OFFICE REFURBISHMENT IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

Over the past decades, new construction activities have dominated the construction industry, with little attention being placed on the preservation of old buildings. However, with the slowing down of construction activities and the rising awareness to protect our heritage of scarce resources, refurbishment is seen as a creative process to rejuvenerate old buildings into the modern fabric. In the office sector, the rapid advancement of technology has accelerated the pace of obsolescence of buildings, especially those with poor design and location. Buildings with long structural life span have met the end of their economic life. Refurbishment is thus inevitable if such rapid decline in functional use is to be arrested. The dissertation attempted to trace the growing awareness of refurbishment in the past to the practical realisation of it in the local office buildings. Various factors that underlie the general trend towards refurbishment are examined. With careful pre-planning and study, refurbishment is shown to be a viable undertaking. The future prospect of refurbishment in Singapore is highlighted. Attention is drawn to the large stock of office buildings in Singapore which in the foreseeable future, will need major refurbishment for their "survival".