This is a challenging and interesting project for AVIC Airport. It is the first time the firm has designed an airport based on British/European standards. There are many Chinese firms doing construction work in Africa, but not design.

AVIC Airport has a tight time frame for this project. It started the design work in September 2014. Because of the tight project schedule, AVIC Airport engineers have worked overtime on this project, trying to complete the design work on time, under budget and with satisfaction.

AVIC Airport has experienced engineers who are having to design in accordance with standards that are different from what they are used to. This combination of different companies accustomed to using different systems means issues sometimes have to be hashed out.

AVIC engineers, for example, disagreed with Pascall+Watson over the "building gross area" because the way to calculate it is different in British/European standards and Chinese standards.

AVIC Airport also has had to face unfamiliar design approaches and requirements of design depth in different stages. For example, "30 percent design" was confusing to AVIC engineers because they never use the terminology "30 percent design". They mistook it for "conceptual design", with a few drawings and general notes.

Different engineering expressions on the drawings were another challenge. They have their standard ways to put designs on the drawings.

AVIC engineers have had a lot of pressure on them, but they seem to enjoy the work and have made progress every day. The sense of achievement in overcoming challenges has encouraged the engineers.

The author is an international airport expert based in the United States. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.