GRI102-44
Buildings carry a considerable burden of high electricity consumption and carbon emissions. Among the various end uses of electricity, buildings account for around 90% of electricity consumption in Hong Kong which generates over 60% of the city's total carbon emissions. Throughout the years, we have devoted considerable effort towards adopting innovative, sustainable and smart building designs to drive the efficient utilisation of energy, material and land resources.
Passive design approaches harness building architecture to provide energy saving benefits and enhance thermal comfort. Appropriate measures in suitable planning, disposition, orientation, building form and material selection are adopted to optimise the interaction between a building and its local microclimate. The aspects taken into consideration include:
Mitigating heat island effect or elevated temperature
Natural ventilation
Air ventilation around buildings
Passive cooling
Daylighting
Reducing heat gain through building envelope
As opposed to passive design, active design approaches utilise electrical and mechanical systems to create and sustain comfortable conditions. These installations contribute to improving building energy efficiency, water conservation and enhance indoor air quality. The aspects taken into consideration include:
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and water efficient devices
Lighting systems
Renewable energy technologies
The selection and prioritisation of sustainable construction methods and materials are also key aspects of sustainable buildings. During construction, prefabrication and pollution control are commonly practised. Additionally, the 3R principles – reduce, reuse and recycle – are widely adopted to effectively manage construction and demolition waste. When sourcing materials for new building projects, ArchSD is committed to using sustainable materials such as recycled materials and timber from well-managed sources.
This project aims to respond to the increasing demand to expand cross-boundary transport infrastructures for future economic growth and regional integration and co-operation. The Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point will join with the 'Eastern Corridor' in Shenzhen, which is considered an expressway that connects to the eastern part of Guangdong. It will reduce the transportation time required between Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Guangdong East significantly and promote further future development within these areas.
The project ties together various green elements. The adoption of green roof mitigates heat gain from sunlight and as a result reduces energy consumption for cooling. Glass, including low-E glass are vastly adopted to allow natural lights pass through, not only creating a harmonious environment but also saving daytime light usage.
The project comprises of both the design and construction of a 30-classroom secondary school at Site 1A-2, Kai Tak Development, with a total construction area of around 13,500 m2. In alignment with the 'Green City' concept of Kai Tak Development, the project adopted a passive sustainable building design approach. The overall courtyard space and peripheral greening consists of at least 20% of the site area. In recognition of the sustainable efforts, this project received the Grand Award under New Buildings Category in the Green Building Award 2019.
Building Information Modelling, also known as BIM, is a process which allows the digital visualisation of building data. It is an innovative way to improve the overall building quality through optimising design and planning, bridging communication and reducing waste. For instance, BIM can facilitate a smoother planning process by enabling digital visualisation of designs. It can also perform simulations of the complete construction process enabling better coordination between stakeholders. The adoption of this innovative building method can minimise aborted works caused by unfeasible designs and safety pitfalls.
Visualisation of real time construction sequences through the adoption of BIM
Replication of design in real life through the adoption of BIM
Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) is a general term which refers to an important concept: factory assembly followed by on-site installation. MiC is an example of Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA), which is a construction method whereby free-standing volumetric modules with completed finishes, fixtures and fittings are adopted. By transferring on-site construction processes to a controlled off-site prefabrication factory, this significantly increases construction productivity by reducing site constraints and results in an increased level of quality control. In the reporting year, the stargazing facility in Sai Wan leveraged the benefits of modular construction to overcome remote site location restraints while also minimising environmental impact to the surrounding countryside.
The West Kowloon Government Offices located in Yau Ma Tei represents the new epoch for government office design. The project has a total construction floor area of 98,000 m2 and is comprised of two towers of 15 and 17 stories respectively. With green and sustainable features and open design adopted throughout the project, the project also aims to nurture culture and creativity with the surrounding community. Breaking away from the conventional office design, the project also aims to establish a new model of modern workplace for government offices that fosters staff interaction and well-being. With innovation in mind, the project also adopts a wide variety of innovative construction method including the implementation of BIM and DfMA allowing for efficient planning, design, constructing, and managing.
The project involves the construction of a stargazing facility on an abandoned campsite located between Sai Wan and Ham Tin Wan in Sai Kung for the general public to enjoy a 360-degree stargazing experience.
Due to its remote location, MiC, an example of DfMA was adopted to allow for a more efficient construction and repair process. Components of the curved ring-form bench were prefabricated in off-site factories minimising site constraints and ensuring a higher degree of quality control. The project was completed quickly taking only three months to complete the main part of the works.
The reconstruction works did not involve tree felling and the benches were built with respect to the surrounding tree line, which also minimised ecological and visual impacts. The project showcases the incorporation of innovative construction and sustainable design in achieving a symbiosis of human, nature and architecture.
The Water Supplies Department Tin Shui Wai Building is a 7-storey building for the New Territories West Regional Office and Water Resources Education Centre of Water Supplies Department in Tin Shui Wai. In addition to serving as an office, it also provides exhibits, live demonstrations and interactive games to enable visitors to gain a thorough understanding of water resources and conservations in Hong Kong.
Building Information Modelling (BIM) was adopted in the planning, design and construction stage to optimise the building design and the construction activities. BIM model was handed over to maintenance team for achieving sustainable facilities up-keeping. The project received the Platinum rating under BEAM Plus Assessment (New Buildings) in 2019.
To assist the government's response to the Covid-19 outbreak in Hong Kong since early 2020, temporary quarantine (Q) camps were constructed at Lei Yue Mun Park, with a view to obviate risk from the rapid and widespread of virus in the local community. The projects involved the design and construction of temporary Q camps in Basketball Court and Football Pitch of the Lei Yue Mun Park, which would respectively provide 118 and 234 Q units.
To provide a quick response in meeting the arising demands of the pandemic, the adoption of innovative MiC enabled the construction of temporary Q camps within a short time frame. MiC technology significantly shortened the site construction time by transferring the production and assembly process of the components of individual Q units to off-site factories, which further allowed multiple construction processes to take place concurrently. With the adoption of MiC, the Lei Yuen Mun Park Basketball Court and Football Pitch temporary Q camps were rapidly completed within 26 days and 56 days respectively.
With rising temperatures, sea level rise and the expected increase in the frequency and magnitude of extreme weather events, the impacts of climate change are constantly a wake-up call of the urgency to strengthen the city's resilience against climate change through appropriate mitigation, adaptation and resilience strategies. ArchSD recognises its role in building the city's climate change adaptive capacity and resilience. The project of constructing reinforced wave breaking walls at Siu Sai Wan Promenade while adopting DfMA demonstrates our efforts in combatting climate change with innovative solutions.
In September 2018, super typhoon Mangkhut caused extensive damage to the city including damage to the structures on the external walls of buildings, toppling of numerous trees and severe flooding in coastal areas. Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground also felt the impacts of typhoon Mangkhut with major facilities inside the venue including the power supply installation, covers of the spectator stands, field tracks and grass pitches severely damaged.
The project of constructing a new wave breaking boundary wall and altering the existing boundary wall at Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground aimed to mitigate the damages caused by flooding while also enhancing infrastructure preparedness for future extreme weather conditions.
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Interview Summary
In the Project Management Branch, my duties involve advising and overseeing the development of government building projects. In 2019, one of the projects that I have participated in was the construction of the West Kowloon Government Office. In addition to inclusive features and sustainable building design, innovative construction methods such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and prefabricated building services modular construction were also adopted in this project to drive better efficiency and minimise safety risks. As ArchSD strives to construct a sustainable city, we will continue to incorporate environmentally friendly and inclusive design into future projects.
Our Response
At ArchSD, one of the goals in the coming years is to increasingly promote the adoption of innovative construction methods and incorporating inclusive design in government buildings. This commitment is clearly demonstrated through the best practices adopted in the construction of the West Kowloon Government Office project. We would like to further extend our appreciation to our staff for their devoted efforts and remarkable work.
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Interview Summary
The Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) and ArchSD work closely to promote architectural excellence in design and professional practices, while facilitating the sharing of intelligence and knowledge throughout our partnership. ArchSD is certainly a critical driving force for Hong Kong's sustainable building design. We are glad to see that ArchSD expresses full support to Building Environmental Assessment Method (BEAM), which in turns bring up the standards and set goals for the vendors of government-funded building projects and other industry players to design and operate in a sustainable manner. We look forward to seeing and supporting ArchSD's determination to lead the best architectural practices and guide the industry to build for a better Hong Kong.
Our Response
ArchSD values the opportunities of working collectively with all stakeholders including professionals in the architectural industry. With the shared vision and mutual respect, we have developed in the past years, we regard HKIA as one of our long-term partners and wish to demonstrate architectural excellence through our collaboration and partnership. We will engage more professional parties to promote industrial and sustainable development.
