THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A FAST-TRACK CASINO/HOTEL PROJECT IN MACAU

Fast-track construction is always essential for the building development nowadays. The investor would like their building development to be completed within the shortest period such that the building development, which has been catered for the marketing trend, will meet the latest economic climate and market conditions before any changes and the investment is profitable. On the other hand, the investor also would like the construction cost to be economic and within the budget. To achieve for both time and budget control, one of the choice to the client and consultant is to consider and identify form of the construction contract, appropriate construction method, appropriate sequence of construction, construction constraints, site planning, availability of labour and equipment resources in the early planning and design stage. The contract procedure, construction method and program, and cost budget is determined together with the finalization of the building design before construction. One of the successful completed hotel / casino project in Macau adopted the above approach. The building was completed on schedule and the structural cost was within budget. This paper presents the requirements, parameters and consideration in this hotel / casino project and the relevant contract arrangement and solutions adopted, including top down construction, diaphragm wall, socket steel H-piles, bored piles, underpinning rock excavation, steel/ reinforced concreted composite construction, FRP sprayed concrete and design technique to combine the temporary structure for construction into the permanent structure to achieve a fast-track construction but also at a economic cost.