I am Hermann Fong in Hong Kong. I have been in the building trade for more than 30 years. My career development can be divided into two distinct periods: pre 1996 (the early twenty years); and post 1996 (the last ten years). These two periods also in line with two contemporary developments: former – the transformation of Hong Kong from a light industrial city to a world class commercial centre; and latter – the elevation of CIAT from an institute for Technicians to a world-recognised Institute for both Technologists and Technicians.  Both developments made much impact in my career life and shaped what I am today.

In the late 70s, China emerged as the manufacturer of the world. This development made a profound impact to Hong Kong economy. Many of the Hong Kong light industries moved northward into Mainland China to take the advantage of the fathomless resources of labour supplies. Some Hong Kong people became managers or investors of these China factories. Many became trade executives in promoting Chinese products. Hong Kong successfully transformed from a light industrial city to become a trading centre of the Far East.  Together with the culmination of worth, the demands for both offices and housing development rocketed sky high. This was the background when I graduated from secondary school in 1974. Soon after school, I jointed an architectural firm as a junior draughtsman. In contrary to most of my peers (who kept on changing job in chancing of high salaries), I put my heart in my job and stayed with the same company for near three years. In return I was appointed as a technical officer in the Architectural Office of the Hong Kong Government in 1977. The first twenty years in Government I had been assigned to various posts covering nearly all stratums of the building activities. At the same, Hong Kong also witness the arrival several world class buildings and civil engineering works. Namely they are Hong Kong Bank, China Bank, and Peak Tower, Hong Kong Airport, the Construction of Mass Transport System (underground railway), the Tsing Ma Bridge (the longest suspension bridge) etc. These exciting buildings/constructions strengthened my belief that contemporary architecture is built on the ability in the appreciation of the latest building/construction technologies. I decided to broaden my career development and jointed CIAT in 1996.

The membership does not only provide the recognition from my peers, but also provide me a platform to exchange and share experience from others. It does not only widen my horizon, but presents me an international perspective. In the same year I was assigned as a project officer to execute minor works projects (project that its value not exceeding HK$15.0M, approximate £1.15M). My duties included the assistance to client departments in formulating their requirements and planning the implementation of projects. Ultimately I was responsible for the delivery of the projects.  As the matter of fact, the membership provided me with the most needed confidence to take on these challenges. In the last decade, I delivered a variety of building types such as shelter accommodation for witness to crime, infrastructure and basic faculties for a camp site for accommodating around 5,000 people, water sports center (half of the structure located on a sand beach less than a meter from the highest water line), public leisure facilities (i.e. libraries, parks, theme gardens, sport grounds, etc) and public utilities (i.e. markets, toilets, refuse collection points, sewage treatment plants, police depots, etc). The development of CIAT and my participation in the building trade built on hand in hand. The elevation of the Institute from British Institute of Architectural Technicians to become Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists, became the driving force behind me in seeking for the excellence when delivering my projects.