The Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC) organized a competition to promote green building knowledge and inspire innovative ideas. Marco and I joined, driven by our interest in transforming existing buildings in Hong Kong into environmentally friendly structures.
Our project aimed to utilize space, comply with the BeamPlus 2.0 standard, and promote inclusiveness. Despite challenges with record plans, we proposed a light public housing project with green elements, winning the 2nd runner-up and Innovative Idea awards. We developed skills in BeamPlus standards, BIM software, and time management, learning to balance major studies with project demands effectively.
Mr. LI Kwan Ho Pasu
BSc (Hons) Surveying
Mr. MONG Pak Yu Marco
BSc (Hons) Building Engineering & Management
Department of Building and Real Estate
Faculty of Construction and Environment
The competition organized by HKGBC emphasizes understanding and applying green building concepts and standards. These standards, such as the BeamPlus 2.0, encompass the entire building lifecycle, promoting sustainability in design, construction, operation, and demolition phases.
The submissions were evaluated on how well they incorporated sustainability, considering social, economic, and environmental aspects. This involves designing buildings that are not only environmentally friendly but also socially inclusive and economically viable.
The team focused on converting existing buildings into greener forms. This involves retrofitting older structures with modern, eco-friendly technologies and materials to improve their environmental performance.
MiC is highlighted as an effective construction method, especially for light public housing projects. It involves assembling prefabricated modules on-site, which can reduce construction time, waste, and costs while maintaining high quality.
The team developed a BIM model for their project, which required learning new software and modeling techniques. BIM is essential for planning, designing, and managing building projects efficiently, allowing for better collaboration and decision-making.
Coordinating and reaching consensus among teammates from various backgrounds, including surveying, interior design, and building engineering, was a significant challenge. Effective team collaboration involves communication, compromise, and leveraging diverse skills to achieve common goals.
Transforming existing buildings into environmentally friendly structures required innovative solutions, especially when faced with challenges like unclear record plans. Problem-solving skills are essential for identifying issues, brainstorming ideas, and implementing effective solutions.
Balancing the competition project with major studies and other commitments required effective time management. This involved planning meetings, setting realistic deadlines, and ensuring timely completion of tasks, which are crucial skills for managing multiple responsibilities.
The project required learning new skills, such as creating a BIM model from scratch and understanding the BeamPlus standard. Lifelong learning and adaptability are important for continuously acquiring new knowledge and skills to overcome obstacles and stay updated with industry advancements.
The competition emphasized demonstrating creativity and feasibility in proposed solutions. This included incorporating green building concepts into submissions and exploring innovative passive solutions like radiative cooling paint and kinetic tiles, highlighting the importance of creative thinking and innovation in problem-solving.
The pursuit of knowledge is a lifelong journey! To further expand your knowledge and continue your personal and professional growth. Click and explore the following learning resources:
Sustainability in Construction
Transformation of Existing Buildings
Modular Integrated Construction
Critical Thinking and Problem-solving
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