Singapore – Aurecon has been appointed by property developer SM Prime Holdings Inc. to provide structural engineering design services for a major new project in the Philippines – the SM Megamall Towers, a high-rise office building being developed in Metro Manila.

Global engineering consultant Aurecon will work closely with Arquitectonica, the architect on the project, helping the company bring its vision to reality from the concept engineering phase right through design development.

The 50-storey SM Megamall Towers development will dominate the heart of Ortigas in Mandaluyong City, a major commercial business district within Metro Manila. The Tower’s 124,200 square-metre floor area will also feature three levels of underground parking, plus above-ground parking.

Aurecon will lend its structural engineering expertise to four initial phases of the project, including concept design, schematic design, design development and construction documentation review.

“The tower is S-shaped in elevation,” said Aurecon’s Market Director – Built Environment, Asia, John Webb.

“And so one of the biggest challenges is developing a structure that can be constructed effectively with edges that move in or out at every level without compromising the ability to withstand seismic activity,” he added.