The project involved Black & Veatch making space for the Hong Kong University Centennial Campus on a site which contained two freshwater service reservoirs. Providing Hong Kong residents with drinking water, the 26,500 cubic metres reservoirs were proposed for relocation onto terraces cut into the Lung Fu Shan hillside, next to the site.

This solution would have resulted in the destruction of more than 3,000 trees covering an area of 6,000 square meters. To avoid this, Black & Veatch proposed carving a cavern out of the Lung Fu Shan hill, into which the reservoirs could be transferred. Using this method ensured the slopes and trees all stayed intact and waste generated on-site was reduced by 85%. In addition, the new design from Black & Veatch preserved the habitats of a number of protected species of flora and fauna, while maintaining the site’s natural beauty.