Signature Global’s ₹380 Crore Leap Towards Earthquake-Resistant High-Rises
Gurugram’s skyline is evolving rapidly, and safety has become a top priority. Signature Global, a listed real estate firm, recently signed a ₹380-crore MoU with the Indo-Italian joint venture, CECO Hirun Pvt Ltd, to implement advanced earthquake-resistant technology in its high-rise projects. This bold step positions the company as a pioneer in building resilient urban infrastructure.
Lalit Aggarwal, co-founder and vice-chairman of Signature Global, explained that this technology can reduce structural vibrations and forces by 20–30%. This not only enhances safety but also allows developers to optimize concrete and steel usage, translating into significant cost efficiencies.
Why High-Rise Safety Is Crucial in India
India’s urban landscape is witnessing an unprecedented rise in tall buildings. Cities like Gurugram, Noida, and Mumbai are experiencing vertical growth to accommodate booming populations. However, high-rise buildings face multiple natural and environmental forces including wind, seismic activity, and temperature variations.
In seismic-prone areas like Delhi-NCR (Zone IV), the conventional approach focuses on life safety, which ensures buildings won’t collapse during earthquakes. However, these structures might become unusable immediately after a seismic event. Signature Global’s adoption of HTMD (Hysteretic Tuned Mass Dampers) technology goes a step further by actively controlling building movement. This protects interiors, elevators, walls, and partitions, ensuring both safety and functionality.
What Are Hysteretic Tuned Mass Dampers (HTMDs)?
HTMDs are specialized vibration control systems designed for high-rises. Their main functions include:
- Reducing wind-induced sway and seismic shocks
- Maintaining consistent performance under varying conditions
- Minimizing maintenance requirements with AI-enabled monitoring
- Offering a long fatigue life, making them cost-effective for developers
These systems act like a pendulum inside the building. When the building sways due to wind or earthquakes, the pendulum moves in the opposite direction, reducing overall motion. For residents, this translates into greater comfort, stability, and peace of mind.
Investment Scale & Long-Term Plans
The initial investment of ₹380 crore will cover 80–100 towers, but Signature Global plans to scale this to ₹1,000 crore as more high-rise projects are developed. This investment is not just for future projects; the company will apply HTMDs retroactively to buildings launched in the last 18 months.
Lalit Aggarwal emphasized, “Integrating this technology across both ongoing and recent projects ensures that all residents enjoy enhanced safety and comfort. It’s not just an upgrade; it’s a commitment to long-term resilience.”
While the additional cost is ₹50 per sq ft, Aggarwal stated that this is no longer a luxury. In fact, vibration control is now a key differentiator for premium real estate, increasing project value and buyer confidence.
Technical Advantage: How HTMDs Protect Buildings
Tall buildings, especially those above 100 meters, are susceptible to wind sway and seismic vibrations. Over time, even minor vibrations can affect structural integrity and interiors. HTMDs mitigate these issues by controlling building motion dynamically.
AI-powered monitoring tools track system performance in real time. This allows developers to predict maintenance needs and ensures that the system performs optimally for decades. Residents benefit from smooth elevators, stable interiors, and reduced structural stress, making everyday life in high-rises safer and more comfortable.
Moreover, HTMDs complement conventional structural safety measures. While traditional designs focus on preventing collapse, HTMDs enhance resilience, functionality, and long-term livability.
Signature Global’s Vision for Future-Ready High-Rises
Signature Global aims to combine global engineering expertise with local construction practices. This collaboration with CECO Hirun ensures that advanced systems integrate seamlessly into building designs.
Aggarwal highlighted, “As cities grow taller, the responsibility to ensure safety and comfort for residents becomes even more critical. HTMD technology allows us to deliver both, while setting benchmarks for future-ready construction.”
CECO Hirun’s chairman, Agostino Marioni, added, “Our collaboration reflects a shared commitment to engineering excellence and innovation. Together, we aim to redefine high-rise living in India by prioritizing safety, comfort, and long-term value.”
Expert Perspective: Sanjeev Singh, MD SKJ Landbase
This initiative reflects a growing trend in real estate where safety and sustainability are integral to design. Developers investing in such technologies not only ensure residents’ safety but also enhance the long-term value of their projects. Buyers today are more aware of structural integrity, and projects with advanced vibration control stand out in a competitive market. Safety is no longer optional – it’s a value driver.
Key Takeaways
- Signature Global invests ₹380 crore in HTMD earthquake-resistant technology.
- The system will cover 80–100 towers, with scalability up to ₹1,000 crore.
- HTMDs reduce structural forces by 20–30%, improving stability and comfort.
- AI-monitored and low-maintenance, ideal for seismic zones.
- Increases real estate value while prioritizing resident safety.
The Bigger Picture
This investment by Signature Global signals a shift in Indian real estate. Developers are now considering resilience, occupant comfort, and long-term value as equally important as aesthetics and location.
For residents, this means living in buildings that are safe, stable, and future-ready. For investors, projects equipped with HTMDs become more attractive and valuable. And for the city, it ensures a safer, more resilient urban environment.
In the era of vertical cities, HTMD technology is not just innovation it’s a responsibility. Signature Global is proving that combining engineering excellence with forward-thinking design can redefine urban living in India.
