How OpenSpace Helps Sino Group
Enhance Operational Efficiency andIncrease Productivity
The Hong Kong-based Property Developer Found that 360 Construction PhotoDocumentation Helps Field and Project Management Teams Save Time and Operation Costs

Goal: Improve Site Photo Documentation
to Save Time and Reduce Man-Hours

Strategy: Deploy OpenSpace on a 500,000
Square-Foot Project in Hong Kong

As one of the leading property and real estate developers

In June 2021, Sino Group began piloting OpenSpacein Hong Kong, Sino Group is committed to nurturingon their Tung Tau Yuen Long Town Lot No. 532 project,startups and is always looking for a competitive edge bywhich broke ground in 2019. The project consists of twoleveraging practical construction- and property-tech.

14-story office towers above a landscaped podium blockSpecifically, the company’s leadership was interested inwith a shopping mall and basement car park—totaling

how they could best utilize tech to improve construction

about 500,000 square feet.

processes with a focus on saving time and enhancing
operational efficiency.

The field team was able to spin up quickly because of howeasy and flexible OpenSpace is to use, according to Gary

They were hoping to find a flexible and customizable AI-Chan, General Manager (Building Services) at Sino Group.

based solution that would provide smart, autonomous“The field team thought they needed GPS to use

reporting and monitoring alerts to both the field team andOpenSpace at first, but I explained that all they needed

project management team and be well integrated inside
the company, instead of only being used by specialized
roles and scenario conditions.
After receiving a recommendation from global partners
to try OpenSpace and completing their own market
research and benchmarking, Sino Group decided to move
forward. They eventually expanded their OpenSpace
relationship and began using the product on two otherlarge projects.

After imagery captured in thefield is auto-uploaded, anyone
from the project management
team can enjoy it as if they’rewatching a movie or walking onsite as usual by themselves.”
Gary Chan, General Manager (Building Services)
Sino Groupwas to strap a 360 camera to their working helmet andwalk as usual in their daily work, and the 360 imagery
would automatically be pinned to the floor plan,” he said.
By having someone capture the jobsite twice a week
using OpenSpace, the project management team foundthey could review project designs and monitor progress
remotely from a digital device, such as a smartphone,
iPad or computer. This was especially helpful because of
COVID-19, which led to sudden losses of manpower andlogistical complications.
“We were very impressed by the power of OpenSpace’svideo processing and how the AI technology stitches
360 imagery together into one immersive 3D virtual
walkthrough,” Chan said. “After imagery captured in
the field is auto-uploaded, anyone from the project
management team can enjoy it as if they’re watching amovie or walking on-site as usual by themselves.”

OpenSpace is an integrated
solution that suits every tier ofconstruction projects.”

Results: Savings on Manpower and a Key
Competitive Advantage

Gary Chan, General Manager (Building Services)
Sino Group“OpenSpace’s usability and flexibility are the key reasons
we use it,” Chan said. “It is an integrated solution that

Sino Group plans to continue using OpenSpace for thesuits every tier of construction projects, from the client,duration of the Yuen Long project, which is scheduled

project management team and design consultant down toto be completed by 2022. While the Registered Generalcontractors, inspectors and field workers, who get smart

Building Contractor (RGBC) on the project was initiallybenefits and precious time savings on their daily tasks.”

skeptical of adopting a new AI technology, it’s also
become an outspoken advocate for the platform.

Sino Group noticed impact in the following areas:

Meanwhile, Sino Group plans to start leveraging

Enhanced Operational Efficiency: In the initial phase ofOpenSpace on upcoming residential projects.

the project, Sino Group discovered that OpenSpace helps
reduce the number of supervising staff stationed onsite, which brings down costs. For example, five different
inspectors might have once been required to visit the samefloor at different times to focus on their respective areas

Improved Handover to Operations Team: Sino Group viewsof expertise, such as MEP installation, concrete work andOpenSpace as an end-to-end solution and is anticipating

fitting-out works. With OpenSpace, one inspector cana huge benefit for future property management andwalk the site/floor and then share an OpenSpace capture

operation teams once a project is delivered—especiallywith their counterparts, better utilising the time of thefor commercial buildings that may require uplifting orother four staff for other tasks unless they spot an issue

retrofits in the future. “OpenSpace is a true record tothat requires further investigation.

let them know what’s inside the false ceiling and behindTime Savings: Project executives at Sino Group used to
conduct their own regular site walks to understand how
projects were progressing, which was time-consuming;
OpenSpace’s 3D virtual walkthroughs have helped makethe walls and what’s the best headroom or floorspace
they can achieve. This can help accelerate the processof making necessary leasing decisions or business layout
improvements,” said Chan.

their time on-site more efficient. By initially visiting theA Competitive Advantage in Pursuits: Chan anticipatessite remotely via a digital device and effectively getting

incorporating different language about OpenSpace in new

a preview of site conditions, executives can plan ahead

proposals to detail how it helps ensure accountability andand fine-tune the route they want to walk on a given

transparency. (For example, clients would have the ability

day, reducing the amount of time they spend in the field.

to remotely visit a project from wherever they are to“Since OpenSpace renders a 3D experience instead ofunderstand how it’s progressing and compare actual sitea collection of 2D images, our project executives canconditions to the BIM model via another key OpenSpace

understand what’s happening on the ground and choosefeature.) “I see this as a competitive advantage to position

what they want to see before setting foot on-site,”

our Group as more innovative, and I am very much looking

Chan said.

forward to trying out OpenSpace Track, which uses AI toautomatically track project progress and provide insights
to different stakeholders and project management teammembers,” he said.