ConstructioNews
Vol 33 No 4 (03-2024)
Kai Tak Sports Park Completion Scheduled for 2024 - The construction process implemented new technologies while retaining sustainability
Kai Tak Sports Park, an upcoming multi-purpose sports and entertainment precinct, strikes a balance between efficiency and sustainability. It is part of the redevelopment on the site of the old Hong Kong International Airport in Kai Tak. The project is delivered as a Design-Build-and-Operate (DBO) contract. The contract will last for 25 years, with four to five years allocated to the design and construction, and approximately 20 years of operation. The construction commenced in the first quarter of 2019. The major facilities within the precinct are expected to be completed by phases at the end of this year.
The infrastructure is set to become the biggest sports venue in Hong Kong once completed. With 28-hectare of land, it will include a main stadium with a seating capacity of 50,000, a 10,000-seat indoor sports centre, and a 5,000-seat public sports ground. It will also include landscaped open spaces for hosting different major international sports events along with providing leisure and sports activities for the general public.
Construction Progress
Final Shipment For the Main Stadium’s Retractable Roof Steel Structure
The retractable roof is one of the key features of the main stadium of Kai Tak Sports Park. The final shipment of the retractable roof steel structure was arrived in July 2023. Using the geographical advantage of facing the harbour, the trusses of the retractable roof were divided into eight components and shipped to Hong Kong after being manufactured in Zhongshan and Dongguan.
The retractable roof encompasses 15,000 tonnes of structural steel with a main truss span of 180 metres. It includes over 4,800 tonnes of retractable roofing on East and West sides. The project team utilised various integrated digital technologies such as Building Information Modelling systems (BIM) and Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) to visualise the entire construction process in advance. This enhanced installation accuracy and efficiency in both design and construction. The team then proceeded with lifting the retractable roof using the advanced “Hydraulic Strand Jack Lifting System.” This system greatly increased installation and construction efficiency, quality and safety.
Completion of Main Stadium Exterior Building Façade Panels
Kai Tak Sports Park has marked a significant milestone in February 2024 with the successful completion of the main stadium exterior building façade panels.
Designed with the captivating theme “Pearl of the Orient”, the main stadium proudly showcases a meticulously crafted surface formed by about 27,000 aluminium panels as part of the multi-layered façade, each tactfully shaped into signature design triangular pieces, adding to its unique visual appeal.
Throughout the course of the design and construction process, the project team employed various advanced digital technologies for incorporation into a comprehensive Building Information Model (BIM). This model served as a robust platform for data analysis and verification, seamlessly integrating all facets of the exterior façades, including the external structure, dimensions of triangular panels, and other related building components, such as glass wall and LED façade lighting, etc. Through a process of meticulous adjustments and refinements to the actual dimensions and installation positions of the triangular panels, the team successfully reduced the original panel quantity of over 47,000 panels to just 27,000 panels for this main stadium.
Installation of the façade panels for the entire main stadium only took just eight months. In anticipation of the substantial completion of nearly 85 percent of the construction works, the Kai Tak Sports Park is now stepping into its final stage of construction.
Special Construction Technology
As one of the pioneering DBO projects in Hong Kong, the team utilises a plethora of special construction technology to expedite the project.
5G Network Infrastructure
Kai Tak Sports Park will be the first construction site in Hong Kong to be equipped with a dedicated 5G network infrastructure. The implementation of a dedicated 5G network enables smart construction, allowing mobile management systems, robotics and Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance efficiency and productivity.
The network infrastructure contains 5G base stations, a multitude of 5G routers, and Wi-Fi access points. This ensures real-time simultaneous communication between site personnel of about 2,000 people to be as smooth as possible. Large amounts of data and files can now be transmitted 20 times faster than a 4G network.
A 5G mobile management system is also installed to help minimise cabling works while optimising management quality. 4K HDR cameras are installed on tower cranes, allowing cameras with zoom-in function to capture and track individual movements or activities in specific areas of the construction site in real time. This empowers effective remote monitoring of the site, thus bolstering safety in lifting operations substantially.
openBIM and Virtual Design Construction
Due to the scale and complexity of the project, the project team opted to use openBIM and Virtual Design and Construction (VDC).
By using openBIM during the early stages of the project, the project team can integrate and coordinate innovative technologies including VDC (BIM), Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) / Modular Integrated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MiMEP), laser scanning and photogrammetry on a Common Data Environment (CDE) platform.
The Kai Tak Sports Park project received the Grand Award – Project Category at the “Hong Kong openBIM/openGIS Award 2022 Ceremony” for its innovative approach to project management.
Sustainable Environment and Energy Design
In addition to adopting frameworks to expedite the project, sustainability is also a vital component for the construction. The park will include numerous energy conservation and sustainable design features. These include photovoltaic systems, roof greening, vertical greening and charging facilities for electric vehicles in parking areas.
The project also implemented new-technology measures during the construction stage. These included the installation of advanced noise barriers, multi-functional dust suppression and road washing trucks, BIM systems, GPS traffic monitoring and management systems for construction and demolition waste, and Integrated Overloading Vehicles Control System. These measures drastically mitigated the environmental impact on the neighbourhood.
The project earned the Platinum rating under BEAM Plus Neighborhood Version 1.0 and the China 3-Star Design Label from the China Green Building (Hong Kong) Council in May 2020. These ratings acknowledge the project’s commitment to sustainable urban development, environmental preservation, and operational management.
What’s in Store for the Future?
The Kai Tak Sports Park occupies 28 hectares of land. It will be the largest piece of sports infrastructure in Hong Kong, providing modern and multipurpose facilities for sports and recreation with a view to enhancing the sports culture in Hong Kong. "Pearl of the Orient" has been adopted for the facade design theme of the main stadium. The main stadium's retractable roof and flexible design will enable organisation of a variety of events of different scales, including international football and rugby matches, concerts and large community events. The construction has been started in the first quarter of 2019 and it is expected to be completed by phases at the end of this year for opening in 2025.
Source of Information and Picture: Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau Official Website & Kai Tak Sports Park Limited Official Website
The infrastructure is set to become the biggest sports venue in Hong Kong once completed. With 28-hectare of land, it will include a main stadium with a seating capacity of 50,000, a 10,000-seat indoor sports centre, and a 5,000-seat public sports ground. It will also include landscaped open spaces for hosting different major international sports events along with providing leisure and sports activities for the general public.
Construction Progress
Final Shipment For the Main Stadium’s Retractable Roof Steel Structure
The retractable roof is one of the key features of the main stadium of Kai Tak Sports Park. The final shipment of the retractable roof steel structure was arrived in July 2023. Using the geographical advantage of facing the harbour, the trusses of the retractable roof were divided into eight components and shipped to Hong Kong after being manufactured in Zhongshan and Dongguan.
The retractable roof encompasses 15,000 tonnes of structural steel with a main truss span of 180 metres. It includes over 4,800 tonnes of retractable roofing on East and West sides. The project team utilised various integrated digital technologies such as Building Information Modelling systems (BIM) and Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) to visualise the entire construction process in advance. This enhanced installation accuracy and efficiency in both design and construction. The team then proceeded with lifting the retractable roof using the advanced “Hydraulic Strand Jack Lifting System.” This system greatly increased installation and construction efficiency, quality and safety.
Completion of Main Stadium Exterior Building Façade Panels
Kai Tak Sports Park has marked a significant milestone in February 2024 with the successful completion of the main stadium exterior building façade panels.
Designed with the captivating theme “Pearl of the Orient”, the main stadium proudly showcases a meticulously crafted surface formed by about 27,000 aluminium panels as part of the multi-layered façade, each tactfully shaped into signature design triangular pieces, adding to its unique visual appeal.
Throughout the course of the design and construction process, the project team employed various advanced digital technologies for incorporation into a comprehensive Building Information Model (BIM). This model served as a robust platform for data analysis and verification, seamlessly integrating all facets of the exterior façades, including the external structure, dimensions of triangular panels, and other related building components, such as glass wall and LED façade lighting, etc. Through a process of meticulous adjustments and refinements to the actual dimensions and installation positions of the triangular panels, the team successfully reduced the original panel quantity of over 47,000 panels to just 27,000 panels for this main stadium.
Installation of the façade panels for the entire main stadium only took just eight months. In anticipation of the substantial completion of nearly 85 percent of the construction works, the Kai Tak Sports Park is now stepping into its final stage of construction.
Special Construction Technology
As one of the pioneering DBO projects in Hong Kong, the team utilises a plethora of special construction technology to expedite the project.
5G Network Infrastructure
Kai Tak Sports Park will be the first construction site in Hong Kong to be equipped with a dedicated 5G network infrastructure. The implementation of a dedicated 5G network enables smart construction, allowing mobile management systems, robotics and Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance efficiency and productivity.
The network infrastructure contains 5G base stations, a multitude of 5G routers, and Wi-Fi access points. This ensures real-time simultaneous communication between site personnel of about 2,000 people to be as smooth as possible. Large amounts of data and files can now be transmitted 20 times faster than a 4G network.
A 5G mobile management system is also installed to help minimise cabling works while optimising management quality. 4K HDR cameras are installed on tower cranes, allowing cameras with zoom-in function to capture and track individual movements or activities in specific areas of the construction site in real time. This empowers effective remote monitoring of the site, thus bolstering safety in lifting operations substantially.
openBIM and Virtual Design Construction
Due to the scale and complexity of the project, the project team opted to use openBIM and Virtual Design and Construction (VDC).
By using openBIM during the early stages of the project, the project team can integrate and coordinate innovative technologies including VDC (BIM), Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) / Modular Integrated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MiMEP), laser scanning and photogrammetry on a Common Data Environment (CDE) platform.
The Kai Tak Sports Park project received the Grand Award – Project Category at the “Hong Kong openBIM/openGIS Award 2022 Ceremony” for its innovative approach to project management.
Sustainable Environment and Energy Design
In addition to adopting frameworks to expedite the project, sustainability is also a vital component for the construction. The park will include numerous energy conservation and sustainable design features. These include photovoltaic systems, roof greening, vertical greening and charging facilities for electric vehicles in parking areas.
The project also implemented new-technology measures during the construction stage. These included the installation of advanced noise barriers, multi-functional dust suppression and road washing trucks, BIM systems, GPS traffic monitoring and management systems for construction and demolition waste, and Integrated Overloading Vehicles Control System. These measures drastically mitigated the environmental impact on the neighbourhood.
The project earned the Platinum rating under BEAM Plus Neighborhood Version 1.0 and the China 3-Star Design Label from the China Green Building (Hong Kong) Council in May 2020. These ratings acknowledge the project’s commitment to sustainable urban development, environmental preservation, and operational management.
What’s in Store for the Future?
The Kai Tak Sports Park occupies 28 hectares of land. It will be the largest piece of sports infrastructure in Hong Kong, providing modern and multipurpose facilities for sports and recreation with a view to enhancing the sports culture in Hong Kong. "Pearl of the Orient" has been adopted for the facade design theme of the main stadium. The main stadium's retractable roof and flexible design will enable organisation of a variety of events of different scales, including international football and rugby matches, concerts and large community events. The construction has been started in the first quarter of 2019 and it is expected to be completed by phases at the end of this year for opening in 2025.
Source of Information and Picture: Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau Official Website & Kai Tak Sports Park Limited Official Website