"Can Building Surveyors be pragmatic and romantic?" The above question popped up in my mind while I was attending the seminar on Office Development in Hong Kong organized by Development Bureau in the morning of 12 March 2011. In response to the floor question, the Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam said partly in joke that "engineers are pragmatic but not romantic while architects are always romantic but not pragmatic." My immediate response is whether Building Surveyors can be pragmatic and romantic. In my mind, building surveyors are trained to be able to appreciate all-round technical issues and solutions for design and construction of buildings and the associated problems incurred during their life-in-use. We are able to provide practically technical solutions to building problems. On the other hand, we are equipped with knowledge and skills to consider the financial and societal implications of the problems and our proposed solutions. Beyond that, on top of that we could be romantic as we are not bound by rigid engineering principles or figures. We concern on real needs of people and their buildings whilst thinking out-of-the-box to provide creative yet practical solutions. We are romantic but without too much fantasy! Our previous training has moulded us capable to "zoom-in" and "zoom-out" of the question or the subject so as to arrive at solutions which fix the problems down to details while not losing sight of the overall picture of the issue. I see the strength of BS be described as:- Building Surveyors can plan, Building Surveyors can draw, Building Surveyors can judge, Building Surveyors can decide, and Building Surveyors can manage (implement) I wish Building Surveyors being distinguished from our akin professionals by our ability to make things work in a more efficient and effective way. Briefing on New GFA Concessions Policy by Buildings Department Many thanks to Mr K K Yeung, Chief Building Surveyor; Ms Clarice Yu, Senior Building Surveyor; Ms Grace Cheng, Building Surveyor and Ms Alvina Wong, Building Surveyor of Buildings Department for delivering a briefing on the new GFA concessions policy to our members in the evening of 23 March 2011 at our SLC. Nearly 200 members and probationers joined the event and participated in the discussion of the implementation issues of the subject. Among various new requirements and criteria under the new policy, members should aware of the 2 years' validity period of the modification granted by the Building Authority. Should the superstructure consent for new building is not obtained within the validity period, the granted concessions may be revoked unless there is sufficient justification for the BA to consider. Up-dates on Building (Amendment) Bill 2010 for MBIS Proposed amendments to the Buildings Ordinance for implementation of the MBIS are undergoing detailed scrutiny by the Bills Committee of the Legislative Council. We understand that concern on the potential supply of Registered Inspectors was raised in recent Bills Committee meeting. There was a suggestion to the government to consider relaxing the RI qualification requirements such that technical level personnel such as Clerk-of-works could be eligible as RI. BSD is in strong objection to this proposal as by considering merely the current number of professional building surveying members of HKIS, we believe there exists a potential supply of 500 qualified building surveyors eligible for registration as RI. Together with other recognized building professionals possessing AP or RSE qualifications, we do not believe there s any good reason to accept sacrificing the quality of the task which requires professional input by providing with only technical input. We have submitted our view on this respect to the Building Authority and our LegCo Councilor Hon. Professor Patrick Lau. Guide to Prepare an Expert Report for Application Under Land (Compulsory Sale for Redevelopment) Ordinance, Chapter 545 In order to assist our building surveyors to prepare required expert report for applying to Lands Tribunal for Compulsory Sales of existing building under Chapter 545, BSD has prepared a practice guide to our fellow building surveyors detailing the recommended approach and content of the expert report. We wish this guide facilitating the practitioners to prepare a quality and professional report for the benefit of the public. A formal launching of the Guide will be announced soon. Promotion of BSD Green Building Panel In view of the growing concern of the society and the building industry on green design of buildings and environment, BSD has recently set up a Green Building Panel to take care of all emerging green building issues. This panel will keep our fellow building surveyors update on green issues and explore opportunities for our profession. Mr Kenneth Yun, our mmedate Past Charman's apponted as Convenor of the Panel. In this connection, wish to encourage more building surveyors to register as BeamPro so as to prepare ourselves for provision of the associated professional services in this respect. Members may notice that GFA concessions application may require registration of the Project to BeamPlus assessment in which there must be a BeamPro in the project team. Announcement on Distinguish Building Surveyors 2011 The Building Surveying Divisional Council now invites nominations for inclusion in the List of Distinguish Building Surveyors in recognition of contributions made by individual building surveying members to the profession in Hong Kong. This is essentially the Hall of Fame for Bung Surveyors and criteria for inclusion in the List are: 1. He/She must be a member of the Building Surveying Division of the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors and who have been practicing in Hong Kong for over 20 years. 2. He/She must have either been the President or Vice President of the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors or Chairman or Vice Chairman or long serving member of the Building Surveying Divisional Council. 3. He/She has made noticeable contribution to including the promotion of the Building Surveying profession in Hong Kong in the fields of education, professional practices, services on the Government boards or committees, etc. The Building Surveying Divisional Council shall act upon nomination made by at least six Fellow Members of Building Surveying Division of the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors for inclusion of member(s) in the List. Certificates will be presented at the Conference Dinner of the year's Building Surveyors Conference (25th Anniversary) of the Building Surveying Division. Members of the List of Distinguished Building Surveyors promise to continue to use their best endeavour to promote the Building Surveying Profession in Hong Kong and act as Advisors to the Building Surveying Divisional Council. They may be called upon by the BSD Council from time to time to address issues of common interest to Building Surveyors in Hong Kong. Nomination form may be obtained from the HKIS Office directly or download at www.hkis.org.hk/hkis/general/broadcast/BSD-NF20110318.pdf.. Completed nomination form should be sent to HKIS Office on or before 31 July 2011.