The Government's Tamar complex will be one of the administration's greenest facilities when completed in 2011. That was the message from Director of Administration Jennifer Mak who told the media today the Government has issued a Letter of Acceptance to the Gammon-Hip Hing Joint Venture for the design-and-build contract of the Tamar Development Project.

Works will take 39 months and will provide Hong Kong with a new and iconic civic centre and greatly enhance connectivity to the harbourfront and surrounding areas.

"We hope placing both the executive and legislative arms in the site will help enhance efficiency and exchange between the two parties," Miss Mak said.

Green vision: Architectural Services Department Project Director Peter Yuen, Director of Administration Jennifer Mak and Gammon-Hip Hing Joint Venture architect Rocco Yim discuss the Tamar project's office blocks, Legislative Council Complex and environmental facilities.

All in one

The $4.94-billion contract covers the design and construction of the Central Government Complex, the Legislative Council Complex, an open space of not less than two hectares, two covered pedestrian footbridges and other ancillary facilities.

Environmentally-friendly and energy-efficient features include double-layer ventilated facades, green roofs, high energy-efficiency sea-water cooled chiller plants, rainwater recycling for irrigation, solar electricity panels, service-on-demand escalators, daylight sensor controls and computerised lighting controls.

The design also provides a landscaped "green carpet" open space for public enjoyment, which occupies half the Tamar area.

A 3,000-strong workforce will be engaged at the peak of the project's construction period, helping ease unemployment in the construction sector and solve the acute shortage of office space faced by the Government and Legislative Council.

Aesthetic design

The joint venture's architect Rocco Yim said the complex comprises three major parts - the Low Block, offices for the Chief Executive and the Executive Council; the Office Block, for bureaux and department heads, and other civil servants; and, the Legislative Council complex.

He said the design emphasises environmental protection by ensuring proper control on building bulk and height to avoid affecting the ridgeline.

Architectural Services Department Project Director Peter Yuen said his officers will oversee the project and hold regular meetings with the contractor to scrutinise design, quality and use of materials, project progress and spending with independent architects and engineers.

The letter of acceptance was issued yesterday to allow the joint venture to start the detailed work needed to execute the contract. It is legally binding on the Government and the joint venture which was the highest-scoring tender assessed by the Special Selection Board for the Tamar Development Project.

A non-binding Letter of Intent was issued to the joint venture in July last year to allow it to proceed with obtaining planning permission from the Town Planning Board. The board granted permission to the joint venture's tender design in October.

The Special Selection Board for the Tamar Development Project, which considered both quality and cost of tender designs, is chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration with members Rita Fan, Miriam Lau, Professor David Lung, Alan Lai and Rita Lau.