The Japanese construction firm aims to use the new venture as a platform to spur capability development in the local built environment sector
Singapore, September 4, 2024 – Kajima, one of Japan’s largest and oldest construction, engineering, and real estate companies, has established The GEAR by Kajima Pte Ltd (The GEAR)¹ – a new subsidiary in Singapore dedicated to driving innovation and capability development within the construction and built environment sector. The GEAR will fulfil twin functions: first, as Kajima’s dedicated technology services business, and second, as an open innovation platform.
The GEAR by Kajima Pte Ltd Launch at ConTech Summit
Kajima officially announced the launch of this subsidiary at the inaugural ConTech Summit held during the International Built Environment Week, organised by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA). Heng Teck Thai, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the BCA said: “We welcome Kajima’s efforts to drive Innovation & Technology, which now includes the launch of The GEAR. The commercialisation of Kajima’s advanced solutions and capabilities will accelerate transformation of our built environment sector, so as to tackle looming challenges. We also appreciate that by establishing this new subsidiary in Singapore, Kajima will tap into this microcosm of the global built environment sector. We are hungry for solutions in Singapore and BCA stands ready to facilitate commercialisation of valuable innovations.”
Echoing Heng’s sentiments, Keisuke Koshijima, Executive Vice President of Kajima Corporation, said: “We are committed to launching this groundbreaking initiative in Singapore, the ideal location for our new venture due to its recognition as a global hub for innovation. We believe making our technology and know-how accessible to the market can play a crucial role in advancing the industry as a whole.”
Luke Wu, Managing Director of The GEAR by Kajima Pte Ltd
Luke Wu, previously Head of Innovation at Kajima Development Pte Ltd, has been appointed as Managing Director of the new subsidiary.
The GEAR by Kajima Pte Ltd at BEX Asia
Kajima has a long-standing track record of innovation. In 1949, it established an industry-first research institute aimed at developing cutting-edge solutions for the sector. The new initiative will provide an unprecedented opportunity for businesses to leverage Kajima’s advanced solutions and capabilities, which have been meticulously developed by researchers over seven decades. By making its proprietary IP, know-how, R&D, and technology available to a wider audience, Kajima aims to empower the market with tools to excel the same way it has throughout its history. The available solutions are organised into four key pillars: resilience, sustainability, wellness, and productivity.²
As part of its commitment to open innovation, the firm signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with trusted industry partners at BEX Asia. The first MOU with JTC aims to nurture young startups into the next generation of global enterprises. Through JTC LaunchPad Investor Network (LINK) programme, this partnership will facilitate collaboration, business, and financing opportunities between Kajima and over 800 startups at LaunchPad in JTC’s one-north and Jurong Innovation District.
“The MOU with JTC to accelerate growth within our startup ecosystems builds on the success of JTC’s ongoing collaborations with Kajima in built environment innovation and carbon reduction technologies. As part of LINK, Kajima will gain access to cutting-edge technological solutions from the startup community in LaunchPad. The startups will also benefit from joint proof of concept, test-bedding opportunities, scalability and access to regional and global networks,” said Yap Eai-Sy, Director for Info-Comm, Media and Start-Up Cluster, JTC.
The second MOU with Singapore Polytechnic focuses on co-driving innovation, productivity, and digitalisation. The partnership also aims to train students and industry professionals, ensuring they are well-equipped to meet the evolving demands of the built environment sector.
Dr Faris Akbar Hajamaideen, Senior Director, Built Environment and Maritime Cluster, Singapore Polytechnic, said, "Our strategic partnership with Kajima propels innovation, productivity, and digitalisation in the built environment sector. By merging academic knowledge with practical experience through Learning Journeys, internships, and mentorship, we nurture a dynamic, resilient, and forward-thinking ecosystem for future leaders. Together, we cultivate the next generation of talent, leveraging The GEAR’s facilities as a living laboratory to bridge the gap between academia and industry."
With The GEAR, Kajima reaffirms its resolve to pioneer advancements and set new benchmarks in the built environment through Singapore as a global gateway.
¹About The GEAR by Kajima Pte Ltd
The GEAR by Kajima Pte Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kajima Asia Pacific Holdings Pte Ltd. It is the technology services business and the open innovation platform of the Kajima group. As part of Kajima, one of Japan’s largest and oldest construction, engineering, and real estate companies with a nearly two-century legacy of innovation, The GEAR by Kajima Pte Ltd embodies a tradition of excellence, craftsmanship, and precision, combined with cutting-edge technological capabilities and deep research expertise stemming from our industry-first Kajima Technical Research Institute.
Inspired by success of its namesake, The GEAR: Kajima Lab for Global Engineering, Architecture & Real Estate – Kajima’s first overseas headquarters and R&D facility which serves as a living lab for exploration, experimentation and co-creation – The GEAR by Kajima Pte Ltd provides unprecedented opportunities for businesses to access Kajima’s licensed technologies and leverage our rich engineering heritage. We are dedicated to cultivating an open and collaborative ecosystem with our partners, driving forward industry-wide advancement and setting new standards for the future of the built environment.
²Key Pillars of Technology Solutions
Productivity-focused solutions
Productivity, in the context of advanced construction systems and robotics, revolves around transforming the construction industry through automation, efficiency, and collaboration. At its core, productivity is redefined by minimising human involvement while maximising output through cutting-edge technologies.
Systems such as A4CSEL and our Construction Robotics Lab at The GEAR building focus on optimising processes with automated machinery and smart systems, allowing construction tasks to be performed autonomously and efficiently. This shift towards automation not only enhances safety and quality but also significantly reduces labour-intensive tasks, streamlines operations, and lowers costs. Moreover, fostering partnerships between academia, industry, and government enhances collective innovation, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in construction.
Through our productivity-focused solutions, we aim to create a future where construction is smarter, faster, and safer.
Resilience-focused solutions
Resilience, in the context of advanced infrastructure monitoring, is about proactively safeguarding urban environments against unforeseen risks and ensuring long-term sustainability. Technologies like fibre optic sensing and satellite measurement form the backbone of resilient cities by enabling continuous, real-time monitoring of critical infrastructure. Fiber optic sensing, embedded within structures, detects changes in strain, temperature, and vibration, providing early warnings of potential structural issues, especially in disaster-prone areas. This proactive approach allows for timely maintenance, preventing catastrophic failures during natural disasters like earthquakes or floods. Satellite measurement complements this by offering a wide-scale, comprehensive view of urban landscapes, tracking land deformations and supporting disaster management efforts through rapid assessments.
Together, these technologies empower cities to better prepare for, respond to, and recover from adverse events, enhancing their overall resilience. The Urban Space Creation Lab at The GEAR building exemplifies this commitment by pioneering advanced monitoring techniques, contributing to safer, more sustainable urban environments. Collaborations, such as that between Syswell Technology and Kajima, further strengthen resilience by introducing cutting-edge wireless sensing systems that are cost-effective, durable, and efficient, helping us build cities for the next 100 years.
Wellbeing-focused solutions
Wellbeing, in the context of advanced workplace design and technology, focuses on creating environments that prioritise both physical and mental health while enhancing overall comfort and efficiency. Our “Smart Wellness Office” concept implemented at The GEAR building integrates wearable devices, cameras, and sensors to collect vital and location positional data, enabling AI-driven analysis that informs workplace design. By continuously evolving through experimentation and data-driven insights, these self-learning spaces adapt to the needs of their occupants, promoting wellbeing in fast-paced, dynamic business environments.
Additionally, the design of semi-outdoor office spaces with high-accuracy thermal comfort simulation emphasises the importance of creating natural, comfortable environments that enhance wellbeing. These spaces not only reduce energy consumption but also offer a more harmonious connection to the outdoors, contributing to physical and mental health.
By integrating advanced technologies with thoughtful design, The GEAR building exemplifies a holistic approach to wellbeing, ensuring that workspaces are not only efficient but also supportive of the people within them.
Sustainability-focused solutions
Sustainability at Kajima is driven by a forward-thinking approach to balance economic activities with environmental conservation. Initially encapsulated in the Kajima Environmental Vision: Triple Zero 2050, the company aimed for Zero Carbon, Zero Waste, and Zero Impact by 2050, emphasising carbon neutrality, resource recycling, and coexistence with nature. The updated vision, Kajima Environmental Vision 2050+, recognises the interconnectedness of these sustainability goals and emphasises collaboration with customers and society. The "plus" signifies the need for collective effort and persistence in achieving a sustainable future.
Our commitment to decarbonisation is reflected in practical initiatives like the development of low-carbon concrete, which reduces carbon dioxide emissions by substituting cement with blast-furnace slag, an industrial byproduct. This approach minimises environmental impact during construction, from planning and design to operations.
In addition to reducing carbon emissions, we integrate sustainability in our coastal conservation efforts through projects like coral reef rehabilitation. Using advanced technologies, remote sensing, and local partnerships, we work to restore ecosystems while enhancing coastal resilience. Overall, our sustainability strategy reflects a comprehensive, collaborative approach to environmental stewardship, striving for long-term ecological balance and resilience.