Case Studies

 

The Cambridge House

  
Notable Features
bullet Semi precast slab and beams
bullet Precast staircases
bullet Composite columns with steel formwork
bullet Aluminum and steel formwork
bullet Hardiwall partitions
bullet Use of jump lift
bullet Reusable safety system

Basic Information
Location:
Taikoo Place, 979 King's Road,
Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
Building Type :
Office
Contract Period:

29/10/2001 - 21/04/2003 (540 days)
Contract Sum :
Approximately HK$420 million
Site Area :
6,700 sqft
Gross Floor Area :
Total construction floor area:31,140 m2
Typical Floor Area :
795 m2
Client :
Taikoo Place Holdings Ltd.
Client's Project Manager :
Swire Properties Ltd.
Architect :
Wong & Ouyang (HK) Ltd.
Structural Engineer :
Maunsell Structural Consultants Ltd.
E&M Consultant :
Meinhardt (M&E) Ltd.
Quantity Surveyor :
Levett & Bailey Chartered Quantity Surveyors Ltd.
Main Contractor :
Hsin Chong Construction (Asia) Ltd.
.
Overview
This 36-storey grade A office building includes a 2-storey podium and a 1-storey M/E floor. The total construction floor area is 31,140m2, and each typical floor area is 795m2. Typical floors construction (4 days cycle) is split into two portions: semi-precast portion and in-situ portion. The in-situ portion is two floors ahead the precast portion. 95% BS Components off-site prefabricated.
 

 
Precast portion:
bullet Precast floor from 3/F to 21/F: 11 beams, 44 planks, and 3 stair modules per floor.
bullet Precast floor from 22/F to 36/F: 12 beams, 48 planks, and 3 stair modules per floor.
 
 
In this project, the choice for precast construction method is due to its lower cost and shorter construction period. Although the technology used is more expensive than traditional methods, the total cost is lower because of the shorter construction period. The in situ methods would have extended the construction for 2 months.
 

.
Typical Floors Construction
(4 days cycle)

Semi-precast Planks

Semi-precast planks are delivered on site on Day 2, and hoisted and installed on Day 3. The plank dimensions are: max. Span 2.4 x 4.9 m2, and the max. Weight: 3.1 tons

 
   
Semi-precast Beams

Semi-precast beams are delivered on site on Day 2, and hoisted and installed on Day 3. The beam dimensions are: max Span 16 m, 575 mm depth, and max. Weight 10 tons.

 

 
Precast Staircases
Precast staircases are hoisted and installed on Day 1. The staircase dimensions are: max span: 6.9 m, and max. Weight 10.8 tons.
 
  

 
Columns
Steel fixing of columns, installation of steel column formworks and concreting (22m3) are done on Day 2.
 
   
 
Aluminum and Steel Formworks
 
  
 
Aluminum and steel formworks are used for the in-situ portion. Refer to the typical floors construction (4 days cycle) table for details.

 

 

 
Hardiwall

Hardiwall system is used for internal partition.
 

 
Jump Lift

Definition:
Using constructed lift shafts and permanent lift components to provide builder’s lift services during construction stage.
Advantages:

  • Safety, as builder’s lift is located inside lift shaft and not outside.

  • Noise reduction, minimizing disturbance to neighborhood.

  • Accelerating internal finishing and installation works.

  • Avoiding deferred works to external wall finishing.
Characteristics

  • Max. Loading of 1,600 kg.

  • Max. Speed of 1.6 m/s.

  • Landing at all floors except the highest 2 floors.

  • 2 days required for jumping


Cost difference of builder’s works:
Cost (A) – Cost (B) = $89,500
1 jump lift cost around $450,000, additional cost for using 1 jump lift:
 $450,000 + $89,500 = $539,500
Reusable Safety Systems

All the safety systems are reusable and easy to assemble:
 

  • External working platform.

  • Fencing for lift openings.

  • Barrier system at typical floors

  • Safety railing for staircases
Contact of Contractor

Hsin Chong Construction Co. Ltd.
 8/F Hsin Chong Center
 107-109 Wai Yip Street
 Kwun Tong, Kowloon
Hong Kong
www.hsinchong.com
 
 

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