Themed “Empowering Innovation | Sustaining Green | Generating Wellness” to Pave the Way for Sustainable Smart Buildings Worldwide
HONG KONG SAR 16 November 2023 – The Quality Building Award 2024 (QBA 2024) is now officially open for nomination. The QBA, which was inaugurated in 2002 by nine of Hong Kong’s leading professional institutions and organizations, is a prestigious biennial award that recognizes the excellent teamwork capabilities and highest standards of professionalism in designing and constructing quality buildings in Hong Kong, Mainland and Overseas. It has been recognized as the most prestigious Award for the building and construction sectors. QBA 2024 will mark the award’s twelfth edition, with the theme being “Empowering Innovation | Sustaining Green | Generating Wellness” and newly introduced Building in GBA award category.
Empowering Innovation | Sustaining Green | Generating Wellness
In this year’s policy address, the government further promotes Hong Kong to become an international innovation and technology center by introducing various new initiatives, including digital government and smart city programs. Additionally, it incorporates green elements into multiple sectors such as financial technology, public transportation, and shipping logistics. The theme of QBA 2024 revolves around creating a sustainable green smart city, encouraging industries to inject technology and green energy into architecture which aligns with the government’s aims to jointly create a livable city.
Introducing New Award Category to Embrace GBA Remarkable Building Projects
In light of the commitment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to promote the policy of “Housing: Enhance Quantity, Speed, Efficiency and Quality”, this year’s theme is “Empowering Innovation | Sustaining Green | Generating Wellness” striving to encourage innovations for new elements in the industry, accelerating its development. In this edition, new categories for Greater Bay Area architectural projects have been added to recognize outstanding projects from all around the world. Teams from various regions are welcome to participate and witness the birth of more high-quality buildings.
Cr Daniel Shum, Chairman of QBA 2024 Organizing Committee, said: “To align with the development strategies of the Greater Bay Area, this year’s Quality Architecture Awards have not only added a new category for Greater Bay Area projects but also specially invited two industry professionals from mainland to serve as members of the judging panel. We aim to gather authoritative figures from the architectural industry within the Greater Bay Area, recognize outstanding architectural projects that have achieved excellence in design, construction, and innovation, and encourage them to construct more iconic architectural projects that contribute to the urban development of both the country and Hong Kong, laying a solid foundation.”
Ms YU Po-mei, Clarice, JP, Chairlady of Jury Panel and Director of Buildings, Buildings Department of the Hong Kong SAR Government said when encouraging prospective teams during the award briefing session, “We are committed to developing Hong Kong into a vibrant and creative city, where buildings serve not only as living and working spaces but also as carriers of culture, art, and community interaction. I look forward to witnessing outstanding teams and architectural projects receiving recognition. Through the use of architectural technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and smart construction sites, we aim to enhance construction efficiency and quality. Furthermore, these technologies can ensure the safety of frontline workers, while jointly promoting sustainable development in the housing, construction, and urban development sectors.”
Key Dates
| Date | Items |
| 16 November 2023 | Award Briefing Session & Kick off Press ConferenceNominations Open |
| 16 November 2023 – 23 February 2024 | Nomination Submission Deadline (closed at 12nn HKT) |
| March 2024 | Stage 1: First Screening |
| 27 – 28 April 2024 | Stage 2: Site Visit |
| May 2024 | Finalists Announcement |
| 7 – 8 June 2024 | Stage 3: Finalists Presentation to Jury Panel & Conference |
| Mid-September 2024 | QBA 2024 Award Presentation Ceremony |
Categories and Eligibility
The eight award categories for QBA 2024 are as follows:
| Categories | Nomination Requirements* |
(Single Building) |
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(Multiple Buildings) |
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*Nominated project teams should submit a photo and video documenting their project, to be remotely assessed by the judging panel. |
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*Nominated project teams should submit a video documenting their project, to be remotely assessed by the judging panel. **Nominated project teams are not eligible for Quality Excellence Award, Sustainable Development Award nor Innovative Project Award categories. |
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*Nominated project teams should submit a video documenting their project, to be remotely assessed by esteemed team of assessors. In addition, the jury panel will conduct a site visit to the building to further evaluate the project’s merits. **Nominated project teams are not eligible for Quality Excellence Award, Sustainable Development Award nor Innovative Project Award categories. |
* Eligible buildings should possess either Occupation Permits (OP or Phased OP), Acknowledgement letters on Form BA14 or Confirmation letter of Substantial Completion between 1 July 2020 and 30 November 2023 as stated in the submission requirements. Nominated buildings should never been assessed in the Quality Building Award held in previous years.
Award Types
Multiple awards are given every year. They are ranked as follows:
| Award Type | Description |
| Quality Excellence Award | Only one Quality Excellence Award will be presented to a project within the territorial limits of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region with outstanding OVERALL quality that is judged to be the BEST among all the Grand Award Winners. |
| Grand Awards* | There will be a Grand Award Winner(s) for each nomination category. This is the highest recognition to projects at the category level. |
| Merits* | There will be recognition of merit(s) for each nomination category. |
| Finalists** | There will be recognition of finalist(s) for each nomination that has passed the first screening, site visits and presented at the Finalist Presentation to Jury Panel & Conference. |
| Special Awards | Description |
| Sustainable Development Award | This will be a recognition for the finalist with an outstanding quality in green and sustainability. |
| Innovative Project Award | This will be a recognition for the finalist with an outstanding quality in innovative design and construction technology. |
* QBA 2024 Organizing Committee reserves the right not to bestow an award if the Jury Panel deems that no nomination is worth receiving that particular award. The decision of the Jury Panel shall be final.
** Finalist qualification will be usurped if the project team is unable to present at the Finalist Presentation to Jury Panel & Conference.
Honorary Patron, Advisor and Jury Panel Members
QBA 2024 is supported by the following industry leaders as Honorary Patron and Jurors. Jurors are selected from various backgrounds to provide a balanced perspective:
| Honorary Patron |
| Ms Bernadette Linn, JP Secretary for Development, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region |
| Honorary Advisor |
| Ir Dr Hon LO Wai Kwok, SBS, MH, JP Legislative Council (Functional Constituency – Engineering) |
| Hon Louis LOONG Hon-biu Legislative Council (Functional Constituency–Real Estate and Construction) |
| Hon Tony TSE Wai-chuen, BBS, JP Legislative Council (Functional Constituency – Architectural, Surveying, Planning and Landscape) |
| Chairlady of Jury Panel |
| Ms YU Po Mei, Clarice, JP Director of Buildings, Buildings Department, HKSARG – Senior Directorate |
| Vice-Chairman of Jury Panel |
| Cr SHUM Hau Tak, Daniel Chairman, QBA 2024 Organizing Committee |
| Members of Jury Panel (in Alphabetical Order of Surname) |
| Ar CHAN Chak Bun, Benny President, The Hong Kong Institute of Architects |
| Ms CHANG Yuk Kam, Patricia President, The Hong Kong Institute of Housing |
| Ir HO On-sing Thomas, JP Chairman, Construction Industry Council |
| Ir C.S. HO Chairman, Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency |
| Mr KOH Ah Kuah President, The International Facility Management Association – Hong Kong Chapter |
| Sr LAM Kin-wing, Eddie , M.H. President, Hong Kong Construction Association |
| Ir Ma Siu Cheung, Eric GBS, JP Senior Vice President, The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers |
| Mr. POON Kwok Ying, Raymond, JP Deputy Director, Electrical & Mechanical Services Department, HKSARG |
| Mr. LI Kiu Yin, Michael, JP Deputy Director of Architectural Services, Architectural Services Department, HKSARG |
| Mr LIANG Jian Ming President, Guangdong Construction Industry Association |
| Cr MANG Ka Wing, Terence President, Hong Kong Institute of Construction Managers |
| Mr WANG Zhi Gang Vice President and Secretary, Guangdong Engineering Exploration & Design Association |
| Sr WONG Kwok Leung, Paul President, The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors |
| Ir Prof. YAM Chi Ho, Michael Head and Professor, Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University |
Official category details, the latest updated jury panel, and further information can be found at www.QBA.com.hk/ , or follow Quality Building Award social media as below:
Facebook: QBAHK
LinkedIn: Quality Building Award
WeChat: 优质建筑大奖
Please download the event photos here.
Photo 1: Quality Building Award 2024 now open for nomination.
Photo 2: Cr Daniel Shum, Chairman of QBA 2024 Organizing Committee welcomes teams from various regions to participate and witness the birth of more high-quality buildings.
Photo 3: Ms YU Po-mei, Clarice, JP, Chairlady of Jury Panel and Director of Buildings, Buildings Department of the Hong Kong SAR Government said when encouraging prospective teams.
Photo 4: Ir Barry Sin Wing Ning, chairman of Jury sub-committee said the theme of QBA 2024 revolves around creating a sustainable green smart city, encouraging industries to inject technology and green energy into architecture.
