Past Projects

Zhengdong Jie Kindergarten 正東街幼兒園

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The 80-year old building of Zhengdong Kindergarten at Chongzhou City was ruined in the 5.12 Earthquake in Sichuan Province in 2008. Soon after the disaster, Operation Concern, a Hong Kong based charitable organization supported by a group of orthopedic surgeons invited Project Mingde to participate jointly in the reconstruction of the kindergarten and this is our third project. Operation Concern and the HKSAR Government Trust Fund provided funding for the reconstruction of Zhengdong Jie Kindergarten. Project Mingde was fortunate to receive an award from Lee Hysan Foundation and the financial support from the award made it possible for nearly 200 students to participate in this very meaningful and rewarding project for the past three-and-a-half year.
  

bannerIt happened in Chongzhou, a small city in Sichuan

  
  
bannerThe project team visited the site and discussed the requirements of the new kindergarten
building with the teachers in summer of 2008

  

With the architectural input from the architects from the Chinese University of Hong Kong and help from professionals in the construction industry, the original brick building was replaced with a three-storey reinforced concrete one with classrooms, dormitories and canteen capable of accommodating 270 children. While the students’ involvement in the first two projects was informal, their participation in the Sichuan project is formally written into a contract stating their project management role.


  
bannerDesign of the new kindergarten building in progress

  
  
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bannerPresent and discuss various schemes with teachers of the kindergarten

  
  
bannerVisit and study other damages due to the disaster

  
  
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Participate in the work of a local design office to familiarize with the
requirements of the Chinese Codes


  
  
bannerThe 20th and final scheme approved by all stakeholders in October 2009

  
  
bannerPreparation of construction drawings which were finally ready in April 2010

  
  
bannerPreparation of tender document and interviewing prospective contractors

  
  
bannerLaying of foundation stone and commencement of work in July 2010

  
  
bannerChecking quality on site

  
  
bannerConstruction in progress

  
  
bannerThe new kindergarten building upon completion

  

The site is elongated and irregular on plan. There is only a narrow entrance from one end of the site. These constraints had imposed great difficulties for the contractor to maneuver the necessary construction activities. The founding levels of the building foundation were also deeper than those revealed by the initial investigation. The project team had to work closely with the contractor to resolve these difficulties. Although the overall construction period was extended by four months; fortunately with the assistance and guidance from many enthusiastic professionals, especially Mr. Vinco Mung, the project architect and Mr. Sing Chan, the chief resident engineer, the new building was ready for occupation in September 2011. With the completion of necessary finishing work, the kindergarten moved back to the once devastated site in December 2011. From initial visit to the ruined site in September 2008 until the completion ceremony, it took nearly 40 months for the new building to complete.


  

Quote from a student:
"I'm now working in the Swire Properties and my main responsibilities are related to project management skills. I cherished a lot during my time with the Mingde Projects that I was involved in coordinating the project with different stakeholders. At that time, I did not realize the importance of those meetings but now I seemingly started to understand more."

By Willaim Wong, 2011 BEng(CivE) Graduate

  

Summary of the project:

  • Donor
:

Operation Concern
HKSAR Government Trust Fund         

  • Sponsor
    (for travelling and lodging expenses
    of the project team)

:

Lee Hysan Foundation

  • Building

:

A three-storey kindergarten building

  • Size of site

:

2915.8 m2

  • Construction cost

:

RMB 8.862 million

  • Start date of construction

:

July 2010

  • End date of construction

:

November 2011

  • Total number of site visits

:

31

  • Total number of students involved

:

168

  • The publication
:

Zhengdong Jie Kindergarten

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