Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP) recently won two more Quality Building Awards with The Arch, Four Seasons Hotel and Four Seasons Place. The awards come as recognition of the developer's experienced team and dedication to quality that has produced some of Hong Kong's most recognizable buildings.

The awards are presented by a coalition of nine organizations in the construction and real estate sectors on the advice of a panel of judges comprising top professionals different disciplines following strict criteria in the selection process. SHKP previously won Quality Building Awards for YOHO Town and Millennium City 5.

More top honours

SHKP Vice Chairman and Managing Director Thomas Kwok was gratified with the honours, saying: "Quality is our tradition and it is central to our building homes with heart philosophy. We look after quality throughout the construction process with vertical integration spanning planning and design, construction, purchasing, monitoring and property management, all in house. We also listen to our customers, taking some of their ideas to help fine tune our developments. We pay attention to detail, to deliver the finest products and service."

SHKP Vice Chairman and Managing Director Raymond Kwok said: "This is the second time we have won these awards. The Arch, Four Seasons Hotel and Four Seasons Place faced stiff competition, but the results are proof of the industry's recognition of our quality. Our motto is 'speed, quality and efficiency' and we always keep innovating. We will continue to build our reputation for quality and keep moving ahead."

Team work

Team work is the key to quality building. The Arch was a team project right from the beginning. Experts in different disciplines looked into the feasibility of ideas like the arch design and sky club, while the Construction Department provided construction time and cost estimates. Work was subcontracted to SHKP subsidiaries to ensure smooth coordination between departments.

Four Seasons Hotel and Four Seasons Place in the IFC development had a central project office during construction so that the various consultants, contractors parties involved could work together on solving any problems that arose. This helped speed up progress, so that it only took seven months from the start of construction to opening for business. Team work from the very beginning ensured the best quality in the shortest possible time.

Quality building honours

The Quality Building Awards are presented biannually by the Hong Kong Construction Association, Hong Kong Institute of Architects, Hong Kong Institute of Construction Managers, Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, Hong Kong Institute of Housing, Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors, Hong Kong Chapter of International Facility Management Association, Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency and the Real Estate Developers Association of Hong Kong. They recognize and encourage quality construction projects and the teams behind them. The first awards were given out in 2001.

The awards are given out on the basis of quality, project briefing and overall partnership; design and innovation; project management and cost control; environmental considerations, sustainability, site safety and hygiene; and customer satisfaction.