GBE is glad to be the consultant team
GBE has been invited be the teammates in this wonderful and exciting project. This certainly is such a great experience to work with the professional in worldwide basis .
What we said about “subletting” in semi-government property have proved correct – Lesson Learnt
SCMP – 06TH JUNE 2022 – PAGE A5
The news today in SCMP referred . The HKSTP has confirmed failed to take reasonable step for controlling the lessee from sub-letting to 2nd or third tier of leasee. For us, it was not surprised , when we firstly highlighted the issue of mini-storage , shared office , co-working space which are all featured with 3rd tier of leasee in the lease structure, we have made notice to the issue about subletting down drifting the lease structure. Honestly, this kind of issue won’t be materialistic in private property like many in urban area, but it becomes profoundly sharp in the organisation such as HKSTP or probably other similar organisation which are duty-bound to some mission pushed forward by Government. To exemplify, we foresee the place such as West Kowloon Cultural area, Cyber port , Productive council ,…. may be in the rader.
More to discuss later
Hong Kong Surveyor in Australia Residential Projects with BIM
Great news to our industry. We have successfully extended our professional foot-print to Australia market. With the BIM technology backup and the Professional Knowledge, the residential projects has been accelerated from ground works, drainage works and now to timber structure. We are now in the process of window frame installation , which is posited in the cavity wall.
The land administration system there is alike to other commonwealth countries , where GBE has rided on similar system in UK. The country of the sub-urban took lead on the development control and impose the development constraint varying to the prevailing policy. They pose heavy emphasis to waste management , vehicles control and water supply system. Thus, when we entered into the Building permit stage, all the prerequisite requirement must meet the schematic approval .
The picture below is the ground sub-structure together with the drainage downpipe. The 2nd picture is the erection of the timber structure in pre-designed lattice form. To attain the insulation performance, cavity wall will be in place.
Picture 1
Picture 1
Picture 2
Visual Information Technology in Surveying and Engineering Industries – Part 3
Last year we have talked about how 360 camera can help in surveying and engineering industry. By using the 360 cameras which can help us to inspect some of the unreachable areas. However, there are still a lot of areas need to inspect and record. Today we are going to talk about the other camera or measuring tools can help in our daily operation. In the past, surveyors or engineer worked with the existing buildings with a camera and record plan for all documentation and report to our clients. With the aid of technology, surveyors and engineers can work with 3D environment for recording. According to RICS, it states that the tendency to believe that BIM is the sole preserve of new-build construction overlooks the advantages it can have for the management and refurbishment of existing buildings. The recent latest technology have been capturing the As-built conditions in 3D or Scan-to-BIM using Point Cloud.
Scan to BIm
Refer to Trimble, 3D laser scanning allows contractors to collect the as-is conditions on a project site quickly to provide both accurate and up-to-date data that is valuable throughout the different design and construction stages. It is then used to verify as-built models, monitor progress on a project, create as-built models for existing structures or to augment missing design data. Many projects now require a contractor to deliver a point cloud as a final project deliverable to document the location of new construction for the building owner.
Scan to BIM allows you to create a highly accurate three-dimensional digital representation of your building – in a reduced amount of time.
Some of the advantages of Scan to BIM:
- It removes a large degree of human error from traditional as-built documentation processes
- The data is collected over a considerably shorter period of time
- Information can be shared faster
- Teams only need to visit the site once to collect data
Source:
https://constructible.trimble.com/construction-industry/what-is-scan-to-bim-2
However, the laser scanning can be very expensive. The service contractor may need to take time for scheduling as they need to reserve the laser scanning machine to provide the service. However, most of the project stakeholders only require for rough measurement of building features. Photogrammetry will be the best choice in this case.
Photogrammetry
Photogrammetry is the art, science, and technology of obtaining reliable information about physical objects and the environment through processes of recording, measuring, and interpreting photographic images and patterns of recorded radiant electromagnetic energy and other phenomena (Wolf and Dewitt, 2000; McGlone, 2004).
Source: https://bit.ly/35toRIq
Matterport is a good start of photogrammetry which our client can use the web based program for 24/7 review the existing conditions of the building. Matterport is the standard for 3D space capture. Our all-in-one platform transforms real-life spaces into immersive digital twin models. So much more than panoramic scans, Matterport empowers people to capture and connect rooms to create truly interactive 3D models of spaces. GBE has the Matterport Pro 2 camera which can capture the matterport solution. Pro2 3D Camera can work out with high-quality 3D capture with unlimited 4K print quality photography. Professional photo resolution (134 megapixels) and 3D accuracy. Great at scanning any size space. Perfect for homes, apartments, hotels, commercial buildings. You may refer one of our matter port solution for Hing Wai building for reference.
https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=L9uodzruqeQ
However, there still some limitation with the matterport. Matterport works great for interior in the building. However, for exterior like facade or the area which it not possible to put the tripod. Therefore, we will change to use drones and cameras for our mesh model. As PhotoModeler states that Photogrammetry is an appealing choice for BIM because it offers most of the strengths of laser scanning, with few of the downsides. Photogrammetry is the science of taking measurements from photographs. Essentially, it allows construction teams to take digital photos of a site or building, upload it onto a computer, and generate a 3D model.
Laser Scanning
Laser scanning can more more accurate measurement in a range of millimeters error. According to Donato Pica and Fonbeyin Henry Abanda, a laser scanner is a technology based on the use of specific laser light and image sensors, opportunely assembled on a moving structure generally positioned on a tripod support structure, that is directly posed on the ground. Laser scanners can be used for the identification levels and measurement of distances. Laser scanners can be used to measure the distance between a landmark and an assigned point belonging to the surrounding environment, fundamentally evaluating the time elapsed between two pulses or evaluating the phase difference between the emitted and the received wave. By automatically and consequentially repeating this operation for a considerable number of different points, the laser scanner can generate a point cloud.
Source: https://bit.ly/3tTJwP4
GBE has equipped a Leica BLK360 laser scanner which can create an accurate point cloud model for inspection and also with all building features measurement. Here is some of the examples that we have use the point cloud model compare with our BIM model for verification.
Hong Kong Surveyor in Overseas Project in today Pandemic
Though we are restricted travelling these day, the advanced telecommunication and BiM Technology has taken us far digitally.
Being a Hong Kong Surveyor, we are glad to participate in one small scale development project in Australia, a market where experienced a lot of upsurging in last 2 years.
From the professional perspective , the planning control there is highly similar to what we have practicing in Hong Kong . Indeed, the planning condition from local Australia Government has tightened and deepened control on both the construction details as well. The project program is usually short given the construction complexity is lower , but the distorted global supply chain and the shortage of labour there are hitting the progress.
Like Hong Kong and UK, there are Building control after the planning permission, but the Australian government is running the private sector manning the private sector . Developer, usually the professional Builder, will deploy the Building Surveyor to check and sign off the plan. Given the honest system, and accountability of the Surveyor upheld, there are usually sometime a conflicting view between the Builder’s and Surveyors. Well, a water running under the bridge at the end.
My office is glad to be the surveyor from Hong Kong to oversee the entire development. We have applied the latest BiM to showcase the design, progress and program. Though we were restricted going there , we mastered the entire progress at this moment. Good luck to us
(Sorry for all not be able to disclose more under NDA)
GBE completes landmark LED video wall at Hing Wai Building
With COVID-19 leading to travel restrictions that barred entry from mainland or other tourists, businesses located in main shopping districts such as Central saw a direct hit to their revenue. Landowners are prompted to reduce their rental rates so that tenants can remain in business and also pay their rent. In light of this issue, some landlords have taken a different approach whereby they search for ways to maintain their rental rates to not lose out on their rental income. One such way is by asset enhancement, which is to enhance the value of a property through renovation, usually by implementing new technology that can better complement and help the tenant’s business. The LED curved video wall at Hing Wai Building that serves as a digital billboard is an example of this.
Digital out of home (DOOH) advertising gives a more engaging and interactive experience to its audience compared to traditional out of home(OOH) marketing. The difference is that an OOH advert is static with a single image placed over a period of time, DOOH can offer multiple animated videos or the like via digital screens, which can reach its intended audience in real time.
GBE steps into the DOOH marketing limelight by completing Hong Kong’s first curved LED video wall at Hing Wai Building on 36 Queen’s Road Central, the project first began mid May 2021 and recently completed late November 2021. Companies can now advertise their product or service on this enormous screen which can deliver sharp and colorful content in high resolution and clarity, surely attracting the attention of those who walk by it. The video wall measures at 35200 x 9200 mm and at 4224 x 1108 (4K) resolution, it curves naturally and seamlessly with the shape of the building. LED video wall technology was chosen due to its ability to offer seamless images with minimal bezels, high quality optic characteristics, and its scalability to any shape or size , with all this incorporated it allows the video wall to look great from any angle.
Viewership Area of Video Wall
The black line represents the video wall and the red line shows roughly the surrounding area where people can see the video wall. The video wall borders two main streets, D’Aguilar Street and Queen’s Road Central. Pedestrians walking on Theatre Lane will also have a good view of it. A study on the foot traffic on these surrounding streets revealed that around 160,000 people passes through this area per day. So, you can imagine the amount of attention the video wall can potentially get per month.
Video wall of today
“The global LED Video Walls Market is expected to gain momentum on account of numerous benefits offered by video walls, namely, ease of maintenance, high flexibility, and performance.”
In today’s transforming world of digital information, video walls differ mainly from indoor usage such displaying price of products at a store or outdoor DOOH advertising. Video walls are an effective form of digital signage that can support content customization, and dynamic 3D content such as producing the illusion of objects ‘popping out’ from the screen. Especially curved video walls that allow the audience to experience this effect more immersively. Examples of such content can be viewed below:
Housing Affordability in Hong Kong – A Quick Comparison with Singapore
When the housing market restarted with a vengeance in Hong Kong after Donald Tsang stepped down , however much tight land supply policy could be justified given government revenue dependence, it should not have affected the public sector housing. People seeking public housing could not have afforded private housing and so they should not be a government revenue concern.
Yet, despite calls and evidence being brought to the attention of the government, public housing supply remains very low.
While 80% of Singaporeans live in public housing, only 44.7% of Hong Kongers do.
Looking at the numbers
Average public housing price of the Housing Development Board of Singapore is S$507 per square foot., equivalent to HKD $2,930. In Hong Kong, those who could not get into public housing face an average apartment price per square foot of HK$ 16,883 per square foot (apartments under 400 square feet), or 5.76 times more expensive than Singapore.
- Hong Kong GDP per capita – USD $46,323
- Singapore GDP per capita – USD $59,797.
But GDP per capita is always unreliable for these purposes because of the huge income disparity and this average figure included the super-rich. Hong Kong ranks world no. 1 in income disparity and has the world’s largest Gini coefficient.
So, in Singapore, public housing cost as a multiple of median monthly household income = 507 / 7744 (both expressed in Singapore dollars) = 6.5%.In Hong Kong, for those who had to buy private housing instead of lining up for public housing, housing cost as a multiple to median monthly family income = HKD$16,883 / 26,500 = 63%.
- Median monthly household income in Singapore is S$ 7744 = HKD $44,643.
- Median monthly household income in Hong Kong is HK$ 26,500.
Therefore, Hong Kong private sector housing (for many who need to buy them) is 10 times less affordable than in Singapore.We have not yet dealt with the real impact by calculating the housing prices as a multiple of monthly or annual disposable income for housing payment. Which will magnify the difference and show the plight of the Hong Kong people. So, journalists who sing the mantra that Hong Kong’s riots were caused by the stripping of political freedom and has nothing to do with poverty and unaffordable housing, go back and do your maths.
Source: Urban Reform Institute and Frontier Centre For Public Policy
Source : hkeconomy.gov.hk
The Different Types of Housing you will see in the UK
As a guy who has lived in both UK and HK, I can certainly say there are quite a few differences to take note of when deciding on long-term accommodation. For those moving to the UK from Hong Kong, they may find themselves largely unfamiliar with the different types of housing spread across the UK. So, it might be worthwhile to learn about housing types in the UK to better understand the advantages and drawbacks that come with them.
Surprisingly there is no legal requirement for room ceilings to be at a certain height in the UK. However, the average room height in UK is 2.4 m but ideally 2.6 m to 2.7 m. On the other hand, Hong Kong has requirements that every room used or intended to be used for office or habitation should have a height no less than 2.5 m, measured from floor to height.
Detached House
The housing type that offers a greater degree amount of privacy than others, it does not share any wall with other structures. Often built in rural or suburban areas, they typically come with both back and front lawns, which may be ideal for pet owners and those who enjoy outdoor activities such barbequing or gardening. They also tend to come with garages, useful for car-owner. However, a downside with this type is that it tends to be the most expensive housing type to purchase, and comes with high maintenance and upkeep costs.
Semi-detached House
Slightly different from the detached house, the semi-detached house shares at least one wall with an existing structure that is separately owned. These are usually cheaper than detached houses. As you share a wall with a neighbour, there is the possibility of disputes such as noise disturbance that may arise. On that note, any building alterations done would need to be discussed with your neighbour. So, you may need to take these factors into consideration.
Terraced House
Found commonly in populated areas such as cities, terraced housing are houses that sits in rows that occupy the street. A popular type of housing where land is at a premium, it allows for construction to save a great deal of space. Terrace houses usually share walls on both sides, where the accommodation is ‘sandwiched’ by others. Could possibly offer a bit more security with neighbours on both sides, a bit more foot traffic surrounding the house.
End-of-Terrrace House
With only minor differences to terrace houses, end-of-terrace houses are found at the end of the rows of the homes. They typically occupy the corners of the street or the ends of roads. They can offer more space and better lighting than the terrace houses in the middle due to the extension sideways. They can cost around 20% more than normal terraced homes.
Flats
Usually being the smallest type of housing, flats are more affordable compared to the rest of this list. Usually stacked into a single building, similar to Hong Kong, flats are popular in inner city areas due to the space saving advantage. They also usually offer security and concierge that takes care of the building. Depending on the firm that manages the building, the apartment complex may also come with amenities such communal swimming pool and/or gym, clubhouses with reading room or study spaces.
Inside the houses of UK
If you’re interested in what the interior of these houses looks like, take a look at the videos on this YouTube channel.
Understanding the 4 Types of Air Purifiers
Due to Covid-19 pandemic, there are rising concerns about the potential transmission of the virus in enclosed spaces such as indoor areas, where air-borne bacteria and viruses can circulate when airflow is restricted. To prevent bad airflow, people are becoming more interested in the air purifying system to lower the risk of getting sick. There are four main types of air purifiers that are used at home .
HEPA Purifiers
The most common one is the HEPA purifiers. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters capture airborne particles from moving air using a dense, random arrangement of fibers. HEPA filters use the physics of particles moving through air to yank them out of the airflow. Their operation is simple but extremely effective. They have an efficiency of removing 99.97% of particulate matter of size less than 0.3 microns from contaminated air ensuring a flow rate anywhere between 150 -400 cubic feet per minute depending on the clogging of their pores.
Pros:
Reduces allergy and asthma symptoms:
Particles like dust, dander, and pollen that cause allergy symptoms are large enough for a HEPA filter to catch
Commonly available:
HEPA filters are found in a variety of home appliances including whole-house air filtration units, portable air purifiers, and vacuum cleaners.
Produces no byproducts:
Other air purifying products like ozone, ionizers, and PECO all emit a harmful byproduct into the air.
Cons:
Won’t remove every particle:
will not remove pollutants from the air that are smaller than 0.3 microns, including viruses, some bacteria, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Requires frequent replacement:
HEPA filters trap most of the particulates in the air. This means they tend to clog faster than more porous filters.
Can be difficult to clean:
The shape and size of your air purifier may make it difficult to access the HEPA filter and clean it.
Sources:
The Pros and Cons of Using a HEPA Filter in Your Home Air System
https://molekule.science/pros-cons-hepa-filter/
UV Purifiers
UV stands for ultraviolet. UV Air Filtration is a specialized way of treating your air that reduces biological compounds. It can also help eliminate potentially harmful bacteria and viruses from the air. There are special products that can be installed in addition to the current HVAC systems so that the UV air filtration or UV air purification system purifies the air as it is conditioned by your AC and heating system.
Pros:
Elimination：
eliminate microscopic elements, such as viruses, bacteria, or mold, that can be toxic or harmful
Silent:
you won’t even know it’s running
Won’t accumulate dirt:
there’s no physical filter
Cons:
Won’t remove every particle:
most allergens, dust, or other solids such as cigarette smoke, gases, or other chemical fumes cannot remove.
Require some maintenance:
AirCleaner.org tells us “every year, about 15% of an ultraviolet light’s power is decreased.”
http://www.aircleaner.org/uv-air-purifiers/
By-product created:
When UV purifiers expose air to UV light, the same energy that breaks the bonds of DNA in microorganisms can also split oxygen (O₂), which can reform into ozone (O₃). While beneficial high in the atmosphere, ozone is a dangerous pollution in your home.
Sources:
https://www.comfortexpertsinc.com/blog/2015/april/pros-and-cons-of-uv-air-filtration/
https://www.schnellerair.com/blog/pros-cons-what-you-need-to-know-about-uv-air-filtration/
Ozone Air Purifiers
Ozone is a molecule composed of three atoms of oxygen. Two atoms of oxygen form the basic oxygen molecule–the oxygen we breathe that is essential to life. The third oxygen atom can detach from the ozone molecule, and re-attach to molecules of other substances, thereby altering their chemical composition. It is this ability to react with other substances that forms the basis of many manufacturers’ claims.
Pro
more applicable:
applicable for biological contaminants, not airborne inorganic particulates or chemicals
non-occupant settings:
ozone generators can be used to disinfect the air and kill microbes
Con
immediately harmful to your health：
ozone can damage the lungs. Relatively low amounts can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and throat irritation.
leaving byproducts:
just as bad or even worse than the original chemicals.
Sources:
https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/ozone-generators-are-sold-air-cleaners#intro
NCCO Purifier
NCCO is an innovative technology invented by members of HKUST Entrepreneurship Program. It has been well recognized by the Hong Kong government and the public sector and is a revolutionary air purification technology that will change the world.
In comparison to other air purification technologies such as activated charcoal, UV light and electrostatic precipitator. NCCO is more efficient at removing pollutants. For example, activated charcoal can only absorb but not decompose pollutants, and can only last for a short period of time (usually three months) without replacement. Once the carbon filter is saturated, the pollutants absorbed will be released to the air causing “second pollution”, which can cause great harm to health.
On the other hand, NCCO can absorb and decompose pollutants continuously by combining Active Oxygen and High grade synthetic zeolite, and the technology can last for up to 12 years in a laboratory environment. NCCO has solved a range of air pollution issues in different sectors including commercial, industrial, retail and motor etc. In addition, it can resolve indoor and outdoor air quality problems including pollution caused by PM2.5, PM10, VOCs and formaldehyde. Being able to remove the root sources of pollutants, NCCO acts as an excellent air purifier. Being a proven concept with these capabilities, NCCO is playing an important role in air purification technology development.
Application for NCCO Purifier
fan coil system
Office Ceiling
Lift
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