Summary + Thesis Draft #1

Summary

Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction (PPVC) is a modular construction method that enhances construction productivity and improves site safety through the integration of innovative technologies (Housing & Development Board, 2024). PPVC method utilizes volumetric modules that are prefabricated and completed with internal finishes, fixtures and fittings manufactured and assembled in an off-site prefabrication factory before being transported and installed at the project site. This allows off-site module manufacturing and on-site construction activities to proceed concurrently. According to the Building and Construction Authority (2024), this approach has the potential to increase productivity by up to 40%, delivering significant savings in both manpower and construction time. By streamlining workflows and reducing reliance on traditional on-site construction methods, PPVC not only accelerates project delivery timelines but also lowers overall project costs. In addition to enhancing productivity, PPVC significantly improves on-site safety. By shifting most of the construction activities to a controlled factory environment, PPVC reduces the number of workers required on-site, thereby lowering the risk of accidents and enhancing overall safety (Building and Construction Authority, 2024). The emphasis on better site safety minimizes the risk of injuries and fatalities, while also helping companies avoid legal complications and associated penalties.

Thesis

The prefabricated prefinished volumetric construction (PPVC) method demonstrates a transformative shift in the construction industry, outperforming traditional techniques through its ability to enhance productivity and safety on-site, proving its superiority as an efficient and risk-averse building solution.

References

Building and Construction Authority. (2024, July 1). Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction (PPVC). https://www1.bca.gov.sg/buildsg/productivity/design-for-manufacturing-and-assembly-dfma/prefabricated-prefinished-volumetric-construction-ppvc

Building and Construction Authority. (n.d.). Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA): Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction. https://www1.bca.gov.sg/docs/default-source/docs-corp-buildsg/ppvc_guidebook.pdf?sfvrsn=1a7b4580_2

Housing & Development Board. (2024, January 18). Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction (PPVC). https://www.excel-precast.com.sg/product_category/ppvc/

Research Pathway

Topic: Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction (PPVC)

Prompt: Detailed overview of prefabricated prefinished volumetric construction

Personal Problem Reflection

 

Ideal	To be calm and less stressed-out during school
Reality (Gap)	I often feel tense and burned out when there is school
Causes / Conditions	Overwhelming amount of schoolwork and the pressure to do well academically.
Results	Made me feel stressed out which affected my sleep and unable to get adequate rest.
Goals	To be composed and not stress out when handling school assignments
Possible Change	Exercise frequently to unwind/ practice meditation and calming techniques/ Gaming
Testing the hypothesis	In order to exercise frequently, I decided to sign up for a gym membership
Outcome of change	Approach worked, I feel more at ease and able to handle difficult situations

Letter to Professor Blackstone

 

Dear Professor Blackstone,

I hope this message finds you well. My name is Royston, a year one student enrolled in the civil engineering program at Singapore Institute of Technology. I am writing to introduce myself so that you can get to know me better.

Prior to my education at Singapore Institute of Technology, I completed my studies at Republic Polytechnic with a diploma in engineering design with business in 2022. My passion for engineering was developed by a strong academic foundation in mathematics and science. In recent years, I discovered a newfound interest in property development and structural design as I muse about the complexities and engineering feats that make up each project, which eventually led me to my current pursuit in civil engineering.

Even though my technical skills have developed, one area that remains a challenge, and a weakness of mine, is speaking in front of crowds. Oftentimes, I find myself lacking confidence and unable to think when I must present in front of an audience. With the speaking opportunities available in this module, I wish to step out of my comfort zone and overcome this obstacle. At the same time, a communication strength I have is being a good listener. Due to the nature of my character as being reserved, I often engage in active listening rather than speaking and interrupting others. This allows me to give the other party my fullest attention and respond thoughtfully to what they say, which will help me to understand them more clearly, reduce misunderstandings and build trust with the speaker.

The two goals I have for this module are to develop public speaking skills and improve my social skills. My struggle in public speaking stems from self-doubt and nervousness in front of crowds. The fear of judgement and pressure to communicate effectively make it challenging for me to express my thoughts accurately and confidently. Additionally, when I engage with others, I often find it difficult to keep the conversations alive which eventually may lead to awkwardness between me and the other party.

Through this module, I look forward to working on my goals and weaknesses under your guidance.

Regards,

Royston Lee

Edited on 7/2/2025, based on Professor Blackstone's feedback

Read and gave feedback to Zhan Yuan, Zhi Guang and Kenji

Task 3: The importance of communication skills for engineers

 "Developing excellent communication skills is absolutely essential to effective leadership. The leader must be able to share knowledge and ideas to transmit a sense of urgency and enthusiasm to others. If a leader can't get a message across clearly and motivate others to act on it, then having a message doesn't even matter."

Gilbert Amelio, former President and CEO of National Semiconductor Corp

This quote highlights the importance of communication for effective leadership and its role in motivating others to act. Leaders should have the ability to inspire and encourage others by conveying compelling goals and fostering a sense of purpose. Without proper communication skills by the leader, it could lead to inconsistencies in goals and decreased morale between individuals. Regardless of the strength of the message, it will require proper articulation to individuals to achieve the desired goals, otherwise, individuals will struggle to act on it.