In April 2011 the Hong Kong government’s policy for new developments and buildings changed significantly, it encourages BEAM PLUS certification. Still voluntary, the new regulations identified in APP151 essentially states that BEAM PLUS for New Buildings certification is a prerequisite to earn GFA (Gross Floor Area) concessions for Hong Kong building developments. It also specifies the maximum GFA allowable is capped at no more than 10%.

It’s all detailed in the APP 151 – Building Design to Foster a Quality and Sustainable Built Environment (link PDF) the key talking points:

The developer or owner undertakes to submit to the BD the following documents:

(i) Result of the Provisional Assessment under the BEAM Plus certification conferred / issued by the Hong Kong Green Building Council to be submitted prior to the application for consent to commence the building works shown on the approved plans;

(ii) Information on the estimated energy performance / consumption for the common parts (for domestic developments) or for the entire building (for non-domestic developments) to be submitted in the standard form (Appendix B) prior to the application for consent to commence the building works shown on the approved plans;

(iii) Information specified in item (ii) above to be updated and submitted at the time of submitting application for occupation permit; and

(iv) Result of the Final Assessment under the BEAM Plus certification conferred / issued by the Hong Kong Green Building Council, within 6 months of the date of issuance of the occupation permit by the BA;

Kelcroft has the BEAM know-how and experience to guide building owners through the BEAM certification process, a critical step for a Hong Kong to develop a sustainable built environment.

— John Herbert, Consultant, Kelcroft