Singapore’s newest integrated resort, Marina Bay Sands®, has won the 'Innovation in Structural Engineering' award at the Bentley Systems 2010 Be Inspired Awards.
The accolade recognises projects that demonstrate excellence in planning, modelling, analysing, designing, and delivering structures. Selected from a pool of 20 entries, Arup shone for the technical innovation it employed on Marina Bay Sands®.
“We are extremely proud that Marina Bay Sands® has garnered yet another award for its spectacular design” says Mr. Thomas Arasi, President and Chief Executive Officer of Marina Bay Sands®. “Much thought, expertise, and many engineering firsts have gone into the design and build of the development, which has redefined the Singapore city skyline. We are very pleased that our awe-inspiring design has won recognition on all fronts, from leisure visitors to experts in the architectural field.”
Several structural challenges had to be overcome in the design of the project, the most difficult being the SkyPark cantilever – the longest of its kind in the world. Arup designed the structure to withstand strong winds and vibration caused by people movement, and to provide optimal comfort for guests. By combining innovative engineering approaches and 3D modeling technologies, Arup formulated a design that also allowed for safe and easy construction 200m above ground and founded in deep marine clays.
Singapore’s newest integrated resort, Marina Bay Sands®, has won the 'Innovation in Structural Engineering' award at the Bentley Systems 2010 Be Inspired Awards.
“Arup projects are designed using the best tools and technology available in the industry” says Brendon McNiven, Arup Director in Singapore. “The Bentley award is clear recognition of our leadership, technical excellence and strong multidisciplinary capabilities which have enabled us to transform the Marina Bay Sands® concept into reality within a short time frame. It also re-affirms our significant contribution towards Singapore’s long-term vision to be one of Asia’s fastest growing hubs.”
The construction of Marina Bay Sands®, a monumental feat involving 15,000 construction workers at its peak since 2007, has resulted in widespread media coverage, including 25 documentaries on its building process.
One particular construction milestone involved the hoisting of the Sands SkyPark in one of the highest strand jacking operations ever undertaken in the world. This involved 14 individual lifts, with each component weighing up to 790 tonnes. The 340m superstructure, which weighs more than 7,000-tonnes, was designed using a unique combination of bridge and building technology.
Since its opening on 24 June 2010, the Sands SkyPark has welcomed over 350,000 visitors to the Public Observation Deck alone.