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Building the future ISSUE 01 / SUMMER 2012
Ashghal A world in motion
Tunnel Visions TBM’s explained
All Aboard Qatar Rail’s expansion plans.
The Art of Cool Climate control in Architecture
A Safe Haven Investment in a controlled climate
TRAINS, PLANES AND AUTOMOBILES
The A - Z of building a multi-layered transport system for a new Qatar
EDITORS LETTER
A Word in Your Ear –
The Editor’s Letter
Contributers Creative Director Andy Downham Senior Designer Patrck Bos Coe Designer Ben Clay Art Worker Shamos Clarke Picture researcher Alice Walker
hese are exciting and pivotal times in the history of T Qatar. Ambitious, long term Governmental strategies utilizing the nation’s wealth to diversify the economic base beyond hydrocarbons will have a significant impact on the lives of the Qatari people for generations to come. In recent years, the country’s economic growth has been stunning, with Qatar’s nominal GDP, estimated to be $129 billion for 2010 and growing at a yearly average of 15%. As I write this inaugural editors letter, Forbes have announced that Qatar, per capita, is now the richest country in the world. In December 2010, when the FIFA president, Sepp Blatter announced the 22 executive committee members had voted to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar, the global event became a major catalyst to growth in a country already committed to huge investment in all areas of infrastructure and expansion. One integral part of the of Qatar’s involvement as host of the World Cup that hasn’t grabbed the headlines, as perhaps it should have, is the fact that more than half of the stadiums used will be downsized post tournament, the upper tiers of the stadiums will be disassembled and then generously donated to countries around the world with a less developed
sports infrastructure. As the first Middle Eastern hosts of a World Cup, Qatar as a nation, will take great pride in having the opportunity to show itself in a global spotlight. The greatest footballers in the world will grace nine incredible stadiums from Al Khor in the north, down through Lusail Al Rayyan and Doha to Al Wakrah in the south. Even now, one can sense that the various sectors of commerce, Government and the Qatari FA, are all confident that the FIFA World Cup will firmly establish Qatari credentials on the world map as a major business and investment destination. Our aim, with this and every publication will be to provide a platform for all areas of Qatari infrastructure and development in the build up to the FIFA World Cup in 2022, bringing all the various core industry sectors together, under one roof. It will be our mission, to give a voice to all the key figures involved and provide a greater insight into the workings, decisions and future plans of each and every sector of the economy. David Lloyd
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Q22 ISSUE 01
CONTENTS 16
6-9
News in Brief
10 - 13
World in Motion - Ashghal The Public Works Authority
14 - 15
Building Sporting Excellence Stadium design & construction
16 - 17
All Aboard with Geoff Mee Qatar Rail’s $37bn expansion plans
18 - 19
Tunnel Visions Tunnel Boring Machines explained
20 - 21
QDVC Wins Qatar Railways Contract The Lusail Light Rail Transit system
18
22 - 23
Build It & They Will Come The Lusail Expressway
26 - 27
In A Safe Haven Key areas of development
10 20
22
28 - 30
The Art of Cool Climate Control in Architecture
32 - 34
A Collaborative Approach Brookfield Multiplex
NEWS IN BRIEF
Transport
in brief...
Qatar Railways
On February 12th Qatar Railways and Qatar Diar Vinci Construction (QDVC). Co-signed a contract for the new phase of the implementation of light rail system for the Lusail city (left). A press statement issued by Qatar Railways said the contract was signed by Rail Chief Executive Officer CEO Eng. Ahmed Ibrahim Al Mohannadi and Deputy Executive Director of the QDVC Company Hamad Al Bushra. Eng. Al Mohannadi said the contract value amounting to QR1.95bn, adding that the new phase of work includes engineering in seven underground stations and establishing a bridge over the highway between Doha, north of the country, as well as preliminary work for the establishment of a special warehouse for the Lugsail railroad and maintenance workshops. According Mohannadi the work in this phase will take 38 months to complete, adding that the train-ups in the city of Lusail is one of the largest and most important real estate development projects being undertaken in the Middle East and North Africa. For a detailed project report go to pages 20 – 21.
Ashghal
Minister of Municipal Affairs calls for investment
HE the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Urban Planning Sheikh Abdul Rahman bin Khalifa Al Thani has called upon the real estate companies and the businessmen to focus their investments on building workers’ accommodation as per the international standards. Addressing the foundation stone laying ceremony for the second phase of Barwa Al Baraha, the minister said the project was a model for workers accommodation at a critical time for the state, especially in view of the large the number of workers required for all projects under construction. Real Estate / Finance
On the Up
Construction
Msheireb Properties greets the US Ambassador
Her Excellency Susan L. Ziadeh, the US Ambassador to Qatar, today received an in-depth briefing on construction progress at Msheireb Downtown Doha, the US $5.5 billion sustainable regeneration of the historical commercial centre of the Qatari capital. Ambassador Ziadeh was received in person by Eng. Issa M. Al Mohannadi, the CEO of Msheireb Properties, at the floating Msheireb Enrichment Centre located on Doha’s West Bay waterfront. Eng. Al Mohannadi introduced the development’s pioneering contribution to urban development and invited the ambassador to inspect a detailed model of the project site.
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Citing Doha-based property consultancy Asteco, the Oxford Business Group announced that Qatar’s real estate sector will continue the last year’s trend with forecasts projecting optimism & steady progress in 2012. Residential property Lets had been stable in the last quarter of 2011, with a significant increase in the number of transactions and enquiries. The trend it expected to continue throughout 2012. There had also been a rise of sales in prime locations such as The PearlQatar in the fourth quarter of the year, a move the Asteco report said indicated a return of investor confidence. Technology
Connect Arab Summit 2012
In March, His Highness the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani opened the ‘Connect Arab Summit 2012’ in the presence of several Heads of State and senior Ministers. HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser (pictured left with the Emir) also attended the opening, as did HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. The summit, jointly organised by the UN’s information and technology agency and the League of Arab States, is looking at ways for Arab states to work together to improve information and communications technology development in the region.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Infrastructure & Transport
CH2M HILL wins 2022 World Cup contract
The Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee has appointed CH2M HILL — a global full-service consulting, programme management, design, construction and operations company to ensure the successful delivery of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar. In addition to major infrastructure works such as the New Doha International Airport and the nationwide metro network, the Supreme Committee has direct responsibility for building the proposed stadiums and training sites while maintaining a coordination role for non-competition venues required by FIFA. The multi-phased, rigorous procurement process took over six months to complete. After a pre-qualification process, six multinational firms were invited to submit bids. Multiple global and local consultants and legal firms assisted the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee to ensure a fully transparent and well managed procurement process. CH2M HILL’s role will continue for two years after the tournament to ensure implementation of the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee’s legacy commitments.
Safety & Security
Walk, Don’t Walk
The president of Ashghal, the Public Works Authority, has stressed the importance of traffic safety in the fast developing scenario and stated that Ashghal was committed to providing the safest road network in the region saying, “Qatar deserves the best.” Nasser alMawlawi was addressing a workshop of ‘Road Safety Strategy’ organised by Ashghal, in co-ordination with National Committee for Traffic Safety where they reviewed existing traffic safety practices in the country.
Environment
Grand Partnership Agreed
On Februar 29th Wyndham Grand Regency Doha Hotel announced that it is now the official Hospitality partner of the Qatar Green Building Council, a nonprofit organization, leading and promoting environmentally sustainable practices. As a part of “Wyndham Worldwide” “Count on Me” program role is to be a leader in sustainability practices, “Wyndham Grand Regency Doha Hotel” launched “Wyndham Grand Green Program” and started its implementation effective February 2012.
Environment
Advanced Green Thinking
Construction
New Qatar mall in Gharafa
Ezdan Real Estate Co has said its new Ezdan Mall Gharafa, being built along the Shamal Expressway in Al Gharafa is on track to be opened next September, Gulf Times has reported. The mall will have a 400,000 sq ft area on three floors. Right at the heart of the prime shopping district, surrounded by other shopping malls and a hypermarket, with 50,000 footfalls in the area. “And once our Gharafa Mall and adjacent mall open, the footfalls are expected to double,” said the mall’s chief operating officer.
The Qatar Carbon Trust recently announced that the newly established Qatar Carbon Trust Working Committee will be advised by key individuals noted for their world-leading expertise in education, carbon policy, green property and institution building. Committee member and chairman of Advanced Green Thinking, Fadi E. Hallak said, “We are proposing to build and service an institution that enables every Qatari organisation to reduce their GHG emissions to net-zero. Drawing on our advisor’s experience, we are working with the Qatar Foundation in bringing together key individuals in an effort to win the ‘world cup of carbon’ - becoming the first carbon neutral nation in modern history.”
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NEWS IN BRIEF
Infrastructure
Borouge water pipeline solutions
Borouge, a provider of innovative, value creating plastics solutions, showcased its broad range of solutions addressing the challenge of clean water distribution at the Water World Middle East Conference and Exhibition held in February. The event, with its main theme “focusing on water and wastewater”, was officially opened by HE Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada Minister of Energy and Industry in Qatar, and attended by engineers, contractors, suppliers and utility organisations from across the Middle East. Borouge’s Application Marketing Manager for Pipe, Andrew Wedgner showcased Borouge and its wide range of innovative solutions, focusing on the large diameter industrial water pipeline applications in the Middle East and highlighting the benefits of using pipelines made of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) from Borouge due to its flexibility, ease of installation, ability to be welded, and free of corrosion and leackage. “The highly durable nature of PE and PP-HM pipes, together with their flexibility, abrasion resistance and ease of installation has increasingly lead to their use for large diameter industrial water pipeline applications,” said Wedgner.
Environment
Green is Good
With the aim of developing a green infrastructure capable of delivering a wide range of environmental, economic and social benefits, the Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC) has inaugurated the Green Infrastructure Interest group (GIIG), In January a seminar, marking the addition of another interest group under the QGBC umbrella was held at the Inter Continental Hotel in Doha, it’s theme, ‘Natural Systems. QGBC’s mission is to drive sustainable growth, giving priority to sustainable infrastructure initiatives. The Green Infrastructure Interest group will perform a vital role in discussing all manner of challenges faced in shaping Qatar’s environment as it moves toward Qatar National Vision 2030 (approved by Emiri Decision (44) in 2008).
Finance - Development
Doha to host UNCTAD meet in April
Construction
Seef as Houses
Seef Lusail, a project under development by Seef Lusail Real Estate Development Company has appointed DP Architects, one of the world’s leading architectural firms as master planners for the project. The developer, SEEF, is a joint venture between Masraf Al Rayan and Qatari Diar that will take on the full development of Seef Lusail. Mr. Issa Mohammed Al Kaladari, CEO of Lusail City was appointed as Chairman of SEEF. Mr. Khalid Ahmad Fakhroo, Executive Director of Engineering and Real Estate at Masraf Al Rayan has been appointed as the CEO of SEEF. Seef Lusail is a 600,000 sq m multi use development located at the waterfront of Lusail, a distinctive 21st century iconic city which celebrates the special cultural and geographical heritage of Qatar and the Gulf Region.
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HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani will open the thirteenth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XIII), which will be held in the Middle East for the first time. Several Heads of States and ministers of trade and developments in the UNCTAD 193 member states will take part in the conference, which Doha will host at Qatar National Convention Centre from April 21 to 26.
Economy / Finance
Qatar named world’s richest country
Qatar has been ranked as the world’s wealthiest country in a new list compiled by US magazine Forbes. Qatar tops the list as the world’s richest country per capita thanks to a rebound in oil prices and its massive natural gas reserves. Adjusted for purchasing power, Qatar booked an estimated gross domestic product per capita of more than $88,000 for 2010, Forbes said.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Technology
Smarter Cities at QITCOM 2012
QITCOM 2012, the pre-eminent platform in Qatar’s information and communication technology sector is hosting a dedicated conference session ‘Smarter Planet’, addressing the growing trend towards governments and business leaders capturing the potential of smarter systems and thereby achieving more sustainable and efficient societal progress. Mr. Ali Al-Khulaifi, QITCOM Organising Committee Chairman said, “As the World’s population continues to grow, there are greater demands being placed on our city infrastructures. Smarter cites around the world are using technology to optimise their resources and improve the efficiency of their infrastructure. At QITCOM 2012 we’ve assembled the industry’s leading experts to join ICT stakeholders, business leaders and government officials to share insights into the developments, best practices and future trends in creating smarter applications and a smarter planet ecosystem that most particularly applies to the local and Middle Eastern region.”
Development
Rooms with a view
Qatar’s tourism sector is likely to see a near-70 percent growth in hotels, the largest in the Middle East and Africa. Furthermore, Qatar is looking to dramatically expand its tourist industry as it looks ahead to hosting the World Cup in 2022. More than 6,000 hotel rooms came online in the third quarter of last year, as 25 properties and 10 hotel apartments entered the market. Qatar is planning to build 77 new hotels and 42 hotel apartments ahead of 2022.
Construction & Safety
Handle With Care
Qatar’s leading construction and engineering experts, representing companies at all levels of the industry, gathered to discuss how to make the country’s buildings safer. The Supreme Building Technology 2012 conference, held at the Intercontinental Hotel in the Doha looked into how advanced building technologies can improve the safety of residents and enterprises across the country. During the conference, organiser, GEZE Middle East highlighted innovations in construction systems for doors, windows and safety technology.
Safety / Security
Doha Safest City in Middle East
Environment
Cleaning Up
Global gas demand will rise by 50% by the year 2035, according to Qatar’s Minister of Energy and Industry, Mohamed Saleh Al Sada. Addressing the Third Gas Processing Symposium, he said that gas currently met 20% of the global energy demand and that the utilization of gas in power generating stations, as compared to coal, reduces gas emissions by 60%. Al Sada cited the symposium as an example of Qatari endeavours to promote clean energy researches.
Doha is the safest city in the Middle East with the least incidents of violence and has won an award instituted by the Jordan-based Arab Non Violence Society (ANVS). The selection of the winner was made in a transparent manner, based on a set of standards and criteria, the ANVS said, while announcing the prize, according to media reports here today. The factors considered for the award include: status of human rights organizations in the respective countries, number of political prisoners, incidence of crime, role of institutions fighting violence and those working for development of women and children, institutions fighting poverty and unemployment, media freedom and the number of law suits filed against journalists.
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iNFRASTRUCTURE
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INFRASTRUCTURE
World in Motion Ashghal With a fast-expanding population and substantial economic growth, the establishment of Ashghal by decree of HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani in 2004 marked an important turning point in the history of Qatar and its infrastructure development.
shghal (The Public Works Authority) was set up as A an autonomous body to oversee infrastructure related projects as well as public amenities of the State. The Emiri Decree placed great importance on the quality and perfection of all work carried out as per international specifications and standards. From that point on, Ashgal embarked on a major phase of change and development in all aspects of life in Qatar, focussing it’s strategy on being a regional pioneer in the provision of state-of-the-art infrastructure development and management, one that can fully meet Qatari national economic and social plans. Currently 30 Expressway projects, due for completion, over the next six years are being overseen by the Authority. Each one of those, could themselves, be broken down into multiple packages. By adopting an outsourcing business model, Ashghal have been managing the huge workload
associated with the redevelopment of the country’s roads, public buildings and drainage systems with seeming ease. Almost all projects have had project management companies or general engineering consultants appointed to take the planning and design stages, and while work is ongoing on a number of them, others like the Lusail Expressway could be going to tender in only a matter of months. With motor vehicles remaining the primary mode of transport in Qatar, the road network has long been a major focus of Ashghal planning. Project highlights in this segment include the multibilliondollar Doha Expressway and the Qatar Bahrain Causeway, connecting Qatar to Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and considered by many to be a milestone in regional interconnectivity. Added to the road network, masstransit projects, like the Doha Metro, a light-rail system and a more extensive
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iNFRASTRUCTURE
bus network are all being developed to ease road congestion. It’s also planned that many of the new roads will have bicycle paths laid to run alongside them, further easing congestion and addressing green issues at the same time. Port infrastructure too, is seen as an integral part of Qatar’s economic development as it focuses on LNG and industrial exports. The port at Mesaieed is undergoing expansion and will have the capacity to handle around 1m twenty-footequivalent units by 2020. Similarly, The New Doha International Airport is expanding capacity to keep up with growing visitor numbers. The airport expansion is one of the largest projects in Qatar today and will boast a capacity of 50 million passengers once completed in 2015. Speaking at the Qatar projects 2012 conference in February, Ashgal’s Director of Infrastructure Affairs, Jalal Yousef al-Salhi, gave a presentation on ‘the challenges and opportunities of
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implementing Qatar’s $20 billion roads and highways schemes.’ “Ashghal is committed to welcoming as many contractors and consultants to Qatar as possible and we plan to conduct a seminar in the very near future, to help potential collaborators understand the policies and the tender process associated with working in Qatar.” While Expressway projects, are usually won by international contractors, Jalal Yousef al-Salhi pointed out that the smaller road and drainage works provided perfect opportunities for local companies. As part of his presentation, the Director of Infrastructure Affairs discussed a number of the major projects currently underway, including the Doha Bay Crossing project, a tunnel connecting the New Doha International Airport to the Sheraton Hotel area and Katara. A project expected to reach completion in 2019. Jalal Yousef al-Salhi went on to discuss the Inner Doha Resewerage Service (IDRIS), a project with a budget
INFRASTRUCTURE
of QR10mn aimed at improving drainage systems in older parts of Doha where redevelopment and an increase in the number of multi storey buildings has massively increased the demand on local infrastructure. A third major project to be discussed was one, dealing with ground and surface water. The project will involve the installation of extra drainage pipes and a deep outfall into the sea, complying with regulations set out by the Ministry of Environment. With an incredible level of investment being set aside for infrastructure projects throughout Qatar, there comes with it a natural strain on materials and resources. In keeping with the refrain of cooperation spoken frequently in Qatar, government organisations are working with other developers to combat this, to ensure that prices don’t rise dramatically with high demand. “We do not want to see an escalation in prices. Cooperation between all
developers, meeting regularly to discuss the logistical issues associated with their projects will ensure that they are not competing with each other and driving prices up,” said Jalal Yousef al-Salhi. Ashghal Core Functions – An Overview Road Affairs Department. The Public Works Authority oversees the planning, budgeting and maintenance of all infrastructure projects.
By adopting an outsourcing business model, Ashghal have been managing the huge workload associated with the redevelopment of the country’s roads, public buildings and drainage systems with seeming ease.
Drainage Affairs Department. The designing, constructing, maintenance, budgeting and expansion of the infrastructure related to the disposal of waste water all drainage related projects. Building Affairs Department. Ashghal is responsible for the construction and budgeting of government buildings and all civil works requirements, whilst co-ordinating with Contracts & Engineering Business Affairs in the preparation of tenders.
Left (top) - HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Left - Rail Terminal at Doha International Airport Right - New Doha International Airport, designed and built specifically for the Airbus double-decker A380
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CONSTRUCTION
BUILDING
sporting excellence
With more than 50 years of experience developing, building and managing its own building projects, Brookfield Multiplex holds a rare position in the global property and construction market. rookfield Multiplex has a long established reputation B for delivering high-quality property and construction services around the world. This reputation was built through the company’s commitment to achieving the highest standard attainable in all aspects of its business. Their experience in delivering end-to-end property and construction solutions across a broad range of sectors, has delivered over 14 sport and recreation complexes across Australia and the United Kingdom. In particular, Brookfield Multiplex specialise in undertaking stadium projects in a design and construct capacity. Each stadium project possessed it’s own set of unique challenges, ranging from large, complex structural steel roofing systems to tight construction programmes, stringent flexibility and future proofing requirements. The ANZ Stadium in Sydney,
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completed on 1 March, 1999 for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, highlights the key design and construct capability and experience that the company emanates internationally. The stadium was designed on a fast-track basis, with construction and full design essentially commencing on the same day. Completion was achieved three months prior to the date set in the contract. This state-of-the-art stadium seated 110,000 spectators during the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, making it, at the time, the largest Olympic Stadium ever built as well as the largest stadium in Australia. Collaboration Part of the project’s success can be attributed to the close working relationships and an atmosphere of cooperation and partnership that Brookfield Multiplex established from the onset between all members of the delivery team. The stadium’s giant roof, whose shape came out of the demands of sight
lines, weather protection and structural integrity, is a great innovation in stadium roof design. The interaction between the fabricator, the construction team and designers brought about the successful creation of a roof, which is extremely light, considering the huge spans involved. Technically-speaking The ANZ Stadium was one of considerable technical complexity. At the peak of construction, 35 mobile cranes and a workforce in excess of 1000 and were being employed on the site. Coordinating men, materials and equipment was a construction management feat. From a structural point of view, the stadium is essentially a reinforced and pre-stressed concrete structure supported on piled foundations with the steel roof over the east and west stands. The 16m cantilevered mid tier, one of the longest in the world, took considerable ingenuity to design and construct, involving the development of particular
CONSTRUCTION
dynamic criteria, which has subsequently been used in the construction of other stadia around the world. One of the most striking features of the ANZ Stadium is the design of the two breathtaking main steel arches. Each spanning 300 metres at their apex, the arches stand 60 metres above the arena at top chord. The arches comprise 1300 tones of structural steel and, incredibly, each gigantic arch is held in place by just two massive pins - one at each end. The pins are of one half metre diameter 700-grade solid steel, each being 1.2 metres long and weighing 1.7 tonnes. Similarly, Wembley Stadium, another arena completed by Brookfield Multiplex, has also received recognition for its roof structure. It too, is known for its arch, standing 133m above the North Stand. The arch is 315m long and forms part of the longest single roof structure in the world, supporting all the weight of the north roof, and 60% of the south roof.
Flexibility and future-proofing In an fast-changing world, many buildings can be obsolete before they are opened so flexibility is fundamental in design. Brookfield Multiplex understands today’s solution may not necessarily meet tomorrow’s needs and as such, many of their sports facilities are designed to respond to dynamic change. The ANZ Stadium was adapted for a large footprint configuration but also allowed for a transfer to a smaller configuration after the Games. The massive lower reinforced concrete tiers on the East and West stands (100m long and 4.6m high) can be moved 15.5m so that the arena can be used for football one day and rugby or athletics the next, taking just eight hours to change over. The awnings added over the North and South stands mean that most of the seating is now under cover, providing greater flexibility in all weather conditions. Brookfield Multiplex experience
in all weather facilities was applied to Wembley Stadium, providing cover for all 90,000 spectators. The Burswood Exhibition Centre in Perth, Australia is also particularly unique in that it has an air-supported roof with eight huge fans, inducing up to 25,000 litres of air per second to keep the roof inflated. The area covered is large enough to accommodate an international football pitch with seating for 14,000 spectators. Sustainability Winner of three major environmental awards, the ANZ Stadium is one of the most environmentally sensitive stadiums in the world. Measures in water conservation, pollution control, ventilation, energy reduction and solid waste control were introduced into the building through ingenious design, with particular attention being paid to the local micro-systems. The environmental innovations incorporated into the design, set new standards that were both practical and affordable.
Left - ANZ Stadium, Sydney, Australia Right and Below Wembley Stadium, known for it’s giant arch, standing 133m above the North Stand.
The stadium’s giant roof, which shape came out of the demands of sight lines, weather protection and structural integrity is a great innovation in stadium roof design.
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RAILWAYS
ALL ABOARD! with Geoff Mee
It must be daunting to stare into the future and imagine a $37 billion rail transport programme with 98 stations, 600km of high-speed passenger railway and a 10km looped 4 line metro system all being built from scratch, but it’s future that Qatar Rail deputy chief CEO Geoff Mee and his colleagues have been staring into for some time now.
he original plan had a deadline set for 2020 in T order to be ready for the Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022 but since Qatar announced that it would be bidding for the 2020 Olympic Games, all schedules have been accelerated by 18 months to have enough of the Metro operational in time, should the bid be successful. At the Qatar Projects 2012 conference, Geoff Mee told delegates “We have to plan for winning the Olympics because if we wait until the announcement, we will be too late in order to build it in time,” “The most challenging part of the project is to create a four line metro system for Doha. The Red line going north-south from Al Khor to the port of Mesaieed in the south will be the busiest, linking the most densely populated areas of the city. The Green line and a Yellow line will go east-west, while the Blue orbital line goes around the Corniche and inland, linking all the other lines together.” “With major congestion in Doha, we need to relieve it, so that the state can prosper. It’s very rare to get a situation where you have to build a railway to an absolute deadline but we’ll rise to the challenge.”
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A building project of this size brings with it many physical challenges. Geoff Mee went on to highlight just a few of them. “Most of the Metro line has to go underground in the centre of the city… single bore tunnelling on this scale for a metro has never been attempted before. We’ll have a lot of tunnel boring machines in the ground at the same time. Just building them (you cant buy them off the shelf) and getting them into the country and then into the ground by 2014 presents major logistic problems. Only then can you start drilling and getting the soil out.” “After that you can look at fitting the track, signalling, buying the trains, do all the maintenance, fit out the stations. We need to be fitting out stations by about 2016 and have to be testing the railway from about 2018 in order to be ready for the FIFA World Cup 2022 and even closer, the 2020 Olympics, if the bid Qatari bid is successful.” The other key elements of the Qatar Rail integrated system include: > A 350 km high-speed passenger railway to Bahrain, four stations and a causeway. > A 250 km high-speed passenger
railway to Saudi Arabia. > A freight railway provision. > The Lusail Light Rail Network, a light rail transit system for Lusail to the north of Doha. The project is already under construction and currently the most advanced rail plan in Qatar. > 98 rail stations, three of them large scale at Msheireb, Education City and the New Doha International Airport. Since winning the FIFA World Cup bid, Qatar has attracted a lot of attention worldwide. “All potential bidders/ partners have been to our offices to say that they want to be involved in this project,” said Geoff Mee. “Qatar is aiming to involve as many local firms in the construction process as possible and is advising international contractors to establish relationships with competent local partners.”
RAILWAYS
Qatar is aiming to involve as many local firms in the construction process as possible and is advising international contractors to establish relationships with competent local partners.
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RAILWAYS
The world’s leading tunnelling companies have all expressed interest and we will have plenty of options when it comes to drawing up a shortlist for the underground contracts from the 80 international companies who have registered expressions of interest.
TUNNEL VISIONS Qatari Rail, in tandem with its strategic design partner Deutsche Bahn, has been working on the design and implementation of the four-line Doha Metro since 2009. erhaps the most difficult and strategic part of the entire P project will be coordinating the 86km of underground tunnelling, with multiple tunnel boring machines in the ground at the same time. Five of fifteen design-build tunnel packages will be awarded to bidders in 2012, each of which will be worth between US$700 million and US$1.5 billion. Qatari Rail expect to be in a position to draw up a shortlist of prequalifiers with a view to making contract awards on the tunnelling and station packages by September 2012. Geoff Mee, Deputy Chief Executive of Qatari Rail said “The world’s leading tunnelling companies have all expressed interest and we will have plenty of options when it comes to drawing up a shortlist for the underground contracts from the 80 international companies who have registered expressions of interest.” The five design-build tunnel packages
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in this first phase of construction, include the north-south Red Line and sections of the east-west Green Line, featuring 49km of twin bored tunnelling and 30km of elevated track. Markus Demmler, Qatari Rail Programme Director for the Red Line, told the Middle East Tunnelling Conference in Doha that peak tunnelling time is expected to be in 2015-2017, when 20 TBMs will be working below the surface, simultaneously. All machines will have active face pressure support and all tunnels will be segmentally lined. The Doha Metro will eventually boast nearly 100 stations, forming a key part of an overall $37 billion Qatari Integrated Rail Project, which includes high-speed passenger train lines to Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, freight rail provisions and a light rail transit system from Doha to Lusail. Phase 1 of the Integrated Rail Project was originally scheduled to be operational by 2020, but since Qatar announced that
RAILWAYS Left - The station cavern at 34th St, NYC Right - Edmonton’s South LRT Tunnel in Canada Below - The TBM built to tunnel through Capitol Hill in Seattle Bottom - A 47.3 foot diameter TBM emerges near Niagara falls
it would be bidding for the 2020 Olympic Games, all previous schedules have been accelerated by 18 months, with priority being given to those sections of the metro requiring access to the stadiums. Only the first 49km of twin bored underground line will be built at this point, with the Blue Line and a number of other suburban extensions being left until Phases 2 and 3 to be completed after the 2022 World Cup. Phase 2 scheduled to start in 2016, will include the north-west sections of the Green Line and the orbital Blue Line, with 37km of twin running tunnels. To the uninitiated, a tunnel boring machine (TBM), otherwise known as a “mole”, is a machine used to excavate tunnels with a circular cross section, burrowing through a variety of soil and rock strata. They are able to bore through anything from hard rock to sand. The diameters of these machines and the tunnels they bore, can be anything from a metre (micro-TBMs) to 19.25m (the
widest to date). The advantages TBMs have over drilling, blasting or hand mining methods are that they limit disturbance to the surrounding ground and produce a smooth tunnel wall, significantly reducing the cost of lining the tunnel. They are an especially superior solution in heavily urbanized environments where other tunnels, existing utility lines and deep foundations need to be addressed from the early planning stages through to completion. If there are downsides to TBMs its that they’re not easy to transport and they’re generally made to measure and built from scratch, making any initial outlay a sizable slice of any budget. However, as contemporary tunnels become longer and longer, the cost of tunnel boring machines against drill and blast methods becomes much less by comparison because the TBM’s are a faster and more efficient and result in a shorter project.
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FINANCE
The network will boast low energy consumption, supporting Qatar’s ongoing vision for continuous development whilst ensuring the project remains environmentally friendly.
QDVC
wins Qatar railways contract
On march 12th QATAR Railways Company signed a US $535.7m contract with Qatari Diar Vinci Construction for the new phase of works on the Lusail Light Rail Transit system. The agreement was signed by QRail CEO Saad Ahmed Ibrahim al Mohannadi and QDVC Deputy CEO Hamad al Bishri. aad Ahmed Ibrahim al Mohannadi said, “The S contract covers civil engineering works in seven underground stations, construction of a viaduct over the motorway between Doha and the northern part of the country and preliminary work on an LRT depot and maintenance workshop. All these works are expected to take approximately 38 months to complete.” The entire Lusail Light Rail Transit system, is being built in several phases and includes four lines totalling 30km, ten underground stations and 25 at grade stations. It will serve the new city of Lusail, it’s 19 mixed-use districts covering 38 square kilometres of waterfront with an estimated eventual population of 450,000. It will serve the entire new Lusail City, interconnecting with the regional transport network and the planned national rail network. at two stations on the Al Khor Highway.
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Handover of the turnkey project is set for 2016. QDVC’s Hamad al Bishri said that the company was “honoured to be the first contractor of Qatar Railways Company with the delivery of this first rail project in Qatar. The award of this new phase attests to the high quality of work carried out by QDVC in previous phases, which called for earthworks, cut-and-cover tunnels and ventilation shafts. Qatar Rail is in the process of creating the country’s muchanticipated state of the art, integrated railway network. It will manage the development of the West Bay People Mover, the Lusail LRT and the integrated Qatar Railways Project, which incorporates a four line Doha Metro and long distance passenger and freight links connecting Doha with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. After launching the design phase in 2007, earthwork and excavation for
cut-and -cover tunnels was carried out in March 2009, followed by tunnel construction in 2010, and preparation of underground station construction in June 2011. Rolling stock and systems contracts will form the final phase of the project, which is scheduled for completion in 2016. The network will boast low energy consumption, supporting Qatar’s ongoing vision for continuous development whilst ensuring the project remains environmentally friendly. In the southern part of the city, 5.5km of underground track will join various residential districts and serve the Marina, Energy City and Qatar Entertainment City. The northern sector will have 24 stations at grade and will serve six areas including the Lusail City Plaza, at the very heart of the city.
FINANCE
Above - An artists impression of the new Lusail City Far Right - Qatar Rail Chief Executive Officer CEO Eng. Ahmed Ibrahim Al Mohannadi Right and Below - Artists impressions of Lusail Light Rail stations and platforms
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ROADS
Right - Two signature bridges will connect the main land areas with new artificial is足lands, the cir足cular shaped structural elements car足rying the cables supporting the bridge girder
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ROADS
BUILD IT‌ AND THEY WILL COME Ashghal, the Public Works Authority, is set to award contracts for the first phase of the Lusail Expressway in 2012. An eminent project in the considerable infrastructure plans for Qatar, the Expressway, estimated at costing $687million, will run 15km North of Doha linking the capital with Lusail.
his new city, already in development, will extend T over 38 square kilometres including four exclusive islands, areas of residence, recreation and entertainment as well as commercial districts. With a predicted, eventual population of 450,000, Lusail will be able to accommodate 80,000 visitors at any one time. The city will be the focus of the football world in 2022, when the 86,000 seater Lusail Iconic Stadium will host the opening match and the final of the FIFA World Cup. The Construction of the Lusail Expressway will be to the highest international standards incorporating major interchanges, slip roads, underpasses and bicycle lanes. The first phase will stretch from the Arch Roundabout, to the area surrounding the Ritz Carlton hotel in Doha, a distance of 5.8km. There will be two other major interchanges on this section of the road: one at Aladdin Roundabout and the other at Safliya Roundabout opposite the Qutaifiya East Gate. Due to the high volume of expected traffic, the Expressway will be three or even four lanes wide in both directions, providing a free flowing connection to developments north of Doha such as the Tower Zone, New Diplomatic Area, Cultural Village, Qutaifiya Lagoon and the Pearl. International experts believe the three level interchange servicing the Pearl-Qatar represents an engineering challenge, being squeezed between the northern and southern Qutaifiya Canal Crossing and are therefore looking to increase the amount of lanes in both directions in order to widen the crossing. The Lusail Expressway with its planned underpasses and free elevated sections will provide relief to local traffic movements and also, importantly, a fast and safe route to and from all destinations.
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INFRASTRUCTURE
Hands Across the Water With construction underway on the Qatar-Bahrain Freindship causeway, the world’s longest bridge spanning a mass of water, we look at it’s competition around the world.
01
11.3km
San Mateo-Hayward Bridge, USA 02
12.9km
Confederation Bridge Canada
03
05
12.9km
17km
Jubilee Parkway, USA
Problems to Solve
The 40 km long bridge, will connect Bahrain with Qatar, cutting through the Ariabian Gulf, one of the world’s most highly charged waters, containing high percentages of chlorides, sulphates and moluscs... the triple killers of structuredurablility in the Gulf waters.
A Matter of Fact
With 14 km of dams connected by 22 bridges and viaducts, the bridge will now include a rail line for freight and passenger services.
02 03 04
10
32km
Chesapeake Bay Bridge, USA
05
Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, USA
08
24km
Rio-Niteroi Bridge, Brazil
38km
King Fahd Causeway Saudi Arabia
06
13km
09
27km
Vasco da Gama Bridge, Portugal
04
01
07
40km
Donghai Bridge China
06
If you were to travel the full lenth of the QatarBahrain Friendship Causeway it would take...
07
Qatar-Bahrain Friendship Causeway
08
09
10
9
Hours
40 Minutes
The Qatar-Bahrain Friendship Causeway is the length of:
1215
Blue whales 24 Q22 ISSUE 01
4.5
Mount Everests
536
Boeing 747s
49
Burj Dubais
INFRASTRUCTURE
infrastructure booming
IN A SAFE HAVEN In a recent infrastructure report on Qatar, Business Monitor International predicted that with construction and energy projects worth US $125bn being planned over the next five years, Qatar’s construction industry would strengthen its position as one of the region’s top performing markets. s Qatar’s huge hydrocarbon resources continue to inflate A public coffers, its business environment remains stable, at a time of wider regional unrest. BMI expect Qatar’s construction market to be regarded as a safe haven for those investing in the region. A bullish outlook for 2012 forecasts 9.5% year-on-year growth in 2012. Key areas of development In October 2011, Qatari Minister of Economy and Finance, Yousef Hussein Kamal announced that national spending on infrastructure is expected to reach US $150 billion over the next five years. He went on to outline predicted expenditure on a series of major projects in the pipeline: 1. The US $14.5bn New Doha International Airport replacing the current Doha International Airport. The new airport on it’s 5,400-acre site, 4km east of the current one, will handle the massive increase in passenger traffic and fleet size. The new facility will be twelve times
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larger than the current one, and will be the world’s first airport designed and built specifically for the Airbus doubledecker A380 – the largest passenger aircraft ever built.Work on phase one of the airport began in January 2005 and is scheduled for completion by the end of this year, handling an initial capacity of 24 million passengers per year and more than doubling to around 50 million by the time the airport is fully operational in 2015. 2. A US $5.5bn deepwater seaport to be built near Qatar’s industrial city of Mesaieed (The first phase of the development will be constructed by China Harbour Engineering Co). 3. US $20bn on roads. 4. U S $25bn on railways, including a 98 station Metro System, a 600km highspeed passenger rail network linking Doha with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, and the Lusail Light Rail System boasting 22km of track and 35 stations.
5. US $4bn on building stadia. In October 2011 it was also announced that work would shortly begin on the US $1.37bn Doha Festival City, a super-regional mixed-use shopping, entertainment and leisure destination located 15km north of Doha. The project will be one of the largest developments to get underway since December 2010, when Qatar was awarded the right to host the FIFA 2022 World Cup 2022. As preparations for the world cup and the possibility of hosting the 2020 Olympics continue to instigate major changes in Qatar’s infrastructure industry, the big international companies will inevitably stand to gain from the numerous large scale stadia and infrastructure projects. However, it is expected that local contractors will also benefit substantially by either partnering with foreign firms or undertaking the myriad of smaller projects required themselves.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Local contractors will benefit substantially by either partnering with foreign firms or undertaking the myriad of smaller projects required themselves
Left - Doha Festival City Right -A traditional dhow boat sits off the Corniche beneath the modern Doha skyline
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ARCHITECTURE
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ARCHITECTURE
THE ART OF COOL In 2022 Qatar will be the focus of the world’s attention when the Lusail Iconic Stadium hosts the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Final as well as the opening game and ceremony of the tournament.
he stadium itself is to be located at the heart of Lusail T City, a vast new development 15km to the north of Doha, connected by a new expressway and a light rail system. With an expected 86,250 capacity, the showpiece venue, designed by British firm, Foster & Partners, will be highly energy efficient and capable of performing in even the most extreme summer climatic conditions. Standing in a near-circular base on the master plan’s primary axis, the entire stadium will be encircled by a moat that spectators will cross via six bridges as they make their way into the arena. The concave profile of the Lusail Iconic Stadium’s outer enclosure is designed to reflect Qatar’s culture and heritage, evoking the sails of a traditional dhow boat. The ‘saddle-form’ roof, discreetly supported by a ring of arching columns, will appear to float above the concrete seating bowl and a retractable central section will allow the pitch to be either open to the sky or fully covered. Boasting a zero carbon footprint, the stadium and its neighbouring buildings will be air conditioned, using the power generated from solar canopies to maintain an ideal temperature for spectators and players, aided by the arena’s east-west orientation, designed to ensure shading of the entire pitch. This highly progressive environmental strategy will be carried on after 2022, when the arena will be reconfigured into a 20,000 seat post-World Cup football stadium hosting other spectacular sporting and cultural events. Swiss modular stadium specialists Nüssli, who were consultants on both the Qatari and Russian World Cup bids, have Q22 ISSUE 01 29
ARCHITECTURE
been involved in temporary seating projects for many years, but Daniel Cordey, their market chief executive admitted that the Qatar project will take the modular concept further than ever before. “What started in London with the basketball hall and the Olympic Stadium, where relocation or demountable solutions are being showcased for the first time, will continue and is probably seen most effectively in Qatar in 2022.” The success of the Qatari bid and the trend towards more flexible solutions could alter the priorities of future governing bodies around the world when it comes to organising major events. HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairman of the Qatar 2022 Bid, said: “The Lusail Iconic Stadium will serve as the perfect venue for the opening and final matches of the World Cup. The stadium will inspire a new generation of regional and international sports venues, incorporating environmentally friendly cooling technologies to ensure the ideal
conditions for players and spectators alike. The design of the stadium provides fans with optimum views of the action in a cool and comfortable setting. Its beauty and ambition represent the pride and enthusiasm that we have displayed throughout our bid to host the FIFA World Cup.” The architects Foster & Partners collaborated with several consultants for the stadium design. Manica Architecture, a specialist in sports architecture, was involved in the design whilst the planning and landscape consultant was Place Dynamix. URS Corporation will be the civil and structural engineer. RWDI will undertake the specialist building dynamics and PHA Consult will be the mechanical, sustainability and environmental engineers. Mace will be responsible for the construction management. The cost consultant is Davis Langdon. Hyder Consulting is the transport and infrastructure consultant. The Lusail Iconic Stadium is scheduled for completion by 2019.
Left (top) - HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairman of the Qatar 2022 Bid Left - Interior of the Lusail Iconic Stadium. The ‘saddle form’ roof will appear to float above the concrete seating bowl
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SECTION HEADER
DEVELOPMENT
A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH
Brookfield Multiplex believes that working closely with clients and delivery partners ensures the best possible results
Above - The W Doha Hotel and Residence
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As a forward-thinking global property and construction A company, Brookfield Multiplex is known for innovation and excellence. Groundbreaking and creative thinking are products of a collaborative approach, where working closely with clients and delivery partners, involving key parties from the outset, has ensured the best possible results, time and time again. Drawing on globally pooled inhouse design and construct resources with their most inventive thinkers at the front end of each project, the company utilises a collaborative approach to manage projects from concept through to completion and operations. “We strive to be agile and adaptable, working closely with our clients to explore creative ways to optimise the outcome.” The company has used this approach and a ‘can do’ passion successfully to deliver over 60 premium brand hotels in Qatar, the UAE, Australia, New Zealand,
Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and the United Kingdom. In Practice Historically, clients have gone to Brookfield Multiplex at an embryonic stage, expressing their desires and visions. From that initial starting point the company works in close consultation with the client to develop and grow those initial ideas into operational and successful hotels. “Close collaboration means we have a clearer understanding of our clients’ objectives and can anticipate challenges and remain sufficiently flexible to deal with complex and dynamic situations. Our senior people are selected for their adaptability and proven capacity to respond to the fastmoving construction industry.” The involvement of Brookfield Multiplex Medgulf WLL (the company’s Qatar entity) on the W Doha Hotel and Residences project is an excellent example of how they have worked closely with all parties to achieve high quality
DEVELOPMENT Left - Emirates Park Towers Hotel. Client: Emirates Airlines
The Emirates Park Towers Hotel is an 80 storey twin-tower complex. At 355 metres high, they will be the world’s tallest hotel buildings and will have the largest room capacity in the Middle East with 1600 rooms. Facilities available will include sky terraces, restaurants, rooftop bars, a major entertainment centre, banqueting and ballroom capabilities.
We strive to be agile and adaptable, working closely with our clients to explore creative ways to optimise the outcome.
Brookfield Multiplex Medgulf was appointed as the Design and Construct Contractor for this prestigious 5 star hotel. From inception, their teams were involved with the design consultants, providing an initial creative review and advice to the client. This included reviewing buildability and estimating costs of the initial design, whilst seeking value for money alternatives. Following this process, and upon agreement of the revised plans, the design team were then novated to Brookfield Multiplex Medgulf, who employed the consultant team to develop the revised design through to completion of the project. Once the hotel operator (W Hotels) and interior designer were selected by the client, Brookfield Multiplex Medgulf managed the Interior Design programme and all elements of the design process. This ensured that the interior design process was coordinated with construction deadlines. A further benefit to the client was the ongoing feedback that the construction team could offer the design process by providing feedback on buildability issues and developing the most cost-efficient design. The final result was a very high quality project, which has raised the standard of luxury hotels in Doha to the satisfaction of the client and hotel operator alike. Even on Build Only contracts, the company often undertakes significant value engineering of the project, proposing and implementing cost saving design initiatives to benefit both the client and the operator. A relentless site team initiates daily collaboration with the consultant designers to overcome
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DEVELOPMENT
Knowing each project to be unique, with its own specific set of challenges, Brookfield Multiplex encourages creative thinking, combining innovation with disciplined decision-making to deliver the best and most sustainable solutions for their clients. One area of innovation in which the company have been excelling, is Building Information Modelling (BIM). Brookfield Multiplex Middle East and Asia is at the forefront in BIM technology, having developed their own integrated, in-house BIM Team, comprised of specialists across a number of disciplines (design, planning, construction and commercial) to ensure the integrity, accuracy and interoperability of models produced Once developed, BIM provides a single database for building design and construction, proving a powerful tool to visualize building elements in 3D prior to construction commencing. Passionate about exceeding expectations “With every project, our goal is not only to deliver on time and on budget, but to exceed our clients’ expectations. We add genuine value to the brief by leveraging our global experience and expertise. On each project we appoint a consortium of dedicated team leaders who think like owners, champion the project and guide its progress. When others say it cannot be done – We strive to deliver.” Currently, Brookfield Multiplex is undertaking various high-end hotel projects around the world. Some of these include: > The Hilton Hotel (Surfers Paradise, Australia) > Eastern Mangroves to be managed by Anantara (Abu Dhabi, UAE) > The Westin Resort and Spa (Abu Dhabi Golf Club, UAE) > The Wellesley - a boutique hotel (London, UK) > The Star City Casino Redevelopment (Sydney, Australia) > Emirates Park Towers Hotel (Dubai, UAE), to be managed by Marriott International, and will be the world’s tallest hotel once completed. > Trump International Hotel & Tower, Toronto, Canada
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Above - Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residence, Queensland, Australia Left - The W Doha Hotel and Residence Bottom - Trump International Hotel & Tower, Toronto, Canada
Completed in early 2009, the 26-floor W Hotel consists of 25 floors of hotel with 291 guestrooms and serviced apartments, an elevated top floor with two penthouses, four podium levels with three exclusive restaurants, two bars, a ballroom, a business lounge, meeting rooms and two basement car parks. Designed by London-based United Design, the interior includes a striking pure white marbled lobby with nearly 200 pendant chandeliers. Brookfield Multiplex Medgulf managed all aspects of the project from concept to completion – including the detailed fit-out design, procurement and delivery.
Brookfield Multiplex is a leader in global contracting and development management - We Build, Engineer and Maintain property and infrastructure assets. Based from head offices located in Doha, Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Brookfield Multiplex Middle East and Asia has built a reputation for fast delivery and high quality by managing some of the most challenging projects in the region.
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ONE TEAM PO Box 212975, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Phone: +971 4 315 8500 Fax: +971 4 315 8600 Email: bmuae@brookfieldmultiplex.com
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