Winners of Model Building Competition ride the wave of innovation

Hong Kong’s civil engineering undergraduates impressed the judges of the 2025 Model Building Competition with their climate resilient designs.

ICE HKA G&S challenged participants to create coastal defence structures that could withstand the impact of tides and waves, a real-world engineering problem.

Held at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) on 29 and 30 March, what set this year’s competition apart was its unique emphasis on hands-on experience.

For the first time, concrete was used as a primary building material, and teams had to manage fictional budgets, balancing innovation with cost efficiency.

Sustainability was integrated into the marking scheme, with teams assessed on the environmental impact of their designs, including carbon emissions from materials used.

Participants worked in teams to design and construct two structural models – a breakwater and a seawall – using concrete, plywood, and foam boards.

These models were subjected to wave load tests in the Water Resources Laboratory, simulating real-world conditions.

The competition also required teams to present their designs, cost management strategies, and environmental considerations.

This aspect encouraged critical thinking and effective communication—skills essential for future engineers.

The competition was judged by:

• Edmond Chan, associate director, AECOM
• Terence Leung, associate director, Arup
• Anthony Wong, associate, AECOM

The judges evaluated models based on innovation, structural integrity, cost efficiency, and sustainability, while also providing participants with valuable feedback.

Special thanks were extended to HKUST for hosting the event and to Professors QIU and Ghidaoui, along with their research team, for their support and guidance.