BTRi Strengthens Greater Bay Area Construction Innovation Exchange Through Dongguan–Shenzhen Technical Visit

On 23 September 2026, the Building Technology Research Institute (BTRi) led a delegation of members and industry representatives on a successful one-day technical study visit to Dongguan and Shenzhen, gaining first-hand exposure to a range of innovative construction technologies. The visit yielded valuable insights and fostered meaningful cross-regional knowledge exchange. 

The delegation first visited the Dongguan Art Centre (formerly known as Songshan Lake Exhibition and Performance Centre), where delegates conducted an on-site inspection of its iconic façade. The project features prefabricated Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) cladding panels, which fully leverage the material’s ultra-high strength, high toughness and extremely low permeability to create an elegant, flowing architectural form inspired by the “water sleeves” of traditional Cantonese opera costumes. During the visit, the delegation held a technical exchange with the ZHA architectural team and UHPC suppliers on the practical application and technical development of UHPC in architecture. 

Songshan Lake Exhibition and Performance Centre

The delegation then visited the air-supported enclosure for the excavation works at the Chegongmiao Station Urban Renewal Project in Shenzhen to gain insight into the system’s core technical principles and system architecture. The technology uses a large air-supported membrane structure to fully cover the excavation area, creating an all-weather indoor construction environment that effectively controls dust and noise while enhancing construction efficiency. It provides a valuable practical reference for green and smart construction in Hong Kong’s urban works.

Air Dome enclosure at Shenzhen’s Chegongmiao Station project 

The programme concluded with a study of the new rotary drilling bored piling technology. The delegation visited the Shenzhen Xili Railway Station Project site to observe the construction progress of rotary drilling bored piles first-hand, and exchanged views with the project team on technical application and construction experience. Rotary drilling rigs offer advantages including high construction efficiency, a smaller site footprint, simplified site layout and reduced manpower requirements, providing an important reference for enhancing the construction efficiency of large-scale foundation works. 

The latest application of rotary drilling bored pile technology at the Shenzhen Xili Railway Station 

BTRi will continue to leverage its strengths as a platform to connect academia, government and industry. Through diverse professional exchange activities, BTRi aims to accelerate the translation and practical application of innovative technologies, and to jointly explore new directions for enhancing efficiency and quality in the construction industry. 

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