Lessons from Signe spark interest also in Singapore
A delegation of Singapore’s leading construction professionals visited the Signe project site to gain insights into building complex projects in dense urban environments.
Earlier this year, Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority (BCA) brought a delegation of representatives from government agencies and construction companies to Finland to visit leading industry organisations and project sites. Sponda’s Signe development on Mannerheimintie in Helsinki attracted particular interest because it combines digital solutions, takt production, data-driven management and close collaboration between project partners. The project’s selection as Finland’s Construction Site of the Year 2025 also contributed to its inclusion in the programme.
“Helsinki and Singapore are basically grappling with the same questions: how to create more value within a limited space, how to accelerate project delivery without compromising quality, and how to harness digitalisation for decision-making, forecasting and risk management,” says Markus Nieminen, VP, Property Development at Sponda.
Building in dense urban environments creates common ground
According to the Managing Director of AECOM Singapore Pte Ltd, the Signe project addresses many of the same challenges encountered in construction projects carried out in Singapore’s densely built urban environment.
“It was valuable to see how different stakeholders collaborate in such a demanding operating environment,” the Managing Director says.
The visitors noted that the project’s strengths do not lie in digital solutions alone, but rather in how technology supports collaboration, information management and production control.
It was valuable to see how different parties collaborate in such a demanding operating environment.
“Digitalisation does not replace lean thinking, it supports it. The project demonstrates how data-driven management and digital solutions can be integrated into overall project management,” says Paul Juwono, Director at the BCA Academy’s School of Professional and Specialist Education.
According to the Managing Director of AECOM Singapore Pte Ltd, the site visit was particularly useful in demonstrating takt production in practice.
“It was extremely valuable to see first-hand how takt production works and how progress is made systematically, one area at a time.”
Markus Nieminen understands why takt production was of particular interest to the visitors.
“At Signe, we have taken construction management and planning to a new level. The project has made extensive use of takt production, enabling work phases to progress predictably and with high quality throughout the entire construction process. Alongside this, we have implemented advanced digital design and site management, allowing information to flow in real time between designers, contractors and the client,” Nieminen says.
According to Nieminen, Signe’s international appeal also stems from the way it brings together several of the construction industry’s most important development trends within a single project.
“At Signe, we have brought together urban densification, efforts to enhance the attractiveness of the city centre, ambitious ESG goals and advanced digitalisation from design through to site management. All of this has been achieved in the heart of a historically significant urban environment.”
Lessons for Singapore as well
According to the visitors, several of the practices used at Signe could also be applied in Singapore.
“Approaches used in the Signe project, such as data-driven project management, could help further improve construction in Singapore as well,” says Paul Juwono.
Signe brings together the densification and enhanced appeal of the city centre, ambitious ESG goals, and advanced digitalisation—spanning everything from design to construction site management.
Members of the delegation also see strong opportunities to deepen collaboration between Finnish and Singaporean organisations in the development of digital construction and takt production.
According to the Managing Director of AECOM Singapore Pte Ltd, the most important lesson from the visit can be summed up in a single idea:
“The Signe project demonstrates that successful project delivery depends on all parties sharing a common goal and maintaining a strong commitment to achieving it.”
