Project Highlight

 

Sing Yin Secondary School
Sing Yin School This is a project to build a standard 30-classroom secondary school.  It was later selected by Hong Kong government to be its 1st Model Project to showcase a wide range of environmental features and energy efficient systems.  The project was successfully completed in time for the new school year in 2011.M&P was the Consultant for M&E Services and Energy Efficiency Systems.  In 2013, the project achieved BEAM-Platinum Grade, and won the Certificate of Merit by Hong Kong Green Building Council.  Sing Yin Secondary School was also awarded “2013 Greenest School on Earth” by the World Green Building Council.
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Hong Kong Government’s 1st Model Project

This project was originally a government school with a set of standard amenities, an allocated site, a basic budget, and a minimal project time.   It was subsequently upgraded to be the government’s 1st Model Project to showcase the widest range of environmental features available in Hong Kong.   All these were designed with automatic energy measurement and recording devices; and those energy efficient systems proven successful in this model project would become the standard requirements in future government buildings.  The project had to achieve all the above objectives with a 10% extra budget, without extra time, without extra site area and without extra covered floor area.  It was a real challenge.

“2013 Greenest School on Earth”

M&P completed the project within budget, and successfully incorporating all the additional requirements.   Sin Yin Secondary School took over the new premise; continued with the emphasis on environmental education and practices; and was awarded “2013 Greenest School on Earth” by the World Green Building Council.

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Hong Kong Temple

for Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

This is a project to build a new Temple for Hong Kong, the 43rd Temple in the world.  It was also the first Temple with a high-rise design to suit Hong Kong’s congested landscape.  As a building dedicated to God, the Church demanded the highest standard of excellence and perfection.  It is still the most exclusive and expensive building in Hong Kong.   M&P was chosen as the M&E consultant for this project.  The project won HKIA’s design award in 1996.

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Selection of Local Consultants

The Church was most serious about the Temple’s design and quality; and a team comprising Chief Architect / Chief Engineer/ Project Manager were sent from their US headquarters to Hong Kong to select the local consultants.

In the first week, the team interviewed the large International consultants, and none was successful.  M&P was among a list of local consultants scheduled for the second week.  (The team came to Hong Kong with a view that in Asia, only Japan could reach the Temple’s M&E standards, and so was not optimistic about the second week.)

During M&P’s interview, we explained our expertise in Combined Services Co-ordination Design and answered two questions on program control and cost control.  Without further ado, M&P was engaged, and before we had the chance to indicate our consultancy fee.

Exclusive Designs and Standards

The Church literally demanded the best of the best for the Temple.  The consultancy team introduced many new designs and achieved extra-ordinary standards through this exclusive project.   For example:

  • The whole building was served by a Dual Duct system, which was a first in Hong Kong.
  • Many of the Temple’s areas were not accessible to ordinary maintenance personnels, and so major M&E equipment had to be located outside these areas. (e.g. The whole building was served by large AHU’s located at basement and roof only.)
  • The air-conditioning system adopted Class III fans with equipment life over 200,000 working hours (i.e. 12 hours per day for 45 years).  No equipment suppliers in Hong Kong could meet this standard, and so they had to be procured from a specialist supplier.

 

French International School
French International School This is a project to build a new school (for primary and secondary), which was 50% financed by the French Government.  The school auditorium also served as the local French cultural centre at the time.  The school was completed on time and within budget; and achieved its diversed objectives.  The project won HKIA’s design award in 1984.

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Introducing Combined Service Co-ordination Design to Hong Kong 

In 1982, M&P was the first M&E consultant to introduce CSCD to Hong Kong.  This CSCD enabled the school to be designed without the need of false ceilings to conceal the M&E services.

Even now, most projects in Hong Kong only adopt CSCD technique in a limited way; and in most cases, combined services co-ordination is carried out by contractors on site.

External Chilled Water Pipes with UPV casing

The school was designed with a central air-conditioning system, and the chilled water pipes were located on the external walls to economise on the interior spaces.   But these insulated pipes had an impact on the esthetics of the building, and so M&P designed them with UPVC casing and injected chemical insulation.  This design enabled the chilled water pipes to have similar finishes as the rainwater pipes on the external walls, and improved the building esthetics.  The UPVC casing is durable and remains in service after 30 years.  This external chilled water pipework with UPVC casing was another innovative design successfully introduced to Hong Kong by M&P.

 

Prudential Assurance Tower

Prudential Assurance Tower  This is a project to build a new prestigeous office tower in Tsim Sha Tsui where there was a height restriction.   To counteract the height restriction, the project required that the design minimised the ceiling void and maximised the clear ceiling height at each floor.   M&P was commissioned to undertake this critical design.  The building was successfully completed; M&E spaces between the beams and the fakes ceilings were reduced to zero; and all the false ceilings are installed at the ‘soffit’ levels.
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The Only Building in Hong Kong with All False Ceilings at Soffit Level

M&P applied its Combined Services Co-ordination Design to enable all M&E services to pass through the beams, and all the false ceilings to be installed at the soffit level.   For concrete buildings, this design allows no margin for error; and any design error will require the concrete structure to be reconstructed.  The building was successfully constructed according to design.  To this date, Prudential Assurance Tower remains the only building in Hong Kong that achieve this ultimate building design – zero space between false ceilings and beams.

Higher Building Standard with Low Building Cost

In applying CSCD to maximize the clear ceiling heights throughout the office tower, a much higher building standard is required.   Yet the overall building cost was actually lower. Reasons: overall building height was reduced by about 10%; wind load on the building was reduced by about 20%; foundation cost was reduced; building structure and external finishing costs were reduced.

 Hong Kong Housing Authority Headquarters
Housing Authority Headquarters (房屋委員會總部)_2 This is a project to build a new headquarters for the Hong Kong Housing Authority.   M&P was engaged as a specialist consultant for Combined Services Co-ordination Design to achieve the maximum number of floors under the height restriction; to meet the headquarter’s multi-function requirements; to co-ordinate the multi-services design conflicts; and to ensure the smooth execution of site installation works.  This project was successfully completed and awarded the Silver Medal by the HKIA in 1990.

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Post Tender Analysis and Preparation of CSCD’s

This headquarters is a complex multi-function building with height restriction. So the Housing Authority commissioned an outside M&E consultant with a specific requirement for the preparation of CSCD’s to resolve all design conflicts before construction commenced.   The Main Contractor would be provided with these CSCD to aid his construction works.  After the Main Contract commencement, the CSCD’s were still not available and the site work was delayed. M&P was engaged to fulfill this requirement.   M&P prepared the CSCD’s; resolved the multi-services design conflicts in the tender drawings; and enabled the Main Contractor to resume his construction works.  The project won HKIA’s Silver medal in 1990.

 Tsan Yuk Hospital

This is a project to carry out the comprehensive renovation of a whole maternity hospital, which includes structural strengthening works, total renovation, the incorporation of a central air-conditioning system and replacement all the M&E equipment.  The construction works had to be carried out together with on-going hospital services.  M&P reviewed the original tender design, prepared the Combined Services Co-ordination drawings, and provided site supervision to minimise disruption to the hospital services. The renovation works were successfully completed, and M&P received a letter of commendation from Architectural Services Department of Hong Kong.
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Comprehensive Works with On-going Hospital Services

At the time of project, Tsan Yuk Hospital was over 60 years old and with building extensions which were 20 and 30 years old. Its outdated facilities required complete upgrading to the modern hospital standard: structural strengthening was required; central air-conditioning was to be introduced; and all the old M&E equipment needed replacement. Under these circumstances, the project still required that the construction works should be carried out with on-going hospital services to the public.

Construction Works Sandwiched Between Active Hospital Floors

To add to the challenge, this 10-storey building was programmed to be renovated in 3 phases; and each phase consisted of isolated floors sandwiched between active wards to suit the hospital operation.  These requirements were most demanding, and allowed no margin for error in the planning and execution of the works.

Between 1988-1992, M&P was the M&E Co-ordination Consultant to review the tender drawings (which were designed for single phase renovation); prepare the Combined Services Co-ordination Drawings; and provide site supervision to minimise disruption to the on-going hospital services.  The project was successfully completed.

ArchSD’s Letter of Commendation

Around the same time, there were 3 major hospitals under construction and another hospital under major renovation (a much easier renovation of one whole vacant building); and all these projects ended up in contractual disputes. The Tsan Yuk Hospital was the only hospital project successfully completed without dispute; and yet it was far more demanding. This was why M&P received ArchSD’s letter of commendations for its professional services.

Hong Kong Cad-Cam Limited
Headquarter of HK Cad-Cam Service Ltd (香港電腦輔助設計及生產大廈) This is a project to build Hong Kong’s 1st fully automatic CAD-CAM controlled production plant.  The factory produced high precision large size industrial molds.  At that time, this was also the 1st such Cad-Cam production line in Asia outside Japan.  The production floor was under the full view of the computer centre located at the Mezzanin Floor.  The computer stations would design the molds; input into the automatic machines on the shop floor; and control the production process.   M&P was the M&E Consultant for the project.   The project was successfully completed in 1988.

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The 1st Fully Automatic CAD-CAD Production Plant in Hong Kong

In the 1980′s, there was very little government planning and support for Hong Kong’s industrial development.  So when this CAD-CAM factory came into production, the company had to train all its computer operators.  Worse still, since Hong Kong government and institutions had not foreseen the rising demand for computer technicians, there was a shortage of skilled technicians; and so the company was losing staff as quickly as they were trained.   Due to persistent staff shortages and inspite of rising orders, the automatic plant never reach its full capacity of 3 shifts per day.  After 3 frustrating years, the company decided to move their plant elsewhere.

Chuk Yuen Housing Estate

Chuk Yuen Housing Estate This is a project to build the seawater booster pumping station and water supply infrastructure for Chuk Yuen Upper Estate.  Initially, the Hong Kong Housing Authority engaged a British consultant for this specialist work; but rejected their design (which used large constant pressure tanks and pumps) as unsuitable for this huge estate.   M&P‘s design was accepted; and it offered high capacity, energy efficiency and ease of maintenance.  The project was successfully completed in 1988, and the system is still in operation.

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Variable Speed Pumping System

Chuk Yuen Housing Estate was located at an elevated location, and so a seawater booster pumping station and supply infrastructure was required.  M&P designed a system which was based on a combination of conventional and variable speed pumps. In the early 1980′s, variable speed pump technology was still not common in Hong Kong; but M&P successfully applied this technology for the project.  25 years later, this water supply booster system is still amongst the most energy efficient in Hong Kong.

Shantou-International Hotel
This is a project to build a model hotel in Shantou, China.  The City Government decided to build this model hotel to showcase the design / construction / management of an international standard hotel to its local industry.  M&P was commissioned as the M&E consultant.  The project was successfully completed in 1988.

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Model Hotel Project for Shantou City

In the early 1980′s, China realised that its hotel industry required modernisation.  In cities designated as China’s special economic zones, the governments were taking measures to introduce international standards to their hotel trade. Some attracted overseas hotel investors to set up and operate international hotels in their cities; while others chose to invest and build their own model hotels with overseas expertise.  In 1985, Shantou City decided to build a model hotel to showcase the international hotel standards to its local community.  M&P was commissioned to design and supervise the M&E installations.

Energy Audit as a Design Tool

At the time, China was poor; electricity supply was inadequate; and supply infrastructure fee was expensive.   Conventional design would require 3 nos. 1600KVA transformers with a infrastructure fee over RMB 2M, a huge sum in those days.   The Owner requested a special design effort to economise on this cost, without compromising the hotel standard.

M&P carried out an energy audit which was based on the existing hotel operation in Hong Kong; incorporated the hotel operator’s new requirements; and analysed the overall power requirements of the new hotel on a hour by hour basis.   By applying this energy audit concept in the hotel design, M&P was able to reduce the power requirement to 2 nos. 1800KVA transformers (without compromising the hotel services), and reduced the infrastructure fee by 25%.

Nan Lian Garden
nan lian This is a project to construct a new public park, which was based on the ancient Tang dynasty architecture with a huge Koi carp pond as its centre piece. At 30,000 sq. ft., this is the largest Koi pond in Asia.  With water clarity at NTU<1, the fish pond has the highest water quality. (Note: The famed Japanese Koi ponds have water clarity specification at NTU<3, a much lower standard.)  For this park, the Hong Kong government provided the land and the basic construction costs; China provided the ancient trees, rare stones and rockery; Chi Lin Nunnary provided the project management; and M&P provided the special expertise in CSCD and bio-filtration technology.

M&P provided the Combined Services Co-ordination Design for the complex underground M&E services of the whole park.   M&P also designed the pond for the Koi’s and the pond’s bio-filtration system.   Nan Lian Garden is now included in the List of Chinese World Heritage.

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CSCD’s for the Underground Services of the Whole Park

After the main tender, the project management realised that they needed Combined Services Co-ordination Drawings for the construction of underground M&E services in the new park, and turned to M&P for help.   M&P’s prepared the CSCD’s which were used in the successful project.

Design of the Koi Pond; Technology for the Bio-filtration System

The initial pond and bio-filtration system were designed by the project consultant and tendered to the local companies. The tender was unsuccessful because both the consultant and local contractors lacked expertise for this high quality Koi pond. The project management arranged a second tender: invited a Japanese company to tender; and turned to M&P for help.

M&P’s team upgraded the tender/specification for the pond, improved its circulation system and introduced a new bio-filtration system.  M&P proposed a top water quality at NTU<1; but the Japanese could only reach a lower standard at NTU<3.   Since the Japanese were more experienced in Koi ponds, the tender adopted NTU<3.   In June 2006, when the Koi pond bio-filtration system was successfully completed, M&P’s pond water quality was certified at NTU<1. (i.e. at 0.25)

Tyre Artificial Reefs

for Marine Conservation

 TAR2 This is a project to design and construct Tyre Artificial Reefs (TAR), and to deploy them in four marine parks to promote fishery and for conservation purposes.   In 1997, the Hong Kong Government issued its first international tender for the TAR.  M&P Group won the tender with a creative design.  The project was successfully completed; and M&P’s patented design was used repeatedly in other marine parks.
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As a Marine Conservation Device in Hong Kong

In 1960′s, the Hong Kong Government promoted trawling technology to the local fishing industry, and the local waters had been bottom-trawled ever since.  After 30 years, the seabed was reduced to a muddy flat.  The ruined marine habitat provided little shelter for fish to rest against the constant ocean current.  The local fishery deteriorated drastically; and the Hong Kong Government reversed its policy on local trawling and began marine conservation. An Artificial Reef Program was undertaken to restore marine habitat at strategic locations.  Tyre artificial reefs were chosen as one of such marine conservation devices.  In 1997, the first such project was carried out for Tyre Artificial Reefs at Hoi Ha Wan and Yan Chau Tong Marine Park; and Hong Kong Government issued an international tender for these TAR.  These TAR’s would be designed and built by specialists to promote fishery and serve as anti-trawling devices (because by law, trawling was not allowed within marine parks).

The Only Successful Tyre Artificial Reef in the World

Tyre Artificial Reefs are banned in USA because their TARs could not survive the marine environment and corroded badly; and the tyres loose broke and spread all over the seabed causing pollution.  Other nations experienced similar failure’s in their TAR projects.   After studying the overseas failures, the Hong Kong government decided to undertake the TAR project with a higher standard; and required a minimum 20 years of product life, after which marine growth on the TAR’s would transform them into natural structures.

While all the overseas tenderers used expensive stainless steel devices to lock the tyres into the structure, M&P’s TAR was based on an innovative design and completely non-metallic.  This design eliminates corrosion and is ideal for the marine enviroment.   For over 16 years now, all M&P’s tyre reefs had survived the sea water environment, the trawling, dynamite fishing, etc. ; and none had sunk into the muddy seabed (as concrete artificial reefs did).

 Marine Bio-filters
  This is a project for the design and construction of Marine Bio-filters in Kau Sai Chai Fish Culture Zone, to solve the marine pollution at its seabed.  In 2002, the Hong Kong Government issued its first international tender for these bio-filters; and  M&P won this tender with a new design.  The project was successfully completed.  M&P’s patented design was repeatedly used by the Hong Kong Government to clean up the seabed pollution in other fish culture zones.  A surprise result of the marine bio-filters is that they can attract schools of fish to their new eco-systems, and lead to a successful development of eco-tourist industry within Kau Sai Chai Fish Culture Zone.

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To Resolve Marine Pollution

In the 1960′s, Hong Kong Government promoted the fish culture industry to the local community, and 26 fish culture zones were established.  Over the years, nutrients had been added and accumulated onto the seabed, in the form of dead fish, fish waste and food waste. These caused marine pollution and increased fish diseases. The government initially tried dredging the polluted mud from the seabed; but that only spreaded the pollution throughout the bay.Finally in 2002, the government issued an international tender, and used M&P’s bio-filters to clean up the marine pollution.

Minimum 20-year Design Life

The Hong Kong government tender was based on an Israeli design; and additionally, required that each marine bio-filter should have a minimum 20-years design life.  M&P studied the tender design and determined that, in Hong Kong’s nutrient rich water, each Israeli bio-filter would be overgrown with barnicles and molluscs, and ceased to function within 10 years.  So, M&P produced a new design, which would vibrate with the sea currents and shake down the dead barnicles and molluscs.  This would allow the dead marine life to accumulate at the bottom of the bio-filter structure and be removed periodically; and the service life of the bio-filters would be extended.   M&P won the tender and the project was successfully completed.

To Revitalise the Fish Culture Zone

Furthermore, the design succeeded beyond its original intent.  Each marine bio-filter established its own eco-system, and attracted schools of fish to feed and dwell on the structure (including schools of migratory fish that visited Hong Kong seasonally).

In 2004, barely 2 years upon project completion, the fishermen decided to take advantage of this enhanced marine environment, and diversified into eco-tourism.  The Kau Sai Wan Fish Culture Zone has since been transformed into a thriving tourist spot.

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