Designs for Tamar building submitted

The four construction consortiums invited to submit designs for the government's HK$5.2 billion new headquarters at Tamar on the Admiralty waterfront have handed in their tenders.

Their design proposals will go on public view, the government said, as the tendering period has ended.

The consortiums are joint ventures between China State, Leighton and Yau Lee, between DHK and CRCC, between Gammon and Hip Hing and between Paul Y and Shui On. They were prequalified for the tendering process in May.

A government spokesman said that, given the significance and uniqueness of the project, 'we are also making arrangements for the design models submitted by the four tenderers to be displayed'.

The government initially rejected calls to exhibit the plans, saying that would compromise the integrity of the design competition.

'Allowing the public to view and comment on the design proposals during a tender evaluation stage is unprecedented for government works,' the spokesman said yesterday. The government will display the plans next month.

Views collected from the public will be analysed by an independent consultant and presented for consideration to the board in charge of the project.

But the spokesman stressed the board would be the sole and final authority for assessing and marking tenders and deciding which consortium gets the contract.

The board, chaired by Chief Secretary Rafael Hui Si-yan, comprises Legislative Council President Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai, legislator Miriam Lau Kin-yee, David Lung Ping-yee, head of the University of Hong Kong's architecture department, Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Alan Lai Nin and Permanent Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands Rita Lau Ng Wai-lan.

Sixty per cent of the scores that will be awarded to bidders will be based on design and aesthetics; planning, sustainability and environmental aspects; function and technical factors. Price accounts for the other 40 per cent.

The government expects the contract to be awarded this year and for work to be finished by the end of 2010. The Legislative Council approved funding for the project in June.