India’s cities are growing vertically. From Delhi-NCR to Mumbai and Bengaluru, high-rise living is no longer aspirational, it is inevitable. But height brings its own set of challenges. Wind pressure increases, buildings sway, temperatures fluctuate across floors, and in seismic zones, earthquakes remain an ever-present risk. The real question is no longer how tall cities can grow, but how safely and comfortably people can live in them.
Signature Global, one of India’s prominent real estate developers, has taken a decisive step in that direction. The company has signed a Rs. 380-crore Memorandum of Understanding with Indo-Italian joint venture CECO Hirun Pvt. Ltd. to introduce advanced earthquake-resistance and vibration-control technology across its projects over the next 15 years.
Why Seismic Safety Matters in Urban India
Regions like Delhi-NCR fall under Seismic Zone IV, categorised as a high-risk earthquake zone. While modern buildings are designed to meet structural codes, the focus has traditionally been on preventing collapse rather than improving how buildings behave during tremors or strong winds.
In real-world terms, this means residents may feel uncomfortable swaying, elevators may malfunction temporarily, and interior elements such as partitions, false ceilings, and fixtures can suffer damage. Over time, repeated stress can also affect the building’s long-term performance.
This is where advanced vibration-control systems come into play, shifting the conversation from basic compliance to proactive resilience.
What Are Hysteretic Tuned Mass Dampers?
At the centre of Signature Global’s new initiative is a technology known as Hysteretic Tuned Mass Dampers, or HTMDs. While the name may sound technical, the idea is intuitive.
HTMDs are specialised systems installed within high-rise buildings to counteract movement caused by wind or seismic activity. When a building sways, the damper moves in the opposite direction, absorbing and dissipating energy. The result is reduced vibration, improved stability, and a more comfortable experience for occupants.
Unlike conventional tuned mass dampers that work optimally only within narrow conditions, HTMDs remain effective across a wider range of wind speeds and seismic intensities. This makes them particularly suitable for India’s diverse and often unpredictable environmental conditions.
A Long-Term Commitment, Not a One-Off Upgrade
What sets this partnership apart is its scale and intent. The MoU spans 15 years and covers Signature Global’s upcoming high-rise developments. CECO Hirun will be responsible for designing HTMD systems customised to each project, followed by industrial manufacturing and on-site installation in India.
This is not an imported, plug-and-play solution. Instead, the technology will be adapted to Indian construction practices, building typologies, and regulatory frameworks, ensuring seamless integration at the design stage rather than retrofitting later.
Leadership View: Safety as a Core Value
Lalit Aggarwal, Co-Founder and Vice Chairman of Signature Global (India) Ltd., describes the collaboration as a milestone moment. As buildings rise taller, he notes, the responsibility towards safety, comfort, and long-term value becomes non-negotiable.
For Signature Global, the philosophy is clear: high-rise living should not demand compromises. By embedding vibration-control systems into core building design, the company aims to deliver homes that residents can trust not just today, but decades into the future.
Global Expertise Meets Local Execution
From CECO Hirun’s perspective, the partnership reflects a shared vision of engineering-led urban development. Dr. Agostino Marioni, Chairman of CECO Hirun India Pvt. Ltd., sees the collaboration as an opportunity to raise the bar for resilient infrastructure in India.
By bringing international expertise in vibration-control technology and executing it locally, the initiative aims to redefine performance standards for Indian high-rises, particularly in dense urban environments.
Beyond Comfort: Protecting What’s Inside
While reduced sway improves occupant comfort, the benefits of HTMDs extend deeper. Controlled building movement helps protect critical internal systems such as elevators, mechanical equipment, walls, and partitions from vibration-induced wear and tear.
Over a building’s lifecycle, this can translate into lower maintenance costs, fewer disruptions, and better asset longevity. For residents and investors alike, it adds a layer of long-term value that often goes unnoticed until problems arise.
Setting a New Benchmark for Indian High-Rises
As Indian cities prepare for the next phase of urban growth, initiatives like this signal a shift in mindset. The focus is moving from simply building taller to building smarter, safer, and more resilient.
By committing to advanced earthquake-resistance technology at scale, Signature Global is positioning itself at the forefront of this transition. The move could well influence how developers, regulators, and buyers think about safety in high-rise living, turning invisible engineering into a visible promise of trust.
