Kuala Lumpur, 26 January 2017 - Sime Darby Property and the Construction Research Institute of Malaysia (CREAM) signed a memorandum of agreement today, with the aim to commercialise the Divergent Dwelling Design (D3) concept to improve affordable housing with new methods of design and construction.

Sime Darby Property Chief Operating Officer Dato’ Wan Hashimi Albakri and CREAM Executive Director Ir. Dr. Zuhairi Abd. Hamid signed the agreement at a signing ceremony held at the Sime Darby Convention Centre (SDCC) today. The signing was witnessed by Sime Darby Property Managing Director Dato’ Ir. Jauhari Hamidi,  CREAM Chairman Tan Sri Dr. Ir. Ahmad Tajuddin Ali, Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Chief Executive Officer and CREAM Board of Trustee Dato’ Ir. Ahmad ‘Asri Abdul Hamid, and Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Senior General Manager and CREAM Board of Trustee Datuk Ir. Elias Ismail.

Sime Darby Property Managing Director, Dato’ Ir. Jauhari Hamidi said, “Sime Darby Property aims to provide customers with the best quality affordable homes by being the first to adopt the D3 concept, which offers an innovative advantage. This collaboration is also part of our innovative efforts to focus on various aspects of our products including affordability, adaptability, quality and sustainability”. 

“Dubbed as ‘Sime Darby Property D3 Sustainable Homes’, D3 is poised to transform affordable housing nationwide by improving the quality and standards of affordable homes and lifestyle. This innovation elevates us further as a significant developer of affordable housing in Malaysia and a socially responsible company that fulfils the affordable housing needs of the nation,” Jauhari added.     

To introduce the innovative D3 concept to consumers, Sime Darby Property is planning to build a D3 prototype gallery at the Elmina West Township in the City of Elmina, Shah Alam. The gallery will feature two affordable home show units which will be completed by mid-2017. 

Sime Darby Property will then develop the Sime Darby Property D3 Sustainable Homes, Harmoni 1, a D3 pilot project in Elmina West, City of Elmina, Shah Alam. It will be the first statutory affordable housing project to adopt the D3 concept, consisting of 562 apartment units with sizes between 900 sq ft and 1,000 sq ft and complemented by shop office units. The project is expected to commence by the third quarter of 2017. 

Construction Research Institute of Malaysia (CREAM) Chairman, Tan Sri Dr. Ir. Ahmad Tajuddin Ali, FASc. said, “Being the research arm of the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia, CREAM is committed in achieving the goals stipulated in CIDB’s Construction Industry Transformation Plan (CITP). D3 is the research outcome that strives to resolve the country’s affordable housing issues, as well as facilitate the shift towards higher quality housing in the country. D3 is the result of years of dedicated research by CREAM, G&A Architects in collaboration with Sime Darby Property. We are pleased to be able to implement the D3 concept into real construction practise. Under G&A Architects, CREAM has appointed the Director, Ar. Gan Hock Beng to facilitate and lead the research and development of the project”.

The Sime Darby Property D3 Sustainable Homes concept involves pre-fabrication and mass production of components for residential units that enables cost savings, higher product quality, reduction of on-site labour and minimised wastage. The pre-fabricated components lead to rapid construction, shortened construction time and fast product delivery to consumers.

Conventional affordable housing projects require about 36 - 42 months of construction time while D3 has the potential to be completed within a period of 24 - 30 months, 28% – 33% faster than traditional methods.

D3 is the result of many years of patient research by CREAM and architectural firm, G&A Architects, reflecting several innovative aspects. Sime Darby Property has collaborated with CREAM and G&A Architects for the past year to further research and develop the D3 design concept into a commercially viable design. 

D3 presents a scientific plan which maximises usable space, provides distinctive zones for effective space planning, allocation of areas for urban farming to promote sustainability, and optimises natural ventilation. 

The use of modular construction components safeguard product quality and eliminates leaking problems. Mass production of modular components reduces production cost and promote more savings.

D3 also features simple assembly. Prefabricated components such as toilet pods, floor slabs, columns and beams and concrete wall panels facilitate easy plug-in and plug-out application, ensuring accuracy, fast assembly at site and lower labour dependency. Finally, a flexible layout which provides the flexibility for occupants to modify their units according to the different needs at different times. 

Updates on Sime Darby Property activities and developments can be found on simedarbyproperty.com, Facebook (facebook.com/SimeDarbyProperty), Instagram (instagram.com/SimeDarbyProperty) and the Sime Darby Property Mobile App (available for download via the App Store and Google Play). 

For further information, please contact:

Sherliza Zaharudin
Head, Corporate Communications
Sime Darby Property Berhad
Mobile: +(6019) 267 6346
Email: sherliza.zaharudin@simedarby.com

Dr. Foo Chee Hung
Researcher, Centre for Advance Construction Technology and Innovation
Construction Research Institute of Malaysia (CREAM)
Mobile: +(6010) 3965182
Email: foo@cidb.gov.my