Design of New Territories Exempted House (in Hong Kong)

FRENCH CAFÉ / RESTAURANT FEASIBILITY

QUESTION A

The Hong Kong construction industry consists of private companies and public authorities, with many individuals and organizations involved, from the manufacture of necessary components to the assembly and construction process. The French café / restaurant project requires a registered architect and civil engineer under the direction of a project manager to execute the design and to make sure that it complies with the regulations governing building construction, at the same time conforming to the requirements of the owner. The architects or engineers convert the requirements into a set of drawings and written specifications that are usually sent to contractors for bidding. The successful bidding contractor will be the one responsible for the required manpower such as the plumber, painter, electrician, carpenter and other manpower required for the construction. Contractors carry out the work under the supervision of an architect and engineer who act as agents of the owner.

Current Statutory Land Matters in Hong Kong

In constructing the French café / restaurant, there are certain laws and various regulations and standards in Hong Kong that must be taken into account and followed. These basic rules are the generally accepted technical rules for construction in Hong Kong. These laws and regulations are designed to ensure safety during and after the construction of the French café / restaurant and to protect the building against damage and defects. The French café / restaurant must be constructed in such a way that the public who will go to the building as well as the structures within the vicinity of the building will be safe. Regulations are also enforced to guarantee the owner of the French café / restaurant that the building will be profitable for him in the long run.

Fire protection and security are the basic concerns of many construction regulations. The French café / restaurant should be designed and constructed in a manner that all the people inside can leave the building without the risk of injury and at the shortest possible time once a fire breaks. Generally, it is a standard for cafes and restaurants to be constructed with escape routes and fire escapes, fire compartments and with the choice of material. Operational security concerns the safety of elevators and escalators, stairs, railings and parapets and the installation of emergency lightings. Regulations for operational security also include the alarm system for carbon dioxide in underground parking lots; and the non-slip nature of floor in traffic areas, sanitary rooms and kitchens.

Building Control

Stability and construction physics are also major concerns in standards and regulations. Stability of the French café / restaurant depends on how the building is designed and constructed. The designs and construction methods are govern by these regulations; plans and designs which includes stability calculations and material properties and specifications are checked by authorities and should passed their standards. Demonstrations of the internal structural strength of the construction and safe transfer of loads to the subsoil should also be practiced to determine the allowable maximum load that the building can withstand.

Planning Issues

Construction planning of the French café / restaurant involves the weighing of the project costs and determining the most reliable options, making sure that the project is feasible at the most cost-effective time. Construction planning is challenging because of the changes that must be handled as the construction proceeds.

Financing

The cost of construction of a French café / restaurant in Hong Kong ranges to roughly a millions dollars. It is very rare that an owner can afford the costs without outside assistance such as banks and other financial institutions. Sources of capital to finance the construction of the French café / restaurant depend on the type of low-rise. Financing of the café / restaurant depends on what type of business is going to be established. Basic sources of capital can be through equity finance, debt finance or internally generated funds.

Cost Estimation

Cost of construction of the French café / restaurant depends on the nature, size, location and management organization of the project. Project managers and designers such as the architect and engineer should realize that the costs are only estimated values and may vary depending on the changes, schedule adjustments and site conditions.

Capital cost for the French café / restaurant project includes:

· land acquisition, including assembly, holding and improvement

· planning and feasibility studies

· architectural and engineering design

· construction, including materials, equipment and labor

· field supervision of construction

· construction financing

· insurance and taxes during construction

· inspection and testing

· owner’s general office overhead

Engineers and contractors used different types of cost estimation and should be weighed and compared to determine the most cost-effective estimate.

QUESTION B: WORKS PROGRAMME

Submission /Approval Period

There are several factors to consider evaluating and estimating the construction period of the French café / restaurant. The scope and the method of construction used in the project decide how long it will take to finish the project. The scope of a French café / restaurant requires a short time compared to high-rise structure. A typical café / restaurant can take 3- 6 months construction time which may vary depending on the location, construction methods and procurement processes involved.

Timeframe

Week