Ensuring Business Continuity within a Live Academic Environments

Managing Change Within an Active Campus

As Singaporeʼs economy pivots toward AI and high-value tech integration, demonstrated by the establishment of the National AI Council, the demand for future-proof institutional infrastructure has intensified. At Project Prime, TCG in Singapore was tasked with navigating the challenge of high-specification interior fit out within a live academic environment.

Transforming a landmark administration building for a leading private university requires both technical proficiency and a strategy to ensure zero disruption to the daily campus experience. Our approach to this project’s diverse scope, including selective demolition and structural alterations, balances technical construction with the careful management of site constraints to support the university’s long-term operational goals.

Setting the Delivery Benchmark from the Top

Our successful completion of the Level 14 refurbishment for a leading private universityʼs administration building established a benchmark for modernising the workspace in educational institutions. In this phase, we proved our ability to balance selective demolition with the installation of high-quality bespoke joinery and specialised ironmongery.

We also managed a diverse, high-spec scope that included the delivery of executive pantries and accessible facilities, while aligning with the universityʼs strict sustainability requirements and MEP modifications. Our commitment to the architectural vision was demonstrated by the manual transport of oversized glass panels via the staircase when site logistics exceeded lift capacity, ensuring that even under significant physical constraints, the design intent remained uncompromised.

Building on this momentum, we have transitioned to the next significant phase of Project Prime. While the initial phase of the project centered on the interior renovation of higher levels, the next phase scales our involvement to major structural alterations and infrastructure upgrades across public and common area of the administrative building.

Protecting Daily Access and Existing Infrastructure

As work continues, particular attention is being paid to protecting existing infrastructure to minimise the environmental impact of construction. Our protection plan was developed in collaboration with the client team and building management. By aligning these requirements, we implemented targeted measures for critical high-traffic zones, such as the reception lobby, to protect business continuity during works.

Underpinning Project Primeʼs invisible presence is the deployment of specialised, three-storey-high hoarding that scales the full height of the atrium. This installation is an environmental shield to contain dust and noise, ensuring that administrative functions remain undisturbed even as we execute the structural removal of the original staircases and escalators connecting Levels 1 through 3.

Furthermore, the live environment is managed by segregating student and faculty movement across the upper floors. We use low-profile barriers to create clearly defined safe zones, enabling our teams to complete commercial fit-out works without compromising public safety. This spatial segregation ensures that key amenities, including the university’s primary lecture halls and other facilities, remain fully accessible.

Preserving the client’s existing infrastructure was top of mind as we managed work in this live environment. To support ongoing operations within the administration building, we installed protective measures around lift landings, creating a physical buffer that allows the lifts to remain fully functional while preserving their cosmetic condition and shielding high-traffic lobbies from the impact of renovation work.

Balancing Heavy Structural Work with Everyday Facility Access

Constructing the new lift pit and shaft required extensive slab modifications, a process that usually interrupts building flow. To prevent this, we implemented temporary support structures to manage structural loads and strengthen the work zone. Building on this technical foundation, we localised the impact at the basement carpark level. Through the use of integrated hoarding and protective shielding, the new lift pit works remain entirely separated from public areas, ensuring the carpark remains operational and welcoming for all users.

Continuity as a Ongoing Responsibility

The project demonstrates how institutional environments can continue to function by creating an environment where daily campus life able to remain fully operational even as significant upgrading works were carried out around it.

As Singapore’s institutional buildings face increasing pressure to modernise, Project Prime demonstrates an approach where progress is carefully balanced with operational continuity. This is achieved through a deep collaboration with building management to ensure every technical adjustment remains centered on the needs of the people who use the space every day.

If you are looking to align your next landmark project that prioritises the continuity of daily operations, we would welcome the opportunity to explore, discuss the approach to delivering high-performance institutional workspaces.