Skip to main content

Posts

Critical Reflection

This course has been both incredibly insightful as well as challenging for me. At the beginning of the semester, I set myself the goal to become more confident speaking in front of a large audience. While I feel I have made some progress and am proud of my growth, there are definitely areas for improvement. Initially, I found it extremely awkward to maintain eye contact with the audience and struggled with maintaining my train of thought while standing in front of an audience, feeling vulnerable and exposed. However, throughout the semester, I have managed to overcome this by transforming my nervous energy into a positive force. Before speaking, I constantly remind myself that I am the most knowledgeable person in the room and all I am doing is sharing that information with the class. In addition, rather than think of myself as feeling nervous, I think of myself as enthusiastic and excited. This has helped tremendously with my confidence and even seems to help me become more focused an
Recent posts

Tech Report Draft #1

Utilization of Living Materials as Concrete Alternatives in Singapore to Combat Rising Carbon Emissions. Introduction: In alignment with Singapore's Green Building Masterplan, the team aims to place greater emphasis on reducing concrete use in the design and construction of buildings. On top of this, BCA's Green Mark scheme recognises projects that go beyond the regulatory requirements, for example, by using alternatives to concrete such as Mass Engineered Timber. The team aims to implement/introduce mycelium bricks into Singapore’s market, as it has never been used in any infrastructure. Background: Currently, Singapore consumed an average of 11.5 million m3 of concrete per year over the last five years (MND, 2021) and concrete consumption is projected to remain within the range of 10.5 million to 12.2 million m3 per year until 2025. The aim of this proposal is to introduce new cement material such as mycelium bricks. A mycelium brick is an organic brick that is formed from

Summary Reader Response Draft #2 - Electric Vehicles in Singapore (b)

  The article “Electric vehicles will take over Singapore. But here’s what must happen first” written by Kuttan (2020, Feb) discusses the relevance and feasibility of Singapore’s goals in the adoption of electric vehicles. Kuttan begins by highlighting the many benefits that electric vehicles bring to Singapore, including relieving traffic congestion and reducing the country’s overall carbon footprint. He goes on to highlight that Singapore aims to retire internal combustion engines by 2040 and have plans to install 28,000 charging points in collaboration with major energy companies. However, using Norway, a leading country in the adoption of electric vehicles, as a contrasting example, he underlines his concerns on the feasibility of Singapore’s goals. Kuttan points out that Norway has actively supported the adoption of electric vehicles through incentives, where Singapore is lacking. In addition, despite the lack of incentives, Singapore aims to have roughly 10 times more charging po

Summary/Reader Response Draft #1: Electric Vehicles in Singapore (b)

The article “Electric vehicles will take over Singapore. But here’s what must happen first” written by Kuttan (2020, Feb) discusses the relevance and feasibility of Singapore’s goals in the adoption of electric vehicles. Kuttan begins by highlighting the many benefits that electric vehicles bring to Singapore, including relieving traffic congestion and reducing the country’s overall carbon footprint. He goes on to highlight that Singapore aims to retire internal combustion engines by 2040 and have plans to install 28,000 charging points in collaboration with major energy companies. However, using Norway, a leading country in the adoption of electric vehicles, as a contrasting example, he underlines his concerns on the feasibility of Singapore’s goals. Kuttan points out that Norway has actively supported the adoption of electric vehicles through incentives, where Singapore is lacking. In addition, despite the lack of incentives, Singapore aims to have roughly 10 times more charging poin

Summary Draft #2

 In the article, "Electric vehicles will take over Singapore. But here’s what must happen first" by Dr Sanjay C Kuttan, Chairman of Sustainable Infrastructure Committee at Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore, it is mentioned that  Singapore has declared that it plans to retire internal combustion engines by 2040, paving the way for electric vehicles. It also mentions that Singapore plans to install 28,000 charging points in collaboration with major energy companies. However, experts have warned that a supply shock of electric vehicles may threaten the goal. Additionally, the article claims that Singapore's goal may seem far-fetched in comparison to the current leading country in adoption of electric vehicles - Norway. Singapore aims to have roughly 10 times more charging point density, and have not implemented incentives for drivers to buy electric vehicles unlike Norway.  As Singapore looks towards the use of EVs, dealing with traffic congestion issues, adapting

Summary Draft #1

Singapore has declared that it plans to retire internal combustion engines by 2040, paving the way for electric vehicles. It also plans to install 28,000 charging points in collaboration with major energy companies. However, experts have warned that a supply shock of electric vehicles may threaten the goal. Additionally, Singapore's goal may seem far-fetched in comparison to the current leading country in adoption of electric vehicles - Norway. Singapore aims to have roughly 10 times more charging point density, and have not implemented incentives for drivers to buy electric vehicles unlike Norway.  As Singapore looks towards the use of EVs, dealing with traffic congestion issues, adapting to new technology, implementing practices to safeguard the future, can effectively reduce carbon footprint. Motivating public transport use would ensure lesser cars are driven on roads. Converting commercial transport aggressively to EVs, cutting down on petrol vehicles, would reduce environmenta

Assignment #1, Formal Letter

 Dear Professor Brad Blackstone, My name is Gerryl Pay and I am attending your effective communication course. I've previously attended Dunman High School, pursued an International Baccalaureate at Hwa Chong International School, and am enrolled in the University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), pursuing an engineering degree in civil. On top of academic pursue, I have sought internships at top local construction firms. I come from a long family history of civil engineers and grew up exposed to the many elements of the matter. Driving past various monuments, my dad would always gleam with pride and point out how they were "built by us". Whether it is a hotel that serves thousands of tourists weekly, a highway that connects millions of commuters daily, or piping works underground that facilitate households, I am proud of what they have achieved. This inspires me to carry on the legacy of our family, knowing what we do connects society in numerous ways they might not even