Tell us more about the commercial development project you're leading. The project integrates a shopping mall, offices, a 5- star hotel and a cultural centre. The total gross floor area is approximately 450,000 sqare metres. This project should broaden my experience because I am leading the project, covering the architectural design, interior design, project management ( both construction and fitting- out work) and property management. What were your main reasons for joining CIAT? I joined the Institute, as it was relevant to my employment, as an Associate member in 1988. I became a Chartered Member in 1993. I let my membership lapse during the late 1990s but re- joined during the Institute AGM weekend in November 2008 after sitting my Professional Practice Re- entry Interview. How did you progress to gaining MCIAT status, and which related course did you study? I studied at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and had finished my architectural studies course and was working for an architectural firm. The next logical step was to work towards Chartered Membership. Why did you decide to become a Chartered Environmentalist? Is this qualification recognised in Hong Kong/ China? My company wants to apply for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ( LEED) accreditation for the current project we are working on. LEED is an internationally recognised green building certification system, providing third- party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO ² emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts. Therefore, I decided to work towards becoming a Chartered Environmentalist. The process enabled me to increase my knowledge base and learn more about environmental matters. Has the qualification benefited you in your work environment? This title has benefited me in my current employment, as my company has an Environmental Department and our company's mission is to promote sustainability and environmental issues. How attractive does a career in construction or more specifically, Architectural Technology seem in Hong Kong/ China? Architectural Technology is not as an attractive career in Hong Kong compared to the United Kingdom. This is mainly due to the fact people in Hong Kong do not consider a Chartered Architectural FAREAST I believe there is an opportunity for the Institute to promote the discipline in China AT JULY- AUGUST2010 25 Yau Pak Man MCIAT, Assistant Director of Swire Properties, is currently in charge of a commercial development project in the People's Republic of China. He tells James Banks, Membership Director, what it's like being a CIAT Member in Hong Kong and China. East meets west

Technologist as qualified on a par with that of an architect. In China, they may view the role of a Chartered Architectural Technologist as quite similar to that of an architect because they cannot identify the difference between the two. Do you feel that Architectural Technology is a recognised profession in Hong Kong/ China? As it stands, I do not feel Architectural Technology is a recognised profession in Hong Kong or China. However, I believe there is an opportunity for the Institute to promote the discipline China. Would you say there are barriers to career progression for a Chartered Architectural Technologist in China and/ or Hong Kong? Chartered Architectural Technologists in Hong Kong may have barriers, which come from the local professional institutions. As an example, The Hong Kong Institute of Architects may not consider that a Chartered Architectural Technologist is qualified to the same level as their full members. How are the skills you have as a Chartered Architectural Technologist viewed in comparison with an architect by fellow construction professionals/ government etc? I think different professionals have specific individual skills and expertise. Therefore, it is very hard for me to make any informed comparison. Do you feel you are utilising all of your skills as a Chartered Architectural Technologist in your current job role? In my current employment the wide range of skills I have are not currently fully utilized. Why is this?( We have had feedback from Members in Hong Kong/ China that their skills are not recognised on a par with other Chartered professionals. ( Eg Chartered Surveyor/ Chartered Builder) The crucial point is on recognition of our Chartered Member qualification. Other chartered professionals are fully recognised by the local institutions, such as; Hong Kong Institute of Architects ( HKIA), Hong Kong Institute of Engineers ( HKIE) and Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors ( HKIS). The HKIA, HKIE and HKIS are recognised by Chinese professional institutions. Do you think the AGM held in Hong Kong in 2008 helped raise the profile of the Institute and its members in Hong Kong and China? The 2008 AGM raised the profile and morale of members and CIAT, however, I believe it has not had the impact some may have hoped for. You were previously the Hong Kong Centre Chairman- are you still involved with the Hong Kong Centre? No, I served my term and believe it is best to let newcomers take on the roles and responsibilities. What are your plans for the future? To constantly strive to improve myself as a professional. I just hope it doesn't rain! On the Friday morning of this year's August bank holiday weekend, five recently graduated Architectural Technologists from the UWE, Bristol, myself included, will be starting our journey. Having heard about the Article 25, our cycle challenge is a modest attempt to raise funds. We will set off from London to catch the 6.15pm Dover to Calais P& O Ferry. Having cycled 90 miles to the white cliffs, through the hustle of the city, past the idyllic countryside of Kent we will spend the evening camping in Calais. Now, you would have thought having studied our way through numerous books on the principles of structures, tent erecting would be a breeze. However past excursions during our university lives have identified this not to be the case. Day two begins at a far earlier time than any Saturday has ever begun for a student, past or present. We will pull our bikes back out of the van and replace them with an array of tents and sleeping bags, then set off from Calais, no doubt having left a tent peg or two behind! The challenge continues towards the French city of Abbeville taking in, some scenic countryside. I can't imagine we will struggle to sleep that night, no matter what state our tents are in. On the third day things will get much easier, with only a 57 mile cycle between Abbeville and the town of Beauvais. Last week I invested in a new saddle for my bike complete with gel padding and I believe this could be the day I justify the extravagant purchase! On the final day we will ride just 53 miles before we reach our destination - Paris - after a total of 300 miles on our bikes. Why are we doing it? Article 25 is a UK registered charity that designs and delivers buildings for those in greatest need worldwide. This year much of their work has taken place in Haiti and Chile following the two earthquakes. Throughout Haiti's affected areas, poor standards of construction and deficient materials were the root cause of tremendous structural failures and, ultimately, an overwhelming loss of life. Article 25 aims to ensure the reconstruction in Haiti and Chile goes beyond restoring what was lost and introduces building methods for sound, earthquake and hurricane resistant construction. How can you help? We aim to raise £ 10,000 for Article 25 through our cycling challenge and we can't do this without your donations. Please give what you can at: www. justgiving. com/ article25bikeride You can follow our progress on our twitter page: www. twitter. com/ A25Bikeride For details of how to become a team sponsor and feature on our jerseys, please email: Jonathan. carter@ gcparch. co. uk FAREAST 26ATJULY- AUGUST2010 Above: Five of the six cyclists above graduated from UWE of the Architectural Technology and Design course - Justin Luton, Jonathan Carter , Mike Taylor, Simon Griffiths, Max Hough, Matt Sparks. Image courtesy of Article 25 Kings of the road Five Architectural Technology graduates are gearing up for an epic charity fundraiser. Jonathan Carter ACIAT explains.