Designing for the Long Haul: How Singapore's DfM Mandate Cuts Building Costs and Manpower

Singapore is quietly rewriting the rulebook for building economics. A new study from the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), released at Archifest 2026 by National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat, shows that upfront investment in 'Design for Maintainability' (DfM) features can slash annual operational costs by up to SGD 950,000 for commercial buildings and SGD 110,000 for residential projects. The data is a clear signal for developers across Southeast Asia: the smart money is on lifecycle value, not just construction cost.

What is Design for Maintainability (DfM)?

DfM is a design philosophy that integrates long-term maintenance considerations into a building's blueprint. Instead of cutting corners on upfront capital expenditure (capex), developers invest slightly more during construction to reap significant operational expenditure (opex) savings over the building's life. The BCA study, conducted with Surbana Jurong, examined four projects: the Surbana Jurong campus, the Ascent building, Shaw Tower, and Copen Grand executive condominium.

What are the quantified savings from DfM?

The numbers are compelling. Across the three commercial buildings, annual operational savings ranged from SGD 310,000 to SGD 950,000. For the residential development, savings reached SGD 110,000 per year. Critically, the extra construction cost to incorporate DfM was minimal: 0.6% to 1.5% for commercial buildings and just 0.2% for residential. The payback period is equally attractive. At Shaw Tower, a simple cat-ladder access to the cooling tower replaced scaffolding for maintenance, yielding lifecycle savings of over SGD 750,000 with a payback period of only three years. As Chee noted, 'With cooling towers having a typical 15-year service life, recovering the investment in three years means net positive returns thereafter for the remaining 12 years.'

How does DfM improve manpower productivity?

Manpower is a perennial challenge in the region. The study found that DfM features cut annual maintenance labour by over 60% in many cases. 'The biggest gains came from architectural decisions,' Chee said, 'choices about design specifications, floor materials, ceiling types, and facade access.' This reinforces a key point for regional policymakers: labour efficiency starts at the drawing board.

What is the Corenet X digital platform update?

Beyond DfM, Chee announced a pragmatic shift in Singapore's digital approval platform, Corenet X. From October 1, 2026, all new projects with a gross floor area (GFA) of 5,000 sq m and above must submit via Corenet X. This extends the mandate to about 50 medium-sized projects annually. For smaller projects (under 5,000 sq m), the older Corenet 2.0 system remains an option, but firms are encouraged to migrate. Since Corenet X became mandatory for large projects (over 30,000 sq m) in October 2025, over 140 projects from 300 firms have been submitted, yielding time savings of up to two months from faster approvals. 'We are pragmatic and focus on solving practical problems to help our companies,' Chee said. 'When we need to change, we are prepared to change.'

What are the plans for Jubilee Park at Fort Canning?

Adding a layer of public space innovation, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and National Parks Board will launch a public engagement and design competition for a new pavilion at Jubilee Park in Fort Canning. Following the model used for Raffles Place Park and the Queensway Rail Corridor, early stakeholder input will shape the design brief. 'Fort Canning holds a very special place in Singapore's history,' Chee noted, 'and this is an opportunity to add a new layer to that story.'

What does this mean for ASEAN developers?

For developers and policymakers in Bangkok, Jakarta, or Kuala Lumpur, the Singapore model offers a data-driven roadmap. DfM is not a luxury; it is a capital efficiency tool. The combination of low upfront cost, rapid payback, and significant long-term savings aligns with the region's push for sustainable urbanisation. As BCA works with the Singapore Institute of Architects to refine the findings, expect these metrics to become a benchmark for green and efficient building in ASEAN.