Engineering the future of healthcare in Hong Kong

As part of a joint venture with contractors Paul Y. Engineering Group and Able Engineering Company Limited, we provided structural, civil and geotechnical engineering services and environmental consultancy on this ambitious project.

This included the decanting and demolition of three existing buildings and the design and construction of a new hospital block, Clinical Block 1 (CB1), a 34-storey tower that features four podium levels and a rooftop helipad.

Rising over 180 metres into the skyline, the new tower provides over 900 new beds, significantly expanding the hospital’s capacity.

The tower comprises an accident and emergency department, intensive care and paediatric intensive care units, hybrid operating rooms, diagnostic and radiology facilities, haemodialysis centre, isolation wards and specialised wards such as oncology, haematology and cardiothoracic surgery.

Streamlining the delivery of Asia’s tallest hospital building

As one of the first major projects launched since the mandating of building information modelling (BIM) for government projects in Hong Kong, we delivered the project to BIM Level 2 maturity. This means all models were shared and integrated within a common data environment, enhancing collaboration and streamlining workflows between contractors, architects and engineers.

The client's brief went one step further by requiring virtual reality simulations to support project review and prototyping, as well as 4D simulation for the site formation, and the excavation and lateral support system works. Using immersive VR headsets, we brought the structural design to life. This approach has helped to streamline workflows and reduce interpretation errors as the tower is constructed.

“We took the initiative to improve design coordination by relocating our design office to the site in 2020,” said Hyvan Wong, managing director for China and Hong Kong. “Our adaptability to changes in client requirements and project scope allowed us to provide cost-effective design solutions without compromising on quality or functionality. By streamlining design progress and enhancing communication between builders and designers, we’ve supported the project to be delivered on time.”

Challenging site conditions leading to clever construction processes

Faced with challenging site conditions, including limited access, vibration-sensitive zones and a significant 24-metre level difference - we adopted a carefully sequenced phased construction approach to manage complexity and maintain safety throughout the works.

Paul Kwong, buildings leader for Hong Kong, said: “The challenge of the new tower design was to be able to construct it within 12 metres of the operational hospital building. Our measures for managing vibration and noise during construction have been instrumental. The technical solutions we provided were a crucial factor that helped secure our appointment.”

To minimise disruption to the surrounding operational hospital buildings, we implemented several innovative strategies, including the use of cut-and-lift demolition, a controlled demolition technique where specific sections of the existing buildings were cut out and carefully removed using specialised equipment. This meant we were able to maintain the structural integrity of the remaining buildings.

Chemical rock splitting, also known as chemical demolition, was also used to avoid vibrations and noise from more traditional blasting.

Building for the future of healthcare

The structural design features expansive floor plates tailored for integrated multi-disciplinary clinical programmes and enhanced access points. To ensure the hospital was fit for the future of healthcare, we also designed a flexible layout to accommodate diverse uses.

The innovative and practical design not only meets client requirements but will also help to enhance the patient experience ‒ an approach that reinforces our commitment to excellence and providing solutions that align with the needs of our clients and the communities they serve.

Now substantially complete, the commissioning of major clinical services in the new tower at Queen Mary Hospital is targeted for April 2026.