Having gained a reputation as one of Asia’s finest institutions of higher learning, Hong Kong Baptist University encompasses eight Faculties/Schools offering a range of undergraduate programmes. Over the years, HKBU has prides itself on its dual focus on teaching and research and encourages service to society among its staff and students. It has a clear vision: To be a leading liberal arts University in Asia for the world delivering academic excellence in a caring, creative and global culture.
As part of the vision, HKBU along with BAP Technology Consultants have been undergoing a series of Audio Visual upgrades to the classrooms across all of its faculties and campuses. As a valued partner in the region, BAP approached TeamMate at the beginning of 2019 with the opportunity to replace the teaching desks of all classrooms in the School of Continuing Education building. The University already used a bespoke wooden desk throughout and wanted to keep to a similar design for the upgrades. The new desk needed to be far more durable and functional to meet the demands of the upgraded AV system whilst being on budget.
TeamMate then proposed a series of custom designs to meet the clients specification and guidelines. Each time a design was proposed, feedback was given back to allow TeamMate to adapt and modify various details to ensure HKBU were satisfied with the final result.
TeamMate proposed x3 different designs of teaching desks to cover the varying room types HKBU adopted. 46 of the rooms had a standard desk comprising of a 19″ 15U rack enclosure with an additional 3U lockable pull out draw and an outrigger extension module for sitting under. The desks had front and rear rack access with removable panels and completed with a custom cut-out for a PC. Each worktop also had a 1300mm worktop finished in Formica Tropical Blue Matte laminate with black armour edging to suit the aesthetics of the rooms.
Twin Desks were then specified for x4 of the rooms, each with a central tower PC compartment, a 19″ 10U equipment rack and 3U lockable draw. The Final x6 rooms comprised of a corner desk which included a R375 curved rear shroud to form the corner. Each of the desks had to have fixed feet installed to deter users from manoeuvring the desks away from its original position.
TeamMate designed, manufactured and assembled all 56 custom teaching desks for HKBU on time and on budget. Each solution was meticulously assembled to ensure consistent quality throughout. The desks were all put on separate pallets and sent over to Hong Kong, where BAP collected and installed all units across 56 rooms before the start of the academic year.
The finished result acts as a standout project for TeamMate in the region and feedback from the University and BAP has been very positive in assuring that all AV/IT equipment has been installed effectively and securely in time for the start of the first term.
The bespoke desking solution was borne out of the need to upgrade the functionality and outlook of a traditional wooden desk. We had an aggressive schedule to get the school open in the fall and we ran into a number of challenges because of different user requirements. TeamMate provided prompt responses to those challenges and gave helpful advice to fulfil the client’s requests.
All of the equipment that housed inside the desk is protected from spillages and the well-designed cable management is able to keep all cords safe, functional and organized. Positive comments were received from the clients and this sizable upgrade project has attracted attention from other universities about TeamMate solution.
Thanks to the entire team from TeamMate for delivering exceptional quality desking solution while staying on schedule and under budget.
Karen Ng, Senior Manager, Project Administration Department
BAP Technology Consultants Limited