OUR STORY

Our founders, Vimal and Lizette, are civil engineers specialized in primary structure (the inside) and facades (the outside).

In construction, these two disciplines together represent: over 70% of the permanent materials by weight; up to 80% of the construction budget; more than 80% of post-construction litigation. Once constructed, the façade can also reduce the energy efficiency of a building by up to 40% when poorly performing.

The facade and structure are jointly responsible for the majority cost and the majority carbon intensity.

Our founders recognize the significant and adverse impact their disciplines have on greenhouse gas emissions, and that the speed of reducing carbon in real estate is essential. IXO was thus established to focus squarely on the parameter which disrupts all historical modes of project planning and delivery: decarbonization.

As engineers, Vimal and Lizette target decarbonization risk, namely: the risk of ‘do something’ versus the risk of ‘do nothing’. They adopt a systematic approach to concurrently balance the multilateral decarbonization risks and the impact of mitigation decisions across the traditional project lifecycle and beyond, throughout: planning, design, tender, procurement, fabrication, installation, operation, deconstruction, redevelopment.

Decarbonization represents a paradigm shift in traditional engineering approaches.

IXO was established to prioritize this space.

OUR SENIOR LEADERSHIP

  • Managing Partner, Structures

    Vimal leads the structural engineering stream at IXO. Together with Lizette, she also leads advisory, governance, and research. Born and raised in India, Vimal earned a civil and structural engineering degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT).

    Vimal built her reputation as a tall buildings expert while delivering projects globally from the concept design stage through to construction. After moving to Hong Kong in 2019, Vimal focused on applying her strong technical skills and technology know-how to guide clients upfront on complex projects, and advanced construction technology applications such as MMC, erection sequencing and low carbon solutions. With experience in leading and delivering multidisciplinary projects, Vimal often advises on risk management and technical design management.

    In Hong Kong, Vimal is actively involved in the Urban Land Institute.

    Before co-founding IXO, Vimal worked at Atkins and Buro Happold. Her notable projects include: One Bangkok (263m), Bangkok | Luxury Residence, Mumbai | Piramal Aranya (300m) Mumbai | Piramal Vaikunth (150m) Mumbai | HKIA T2 and TRC Construction Methodology Erection Sequence (CMES) Hong Kong | Hebe Haven Yacht Club Extension (A&A) Hong Kong | Embodied Carbon Framework (confidential masterplan) China | Mixed-use mega project in Saudi Arabia | Advancing Net Zero Competition Hong Kong.

  • Managing Partner, Facades

    Lizette leads the façade consulting stream at IXO. Together with Vimal, she also leads advisory, governance, and research. Lizette was born and raised in Australia, earning a dual civil engineering and social science degree from the University of Technology, Sydney.

    Lizette is a façade system designer shaped by firsthand experience in design detailing of curtain walls, thermal modelling, and forensic investigation and remedial advisory. Lizette’s deep understanding of materials, systems and supply chains is derived via project work on local and global projects, and underpins her advice for balancing the multilateral envelope requirements: aesthetic, cost, performance, decarbonization. With a breadth of experience leading and delivering projects, Lizette can advise at a high-level on risks surrounding procurement and programme, down to detailed-level risks in material selection, system detailing and specification, and facade subcontract requirements.

    In Hong Kong, Lizette is a member of the Advisory Council at The Women's Foundation (TWF) and leads the Net Zero Working Group at the Australian Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong.

    Before co-founding IXO, Lizette worked at AECOM, Front Inc., and Buro Happold. Her notable projects in Hong Kong are The Henderson| 4A-4B Seymour Rd| University of Chicago | Xiqu Opera House | Advancing Net Zero Competition. Further afield, they include: Mixed-use mega project in Saudi Arabia | Tianjin Julliard School China | 161 Sussex St Sydney | Dr Chau Chak Wing UTS | 20 Martin Place Sydney | 100 Mount St Sydney | Embodied Carbon Framework (confidential masterplan) China.