Pearl SO

28 January 2021 – Self introduction and team meeting

Mr. Barry Wilson introduced the course by asking us to prepare a 2-minute self-introduction, I was really nervous about that because I seldom introduce myself without any preparation. I started the introduction tracing back to my bachelor background of landscape studies then my year-out work experience and at last why I came back to HKU for master. This has given me an opportunity to reflect on my journey of landscape.

Mr. Wilson emphasize on the importance of a self-introduction – an outstanding self-introduction creates a most favorable first impression to others, and enables to meet new people confidently.

04 February 2021 – Are you a Landscape Architect

This session is orange team’s presentation (our team!) – topic on “Are you a Landscape Architect”. During the last session, we had a choice to pick different topics. I was really interested on this topic because it covers much fundamental of Landscape Architect examination and professional knowledge in Hong Kong.

Our group had designed a millionaire game, where we set up questions and provide multiple choice for our peers to answer on them. It was a very fun session because there were a lot of interaction! I really hope our presentation in the near future could be interactive like this session, I enjoyed the process of working with my groupmate, designing the game and Mr.Barry Wilson’s insight on Landscape industry of Hong Kong. It was very meaningful for me.

Highlight of our presentation:

Classmate which has attended our presentation

The millionaire game our group have designed

My presentation - explaining on my research about practical training record (PTR)

My presentation - elaborating on useful resources to better prepare for our examination

11 February 2021 – Where do you work?

This session’s presentation is on “Where do you work”. The first part our peers had a presentation which was very interactive. Mr. Wilson had kindly shared his professional experience working in the landscape industry, and the journey from where he first graduated until he took the professional examination. I really appreciate his sharing because one of the messages I got from him is we should try different types of jobs, see what we like and enjoy. There is always no hurry to take the professional examination. Thank you for Mr. Wilson’s insight. I also did some research on PPE examination thereafter.

In order to call ourselves an “Landscape Architect”, this professional entitles a lot of power but we must also master extensive, complicated codes and laws and are responsible for certifying compliance, quality, and integrity of work. Mr. Wilson also stress on the importance of this professional licensing protects the public by ensuring a baseline level of proven qualification and expertise.

Thereafter, I also did research on the involvement of landscape architect in Hong Kong. Other than reviewing submission works from consultants on LMP, LP, LVIA etc. This tree scanning works was provocative for me.

The Development Bureau has been actively exploring the application of various smart technologies to manage trees to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of tree management showing from pictures on the above. By scanning the QR code hanging on the tree, public can access to tree information, such as their botanic name, species, flowering season etc.

The second part of the class, we had Earth Asia’s virtual office tour visit. Mr. Ringo walked us through the office and types of project he is running on, introducing housekeeping rules at an office setting, for instance emphasizing the usefulness of coherent filing system.

18 February 2021 – Chinese New Year Break

25 Feb 2021 – You are the boss

The presenters today introduced the means of being a boss and struggles that they are facing. It was an entertaining session, they interviewed boss and seniors from companies ranging from small firms to large consultant firms.

Some of the remarkable interviews were from Ivan Valin – VALECHE studio and Andrea Banaag from Aecom. For Ivan, as a small to medium company he shared his endeavor in maintaining cash flow and business risks of owning a firm. Natalia emphasized the importance of network can be vital to our professional success. A strong and expansive network gives us insight into trends as well as insider information on job openings and movement within the company. Though as fresh MLA graduates we were not advised to set up our company yet, it was critical for us to know the essentials for our career.

In comparison Andrea as an Associate at Aecom she focused more on the design aspect. At a large-scale company, job distribution is more adequate. Also having an appropriate circulation of collaborators and tools in the workspace for work efficiency.

04 March 2021 – Development or Control?

The group presentation today focused on “develop or control”. What I got from this presentation was that Hong Kong’s law and regulation on planning procedure is structured, yet complicated.

As an Landscape Architect in Hong Kong, there are many technical circular to refer to, though the major role of an Landscape Architect in Hong Kong government is to review submissions from consultant firms. However reviewing TPRP is another critical task. Thereafter, I researched on the procedure to gain more insight on the submission and to better prepare myself at work. Based on the technical circular document, I look into the procedures of tree preservation removal involved in arboricultural maintenance, along with photo documentation on how they should be done in a presentable manner for submission and review.

I was researching on TPRP and stated from the document of Lands Department - the purpose of the guidance notes is to set out the mandatory requirements for preparing Tree Preservation and Removal Proposal (“TPRP”) for building developments in private projects under the tree preservation clause under lease. The document explains in detail what should be included in a TPRP submission, such as :Tree assessment schedule, an Summary of the proposed treatment to existing trees, Photographic record of existing trees and Compensatory planting proposal. I also researched on TPRP, and look into the tree assessment schedule. Which aligns with many things that were mentioned in the presentation.

18 March 2021 - Winning a project

This topic focused on contract and administrations works. Based on the presentation, I want to extend my knowledge at Design & built contract, according to the government: General Conditions of Contract for Design and Build Contract. I briefly looked into the session of Contract document.

According to the document the several documents forming the Contract shall be construed according to the following order of precedence:

(a) The Special Conditions of Contract (if any); (b) These General Conditions of Contract; (c) Employer’s Requirements; (d ) Other documents forming the Contract.

My self-reflection upon reading the document from conditions of contract from the government, I understand the importance especially whether you are a start-up or an established business, a robust set of terms and conditions in essential and helps to avoid any misunderstanding during a project. The terms and conditions establish a legal binding between both parties.

1 April 2021 - Awarding a project

This session we had an online site visit to South East New Territories Landfill and Extension – conducted by Urbis.

It has enhanced my understanding of government’s EIA, along with my thesis were also looking into EIA, however in the context of Myanmar Dawei. Therefore, this provokes me to research more on the EIA done at South East New Territories Landfill and Extension. Unexpectedly, I found not only the paper documentation of the EIA, but Environmental Protection Department had previously conducted the 3D EIA for the South East New Territories (SENT) Landfill Extension Feasibility Study. This 3D EIA is intended to provide detailed and readable information about the Project. There was animation stimulation indicated by an video which show the before and after of implementation works. Which is very easy for public to visualize the means of impact in this project.

In the 3D EIA, it has presented out major findings and elements of the EIA report, including:

1. Baseline environmental information

2. Environmental situations with and without the proposed SENT Landfill extension

3. Key environmental impacts

4. 3D Visualisations are available

This makes me think, the traditional way of doing EIA seems to be one critical part during the development process. However, with this implementation of 3D EIA it seems to provide an opportunity for public to understand the means of mitigation measures and in depth of environmental information. In which the traditional EIA may not be able to provide such visualization. I find it especially useful in the part where there were clickable maps and pop-up windows that provide visualizations of the key findings of the study Interactive 3D Virtual Reality Modelling Language (VRML) models.

This was the 3D EIA I found during my research talking about the means of putting this document 3D and conveying visualization to the public.

Environmental situations without the proposed SENT Landfill Extension

Environmental situations with the proposed SENT Landfill Extension

Mappings that shows the walk through

8 April 2021-Delivering a project

We had another online visit to Urbis on the project restoration of South East New Territories Landfill and Extension was carried out today. There was detail explanation, and they also showed us their design, site work, monitoring works, procedures. I was always excited about work because as landscape designer, we often get the opportunity to do site work and observation before we really implement designs. I went to urbis’s website to research more on this project and try to understand the scope of work they are doing and drawings that they output.

photo courtesy to Urbis

photo courtesy to Urbis

photo courtesy to Urbis

photo courtesy to Urbis

photo courtesy to Urbis

15 April 2021 | Session 11 Hire me!

We were introduce the assignment of writing a cover letter to Mr. Wilson’s company. As we were taught that the cover letter is an important way to showcase how your unique combination of skills and experience meet the key requirements of the job description. Moreover, it is our chance to show a clear link between your knowledge, experience and abilities and the needs of the employer. We were told that we must try to relate as much experience as possible to Mr. Wilsons company, I had a tough time writing the cover letter as I need to put so much important point together in just a short letter. It was challenging for me to include my experiences precisely and concisely.

While I was writing the letter, I kept in mind of trying to exhibit my qualifications for the job and explain what makes me a good fit. This session has helped me a lot because I have mostly follow the format that Mr. Wilson had given us during the class and sent those cover letter during job hunting and was granted interview opportunities. I really appreciate Mr. Wilson’s effort for spending time on this session with us.