Concerted Efforts from the Construction Industry and Education Sector to Establish a New Chapter for MiC Application

By constructing an improving environment, Hong Kong’s construction industry is dedicated to build a better home for all; while the education sector is devoted to nurture students to become future pillars of the society. Both industries are working hard towards a better future for Hong Kong. Ir Thomas HO, Chairman of the Construction Industry Council (CIC), joined by council members Mr. CHAN Kim Kwong and Ar. Marvin CHEN, visited the fifth phase of the Student Hostel project at City University of Hong Kong (CityU), learning how it innovates and adopts Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) to enhance speed and efficiency, which symbolises the start of a new chapter for the construction industry and the education sector.

World’s Largest Student Hostel Project to Adopt MiC

Hostel life grooms students to be independent and encourage cross-culture understanding, which is an important experience for university students. In view of the shortage for accommodation space, the CityU joined hands with the contractor, Gammon Construction Limited to adopt the advanced MiC technology, offering high-quality accommodation and learning space.

Located in Whitehead, Ma On Shan, the fifth phase of the Student Hostel project at CityU provides green space, as well as academic and leisure facilities. The six halls, comprised of three towers, with over 100 single rooms and over 1,000 double rooms, will create more than 2,000 beds for students. This project is the world’s largest student hostel using MiC by the number of beds. The overall building complex involves 1,344 modules, each room module are prefabricated in factory in the Mainland. Internal finishes are completed in the factory also such as the installation of the bed, wardrobe, desk, air conditioner and even the curtain, so only installation of the modules is required after they have been shipped to sites, thus significantly reducing the construction period.

Enhancing Efficiency to Shorten Construction Period by Half

Miss Michelle CHAN, Associate Director of Campus Development Office of CityU pointed out that it was the project team’s brave move to adopt MiC, as it was just introduced to the Hong Kong construction industry at the commencement of the project. This project enjoys a few advantages that facilitate the adoption of MiC, including a large and flat construction site, highly accessible location, and repetitive room designs. The project can even reduce the impact to the surrounding neighbourhood benefited from a shortened construction period.

The student hostel project commenced in early 2022 with construction period expected to be 4 year if built under conventional method. Nonetheless, the adoption of MiC substantially enhances productivity and reduces the time needed. CityU installed the first MiC module in December last year, the last module of the same tower was installed in June 2023, topping out the tower. Other towers will be topping out by August 2023, completing the construction earliest by the end of 2023. The shortened construction period by half allows students to move in by early 2024 and enjoy their fruitful hostel life sooner.

Embracing MiC and Digitalisation to Enjoy Complementary Advantages

Apart from adopting MiC, the projects also utilise innovative digitalisation extensively in each procedure to enhance efficiency and quality. Integrated Digital Project Delivery (IDPD) integrates construction data to help oversee the project such as the process of modules prefabrication etc, enabling the team to be well-informed of the latest progress. Mr. Jackie CHAN, Manager of Campus Development Office of CityU, pointed our that during the quality assurance and quality control process, approved inspection record will be save into the as-built Building Information Modelling (BIM) model, for facility management department’s future use. In terms of delivery of modules, Digital Twin technology was used for monitoring. To ensure safe and smooth logistics, the location, content, car plate and even driving speed can be tracked by the system.

The CIC has been encouraging the construction industry for a wider adoption of high productivity construction and digitalised technology, prompting stakeholders to enjoy the benefits it brings. Ir Thomas HO appreciates the team for demonstrating proactiveness and innovation, bringing MiC and digitalisation to site, truly enhancing speed, efficiency and quantity and making the project one of a kind.