The Brownstone
Designer: ADDP ARCHITECTS LLP
Client: City Developments Limited
Category: Life
Currently under construction, The Brownstone Executive Condominium will be the first project in Asia to adopt the use of advanced construction technology, Prefabricated Pre-finished Volumetric Construction (PPVC), for a large-scale residential development.
In PPVC, complete flats or modules made of multiple units complete with internal finishes, fixtures and fittings are manufactured in factories, and are then transported to site for installation. Prefabricated modules are hoisted into position and assembled in a Lego-like manner. More than 4000 building modules will be used to build The Brownstone at Canberra Drive in Sembawang. This project comprises of 8 blocks, 10 to 12-storey blocks with an estimated 638 units.
The extensive use of PPVC for this project is ideal due to its modularity of units which has been embraced from the design stage. Productivity is expected to increase by more than 40% and will save some 55,000 man days, compared to using conventional construction methods. Such advanced construction technologies yield more significant manpower and time savings. It also brings about intangible benefits such as less noise and dust during construction, safer workplaces and better quality of homes.
Adopting PPVC can help to significantly speed up construction. It can potentially achieve a productivity improvement in terms of manpower and time savings, depending on the complexity of the projects. Adopting PPVC also enhances worksite safety as prefabrication of the building modules in factory means fewer workers needed on site which in turn leads to fewer accidents and less down time. Prefabrication of the building modules also leads to cleaner worksites by generating less waste. Furthermore, dust and noise pollution can be minimised as more activities are done off-site.
With the bulk of the installation activities and manpower moved off site to a factory controlled environment, site works will be lesser, and furthermore site safety will also improve.
Modules of PPVC can be designed to suit the needs of space within the residential units e.g. Living and Dining, Bedrooms, Bathrooms and including Kitchen Area. In terms of quality control, PPVC has some benefits compare to conventional system. PPVC will have more stringent quality control as modules are being fabricated in controlled factory conditions.
Any type of finishes and built in furniture can be installed into modules. With PPVC as a construction method, the end product can achieve same quality, even better, than using conventional construction method. The interiors are efficient and spacious, effective for the convenience of the residents.
PPVC was implemented to minimise environmental impact during construction, as an advanced prefabricated construction technology.