Fai Ko is a project manager at Chawton Hill with extensive experience in architectural planning, construction and project management. Fai qualified as an architect in Hong Kong, before moving into project management roles. We sat down with Fai to find out a bit about him and his career.
Tell us a bit about your education and background. What inspired you to pursue a career in construction?
I am originally from Hong Kong and moved to the UK about four years ago. Before that, I studied and worked in Hong Kong.
I graduated from The Chinese University of Hong Kong with a Bachelor of Social Science in Architectural Studies in 1997, followed by a Master’s in Architecture in 2000. At CUHK, we had the option to major and minor in different subjects, and I chose Fine Arts as my minor. It complemented my architectural studies very well and allowed me to develop my interest in drawing and design.
I also studied at the University of Washington in Seattle as an exchange student for 6 months. My time in Seattle was a unique and special opportunity to experience a different culture and visit major companies, seeing what they look like.
Now, at Chawton Hill, I act as a project manager overseeing the project from feasibility study, design development, technical drawing/ coordination to construction stage and handover.
Being a project manager comes with its challenges. It involves a combination of architectural and design knowledge and managing building environments, materials and understanding of contract administration and building regulations. Facing and overcoming these challenges has really helped shape how I work with Chawton Hill. I found the transition from working in Hong Kong to the UK quite natural, as the basic principles and nature of project management are similar. There are different regulations, standards and ways of working to learn, but the fundamentals remain much the same. For me, moving to the UK was also a good opportunity to continue my career in a new environment, broaden my professional experience and make use of the experience I had gained in Hong Kong.
You started your career as an architect and project manager in Hong Kong – how does construction differ there?
One of the biggest standouts would be that in Hong Kong the projects tend to be denser and higher-rise due to the high population density and limited urban space. One of my previous projects, the Ocean Terminal Extension, was quite challenging. It included a retail complex, restaurants and cruise terminals within the extension of the existing shopping mall. I have also worked on the construction of new school annexes and luxurious house in The Peak area of Hong Kong.
My time there provided me with valuable experience for the projects in Chawton Hill with similarities and challenges. I worked on a refurbishment project for a 1960s ten-story building at the City of Portsmouth College,. The works included infrastructure and refurbishment to convert one of the lift shafts into MEP risers and provision of a new air handling unit at the roof void. One of the main challenges when working with existing buildings is understanding the actual site conditions. You often only discover the true condition of a building once you start opening it up, which can create unexpected issues. In those situations, you need to understand the problem quickly, coordinate closely with the consultant team and make practical decisions with the contractor to keep the project moving forward.
How do you find working with the team at Chawton Hill?
I really enjoy working with the team at Chawton Hill, which is a very friendly and supportive working environment. The directors, Dave and James, are very approachable, and there is good communication between everyone in the team.
My colleagues are willing to support each other when there are challenges. With our different backgrounds and experience, we can often look at an issue from different perspectives and find a practical solution together. The collaborative working environment allows everyone to be involved, communicate directly and take responsibility, while still having the support from each other. There is a good balance between being professional and having a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere in the office.
What’s been your most interesting project so far?
The most challenging was the Highbury Tower project at City of Portsmouth College. The building dates back to the 1960s, so the refurbishment and infrastructure works have involved a number of challenges, particularly in relation to fire safety compliance and structural considerations within the existing building. Addressing these challenges has enabled us to significantly improve the building’s fire safety provisions and upgrade its MEP systems, bringing the existing building up to a much better standard.
Currently, we are doing phase 2 works. New smoke extraction system and a new firefighting lift are being added to the existing firefighting lobby and lift shaft. The time frame is tight, especially with the number of structural and fire safety requirements that need to be taken care of. We are currently working with specialists, consultant teams and the main contractor to integrate all the requirements to further improve the fire safety standard of this building.
Every project is a learning experience, but managing the area’s second high-rise brought a totally different scale and impact than smaller builds.
Another interesting project is the Moor Lane Centre refurbishment for Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. What stood out was how fast-paced the project was. We were commissioned in April 2026 and to develop the client’s preliminary design brief into detailed design drawings and the specification. The tendering process is able to be carried out in less than two months. Beyond that, the project was not just any other school; it was built for students with Special Education Needs (SEN). This comes with a variety of different considerations to take into account. Special design is required to be incorporated including dimmable lights for special lux level requirement while maintaining for other usage; the other accessibility standard for toilet and shower provision and other safeguarding design requirement to be incorporated.
Both the City of Portsmouth College Highbury Tower and Moor Lane Centre project have given me a lot of opportunity to get involved in the design and make a contribution to the projects. That is what I find interesting about them. I like being involved in solving problems, coordinating the different requirements and seeing how the design develops into something practical.
Finally, what do you enjoy outside of work?
I enjoy designing and drawing. I have done some interior design work in my own house and enjoy making changes and improving the space. Outside of work, I really enjoy gardening. I look after the garden myself, especially my roses. I spend quite a bit of time cutting them back, looking after them and watering them every day. I enjoy seeing the garden change through the different seasons and watching the plants grow.
I find gardening very relaxing. After a long week at work, it is nice to spend some time outside and slow down. I enjoy taking care of the garden, and it is very satisfying when you can see the results of the time and effort you have put into it.