Lifting and installation demonstration of MiC module at Housing Authority Anderson Road Quarry public housing site

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) has all along been committed to adopting innovative construction technologies to enhance building efficiency and safety. The Anderson Road Quarry Site R2-7 public housing site is the first HA project to adopt the "Just-in-time" approach for installing Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) modules on site. The HA today (December 5) held a briefing and arranged a media visit to Site R2-7 to demonstrate the lifting and installation of a MiC module on site. The Secretary for Housing and Chairman of the HA, Ms Winnie Ho, and the Director of Housing, Miss Rosanna Law, also joined the visit.
 
     Upon completion, the 17-storey domestic block at Site R2-7 will provide over 400 subsidised sale flats. It is the first HA project to be completed by adopting MiC, and is targeted to be completed in the fourth quarter next year.
 
     Senior Architect of the Housing Department Mr John Lo said on the briefing that the HA has been continuously enhancing design and application of MiC. Site R2-7 adopted MiC 1.5 with enhanced structural design. The load-bearing capacity of the structural walls is higher than that of MiC 1.0, which helps increase housing production. In addition to the implementation of the "Just-in-time" approach, the enhanced MiC modules design strengthened the bracing structures to facilitate transportation and installation, thereby enhancing the overall construction efficiency. By adopting advanced connection methods jointly developed with research institutions, it is envisaged that the on-site installation procedure of MiC 2.0 will be further simplified with minimal limitations. Workers can complete installation of reinforcements without having to stay in between modules. This can further safeguard construction site safety, enhance construction efficiency and help the reduction of materials used and the reliance on on-site labour.
 
     The HA also emphasised the use of digital technologies to implement safe and smart site. Representative of the project contractor gave a briefing on the smart site management platform, which indicates the work progress, site safety monitoring information, real-time MiC modules tracking and installation progress, etc. This enables the HA and the contractor project team to closely monitor the construction progress and safety.
 
     A number of construction robots including a plastering robot, a painting and skim coat robot, a robotic welding arm, a material delivery and inspection robot, and Exo-skeleton were also displayed at the briefing. These advanced technologies can enhance construction quality, reduce construction time and labour-intensive processes and enhance occupational safety and health. They also help reduce waste and achieve environmentally friendly construction.
 
     The HA is committed to adopting innovative construction technologies, smart construction site and construction robots to enhance the speed, efficiency, quantity and quality of increasing public housing supply.