Academics

BuiltExpo 2008 showcases building excellence

Scarlett Leung

18 Apr 2008

The Division of Building Science and Technology (BST) at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) is holding BuiltExpo 2008, the 15th Student Project of the Year Competition and Exhibition, from 18 April to 19 April. More than 100 exemplary works in building and construction are showcased to demonstrate to the industry and the public, the students’ resourcefulness and strengths in this field.

BuiltExpo, which is one of BST’s core annual events, this year bears the theme, Towards Building Excellence. It showcases works in building and construction from final year students of CityU’s four building-related Associate of Science degree programmes, namely Architectural Studies, Building Services Engineering, Construction Engineering and Management, and Surveying.

Promoting creativity and reflecting CityU’s commitment to professional education that meets the needs of the real world, BuiltExpo has become an integral part of the student agenda. Since its conception in 1994, it has provided students with the opportunity to undertake challenging projects resembling real-life professional practice.

Projects on display include designs for high-rise commercial buildings, proposals on converting old buildings into multiple usage buildings and ideas on redevelopment. The projects incorporate improvements to building time, cost, quality and safety and environmental performance.

Guest of Honour at the Opening Ceremony, Mrs Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, JP, Secretary for Development, Hong Kong SAR Government, said that each of the four themes adopted for BuiltExpo 2008 touched upon a topical issue that concerned both government and the broader community. “I am confident that, having been here and seen some of the projects completed by final year students, we will have the expertise and manpower to take Hong Kong forward in the next major phase of the city’s development,” she added.

Speaking at the Opening Ceremony, Professor Paul Lam Kwan-sing, Acting Vice-President (Undergraduate Education) said he was impressed by the proposed solutions to the difficult problems surrounding high-rise office design. The exhibits addressed the rapid changes taking place in the physical, technical and social environment of Hong Kong. “The projects show how exemplary design is supported by advanced techniques in construction and engineering and integrated with good construction management practices,” he added.

Chan Kin-lok, Cheng Chi-ho and Yeung Nga-ka, the winning team from the Construction Engineering and Management programme, worked on a proposal for constructing a 24-storey commercial building atop a four-storey car park. Their work took into consideration sustainable construction techniques, engineering design and construction management issues.

According to Chan Kin-lok, the expo has provided them with a platform to learn outside the classroom. “We have played the role of engineer, project manager and designer for the project, so we have aquired construction knowledge and critical thinking skills, which is of paramount importance to our studies and career development,” the team said.

The department store and office project proposed by Sze Nang-chong, Tsang Wai-lun and Wong Shiu-lun, the winning team from the building services engineering programme, focused on energy conservation and regulations compliance. They all agreed that teamwork and practical experience working on a real-life project were essential elements in furthering their education.

Judging panels consisting of distinguished professionals from various disciplines selected the winning project and runners-up from each of the four programmes. The list of winners is as follows:

Programme

Name

Associate of Science in Architectural Studies

Chan Hiu-fung

Associate of Science in Building Services Engineering

Sze Nang-chong

Tsang Wai-lun

Wong Shiu-lun

Associate of Science in Construction Engineering and Management

Chan Kin-lok

Cheng Chi-ho

Yeung Nga-ka