New Central Manpower Base (CMPB), Singapore

SOUTHEAST ASIA CONSTRUCTION26 Jan 2026

The state crest and faceted wall panels at the front facade were built using precast glass fibre reinforced concrete (GFRC) panels. Developed by MINDEF and DSTA, this project has won the Building and Construction Authority’s (BCA) Project of the Year Award 2025 in the Institutional Buildings category. It has also attained the BCA Green Mark Platinum Super-Low Energy certification.

The suspended complex steel structure auditorium is a highlight of the project. Dubbed the first of its kind in Singapore, the design optimises space utilisation with a column-free design underneath the structure, which also accommodates a flexible mixed-use event space on the floor below the auditorium.

Building information modelling (BIM) and integrated digital delivery (IDD) tools were used to conceptualise, design and build the new CMPB digitally, before construction work began on site. This eliminated errors and minimised waste of resources due to unnecessary reworks.

The new CMPB was one of the first institutional projects to adopt BCA’s virtual Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) inspection. The method employed the 360-degree capture technology, resulting in more than 30% savings in man-effort compared to traditional on-site inspections.

The project team at the BCA Awards ceremony in September 2025. Pang Lu Kit, programme director (CMPB), Building and Infrastructure Programme Centre at DSTA, is seen here (second from right). The event was also attended by Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat (centre) and BCA CEO Kelvin Wong (second from left).

Singapore industrial digital construction BCA Awards 2025 MINDEF DSTA

The new Central Manpower Base (CMPB) at Bukit Gombak has won the BCA Project of the Year Award 2025 in the Institutional Buildings category. Developed by MINDEF and Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), this integrated hub brings together all National Service (NS)-related services under one roof.

Officially opened on 14 October 2025, the facility also offers a range of amenities – which are available to the public – such as a food court, jogging trail, football field and exercise corner, among others.

Digital and advanced construction methodologies

To deliver the new CMPB in a safe and productive manner, the project team leveraged advanced technologies and implemented new methodologies, said Pang Lu Kit, programme director (CMPB), Building and Infrastructure Programme Centre at DSTA.

Building information modelling (BIM) and integrated digital delivery (IDD) tools were used to conceptualise, design and build the new CMPB digitally, including the auditorium, state crest and elliptical column fins, before construction work began on site. This eliminated errors and minimised waste of resources due to unnecessary reworks.

Virtual reality (VR) simulations were used to augment the design process, while robots were deployed to install glass facade panels and perform LiDAR scanning. The adoption of digital solutions reduced manpower requirements by close to 30%.

Another highlight is the “suspended complex steel structure auditorium,” shared Mr Pang. Dubbed the first of its kind in Singapore, the design optimises space utilisation with a column-free design underneath the structure, which also accommodates a flexible mixed-use event space on the floor below the auditorium. The state crest and faceted wall panels at the front facade were built using precast glass fibre reinforced concrete (GFRC) panels, instead of installing massive formwork and casting in-situ.

In addition, the building is supported by elliptical column fins measuring 32-m high and 3-m wide, constructed using patented modular steel joint system. This eliminated the need for extensive temporary supports and sped up the construction process by 20% (equivalent to saving about 544 man-hours).

Mr Pang pointed out that the new CMPB was “one of the first institutional projects to adopt BCA’s virtual Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) inspection.” The method employed the 360-degree capture technology, resulting in more than 30% savings in man-effort (equivalent to saving about 300 man-hours) compared to traditional on-site inspections.

Green facility

Designed as an energy-efficient and environment-friendly facility, the new CMPB incorporates various sustainable features. The project team utilised computational fluid dynamics simulations to determine optimal building placements which allow seasonal winds to flow through between buildings in order to ventilate and cool the place.

“The facility also harvests daylight through voids and glazed facade to reduce the need for artificial lighting,” said Mr Pang.

The green roof, green facade and solar shading elements further cut down the heat that comes onto the buildings. “The green roof enhances biodiversity, creates visual interest and aids with stormwater attenuation,” added Mr Pang.

Highly efficient mechanical & electrical (M&E) systems paired with automated monitoring and control in building management system were implemented, which track consumption and maximise building energy efficiency and performance.

Mr Pang revealed that overall, the project can achieve total energy savings of 7.2 GWh/yr (equivalent to powering 1,650 four-room HDB apartments); total water savings of 24,750 cu m/yr (equivalent to consumption of 135 four-room HDB apartments); and total carbon emissions reduction of 2,970 t/yr (equivalent to planting 119,000 new trees).

For its extensive sustainability efforts, the new CMPB has attained the BCA Green Mark Platinum Super-Low Energy certification.

Project Team
Developer: Ministry of Defence / Defence Science and Technology Agency
Builder: Tiong Seng Contractors Pte Ltd
Architect: DP Architects Pte Ltd
Civil & Structural: Meinhardt (Singapore) Pte Ltd
Mechanical & Electrical: Meinhardt (Singapore) Pte Ltd
Quantity Surveyor: AECOM Cost Consulting and Project Management (Singapore) Pte Ltd

All images: DSTA

Note: This story has also been published in our Jan/Feb 2026 issue (with more images). Click here to read it online or here to download the PDF file (pages 56-59).

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