Seminar on Research and Development

Work

Ms. Connie YEUNGChief Architect / Development & Standards

Housing Department24 May 2010

Seminar on R&D Work

Architecture, Urban Design and Building

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Seminar on R&D Work

Research & Development Works

Sustainability Micro-climate Studies and Air Ventilation Assessment and its Verification Environmental Responsive Façade Vertical Green Panel + Green Roof Noise Mitigation Measures – Arc Screen Design and Acoustic Window

Design Life Cycle Assessment & Life Cycle Costing Method and its Review

Health & Hygiene Common W-trap system Mail Box Type Disposal System for Recycling Materials Fungal Resistance Test for multi-layer Acrylic Paint

Universal Design Tactile Guide Path System with Multi-sensory Map

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Seminar on R&D Work

SustainabilityMicro-climate Studies & Air Ventilation Assessment Since 2004, micro-climate studies were employed as one of

the design tools of public rental housing estates

For large public rental housing developments planned and designed after July 2006, Air Ventilation Assessmentswere conducted to consider whether the development would pose any restriction to air flow.

Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulations, daylight modeling and Wind Tunnel Simulation were adopted.

Design, orientation and disposition of building blocks is enhanced through optimum use of natural recourses such as local wind direction, natural ventilation, daylighting, and solar radiant.

Way Forward Further verification would be carried out on studies

conducted with the completion of estates.

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Seminar on R&D Work

SustainabilityEnvironmental Responsive Facade Since 2002, the development of Environmental Responsive Façade Engineering

was accepted as one of the Housing Authority Research Fund (HARF) projects. The R&D was carried out by the research team from Building Services

Engineering Department of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. To enhance livability, sustainability and energy conversation in local PRH

through optimizing the envelope design. A series of detailed evaluations were conducted on:-

(i) cross ventilation in flats and wing wall effect by multi-zone air flow simulations and CFD simulations; and

(ii) temperature control by detailed buildingheat transfer simulation.

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Seminar on R&D Work

SustainabilityEnvironmental Responsive Facade The findings have been incorporated in the design guide for

environmental responsive façade.

The most effective measure is the use of tinted glass or glass with lower shading coefficients. Other measures include:-(i) Reduction of glazing area;(ii) Use of light colour wall finishes materials to increase reflectance of external

wall; and(iii) Use of the appropriate length of

overhangs and side fins / wing walls over the glazing.

Way Forward Further study on other green materials

and systems for building enclosure.

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Seminar on R&D Work

SustainabilityVertical Green Panel

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Externalwall

Schematic Section of VGP

The Study for Vertical Green Panel commenced in 2007. In collaboration with Department of Biology, Chinese University of

Hong Kong and Shui On Building Contractor Ltd.. In the form of modular prefabricated external cladding. Aim of enhance the provision of greening in the congested urban

environment. Enables easy assembling on-site and future maintenance. Carries the multiple benefits of enhancing visual comfort,

strengthening ecology and reducing heat island effect. Study findings suggested the vertical green panel covered wall is

about 16 ºC cooler than bare concrete wall in a hot afternoon

Schematic Section of VGP1. Aluminum tray overall size 50 x 100cm 2. 50 mm thick growth medium3. 25 mm thick soil and grass turf (Zoysia

japonica , 朝鮮草)4. Built-in automatic irrigation system

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Seminar on R&D Work

SustainabilityVertical Green PanelCommunity Participation Fostering sense of belonging and ownership. Engagement workshops with adjacent

schools for pictorial design of the VGP. Design Guide To compile several type of VGP systems

currently available at market to form part of the “Design Guide for External Greening”. Implemented in PRH Projects, such as East

Harbour Crossing Site 4 (Yau Lai Estate).Way Forward To review the technicality and maintainability

of various systems for further development of standard details, design guide and specification.

Bio-Technical Study for VGP Study 1 : Plant performance under different watering regimes for individual panels and panel clusters Study 2 : Fertility persistence of the system and nutrient loss from the panels. Study 3 : Water use efficiency of panel clusters Study 4 : Species selection Study 5 : Heat Reduction Capacity of Green Panels Page

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Seminar on R&D Work

SustainabilityGreen Roof Since 2004, HA is committed to enhance green and

healthy living in the high-rise high density urban living environment by providing green roofs in low-rise structures with extensive planting, such as commercial centres, carparks and refuse collection compounds wherever feasible for new housing developments. By 2009/10, over 8,000 square meters of green roofs

were completed in more than 18 new estates in using different types of vegetation. We have been piloted in three vegetation types (e.g. grass,

sedums, small shrubs and groundcovers) in green roof installation, such as (i) grassed commercial centre roofs in Choi Ying Estate

and Tin Ching Estate;(ii) Sedums in Ching Ho Estate; and(iii) small shrubs and groundcovers in Upper Ngau Tau

Kok Estate

Pilot Green Estate (Ching Ho Estate in Sheung Shui) provide green roof or green decking to covered walkways, low-rise structures, carparks and/or vehicular access Findings from the test case carried out in early 2009

Sedums are the most drought tolerant among the three types of trial vegetation.

High capital installation cost but less subsequent maintenance.

The best drought tolerant sedum species include 金葉佛甲草 and 三七景天 which could survive over a dry season without irrigation;

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Seminar on R&D Work

SustainabilityGreen RoofWay Forward – Continue to conduct technical feasibility study

on the choice of plant, irrigation and drainage system required and the long-term maintenance implication.

Sau Mau Ping South Estate provide green roof or green decking to covered walkways

Yau Tong Shopping Centre

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Seminar on R&D Work

Sustainability Noise Mitigation Measures Since 2009, Housing Authority has carried out in-house studies on special

mitigation measures that will help to resolve traffic noise issues where public housing developments are located close to noisy roads.

To foster an improved and quieter living environment in PRH estates.Innovative Arc Screen Design Developed an innovative arc screen design to

alleviate the traffic noise problem in Sai Chuen Road PRH Development in Sham Shui Po.

Using a prototype installation in Dongguan to verify by in-situ noise measurements.

Close liaison with EPD Achieve noise reductions of 2.5 dB(A)

on the lower floors to 6.4 dB(A) on higher levels.

Way Forward To further refine the design

configuration into a balcony structure.

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Seminar on R&D Work

Sustainability Noise Mitigation MeasuresSpecial Acoustic Window Design

For more severe noise problem such as sites situated very close to trunk roads with heavy traffic, the design of acoustic windows is being investigated allowing residents to enjoy more open views.

Laboratory tests of this window design concept gave promising results.

Way Forward

Mock Up Flats for Site Testing

Mock up flats with these special window prototypes have been constructed on site for further investigation and testing.

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Seminar on R&D Work

Sustainability Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) & Life Cycle Costing (LCC) Method The HA has, since 2005, developed LCA and LCC method to assess and

determine more accurately and effectively the use of new materials at the design stage. New materials which are more environment-friendly and cost effective from the life cycle perspective have been progressively used in pilot projects since 2006. e.g. East Harbour Crossing Site Phase 4 (Yau Lai Estate). The Consultants were Business Environment Council, the University of Hong

Kong and Davis Langdon & Seah Management Ltd. The deliverables were –

(a) A LCA & LCC database for >100 building materials; and

(b) A computerized combined LCA/LCC “Decision Making Tool”.

Final Report has been launched onto HA’s web site for “KnowledgeSharing”.

Way Forward After implementation for 5 years,

further review would be carried outfor updating and expanding thedatabase of building materials.

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Seminar on R&D Work

Health and HygieneCommon W-Trap System The outbreak of SARS in March 2003 has aroused

concern from the public over the problem of dried up floor traps with possible transmission of virus into the bathroom / kitchen from a contaminated soil and waste stack.

Collaboration with Department of Building & Construction, City University of Hong Kong to study the common trap system.

A series of reiterative tests successfully verified the operational stability.

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Seminar on R&D Work

Health and HygieneCommon W-Trap System Buildings Department approved in principle to the use

of Common W-trap for connection to the floor drains in toilets and/or kitchens of PRH flats on conditions that :(a) only waste water from basin and shower shall be used for replenishing

purpose; and (b) length of untrapped pipework between W-trap and floor/shower drain not

exceeding 750mm. Design Guide and Technical Specification for drainage

design and site verification testing procedure were compiled for project implementation. Implemented in all new PRH projects since the first

completed project, East Harbour Crossing Site 3 (Yau Lai Estate), in 2008.

Way Forward Continue to study on the drainage system to prevent loss of

water seal and blockage of pipe at lower floors by adopting fluid dynamic engineering.

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Seminar on R&D Work

Health and HygieneMail Box Type Disposal System For Recycling Materials Since 2007, an in-house development of Mail-box Type

Disposal System for Recycling Materials was carried out. To encourage the source separation of domestic waste

by PRH tenants at the Refuse Storage and Material Recovery Room (RSMRR) at typical domestic floors.

The research involved :- Consultation with EPD, FSD, BD, Estate

Management & Cleansing Contractors.In term of Safety and Security Hot Smoke Test; Fire Test on fire rated hatch doors with smoke seal Installation of Sprinkle System and Use of door sensors and CCTV for

operation and management control. In term of Noise Control Hydraulic self-closing hatch doors

with magnetic door catch.

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Seminar on R&D Work

Health and HygieneMail Box Type Disposal System For Recycling MaterialsTo provide convenience to PRH tenants - Provision available on every domestic floor; Easily Accessible location from common area i.e.

corridor or lift lobby; and Easily reachable level by all users (including the

elderly and wheelchair users)To provide Hygienic Environment - Separated collecting points with

self-closing hatch doors Washable finishes; and Designated space for collection bins.Implementation The pilot project is East Harbour Crossing Site

Phase 5 (Yau Lai Estate) to be completed in Mid 2011.Way Forward To collect feedbacks from the tenants and the Estate

Management; and to further enhance the users friendliness.

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Seminar on R&D Work

Health and HygieneFungal Resistance Test for Multi-layer Acrylic Paint Consultancy study commenced in October 2009 by Department of

Biology, Chinese University of Hong Kong. Current BS 3900:G6:1989 for testing ‘Resistance to Fungal Growth’ for multi-

layer acrylic paint takes 4 to 6 months to complete the test is considered too long. There is also feedback on increasing algae growth on the external wall adjoining natural slope or planters.

Currently, the testing of paint samples by the proposed testing method is completed and the result is being analyzed.

Way Forward To propose a test with a more appropriate testing time and the testing regime

which covers the common fungi and algae growth found locally. To establish a Hong Kong standard and regime for fungal test in multi-layer

acrylic paint.

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Seminar on R&D Work

Universal Design Tactile Guide Path System with Multi-sensory Map We started developing multi-sensory map to enhance universal accessibility for all

residents including persons with visual impairment in 2005 as an integral part of tactile guide path system.

The multi-sensory maps are installed at strategic locations of housing estates to assist people to orientate and identify the tactile guide path leading to domestic blocks and major estate facilities.

Provide visual, tactile and voice messages to provide directions for all people, regardless of their age or quality of vision.

Collaborate with Hong Kong Society for the Blind to develop the multi- sensory map. Pilot projects at Redevelopment of Shek Kip Mei

Phase 1 and Kwai Chung Estate. Multi-sensory map together with tactile guide

path system has became a standard provision for new public housing estates since August 2006.

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Seminar on R&D Work

Universal Design Tactile Guide Path System with Multi-sensory Map Visually impaired person using the tactile guide path system with multi-sensory map to

travel safely and effectively from Shek Kip Mei MTR Station to the domestic block.

Way Forward To further explore means to promote universal accessibility

and to meet diversified needs of all ages and person with disabilities.

Shek Kip Mei Phase 1

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Seminar on R&D Work

Thank You

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