SINGAPORE HAS PLENTY TO SHOWCASE in its skyline, be it new MRT stations, the iconic Marina Bay Sands or the new shopping haven, ION Orchard. A common thread linking these landmarks is Low Chee Man. He was involved in the construction of these buildings. His company Technocrete is a subcontractor who provides concrete repair and structural strengthening services. His track record includes Marina Bay Sands Sky Garden, Resorts World Sentosa and 313 Somerset.

The upcoming Marina Bay Financial Centre has brought a few NTI pioneers together as well. Teik Yean said, “Ong Cheng Lye is with main contractor Kajima and Low Chee Man is there to rip things apart when Kajima has an ‘oops’ moment. I am with the developer.” The project is jointly developed by Cheung Kong, Hong Kong Land and Keppel Land International.

Another icon with a pioneer's imprint is Biopolis, an international research and development centre for biomedical sciences. Chan Kiang Por was with Jurong Consultants who built it. “I had planned to join the manufacturing sector but ended up in building and construction after a six-month job hunt in 1985,” said the mechanical engineer.

One Raffles Quay is close to another pioneer Chay Weng Hang's heart. He was involved in the supervision of the construction. Weng Hang was representing the developer in the development of Marina Square. The prestigious Waterside Condominium project took off thanks to Tan Hock Lum. At 31 storeys, it was the tallest residential building project in 1990. Hock Lum was the resident engineer.

These NTI pioneers are important players in the local building and construction industry that accounts for four per cent of Singapore's gross domestic product. It remains an important industry –– growing by an estimated $27 billion to $32 billion in 2008 –– despite the economic slowdown.

Going forward, the industry will grow further given the trend towards green buildings. With Singapore currently exploring ways to reduce carbon emissions, the country will need some 20,000 professionals, managers, and technicians over the next decade to build such green buildings. Outstanding engineers are coveted as construction works become more challenging.