that of the lower floors, such as when residential units are stacked above a podium or carpark.
In a project construction update to buyers in May, which was seen by ST, developer Allgreen Properties managing director Tho Leong Chye said that “during regular and procedural internal quality assessments conducted jointly by us and the main contractor, Woh Hup, it was identified that the supporting concrete transfer slab did not meet stringent quality standards we have established for the project”.
“After carefully considering the rectification options, we have decided that the best course of action is to replace the concrete transfer slab entirely. We believe this is the most prudent and responsible approach to safeguard and uphold the quality and integrity of the development,” Tho said.
A spokesperson for Promenade Peak added in response to queries from ST: “During our regular quality assurance and quality control processes following the completion of concreting works, concerns relating to the quality of the concrete transfer slab were identified.”
The spokesperson did not elaborate on what caused the concrete transfer slab to not meet quality standards.
Asked if there will be delays in completion, the spokesperson said that “the duration of the demolition works has been assessed and factored into the revised construction timeline”.
“We are still working towards achieving our estimated 1Q2030 completion, and will in any event endeavour to complete the development in 2Q2030.”
Promenade Peak, which has 596 units and is 70 per cent sold, will be the world’s tallest prefabricated prefinished volumetric construction (PPVC) residential building, and will feature the highest infinity pool in Singapore.
The spokesperson did not elaborate on what caused the concrete transfer slab to not meet quality standards.
ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
The PPVC method involves precasting 3D modules such as a bathroom and installing fittings at an off-site facility. These modules are then delivered to the site, hoisted and stacked on top of one another, and installed.
Issues involving concrete transfer slabs are uncommon, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) said in response to ST’s queries.
In Promenade Peak’s case, the project parties identified concerns with the quality of the slab during regular inspections after the completion of concreting works, the agency said.
They carried out further engineering assessments and tests to assess the condition of the slab and alerted BCA.
BCA said the project parties sought approval from the Commissioner of Building Control to carry out the rectification works, and the agency is following up closely with the project team to ensure the project is completed safely.
Allgreen Properties’ Tho said preparation to dismantle and reinstall the slab started around end-May.
The Promenade Peak spokesperson said on Aug 27 that these works will continue for a few months.
The spokesperson said Woh Hup is bearing the costs of dismantling and reinstating the concrete transfer slab, and that no cost will be passed to home owners.
Promenade Peak, which has 596 units and is 70 per cent sold, will be the world’s tallest prefabricated prefinished volumetric construction (PPVC) residential building.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Singapore has a robust regulatory framework to ensure that its buildings are structurally safe, BCA said.
At the construction stage, the builder carries out structural works under the supervision of a Qualified Person and a team of site supervisors. Construction tests by accredited laboratories and post-construction inspections verify that the structural works are carried out in compliance with the approved plans, BCA said.
The agency added that the project parties for Promenade Peak have carried out their responsibilities diligently in identifying and addressing the issue while ensuring structural safety.
Jason Tan, managing principal of Tresca Consult, noted that if the concrete transfer slab is “not constructed in accordance with the approved drawings, or if the materials such as concrete and reinforcement bars do not meet the design strength and workmanship, then rectification work has to be done in order to ensure the integrity of the structures”.
“Demolishing and reconstructing the concrete transfer slab will be time-consuming, depending on the volume of concrete to be hacked and the method of hacking,” added Tan, who was commenting in his capacity as an independent observer.
Issues involving concrete transfer slabs are uncommon, the Building and Construction Authority said in response to ST’s queries.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
According to the spokesperson, transacted prices for the one-bedder to five-bedroom units range from $1.4 million to $6.6 million.
The unit mix at Promenade Peak includes 80 one-bedroom units, 320 two-bedroom units, 118 three-bedroom units, 57 four-bedroom units and 19 five-bedroom units. There are also two 4,144 sq ft penthouses on the 63rd floor.
