Sanfield (Management) Limited

DEVELOPING HONG KONG’S FUTURE-

READY CONSTRUCTION ECOSYSTEM

BUILDING HOMES WITH HEART

With care, integrity, and excellence at the heart of every project it undertakes, Sanfield (Management) Limited is committed to building a safer, more sustainable, and future-ready construction ecosystem for Hong Kong. Eddie Ho, Deputy General Manager, reflects on the company’s evolution within the context of the wider industry and its goals for the future

Writer: Lily Sawyer | Project Manager: Andrew Marjoram

Over the past three decades, Hong Kong’s construction industry has transformed from a hub of rapid post-war urbanisation to a global leader in high-rise, highdensity construction, embracing digitalisation and sustainability.

From the 1980s-90s, the industry became defined by its innovative land reclamation and slope stabilisation techniques, enabling dense urban development and establishing Hong Kong as a global benchmark for highrise construction.

“My work on structural engineering projects during this period honed my skills in designing resilient, compact structures,” opens Eddie Ho,

Deputy General Manager of Sanfield (Management) Limited (Sanfield), the construction arm of Hong Kong’s leading property developer Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP).

The 2000s marked a shift towards iconic, larger-scale projects, during which time Ho worked on the International Commerce Centre (ICC) – a 490-metre (m) super high-rise skyscraper that pushed the boundaries of structural steelwork and vertical construction.

During the 2010s, the industry began to adopt digital tools like building information modelling (BIM) and modular integrated construction (MiC), allowing for faster, more

TIE.AI – INNOVATION BY SANFIELD CONSTRUCTION INNOVATIONS LIMITED

Safety is always Sanfield’s top priority.

Recently, the company introduced Hong Kong’s first smart scaffolding monitoring system – the Tension and Tilting Inspection Engine AI System (TIE.Ai), developed by its constructiontechnology unit, Sanfield Construction Innovations Limited.

TIE.Ai leverages AI, IoT, and precision sensors to provide realtime monitoring of bamboo, metal, or mixed scaffolds, enhancing construction site safety. Key features include precise tilt detection, tension monitoring, wall tie tamper-detection sensors, fire alerts, and 24/7 mobile app reporting with 3D visualisation and BIM integration.

It delivers near-instant alerts regardless of weather or time, detecting risks invisible to manual inspection.

Sanfield will pilot TIE.Ai on its ongoing projects and offer free trials to industry partners, aiming to make the monitoring system smarter, more affordable, and widely adopted.

It is encouraging that TIE.Ai has received positive feedback from construction professionals, scaffolding experts, and workers’ groups – marking a major step forwards in Hong Kong’s construction safety innovation.

sustainable builds.

As it entered the 2020s, SHKP – like many other companies – was faced with socioeconomic challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the property market headwinds.

However, SHKP continued to invest and Sanfield continued to participate in the construction of several landmark projects, such as the High Speed Rail West Kowloon Terminus Development, helping to fuel the city’s recovery.

Recent years have seen the industry push towards sustainability and integration with the Greater Bay Area (GBA), whilst digital transformation and workforce upskilling have also improved conditions.

“At Sanfield, we’ve prioritised lowcarbon construction methods and explored opportunities to develop more vibrant communities in the city, aligning with the nation’s long-term urban vision,” Ho confirms.

INFUSING CARE, INTEGRITY, AND EXCELLENCE

As a subsidiary of SHKP, Sanfield provides a vast portfolio of construction and engineering services, including site formation, civil engineering, building construction, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems installation, and interior decoration.

It also offers landscaping, electrical and fire-prevention systems, and supplies of ready-mix and precast concrete.

Primarily serving SHKP as its construction division, Sanfield caters to residential, commercial, and comprehensive development projects.

Operating from within SHKP’s headquarters in Wan Chai, the company oversees projects both in Hong Kong and on the mainland, supporting SHKP’s real estate developments and select third-party clients with a focus on quality and safety.

SHKP’s motto, ‘Building Homes with Heart’ - also Sanfield’s - reflects its commitment to infusing care, integrity, and excellence into every project it undertakes.

“Our motto underscores our dedication to quality by prioritising precision, safety, and sustainability in construction, ensuring all projects are safe, functional, and enduring,” Ho prides.

This ethos guides Sanfield’s relationships with its clients, subcontractors, employees, and suppliers by fostering trust, collaboration, and mutual respect.

“We embody our motto through transparent communication, rigorous quality control, and communityfocused initiatives,” he adds.

For example, Sanfield’s Warm Companionship Day partnered with the Construction Charity and Caring Centre (CCFISC) at GO PARK Sai Sha, providing assistance to families affected by construction accidents and creating a mutual support platform through various engaging activities.

The event featured a rewarding beach clean-up and chances to try exhilarating new sports, empowering families to uplift one another, share their unique journeys, and rebuild their confidence as they move forwards together.

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES

Over the past five years, Sanfield has been honoured to receive countless awards and recognitions for its outstanding innovation, safety standards, and quality, amongst other aspects. These include:

The 22nd Construction Safety Award – part of the Occupational Safety and Health Council (OSHC) Award (2021)

• Best Method Statement – Gold award

• Best Presentation – Bronze award

SHKP Quality Raising Suggestion Scheme (QRSS) (2021)

• Gold award

Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) Innovation Award (2022)

• Category II: An Innovative Application of Engineering Theories – Gold award

• Construction Industry Council (CIC) Construction Innovation Award (2022)

• Construction Productivity Category – Merit Award for rotational bridge

International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE) Project and Technology Award (2023)

• Innovation in Construction – Finalist for The YOHO Hub rotational bridge launch

21st Hong Kong Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Award (2023)

• Certificate of Attainment

• OSH Enhancement Programme Award

HKIE Structural Excellence Award (2024)

• Residential and Infrastructures/Footbridge Category – Commendation Merit Award for The YOHO Hub bridges

Its dedicated Sanfield Connect volunteer team was also on hand to provide guidance and assistance throughout the event.

The company hopes initiatives like this raise awareness for families affected by construction accidents and highlight the critical need for workplace safety.

“We deliver everything we undertake with passion, aligning with our mission to create lasting, meaningful spaces across all projects.

“By engaging in charity and community support, we promote inclusivity, enhance well-being, and contribute to vibrant, resilient neighbourhoods,” Ho reflects.

These efforts align with Sanfield’s values of responsibility and care, ensuring it creates positive impacts, strengthens trust, and nurtures environments in which people thrive, reinforcing its role as a dedicated community partner.

XRL PROJECT

THE BACKBONE OF DIGITAL CONSTRUCTION

As a forward-thinking contractor, Sanfield leverages BIM as a central digital framework to drive efficiency, collaboration, and smarter decisionmaking across all project phases.

“By integrating advanced technologies and data-driven workflows, we transform traditional construction phases into streamlined,

Strategically located atop the West Kowloon Terminus of the Express Rail Link (XRL), this project involves the development of premium Grade A offices, named International Gateway Centre (IGC), and a large retail podium adjacent to ICC.

A complex undertaking, Sanfield’s XRL project involved major design elements: HALO RING AND WISHBONE – Four heavy steel structural systems, the total weight of each amounting to 200 tonnes, located 10 to 15m above the main roof level.

STRAND JACKS LIFTING METHOD – To avoid exceeding the tower crane’s lifting capacity, the halo ring and wishbone structural frameworks were divided into 13 modules for vertical delivery before being assembled at roof level, one by one, with the assistance of temporary steel supports.

Aluminium cladding and mechanical and electrical (M&E) systems were then erected onto the halo components and placed on the temporary steel supports. Each halo ring was lifted by eight sets of strand jacks, an operation precisely controlled by a heavy lifting computer system and monitored by registered professional structural and mechanical engineers for safety and integrity.

Compared to a traditional massive supporting falsework system, the strand jacks lifting method is safe, effective, and relatively quick with completion possible in less than one hour.

risk-mitigated operations that enhance project delivery,” Ho outlines.

During the preconstruction and design coordination stage, Sanfield employs artificial intelligence (AI)driven clash detection technology to automate conflict resolution, thus reducing manual review time by 30 to 50 percent.

This is complemented by generative design techniques which optimise structural and MEP layouts for offsite fabrication, ensuring constructability from the earliest stages.

Additionally, 4D and 5D BIM simulations enable Sanfield to link schedules and cost data in real time, allowing teams to run scenario analyses and proactively address potential delays or budget overruns before commencing the project.

“Once on site, BIM becomes the backbone of digital construction,” he states.

Deploying augmented reality (AR) tools such as Microsoft HoloLens for layout verification and quality assurance allows the company to minimise rework, whilst Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled tracking – including radio frequency identification (RFID)-tagged materials – ensure just-in-time delivery and real-time progress monitoring.

“For precision, robotic total stations automate field layouts directly from BIM, achieving sub-centimetre accuracy and eliminating human error,” Ho details.

T+852 2591 0988

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“BY INTEGRATING ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES AND DATA-DRIVEN WORKFLOWS, WE TRANSFORM TRADITIONAL CONSTRUCTION PHASES INTO STREAMLINED, RISK-MITIGATED OPERATIONS THAT ENHANCE PROJECT DELIVERY”

– EDDIE HO, DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER, SANFIELD (MANAGEMENT) LIMITED

THE YOHO HUB – A STANDOUT PROJECT

As the main contractor for The YOHO Hub – one of the biggest transitoriented residential developments in Hong Kong – Sanfield was tasked with engineering two link bridges to connect residential and shopping malls with public transport.

The company’s engineers developed an innovative method to overcome the engineering challenges presented by the bridges being located atop a working railway, adopting the ‘Rotational Bridge Launching Method’.

Two steel bridges were fabricated on the top of the southern podium –reducing rail disturbance – rotated 180 degrees about a turntable, before being lowered onto Yuen Long Station and the northern podium.

The steel-framed circular turntable was designed with high rigidity and assembled using state-of-the-art machining technologies in mainland China. The bridges were resting on four ‘skis’ sliding around a stainless-steel ring track, powered by a computer-integrated, highly synchronised skidding system.

Sanfield chose to work at night to minimise disruption and allow railway operations to continue safely, promoting first-of-its-kind safety-by-design and innovation.

To maintain tight project controls throughout, Sanfield also implements digital twin technology, where live data from drones, 3D laser scans, and BIM creates an evolving model.

This, paired with predictive analytics dashboards such as Microsoft Power BI to forecast delays and resource needs, enables proactive adjustments.

Sanfield also maximises efficiency through lean methodologies off-site, including design for manufacturing and assembly (DfMA) principles, which allow it to standardise modular components and cut on-site labour by 20 to 40 percent.

Integration between BIM platforms and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, meanwhile, can further streamline procurement and logistics.

For stakeholders, immersive 3D models facilitate interactive design reviews and safety training, whilst cloud-based collaboration tools keep all parties aligned with live issue tracking.

“As a result, our innovative BIM approach delivers 15 to 30 percent faster project timelines via clash-free models and prefabrication, five to 10 percent cost savings through waste reduction, and higher-quality, safer builds enabled by AR validation and digital twins,” he insights.

A DISTINCT EDGE

Having made strategic investments in emerging technologies to enhance safety, efficiency, and adaptability across its operations, Sanfield sets itself apart.

QUALITY SERVICE, INTEGRITY, AND TEAMWORK

Genuine Treasure Access and Scaffolding Limited (HKCIC registered contractor number: R008578), is under the group of Genuine Treasure.

(852) 2131 8185

gt@g-t.com.hk

www.g-t.com.hk

The company is a contractor and supplier, specialized in letting and erection/dismantle of metal scaffolding equipment. In addition, our business also includes sales of various types of construction metal formwork and aluminium formwork, hardware accessories and materials

We have contributed as a specialist contractor, subcontractor or supplier with technical assistance, to the construction and repair of structures through Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan since 1972. Founded by Eugene Freyssinet, the inventor of post-tensioning, Freyssinet brings together an unrivalled range of civil engineering skills. From engineering to the implementation of technical solutions on site and manufacture of products, we support each project with the same principles of excellence, innovation, performance and sustainability.

The company is accredited with certifications of ISO 9001 Quality Management System, ISO 14001 Environmental Management System and OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System. Genuine Treasure’s scaffolding products are tested under the loading standard by recognized laboratory centre in Hong Kong to ensure reliable quality. With sufficient supply and the provision of our professional services, we have received valuable recognition and support from our esteemed clients. Our products and services are widely applied in a variety of civil engineering / foundation project, building construction, as well as interior and exterior decoration / refurbishment work.

During the past few years, Genuine Treasure has the honour to work with the leading corporations and participated in many major construction projects, including the MTR extension line, GuangzhouShenzhen-Hong Kong XRL (Hong Kong section), landmark hotel of 60 storeys high, transfer plate of high-rise building, interior/ exterior scaffolding platform, West Kowloon Cultural District, ceiling platform for theme park and other various types of major projects.

SANFIELD’S MiC JOURNEY

• Sanfield subsidiary, Orientfunds Precast Ltd (Orientfunds), embarked on its MiC journey in 2019. The following year, it received approval in principle (AIP) from the Buildings Department (BD) and was amongst the first manufacturers accredited under BD’s Concrete MiC System category. Since then, prefabricated external wall systems, including façades, have become the company’s flagship offering.

• Exploration and innovation continue with the establishment of a strategic MiC development roadmap, guiding R&D and technological progress in three key areas aligned with public demand – a concrete MiC system, a steel-concrete hybrid MiC system, and prefabricated components such as low-density concrete partitions for wall construction.

• In early 2021, Orientfunds launched its first version of a low-density concrete partition, setting itself apart from existing market players by integrating electrical conduits and sockets into a 75 millimetre-thick wall panel.

• By 2022, three hybrid MiC demonstration modules were introduced, drawing interest from stakeholders.

• Between 2023 and 2024, a partnership with Guangzhou Construction Group led to the development of a fully fabricated, fully finished structural concrete MiC system, successfully demonstrated through the mock-up installation of a two-storey building.

• Over the course of this timeline, several proprietary technologies were developed – two already-granted patents and six more in the application pipeline.

• Looking ahead, Orientfunds remains committed to advancing MiC technologies, actively participating in public building and infrastructure projects to further its vision for a high-quality and sustainable built environment.

One key area in which such investments have been made is in the adoption of smart tower crane systems to support the growing trend of MiC.

Typically, the installation of MiC units – particularly large modules –requires between four and six ground workers manually handling taglines, which is not only labour-intensive and time-consuming but also exposes workers to significant safety risks.

“To address this, we developed and deployed a remote-controlled smart tower crane system by integrating automation and remote operation capabilities,” Ho tells us.

Sanfield’s solution significantly reduces the need for manual intervention and improves installation efficiency by over 50 percent, creating a safer environment by removing workers from high-risk zones.

“This investment delivers shortterm productivity gains and gives us a distinct edge in adapting rapidly to the evolving needs of the construction industry,” he excites.

Ultimately, this undertaking aligns closely with the company’s broader goal of building a safer, more sustainable, and future-ready construction ecosystem.

ARTIST SQUARE TOWERS

Situated within the West Kowloon Cultural District, the Artist Square

Towers (AST) project comprises three commercial towers – P31, P32, and P34 – featuring a striking architectural design in which P31 and P34 are interconnected 50m above ground.

Serving as a transport gateway for the link bridge extending from Kowloon Station, the structure enhances connectivity within the local area.

However, the project has not been without its challenges. Due to the four fully operational metro railway tracks and public spaces located directly below the AST site, openair construction work was initially prohibited.

Therefore, Sanfield engineered P31 and P34 to overcome these unique spatial constraints, creating 60m-high steel mega trusses between the towers to enable work to continue.

Indeed, a steel platform above the railway serves as both a protective shield and an innovative design element. The platform is divided into 16 segments – each assembled on-site, lifted into place, and connected together – minimising disruption and requiring just an hour of public area closure per segment.

Meanwhile, a second identical steel platform supporting the mega truss acts as a safety barrier, ensuring stability during the erection.

“Through our innovative construction design, we have been

able to safeguard the link bridge and public spaces below the AST site whilst assembling mega steel trusses,” Ho surmises.

FUTURE FOCUS

Dedicated to excellence in construction, innovation, and sustainability, Sanfield has strategic priorities and goals in place to help it achieve this today and in the future.

Delivering high-quality projects that align with its motto, the company seeks to ensure superior craftsmanship, safety, and customer satisfaction.

“In doing so, we can maintain our leading position in Hong Kong’s construction industry, implementing rigorous standards across all project phases,” Ho informs.

Sanfield is also dedicated to supporting Hong Kong’s and China’s carbon neutrality goals by integrating smart building technologies and sustainable practices.

“We are actively trying to reduce our environmental impact through high-productivity methods such as those demonstrated at the Global Construction Sustainability Forum.”

The company also strives to uphold the highest safety standards and optimise project timelines by advancing its processes whilst investing in its workforce and communities through participating

in programmes such as the government’s Strive and Rise, which empowers underprivileged youth.

Going forwards, Sanfield will continue to leverage SHKP’s vertical integration strategy to optimise its processes and is poised to grow its market presence and service offerings by building on its expertise.

The company will also continue to expand its services for third-party clients in Hong Kong, developing its market growth by exploring opportunities in specialised construction sectors such as commercial and infrastructure.

By adopting cutting-edge technologies, diversifying operations, and advancing its smart building technologies, Sanfield demonstrates its commitment to sustainable growth, technological advancement, and community impact.

“Aligning with SHKP’s vision, we aim to deliver exceptional projects, expand our market reach, and contribute to Hong Kong’s built environment,” Ho passionately concludes.

Tel: (+852) 2827-8111

sanfield_info@shkp.com www.sanfield.com.hk