You obviously enjoy taking on new challenges. What’s been the biggest challenge of your career so far?
There were quite a few challenges on the AIA urban campus redevelopment. On the technical side, the client asked us to review the design of the air conditioning system following the Covid-19 pandemic, to provide more fresh air into the building. There were several spatial and time constraints as our project had already been through the tender stage by that time so it wasn’t straightforward, but we optimized our original design in collaboration with the project’s structural engineers and architects. We increased the louvre area to let in more fresh air, checked air duct size, and made sure our equipment could cope with the extra load involved in cooling more fresh air. We also worked closely with the client to understand their concerns and prioritise the areas where fresh air was needed most.
One of the biggest challenges was coordination as the project involved external consultants from different disciplines and countries, such as audio visual (AV) designers from the Philippines. The designing and talking was being done in English, but the contractors were Cantonese speakers from Hong Kong. My role involved a lot of delivering requirements and limitations between different parties.
Practices also vary from one country to another. For example, in Hong Kong, the project design is done first and then tendered out for the contractor to follow, so later changes requested by external consultants aren’t always feasible. Coordinating a project can often mean helping people understand their differences and work together.
What excites you about the future of the built environment?
As an engineer, you can really see your impact on the environment – and the world. You can also contribute a lot to creating more sustainable and resilient places to mitigate the impact of climate change.
Personally, I’m inspired to increase the focus on net zero by integrating renewable energy systems and intelligent controls in building design. Winning the IET award has given me a platform to promote this thought to the next generation and support young engineers to adopt sustainability in their MEP designs.
What advice would you give young engineers just starting out?
Alongside continuing to learn, I’d advise young engineers to embrace mentorship. Don’t be shy when you encounter difficulties, ask for help from mentors and colleagues and expand your networks so you can collaborate with experts from different fields. Being involved in challenging projects is how we push our boundaries and is a good opportunity for professional and personal growth.