Arcadis Hong Kong won the 2019 ‘Professional Consultancy Services Team of the Year’ award for its work with the Urban Renewal Authority at the RICS Annual Dinner and Awards Hong Kong 2019. The 2018 office relocation and workplace transformation was awarded a Certificate of Excellence for the ‘Sustainability Achievement of the Year’.
- Consultancy team claim top prize for work with the Urban Renewal Authority to recommend technical solutions to extend a building’s operational lifecycle
- Arcadis Hong Kong was also awarded a Certificate of Excellence for Sustainability Achievement of the Year for its office relocation and workplace transformation
The RICS Annual Dinner and Awards showcases the most inspirational initiatives and developments in land, real estate, construction and infrastructure. They celebrate the achievements and successes of RICS professionals and their impact on local communities. After a stringent selection process of over 50 nominations, Arcadis was shortlisted in two categories.
Professional Consultancy Services Team of the Year
This award judges a consultancy team on their surveying services and looks at the adoption of innovation and technology and the supporting achievements. The Urban Renewal Authority project required 450 building surveys that were done on tablet format utilizing cloud-based technology, reducing the total survey time by an estimated 25%. It also led to the development of a life expectancy matrix, automatable definition of beyond economic repair and improved barrier free access and fire safety provision in Hong Kong.
By 2046, close to half of Hong Kong’s building stock will be over 50 years old, which is projected to create a HKD $1.9 trillion maintenance liability. This presents a significant urban regeneration challenge, particularly in a city where investment is traditionally directed to new buildings and current aged building stock is often left to deteriorate.
The project Lead and Arcadis Associate Director, Stephen Wright, commented: ‘This is a truly innovative project and we’re so proud to be a part of it. The work we have done in collaboration with URA has the potential to affect policy around the management of aged building stock in Hong Kong, extending its operational lifecycle.’
Sustainability Achievement of the Year
In 2018, Arcadis Hong Kong underwent a major office relocation and workplace transformation programme. At the heart of the move was sustainability, looking at three core pillars: a low impact workplace, people and well-being, and energy efficiency. The project received a Certificate of Excellence from RICS Hong Kong, with saving on electricity consumption, the launch of a paper reduction programme, and engagement with local community being key factors for success.
Commenting on the award, Head of Hong Kong and Macau, Francis Au said: ‘The new office space was more than just a move; it was a catalyst for wider business transformation. It brought Arcadis Hong Kong’s business lines of Cost Management, Project & Programme Management, Business Advisory, and Design & Engineering, together, in a single location for the first time.'
Mr. Au also discussed the importance of well-being: ‘We wanted to provide an engaging environment that supports the way we work and meet the needs of our people. We installed wellness rooms, nursing mother facilities, recharge quiet zones and sit/stand desks to promote activity and movement, making people’s well-being as a priority.’
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About Arcadis
Arcadis is the leading global Design & Consultancy for natural and built assets. Applying our deep market sector insights and collective design, consultancy, engineering, project and management services we work in partnership with our clients to deliver exceptional and sustainable outcomes throughout the lifecycle of their natural and built assets. We are 27,000 people, active in over 70 countries that generate €3.2 billion in revenues. We support UN-Habitat with knowledge and expertise to improve the quality of life in rapidly growing cities around the world. www.arcadis.com