Technology

World’s Largest Modular Student Residence Opens in Hong Kong CIMC Sets Benchmark for Construction Efficiency and Sustainability

Published

1 day ago

December 26, 2024

News Lead: The opening of the world’s largest modular student residence has attracted widespread attention from public. The project was completed two years ahead of schedule, showcasing groundbreaking efficiency and advanced construction technology in educational infrastructure.

SHENZHEN, China, Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — A Benchmark in Global Educational Infrastructure

Recently, the City University of Hong Kong (CityU) held an opening and naming ceremony for the Lee Shau Kee Student Residence Village (hereinafter referred to as “the Residence Village”).

Recognized as the world’s largest modular student residence (calculated by the number of bed spaces), the Residential Village was built in partnership with main contractor Gammon Construction Limited and module supplier CIMC Modular Building Systems (CIMC MBS), a subsidiary of CIMC Group.

The Residential Village was opened in the third quarter of 2024 after commencing the construction work in 2022. Utilizing CIMC volumetric modular construction technology, completion was achieved two years ahead of the original schedule, setting a new benchmark for efficient construction speed and advanced technology in the field of global educational infrastructure.

The Residence Village covers a total construction area of approximately 48,000 square meters, consisting of six buildings ranging from 13 to 18 stories. The overall building complex involves over 1,300 modules and provides more than 2,000 bed-spaces for CityU’s undergraduate and graduate students.

In addition to hostel rooms, there are communal rooms, corridors, rest rooms and plant rooms constructed using the CIMC modular construction technology.

During the construction process, innovative MiMEP (Multi-trade Integrated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing) technology was adopted. The pre-assembled MEP cassettes were integrated and installed in the CIMC factory within the modules before being transported to the site for installation. This approach reduced overall installation time by 50%.

Up to 90% of the aluminum cladding system was also prefabricated and installed in the factory, including the projecting horizontal and vertical fins. The aluminum feature fins were designed to conceal all the external pipe works providing an attractive appearance whilst also providing access for future maintenance.

In addition, CIMC Modular utilizes its self-developed digital systems, such as project management cockpit and quality digital monitoring systems, to provide a “smart brain” for project construction. Through these systems, multiple production processes are monitored, achieving full digital management and process traceability for module production, transportation, and installation, thereby providing strong support for quality project delivery.

Modular Construction Technology Is Addressing Hong Kong’s Urban Development Challenges

For a long time, Hong Kong has faced multiple challenges, including restricted land resources, diversified construction demands, and an urgent desire for efficient and environmentally friendly building methods. Traditional construction methods have gradually revealed issues such as long construction periods, significant noise pollution, and excessive construction waste, making it difficult to meet Hong Kong’s rapidly evolving needs. The emergence of volumetric modular construction technology has brought new hope to address these challenges.

Off-site volumetric modular construction technology adopts the concept of ” factory assembly followed by on-site installation,” transfers 90% of on-site construction processes to a controlled factory environment. In this method, free-standing integrated modules (completed with finishes, fixtures, and fittings) are manufactured and assembled in a factory, buildings can be substantially completed off-site.

This significantly reduces construction time and minimizes the impact of weather conditions and site constraints, while also providing a great degree of production quality control, and can improve construction productivity, cost-effectiveness, safety, and sustainability.

In the construction of the Residence Village, this on-site installation method resulted in a 75% reduction in construction noise and a 68% decrease in construction waste. By using low-carbon concrete and rebar as building materials and replacing diesel generators on-site with grid-powered facilities, the project also significantly reduced the carbon footprint generated during its construction period. These figures clearly reflect the substantial environmental benefits of this technology, effectively minimizing its impact on the surrounding environment and residents’ lives and providing a successful example of green construction for global building projects.

It is worth noting that the successful implementation of the Residence Village project is an important milestone in promoting the development of volumetric modular construction technology in Hong Kong, offering valuable experiences for construction projects in Hong Kong and the worldwide, guiding the industry toward a more efficient, environmentally friendly, and intelligent future.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/worlds-largest-modular-student-residence-opens-in-hong-kong–cimc-sets-benchmark-for-construction-efficiency-and-sustainability-302339243.html

SOURCE CIMC

Technology

OCR Canada Rebrands to Levata

Published

42 minutes ago

December 27, 2024

TORONTO, Dec. 27, 2024 /CNW/ — OCR Canada Ltd., Canada’s leading solutions provider of automated identification data capture (AIDC) products, software, and services for businesses across industries and government organizations, is pleased to announce its rebrand to Levata as of January 1, 2025. This transition unites Canada’s operations with Levata’s global identity, streamlining the company’s messaging while honoring OCR Canada’s more than 40-year legacy of trusted service and expertise.

The name OCR, which originally stood for Optical Character Recognition, reflects a technology that no longer represents the company’s comprehensive offerings. Rebranding to Levata supports the broader strategic vision of uniting Levata across markets under one multinational brand to better communicate the full value Levata delivers to its customers.

“This rebrand is an exciting milestone for Canada,” said Tony Mastrangeli, Executive Vice President & GM of Canada. “While our name is changing, the exceptional service, expertise, and relationships our customers rely on remain the same. Levata will continue to empower businesses with tailored solutions, just as OCR Canada has for more than 40 years.”

The transition follows a successful history of growth in Canada, with OCR Canada joining Levata in 2014. Since then, the Canadian arm has expanded its expertise through strategic acquisitions and established itself as a leading provider of AIDC solutions across industries.

“This rebrand marks the next step in Levata’s long-term vision,” said Dan Nettesheim, CEO of Levata. “By uniting under a single, global identity, we are amplifying our global message that we enable our customers to elevate their potential. Today, we provide solutions beyond OCR and barcoding, we also offer leading technology and services for enterprise mobility, RFID, networking, IT infrastructure, and more to help customers succeed in a competitive and rapidly evolving market.”

To complement this transformation, Levata Canada will launch a French-enabled eCommerce platform in January 2025, further enhancing customer access and experience.

For more information about the rebranding, visit www.Levata.com/en-ca/news/ocr-canada-rebrands-to-levata.

About Levata
Levata enables customers to elevate their potential by providing strategies, solutions, and services that power modern environments. With a broad suite of technology products to enable enterprise mobility, a digital supply chain, a secure workplace, and an elevated customer experience, and the services to move businesses forward, Levata unlocks the power of thousands of organizations worldwide. Levata has operated as a market leader in full-stack technology solutions for over 40 years. Learn more at www.levata.com.

Alana Tufford, Director, Enterprise Marketing
Levata
905-475-5505 x242
branding@levata.com

SOURCE Levata

Technology

“Intangible Cultural Heritage in China” Now Airing on CCTV

Published

42 minutes ago

December 27, 2024

BEIJING, Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Intangible Cultural Heritage in China, a landmark cultural series jointly presented by China Media Group (CMG) and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, takes audiences on an immersive journey where tradition and innovation converge. Through interactive and engaging experiences, the program has ignited nationwide interest in China’s intangible cultural heritage (ICH) as audiences witness the dynamic transformation of ancient traditions into contemporary practices. A new episode continues on CCTV-1 at 8:00 PM on December 21, 2024.

Staying true to its core theme of “bringing heritage to life through people, crafts, and daily practices”, this series celebrates master artisans while showcasing the creative evolution of traditional culture. It illustrates how ICH enriches modern life, catalyzes new development modalities of cultural tourism, and strengthens regional economies through the harmonious integration of heritage preservation and tourism development.

In the Shandong episode, viewers are transported to the Ancient City of Langya in Linyi. CMG host Long Yang explores the city’s heritage districts alongside distinguished guests Shan Jixiang, Chairman of the Expert Committee of the China Cultural Relics Academy and Director of the Palace Museum’s Academic Committee, and acclaimed actress Kara Hui. Together, they unveil Shandong’s extraordinary cultural legacy through masterful demonstrations of traditional craftsmanship, immersive workshops, authentic Lu cuisine experiences, and an enlightening journey across the storied lands of Qi and Lu.

Watch the premiere at 8:00 PM on December 21, 2024 on CCTV-1, with exclusive streaming available on www.yangshipin.cn. Stay tuned!

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/intangible-cultural-heritage-in-china-now-airing-on-cctv-302339194.html

Technology

Thinkfree showcases AI-Driven future workplace at CES 2025

Published

2 hours ago

December 27, 2024

LAS VEGAS and SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Thinkfree, a global software company in productivity tools and AI technology, will participate in CES 2025, taking place in Las Vegas from January 7 to January 10, 2025. During the event, Thinkfree will present its vision for the future workplace powered by AI technologies.

Thinkfree will present scenarios showcasing the potential of AI to revolutionize productivity in next-generation workspaces, including autonomous vehicles and smart offices. Visitors will explore how Thinkfree solutions enable efficient data access, accurate information discovery, key detail summarization, and streamlined collaboration in mobile or in-vehicle work environments.

Thinkfree’s suite of advanced solutions powers these transformative experiences, including Thinkfree Office Online – a web-based productivity suite, Refinder AI – an AI-powered enterprise search and assistant solution, Thinkfree Drive – an integrated cloud storage and office platform, and Thinkfree Intellect – a tailored knowledge management service designed for enterprises.

Deekay Kim, CEO of Thinkfree, stated, ” As the digital transformation of work environments progresses, Thinkfree is committed to harnessing our expertise in productivity tools and AI to drive efficiency in the future workplaces, such as autonomous vehicles and smart offices. CES 2025 will provide us with the perfect platform to highlight our innovations to the global market and encourage partnership that will help define the future of work.”

Visitors to Thinkfree’s booth in North Hall, Booth #8676, at the Las Vegas Convention Center can experience solutions such as Thinkfree Office Online and Refinder AI, with experts on hand to offer guidance on technology integration and partnership opportunities.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/thinkfree-showcases-ai-driven-future-workplace-at-ces-2025-302339522.html

SOURCE THINKFREE