NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

PM5106 DESIGN MANAGEMENT

Semester 1, AY2013/2014

Time Allowed : 2 Hours

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

1. This examination paper contains FOUR questions and comprises FIVE printed
pages.

2. Candidates must attempt ALL questions.

3. The total mark for this paper is 60.

4. This is an OPEN BOOK examination.

5. The examiner for this module is JASON TEOU.

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General Information
Mr Thein Han acquired a land parcel in Yangon, Myanmar in 2010. The land parcel is
located near city centre along Kaba Aye Pagoda Road. He had appointed the following
consultants:

a) Mr Aung Myint, the Architect,

b) Mr Zaw, the Civil & Structural Engineer;
c) Ms Marla, the Mechanical & Electrical Engineer;
d) Mr Kyaw Aung, the Quantity Surveyor

The architect designed a 2-star hotel for Thein Han. The design parameters of the hotel
are shown below:

No. Design Parameters

01 Number of storey 20 (maximum allowable number of storey is 25)
02 Number of rooms 300
Comprises of:
Studio unit 200
Deluxe room 50
Super Deluxe room 50
03 Carpark provision None
04 Banquet hall Seating capacity 200
05 Retail space (ground floor) 200 sqm

The international hotel group, Stargreen, approached Thein Han and expressed their
interest to operate and manage the hotel.

Both parties reached an agreement to cooperate. Stargreen did indicate that the current
concept design does not meet their requirements and changes would be necessary to
meet the standards of a 4-star hotel. Thein Han is willing to make the changes to ensure
the hotel is constructed to meet Stargreens requirements.

Stargreen has employed you as the Project Manager for this project.

The Development Committee members are Mr Thein Han, Mr Ronald Tay and Mr
Cheng Heng. The Project Manager chairs the Development Committee meetings.

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Stargreens project team comprises the following:

a) Ronald Tay, Head (Investment), SE Asia

Ronald is in charge of Stargreens overseas investment and management
contracts in Southeast Asia. Stargreen is known to purchase hotel properties it
manages, besides embarking on green field hotel projects. Ronald is responsible
to ensure the viability of each project or management contract Stargreen
undertakes.

b) Cheng Heng, Vice-president (Marketing)

Cheng Heng is responsible for the promotion of Stargreens brand. He provides
market research and strategies to improve Stargreens global customer base.

c) Michelle, Manager (Design Management)

Michelle is an architect by profession. She is responsible to review all the
architectural plans, materials and interior design of all of Stargreens
development and hotels it manages. She ensures Stargreens hotels comply with
4-star standards in terms of design and aesthetics.

d) Jason, Chief Technician (Operations)

Jason is the chief technician who oversees all the operations of Stargreens
hotels. He is also responsible for the maintenance of all the hotels.

Stargreens requirements for the hotel are as follows:

No. Stargreen Requirements

01 Number of storey 20 (maximum allowable number of storey is 25)
02 Number of rooms 400
Comprises of:
Studio room 200
Deluxe room 100
Super Deluxe room 75
Executive Suites 20
Presidential Suites 5
03 Carpark provision 50 lots
04 Banquet hall Seating capacity 600
05 Retail space (ground floor, 1,000 sqm, 3 restaurants
second floor)
06 Additional amenities Gymnasium, function rooms, yoga studio,
indoor pool, sauna and steam rooms
07 Soft opening target date 1st quarter 2016
08 Grand opening target date 4th quarter 2016

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Problems began to unfold at the project. The following issues were raised in the first
Development Committee meeting:

a) Number of rooms: Unable to meet target of 400 rooms with only 20-storey
height. The increase to 25-storey height could only cater for maximum 370
rooms.

b) Aung Myint and Michelle have differing views on the faade design of the hotel.
Michelle wants a more modern glass and aluminum faade while Aung Myint is
more accustomed to traditional design that are found in most hotels.

Cheng Heng expressed his views that international travelers and loyal customers
of Stargreen may wish to see a Myanmar-influenced modern design.

c) Cheng Heng pointed out that the current design of the banquet hall seating
capacity is insufficient. This will greatly affect their business to cater for
convention, seminars, weddings and other events he intends to promote. Aung
Myint explained that there is really no more space available unless there are
trade-offs in other areas.

d) Jason pointed out that there are no car park provisions. The hotel needs coach
parking spaces as well as vehicular lots.

e) Jason is concerned about the fluctuation in electricity supply.

f) Stargreen has existing bulk procurement contracts for its beddings and
mattresses, furniture, light fixtures, kitchen equipment and airconditioning
systems.

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Question 1

Explain how Stargreen project teams involvement can be dovetailed into each phase of
the design process, highlighting the impact it may have on the current consultant team.
(15 marks)

Question 2

Jason and Thein Han have differing views on implementing Green Mark initiatives for
the project. Thein Han is concerned about the additional cost to be incurred to obtain
Green Mark certification. Jason, on the other hand, looks at lower operating and
maintenance costs.

Thein Han and Ronald wishes to hear your opinion on this and whether there are ways
to strike a balance on costs and benefits.
(10 marks)

Question 3

You are asked to brief the Development Committee on the main contract tender
procurement strategy. Discuss this with close reference to the case study.
(10 marks)

Question 4

Propose ways to address all the design-related issues in the case study.
(25 marks)

END OF PAPER