University of Hong Kong brings in new supervisors for concrete work at HK$2.5 billion campus project, after warnings over defects
- New team brought in to supervise concrete works at university’s Pok Fu Lam campus housing project, school reveals
- Construction whistle-blower Jason Poon posts photos online showing cavities and exposed reinforcement bars on several floors of site
The University of Hong Kong brought in a new team to supervise concrete works at its HK$2.5 billion (US$319.3 million) campus housing project earlier this month after the main contractor failed to act on warnings over construction defects given in April, the school revealed on Monday.
A new supervisor for concrete works and site engineer were also appointed to help oversee construction of the four towers at its Pok Fu Lam campus.
“The project team from the university will follow up with the consultant and contractor to ensure all works meet our standards,” a spokesman said. “Safeguarding staff and students’ safety and well-being has always been our top concern.”
The university is spending HK$2.5 billion on building two 19-storey dormitories and two 20-storey living quarters for teachers at 142 Pok Fu Lam Road, previously home to a 13-storey residence for academic staff that was demolished in 2021.
The High West Site Development is expected to be completed in the second quarter of next year.
“The University of Hong Kong, being a world-class institution with faculties in architecture and engineering, has such poor construction management of its own project, with construction work and quality which could be worse than undeveloped countries,” Poon wrote on Facebook.
