MAHARAJA RANJIT SINGH PUNJAB TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY,

BATHINDA

GIANI ZAIL SINGH SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE & PLANNING, BATHINDA

BUILDING REPORT

INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE CENTRE, HONG KONG

Subject: High Rise Buildings

Submitted to: Submitted by:

Ar. Ripudaman Singh Ananya Ghai
15120004, 2k15
B.Arch., Sem. 8
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DECLARATION

I, the undersigned ANANYA GHAI, student of B.Arch. Semester 8th hereby declare that the project
work presented in this report, entitled ‘INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE CENTER, HONG
KONG’, submitted by me to Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University, Bathinda is a record
of bonafide project work carried under the guidance of Ar. Ripudaman Singh (HOD) of Architecture
Department.

This work has not been previously submitted to any other university or institution or any other person.
I also ensure that my report will not be copied by any other student in any form.

Date: Student’s Signature

Place: ANANYA GHAI

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Ar. Ripudaman Singh (HOD) of the Architecture Department
for providing me an opportunity to work on the International Commerce Centre as the topic of my
project work.

I greatly appreciate the motivation and understanding extended for the project work by my Sister who
responded promptly and enthusiastically to my requests for frank comments, despite of her congested
schedules.

I am indebted to my Friends, who did their best to bring improvements in my project work through
their suggestions.

Lastly, I thank my Parents, who encouraged me to extend my reach. Without their love, help and
support, I would never have been able to complete this project.

ANANYA GHAI

15120004

(SEMESTER 8)

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CONTENTS

List of Figures v

S.No. Description Page No.

Ch. 1 Introduction

1.1 Origin of City………………………………………………...……1

1.2 History of the City…..…………....……………………………......1
1.3 Project Profile………………………………………………….......2
1.4 Site Location………………………………………………….........2
1.5 Climatic Conditions……………………………………………......3

Ch. 2 Design

2.1 Skyscraper Design………...……………………………….............5

2.2 Outstanding Architecture………………..…………………............5
2.3 Design Philosophy………………………………………................6
2.4 Sustainable Design.……………………………………….…...…...7
2.5 The Dragon Tail………...………………………………….............8
2.6 Planning………………………………………………………........9

Ch. 3 Regional Context

3.1 Story Outline……….……………………………………...………13

3.2 Features….…………………………………………………...........13
3.3 Fast and Regional International Transportation System....…..........13
3.4 Ritz Carlton…………………………………………………..........14
3.5 Sky100………………………………………………………….....17

Ch. 4 Structure

4.1 Construction/Structural Design……………………………..........18

4.2 Laying Raft Foundation…………………………………………..18
4.3 Structure System……………………………………………….....19

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Ch. 5 Services

5.1 Elevators…………………………………………………………..21
5.2 Redundant Backup Systems for Electrical Power Supply….……..22
5.3 Mega Cooling Loading Demand…………………………………..23
5.4 Intelligent Building Management System (BMS)…………….......23
5.5 Specialized and Tenant-Friendly Facilities Maintenance………....24
5.6 ISO 50001:2011 Energy Management System (EnMS)…………..25
5.6.1 Plan………………………………………………………...25
5.6.2 Do…………………………………………………………..26
5.6.3 Check……………………………………………………....26
5.6.4 Act………………………………………………………….27
5.7 Cooling Tower System Selection and Operation………………….27

Ch. 6 Construction Details

6.1 Stage I……………………………………………………………...28

6.2 Stage II……………………………………………………………..29
6.3 Stage III…………………………………………………………….30
6.4 Stage IV…………………………………………………………….31
6.5 Stage V……………………………………………………………..32
6.6 Stage VI…………………………………………………………….33
6.7 Stage VII……………………………………………………………34
6.8 Stage VIII…………………………………………………………...35

Conclusion……………………………………………………………………..…viii

References………………………………………………………………………...ix

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LIST OF FIGURES

S.No. Description Page No.

Chapter 1

Fig.1.1 Location Map of International Commerce Centre………….……....2

Fig.1.2 Temperature Graph of Kowloon, Hong Kong …...………………...3
Fig.1.3 Rainfall Graph of Kowloon, Hong Kong ..…………………………3

Chapter 2

Fig.2.1 Arial view of ICC …………………………………...……………...5

Fig.2.2 Another view of ICC …………...…………………...………….…..5
Fig.2.3 Entrance Lobby …………..…………………………...…………....6
Fig.2.4 Exterior Façade showing Entrance …………………...…….……....6
Fig.2.5 Exterior Façade showing roof of glass sheet …..……...…….……...7
Fig.2.6 Sustainable Design ……………………………………..…………..7
Fig.2.7 International Commerce Centre ...………………………..………...8
Fig.2.8 Façade Detail ……………………………………………..………...8
Fig.2.9 Ground Plan Site……………………………..……………..……….9
Fig.2.10 Typical Office Floor Plan …………….……..………………..…....10
Fig.2.11 Typical Hotel Floor Plan……………………………………….…..10
Fig.2.12 Vertical Circulation Zoning………………………………….....…..11
Fig.2.13 Sectional Elevation…………………………………………………12

Chapter 3

Fig.3.1 ICC (view)…………….……………………………………………13

Fig.3.2 Transport Connections ………………………………...…………...13
Fig.3.3 Ritz Carlton (Top Floor) …………………………………………...14
Fig.3.4 Typical Suite View ………………………………………………...15
Fig.3.5 Sea View from a Suite ………………………………...……...……15
Fig.3.6 The Highest Swimming Pool ……………................................……16
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Fig.3.7 Ritz Carlton Spa Room……………………………………………..16

Fig.3.8 Ritz Carlton Ballroom………………………………………..……..16
Fig.3.9 360 degrees from Sky100………………………………...…..……..17
Fig.3.10 Sky100 Led Display Panel………………………………….………17
Fig.3.11 Sky100 Observation deck…………………………….……………..17
Fig.3.12 View of Sky100……………………………………………………..17

Chapter 4

Fig.4.1 Excavation for Cofferdam …………………………………………..18

Fig.4.2 Casting of Raft Foundation …………………………………………18
Fig.4.3 Casting of raft foundation (2) ……..………………………………...19
Fig.4.4 The Load Path of Vertical Loads in ICC …...……………………….19
Fig.4.5 The Horizontal Loads Are Resisted by the Central Core …..……….20

Chapter 5

Fig.5.1 Elevator Arrangement …………...………………………………….21

Fig.5.2 Backup System in ICC.……………………………………………...22
Fig.5.3 Water Cooled Chillers in ICC …..………..…………………………23
Fig.5.4 Service Lobby………………………………………………………..24
Fig.5.5 ISO 50001 Goals……………………………………………………..25
Fig.5.6 Plan in ISO 50001……………………………………………………25
Fig.5.7 Do ISO 50001…………………………………………………...…...26
Fig.5.8 Check ISO 50001…………………………………………………….26
Fig.5.9 Act ISO 50001………………………………………………………..27

Chapter 6

Fig.6.1 Core wall and the mega columns constructed within the cofferdam
close to the ground level.……………………………………..……..28
Fig.6.2 Construction of the floor system from ground to 1/F spanning from
the core walls to the mega columns using traditional timber panel
formwork ……………………………………………..…………….28
Fig.6.3 Main building structure constructed up to 4/F.……………………..29
Fig.6.4 Main building structure as seen in February 2006 with the jump
form for the core walls and the climb form for the mega columns

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in full operation.……………………………………………………29
Fig.6.5 Close up of the gigantic jump-form system for the core wall
Construction……………………………………………………….30
Fig.6.6 Close up of the lower portion of the main tower with the structural
layout and floor system clearly seen………………………………30
Fig.6.7 (a) External View of tower………………………………………...31
(b) Detail of Mounting……………………………………………..31
Fig.6.8 Gradual progress of the tower structure as seen in early to
mid-2007 with the installation of curtain wall for the lower floors
which scheduled for the obtaining of the temporary operation
permit by November 2007………………………………………….32
Fig.6.9 Exterior view of building showing the installation of the curtain
Wall………………………………………………………………....33
Fig.6.10 Exterior view of the entrance canopy……………………………….34
Fig.6.11 Interior view of the entrance lobby………………………………….34
Fig.6.12 Completion of the building in 2010…………………………………35

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CHAPTER-1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Origin of City

 Hong Kong developed initially on the basis of its excellent natural harbour and the lucrative
China trade, particularly opium dealing.
 Hong Kong has emerged strong and prosperous and a vital agent in the trade and
modernization of China.
 The surrounding hills on the mainland and on Hong Kong Island are partly capped by
volcanic rocks, and steep, scarp like concave slopes lead to the inner harbour.
1.2 History of City
 Almost since its establishment, Hong Kong, more than any other treaty port, afforded a
refuge for runaway persons and capital from China as well as an interim abode for rural
emigrants destined for Southeast Asia and beyond.
 Such movements of Chinese people between China and Hong Kong were free and were
highly responsive to the political and economic conditions in China.
 Historically, housing has been a major problem in Hong Kong, where space is limited and
the number of occupants ever-growing.
 Changes in the residential environment between the establishment of the colony in 1842
and the Japanese occupation in 1941 were moderate, compared to those that took place in
the post-war years.
 There was no planning in the earlier days of development, except that generally the British
lived on the Peak, other nationalities in the Mid-Levels, and the wealthy on somewhat
higher ground, where the grand garden houses and large mansions remain as landmarks.
 Most of the Chinese lived on the lowlands surrounding the harbour, where the streets were
narrow and the houses made of wood, bricks, and mortar.
 The houses lacked not only good natural lighting and ventilation but also piped water and
flush toilets.
 Frequently urban development was the result of plagues, fires, and typhoons rather than of
comprehensive city planning.
 However, the government has made efforts to construct public housing and to reduce the
number of squatters and street sleepers in the region.

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1.3 Project Profile

Project Name : INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE CENTRE

Building Type : Commercial Skyscraper
Client : MTR Corporation Ltd. and Sun Hung Kai Properties
Architect : Kohn Pederson Fox Associates (Design)
Belt Collins & Associates (Landscape)
Wong and Ouyang (HK) Ltd.
Location : 1 Austin Road, West Kowloon, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Built Up Area : 274064 Sq.m

1.4 Site Location

Fig.1.1 Location Map of International Commerce Centre

Location Advantages:

 Best located neighbourhoods in Hong Kong

 69-meter footbridge that connects the MTR Kowloon Station with the West Kowloon Cultural
District
 Near to China Coach Station

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1.5 Climatic Conditions

Fig.1.2 Temperature Graph of Kowloon, Hong Kong

Fig.1.3 Rainfall Graph of Kowloon, Hong Kong

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 The average annual temperature is 25℃ in Kowloon.

 The warmest month of the year is July, with an average temperature: 31℃ and January is
the coldest month in Kowloon, with average temperature 18℃.
 Months with the largest precipitation are June, August, May with 857 mm precipitation.
 Most precipitation occurs in June with an average precipitation 308 mm.
 The annual amount of precipitation in Kowloon is 1811 mm.

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CHAPTER-2 DESIGN

2.1 Skyscraper Design

New York-based architectural firm Kohn

Pedersen Fox (KPF) was appointed by
developers Sun Hung Kai Properties to lead the
architectural design of ICC after submitting the
winning entry in a limited international design
competition in 2000.

The firm provided an innovative plan for

sustainable urban planning, particularly utilising
its specific knowledge and proven expertise in
designing super-tall buildings.

Fig.2.1 Arial view of ICC

2.2 Outstanding Architecture

The unique curtain wall is sculpted into a

series of over-lapping panels for a 'shingled'
effect, reminiscent of the scales of a dragon.
The contoured tail is functional as well as
aesthetically please, designed to deflect the
downdrafts generated by the tall tower and to
shelter pedestrians from tropical rains which
pass through Hong Kong regularly. ICC is
notable as much for its compelling design as
for its soaring height. Embodying the mythical
creature celebrated in Hong Kong and
symbolic of its pairing with Kowloon Station,
ICC is defined by its 'dragon tail'. Taking form
at the north of the building, the facade sweeps
down in a dramatic gesture towards the centre
of the development, creating the 'dragon tail'
Fig.2.2 Another view of ICC atrium.

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2.3 Design Philosophy

The building is designed to

combine the best possible
structure with the most
efficient floor plate. For
instance, a tower geometry
based on a circular floor plate
would perform well in the
wind, but would be
undesirable to Hong Kong's
financial tenants, who prefer
the efficient layout of square
Fig.2.3 Entrance Lobby
floors.

Conversely, a perfectly square floor plate would perform poorly in the wind and lead to an increase in
steel and concrete use, and therefore not a sustainable approach. An analysis of preliminary wind
tunnel studies indicated that a square with notched, or 're-entrant,' corners would exhibit nearly the
same wind response as that of a circle.

From this initial form, the massing

was refined by gradually widening
the re-entrant corners towards the
top and inclining the upper third of
the main facades by one degree to
create the tower's elegant silhouette
and improve its wind response. The
tower's eight mega-columns splay
out three degrees to widen the
tower's dimension at its base,
significantly reducing the tower's
overturning moment, while
providing longer clear spans for
hotel and exhibition facilities.
Fig.2.4 Exterior Façade showing Entrance

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The main facades are articulated as four planar elements, extending partially beyond the re-entrant
corners, and rising above the tower roof as sheets of glass to form the tower crown. Initially designed
as cantilevered curtain wall panels, the facade extensions later incorporated a triangular return to create
enclosed bay windows in the corner offices with direct views of the harbour. At the tower base, the
triangular returns split from the main facade to form distinctive markers framing the lobby entrances.

Fig.2.5 Exterior Façade showing roof of glass sheet

2.4 Sustainable Design

The transport hub is a significant factor in the

development of sustainable urban
communities as well. ICC forms part of a
larger ecosystem of vertical centres linked by
this horizontal network. Vertical density
allows for the preservation of land resources,
which is an especially pressing issue
surrounding the business centres in Hong
Kong, and the overall reduction of energy

Fig.2.6 Sustainable Design usage. Sustainability design for the building is

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geared towards the reduction of energy

consumption and carbon emissions by
maximising its self-efficiency. Sheathed
in silver low-emissivity insulating glass,
the tower's single layer skin provides the
maximum protection from solar heat gain
while deploying a minimum amount of
facade material. The silver coating has the
unique quality of reflecting the heat-
generating spectrum of sunlight, while
allowing the desirable visible light
spectrum to transmit through the facade.
The optical properties of the glass provide
more than three times the protection of
uncoated glass. The shingled panels
provide self-shading of the main facades,
with horizontal baffles in the re-entrant
corners providing additional shading of
the facade.

Fig.2.7 International Commerce Centre

2.5 The Dragon Tail

The dragon tail – the symbolic gesture

of ICC’s pairing with Kowloon Station
proved to be the most challenging
aspect of the façade design by any
reasonable measure. Contoured to
deflect the downdrafts generated by the
tall tower and to shelter pedestrians
from tropical rains, the dragon tail takes
the brunt force of typhoons, which pass
Fig.2.8 Façade Detail
through Hong Kong regularly.

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The challenge facing KPF and consulting engineers Ove Arup Partnership and J. Roger Preston was
to give lightness to the structure and enclosure while addressing the wind and rain. The wind design
load at the dragon tail reached 4.5 kpa – three times the force applied to “ultralight” structures in
Europe. To comply with local building regulations, the canopies were required to collect all the
rainwater streaming down the entire surface area of the tower’s 480-meter (1,575-foot) high façades.

2.6 Planning

The initial master plan for the Kowloon Station Development prepared by MTRC and their consultants
proposed 5 towers to accommodate the programme. Three towers were on the ICC and Cullinan sites
and two in the centre, above the station box. The client, Sun Hung Kai Properties, wanted to eliminate
the two towers above the station box, to create an enlarged open space and increased distance between
buildings.

Fig.2.9 Ground Plan Site

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This required redistribution of the component areas so that all of the more than 231,000 sq m office
areas would be housed in the ICC together with a 41,500 sq. m 6-star hotel at the top. The remaining
145,000 sq. m of residential and hotel
content would be located in the
Cullinan. To achieve this redistribution,
inherent constraints would need to be
overcome. The site for the Cullinan
towers was initially designed for 40
storey buildings which partly relied on
structure of the completed station box.
To cater for the additional building
content, the remaining areas of the site
were saturated with maximum capacity
piling. The new 70 storey towers were
then designed with the tallest portion
over the areas of highest loading
capacity. Fig.2.10 Typical Office Floor Plan

KSD features nearly 675,000 square

meters of high-rise residential and service
apartments, 100,000 square meters (1.07
million square feet) of retail, 232,500
square meters (2.50 million square feet) of
class “A” office space, and two hotels –
the W and the Ritz-Carlton – the latter of
which is located at the top of ICC. This
small city is built entirely around
Kowloon Station, linked by a superblock
podium that spans the rail corridor to
create an elevated ground plane with
gardens, public plazas, and outdoor cafés
on the station roof.
Fig.2.11 Typical Hotel Floor Plan

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Fig.2.12 Vertical Circulation Zoning

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Fig.2.13 Sectional Elevation

The tower’s vertical organization facilitated the construction of ICC in multiple stages. ICC is the
largest project ever to be vertically phased. The multiple ground planes – street, podium roof, sky
lobbies – provided the temporary work platforms that enabled this complex engineering feat to be
undertaken by Sanfield, the construction subsidiary of Sun Hung Kai Properties. When the first tenants
moved in, the south and west quadrants of the tower base were used as construction staging areas for
the upper tower levels.

From this initial form, the massing was refined by gradually widening the re-entrant corners towards
the top and inclining the upper third of the main façades by one degree to create the tower’s elegant
silhouette and improve its wind response. The tower’s eight mega-columns splay out three degrees to
widen the tower’s dimension at its base, significantly reducing the tower’s overturning moment, while
providing longer clear spans for hotel and exhibition facilities.

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CHAPTER-3 REGIONAL CONTEXT

3.1 Story Outline

The ICC Tower is important for tourists. It has the

highest observatory, one of the plushest of Hong Kong's
malls, and has good MTR subway transportation. The
International Commerce Center (ICC) is part of a
planned second financial district in the city. It's an
attraction for both tourists and business people.

3.2 Features
 Tallest building in Hong Kong; 10th tallest in the
world in 2016
 484 meters (1,588 feet); about 220 feet taller than
the IFC Tower
 World's 2nd highest hotel
 World's highest swimming pool
 Hong Kong's highest observation deck Fig.3.1 ICC (view)

 Special Features: good scenery, a bullet train station is being constructed underneath

3.3 Fast Regional and International Transportation System

The ICC Tower has the best

regional and international
travel system in the world.
People in the complex are
able to travel quickly in the
city, in the region, and
internationally.

The Kowloon Station

underneath allows access to
the world's best mass transit
system. The airport is
Fig.3.2 Transport Connections

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generally considered to be among the best in the world, and China's regional bullet train system the
best in the world.

The tower's regional transportation system is also an advantage compared to Central District's. A line
constructed to link Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. People are able to travel to the Guangzhou
South Station in less than an hour. The line links hundreds of millions for quick travel to the airport
and the ICC Tower.

3.4 Ritz Carlton

The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong is known

as the world's 'tallest' hotel. The much
anticipated new hotel occupies the
102/F to 118/F of International
Commerce Centre (ICC) and it marks a
new milestone in Asia's hotel industry.
The Ritz Carlton, Hong Kong is the
newest addition to the brand's growing
global portfolio of 75 luxury properties
and its 16th hotel in Asia.

The opening of this landmark hotel in

Hong Kong is the culmination of many
years of hard work and dedication to
delivering the very best product,
facilities and service in this
international gateway city. The Ritz-
Fig.3.3 Ritz Carlton (Top Floor)
Carlton Hotel Company and Hong
Kong's premier developer, Sun Hung Kai Properties teamed up to create something truly spectacular
to welcome their guests not just to the tallest hotel in the world, but also to one of the very best hotels
in the world.

The stylish and contemporary interiors by Singapore's LTW Design works set the scene for this
thoroughly modern hotel located at the world's fourth tallest building ICC. Its main entrance faces the
stunning Victoria Harbour and designated hotel elevators will take guests to the hotel lobby on the
103/F with a panoramic sea view. The hotel's 312 guest rooms with spectacular city and harbour views
range from 540 square feet for a Deluxe Room to 3,920 square feet for a Ritz-Carlton Suite. All rooms

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are equipped with state-of-the-art technology including Wi-Fi, iPod docking stations, Blu-ray DVD
players, flat screen TVs and more. Club room guests can enjoy round-the-clock complimentary food
and beverages at the Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge. They also have access to a dedicated Club Concierge,
work stations, meeting rooms and Wi-Fi.

Fig.3.4 Typical Suite View

In a move that perfectly articulates the brand's shift in design philosophy and service evolution, the
hotel's dining venues were created by some of the biggest names in restaurant design, including Japan's
Spin Design Studio and Wonderwall. The hotel offers three restaurants on the 102/ F, including Tin
Lung Heen, a Chinese restaurant serving
refined traditional Cantonese cuisine
and dim sum, Tosca, an Italian
restaurant serving southern Italian
cuisine with an open kitchen and the
very stylish The Lounge & Bar that
features stunning crystal fire pits. In
addition, there is a chocolate-themed
lounge named The Chocolate Library on
the 103rd floor and a stylish patisserie
named Pastry Gems on the 9th floor. Fig.3.5 Sea View from a Suite

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Perhaps the jewel in the crown is Ozone

on the hotel's 118/F at an impressive 490
metres above sea level. This sleek,
stylish and contemporary restaurant and
bar will set a new benchmark for Hong
Kong's social and dining scene. Offering
contemporary Asian tapas, signature
cocktails and fine wine, Ozone has bar
and restaurant seating in zoned sections
and the world's highest al fresco terrace
Fig.3.6 The Highest Swimming Pool
with incredible views of the city.

The Ritz-Carlton Spa by ESPA is the ultimate urban

spa sanctuary experience. The spa is on the 116/F
and has nine deluxe treatment rooms and two
couple's suites offering panoramic harbour views
with floor-to-ceiling windows. A world class team
of professional therapists will ensure a spa
experience like no other. And the 118/F houses a
fully-equipped fitness centre and an indoor infinity
pool with LED ceiling displays.

Fig.3.7 Ritz Carlton Spa Room

The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong has one of the

largest ballrooms in the city at around
10,000 square feet. The Diamond Ballroom
with crystal chandeliers is ideal for
weddings, meetings and gala events. There
are also four meeting rooms totalling almost
14,000 square feet for various social events.

Fig.3.8 Ritz Carlton Ballroom

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3.5 Sky 100

Sky100 is on the 100th floor of ICC, the tallest building in Hong Kong and the fourth tallest in the
world. At 393 metres above sea level, it is the only observation deck in Hong Kong offering 360-
degree views of the territory and its famous harbour. Covering 30,000 square feet, it is equipped with
multi-media exhibits describing the history and culture of Hong Kong, and provides interactive devices
for tailor-made travel itinerary planning.

Fig.3.9 360 degree from Sky100

The deck is part of the Kowloon Station

development, along with grade-A offices, a high-
end shopping mall, luxury residences and serviced
apartments and international hotels. Kowloon
Station is Hong Kong's new commercial, cultural
and transportation hub, and sky100 is designed to
complement the hospitality facilities in the area to
enhance the experience of visitors.
Fig.3.10 Sky100 Led Display Panel

Fig.3.11 Sky100 Observation deck Fig.3.12 View of Sky100

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CHAPTER-4 STRUCTURE

4.1 Construction/structural features

 A 76m diameter cofferdam lined with 1.5m-thick diaphragm wall panels was formed to
facilitate the construction of the 9m-deep foundation raft and core wall structure of tower using
bottom up arrangement.
 Basement in 2 levels is constructed using semi bottom-up arrangement due to limited space and
the existence of the MTR tunnel tube crossing within 6m on the side of the tower foot-print.
 Four sets of outrigger are provided at 6/F, 42/F, 78/F and 100/F. Except for the one on 6/F which
is constructed in in-situ pre-stressed design, the upper ones are in fabricated structural steel with
an inner frame embedded in the core wall.
 General composite frame structure is used for the tower up to 100/F, with the central core, an
external steel frame rested onto 8 mega columns which span about 16m.
 Hotel floors from 101/F upward are constructed in in-situ method using Grade 60 reinforced
concrete and traditional large panel form, with a transfer structure at 101/F.

Phot

Fig.4.1 Excavation for Cofferdam

4.2 Laying Raft Foundation

ICC is located above a major fault zone with

difficult geological conditions, which makes
normal end-bearing piling system unviable.
Following a series of detailed studies and
comparison of various foundation types, shaft
grouted friction barrettes were chosen as the
foundation system.

Fig.4.2 Casting of Raft Foundation

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ICC is the first private development in Hong Kong

that has adopted this special system to enhance the
friction capacity of the piles. A designed volume
of cement grout was injected into the soil-pile
interface to improve the contact between the
barrettes and the surrounding soil. The lateral
pressure, due to this injection grouting, compacted
the surrounding soil at the interface, which was
softened or loosened during trench excavation.
With this enhancement in the lateral pressure, the
Fig.4.3 Casting of raft foundation (2)
frictional capacity of the barrettes has been
significantly increased.

4.3 Structural System

The structural system for the International

Commerce Centre consists of a "reinforced-
concrete central core and an eight-mega-
column structure for its square donut plan. The
central core is connected to the outer mega-
columns via outrigger trusses that are located
on four different floors.

The lowest outrigger truss is made of pre-

stressed concrete, but the upper three trusses are
made of structural steel. The engineers faced a
challenge when designing the foundation of the
ICC due to saturated soil and "cliff-like
bedrock," so they had to implement "shaft-
grouted friction barrettes.

The Foundation Load is fairly large for the ICC,

so the type of foundation needs to take into
consideration the large load and the
geotechnical surroundings of the site.
Geotechnical engineers would need to come Fig.4.1 The Load Path of Vertical Loads in ICC

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and take soil borings and form a report to give

their recommendations on the site. If the site is
saturated with water or has a very deep bed
rock, the structural engineers have to think
about how deep and how wide the footings or
piles need to be.

Another challenge faced when designing the

structural system for the ICC was the load due
to wind. There were notched corners
incorporated into the design to decrease "vortex
shedding."

The applied vertical loads that act on the

structural system of the International
Commerce Centre will first travel along the
span of the metal deck on each floor. They then
will be placed vertically down upon the central
reinforced core and the eight mega-columns.
After reaching the bottom floor, the loads will
then be transferred to the adjacent soil via the
friction barrettes, see Figure 4.1. The applied
lateral loads on the ICC structural system are
Fig.4.2 The Horizontal Loads Are Resisted by the
resisted by the shear walls of the internal Central Core
concrete core. To make this clearer, Figure 4.2
is shown with a "truss-like" system. Although this is not what the system will look like in the ICC,
displaying the horizontal loading this way makes it easier to understand that a shear walls acts similarly
to a steel braced frame.

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CHAPTER-5 SERVICES

5.1 Elevators

Commuters approaching by metro or Airport Express are led through the Elements shopping mall to
arrive in the tower atrium, where a three-tier system of cascading escalators divides the office
population evenly between local and shuttle elevators, upper deck and lower deck. ICC features the
latest in elevator technology, including the world’s first application of destination-dispatch, double
deck elevators.

Fig.5.1 Elevator Arrangement

An integrated building operating system linking the turnstile smartcard reader to the dispatch system
assigns commuters to the elevator that will transport them to their assigned floor in the shortest interval.
To address the tower’s immense population and multiple functions, vehicular drop-offs are organized
vertically in multiple layers. Buses and public vehicles enter at street level, while an elevated station
perimeter road provides access to the different transport modes.

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5.2 Redundant Backup Systems for the Electrical Power Supply

Since more than 90% of tenants in ICC are international banks that conduct 24/7 operations, addressing
the power consumption of the building has been and will be the ICC management team’s top priority.
With most of the tenants primarily engaged in international finance, the reliability of electricity supply
and air conditioning are of topmost importance under all conditions. The service level agreement
between ICC and tenants includes non-stop air-conditioning in certain areas and guaranteed
availability of some passenger elevators at all times, providing more than 8 hours of emergency power
backup, a backup system for the backup power supply as well as 2N power supply systems.

Fig.5.2 Backup System in ICC

To ensure the reliability and sustainability of power, 68 sets of 1.5-2.0 MVA dry type transformers are
used to meet an overall power demand of more than 70 MVA. Substations spreading over 8 mechanical
floors of the building and Dual Risers for Low Voltage and Extra Low Voltage devices and
telecommunication systems were installed. Additionally, there were 39 emergency generators installed
for backing up all the significant services in ICC like fire services, essential plants and high voltage
chillers in case of emergency. The building has an auto fuel supply system to maintain the diesel fuel
supply to the backup generators. On top of that, the ICC management team has developed a special,
manual transport system to deliver fuel to all required generators.

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5.3 Mega Cooling Loading Demand

In order to fulfil the cooling demand requirement, high voltage (11 kV) water- cooled chillers, double
deck indoor cooling towers and numerous heat exchangers are installed. ICC’s air conditioning system
is equipped with a centralized intelligent control system that collects and analyses operational data
day-and-night and evaluates seasonal variations.

Fig.5.3 Water Cooled Chillers in ICC

This provides data for the adjustment of various control parameters of the air conditioning system for
energy efficiency control. With this system, energy consumption can be 15% lower compared to
general office buildings without such an application.

5.4 Intelligent Building Management System (BMS)

A state-of-the-art computerized system manages and controls the ventilation and energy usage in the
building. Air conditioning usage and airflow are being adjusted remotely while lighting and various
electrical consumption levels are being monitored by a Building Management System (BMS).

The BMS helps ICC to be more environmentally friendly with the smart building system control
function. The system consists of four main servers with over 1,000 outstations and a network hub
connecting all the control and monitoring devices. The system interfaces with major building systems
like MVAC, electrical, lighting, fire services, plumbing and drainage.

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5.5 Specialized and Tenant-Friendly Facilities Maintenance

Under the Technical In-charge, the ICC technical team has seven professionally qualified technical
managers. With assistance from staff and qualified contractors, each technical manager accounts for
one special aspect of the building’s facilities. All facilities maintenance works are carried out during
non-business hours to keep disturbance to tenants minimal.

Fig.5.4 Service Lobby

The maintenance of the elevator system is used as an example. Weekly and overnight maintenance are
conducted for the majority of the elevators to maintain system reliability. An in-house elevator expert
from the elevator manufacturer was deployed to monitor and review the elevator and escalator
operations regularly. Under the Check program, every day the elevators are checked by the on-site
elevator technicians, double-checked by the on-site elevator service manager and then checked by the
in-house elevator expert. Furthermore, the building sway system provides three levels of safety
operation to allow the elevators to run during adverse weather such as a heavy storm. Also, the database
of the elevator access card system is backed up on a daily basis. This is done to maintain proper records
of building occupants for security and other reasons.

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5.6 ISO 50001:2011 Energy Management System (EnMS)

In light of the huge energy demand for the

building’s daily operation, maintaining the
optimal energy performance of ICC is crucial.
The ICC maintenance team has set up a task
force team to optimize the energy use in ICC as
well as supporting the company’s policy on
environmental protection and sustainable
development. On September 20, 2011, ICC was
the first Hong Kong commercial property
awarded the ISO 50001:2011 Energy
Management System Certification by the Hong
Kong Quality Assurance Agency (HKQAA).
The ICC management team is governed by ISO Fig.5.5 ISO 50001 Goals
50001 Energy Management System (EnMS),
i.e., a model based on the Plan- Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle to monitor and continually improve the
building’s energy performance.

5.6.1 Plan

ICC establishes an energy policy and energy

objective for its commitment to continual energy
improvement and compliance of legal and other
requirements in relation to its energy uses,
consumption and efficiency. Based on the data
from the Power Monitoring System (PMS),
studies are conducted to identify areas of
significant energy use and set up the baseline as
well as energy performance indicators (EnPI). Fig.5.6 Plan in ISO 50001

Mechanical ventilation and air conditioning (MVAC), electrical lighting as well as elevator and
escalator system are the three significant energy uses which occupy approximately 65%, 22% and 13%
of total energy consumption of ICC. The baseline and EnPI are important factors for ICC to assess its
energy performance. In 2014, a 5% energy reduction was targeted over a baseline year (2012), and a
series of action plans in relation to energy saving opportunities were made.

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5.6.2 Do

ICC implements various energy

saving action plans in order to
achieve the annual target. The action
plans include shortening the
operating hours of AHU & exhaust
air fans, the ICC Celsius 26
campaign that raises indoor
temperature settings in common
areas from 24°C to 26°C, switching
off normal lighting for common
Fig.5.7 Do ISO 50001
areas during non-office hours,
replacement of MR16 with LED in bathrooms, turning off normal lighting for corridors at 8 mechanical
floors as well as reduction of one 18W lamp from two. In order to enhance energy performance of the
MVAC system and reduce the energy consumption, ICC has worked with the Hong Kong Polytechnic
University to implement various energy optimization strategies for the chiller plant system of ICC.

5.6.3 Check

ICC performs regular checking and

internal audits to monitor the energy
performance of ICC effectively. In
the regular review meeting, several
items are reviewed and monitored,
including all significant energy uses
and their performance, relevant
variables related to significant
energy uses, EnPI, energy record
and analysis as well as the Fig.5.8 Check ISO 50001
effectiveness of the action plans.
Internal audits are carried out by third parties so as to ensure effective implementation of EnMS in
ICC and identify the nonconformities and opportunities for improvement of EnMS. With regular
reviews of the facilities’ operations and close monitoring of their energy usages via routine checking
and energy performance review, the efficiency of the action plans can be verified.

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5.6.4 Act

In addition to regular review meetings,

ICC holds meeting with top management
to review the whole EnMS annually. It is
the opportunity for top management to
ensure the suitability, adequacy and
effectiveness of the EnMS in ICC.
Through evaluation of the energy
performance of EnMS against energy
policy, objectives and targets,
unsatisfactory or further improvement areas Fig.5.9 Act ISO 50001
can be spotted. Improvement plans would be
developed and followed up to ensure the sustainable enhancement of the energy management system.

Through the successful implementation of ISO 50001 Energy Management, over 10 million kWh of
energy were conserved from 2012 to 2014, and an energy savings of over 6 million kWh in 2013 and
another 3.8 million kWh in 2014 was achieved. During this time, there was no significant change in
the occupancy rate, operating hours of systems and average outdoor temperature for each year. This
represents a CO2 emission reduction by 4.2 million kg in 2013 and another 2.66 million kg was
achieved in 2014.

5.7 Cooling Tower System Selection and Operation

The objective function in this strategy is to minimize the instantaneous total power consumption of the
chillers and both types of cooling towers. All the cooling tower fans were revised from two-speed
(two- stage) to variable speed using Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) for energy savings. Furthermore,
a reduction in minimum operating frequency from 37 Hz to 20 Hz was confirmed and implemented.
Based on the commissioning test results, such lower operating frequency and the use of VFD can
provide an annual energy savings up to 2.36 million kWh. The payback period for those added VFD
is less than 1 year.

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CHAPTER-6 CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

6.1 Stage I

Fig.6.1 Core wall and the mega columns constructed within

the cofferdam close to the ground level.

Fig.6.2 Construction of the floor system from ground to 1/F spanning from the core wall to
the mega columns using traditional timber panel formwork.

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6.2 Stage II

Fig.6.3 Main building structure constructed up to 4/F.

Fig.6.4 Main building structure as seen in February 2006 with the jump form for the core wall
and the climb form for the mega columns in full operation.

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6.3 Stage III

Fig.6.5 Close up of the gigantic jump-form system for the core wall construction

Fig.6.6 Close up of the lower portion of the main tower with the structural layout and
floor system clearly seen.

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6.4 Stage IV

Fig.6.7 (a) External View of tower

Fig.6.7 (a) & (b) In order to facilitate the lifting

of huge amount of materials to support the
construction, besides the provision of 4 sets of
tower cranes and a concrete boom mounted on
the top of the core, a temporary access tower
with link bridge constructed in steel is also
installed for the lifting of workers and
materials. Fig.6.7 (a) shows the external view
of the access tower and the material hoist.
Fig.6.7 (b) shows the detail of the mounting.

Fig.6.7 (b) Detail of Mounting

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6.5 Stage V

Fig.6.8 Gradual progress of the tower structure as seen in early to mid-2007

with the installation of curtain wall for the lower floors which
scheduled for the obtaining of the temporary operation
permit by November 2007.

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6.6 Stage VI

Fig.6.9 Exterior view of building showing the installation of the curtain wall

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6.7 Stage VII

Fig.6.10 Exterior view of the entrance canopy. On the left of the canopy is the vehicular drop-off
platform which was opened after the obtaining of the temporary operation permit
in November 2007. A work access way and material loading area was provided
on the right, fenced by hoarding, to support the construction work for the
remaining portion of the tower structure until its handling over in mid-2010.

Fig.6.11 Interior view of the entrance lobby (inside the canopy) as seen in June 2008.
The tower by the time was leased and in use under a temporary operation permit.

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6.8 Stage VIII

Fig.6.12 Completion of the building in 2010.

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CONCLUSION

 More than an iconic statement, ICC fundamentally alters the way tall buildings are seen today.
 ICC, through its economy of structure, scale, and form, achieves a balance of efficiency and
artistry.
 As a development, ICC is a strategic real estate success that lives up to the building’s name.
 Its understated elegance speaks to a future of tall buildings that need neither twist nor strain to
achieve new heights and lasting relevance.
 Concluding the project, ICC has some following highlighted facts:
 It is the world's 11th tallest building by height, world's fifth tallest building by number
of floors, as well as the tallest building in Hong Kong.
 Known in development as Union Square Phase 7, its current name was officially
announced in 2005.
 ICC is one of the largest projects ever to be vertically phased.
 To address the tower’s immense population and multiple functions, vehicular drop-
offs are organized vertically in multiple layers.
 ICC is a virtual city within a city.
 The dragon tail – the symbolic gesture of ICC’s pairing with Kowloon Station – proved
to be the most challenging aspect of the façade design by any reasonable measure.
 Rather than objects in isolation, transit integrated tall buildings represent a sustainable
model for future high-rise development.
 Private vehicles ascend to the station roof, where an exclusive drop-off for the office
anchor tenants and the Ritz-Carlton Hotel are sited on the promontory overlooking
Victoria Harbour.
 Soaring 484 meters (1588 feet) above Victoria Harbour, the International Commerce Centre
(ICC) is the essence of Hong Kong in one destination: high-powered finance, global tourism,
luxury shopping and world-class hospitality, all gathered in a single tower built over a
sophisticated transportation network spanning the Pearl River Delta.

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REFERENCES

 LUK, J., LAU, J., and MAK, T. 2006. “The International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong: A
Developer’s Perspective.” CTBUH Review, Summer 2006.
 http://www.ctbuh.org/papers/icchongkong/exemplaryperformance
 http://www.ctbuh.org/papers/casestudy/internationalcommercecentre
 CTBUH Journal, 2010, Issue IV
 http://personal.cityu.edu.hk/~bswmwong/pl/pdf/icc_full_jun_08.pdf
 http://global.ctbuh.org/resources/papers/download/11-case-study-hong-kong-international-
commerce-centre.pdf
 http://www.building.com.hk/feature/2011_0517icc.pdf
 https://sites.google.com/site/intlcommerceae390/strc
 https://www.archdaily.com/250681/international-commerce-centre-kpf

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