A client story about relocating Penang Japanese School to George Town, balancing school operations, safety considerations, and the requirements of a heritage-area building.
Client
Penang Japanese Association
Sector
School
Location
George Town, Penang
Plus PM Consultant helped us move forward with confidence by clearly defining what decisions we needed to make in an uncertain situation.
Mr. Saito
Principal
Penang Japanese School
Client Interview
We spoke with the school about the relocation of Penang Japanese School to George Town. With the deadline to vacate the former school building approaching, the project had to overcome strict statutory requirements for a heritage building within a protected area, as well as severe time constraints. The school shared the story behind how they were able to create a safe learning environment for the children under these challenging conditions.
What the client valued most
Clear Guidance for Decision Making
Although we are professionals in school operations, we are not construction experts. Plus PM Consultant clearly distinguished between “matters that could be handled by the consultant” and “matters that required decisions by the school.” This enabled the school stakeholders to make timely decisions while managing their own day-to-day responsibilities.
Complex Stakeholder Coordination
The relocation site was an old building constructed before current building standards were established, and there were no existing drawings or fire safety records. Plus PM Consultant coordinated the complex relationships with the Mayor, the local community, including the Hainan Association, and local authorities. They strongly led the application process related to heritage conservation, where approval requirements are particularly demanding, as well as the approvals required for utility supplies necessary for modern school operations.
Management under Strict Constraints
The project was carried out under extremely challenging conditions: the deadline to vacate the former school building could not be extended, the learning environment and class schedule at the former school had to be maintained, and preparation for operations at the new school was limited due to restricted access during renovation works and ongoing classes at the old school.
Plus PM Consultant clarified priorities and drove the project forward. Even when the actual moving period was shortened to effectively one week, they coordinated contractors for the relocation of facilities such as air-conditioning equipment and thoroughly managed the overall schedule, enabling the school to start the new academic term on time.
INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
Q.
What was the biggest challenge of this project?
A.
The biggest challenge was completing an unprecedented relocation within a short timeframe and limited budget. The building at the relocation site had no drawings, and in addition to the statutory requirements normally applied to buildings, it also had to meet additional requirements specific to a UNESCO World Heritage conservation area.
There were also infrastructure challenges. The existing electrical supply capacity was insufficient, and using all the air-conditioning units at the same time could have caused a power outage. This meant that a new high-voltage electrical supply system was required.
Q.
What was most helpful aspect of about working with Plus PM Consultant’s support?
A.
They understood our position and concerns, and from a professional perspective, clearly explained what was safe and what posed risks.
There were situations where additional costs were required for safety measures, and the number of planned classrooms had to be reduced due to the installation of evacuation stairs. Even in those situations, Plus PM Consultant coordinated the schedule and budget between the parties, which made them a very reliable partner.
Q.
What were the results after the relocation, and what changes have you seen in the new environment?
A.
We were able to start the new academic term on time and provide a safe environment for the children. At the new school building, the risks posed by wild animals, such as stray dogs and cobras, which had been an issue at the former school, have also been eliminated.
Although the available space became smaller, Plus PM Consultant worked closely with the teachers to create a layout that uses the limited space efficiently, almost like fitting together the pieces of a puzzle.
They also addressed safety concerns raised by parents. Before the renovation, there were risks such as a concrete schoolyard surface and the possibility of children getting their fingers caught in existing doors. These concerns were addressed through additional renovation works, including the installation of artificial turf and finger protection rubber on doors.
Looking ahead, we hope that the children will be able to experience the history of George Town firsthand. We also look forward to creating deeper exchanges with local communities and students by making use of opportunities to borrow nearby school facilities, such as sports grounds.
