To enhance the construction programme, Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) will be adopted in this project. With the concept of “factory assembly followed by on-site installation”, modules are manufactured and completed in the factory first before they are transported to the site for installation. This can reduce the on-site works and expedite construction progress.
MiC has the benefits of enhanced efficiency, shortened construction period, improved site safety performance, better building quality, etc. MiC not only contributes to the quality and sustainable built-environment but also help ease some of the challenges of the local construction industry.
This is also the first time in Hong Kong that caverns are utilised to serve non-infrastructure related facilities along with other innovative construction methodologies. Therefore, the construction of the portion of the Public Works Central Laboratory and Archive Centre within the caverns employing MiC will be facing many challenges imposed by the spatial constraint within caverns, limited surface working space at the portal, and restricted working conditions with the presence of many sensitive receivers nearby as well as the related complex logistics planning anticipated.
In view that this project is the first cavern development project adopting MiC, Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) is adopted in this project to identify the potential issues earlier, and address them in an interactive process to eliminate potential claims and delays during construction as far as possible.
The inclusion of ECI would capitalise fully on the contractors’ expertise in their contribution to the design of the Project for overcoming these constraints in a more effective manner for ensuring its cost-effectiveness and timely completion.
Through the interactive discussions of the ECI process during tender stage with the prospective tenderers, it could facilitate joint problem solving to enhance functionality and buildability of the Project. Consultation on flexibility on design constraints would be permitted during the process so that overall cost effectiveness and timely completion could be achieved more effectively.
