Standardised unit plans support more efficient design and construction while allowing each project to retain their distinctive identity

Berlayar Residences and Mount Pleasant Crest, the first BTO projects launched in the new Berlayar and Mount Pleasant estates are among the 30 projects to be recognised for their distinctive design concepts at the HDB Awards 2026 on 25 September 2026. Their respective design consultants, LOOK Architects Pte Ltd and 3PA Pte Ltd, will receive HDB's Innovative Design Awards for their work in thoughtfully integrating nature and heritage into the projects, giving the developments distinctive identities that respond to the context of each site. As the first BTO development projects in the two new estates, both designs draw on the Southern Ridges and waterfront, as well as the former Old Police Academy to help shape the character of their respective neighbourhoods. The full list of the HDB Awards 2026 recipients is in the Annex.

2 At Berlayar Residences and Mount Pleasant Crest, HDB's standardised unit plans provide a common foundation, setting common parameters for functional and recurring elements within the flats, while retaining flexibility for the design teams to respond to different site footprints, block configurations, and site-specific requirements. This supports more efficient design and construction while leaving room for each development to take on its own identity.

Two New Estates, Two Distinct Design Responses

3 Designed by LOOK Architects Pte Ltd, Berlayar Residences draws inspiration from its setting between the Southern Ridges and the Singapore Strait. Its white, blue, and brown colour palette mirrors the surrounding greenery and waterfront, while the staggered block heights step down towards the coast to open up views of the Southern Ridges and the sea.

4 Nature also inspires the design of its community spaces through motifs inspired by wildlife found around the area. These include playgrounds modelled on smooth-coated otters and their habitats, as well as nature-themed wayfinding and design features. Together, these elements create welcoming spaces where families and neighbours can gather, play, and enjoy the outdoors.

Artist’s impression of Berlayar Residences, the first BTO project in Berlayar. (Credit: HDB)

Artist’s impression of Berlayar Residences, the first BTO project in Berlayar. (Credit: HDB)

5 At Mount Pleasant Crest, 3PA Pte Ltd has woven the rich heritage of the former Old Police Academy into the development’s architecture and communal spaces. The retained Old Drill Shed will be repurposed as a precinct pavilion, while starter blocks from the former swimming pool will be reused as seating at the drop-off porch.

6 Clay-coloured roofs, white-painted columns, louvred ventilation details, latticed panels, and archways reference the former academy’s tropical colonial architecture. A police car-themed playground also provides a more playful connection to the site's history. These features allow elements of the area’s history to remain part of residents’ everyday surroundings, while supporting new community life in the estate.

Artist’s impression of Mount Pleasant Crest (left) and the precinct pavilion (right) at Mount Pleasant Crest. (Credit: HDB)

Artist’s impression of Mount Pleasant Crest (left) and the precinct pavilion (right) at Mount Pleasant Crest. (Credit: HDB)

Artist’s impression of the drop-off porch, with swimming pool starter blocks repurposed as seats (left) and traffic-themed components such as a police car-shaped play structure (right) at Mount Pleasant Crest. (Credit: HDB)

Artist’s impression of the drop-off porch, with swimming pool starter blocks repurposed as seats (left) and traffic-themed components such as a police car-shaped play structure (right) at Mount Pleasant Crest. (Credit: HDB)

Standardised Plans, with Room to Adapt

7 Since December 2023, HDB has required standardised unit plans to be used for new projects put up for design tender. These standardised unit plans establish common parameters, including layout and dimensions for functional spaces such as bedrooms, bathrooms, household shelters, and service yards, as well as the locations of lighting and sanitary fittings, and mechanical and electrical routes. Other parts of the flat, including some parts of the living and dining areas, and kitchen can be adapted to suit the different site footprints and block configurations. This gives design consultants flexibility to respond to the conditions and character of each site while maintaining functional and efficient layouts within individual flats.

Example of HDB's standardised unit plan for a typical 4-room flat. Bedrooms, bathrooms, household shelter, and service yard follow standardised parameters, while the living/dining area and kitchen can be configured flexibly across projects. (Credit: HDB)

Example of HDB's standardised unit plan for a typical 4-room flat. Bedrooms, bathrooms, household shelter, and service yard follow standardised parameters, while the living/dining area and kitchen can be configured flexibly across projects. (Credit: HDB)

8 These plans have been refined by HDB over the past few years, taking into consideration regulatory requirements as well as residents' evolving needs and lifestyles, with the intent to optimise the function of the space and fittings in the flat. For residents, this approach helps minimise awkward or unusable spaces within the home. For consultants, it reduces the need to redesign recurring elements from scratch, allowing more attention to be directed towards site-specific features such as building form, façades, landscaping, community spaces, and technically complex elements. Greater consistency in structural, architectural, and mechanical and electrical components also improves coordination among consultants, engineers, manufacturers, and contractors, and supports more efficient construction.

9 The same standardised unit plans have been used in projects with markedly different designs. For example, at Taman Jurong Skyline, the blue- and white-hued blocks are designed to complement the surrounding sky and Jurong Lake, while Marsiling Ridge features diagonal façade elements inspired by the rubber plantations that once lined Marsiling Road. Both projects were launched for sale in October 2024.

The blue- and white-hued blocks at Taman Jurong Skyline blend artfully into the project’s backdrop of sky, clouds, and lake, while bringing a distinctive new landmark into the area. (Credit: HDB)

The blue- and white-hued blocks at Taman Jurong Skyline blend artfully into the project’s backdrop of sky, clouds, and lake, while bringing a distinctive new landmark into the area. (Credit: HDB)

The unique diagonal design on Marsiling Ridge’s façade is inspired by the rubber plantations that once lined Marsiling Road (Credit: HDB)

The unique diagonal design on Marsiling Ridge’s façade is inspired by the rubber plantations that once lined Marsiling Road (Credit: HDB)

Shared Digital Models Reduce Repetitive Work

10 To further streamline the design and construction processes, HDB launched a Building Information Modelling (BIM) library based on the standardised unit plans on 31 August 2026. The library provides consultants, engineers, and contractors with ready digital models of different flat types, containing details such as room dimensions, fittings, piping, and electrical routing for different flat types. These models provide an “X-ray view” of the flat, helping project teams identify potential coordination or construction issues before physical works begin.

11 The project teams can reuse and adapt the models when putting together their BIM model for individual BTO projects, in a “plug-and-play” approach. This reduces repetitive design work and the potential for design errors, while improving consistency and coordination across projects. Over time, proven design solutions and lessons from completed projects will be added to the library for use in future developments, further improving design efficiency and buildability across HDB developments.

BIM models of a prefabricated bathroom unit (left) and a 5-Room unit (right) that industry players can use. (Credit: HDB)

BIM models of a prefabricated bathroom unit (left) and a 5-room unit (right) that industry players can use. (Credit: HDB)

Recognising Contributions Across Design and Construction

12 Aside from Berlayar Residences and Mount Pleasant Crest, Design Award winners Garden Vines @ Tengah and Garden Vale @ Tengah, both designed by Design Link Architects Pte Ltd, use HDB’s standardised 2-room Flexi and 4-room unit plans as the basis for new typologies, including different 2-room Flexi and 5-room flat configurations. Variations of the flat layouts are achieved by incorporating additional living space creatively, and residents have the flexibility to use the additional space as a study, work-from-home area, or nursery.

Different configurations of 2-room and 5-room units in Garden Vines @ Tengah and Garden Vale @ Tengah (Credit: Design Link Architects Pte Ltd)

Different configurations of 2-room and 5-room units in Garden Vines @ Tengah and Garden Vale @ Tengah (Credit: Design Link Architects Pte Ltd)

13 The different flat layouts are arranged in varying combinations across the developments. The additional space project from different parts of the blocks as cantilevered extensions, giving the façades a layered, three-dimensional appearance, while creating a range of flat layouts from standardised unit plans.

Garden Vale @ Tengah is a recipient of the HDB Design Award. (Credit: HDB)

Garden Vale @ Tengah is a recipient of the HDB Design Award. (Credit: HDB)

14 Another Design Award winner, Toa Payoh Ridge designed by ONG&ONG Pte Ltd, is designed to integrate with its surroundings, with its four residential blocks, ranging from 25 to 40 storeys, stepping down in height towards the low-rise neighbourhood. It also sports a distinctive green and white façade that draws inspiration from the movement of rainwater, creating a flowing effect that mimics water cascading gently down the terrain.

Toa Payoh Ridge is a recipient of the HDB Design Award. (Credit: HDB)

Toa Payoh Ridge is a recipient of the HDB Design Award. (Credit: HDB)

15 Costa Grove, built by Chip Eng Seng Contractors (1988) Pte Ltd, is another recipient – it will receive the Construction Award. Located near Sungei Api Api and Pasir Ris Park, it was among the first HDB projects to implement an Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan to reduce the impact of construction on the surrounding biodiversity by including safeguards to protect biodiversity and restrictions on working hours to reduce disturbance to wildlife. The development’s façade features brick textures with fins incorporated into large precast panels. To hoist and install these panels safely, the contractor developed a precast façade Canopy Holder. The solution reduces work-at-height risks while improving the efficiency of panel installation works.

The precast façade Canopy Holder was developed to improve safety and efficiency on site. (Credit: Chip Eng Seng Contractors (1988) Pte Ltd)

The precast façade Canopy Holder was developed to improve safety and efficiency on site. (Credit: Chip Eng Seng Contractors (1988) Pte Ltd)

Building on Standardisation and Technology

16 HDB will continue to work with industry partners to improve the way public housing is designed and built. The same principle underpinning the standardised unit plans – establishing consistent approaches for recurring elements while retaining flexibility where projects differ – will be extended to other areas of the building process.

First BTO Projects in Berlayar and Mount Pleasant Among Recipients of HDB Awards 2026