On December 24, 2023, at the Summary and Commendation Conference for the 2022–2023 National Quality Engineering Award, the Phase II Section (Plot B) of the Xifa Huirong Plaza West Area project—constructed under general contracting by the Wuxi Branch of the Group—stood out from numerous entries thanks to its superior quality, meticulous construction management, full compliance with statutory construction procedures, aesthetically pleasing appearance, standardized and professional equipment installation, and comprehensive project documentation, thereby once again securing the National Quality Engineering Award for the Group.

The National Quality Engineering Award is established to recognize and reward projects that exemplify systematic, scientific, and cost-effective approaches to enhancing engineering quality management. It highlights and honors projects that excel in design, construction quality, project management, economic performance, technological advancement, energy conservation, and environmental protection. As a platform for showcasing the achievements of construction enterprises in advancing high-quality development, the award represents the leading standard of engineering quality nationwide.

Behind the prestigious awards bestowed upon the Phase II, Section B of the Xinfahuirong Plaza West District project—the Jiangsu Provincial Boutique Engineering Award and the National Quality Engineering Award—lies the collective embodiment of the Nantong Construction workforce’s unwavering commitment to the corporate ethos of “hard work and pioneering spirit” and the national quality standard of “pursuit of excellence and creation of timeless masterpieces.”

Set Clear Objectives, Plan Ahead, and Strive for High-Quality Projects

The Phase II, Lot B of the Xinfahuirong Plaza West District is a multifunctional, intelligent public building integrating hotel, office, and convention facilities. Located in the core area of Wuxi High-tech Industrial Development Zone (Xinwu District), it occupies a site of 39,629 square meters and comprises a two-level underground parking garage and 15 to 20 above-ground floors, with a total floor area of 72,996 square meters. Prior to the project’s completion, the surrounding buildings along Hefeng Road were predominantly the administrative center of the Wuxi High-tech Industrial Development Zone (Xinwu District) and a financial services district, establishing the area as a mature, high-quality hub for technology-driven business, technological exchange, and finance. To align with the Wuxi High-tech Industrial Development Zone’s initiative to enhance the district’s “striking three-dimensional interchange” image and distinctive landscape, while ensuring that the quality of construction works and technological applications meets or exceeds the original project’s overall requirements, the Wuxi Branch, from a strategic development perspective and following careful deliberation at the project’s inception, set the overarching goal of striving for the Jiangsu Provincial Boutique Engineering Award for the Phase II, Lot B of the Xinfahuirong Plaza West District and aiming to compete for the National Quality Engineering Award.

“Therefore, when painting bamboo, one must first have a complete bamboo image firmly established in one’s mind.” As a key project for quality excellence at the Wuxi Branch, the West Section of the Xinfahuirong Plaza project has, since its inception, overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic. Guided by the objectives of achieving the Jiangsu Province “Exquisite Project” designation and the National Quality Engineering Award, the Branch has adhered to a quality-improvement strategy centered on “precise planning, meticulous organization, refined construction, sincere service, comprehensive control, and continuous improvement.” Following an integrated quality-management approach that emphasizes “comprehensive layout, granular management, rigorous implementation, and strengthened performance evaluation,” the Branch has leveraged “Party building leadership, quality enhancement, safe construction sites, and digital–intelligent construction” as strategic levers to ensure scientific planning and steadfast execution, with the overarching goal of delivering a truly exemplary, high-quality project. Throughout the entire construction process, the Branch has aligned with the quality-excellence objectives by signing commitment letters with the project team at all levels, thereby establishing a tiered accountability system. It has also developed a “National Quality Engineering Excellence Construction Plan” and prepared detailed construction plans and technical briefings specifically addressing the project’s most challenging and critical aspects, providing a solid operational foundation for overall quality improvement. In parallel, the Branch has implemented comprehensive quality management across the entire project, ensuring full staff participation in quality-enhancement efforts, rigorous quality control throughout all phases, and ultimate attainment of the set quality-excellence targets.

Meticulous organization and effective measures to deliver a benchmark project.

“One part planning, nine parts implementation.” Guided by the core principle of “high standards in project construction and stringent requirements in project management,” we meticulously analyze each project’s unique characteristics, identify key construction challenges, and then engage in careful planning, scientific organization, structural optimization, and integrated management. We steadfastly champion innovation-driven management and have established a refined “1442” management system: firmly anchoring on “one annual objective”; implementing “four plans” and “four summaries” at the annual, quarterly, monthly, and weekly levels; and conducting “two assessments” at the monthly and annual levels. We have also streamlined the workflow of “weekly meetings, monthly evaluations, and annual performance appraisals,” thereby creating a systematic, multi-tiered, dynamic project control mechanism. Based on progress updates, we conduct monthly performance reviews linked to individual and team performance, effectively stimulating the enthusiasm and creativity of all personnel involved in the project.

During construction, the project team implemented rigorous proactive quality control to ensure that all factors affecting product quality remained under strict control. By employing integrated pipeline coordination technology for mechanical and electrical systems, building space was optimized, effectively alleviating common issues such as overlapping installation elevations and spatial conflicts among various specialized pipelines in MEP installation works. For wall construction, a dual-layer application of reinforced wire mesh and crack-resistant fiber mesh was adopted, resulting in smooth, aesthetically pleasing surfaces free from cracking and delamination. In addition, computer-aided layout and secondary optimization were applied to interior decoration, roofing, and MEP installation, delivering excellent visual results: lighting fixtures, smoke detectors, sprinklers, and other equipment are arranged in neat horizontal rows, vertical columns, and diagonal alignments; tile patterns on walls and floors are precisely aligned, with seamless joints across entire floors, creating a refined and elegant appearance—ensuring first-time excellence in every aspect of the project.

Technological Innovation, Artisanal Craftsmanship, and the Creation of Premium Projects

Throughout the construction process, the project team has consistently adhered to the principle that “BIM is the optimal technological solution for construction enterprises to enhance their level of refined management.” Leveraging BIM’s inherent capabilities in visualization, parametrization, and intelligent modeling, the team has conducted multi-disciplinary clash detection, clear-headroom control checks, and precise coordination for embedded and reserved components. In addition, by employing BIM-based 4D construction management, the team has simulated construction sequences and facilitated proactive coordination among disciplines, enabling technical personnel to identify and resolve clashes before they occur. This approach has eliminated the need for demolition and rework as well as redesigns, thereby saving materials, ensuring schedule adherence, and effectively controlling project costs.

During the construction phase, we organized targeted efforts to overcome technical and engineering challenges, while leveraging the specific characteristics of this project to promote and apply new technologies and innovative construction methods. Based on the proposed scope of these new technologies and methods, we developed tailored process plans and quality-control measures, conducted thorough technical briefings, and implemented purposeful training for all personnel. This enhanced both their technical awareness and operational proficiency, ensuring the effective implementation of the new technologies and methods. As a result, numerous technological innovations provided robust support for the project’s outstanding overall quality.

Thanks to its efficient management and superior construction quality, the West Section of the Xinfahui Rong Plaza project has successively been recognized as a “Wuxi Municipal Demonstration Project for Green Construction in the Construction Industry,” a “Jiangsu Provincial Standardized Star-rated Construction Site,” and a “Jiangsu Provincial Two-Star Green Building.” It has also received such prestigious awards as the Wuxi Municipal “Taihu Cup” for Quality Engineering, the Jiangsu Provincial Demonstration Project for New Technology Application, the Jiangsu Provincial Yangzi Cup for Quality Engineering, and the Third Prize for Outstanding Design Achievements in Engineering Construction Projects from the China Construction Industry Association. This rich and comprehensive portfolio of technological achievements and quality performance has laid a solid foundation for winning the National Quality Engineering Award.

The formidable barriers and arduous journey truly seem as solid as iron. Looking back on the construction and quality-achievement journey of Section 2 (Parcel B) of the West Zone of Xinfahui Rong Plaza, we see that it has been a testament to the relentless spirit of innovation and the pursuit of extraordinary results by every member of our team in their respective roles—a true embodiment of the Nantong construction workforce’s commitment to continuous improvement and the “craftsman spirit.” The project’s success in achieving excellence has added another shining hallmark to the Group’s portfolio, significantly enhancing its construction brand and overall competitiveness, providing further momentum for market expansion, and setting the stage for a new phase of high-quality development.

(Wuxi Branch, Wu Xinhua)