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2019 May
New Construction Methods Gaining Prevalence

According to modernist architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, “architecture starts when you carefully put two bricks together”. Today, the new generation of architects are still keen on studying how to mix and match different materials when they incorporate novel ideas to create timeless architectures.

 

Conrad Wong: Green Construction Fuses with the Environment

According to the predictions of scientists, the sea level may increase by more than one meter by the end of this century. In other words, some cities may be drowned under water. Hong Kong has its own share of a similar experience during recent typhoon seasons, when landward seawater intrusion took place in many districts. Conrad Wong, the Chamber’s Committee Member and Vice Chairman of Yau Lee Group. warned that the phenomenon was not episodic. It will be the public who would suffer if climate issues are ignored.

 

In the final analysis, global warming is a result of human activities. Wong noted that with the decline of Hong Kong’s manufacturing industry, 90% of electricity consumption and 60% of carbon emissions have come from construction. As such, promoting green construction should be an immediate action for mitigating climate issues.

 

Green hotels can reduce energy consumption by 60%

What exactly is a green building? Generally speaking, a green building involves processes that minimize environmental impact throughout its life cycle and aims at promoting users’ well-being. A green building is assessed in six aspects by the Hong Kong Green Building Council: the site and materials aspects; energy use; water use; indoor environmental quality; and innovations. Wong explained that the same aspect is assessed with a different focus based on the actual circumstances of different cities.

 

Yau Lee Group is an exemplary adopter of green building technologies. The Holiday Inn Express Hong Kong SoHo built by the group, for instance, received four environmental accreditations of the highest standard at home and abroad for its outstanding performance in saving as much as 60% of energy. These accolades include the LEED recognition from US Green Building Council, BEAM Plus from Hong Kong Green Building Council, etc. The hotel aims at providing its guests with a comfortable experience using as little electricity as possible. Noting that hotel guests often use much hot water for their showers, the hotel understands energy can be hardly reduced for water heating. Therefore, it makes good use of the residual heat generated from the cooling process of air conditioners. The heat is collected with a heat pump device before it is used on the water heater. Complemented by the largest solar water heater in Hong Kong, hot water requirement of hotel guests is almost fully met without using additional electricity. Besides, motion sensors are installed in hotel rooms to identify the location of guests, such that air conditioning and lighting are adjusted with the help of artificial intelligence. The temperature and humidity around the building are also measured every 15 minutes using a software solution. The data is referenced for adjusting the water and indoor temperature of the building to reduce non-essential energy consumption.

 

Lucrative return for investing in the future

In addition to conserving energy, Yau Lee Group is also gradually rolling out woodless construction. Traditionally, walls and columns are built by pouring cement into molds formed by steel fixing and wooden planks. Wong shared that Yau Lee Group began developing prefabricated components in the 1990s to reduce the use of wood by using metal molds. The process does not only actualize the goal of woodless construction, but also reduce much construction wastes. Wong added that the healthy living of residents is also more thoroughly considered in the Oak Street project co-developing with the Urban Renewal Authority. A 400 sqm jogging track is introduced into the design of the podium, so that residents can experience green living amidst the hustle and bustle of the city.

 

Despite the inevitable additional costs from environmentally friendly materials and installations, Wong still considered the return of green designs quite lucrative. He quoted the Holiday Inn Express Hong Kong SoHo as an example. Wong initially foresaw that the additional costs used on energy saving could reach breakeven in 4 years’ time. Eventually, it only took one additional month than expected. In the long run, the investment on energy efficiency will yield a return rate of 20%. “The green environment is not a cost but an investment. It delivers more than commercial gains because the investment will generate benefits for the future, and for the company’s corporate ESG (environment, society, and governance) initiatives.”

 

Developing green communities

At present, green buildings in Hong Kong span across more than 18.60 million sqm. Wong expected that green construction will expand from individual buildings to green communities. The East Lantau Metropolis that is currently under planning, for example, is a window of opportunity in which a green community can be considered. He reckoned the need to further promote green construction to the private market. Yet, the biggest difficulty faced by the effort would come from the excessive number of existing buildings. Owners may not have the incentive to change the status quo of their property. However, he is quite certain that tax incentives for eligible energy-efficient buildings can help encourage buildings adopt green construction technology when they renovate.

 

Furthermore, the two electricity companies are subsidizing buildings in the installation of photovoltaic panels, which could help owners achieve breakeven sooner. In the long run, he suggested that references should be taken from overseas experience, and a law that requires disclosure of the public electricity consumption should be enacted. The comparison will highlight the significance of green construction in terms of energy conservation, which will become the incentive for developers to take action and change. Wong believed that it is through the participation of every sector that Hong Kong can become a green city where humans and the environment harmoniously complement each other.

 

 

Eric Kwong: Prefabricated Aluminum Buildings is New Construction Trend

Modular integrated construction (MIC) has been actively introduced in Hong Kong in recent years. As the prefabrication concept of the novel construction method matches the principles of a green economy, it was advocated in last year’s Policy Address. Established in Hong Kong, AluHouse is the only legal local MIC constructor. Eric Kwong, Founder & Managing Director at AluHouse, is keen to promote aluminum MIC housing units as a helpful solution to the housing shortage in Hong Kong.

 

MIC is a construction solution that makes use of individual prefabricated modules, which are transferred to the work site for final assembly. As all the fabrication processes are completed in the factory, construction wastes at the work site are significantly reduced. Residual aluminum materials can be immediately recycled at the factory, which can minimize the pollution and damage to the environment.

 

Construction materials taking center stage

“Although the technology of MIC has long been popular overseas, we are the world’s only constructor that uses aluminum in MIC. We noted the features of aluminum alloy, particularly its strength and durability, which make it very suitable for built structures.” Kwong’s discerning eyes bring out the best of aluminum materials.

 

It has only been less than 10 years since Kwong started using aluminum as a construction material. He recalled, “We began our research and development of aluminum modular houses in 2012. Traditionally, wooden modules were mostly used in MIC. The high humidity in southern China, however, means that mold and insect infestations can easily occur in wooden structures. This would involve increased maintenance costs.” Eventually, not only are the staff at the factory satisfied with the finished products, the process received much praise and encouragement from many other people. Kwong has since focused even more on developing aluminum modular houses.

 

Fast, good and thrifty

As a matter of fact, aluminum is widely used in different industries. Given that aluminum is lighter than other metals, one may wonder if aluminum modular houses can withstand the typhoon season in Hong Kong. Kwong candidly commented that this undoubtedly posed a huge challenge. “After processing, aluminum became aluminum alloy, which is denser and stronger. The hardness of aluminum alloy can also be adjusted to suit the requirements of various construction materials. The Hong Kong government is three times stricter on MIC comparing to traditional construction, and we are the only Hong Kong company that is approved by the Buildings Department of the government. Safe living is therefore assured.”

 

While aluminum has been the family business of Kwong, he did face many challenges in studying the use of aluminum in housing construction. “There were very few precedents of using aluminum in housing construction. Not to mention that the construction sector is much more stringent with the use of aluminum than the material’s industrial use. Innovative application is never easy.” He recalled the difficulties he met during the seven generations of aluminum alloy modular houses that he developed from ground up. For example, as aluminum alloy can be formed with different levels of hardness, specific options must be meticulously chosen according to their structural use.

 

Kwong stressed that building quality aluminum modular houses has the advantages of being fast, good and thrifty. In the early stage of development, it took about one month to complete the build. Construction time is now reduced to seven days, making it more efficient in terms of time and manpower costs. “The MIC technology used on housing construction can reduce construction time by as much as 40%. With high labor costs in Hong Kong and insufficient manpower supply in the construction sector, adopting MIC would be the right direction to meet the sector’s needs and also solve the urgent housing demands of society.”

 

Higher precision in manufacturing

Although the construction time is shortened, safety is improved. Kwong pointed out that since the modular houses are produced in the factory, higher precision can be achieved, thanks to better quality control in terms of fire safety, water-proofing and wind-proofing equipment. Furthermore, as aluminum alloy is a very sturdy material, water-leaking and fire rarely happens in structures made of it. Some people may think that aluminum alloy does not offer much variety, but Kwong said that colors and patterns are possible with additional surface processing on aluminum. For example, wood grains, sprayed graphics and stone patterns can all create textured looks for aluminum.

 

Born and bred in Hong Kong, Kwong hopes that he can serve Hong Kong people with what he is good at. He thinks that aluminum modular houses can be used for transitional accommodation to help mitigate the imminent housing shortage in Hong Kong. As aluminum alloy MIC becomes increasingly popular in Hong Kong, and with AluHouse the only local MIC constructor, he intends to export the skills and expand internationally while this business is rooted in Hong Kong.