Wai Nga Yim, Susan

Cityplaza is a major mixed-use complex with over 170 retail outlets, restaurants, and residential towers. My role focused on the operation, maintenance, and upgrade of MEP systems, working closely with internal teams, contractors, and tenants to ensure systems operated safely and efficiently with minimal disruption.

• Led the CAPEX lift modernisation project, replacing outdated units with energy-efficient models. This involved coordinating road closures, podium crane operations, residential access, and overnight works to ensure zero disruption to daytime mall operations. The project required careful negotiation and collaboration with multiple stakeholders, and I felt immense satisfaction with each milestone achieved.
• Oversaw both planned preventative and reactive maintenance of building systems including HVAC, fire services, water supply, and electrical installations.
  - Frequently responded to urgent issues outside office hours, including one case where an unplanned power outage required immediate site inspection, fault diagnosis, and urgent repair mobilisation.
• Prepared and issued permit-to-work documentation, RAMS, and technical reports to support daily maintenance activities.
• Supervised in-house technicians and contractors, ensuring all tasks were completed safely and within deadline.
• Assisted with fire services annual inspections, lighting upgrades, and plumbing works—often scheduled overnight to avoid disturbing retail operations.
• Supported tenants' fit-out works including fire system, signage, and MEP coordination, ensuring compliance with mall standards and regulations.

I was responsible for coordinating MEP works across six residential towers and basement levels in a fast-paced design-and-build environment. Working closely with architects and subcontractors, I ensured our installations aligned with both client expectations and site realities. I particularly enjoyed bridging the gap between technical drawings and on-site conditions—anticipating issues before they became delays.

• Coordinated MEP installation, testing, and commissioning for residential towers, clubhouse facilities, and external works.
• Acted as the liaison between design consultants and subcontractors to resolve drawing conflicts and technical constraints.
• Oversaw progress on-site to ensure works were completed on time and in compliance with safety and quality standards.
• Flagged and helped resolve design flaws that might impact future maintenance—a perspective I gained from working closely with end-users later in my career.

This role was my first step into the construction industry, and it gave me a strong foundation in building services coordination and site supervision. I supported senior engineers in delivering MEP systems across a 27-storey premium commercial tower, learning how project sequencing, trade coordination, and quality assurance came together under real-world constraints.

• Assisted in managing the full MEP package, ensuring alignment with programme milestones and statutory approvals.
• Supervised defect rectification and testing in preparation for tenant handovers.
• Learned how site-level decisions—such as access panel locations or duct routing—could significantly affect long-term maintainability, sparking my later interest in maintenance engineering.
• Prepared technical submissions and reports, and ensured compliance with Hong Kong Building Regulations and codes.