DESIGN OF HDB FLATS

Mr Yeo Toon Chia asked the Minister for National Development (a) how many units of Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats were designed by the private architects; (b) what were the response and feedback from the residents; and (c) whether the HDB is planning to have more flats designed by private architects to provide a variety of designs.

Mr Lim Hng Kiang: HDB introduced the Design and Build (D&B) scheme in 1991 to invite the private sector to take part in the design of public housing flats. To-date, two D&B projects have been completed involving about 1,300 units. Another 15 projects involving some 12,800 units were also awarded since. So far, there is a total of 14,100 HDB flats designed by the private architects.

There has been very good response from the flat applicants to the D&B flats. The take-up rate for such flats is almost 100%. Many were pleased with the special features like integrated car parking, extensive landscaping and floor to floor windows design to the units.

Currently, the number of dwelling units to be designed by the private sector under the Design and Build scheme is up to 10% of the HDB_s Building Programme. For each site, usually 5 to 6 teams of private architects, engineers and contractors are invited to submit detailed design proposals and tender bids. Since HDB only selects the best proposal, other design proposals will have to be rejected. To increase the number of D&B projects to beyond 10% would lead to a very high level of wastage of resources for the unsuccessful teams.

In order to cater to the demand of those who prefer D&B flats, HDB will be launching a new type of flats called Design-Plus Flats, to be offered for selection at the end of this year. Similar to D&B flats, these Design-Plus flats will be provided with better designs and finishes.

The D&B and Design-Plus flats will be priced higher than the normal HDB flats. However, HDB will maintain the supply of these flats up to 20% of its total supply so as to cater to the needs of others and ensure that HDB flats will remain affordable to Singaporeans. tables - EXAMPLES OF REVISED SALARY PROGRESSION FOR EDUCATION SERVICE OFFICERS (Cols. 1781 - 1784)