Industry leaders and experts take this opportunity to exchange views on the latest trend in the construction industry, seeking to raise the overall standards of construction and to enhance the well-being of the people of Hong Kong through meticulous planning of building projects.

QBA 2022 will mark the Award’s eleventh edition, with the theme of ‘Smart, Sustainable, Superior’ to highlight the application of innovative and intelligent technology solutions in design, construction and facility management in the delivery of highest-standard building projects. It also takes into account the people-centered philosophy behind the efforts to bolster environmental sustainability as a value-adding approach in transforming communities for the better.

In response to the recent initiative ‘Construction 2.0’ by the HKSAR Government to strengthen and maintain the territory’s regional leadership position in the industry and long-term growth prospects, two new special commendations are added, namely Sustainable Development Award and Innovative Project Award, to recognize outstanding projects that have incorporated green and sustainability concepts, and innovative design and construction techniques.

“Beyond acknowledging exemplary building projects, the ultimate goal of QBA is to make known, to the general public, of the contribution of the building and construction industry to the society of Hong Kong,” notes Yu Tak-cheung, former Director of Buildings, Buildings Department, who is also the Chairman of the Jury Panel.

Great teamwork and coordination within a project team which comprise multi-disciplinary building professionals is crucial to crafting a quality building infused with people-centered elements, he stresses. “The definition of a quality building encompasses the whole life cycle of the building, especially whether the intended outcomes of the design concepts are achieved in the stage of post-occupancy as reflected in areas such as building safety, facility management and user experience.”

“QBA differentiates itself from awards of a single discipline, as it maintains rigorous and comprehensive evaluation on every aspect in the life cycle of a building project,” says Tang Chi-wang, Chairman of QBA 2022 Organizing Committee. “We would know how much effort a tight-knit team of architects, engineers, surveyors, construction managers, etc. has put to excel in a project through the presentation and submitted materials.”

Tang believes that QBA drives the building sector forward by providing a platform where firms are eager to stand out among competitors through showcasing new techniques and experimenting innovative solutions. “The judging criteria set out are indicative of the essential features for a quality building in the future, that developers who want nomination in the next edition would include them in their current projects.”

Regarding innovation, the flexibility in the usage of existing technology such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) and Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) to enhance quality control and facility management will be examined, in addition to more novel applications of robotic and automatic processes, Tang says. Sustainability-wise, he points out that greenery coverage, environmental protection measures, and the integration of the building project with the neighborhood will be taken into account.

Daniel Shum, Chairman of the Jury Sub-committee, draws attention to safety concerns of a building, which is also an integral component of the judging criteria. “For instance, we would be looking at whether the building design has considered the safety of workers by minimizing the need of truss-out scaffolding, and thereby reducing risk of accidents.”

Referring to the top prize winner of QBA 2020, Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, Yu Tak-cheung recounts that the project team had a user-oriented planning concept in the first place, with a mission of creating a soothing environment to relieve the stress of child patients and their families. To enhance the interdisciplinary exchange in the building industry, site visits to Grand Award winners will be open to industry practitioners in this edition, Tang adds.

Projects will be judged on six categories – Hong Kong Residential (Single Building), Hong Kong Residential (Multiple Buildings), Hong Kong Non-Residential (New Building - Government, Institution or Community), Hong Kong Non-Residential (New Building - Non-Government, Institution or Community), Hong Kong Building (Renovation / Revitalization), Building Outside Hong Kong, covering a comprehensive range of projects.

Four award tiers include Finalists, Merits, Grand Awards and the Quality Excellence Award, which is the highest honor that will only be presented to one project within the territorial limits of Hong Kong, with the best overall quality among all Grand Award winners.

Nomination for the Award has already begun, and will end on March 18, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. noon.

Clarice Yu Po-mei took up the post of Director of Buildings on November 29, 2021, when Yu Tak-cheung commenced his pre-retirement leave. Clarice Yu will be the next Chairwoman of the Jury Panel of QBA.