A New Perspective on Construction: Innovative Technologies for Building a Green City

In recent years, Hong Kong real estate developers have been boosting their sustainability by leveraging smart technologies in construction. Recently the Construction Industry Council (CIC) invited Mr Robert CHAN Hong-ki, Executive Director of Sun Hung Kai Properties, to discuss how the private sector uses innovative technologies to support development and realise the vision of a liveable smart city.

Two Sustainable Construction Projects

In recent years, the CIC has been actively promoting a “Three Zero” strategy comprising “Zero Energy Waste”, “Zero Landfill Waste” and “Zero Accidents”. It has also encouraged the industry to adopt technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), Multi-trade Integrated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MiMEP) and Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) to enhance construction efficiency and reduce wastage of building materials towards the goal of zero waste.

With the vigorous promotion of CIC, private developers are also making better use of innovative technologies to improve their projects’ sustainability. Some prominent examples include the KTIL240 commercial development on How Ming Street, Kwun Tong (How Ming Street project), the Wetland Seasons Park, and the Wetland Seasons Bay (Tin Shui Wai Wetland project) residential development.

BIM Reduces Construction Material Waste

As CHAN explained, the How Ming Street project used BIM 3D building simulation software to consolidate information from the whole construction cycle, including design, structural engineering, and electrical and plumbing infrastructure. This application enhanced planning, design and coordination and realised the vertically integrated business model concept.

“During the whole construction cycle, smart technologies increased construction activity, minimised mistakes and avoided double handling,” said Mr. CHAN. BIM allows facility management to foresee and solve any possible conflicts in the construction plan before work begins, helping to save time and cost while reducing material wastage.

BIM can be applied along with MiMEP and DfMA to further enhance efficiency and reduce wastage. For example, during the basement excavation planning stage for the How Ming Street project, structural support parts, bolts and nuts, and the staircase were prefabricated using the BIM 3D model, then shipped to the site for assembly. To streamline the work progress, the same process was extended to include the air handling unit room, water pipes and cable containment.

Before construction began, engineers also used BIM to plan related processes and explain the construction steps to workers to improve site safety. Besides design and construction work, BIM also helps to provide detailed information for facility management and maintenance, including a 3D drawing of pipes in the walls and future operation and maintenance simulations.

Green Buildings – Co-existence of Development and Conservation

Technology is a key to the development of smart green buildings. As CHAN pointed out, the How Ming Street project uses new building management systems with artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor and regulate air-conditioning, lifts, lighting and indoor air quality, reducing energy consumption by 60%, water consumption by 40%, and increasing ventilation by 30%. The project consequently met the requirements for BEAM Plus, LEED and WELL certification.

As for the Tin Shui Wai Wetland project, CHAN stated, “We believe that it is a conservation and development coexistence.”

CHAN further related that the project sites near Wetland Park nature reserve employed a special barrier to minimise their noise impact. To further reduce the site’s environmental impact and increase its cleanliness and safety, pre-cast concrete paving slabs laid on the haulage road reduced traffic dust. The project’s other sustainable features include a stepped elevation design, Z-shaped layout, breezeways, earth toned façade and non-reflective glass, all of which help the buildings blend with the surrounding environment. The result is a residential development that balances nature with smart technology and elevates the image of Tin Shui Wai.

Integrating New Development with an Old Community

CHAN expressed that real estate development should not only meet the public’s living, working and entertainment needs, but also fulfil the social responsibility of improving surrounding facilities and the environment to enhance liveability and happiness, as advocated by the CIC. “Because we are building a project within a community, we need to connect them to it,” he states.

CHAN pointed out that in both the How Ming Street and Tin Shui Wai Wetland Seasons project, the team communicated and coordinated closely with government, district councils and local stakeholders in the hope that they could be integrated with and benefit the existing community. “This is collaboration not only for the developer, for the landowner, but for government departments and local stakeholders as well,” he said.

For example, the How Ming Street project is located in a former industrial area with narrow traffic- and pedestrian-packed roads. Therefore, the project team collaborated with the Transport Department and District Council to widen How Ming Street from a two-lane to a three-lane carriageway, change some streets from one-way to two-way, and build a footbridge connecting Ngau Tau Kok MTR Station to improve pedestrian flow and accessibility.

An Orchestrated Effort for Sustainable Development

CHAN said that applications of advanced technologies could attract young people to join the industry. For example, the How Ming Street project team included several professionals in their twenties. Chan also believes that sustainable architecture has become a significant development trend that will only become even more important in the future: “I think it is not only the future of property development, but of the industry, practitioners and the community.”

Ms Winnie HO, Secretary for Housing, urged the industry to act immediately to embrace smart technologies, develop sustainably and build a more liveable city: “I believe that from planning and design, to construction technologies and building materials, everyone here can contribute to building a greener and better Hong Kong. So, as long as the government, private sector and professional institutions work together, we can improve this city and become a model for Asia and even the world.”