The prefabrication construction approach adopted for the ongoing Macau New Neighbourhood (MNN) residential project in Hengqin has reduced required human resources by around 15 percent compared with the conventional construction method, Macau Urban Renewal Limited (MUR) has said.
The MNN project consists of 27 residential towers, the topping-out of which was completed at the end of last year. Its residential units are earmarked for certain eligible groups of Macau residents to purchase. The project, which is slated to be completed in the second half of this year, also features commercial facilities as well as various social service and community amenities.
The MNN project is being developed by Macau Urban Renewal Limited, which is owned by the Macau government.
An MUR statement last week noted that the constructors are currently carrying out the fitting-out of the flats of the MNN towers, as well as the towers’ external-wall cladding.
The statement also noted that three major types of construction components used for the MNN project consist of prefabricated modules, namely façade panels, staircases, and autoclaved lightweight concrete (ALC) panels.
The statement underlined that the prefabrication approach has effectively saved the amount of construction materials used for the MNN project, including the amount of cement mortar. Prefabrication has not only reduced carbon emissions but has also improved construction quality and productivity, the statement said.
The statement said that a large number of prefabricated components have been used for the MNN project, namely around 8,000 façade panels, 1,000 staircases, and 175,000 ALC panels.
20,000 tonnes of cement mortar, 4,000 tonnes of plywood formworks saved
According to the statement, the standardised processing of prefabricated components has enabled the reduction in the disposal of components caused by errors and miscalculations, because of which the amount of construction waste has been reduced as well.
In addition, the statement said, producing prefabricated components in a controlled environment and manufacturing technology has contributed to a higher quality of concrete surface ready for painting, without the need to use cement mortar for the plaster layer.
Consequently, the statement said, the prefabrication approach has reduced the amount of cement mortar used for the MNN project by around 20,000 tonnes.
The statement also said that as all of the prefabricated components used for the MNN project were manufactured in a factory, in processes comprising rebar tying, concrete pouring and concrete curing, the quantity of building materials could be used more accurately.
By replacing the use of plywood formworks with reusable steel and aluminium formworks, the statement said, the quantity of wood used for the MNN project has been reduced too. In addition, this has also reduced the length of time spent and the number of workers needed to erect plywood formworks at the construction site, the statement said.
The statement said that with the prefabrication approach, 4,000 tonnes of plywood formworks have been saved on the MNN project. In addition, the prefabrication approach has saved water consumption by around 30 percent.
The statement said that as all the production of the prefabricated components was carried out in a factory, workers’ trips and deliveries of building materials to the MNN construction site have been reduced.
After the prefabricated components had been manufactured in the factory, they were delivered to the MNN construction site for installation, the statement noted, adding that this has significantly reduced the amount of construction activities needed in comparison with the conventional construction method. The prefabrication approach has saved human resources required for the MNN project by around 15 percent, the statement said.
The MNN neighbourhood consists of 27 residential towers with 19 to 26 floors each. The project will provide around 4,000 units for purchase, as well as around 200 units earmarked for highly-qualified professionals to rent only.
MNN home sales are slated to start in the second half of this year. According to the MUR website, Macau residents aged 18 or over who do not own any residential unit in Zhuhai but own up to one residential unit in Macau will be eligible to buy an MNN flat.
Macau Urban Renewal Limited is yet to announce the criteria for those who will be given priority to buy an MNN flat, and details on the ranking of home-ownership purchase applicants.
This undated handout photo released by Macau Urban Renewal Limited (MUR) last week shows a prefabricated component being hoisted and installed on a tower of the Macau New Neighbourhood (MNN) residential project in Hengqin.
