Modular systems quarantine facilities

Challenge

As COVID-19 spread in Hong Kong, authorities faced an unprecedented challenge. The urgent need to isolate residents who were infected or suspected of being infected had to be solved on a large scale and in a short time. This posed both a technological and logistical challenge for the architects, engineers, and contractors who were responsible for the construction of buildings for this purpose.

Solution

The answer was found in the MiC (Modular Integrated Construction) concept, which moves a significant part of the construction process off-site – in this case to a controlled factory environment. In Hong Kong, investment in MiC for public housing has been on the rise for several years, and therefore there was already a modular concept and an associated supply chain in place, which could be activated when the pandemic hit. In three months, four quarantine facilities were built with a total capacity of 571 units. The prefabricated modular construction shortened the construction period and produced better quality solutions and less waste of materials. It also created fewer inconveniences for neighbours and a better working environment on the construction site.

The project shows how innovative industrialised construction products can bring quality to construction – not just in terms of speed and economy but also other parameters such as safety and resource consumption.

Taxonomy

Sphere: Treatment

Timescale: Long Term

Type: Building Intervention

User Group: Employees/Service Providers, Customers/Users

Modular Integrated Construction makes it possible to build quickly, with precision, and to a high standard

In traditional construction, installations are made on site, and quality can vary consistent quality

Project and location: North Lantau Infection Control Center, Lantau, Hong Kong

Contributor: Architectural Services Department HKSAR

Established: February 2021