The Big Project

SEPTEMBER 2011

PLUS

Wolffkran’s crane safety Kingdom Tower tendered Nakheel talk contracts

Taipei 101’s LEED celebrations

As Jordan signs up to establish a national buildingSMART forum, BIM’s pioneers reveal the region-wide innovations that lie ahead

SEPTEMBER

Contents REGULARS

21

Editor’s letter 5

22 Frontline

News bulletin 9

A day in the life of Wolffkran’s tower crane operations manager Jeff Watson

News analysis 21 The full story behind the design, inspiration and tenders for Saudi Arabia’s Kingdom Tower

22

Event insider 25 Organisers of the biggest exhibitions of the coming months reveal how it all comes together

38 Cover: The age of technological revolution

The Big Project travels to Taiwan to celebrate the completion of the tallest LEED certified retrofit

Trends 58 Jotun and The Big Art Company share their observations on the increasingly creative use of paint

Talk 74

58

34 Project update Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council shares the latest in the development of its Emirati housing schemes, Shahama and Bahia

Taipei 101 48

39

FEATURES

Nakheel’s legal counsel Elena Denkovska on post recession contract management

BIM specialists from industry and governments around the world react to buildingSMART’s new Jordanian forum and its implications for construction technology and project tendering in the region

41 Cradle to cradle The waste-free concept pioneered

by Trimo

55 Case study: Glass Looking beyond architecture and sustainability regulation

72 Supplier hotseat Tenders 77 Diary 81 Your shout 82

Redsky IT explains how integration streamlines efficiency

73 Career ladder Woods Bagot’s Karim Benkirane on his new role as managing principal

www.thebigprojectme.com | 3

TEKLA WAS BIM BEFORE BIM WAS INVENTED AD Bob, Steel Fabricator

Dave, Precaster

Ellen, Structural Engineer

John, General Contractor

“There is enough cultural and social awareness about BIM that it will eventually become part of our daily work process.

Tekla has been BIM even before the name was created.

And with its sound position in the automation back-end of the construction process, Tekla is on the leading edge of innovation.�

- Professor Charles M. Eastman Director, Ph D Program for the College of Architecture at Georgia Tech, US

AD Professionals of various disciplines working in a construction project are faced with the challenge to communicate and agree on the design in detail. They need a tool that enables effective centralization and control of all stages. Sharing the Tekla model allows them to stay in the building information loop, real-time.

Tekla Structures BIM (Building Information Modeling) software provides a data-rich 3D environment that can be shared by contractors, structural engineers, steel detailers, fabricators, concrete detailers and rebar fabricators. Choose Tekla for the highest level of constructability and integration in project management and delivery.

EDITOR’S COMMENT

Publisher Dominic De Sousa Chief operations officer Nadeem Hood

“Cutting edge”

I

have to admit, when I was invited to use Google+ I had little clue what was going on, and when our COO demonstrated a tiny cloud computing device that could soon replace servers I also struggled to keep up.

But after spending a month talking to construction’s IT advocates, I realise that I’m not alone.

The world of technology is advancing at an incredible pace and it’s only natural some will be left behind.

Without a platform upon which to discuss, share, and most importantly learn, it’s nigh on impossible to keep abreast of the latest developments.

There was one reoccurring observation that a number of those interviewed for this edition shared; the Middle East loves paper.

Whether it’s demonstrated in the lack of automation and digitisation, or the dozens of boxes that contain the thousands of architectural, MEP and other drawings collated over the course of a project lifecycle, it sounded at times like the industry here uses paper more than concrete.

The approach was summed up by Redsky IT director and GM, Monique Campbell, who told me: “Companies invest in a digger because they can see it out there earning them money, but IT is not a tangible product that they can see earning, or saving, money.”

But all that is about to change.

Unlike consumer technology, the programs, gadgets and collaboration

Associate publisher Liam Williams liam@cpidubai.com TEL: +971 (0)4 440 9158 Director business development Alex Bendiouis alex@cpidubai.com TEL: +971 (0)4 440 9154 GSM: +971 (0)50 458 9204

platforms being introduced today are not gimmicks, but important tools in the evolution of a cost and time efficient, waste-free and fully integrated industry.

In June this year, the Jordanian Government made a commitment to construction computing that is likely to be a seminal point in the adoption of such technology.

The country’s Ministry of Public Works and Housing, the Jordan Engineers’ Association (JEA), buildingSMART ME and the BIM Journal signed an agreement that will see Building Information Modelling (BIM) demanded on public construction works.

So The Big Project spoke to those already using BIM and found a core group of leading professionals and companies who were more than willing to talk about their own experiences of working with (and without) BIM. Also in this issue, we look at how automation technology has transformed the world’s second tallest building, the Taipei 101; gaining platinum LEED certification in the process; and Nakheel’s legal counsel talks contract management.

If your IT skills are up to it be sure to visit us online and nominate for The Big Project + BGreen Awards, taking place December 6 at The Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa.

And if your skills aren’t up to it, well you’re missing out again....

Melanie Mingas Editor

6 | www.thebigprojectme.com

Editor Melanie Mingas melanie@cpidubai.com TEL: +971 (0)4 440 9117 GSM: +971 (0)56 758 7834 Additional contributor Christine Fashugba Christine@cpidubai.com TEL: +971 (0)4 440 9116 GSM: +971 (0)55 105 3772 Business development manager Rhiannon Downie rhiannon@cpidubai.com TEL: +971 (0)4 440 9152 GSM: +971 (0)50 554 0116 Business development manager Nayab Rafiq nayab@cpidubai.com TEL: +971 (0)4 440 9153 GSM: +971 (0)55 542 6032 Designer/Photographer Marlou Delaben Photographer Cris Mejorada Webmasters Troy Maagma Jerus King Bation Erik Briones Printed by Printwell Printing Press LLC Published by

Head Office PO Box 13700 Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 (0)4 440 9100 Fax: +971 (0)4 447 2409 Web: www.thebigprojectme.com © Copyright 2011 CPI. All rights reserved.

While the publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information in this magazine, they will not be held responsible for any errors therein.

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NEWS | REGIONAL NEWS

NEWS BULLETIN Al Jaber achieves 19 million hours zero LTI record Shell awards certificate to mark achievement Al Jaber and Partners has received a certificate from Shell for achieving 19 million working hours with zero lost time incidents (LTI) on the site of its Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) project at Pearl Shell GTL. It is the highest safety record to date for both the companies.

“We are delighted to receive the award from Shell for 19 million hours without incident and are proud of such an admirable safety record and achieving near completion of this project with zero LTI,” said Al Jaber and Partners business development manager Eng Ammar Ammar.

“This is indeed a massive project and we are known for providing complete construction solutions to very high quality standards for substantial development projects worth as much as QR1.9 billion. With a capacity to treat

280,000 barrels of water a day, this water treatment plant is comparable to a plant for a town of 140,000 people,” he said.

The project located at a plant operated as a joint venture with OTV and Saipem has been designed, construction and commissioned to “optimise the management of a water processing system”. It aims to achieve zero liquid discharge into the natural environment.

Al Jaber is working on the full civil and structural work, mechanical steel tank and equipment and piping installation works, with onsite manpower of 15,000. The company’s share of the project is worth QR 735,000,000.

Etimated for completion within 42 months, the ETP will be the world’s largest for the

recovery, treatment and re-use of industrial process water, according to Al Jaber.

The Pearl Shell GTL Project is currently the single largest investment by Shell with a value of US$ 18 billion and is jointly owned by Qatar Petroleum and Shell. The project includes the development of offshore natural gas resources in the Qatar North Field.

It comprises the development of upstream gas production facilities and on onshore GTL plant that will produce 140,000 barrels per day of GTL products and approximately 120,000 barrels per day of condensate, liquefied petroleum gas and ethane.

When completed, it should be the world’s largest integrated GTL complex.

BELOW: The Qatar plant.

GCC Petrochems need innovation Sipchem general manager urges downstream focus The general manager of product and technology development for Saudi International Petrochemical Company (Sipchem) has said the private sector needs to focus on the development of the downstream industry to innovate the production and development of products such as petrol, lubricants and natural gas.

Dr. Trevor Hutley was speaking ahead of a presentation to be given on October 17, as part of the four day Middle East Chemical Week (MECW) 2011 conference and exhibition.

“My analysis of the situation is that companies like us (petrochemical producers) need to focus more on the downstream industry.

“Cluster programmes such as the National Industrial Cluster Development Programme in Saudi Arabia, are starting to contribute to the

8 | www.thebigprojectme.com

development of the downstream industry.

“Development parks, such as the one at PetroRabigh and the one in Abu Dhabi, are providing space and attractive infrastructure, as well as proximity to raw material suppliers, in another thrust that will assist the development of the downstream polymer processing sector,” he said.

Urging a particular focus on downstream production, Hutley said the developments of such products as petrol, diesel, jet fuel, heating oil, asphalt, lubricants, synthetic rubber, plastics, fertilizers, anti-freeze, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, natural gas and propane requires the private sector to take a “bold step”.

“Even a private company can take a bold step and set up their own R&D centre to take control of their future,” he concluded.

The private sector must take “bold step”.

NEWS | REGIONAL NEWS www.thebigprojectme.com | 9

NEWS | REGIONAL NEWS

US $700 million contracts awarded by EMAL Deals pave the way for 2014 deadlines EMAL has awarded contracts totalling more than US $700 for phase two of an expansion project that will see the manufacturer become the world’s largest single-site producer.

The contracts have been awarded to SLII (SNC Lavalin), Sojitz/Fuji, Sojitz/Hyundai, ABB Switzerland, Alstom Norway, Outotec and Rio Tinto Alcan Pechiney.

They mark the start of phase two of the ambitious Al Taweelah smelter expansions.

“The range of global suppliers applying to work with us shows that EMAL is a major player in the industry,” said EMAL president and CEO Saaed Fadhel Al Mazrooei, who said the awards were an important step forward.

“We have secured world-leading suppliers to ensure that EMAL moves forward in line with our ambitious business plan,” he continued.

Phase two will almost double production capacity to 1.3 million metric tonnes and will involve building a 1.7 kilometre smelting line; the world’s longest. It will make the aluminium manufacturer one of the world’s largest single-site producers.

Commenting on the contracts, EMAL said the deal with SLII (SNC Lavalin), which will see the technical services firm carry out engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) at the plant is “essential” to meeting the Q1 2014 deadline for first hot metal. The company provided the same services during phase one.

EMAL’s CEO and president with SNC Lavalin.

10 | www.thebigprojectme.com

Versace show home unveiled at Dubai Marina Apartment previews Versace residences in Beirut and Jeddah DAMAC Properties has unveiled its Versace branded show apartment, situated within its Ocean Heights development at Dubai Marina.

The display apartment is indicative of the luxury developers’ Versace branded apartments at ‘DAMAC Tower’ in Beirut, and ‘The Residences with Versace Home Interiors’ in Jeddah; both under construction.

“DAMAC Properties chose Dubai to construct the model apartment because it’s a mid-point between Beirut and Jeddah. Dubai attracts a lot of international visitors, and now they can walk in, see the apartment and experience the designer Italian luxury lifestyle first hand” said Niall Mc Loughlin, Senior Vice President, DAMAC Properties.

The Versace branded apartment is situated within DAMAC Properties’ award winning ‘Ocean Heights’ development. The

International suppliers prepare for local product launches Innovations to be unveiled at Big 5 As preparations for The Big 5 exhibition continue, organisers DMG have confirmed a number of suppliers that are due to showcase new products at the exhibition.

Some of the companies confirmed to launch new materials at The Big 5 will include adhesives giant Mapei, Kassa’a Paints Group and Japanese Einwood.

“We have consistently identified product development and innovation as key to driving the industry forward, and have consciously developed The Big 5 to provide both formal and informal opportunities to bring this knowledge to the market,” said event director Andy White, adding: “These developments within the sector can enable lower construction costs, provide more sustainable methods of construction and result in safer, more rigorously regulated buildings that are

show apartment is part of a new state of the art sales office on the ground floor of the 84-storey tower.

The apartment occupies a space of 135 square meters, and includes a dining room, lounge room, main bedroom, ensuite and separate bathroom. It is decorated with the latest furniture and accessories from the Versace range, flown in from Italy.

“The essence and uniqueness of Versace Home style is to combine the appeal of precious materials with beautiful and decorative innovations.

“It expresses Versace’s highest standard for elegance and the quality is, of course, excellent, due to the attention toward detail and superb craftsmanship” McLoughlin added. the key to a safe, profitable future in the construction industry.”

The Big 5 will also feature more than 80 product-led seminars to promote all the new launches presented over the four-day exhibition and will also feature the FM Expo.

The Big 5 will be held November 21-24 at Dubai World Trade Centre

EMAL’s phase two expansion contracts have been awarded to: Sojitz/Fuji – Transformers-Rectifiers Groups Sojitz/Hyundai – 400 KV Intertie Transformer ABB Switzerland – 220 KV GIS Alstom Norway – Gas and Fume treatment centres Outotec – Green Carbon Plant, Butts Crushing, Anode Rodding shop and Hot Bath Removal Rio Tinto Alcan Pechiney – Anode Baking Furnace Technology

Architects gather to discuss sustainable development Potential impacts of financial crisis to be debated this month The global financial crisis should not tempt the construction industry to “water down” sustainability targets, according to architects.

The shift in global financial power, which is also spurring growth in developing economies, should promote sustainability standards, rather than deter their adoption.

“Creating developments that are socially, economically and environmentally sustainable remains a top priority for the international community,” said Andy von Bradsky, who will deliver a keynote address at the World Architecture Congress this month.

Bradsky is also chairman of PRP Architects, responsible for a number of projects in Abu Dhabi such as The Park, Al Hayer farms community and The Gateway; in addition to a number of other international designs.

“In the wake of the global financial crisis there may be a temptation to water down sustainability targets for cost reasons and concentrate on economic growth at the expense of sustainable outcomes.

“At the same time, developing economies are growing at a fast pace and need to ensure they meet appropriate standards for sustainability and are in an ideal position to

The World Architecture Conference 2010.

embrace best practice,” Bradsky continued.

The World Architecture Congress, running alongside Cityscape Global later this month, will address architectural challenges including the identification of future solutions to applying sustainable architecture techniques to design.

Emirates Green Building Council UAE, Masdar, ATKINS Middle East, Buro Happold and Quantum-AIP will all take part in a panel discussion to explore costeffective methods, examine recent achievements and generate pro-active solutions to current challenges.

Tahir Sharif, founding president of buildingSMART ME: “What the Middle East construction sector shares with construction in other regions is the need to eliminate waste and inefficiency, improve productivity and quality, whilst adopting sustainable practices.

“To be able to reap the rewards, there has to be investment. As the world emerges from recession, companies and clients are still reluctant to adopt changes. Many do not even know where to start with the change.

“The decision to adopt BIM involves three areas: people, process and technology. Binding these three areas together is information; accurate, immediate and collaborative information. The key to successful BIM deployment is ensuring that this refined level of information is accessible to the entire project team throughout the life of the project.”

For the full story turn to page 38

Visitor demand turns INDEX ‘product specific’ Change of format following 68% positive survey result Interior and design exhibition, INDEX, will feature six product-specific shows for the first time in its 21 year history, following the results of feedback in which 68% of respondents agreed the show should change its format.

Taking place at Dubai World Trade centre next month, the Index 2011 will showcase 800 exhibitors spread across 20,000 sqm, representing international brands from across 49 countries.

“Based on insights and feedback we received from the market and from our visitors, 68 per cent of the people wanted the show to be product-specific while the remainder wanted to see products split by the manufacturing nation, so we now offer both,” commented event director Paula Al Chami.

“We believe this structure will allow exhibitors to effectively present their products and services to the right audience and also make it easier for visitors to navigate throughout our very large exhibition,” she added.

Events confirmed for this year’s show include: K&B essentials for kitchens and bathrooms; Visione for the advancements in lighting technology; textiles fashion show Les Collections Exclusives; the InRetail Summit 2011 conference; in addition to artists’ avenue and INDEX ISG student challenge.

“We are introducing interactive features alongside each of the new product-specific show sectors, generic features, conferences, competitions and panel discussions and CES seminars.

“Visitors to the show can also look forward to the highest number of additional show features the show has ever had, networking and inspiration,” Al Chami added.

The opening day of last year’s exhibition.

www.thebigprojectme.com | 11

NEWS | REGIONAL NEWS

Best of ONLINE

Medinah Airport tender awarded Turkish firm Tepe Akfen wins GCC’s first transport PPP A consortium led by the aviation branch of Turkish construction and operations company Tepe Akfen (TAV) has won the multi-billion dollar tender for the BOT project of the Prince Abdulaziz International Airport in Medinah, Saudi Arabia.

It is the first PPP project for the transportation industry in the Gulf region and will see the firm operate the airport for 25 years. It is TAV’s 11th airport project.

The first phase of the project, valued at US $1 billion, will double the airport’s capacity from four million to eight million passengers per year, through construction of a new terminal building and the renovation of the runway, apron and taxiway systems.

Phase two is planned for the next decade and will further increase capacity to 16 million passengers. TAV’s projects partners are Saudi Oger

and Al Rajhi Holding.

“What makes this a remarkable success is the fact that this will become the first application of PPP scheme not only into airport developments but also to the GCC’s transportation industry,” said Gulf regional director for Yusuf Akcayoglu.

“Because of its geographical location, the Gulf is a natural hub bridging the rising East, led by China and India, with the West.

“Therefore, I believe that the GCC countries are absolutely correct for the investments they have made into their aviation infrastructure and they are also very successful with the results yielded,” Akcayoglu added.

Visit Thebigprojectme.com to read an exclusive interview about TAV’s airport work.

Tepe Akfen Gulf regional director Yussuf Akcayoglu.

Shaikhani launches new FM and consultancy brand Takmeel to be headed by Rizwan Shaikhani The multibillion dollar conglomerate Shaikhani Group has introduced a new “turnkey solutions provider” to address consultancy and FM projects, directed by former Shaikhani contracting MD, Rizwan Shaikhani.

Takmeel will specialise in the provision COMING TODAY design and concept, construction and project management, value engineering and interior designing solution and property management across the GCC. The new brand has already provided “creative ideas” in project management, interior design and interior turnkey projects on commercial and residential contracts.

“The GCC region is now seeing an influx of activity in its property development sector, and is foreseen to carry an accompanied demand

12 | www.thebigprojectme.com

Rizwan Shaikhani

for strategic turnkey solutions,” said Shaikhani.

Takmeel will focus on the creation of residential design solutions and under its consultancy segment, will be offering key services like space planning, concept design and detailed design, project management and value engineering.

Dubai vision to be unveiled at Future Cities conference H.E. Hussain Nasser Lootah to make environmental announcement The future vision for Dubai is to be unveiled at a new urban planning conference held next month alongside CityScape Global.

The new event, organised in by Dubai Municipality and the Environmental Centre for Arab Towns (ECAT) in conjunction with CityScape organisers IIR, will also “showcase leading solutions and technologies, deliver information and inspire debate on the needs of the cities of tomorrow,” according to a statement issued by the organisers.

“Whilst great advances have been made in ‘greening Dubai’ in the last few years, there is still much more to be done,” said Dubai Municipality director general His Excellency Hussain Nasser Lootah, who give an opening keynote speech at the event.

“For this reason and many others we are honoured to host this event in Dubai and look forward to welcoming regional and international leaders to discuss this important subject to ensure sustainable growth and development of our future cities.”

Scheduled to take place from September 27-29 in Dubai, Future Cities 2011 will welcome high level speakers from the United Nations, the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change, Birmingham City Council, the Sao Paulo City Council, Dubai Exports and the Arab Urban Development Institute.

It will also feature an exhibition and conferences on sustainability, urban design, and creating identities.

CityScape MD, Rohan Marwaha says the event has been produced in response to industry demand for discussion on the “key challenges that face every city today”, including sustainable economic growth, infrastructure provision and social well-being and cohesion.

“Dubai Municipality and the Environmental Center for Arab Towns (ECAT) are proud of the significant steps we have taken to launch green policies and we intend to use Future Cities as a springboard for new environmental initiatives to be announced at the event,” Lootah added.

geZe middle east | P.O. Box 17903 | Jebel Ali Free Zone | Dubai u.A.e. | tel: +971 4 4541434 | Fax: +971 4 4541474 | gezeme@ae.geze.com | www.geze.ae

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12,800

Adopt a Camp

have received help from Adopt a Camp since 2006

Charity event helped 3129 of Dubia’s construction workers

R

amadan is traditionally a month for giving and good deeds, but one woman has created an event, which this month changed the lives of more than 3000 of Dubia’s construction workers.

Since 2006 Saher Shaikh has been the driving force behind the Adopt a Camp initiative that has provided basic supplies to labourers in more than 38 camps.

This Ramadan, on Thursday August 18, more than 1400 volunteers turned out to pack 3129 care packages, which were then distributed across Dubai.

Made up of items requested by the workers themselves, the packages contained a three month supply of 24 essential toiletries, clothing and food items, such as pillows, prickly heat power, toothbrushes, and dates. Muslim boxes also included prayer mats.

“The packages were distributed immediately after we finished assembling them. Volunteers joined in straight from the event and it was nice

for them to get to see the end result of all their efforts,” Shaikh said.

“The workers’ reaction was spectacular; lots of hugs, tears and most of all smiles,” she added.

The event was supported not only by individuals, but by companies such as Movenpick, who sent staff to help pack boxes; Abraaj Capital, a major donor to the event; and IBM, which celebrated its 100 year anniversary by taking part.

Dubai Chamber of Commerce partnered with the group as part of its Ramadan Festival at Dubai World Trade Centre – allowing use of one of the trade centre halls to pack the boxes – and even labourers themselves took part.

“Each time I write about a Care Packages for Labourers event, I struggle to put down what our help means to these men.

“I’ve been doing this for six years now and still can’t sum it up in a few, neat sentences.

“The next event will be held when it’s needed.

The Care Package events go hand in hand with the hygiene workshops I do at the camps.

men

Organisers said more than 1400 volunteers helped to pack and distribute care packages.

“I feel very humbled to be part of such an incredible community and very grateful to God,” Shaikh added.

To keep up to date on the latest activities or participate in the next event search for AdoptaCamp’s Facebook page, follow on twitter or visit www.adoptacamp.ae

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NEWS ANALYSIS | KINGDOM TOWER

Key to the Kingdom ABOVE: Kingdom Tower from the air.

Every once in a while a project so huge is announced that it captures the imagination of the entire world. Last month, Saudi Arabia’s Kingdom Holding Company tendered piling works for a $1.2 billion, 1000m tower; confirming construction of the world’s next record breaking supertall, Kingdom Tower, is under way

I

Official images released by AS+GG show an aerial view of the completed supertall.

t will rise more than 1000 metres over the Red Sea, the centre piece of the 5.3 millionsquare-metre Kingdom City, to be built north of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Following years of speculation, the design development of Kingdom Tower is now under way. Foundation drawings are complete, the piling works are being tendered, and names including Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill Architecture (AS+GG), Environmental Systems Design Inc. (ESD) and Thornton Tomasetti are already confirmed to be involved. Construction will begin “imminently”.

Announced on August 2 by the chairman of Kingdom Holding Company, His Royal Highness Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, Jeddah Economic Company (JEC) along with prominent local businessmen Samaual Bakhsh and Abdulrahman Hassan Sharbatly, were named partners for the development, and Saudi Binladin Group named contractor.

Kingdom Tower will cost approximately US $1.2 billion to construct, while the cost of the

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NEWS XXXXXXXX ANALYSIS | XXXXXXXXXX | KINGDOM TOWER

5.3 million square meter site area

“Construction challenges very

much centre around efficient logistical management”

entire Kingdom City project is anticipated to reach $20 billion.

Predicted to be ready for occupancy in five years, the mixed use tower will feature a Four Seasons hotel, Four Seasons serviced apartments, Class A office space, luxury condominiums and the world’s highest observatory.

The surrounding city will feature the 23-hectare Kingdom Tower Waterfront District with both residential and commercial buildings, a shopping mall, high-quality outdoor spaces and other amenities; it is also designed by AS+GG. HOK Architects has been named as designers of the city’s overall masterplan.

“I think Saudi Arabia is at a time in its development when it wants to become more international, more open, and more friendly to business, and certainly that is the vision of our client, Jeddah Economic Company,” says architect Adrian Smith.

“Therefore we thought in terms of new growth, which led to the development of the plant-like ‘fronds’. Kingdom Tower will be a symbol of Saudi Arabia as a major player on the world stage,” Smith adds.

impact” on the structural, architectural and MEP design, according to Mills.

In adapting the design of Burj Khalifa during the structural peer review, four areas of emergency refuge were included; a measure which became critical following 9/11.

Additionally, balcony access is automatically blocked during high winds; stair cases are reinforced to withstand impact; and alarm systems are linked back to the civil defence.

A view of the tower from its approach.

Team Burj

The decision makers and investors in Saudi Arabia have only recruited the best for Kingdom City and as a result have the biggest names from the Burj Khalifa project on board to design, direct and develop.

Having directed the project to build the world’s current record holder, Hyder Consulting’s John Mills anticipates that the design challenges between the two icons will be much the same.

Beginning with the high performance exterior wall system and concrete core, Mills cites foundation design, atmospheric and seismic conditions as primary factors for consideration, and also says the dead loading for the structural, architecture and facade design – as well as MEP – will require close liaison between designers, controls specialists, contractors and, of course, the client.

“Construction challenges very much centre around efficient logistical management; maximising crane usage; the integration of specialist subcontractors; and the vertical movement of plant, labour and materials are key,” he advises, adding: “The quality of raw materials, like high strength concrete and its pumpable mix designs will also be a challenge,” although he cannot comment on what these materials may include. Fire and life safety strategies in particular have a “notable

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173 meters Mills says vertical the minimum height by transport is the next which Kingdom with greatest consideration surpass the Khalifa and as a result Kingdom Tower will have what its architects describe as “one of the world’s most sophisticated elevator systems”.

The complex will include 59 elevators; 54 single-deck and five double-deck, along with 12 escalators. Elevators serving the observatory will travel at a rate of 10 meters per second in both directions.

Icon rising

“Kingdom Tower’s height is remarkable, obviously, but the building’s iconic status will not depend solely on that aspect,” pledges Talal Al Maiman, who holds the positions of executive director for development and domestic investments; board member of Kingdom Holding Company; and board member of JEC. “Its form is brilliantly sculpted, making it quite simply one of the most beautiful buildings in the world of any height,” he continues, saying also that he was impressed by the boldness and simplicity of Smith’s design, which slopes towards a tapered pinnacle.

ABOVE: An impression of the completed entrances to the tower.

According to the limited official information that has been released to date, the tower will also stand as an “iconic new marker” of the historic importance of Jeddah, gateway to Mecca.

Designed to trick nature itself, in addition to defying gravity, Kingdom Tower’s tripod-esque design will even “confuse the wind”, says Smith.

“Like Burj, its base has three “legs,” but unlike Burj, the legs ascend in a smooth

manner and then terminate at different heights, creating the effect of a plant with fronds that begin to separate at the top.

“Our wind-tunnel testing indicates that this shape is very effective at ‘confusing the wind,’ as we say,” and he continues to cite the treatment of atmospheric conditions between the two towers as one of their key differences.

“With its slender, subtly asymmetrical massing, the tower evokes a bundle of leaves shooting up from the ground — a burst of new life that heralds more growth all around it,” Smith continues, further explaining the separation of the fronds at the top of the tower represent “new growth fused with technology”.

The mile-high mirage

ABOVE: One of the planned architectural features is a sky terrace.

“The building’s iconic status will not depend solely on its height”

In the last decade the record for the world’s tallest building has almost doubled, from 508 metres upon the opening of Taipei 101 in 2006, to 828 metres in 2010 and now 1000 metres by 2016.

Theoretically, it has been as possible to build as high as a project demands for a long time, and it is thanks to projects such as these that the theory has become fact.

But these developments still pale in comparison to the wildly ambitious studies conducted as long ago as 1989.

Called “Sky City 1000”, a research paper by Japan’s Takenaka Group identified a number of pressing urban issues including land prices, traffic congestion, pollution and over exploitation of natural resources, and aimed to solve them via a theoretical concept for 1600 metre tall vertical cities.

The paper predicted the cities to be the future of urban development and the research produced nine futuristic, mind warping designs, of which three were proposed in detail: the Liquid Crystal Tower; Spiral Sky City; and Tower of Life. All were adapted for development in a desert environment.

Liquid Crystal Tower was an “ultimate oasis”, it offered shelter for 188,200 people over a total of nine million square feet; the ideas was that: “people in the desert might have escaped from the scorching ground to live in the sky, by the time people in other parts of the world face desert climates due to global warming”.

Spiral Sky City would stand as an oasis, mimicking the green belts and rivers along which many cities are built on more fertile lands. The third, Tower of Life isn’t just a vertical city, but a water plant supplying the tower and surrounding urban areas. It would produce energy by itself and offer natural ventilation.

Today, with such courageous proposals not only becoming a reality but a standard, it remains to be seen how long Kingdom Tower will hold its tallest title “The clear success that the Burj Khalifa has brought to Dubai, as an icon, and to Emaar as the centrepiece of the Downtown Dubai development is clear for all to see,” says Mills.

530,000 sq m Total construction area

“I am sure the Kingdom Tower in Jeddah will bring the same success. As to the tower being taller, that is just natural progression,” he concludes.

The names Kingdom Holding Company AS+GG HOK Architects Environmental Systems Design Inc. (ESD) Thornton Tomasetti Jeddah Economic Company Samaual Bakhsh Abdulrahman Hassan Sharbatly Saudi Binladin Group

The design “While the design is contextual to Saudi Arabia, it also represents an evolution and a refinement of an architectural continuum of skyscraper design.

The three-petal footprint is ideal for residential units, and the tapering wings produce an aerodynamic shape that helps reduce structural loading due to wind vortex shedding.

“The Kingdom Tower design embraces its architectural pedigree, taking full advantage of the proven design strategies and technological strategies of its lineage, refining and advancing them to achieve new heights.

“The result is an elegant, cost-efficient and highly constructible design that is at once grounded in built tradition and aggressively forward-looking, taking advantage of new and innovative thinking about technology, building materials, life-cycle considerations and energy conservation. For example, the project will feature a high-performance exterior wall system that will minimize energy consumption by reducing thermal loads. In addition, each of Kingdom Tower’s three sides features a series of notches that create pockets of shadow that shield areas of the building from the sun and provide outdoor terraces with stunning views of Jeddah and the Red Sea,”

Adrian Smith, architect.

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NEWS ANALYSIS | KINGDOM TOWER

“Kingdom Tower will be a symbol of Saudi Arabia as a major player on the world stage”

FRONTLINE | Wolffkran

Leader of the pack Wolffkran’s operations manager Jeffrey Watson explains why he is leading a personal quest for safety in crane operation in the Middle East

J

effrey Watson’s day begins at 5.30am when he arrives on site to meet his team of tower crane operators.

Taking time to brief the six-strong team of skilled men he says that the most efficient teams are not those comprising 20, 30 or even 100 personnel, but the ones effectively trained to the highest standards and expertly delegated to their individual tasks.

“It’s just about managing and training your people to do the job they are assigned to do, with confidence and safety,” he adds saying that his personal safety specifications also mean all his team’s work is completed in day light.

Beginning his own career in 1986 – a time when training and licences were non-existent, even on British sites – he says that the practices he has witnessed locally are some of the most hazardous in the world.

Having since spent 20 years working on projects in the UK, Europe and Asia, Watson admits he is now on a “personal quest” to align safety the standards of Middle East sites with those enforced elsewhere and his passion for high standards, in both training and safety, is clear.

“Here they just hope on a wing and a prayer. They just use any old bit of steel and tie the crane to the building and hope it stays up but I send everything back to Wolffkran’s technical department and make sure it’s all designed to take the loads; the correct steel to the correct standards.

Everything’s calculated so it can’t go wrong,” he explains.

Despite witnessing improvements over recent years, he still meets many companies that merely “pretend” to be following

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“I have to make sure that everything we do is to the highest standards and that doesn’t matter who we are working with” best practices, with little interest in working to higher standards. He continues to reveal that despite some of these companies actually working under managers who too demand safer sites, middle management fails to enforce such values.

“For example, I’ll have one company that will want everything from me in terms of paper work to cover themselves, while other companies just pretend that they want the method statements or certificates or risk assessments, and they just go through the motions.

“I have to make sure that everything we do is to the highest standards and that doesn’t matter who we are working with, or where they are from we demand that paper work.

“It doesn’t matter if they want it, that’s how I work. I do get accused of pushing my standards on to these firms but you can do it our way and survive or just carry on doing things the way you’re doing them,” he asserts.

News Wolffkran has supplied cranes to a number of projects across the Middle East.

Big ambition

“My interest in cranes started as a child, my dad used to go to the ship yards in Glasgow and I saw the cranes and used to want to go up them.

Eventually, when I was 16 I went to London and that’s where I saw my first ever tower cranes,” Watson recalls.

“I went up and thought ‘I like this’ and I became a crane operator.”

Having since worked as high as 320 metres on a project in Hong Kong, Watson says his next ambition is to work on “another Burj Khalifa” from the start of the project.

Driven by his passion for skyscrapers, he says that his experience working on the “big spread out projects” such as London’s Wembley Stadium and Canary Wharf, mean tower projects are “the next logical progression”.

“To be able to tell people you’ve worked on the highest building in the world would be great. I would love to work on another

Burj Khalifa; something really prestigious. I just want to do something really high,” he continues, adding that some of his career highlights to date have been projects he has worked on in Dubai.

Currently working on site at the Burj Khalifa residences, Watson is responsible for a number of cranes scheduled to be on site until the end of 2011.

“Tower cranes are seen as a kind of dangerous industry and I would like to do my best to improve it.

FRONTLINE | Wolffkran

“You can do it this way and survive or just carry on doing things the way you’re doing them ”

“You always have the human element and somebody can still make a mistake, but I want to try to change that to get to a standard where you know you’re going to come home from work every day,” he continues.

“Safety is my top priority. Over the 20 years I’ve been doing this I have seen people cut corners and I’ve seen the consequences, but I want to eliminate all that.”

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Behind the scenes Over the coming months Dubai’s World Trade Centre will be transformed time and again to host some of the region’s biggest exhibitions. As the season kicks off, organisers from The Big 5, CityScape Global and Domotex reveal what goes on behind the scenes...

Big 5, DMG Events

ABOVE: Wouter Molman, IIR

“Unless you are in the events industry it is difficult to comprehend the level of planning and organisation required to run an international event”

With preparations for 2012 beginning before this year’s show has even ended, organising The Big 5 really is a never ending task.

“I love analysing data and responses to marketing campaigns,” says group marketing manager for construction, Faye Black.

“Your analysis is the best indication of where you should be allocating your budget and highlights potential new opportunities. For example analysis from the past four years has shown a steady increase of buyers from Iran. As a result we have analysed our current database, identified gaps, invested in databuild and are working closely with associations and key media from this region,” she continues.

In addition to each marketing manager taking responsibility for two Big 5 events, Black also liaises with the team’s exhibition managers and sales executives, who take charge of the project management and sales for each show.

The entire team is then guided by The Big 5’s exhibition director, who works closely with the vice president of construction to develop the brand in new territories and identify new sector opportunities.

In addition to that, the show has an international agent network covering 40 territories that Black describes only as “extensive”.

Additional support comes from the internal database, operations, accounts and IT department, along with external design and PR agencies.

Including more educational content to help exhibitors and visitors in their business decisions, the 2011 show also will feature dedicated zones for HVAC,

marble, stone, ceramic, facility construction, IT in construction and sustainable products.

Alongside the main show is the Gaia Awards for sustainability and two new events, Middle East Concrete and PMV Live and the inclusion of another DMG event, FM Expo.

Supporting all this is a rigorous marketing campaign, that now extends to social media; gauging the opinions of more than 10,000 followers and fans who can have their say on the best bits of The Big 5.

“The Big 5 show has evolved over the last 30 years into more than just an exhibition.

“A key factor of success has been to adapt to the changing economic landscape and offer our audience an event that caters to their changing needs. It is important to us to continue to speak directly with our key buyers, understand what they want from the show and identify gaps in new markets,” she concludes.

Domotex, Deutsche Messe

For Angela Schaschen, managing director of Deutsche Messe Dubai, international travel and long hours are par for the course when running one of the largest established flooring shows.

Ahead of the sixth Domotex Middle East, being held from September 12-14, Schaschen and her seven-strong team of organisers will create an event so pivotal to the sector even local royalty will be showcasing products.

“I recently visited Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia to work with key businesses in the flooring industry to help them to use Domotex Middle East as a platform for reaching a wider regional and global market,” explains Schaschen who works according to a regional

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EVENT INSIDER | EXHIBITIONS

LEFT AND BELOW: Visitors to CityScape 2010, at Dubai World Trade Centre.

EVENT INSIDER | EXHIBITIONS

strategy, that is put into place to promote Domotex Middle East.

“For example, Tanweer FBMI, a partnership between Tanweer Investments and Her Highness Shaikha Fatma Bin Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE will be exhibiting exclusive handmade carpets which are created by a community development

program in Afghanistan, which aims to alleviate poverty through grass root level delivery of initiatives that lead to enhanced standards of living.

Domotex is marketed as a forum to provide each of its exhibitors with a “unique launch platform” from which they can conduct business or further expand their regional network. The 2010 edition of the show welcomed almost 5000 visitors from 75 countries, who placed orders with 178 exhibitors from 34 countries.

“Since the inception of the show we have consistently

Visitors to DOMOTEX Middle East 2010.

ABOVE: Angela Schaschen.

“A key factor of success has been to adapt to the changing economic landscape and offer our audience an event that caters to their changing needs”

attracted visitors across many roles, from interior designers and architects to manufacturers to exporters.

From the post show survey last year we found that 70% of all visitors placed orders during the show,” she continues, adding that each year sees new countries signing up to exhibit to the lucrative local market.

This year’s highlights include the latest in laminate and flooring solutions, hand crafted rugs and bespoke products Additionally, a number of experts will be on hand to advise on the latest trends and innovations, laying techniques and project inspiration.

“We have also seen a growing interest in ecofriendly, recycled flooring products that comply with standards that are being set for project qualification by most of the GCC countries,” Schaschen adds.

In total, it takes the Dubai based team up to eight months to organise the show.

“Promotion of the show to visitors is also given top priority,” Schaschen says.

CityScape Global, IIR Middle East

“Unless you are in the events industry it is difficult to comprehend the level of planning and organisation required to run an international event such as Cityscape and the amount of time it takes to achieve the finished product,” says IIR’s CityScape Global exhibition director Wouter Molman.

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Still attracting its audience of international investors, developers, government and investment authorities, leading architects, designers, and consultants Molman reports the exhibition has onstantly evolved in response to market turbulence; the early focus on architecture has now shifted to encompass project launches across residential and commercial real estate; attracting exhibitors and visitors from as far afield as Asia Pacific, North America and Europe.

This year’s event will see the introduction of an occupiers’ day and the Future Cities Conference; new initiatives organised in collaboration with Dubai Municipality, CBRE and Jones Lang Lasalle.

“Each component of the event is planned effectively by different sub-teams that specialise in their specific area. For example we have a separate team to organise our conferences, round tables, awards ceremonies, cocktail functions and golf tournaments, as most require a different skills set to the others,” he continues, adding that, combined, the 40 strong dedicated CityScape production team – which is further backed by 100 ancillary team members – spends more than a year planning each show.

Currently immersed in plans for the 2012 exhibition, Molman says the models and processes used by IIR have been developed over 40 years and as a result are unique to the company.

After ten years in Dubai, in 2011 CityScape will expand to new territory with events to be held in Egypt and Qatar; the growth is supported by even more business breakfasts planned for cities worldwide, and further developments to the online platform CityscapeConnect.com, introduced last year.

“These platforms exist to enhance and support the vision for real estate growth to an international audience, highlighting iconic architecture, revolutionary developments and unparalleled investment opportunities,” Molman says.

Molman lists his personal highlights in the planning process as communicating with stakeholders and welcoming the industry leaders who will exhibit and speak at the event.

“I personally enjoy the process of repositioning existing events, adapting them to a fast changing market place in order to stay one step ahead,” he adds, saying the communication process ensures all stakeholders have a say in the direction of the event and the execution of new initiatives.

“We continue to work closely with our advisory boards, comprised of visionary leaders and senior decision-makers to provide market insight and strategic direction to our products. This way we can ensure that as the market changes, we continue to deliver the most valuable market-leading products for the benefit of the industry,” he concludes.

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INTERVIEW | Vahid Fotuhi

Solutions to fend against rising utility bills Chairman of the Emirates Solar Industry Association Vahid Fotuhi talks about the DEWA surcharge

T

his month, residents of Dubai will notice something special on their utility bills: a summer surcharge.

For the first time, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) will be charging residents an extra fuel surcharge, displayed separately, that will change based on the authority’s power generation costs, currently set at 7 fills per kilowatt hour (kWh). This means that consumers will be charged more during peak hours in the summer time when the cost of production is at its highest.

In its defense, DEWA had no other choice. It has to rely on imported fuel for much of the electricity it produces. Unlike Abu Dhabi, Dubai has no significant oil or gas reserves to rely on for power generation. Dubai’s total oil production is equivalent to roughly 2 per cent of that of Abu Dhabi. So as consumption goes up, so does DEWA’s fuel import bill.

And despite the global economic downturn, power and water usage in Dubai has not slowed down. Last summer, electricity demand in Dubai was 9.6 per cent higher than in the summer of 2009, with water demand jumping 5.9 per cent during the same period. The trend is expected to continue, with DEWA suggesting that electricity demand in the emirate will rise by a compounded annual rate of 7 per cent until 2020.

More demand means more imports. Rather than burden the state coffers with more debt, Dubai’s Supreme Council of Energy, under the astute leadership of its CEO, Nejib Zaafrani, made the sensible decision to share the burden with end-users.

At first sight, this may seem unfair. But is it? Even with the new pricing structure, Dubai’s residential utility rates are still ranked below those of Britain, the United States, France, Germany or Japan. So by international standards, water and electricity in Dubai are still cheap.

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Vahid Fotuhi

“Dubai’s total oil production is equivalent to roughly 2 per cent of that of Abu Dhabi. So as consumption goes up, so does DEWA’s fuel import bill” Not surprisingly, Dubai has some of the highest levels of water and electricity consumption in the world. Per capita, UAE residents use 550 litres of water each day. This is the equivalent of every resident consuming more 1,000 small 500ml water bottles every day.

So what can you do to reduce your water and electricity consumption? There are simple steps like taking shorter showers and turning off the air conditioning before leaving the house. Beyond that, there are a handful of long-term changes that you can bring to your apartment or villa that will result in major energy (and economic) savings. Here are four easy steps: Turn your refrigerator down. Refrigerators

account for about 20 per cent of household electricity use. Most refrigerator temperature settings are labeled 1-5 or 1-9, with freezers sometimes labeled A-E. The best setting is usually around 3 and 4. If your settings are letters A-E, then B or C should be suitable. Your freezer should be at zero. These adjustments will not only cut down on your electricity usage, they also help prevent the growth of bacteria and keep your food from spoiling.

Another good option is to phase out conventional light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs. Although they cost more, they save money in the long run by using only a quarter the energy of an ordinary incandescent bulb and last eight to 12 times longer.

They provide an equivalent amount of bright, attractive light. Only 10 per cent of the energy consumed by a normal light bulb generates light; the rest just makes the bulb heat up. And the last thing we need in Dubai is more heat.

For those who have a garden, there are simple ways to cut down on water and electricity usage. Other than installing an irrigation system instead of manually watering your grass, you should consider planting desert-friendly trees that provide good shade. One example is the ever-present date palm. Another option is the Afghan pine, a relatively fast-growing tree that can reach 20 metres high and 10 metres wide, while requiring very little water.

Reductions in energy use resulting from shade trees will save money and, as an added bonus, your tree will directly absorb about 12 kilograms of carbon dioxide from the air annually.

By adopting these measures you would be taking a big step towards lowering your monthly utility bill. It’s worth remembering that whenever you save energy, you also reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, which is the primary cause of global warming. So by cutting down on your consumption, you are not only helping your bank account but also Mother Nature.

News

Value of phase one, due for completion Q1 2012

Stormy waters

The story behind the security threats and strained relations that continue to cast a shadow over the development of Kuwait’s Mubarak Al-Kabeer mega-port

O

ABOVE: The development will protect native wildlife.

“A technical

commission established by the Iraqi government was deployed to Kuwait on August 14”

$1.4b

Value of phase three, due for completion in 2013

n August 19 it was reported that 150 Iraqis had gathered at the country’s border with Kuwait to protest further construction of the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port on Bubiyan Island. Security forces from both countries intervened to prevent violence, but extra security remains around the port as threats to attack the site and the companies working on it continue.

Kuwait’s plan is to construct a four-phase “multi-billion dollar mega-port” by 2016; the problem is that the port will reportedly block Iraq’s access to the Gulf and “hamper plans to extend Iraq’s own port facilities”, according to sources. The situation is hauntingly similar to the issues that sparked the 1990 Gulf War. The project began in 2003 when the Kuwaiti government released plans to develop an environmentally driven master plan for the island.

The country’s Institute of Scientific Research (KISR) concluded in a study of local eco-systems that the island has “a unique significance for terrestrial and marine biodiversity.”

Master planner and design consultancy HOK conducted a sustainable development plan for the island which advised the creation of a nature reserve on the northern half of the island with other development limited to small clusters across the rest of the island – including a new container port and free trade zone – to minimise environmental impact.

In 2007 a US $400m contract was awarded to China Harbour Engineering Co. and two Kuwaiti firms: Heavy Engineering Industries and Shipbuilding Company and Shaheen Al Ghanim Roads and Bridges Construction Company. The contract included construction of a 34km bridge linking the Bubiyan Island to the mainland and funds have also been allocated to build a railway linking the port to Kuwait city at a later date.

XXXXXXXX Market Explorer | XXXXXXXXXX | KUWAIT

$409m

In January 2010, Hyundai Engineering and Construction won the US$1.14bn contract in partnership with Kuwait’s Kharafi Group, to develop the port; then reported as a “gateway” to both Kuwait and Iraq.

Upon completion, the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port will enhance the capacity already provided by Kuwait’s two existing dry cargo ports, Shuwaikh and Shuaiba, and three oil terminals Mina Al Ahmadi, Mina Al Shuaiba and Mina Al Abdullah.

In spite of the strained relations since and continued threats from Iraqi militants, official tender documents state that “it is understood” construction is “ongoing smoothly and as planned”.

Specific works according to the documents include dredging of 40km long, 260 metre wide approach channel; construction of hotels, chalets, recreational facilities and a causeway to the mainland; and construction of a container terminal, four berths and a 1300 metre quay wall in addition to port buildings and utilities, digging, soil improvement works and site levelling.

Invitations to tender for phase three are expected to be issued next month, with completion still on track for the final deadline.

Mixed messages

While the project is still officially active, media reports over recent months have painted an alarming picture about the security of the development and the firms working on it.

Not only does Iraq have concerns over the impact of Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port on its own mega port project in Umm Qasr, the country also contests Kuwait’s ownership of Bubiyan Island, another element of conflict during the Gulf War. The site today, while work is ongoing, is a restricted area.

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The region’s leading sustainability magazine

This planet is the only one we’ve got...

To advertise please contact: LIAM WILLIAMS Associate publisher Email: liam@cpidubai.com Tel: +971 4 440 9158

LOUKIA PAPADOPOULOS Editor Email: loukia@cpidubai.com Tel: +971 4 440 9118

www.buildgreen.ae

Value of phase two, due for completion April 2014

Kuwait’s other tenders

Project: Construction of the infrastructure for the site of the central prison and the external thereof for a public works authority.

Company: Ministry of Public Works (Kuwait) Ministry of Public Works Bldg., 3rd Floor, 6th Ring Road Safat 13001 Kuwait Phone: (+965) 2538 5520 / 2538 5530 Fax: (+965) 2538 5219 / 2538 5234 Project: Design and Build (DB) contract for construction of the middle part of Jahra Motorway project.

Company: Ministry of Public Works (Kuwait) Ministry of Public Works Bldg., 3rd Floor, 6th Ring Road Safat 13001 Kuwait Phone: (+965) 2538 5520 / 2538 5530 Fax: (+965) 2538 5219 / 2538 5234

In July, the Kuwaiti embassy in Iraq was attacked by rockets, shattering the windows and prompting staff to be moved to Kuwait, at least until the end of Ramadan.

A technical commission established by the Iraqi government was deployed to Kuwait on August 14. Apparently a-political, it is said to present the issues “in a scientific and technical way” according to local news reports.

Details from the British and American embassies in Kuwait City are also inconclusive, as while both cautiously report they are investigating the viability of the threats, no official advice has been issued for the companies working on this development, or any of Kuwait’s other infrastructure projects.

The US embassy in Kuwait say no official advice has yet been issued and that if American companies are concerned about their operations in Kuwait they should contact the embassy directly.

The UK embassy’s head of security said

threats were assessed for viability on a case by case basis, but that multiple threats would be assessed cumulatively. If found to be realistic advice will be issued.

Currently companies should liaise with the British Business Forum or write to the country’s ambassador Frank Baker, who will take a decision on issuing official advice based on the number of inquiries he receives.

The Murbarak Al-Kabeer port is not the be all and end of Kuwait’s ambition; the country has a number of other infrastructure projects currently under development.

Airport expansions and road improvement works valued at $6.2b are due to be completed within the next three years – in addition to megaproject City of Silk, or Madinat Al Hareer, currently being developed by Eric Kuhne and Associates.

And with a name that literally translates as “the invincible citadel”, Kuwait will surely weather the storm.

Project: Distilled Water Pipelines Construction & Completion Works Project Company: Ministry of Electricity & Water (Kuwait) Ministry of Electricity & Water Bldg., South Al Surra Street, Ministries Area Safat - 13001 Kuwait Phone: (+965) 2537 1000 Fax: (+965) 2537 1420 / 1421 / 1422 Project: Maintenance of the mechanical and electrical works related to the pumps and feeder lines for drinking water and drainage for a housing care authority.

Company: Public Authority for Housing Care PAHC (Kuwait) Farwaniya, Al-Dhajeej area Safat 13094 Kuwait Phone: (+965) 530 1000 Fax: (+965) 539 4901 Project: Equipment Maintenance Works for Ministry’s precious metals department Company: Ministry of Commerce & Industry (Kuwait) Commercial Area # 9, Al-Shuhadaa Street Safat 13008 Kuwait Phone: (+965) 242 3555/ 242 3666 Fax: (+965) 246 0693

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Market Explorer | KUWAIT

$1.3b

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A project for the community Ahead of its showcase at CityScape Global this month, The Big Project previews Abu Dhabi’s Shahama and Bahia Emirati housing master plan, developed in collaboration with its future residents

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”It is only with their input that urban development can successfully meet their needs and aspirations” 34 | www.thebigprojectme.com

bu Dhabi’s Emirati housing programme is gaining pace. In June the urban structure framework plan was announced for the first area master plan, Shahama and Bahia; a project that regenerates one of the oldest Emirati neighbourhoods and contributes to the 13,000 villas planned under the Emirati Family Housing Programme.

This month, a 23 metre model of Abu Dhabi’s urban landscape will be unveiled at Dubai’s CityScape Global exhibition to showcase the Emirate’s three regional master plans; Capital 2030, Al Ain 2030 and Al Gharbia 2030; further demonstrating how the Shahama and Bahia Revitalisation plan will integrate.

Located on the coast between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the overall planning area consists of approximately 1770 hectares and will house

27,000 people; the majority, Emirati. It is divided into two area; coastal Bahia and Bahia and Shahama, intersected by highways.

The communities form an integral part of the government’s Vision 2030 strategy, which according to the Emirate’s Urban Planning Council (UPC) has been orchestrated to secure high quality, sustainable housing constructed by local developers for Emirati citizens.

Many of the new planned developments are to be built within two years.

The Shahama and Bahia Revitalisation plan in primarily has five key themes, to create: new town centres with transport hubs and retail developments; vibrant and functional housing areas relating to local cultures, climate and contemporary life styles; redefined coast lines and beachfront homes; enhanced

connectivity; and promote sustainability.

The objectives are bold but clear; and they are far from isolated.

“The Shahama and Bahia master plan and the various Emirati housing plans are not stand-alone development projects,” says director of urban planning and infrastructure at the UPC, Amer Al Hammadi; further commenting that the developments are not designed to tackle shortages in the supply of Emirati homes, but guarantee social security for future generations.

“This masterplan is of many plans being orchestrated together to attain the overall vision of Plan Capital 2030, which takes into consideration what the whole of Abu Dhabi’s metropolitan area and neighbouring areas will look like and how they will be developed.

“As a result, both initiatives are fully integrated into the core values and elements of Plan Capital 2030 and have to accord with the bigger picture guidelines, policies and regulations of urban development for the entire city.

“It is a holistic approach to the city’s development and no element is acting in isolation,” Al Hammadi adds.

Team effort

The demanding and ambitious objectives set out in the plan are more than a marketing tactic; UPC has shown commitment to achieving its quality and sustainability pledges through careful planning, monitoring and close collaboration between the organisations and developers contracted to carry out the works, and the resi-

dents looking to move there.

“During the development of the Shahama and Bahia master plan, the residents of the area were engaged in a community day where their needs and aspirations were discussed.

The master plan has therefore been drawn up with their thoughts and wishes very much in mind – and this can only be a good thing for the future of the area,” Al Hammadi says.

The feedback was gauged through a series of workshops, consultation sessions and meetings with both governmental and nongovernmental bodies, which saw around 140 volunteers and community members speaking directly with authorities during a dedicated community day held in Shahama.

According to UPC it is a design for development that is regularly undertaken during such projects.

“The day was organised in order to learn more about the challenges facing the Shahama area and also the potential opportunities,” says Al Hammadi.

“Residents were asked what they liked about their communities, what they wanted to see change, and what their dreams for their communities were,” Al Hammadi adds, recalling there was also opportunity for attendees to speak directly with government service provider agencies about healthcare, education, community facilities, amenities, transportation and employment, as well as housing.

“UPC values the feedback of those living and working all across the Emirate. It is only

with their input that urban development can successfully meet their needs and aspirations,” Al Hammadi continues.

In addition to hearing the community’s requests, the council also appraises and balances them to ensure they are meeting the needs of all residents, rather than a select few.

Giving an example of one suggestion that didn’t make the final cut, Al Hammadi recalls one request for a local theme park.

“It was decided that a theme park wouldn’t fit in an area with such a heavy residential focus and that other locations would be more suitable for this.”

Sustainably minded

In addition to the preservation of local architectural styles, all the developments are to be built to meet a minimum of two Pearls under Abu Dhabi’s Estidama environmental rating system.

A statement from UPC, released in June pledged a commitment to an expansion programme that would be “controlled and planned” to respect the needs and culture of Emirati people in addition to protecting and enhancing the environment and connecting the [Shahama] area to its surroundings.

“The overall project also encompasses development requirements based on UPC policies and guidelines such as the coastal development guidelines, urban street design manual, the public realm design manual and Estidama,” the statement continued.

Sustainability is also sought through the development of the community itself,

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PROJECT UPDATE | SHAHAMA & BAHIA

”It is a holistic approach to the city’s development and no element is acting in isolation”

PROJECT UPDATE | SHAHAMA & BAHIA

”The master plan has therefore been drawn up with their thoughts and wishes very much in mind” The developers The meet the requirements of Vision 2030, the new communities are designed and built by local developers •

Sorouh Real Estate

•

Tamouh Investments

•

Royal Development Company

•

Al Qudra Real Estate

Shahama’s Key themes Town Centres: Creation of new centres with transport hub and new retail development

according to H.E. Falah Al Ahbabi, UPC general manager, who says the incorporation of Estidama principles aims to inspire and increase citizen’s involvement by identifying their key motivations to “interact with the Abu Dhabi 2030 sustainable vision to improve community, environmental, social, economic and cultural responsibility”.

Al Ahbabi further adds that the communities will become a case study for sustainable living for the next generation.

Designed for the future

A traditional urban planning style known as Fareej, will be adopted for the development, incorporating groups of courtyard style homes

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to allow Emirati families to live closely together to encourage social cohesion, while also safeguarding privacy and creating climate receptive areas.

Weaving such homes together with a mix of public amenities through pedestrian friendly streets creates a dynamic, interactive and cohesive atmosphere,” explains Al Hammadi.

“Courtyard-style homes are built to the edge of the plot to maximise the use of land and define the public realm. Small paths, known as ‘sikkah’ strategically connect the homes to neighbouring homes, community facilities and intimate public spaces known as ‘barahaat’, as well as large gathering space known as ‘meyadeen’,” he continues.

Further transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces are created with ‘liwans’; shaded outdoor spaces, which naturally encourage a breeze for families to sit in. It’s a design technique that is both sustainable and climate responsive.

“The UPC is working with a number of developers to incorporate fareej design elements into their projects and these Emirati neighbourhoods will fuse traditional living with contemporary design to create highquality homes and attractive, safe and vibrant neighbourhoods,” Al Hammadi concludes.

Housing Typology: Transform systematic and functional housing areas into vibrant, living communities with informal pedestrian networks, densified courtyard typologies and a strong sense of place relating to local culture, climate and contemporary life-style.

Coast: Redefined coast and new communities facilities to densify under-developed areas and create beachfront homes Connectivity: New streets and public transit to connect the communities and shaded walkways to connect residents with amenities Sustainability: Urban Design, architectural principles, landscape design and a water, energy and irrigation strategy

The Emirati housing projects Al Ghareba, Al Ain 1022 homes with neighbourhood infrastructure Sila’a 448 villas and community and retail facilities on Al Gharbia coastline Jebel Hafeet 3000 villas, social infrastructure and recreational facilities Ain Al Fayda, mixed use master planned community near Jebel Hafeet, 2000 units YAs Island waterfront 500 private family homes linked via shaded pathways and local parks with “world class” amenities

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In June this year, the Jordanian government signed an agreement to establish a national buildingSMART forum. Tasked with improving efficiency, extending value chains and cutting waste as Jordan’s development gathers pace, The Big Project speaks to the BIM enthusiasts modernising the industry

I

t began in North America in 1995, founded by an alliance of North American organisations that collectively decided it was literally time to start building smart.

With a remit to achieve nothing less than revolution within the construction industry, buildingSMART went worldwide and forums were soon established in Australasia, Asia, Europe and North America; then in June the Jordanian government became the first in the Middle East to sign an agreement to initiate its own national forum.

Providing a platform to discuss, develop and promote the application of Building Information Modelling (BIM), the new forum is part of buildingSMART ME; which has thrived in the UAE since 2009.

The agreement was signed between Jordan’s Ministry of Public Works and Housing (MPWH) and the Jordan Engineers’ Association (JEA) with buildingSMART MENA and India (buildingSMART ME) and the BIM Journal.

“The Jordanian construction industry will see significant improvements and cost of projects going down with the standards and best practices buildingSMART ME will bring.

“As a non-profit and neutral organisation, we will continue to reach out to other governments and decision makers across the region helping them realise the benefits of BIM,” says says Tahir Sharif, founding president of buildingSMART MENA and India.

The fully functional and self-funding forum, aims to align the work of architects, engineers, contractors, manufacturers and the building owners and operators to enhance communication and share information.

In additional to the localised benefits for Jordan, it’s a seminal point for the adoption and

promotion of BIM in the Middle East, and each of the organisations taking the “BIM oath” will have an important part to play in achieving the goals set out.

The number one priority – to raise awareness of the use of BIM in the country – will primarily be supported by the BIM Journal, which will now be distributed to the 90,000 member JEA. Other stakeholders involved in the formation of the new forum include Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), MID Contracting Company (MIDCC), El-Concorde Contracting Company (ECC) and Amman Consulting Office.

Right from the start

“Traditionally, building information is generated during each project phase and often re-entered or produced during hand offs between phases and organisations,” says Sharif.

Explaining that by the end of most projects the value of information in such a format depreciates due to its poor reflection of the finished project, he maintains the practice of collating 50-100 boxes of nearly 1000 drawings is “unmanageable”.

“At Tekla we know how fragmented and complex construction projects can be,” said executive vice president of Tekla Risto Räty; as buildingSMART supporter the company helped establish the MENA and India chapter and offers its BIMSight on free download. ”We also know that building information models have a way of making reality seem much less complicated. We will be there for our existing and potential customers each year with more and more organized BIM software and the most devoted technical support in the industry to enable them collaborate across all organisations to make great deliverables for building and construction.”

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The age of technological revolution

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"BIM is undoubtedly the future of the construction industry and just like health and safety and sustainability have, it will eventually become engrained in the fabric of all construction projects" “Owners can use a BIM model to quickly populate and update FM databases, often saving on reduction in labour needed to enter information manually. Building components and assemblies are associated with facility information and used to support critical analyses such as condition assessment over time and the need for preventive repairs,” he says.

Yet the principle doesn’t end at the beginning; BIM isn’t just about getting construction right, it potentially prolongs the entire lifecycle of a project.

“Facility managers can use these visually intelligent models to determine the impact of retrofit or maintenance work,” Sharif continues, adding: “Preventive and routine maintenance tasks can be planned without disruption to operations because the facility manager has a live visualisation of the areas affected during the maintenance.”

BIM also allows such scenarios as emergency evacuation to be considered as early as the design phase.

“Allowing BIM models to be populated with electronic people simulating running, turning and detecting the nearest exit, allows egress patterns and time required for evacuation to be studied,” Sharif elaborates.

“In the operations phase, owners are performing what-if scenarios of moving people and equipment, analyzing and minimizing energy usage, while operating the facilities virtually.

“Major corporations use feedback from BIM enabled FM systems to guide the design of newer facilities, often benefiting from improved understanding of specific operational requirements,” he adds.

“Once the BIM has been created, designers have more time to think about the options and can change things very quickly,” says Davis Langdon’s global head of Thought Leadership, Erland Rendall.

“If the cost consultants cannot respond to these options just as quickly, they can get behind on the curve and miss out on the opportunity to add value at the time when key decisions are made. We are actually setting our ambition out to provide our advice in real-time, as and when changes are made to the model,” Rendall continues.

The software itself is merely a tool used in the implementation of BIM, according to Sahrif, who calls BIM an “enabling technology” with potential to improve communication among business partners, improve the quality of information available for decision making

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and reduce cost and waste at every stage in the life cycle of the building.

“Technology must be deployed as part of a comprehensive business strategy to be successful,” he deduces.

The survey said

In October 2010 Gerard Couturier was elected Vice Chairman of the UAE forum of BuildingSMART ME; he confirmed his commitment with the following statement: "I am committed to the development of Building Information Modelling in the region and to the promotion of BuildingSMART ME as a principal industry resource for OpenBIM standards and processes. “I support the vision and mission of buildingSMART ME and will leverage my experience and engagement with the Middle East AECOO industry to encourage a truly regional response; promoting collaboration, innovation, sustainability and the pursuit of worldclass standards.

“Engaging regularly with all sectors of the industry, from government bodies to developers, from contractors to sub-consultants, I believe I am well positioned to respond to the needs of the broad membership base and to contribute to the success of buildingSMART in the region."

Despite the benefits a recent survey conducted across the GCC and Jordan found familiarity with BIM in the region was “moderate” with only 25% of respondents familiar with the software and only 5% utilising it.

Of those who were using the tool, competency lagged in comparison to Western Europe and the US. The results indicated that a mere 31% of these users were company trained, with 46% self taught and only 9% institute trained.

“Overall the findings represent a market that is optimistic and aware, but inexperienced in BIM,” the report concluded.

Based on the survey results, BSAME has launched a training and certification program to help the industry play catch up; training over 200 professionals to introductory standards in the last year.

“BIM is undoubtedly the future of the construction industry and just like health and safety and sustainability have, it will eventually become engrained in the fabric of all construction projects,” predicts Jonathan Lock, structural CAD manager with ARUP. “Designers are currently leading the adoption wave by implementing the technology and processes of the ‘little BIM’ world that come from a need to meet the challenges of designing better buildings in more efficient and sustainable ways. This world brings incremental benefits to the individuals and groups engaged in BIM practices resulting from continual technology improvements.

“The challenge is expanding this out into the ‘big BIM’ world whereby the whole supply chain is engaged to shift the focus on to the large scale process improvements that will bring about the project wide benefits,” Lock continues, adding that ‘educated’ clients need to drive the need for BIM to take its adoption to the next level, and further suggesting there are three primary barriers to BIM’s adoption (see box).

Observing that levels of both understanding and adoption in the region still vary wildly, regional MD for Gehry Technologies, Lionel Lambourn, says awareness has grown over recent years.

“More and more, we are seeing BIM specifications written into a project’s contractual

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"Major corporations use feedback from BIM enabled FM systems to guide the design of newer facilities, often benefiting from improved understanding of specific operational requirements" requirements. When you read these specifications, you notice a general trend of growing sophistication and understanding of the use of BIM; however, we are still in very early days.

“There are still scores of projects currently in construction that could have but do not currently benefit from the use of BIM,” he says, speculating on the causes.

“The barrier is when you have already made that initial investment in time, resources and money, and have implemented what you think is BIM on that first project. Perhaps it’s one year since you invested in BIM and you are struggling to reap the benefits on your project and you start to worry that this whole BIM idea was a mistake. This is where the barrier is.

“Some companies will persevere and work hard at developing those best practices that allow you to truly leverage BIM for a significant return on investment, other companies will find the learning curve so steep that they just slide ride off.

“The thing with BIM is that it requires the development of a well-coordinated set of best practices and a concerted effort at adhering to those best practices in order to see the return— it is not something that magically happens when you take an installation CD out of its box and put it into your computer,” he says.

Jordan: a case study

Weighing adoption rates against the benefits is particularly significant for Jordan; a country reaching a critical period in its development.

“It is important for Jordan to make sure this goes well,” explains Bentley Systems’ industry sales director, Hassan Malki, who is also a board member of BuildingSMART ME and a member of the new Jordan forum.

“Utilising BIM across the life cycle of a project is like an insurance policy; it mitigates the

Cheng Tai Fatt, director in Singapore's government building and construction authority: “Leveraging on IT tools such as BIM is one way to raise productivity and improve process efficiency.

"The use of such tools will also level up the professionalism of the industry and raise competency and capability across the construction value chain.

“Government and authorities who did not leverage on such tools will be missing out on a great opportunity to transform the construction industry from one that is deemed to be dangerous, dirty and demanding to one that will be seen as professional, progressive and productive.”

Jonathan Lock, ARUP Taskforce: “Think there are three main barriers that still need to be resolved or at least improved before adoption of BIM becomes consist throughout the industry.

Interoperability and data exchange is perhaps the biggest current issue. The sharing of information between these different models -- is critical to the collaborative use of BIM, by assuring that each model consistently represents the same building. However, current technology does not yet allow seamless coordination between different BIM applications. The

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risk of going over budget and extending the project schedule; and that’s just in the construction phase. In the operations and maintenance phases it is possible to save up to 10% of operation costs.

“In comparison to its regional neighbours, Jordan is short on financial resources and they don’t have oil, so it’s even more important to make sure that projects are operating efficiently,” Malki adds, drawing reference from Bentley’s own work on projects such as Masdar City and Dubai Festival City, where the company ran projects that demanded integration and interoperability; elements linked by BIM. A small country of 89,342 sq km the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has ambitions for its future developments and the country’s leaders are showing increased commitment to getting it right first time.

As The Big Project recently reported, this year Jordan enlisted the advice of consultancy firms such as EC Harris, to drive forward the adoption of PPP contracts. The establishment of the national buildingSMART forum is another step in the country’s modernisation.

The Jordanian forum isn’t just a giant leap for the awareness of BIM, it also means This all government projects will have a BIM requirement and the country’s next generation of engineers, consultants and professionals from other industry sectors will be trained in its principles and applications; elements which will form the groundwork for what it is hoped will be its widespread regional adoption.

“The forum is certainly a move in the right direction but the effect of such a declaration is dependent on how actively it is implemented,” asserts Lambourn.

Gehry utlised BIM in various stages of the Guggenheim Museum design and other projects in Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Dubai.

Yet questions still remain: “How will the government enforce this? Will economic incentives

use of multiple models undermines the collaborative use of BIM and prevents project parties from reaping the full benefits of BIM's capabilities.

"Risk Management with potentially design teams that may have a policy of not sharing BIM information as a risk management strategy, particularly in the context of data accuracy, this then leads onto the ownership of BIM models and who will inevitable be responsible.

People, Training and skills – The lack of knowledge and training across the supply chain is a major barrier, with training critical to increasing BIM implementation."

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9%

"If the cost consultants cannot respond to these options just as quickly, they can get behind on the curve and miss out on the opportunity to add value at the time when key decisions are made"

of BIM users are institute trained

What is BuildingSMART? In its own words, buildingSMART ME, incorporated in the UAE, is part of a global alliance for interoperability, a not for profit organisation, promoting BIM as a means to improve efficiency and sustainability in construction for more than 10 years.

BuildingSMART ME works to develop and deploy internationally recognized standards for processes and technologies, that will improve interoperability and communication between all project stakeholders, throughout the entire life cycle of a construction facility.

Groups all over the world are forming new buildingSMART regional alliances that are driving their local markets towards greater building efficiencies and innovations.

Building Information Modelling software is beginning to streamline the design, construction, and operation processes.

Teams are using the open international standards developed by buildingSMART for information exchange in projects worldwide. However, today’s buildings still aren’t good enough. Unlike other major sectors of the world’s economy, the construction industry has failed to take full advantage of the opportunities provided by technology to achieve new efficiencies.

Manufacturers, for example, can produce and ship their products much faster and less expensively than they could a decade ago.

Meanwhile, construction methods have improved only marginally over the past century. If you look at photographs of buildings being built 100 years ago, you will find scenes remarkably similar to those we see now on construction sites.

Though local conditions place different demands on buildings, the need to develop better buildings knows no geographic boundaries. Today, this demand is as urgent in the fast-growing cities of the Middle East.

The organisation has chapters in: Australasia Benelux China Italy Japan Korea Singapore North America UAE UK

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FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: BIM was used by ARUP to realise both the aesthetic and operational design of projects such as London's iconic Gherkin and the Leadenhall building.

be provided by the government on projects that are considering the use of BIM? Will excess levels of construction waste incur steeper penalties?

“These are questions that demand answers with some degree of sophistication from experts who not only understand BIM but the industry and how it is affected by the national and global economic forces that we currently face,” Lambourn continues.

“I imagine the Jordan forum will bring many of the same benefits that we have seen arising from the UAE forum,” says its vice president and Oger Abu Dhabi branch director, Gerard Couturier.

“This includes raising awareness in the construction industry not just of BIM, but of OpenBIM standards and collaborative processes. We also hope to see the emergence of BIM user groups and other forums that encourage the interaction of industry professionals and generally raise the level of BIM competency in Jordan and the broader region,” he continues, adding that the support provided by Jordan’s MPWH and Engineers’ Association is a “bold step”, setting significant precedence in the region.

In addition to Jordan’s young engineers and architects now studying BIM, the country’s “unique” landscape and terrain can benefit from modernised urban planning that will optimise the use of the available land and resources, says Sharif.

“Since BIM is quite new in Jordan, the establishment of the Jordan Forum with the support of government bodies, will ensure that BIM is adopted in the right way. buildingSMART ME is working with the Jordan forum on the BIM

Manual, which will streamline the adoption and integration of BIM into the local construction industry,” Sharif explains.

Making the change

Jordan’s isn’t the first government to take the “BIM oath”; buildingSMART has chapters worldwide and support governments and owners in the transition to BIM by helping to create BIM Manuals, BIM Implementation documents and BIM process consultations, that Sharif refers to as “customised solutions to the construction industry in the Middle East”.

“The industry needs a leader and there is nothing better than a government body to take that to the industry,” Lock continues.

“The government is looking at the lifecycle of a project and with BIM they can reach the desired goals for sustainability as well as ensuring the operational management of the facility is best controlled as costs implications can be seen in the early stages of planning,” he explains.

“BIM has been identified by Singapore as one of the key technology drivers to raise construction productivity significantly,” says Cheng Tai Fatt, director of the corporate development division for the Singaporean government’s building and construction authority.

“In addition, it has been demonstrated through the use of BIM that there will be significant manpower savings in terms of producing

of BIM users in the region are self trained

production drawings as well as cost savings gained through less abortive work downstream, as a result of better coordinated design and construction activities upstream,” he adds.

Having first advocated the use of objectbased Cad tools in the late 1990s, by 2013 BIM

"The Jordanian construction industry will see significant improvements and cost of projects going down with the standards and best practices buildingSMART ME will bring" will be a mandatory requirement for regulatory building plan approval in Singapore and a centre for construction IT has been established to support the transition.

“During the early years, the tools then were not that matured and take-up rates were low.

Recent years have seen the global use of BIM and we started to explore this in 2009 with pilot projects. We have since opened up the CORENET e-submission system to accept architectural submissions for regulatory approval in January 2010, followed by the acceptance of structural and MEP BIM e-submissions in April 2011,” Fatt continues.

Incentives schemes will also be introduced to subsidise the procurement of hardware, software, training and consultancy; ensuring no firm is left behind. Singapore also hosts a buildingSMART week, scheduled for later this month, when the International User Group and International Technical Committee will meet.

In Finland the process began in 2007 when Senate Properties was the first firm to demand BIM from Finland’s AEC industry.

Today, Senate Properties’ chief advisor and architect, Kari Ristolainen, speaks openly about the benefits BIM brought during the 50 plus projects the company successfully completed with the technology; including the flagship Music Centre building in Helsinki, which opened last month.

“As AEC and FM clients, along with governments, strive toward achieving open standards in the industry, specifically in BIM through the planning and design component, and in ‘smart buildings’ technologies, for example the operations component, they will foster innovation,” Ristolainen comments.

Saying it can advance productivity, efficiency, quality, and sustainability through energy use reduction in both construction and operation, Ristolainen adds that BIM improves the built environment for end users, clients and stakeholders.

“We hope that governments will support, to all extents legally and practically possible, the use of open BIM and SBT solutions in public construction works,” he adds.

In the UK the government’s chief construction advisor, Paul Morrell, has set a series of challenges for companies operating within the built environment: to reduce building costs by 20%; cut carbon emissions; and embrace mandatory 3D BIM across all government projects within five years.

“Unfortunately, despite the publicity it is receiving, the advantages of BIM are not always

Owners can use BIM to •

Increase building value through BIM based energy design and analysis.

•

Shorten project Schedule from approval to completion

•

Optimise facilities management and maintenance by using BIM enabled FM systems.

Designers can use BIM •

Through conceptual design to showcase design to the owners and hence improve the design decision process, with the owners being better informed of building and operating costs etc.

•

For design and Analysis of buildings and develop construction level information

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For Value engineering, while they are designing, considering alternatives as they design, allowing practical assessment throughout the design

Contractors can use BIM to •

Win a project with a profitable price, result of measuring quantities, attention to detail and ability to develop a competitive technical solution encompassing multiple alternatives.

•

View specifications associated with each building component, that the contractor must purchase or construct

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Understand the construction status of each component to track and validate the progress of components relative to design, procurement, installation and testing.

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Conduct clash detection tests between elements to be constructed, temporary fixtures etc, minimize construction issues before they cause disruptions at site.

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Integrate with cost and scheduling software to visualize construction process and understand logistical requirements.

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Fabricate components offsite and schedule efficient delivery

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Significantly reduce time required to generate shop drawings and material takeoffs for procurement

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Reduce production cycle times, reduced coordination errors, increase the use of automated manufacturing technologies, ensure quality control, integrate with supply chain management

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46%

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percentage of industry using bim

25%

36%

49%

GCC and jordan

WEST europe

north america

obvious. Yet, in reality, they are numerous and undeniable,” responds Causeway divisional director of Tradex, Tim Cole.

“The models that go ahead are clash-free and far less likely to encounter problems during the construction process,” Cole adds, referring to the case of Capita Symonds where in 2006, £500,000 was saved through the implementation of BIM on Costain’s £30m PalaceXchange.

It’s not just those already in the BIM circle that are singing its praises. In July ProMedia, a

subsidiary company of Omnix International in Qatar, advised architectural and engineering consultancy MZ & Partners to utilise three BIM programmes during the execution of its Qatar projects. Valued at QR 3b, the projects utilise BIM to meet the Qatari government’s mandate towards sustainability.

“Construction projects today waste a lot of money in the constant revision of electrical drawings, HVAC and plumbing plans and other drawing designs due to clashes in measurement and other factors,” comments general manager Fawzi Ismail, who adds that ompetitive advantages can prompt production time savings in the region of 60%; four to six weeks off the design process.

The company's pool of architects and designers are now able to link the structural and MEP models directly into the architectural model to see all components together.

More than a bottom line

As the world’s fragile economies slowly recover, BIM’s advocates say timely implementation does not only make sense in terms of ROI, but also in terms of time management; implementing and training staff before new tenders are announced will ensure they’re not only on their marks, but ready for the starting whistle.

“BIM, done properly, is invaluable and has proven itself again and again – the savings in design, work sequencing and change management benefit both the professional team and

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contractor and ultimately the client,” says general manager of software providers CCS Gulf, Ian Hauptfleisch.

“Anyone shown BIM cannot deny the benefits but it will take some time to replace the traditional methods.

“The Bill of Quantities is still the widely accepted contractual document and forms the basis for pricing, costing and payment of a project. Unfortunately the relating of a BIM model to a bill of quantities and vice versa is not a simple task, without prescribed standards and formats,” he adds.

To BIM or not to BIM?

While the region may attract the cream of the world’s construction crop, it doesn’t attract the cream of its standards; a situation true to elements from health and safety to sustainability.

While Couturier maintains it will be the role of buildingSMART to remedy the lack of regulation surrounding stringent BIM requirements, he says the support of authorities such as MPWH and JEA will be vital.

That’s not to say the task will be an easy one, in light of the significantly technophobic attitudes many have observed.

Using the lack of automation across the industry as an example, Causeway’s business development manager Phil Auguste and COO Paul Madeira, say it isn’t a regional culture but an industry one.

“Electronic trading, digital signatures, automated document managements; it’s not utilised. Over here it’s six signatures and a stamp and paper is good,” comment Auguste.

“Automation is part of a process,” says

Madeira. “If you look at the way aviation is developing EGate works with no interaction and the hospitals here are far more advanced than any I have seen in Europe. In certain industries technology is leading the way.

“It’s funny because now we can apply for staff visas online; you complete the form but then you can’t submit it online, you have to print it. Then you stamp it and it goes back into a manual process, yet that’s still a monumental shift,” he continues.

Noting that it isn’t merely a fear of technology, or even commitment to invest, that prevents its widespread adoption in the industry, both agree the real resistance to change stems from the economics of employing huge teams rather than paying a one off price to purchase the technology that will replace that team.

“I believe contractors will adopt BIM quicker than anyone else,” Madeira predicts.

“As they move to fixed price jobs, they will take the manual model and make it into a 3D model to become more efficient, because they want to make sure their revenues are protected,” he adds saying there is particular appeal in design and build contracts.

“For a successful implementation, business leaders should examine their needs and select products and services to meet those needs,” advises Sharif.

“Cost and benefit analyses will assure them that the investment will result in increased revenue and profit. They should then use the knowledge gained from measuring performance to adjust their strategy,” he concludes.

www.TheBigProjectME.com has indepth Q&A’s with all the interviewees featured.

Company Profile

Oger International is an internationally recognised Architecture and Engineering company with advanced capabilities in Building Information Modelling (BIM). Drawing on a heritage of 50 years of operation, and with specialist divisions of Engineering Services, Project Management, Sustainability, Intelligent Buildings, Building Management Systems and Building Information Modelling, Oger International has been involved in some of the world’s most prestigious construction projects within both the public and private sectors.

Building Information Modelling

Oger International has several years of experience in realised BIM projects around the world. With proficiencies in many of the leading BIM software Oger International is actively pioneering developments in BIM processes and deployment. A key focus is the integration of BIM with other specialist areas, such as BIM for sustainability and green building certification (LEED and Estidama).

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SPECIAL FEATURE | TAIPEI 101

Retrofit 101

The Taipei 101 was designed

by C.Y. Lee & Partners and constructed primarily by KTRT Joint Venture.

On July 7 the 508 metre Taipei 101 became the first supertall in the world to achieve LEED certification, setting three new world records and delivering ROI before the certification was even announced. The Big Project visited Taiwan to find out how two construction’s two biggest trends could change the world

F

or six years the Taipei 101 was the world’s tallest building. One of the first in a new generation of supertalls, it is still known as one of the seven wonders of engineering.

It may have lost its title as world’s tallest in 2010 – following the opening of Dubai’s Burj Khalifa – but on July 28 2011 it was officially announced that Taiwan’s landmark tower would become a record breaker once again, following a retrofit project that has seen it gain platinum certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance, otherwise known as LEED-EBOM. Now in the top 5% of the top 5% of green buildings in the world, the Taipei 101 holds records for the tallest, largest and also highest occupancy green building in existence.

The project was delivered through a dynamic partnership between Asian interior designers Steven Leach Associates; EcoTech International, one of the leading experts in the international, high-performance, ‘green’ building movement; and Siemens, the world’s largest provider of environmental technologies.

The successful completion of the project also marks a milestone for Siemens; project consultants and suppliers of the HVAC, fire safety, security, low voltage power distribution and electrical installation and monitoring

48 | www.thebigprojectme.com

Cathy Yang, Vice president, Taipei Financial Centre Corp. Aka “nanny of the big baby”

“Our slogan at the beginning was to bring Taipei to the World; we had the world’s tallest building in Taipei and people all over the world knew about it.

“But we also found a meaning for Taipei; technology, art, innovation, people, environment, identity. So even at a very early stage of our development we already put environment as one of our characteristics and the design and construction kept this in mind.” technology used in the project – the provision of which addressed two of the seven LEED categories (see opposite page).

Now drawing more than one-third of total revenues from green products and solutions Siemens has a dedicated building technologies division, based in Switzerland and headed by Dr Hubert Keiber.

Citing the century’s most influential trends as population growth, urbanisation, environmental protection and resource management, Dr Keiber, put the achievement into context.

He revealed that contrary to the emphasis on aviation, industry and other known major polluters, the most effective way to tackle all these issues is through construction; namely architecture, efficiency and automation.

“Buildings account for 40% of the world’s energy consumption and 21% of the global CO2 emissions,” he says, reasoning that because the majority of new build projects take place in established economies, there is an urgency to “face up to what needs to be done to existing buildings”.

“Currently energy costs through the lifecycle of a city are greater than the cost of construction yet 50% of this could be saved by installing modern equipment through upgrades and retrofit,” he continued, adding that the Taipei 101 now stood as a “lighthouse project” for the rest of the world to follow.

His sentiments were echoed by chairman of the US Green Building Council (USGBC), Mark MacCracken, who announced the tower

Green on

Part of an initiative tower executives branded “Green On”, the accreditation was achieved via a 56 step process; which began with an energy management control system (EMCS) and developed over 21 months to include the modification of a number of systems, all while eliminating disruption to the tower’s 10,000 commercial tenants.

According to tower officials, the entire project cost US $2million, and has already delivered on ROI. “We thought it was a good idea to have an inspection of our system, our management and to see if we are being environmentally responsible, so LEED was a tool to help us check this out,” says tower chairman and president Harace Hong-Min Lin. Initially aiming to be awarded enough points for gold certification (see box), Lin realised that once the project was underway platinum accreditation could be achieved with minimal extra effort.

Just as the world followed in 101’s footsteps to break the world’s tallest record, surpassing its 508 metre stature time again, management now throw the challenge down the gauntlet for other supertalls to become super green.

“People usually wonder when going for LEED, if they need to invest a lot of money into the retrofit in order to achieve the points, but actually there are savings from doing all this and our next step is to set an example to other

FROM LEFT to RIGHT: The Taipei 101 team stand with a scale model of the building, displayed on floor 36; the energy control centre installed by Siemens; green lights were used to celebrate and promote the certification to the city.

building owners to also go for LEED and also go for green,” Lin added.

Elements of green design were incorporated in the initial construction to secure cost efficiency and health benefits for tenants; comprising a double low-E glass curtain wall and grey water system.

Preparing for retrofit the EMCS enabled

“We thought it was a good idea to have an inspection of our system, our management, and to see if we are being environmentally responsible” LEED Categories Points awarded Sustainable site:

26

Water efficiency:

14

Energy and atmosphere: 35 Materials and resources: 10 Indoor environmental quality (IEQ):

15

Innovation in operations: 6 Regional priority credits : 4 TOTAL:

110

over 300m tall currently under construction. 44 already exist.

News

as the world’ tallest and largest LEED certified building at the official ceremony.

“New buildings get a lot of attention especially in this part of the world where 40 billion square feet is being added over the next 20 years. But retrofit will have to happen to the old buildings make a dent in the greening of this planet,” he said.

89buildings

SPECIAL FEATURE | TaiPEI 101 XXXXXXXX | XXXXXXXXXX

“When you combine regulatory push with market pull, that by far is the most effective way to promote change”

the integration of power monitoring, generator management, chiller control, lighting control, zone pump variable speed drive security management, fire alarm systems and car parking management.

Addressing both electricity and water consumption; 101 now has the largest waterdistribution system in Asia, with internal temperature and climate controlled by 3400 terminal box controllers located throughout the building.

Off peak power is used to produce ice, which is then stored to reduce cooling loads during the day and tenants control their own air temperature via individual control systems; a measure management cited as critical given that an average 40% of a building’s energy consumption can be traced back to HVAC systems.

Additionally, time controls were placed on extractor fans that previously ran continuously.

Water conservation measures saw flush valves installed in all toilets and urinals; aerators fitted to taps and an alter irrigation system installed to utilise rain water.

Lighting and HVAC became automated, with motion sensors installed to trigger lights between 7pm and 7am, when almost all the building is vacant. A full review was conducted of all the public lighting with halogen tubes replaced by T5 in a number of locations.

Further, a comprehensive waste recycling system was installed; chilled water distribution was adjusted meet demand rather than run constantly; door frames were re-fixed to add an air curtain, and AHU valves are now regularly cleansed. Addressing the final category, 101 adopted a nearby park to fulfill the quota for a sustainable site.

The result is 10% saving in electricity usage equating to 14.4 million kilowatt-hours – and an overall higher efficiency contribution of 30%

www.thebigprojectme.com | 49

40% World’s total energy consumption is from buildings 5,532 Buildings are currently registered with LEED 357,721 m2 Total floor space of the tower 5996 101’s total carbon reduction in tons for energy consumption in comparison to that of an average building; annually the measures will save US $700,000.

A further 10% has been saved on both water consumption and waste and the indoor air now has one of the lowest recorded measurements for carbon; a measure also aided by the enforcement of a tower-wide smoking ban.

more is that they design a brown branch and hang green ornaments on it, so naturally it’s going to cost more to run.

“Designing a green branch does not cost any more than designing a brown branch but you have to start at the beginning with green in mind. Spending on technology is often overcoming bad design decisions,” he says.

“The bottom line of green is black”

Future proof

Despite the example set by 101, the bigger picture isn’t quite that simple.

Particularly in the Middle East, the bottom line of any project is price, more so now than ever. With buildings handed over to tenants, rather than managed by the developer, there is little incentive to invest in new technologies, regardless of how little that extra investment could be.

Tenants too bare part of the blame, with a chronically low market demand for non-incentivised green buildings.

“When you combine regulatory push with market pull, that by far is the most effective way to promote change,” says Rob Watson, chairman, CEO and chief scientist of EcoTech International – AKA the “father of LEED”, who was also present at the official announcement.

“You can probably get three times the impact with coordination between public and private sector efforts than either purely raising prices in market response or forcing people through regulations to go farther.

“The synergy between the two is very important,” he continues, adding that most geographical markets do one or the other “reasonably well”.

Explaining ROI influences decisions as much as outright cost, in précis of the situation, he says “the bottom line of green is black” – and explains fundamental mistakes in the initial design, make buildings more expensive to run.

“The principle reason green buildings cost

With almost all the world’s land already covered by or earmarked for construction, the future of green building will lie in retrofit.

The Big Project reported last year that if the world is to meet the 80% carbon reduction target laid out at Cop2010, every building built between now and then will have to be carbon neutral; a target we all know to be impossible.

“This building creates a strong example of what other tall buildings could do in terms of sustainability with this achievement,” says Dr Sang Dae Kim, chairmen of the board of trustees on the Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitats (CTBUH).

“There are many tall buildings and supertalls of more than 100 storeys. So far across the world we are only focusing on economy, but soon they will be focused on sustainability and the main target now is on how we can reduce energy,” he concludes.

$2million million total cost of the retrofit project. The construction of the entire tower cost $8 bn

Retrofit timeline June 2009

LEED registration

Nov 2009

Press announcement

Feb – Oct 2010

Alteration projects

Nov – Jan 2011

Performance period

Apr 2011

Submission

July 2011

Final result

LEED points breakdown - Platinum

80-110

- Gold

60-79

- Silver

50-59

- Certified

40-49

The retrofit Rainwater harvesting to reduce usage of clean water in addition to a pantry with drinking water/ boiler Restriction of public area lighting from 7.30am -7.30pm with motion sensors and installation of new lighting tubes Garbage chute inlets on each floor to minimise use of lifts Window blinds enhance performance of the building envelope; door frames modified Monitoring of the tower’s ventilation air control, lighting, fire management, generators and tenant power consumption.

Greenhouse gas emission audit Tenant education Waste programme with a garbage recycling and sorting station HVAC savings

The records The world’s tallest green building The world’s largest green building The world’s highest occupancy green building

www.thebigprojectme.com | 51

SPECIAL FEATURE | TAIPEI 101

“Our next step is to set an example to other building owners to also go for LEED and also go for green”

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CASE STUDY | GLASS

Through the looking glass Glass experts from Glass LLC and Guardian RAK Glass reflect on how architecture, sustainability and economics are driving the development and supply of products What have been the key emerging trends to affect the development of glass products over the past year?

Yazbeck: Firstly there are a lot of high quality products coming in the area; secondly the local production has become being a major quality provider to the world; we used to import, but now we’re exporting. That’s very important.

The switch from imports to exports is a combination of two factors; the economic slowdown and the arrival of Chinese contractors.

Firstly due to the slowdown whatever large projects there are going on in the area are done by Chinese companies. However, in the glass industry we managed to grab a share of the national markets, whether it’s in India or Turkey, or even GCC countries, we have managed to get a strong foothold and we produce

“Local production has become being a major quality provider to the world; we used to import, but now we’re exporting” for local projects.

The third trend is lots of people are looking for high-clarity glass. There is a strong demand for very clear glass and this again is a very important factor.

Previously there was a demand for green, yellow or pink, for example but they are changing from that and going towards clear glass as much as possible to create a neutral effect. It’s an architectural trend.

Raju: The general trend is moving towards usage of value enhanced glass like coated instead of float glass, whichhelps to meet the architects’ visions of aesthetics and design and delivers better performance in terms of light and heat.

Recently in the Middle East, the trend is approaching towards usage of double or triple silver coating. However, there is a debate as to the use of these products versus the use of high performing single silver products, which cater

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CASE STUDY | GLASS

“In the next year we will introduce a product that will reduce heat by 80%” better to the Middle East Environment.

In Africa, the general glass trend is still in using a lot of Single Glazing. There has been recently few projects - monumental Projects - considering the usage of double glazed products. Africa is a growing market and they are currently dependent on Middle East and elsewhere for these new developments.

How do architectural demand and design trends affect the development and production of glass products in the Middle East?

Yazbeck: There are two kinds of architectural trends at the moment as there are two schools or architects working here.

Firstly there are the architects coming from Europe. We have a lot of sun here so whatever glass you use, in order to be green and ecofriendly, you have to reduce the heat coming in.

Many architects think a low-e coating will work and give clarity and yes it does give you clarity but with temperatures of 50˚- 60˚C outside it doesn’t work. You need air conditioning, power, and a lot of CO2 emissions are produced as a result of that.

The issue has been realised and now the authorities have come through with very stringent conditions on the clear glass and that’s very important.

The other line of work is the architects based in the area, who understand the culture here and they still work with the same stone, rocks and sand.

Most of our products are developed based on the demand of architects.

Around seven years ago we established a

The experts: Ziad Yazbeck- senior vice president Glass LLC, formerly Emirates Glass.

Mr. G S Raju - executive general manager, Guardian Glass?!

56 | www.thebigprojectme.com

techno-marketing department to work with consultants, specify products and create the quality design professionals want. This is like a consultancy unit, equipped with a lab that is even recognised by Dubai Municipality.

The team test to find the measurements of the thermal performance of glass.

If you’re an architect and you need clear glass in a certain colour, we can tell you immediately whether this colour fits the municipality regulations.

The government regulations are a major factor now. They have put a lot of stringent standards in place so you firstly have to do what all the authorities across the GCC in places like Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi. We can show how and what to do in response to those regulations.

We are very well equipped and have one of the top machineries in the world, here in Dubai. So we are very well equipped to produce any product demanded, and to deliver it.

Raju: Of all the countries in the world I have visited, I have not seen any place equal the UAE in terms of elegance, creativity and style. The UAE is an architect’s paradise. Every architect works towards leaving a legacy and I bet the world’s best architects have their best projects in the UAE. The designs are bold, more challenging and more colours are used.

With the current environmental concerns, architects are looking towards solutions that support sustainability. In certain cases when the vision of the architect demands higher specification of the glass unit, value engineering by client and/or facade engineer ensures an appropriate solution, satisfactory to all parties, is reached.

Overall, the trend tends to inch towards the bolder and more vivid designs the architects are creating.

How were your glass coating products developed?

Yazbeck: Everyone in the world was talking about self cleaning glass. Some coatings heat the surface to burn whatever is present, then the water and

CASE STUDY | GLASS

humidity remove the particles but we did the checking and first you’re adding pesticides so you’re not eco-friendly, and also when you have such kinds of things it’s also very expensive.

We created something that was eco-friendly and easy to use. If you’re building a building you don’t want to pay $1.5m for self cleaning you need it to be part of the glass so we identified a product that was nanotechnology-based and green.

It is a shield for the heat; protects the glass to make it flat and the dirt particles cannot stick.

It’s very simple and it’s very commercially viable; you don’t need to have a budget for it and it’s very easy to use.

The main market demand has come from Saudi Arabia and we are working on some of the biggest jobs over there; in Riyadh and Mecca.

Here in Dubai people are also specifying the product as it also reduces water consumption.

In the next year we will introduce a product that will reduce heat by 80%.

Raju: Guardian envisioned the need of glass in this region and developed a coating a couple of

The spending will go up and down, but there is a big difference between the normal trend and the market, let’s say.

The thing is we have the manpower, sand, and we are operating in the UAE where it is easy to operate and export to anywhere in the world.

The thing about the glass industry is it’s a heavy cash investment. It’s not an industry where you just come in with a small amount of capital.

Any machine you buy will cost a couple of million Euros.

RIGHT: ksadjflsdfjsdlflds.

The good thing is if you have the product and quality, it’s not where you produce the glass it’s how you’re going to deliver it.

As a group now we have invested about US$ 500m in the industry; it’s not invested just for Dubai, The UAE, Qatar or Saudi; it is invested all over the world. There are offices in India and Turkey, all over the GCC and we are expanding to regions all over the world.

Raju: The future is still promising ,I would say Saudi Arabia is going to play very important role in construction and I still believe Qatar is just to wake up in a couple of years.

“In North Africa the future is moving towards value added products, better quality and great value engineering.” years go, which offers SunGuard high performance and high durability solar reflective coatings.

These products are geared toward the needs of the region, where light is abundant throughout the year and winters are not so severe.

What do you see as the future of glass in the Middle East in terms of design trends and market factors?

Yazback: Glass demand is very much related to per capita growth; when populations grow they need houses and they need glass.

In North Africa the future is moving towards value added products, better quality and great value engineering.

In spite of the slow start after the recession there is a real sense of confidence in the future of glass industry in the Middle East and Africa.

The Middle East is witnessing an ever-increasing demand for float glass and processed, specialty glass products’ employing new and innovative technologies and pushing architectural boundaries, not only in design trends, but also in environmental protection.

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TRENDS XXXXXXXX | PAINTS| XXXXXXXXXX

Finishing touches Reporting increasing creativity and environmental awareness in both the consumer and project markets, paint experts Jotun and The BIG Art Company share their experiences of Middle East design trends When did you first notice a trend for the creative use of paint products in the region and how has this trend been developing?

cocoa, concrete grey and lavender tones. We are seeing much less of the paint techniques and a lot more physical texture and 3D relief designs.

I think what really drives the paint effect trends here is that people are exposed to such a lot of inspirational and diverse interior design and they want to bring that feeling into their home. We are also exposed to such a diverse cultural colour palette here which inspires creativity.

SC: When I came to Dubai in 2000, paint effects were extremely popular. Colour washing, bagging, rag rolling and sponging were all very much on the decorative menu particularly in the domestic market. Around 2005 popularity for these effects had begun to wane and the trend became more about block colours, with a confidence to use bold colours usually for a feature wall. This feature wall then evolved to take on a pattern, from retro print to Victorian wallpaper designs and we saw a huge increase in the use of stencils and metallics. Now we are coming full circle with white very much back in vogue but with hints of organic

WF: Exactly, and this is the touch point where we can educate our customers on how to put colours together.

This adds value to the customer’s lifestyle.

WF: Consumers in this region have always been influenced by trends and recently with the growing internationalism they have been more prominent in asserting their lifestyles through a reflection of their homes.

“This is the touch point where we can educate our customers” 58 | www.thebigprojectme.com

SC: There is a huge scope for this and I can honestly say that every time I go to a paint shop and see somebody looking at colours, I end up having a chat and giving guidance on colour and paint finishing techniques.

WF: You have to be in touch with this. It’s easy to direct them to the right people who can support them.

name a few. Our colour trends brochure for 2012 is a combination of efforts of various interior designers and colour experts across this region which would definitely facilitate a customer to reflect their lifestyle

When was the decision taken to develop products and services that would cater to the demand for different finishes and effects?

WF: For the past five years we have been coming out with special products and painting techniques brochures.

For example with the Lady Glaze, customers can use different tools to create different finishes and effects with the same product. To further meet the needs of our customers we employ the services of colour experts/interior designers that facilitate the development of colour trends and techniques every year.

“I’m a great believer in the science of colour; the human response to different colours and how that translates into our living environments. Paint is the greatest medium for this “ SC: I’m a great believer in the science of colour; the human response to different colours and how that translates into our living environments. Paint is the greatest medium for this and can have a powerful effect over a space. For example blue is a hunger suppressant so should not be used in restaurants or dining rooms unless weight loss is the goal!

Whenever I do a colour consultation I always say to people there is no really wrong combination of colours; if you love the colours then by definition they are the right ones for you. Yet many people are very fearful, even now when we are so much more comfortable with colour, so guidance and reassurance is the key.

WF: Our interior designers not only work on the mega projects, but also on driving the trends in the market based on the needs of the Middle East customers. They have supported developers like Nakheel and Emaar for projects such as Discovery Gardens, The Palm, Burj Khalifa, to

www.thebigprojectme.com | 59

TRENDS |PAINTS

“To further meet the needs of our customers we employ the services of colour experts and interior designers to facilitate the development of colour trends”

TRENDS XXXXXXXX | PAINTS| XXXXXXXXXX

LEFT: Wael Ahmed Fahmy.

SC: The thing that shocked me when I worked with Jotun was that the number of local women who were so hands on, literally, in the process of transforming their own sanctuary; it’s something that they actually want to do themselves.

WF: When we hold paint workshops we regularly get double the number of visitors we expected. People really need to know how to create the good finishes and so on, and I can see that we are moving towards a time when clients and customers want to know how finishes are created and what has been chosen. They want to understand the products and how to create the finishes.

Have you observed a trend for environmentally conscious products and environmental awareness; how and when did this develop?

SC: Definitely in the commercial sector there has been a growing demand for water based non-toxic materials. We use mostly waterbased paints and we do a lot of polished plaster finishes like Venetian plaster and Marmarino which are very environmentally friendly.

WF: With low VOC and water based products we have also seen a trend moving away from the oil based products for the past 10-15 years.

It was the customers preferred choice, but now in schools, houses and villas there is a need for water based products and there are municipality regulations which state low VOC. SC: We have a stand at Index this year and the organisers are very hot on knowing what products we are promoting and whether they’re

“The thing that shocked me when I worked with Jotun was that the number of local women who were so hands on” environmentally sound. We are very happy to meet their demands; however by tradition paint is not an environmentally friendly industry.

This has definitely changed over the past few years with manufacturers producing more water-based materials using less toxic ingredients On a personal level, we are environmentally conscious and we recycle everything we can both at home and in the studio. We are very aware that what we do can be detrimental to the environment as we use polythene sheets, masking tape and thinners. We are working to reduce these consumables and source re-usable alternatives. We recently had a stack of old paint and empty paint cans and instead of dumping them, we explored the possibility of recycling the cans with the supplier. Jotun were very receptive and so we were able to successfully recycle them although we were sad to learn that we were the first company to do so in Dubai; it should be mandatory in the industry.

WF: Jotun has a strong commitment towards developing environmentally conscious solutions and processes that would mitigate our carbon footprint. This means not only the products and solutions but also towards reducing waste and recycling. For example, in Abu Dhabi we have a project, which stipulates that for Jotun to be approved to work on it, we have to achieve zero waste. Even the cans we deliver have to be taken back and proof provided of how they were recycled. We are already in that loop and I believe this trend will increase.

Already in Jotun Europe that concept is well established. And with municipalities encouraging companies to do this, this trend will take the lead within the GCC.

How does the local market compare to other geographical markets you have worked in during your career?

WF: We are one company but the products, requirements and needs are totally different across our global markets. For example in Scandinavia there is a high demand for wood finishes and exterior coatings. Therefore, for the Scandinavian market out R&D focuses on the development of these finishes.

The Gulf it is totally different. The wood products are not volume products. Here there is a need for exterior concrete protection against heat and humidity. The Jotashield Family has anti carbonation properties and protection against UV and dirt pick up.

Each of our worldwide markets is different.

In Asia the number one need is anti-fungus because of the heavy rain and bacteria caused by it.

SC: I think one of the most profound differences here is that most of the substrates are either brand new or only a few years old. We find that a lot of our special paint effects are driven by people wanting to create a sense of time or theme within a space and paint is the most dramatic and cost effective way to achieve

The experts

Samantha Chambers, design and operations, The BIG Art Company Wael Ahmed Fahmy, Jotun, regional sales manager – Project (MENA), decorative products

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this. A good example of this is the ceiling framework in Mall of the Emirates which we painted with glazes to give it an aged verdigris effect as if rain had been falling on it for years.

The local construction industry is very demanding here on budget and time which impacts our business constantly. We are often asked to re-produce expensive finishes like stone and marble using textured base coats and paint effects because clients don’t have the time or the budget for the real thing. These faux or trompe l’oeil (meaning ‘trick of the eye’) finishes are also easier to repair than their real counterparts which is very useful in this region when an A/C repair access panel needs to be cut out and filled a few days before the project is due to be handed over! Case in point are the mosaic designs in the galleria of Mall of the Emirates. We produced these on MDF panels with individual stencils painted to look like mosaic tiles and aged them to look like the real thing, but in fact it only took two weeks to produce in our studio and a few days to install.

“We are often asked to re-produce expensive finishes like stone and marble using textured base coats and paint effects because clients don’t have the time or the budget for the real thing” WF: Our products are flexible and multifaceted and we find that designers have used the product with a number of techniques they have created themselves. For Example Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai is created with South African companies and designers who came in especially for the project. We never imagined they would be able to use our products in such a way to create all these techniques. It was a very good reference.

Aside from creativity and environmental awareness, what other trends are you witnessing at the moment?

SC: One thing I have noticed over the last year is a big move towards matt paints. In fact we are seeing Jotun’s Lady Paints specified more and more in projects for semi-matt finishes. The light in this part of the world is very unique and Matt paint creates a wonderful luminosity. It has a very organic and cooling effect which is very popular right now. In terms of colours there is a definite change from the classic chocolate brown flavours to more natural stone and white tones.

WF: I agree because people have started to see the beauty of the matt finish. Before it was just silk and gloss. In a technical aspect the

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TRENDS | PAINTS

LEFT: Samantha Chambers.

“We find that designers have used the product with a number of techniques they have created themselves”

TRENDS XXXXXXXX | PAINTS| XXXXXXXXXX

“You have to be work smart and adapt to what the market demands” trend now is going towards cooling pigments.

So now people are looking for a paint which has good colour, matt finish and cooling pigments to reduce cooling loads.

SC: This is where matt paint also has advantages because it reacts with the light very differently and is much more cooling somehow.

Inexplicably! In terms of colours there is a definite change from brown pallets to grey and corals, and more towards the environmental feel; more real hues.

WF: Marble painting techniques are quite popular for us.

SC: The biggest growth for us in the past couple of years has been Murals, particularly Children’s Murals. As more people are buying property, there is a greater demand for Murals and paint effects as owners want to personalise their homes. A Mural transforms a space and can really enlarge a room so there are practical as well as aesthetic reasons to have them. Not to mention the prestige factor as kids love to show off their special rooms and the ‘wow’ factor is very desirable in this market. We have done everything from Art Nouveau to Finding Nemo. My partner Steve is an Airbrush artist so particularly enjoys the 3D animation style artwork which is so popular right now.

The BIG Art Company With 15 years’ experience in the region, The Big Art Company specialises in creating large scale murals, artworks, feature wall installations and special paint and plaster finishes Partners Samantha and Steve Chambers began their careers responding to requests for commissioned pieces and art works in a larger company; essentially they created “big art” and recently went on to establish The Big Art Company.

Jotun

What do you predict the future will hold for the development and application of paints?

SC: I definitely think matt, organic hues will continue to be popular using pigments that are pure and organically inspired. I think the future is all about the past, with an emphasis on architectural reference points being created to reflect an era and an atmosphere. White will continue to excite, but over texture like brickwork and 3D relief designs.

WF: We have recently launched Jotashield Extreme which reduces temperature and cooling load due to its double heat reflective

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technology. There is a lot of demand for this technology in the market and our R&D is working to further develop it.

SC: I think the strongest thing for me is the whole sense of creating a feel in a space that is essentially, there is no old woodwork or brick work to add character, it must all be done with paint.

Jotun and The BIG Art Company met at The Library Lounge, Radisson Blu, Dubai Media City.

Jotun was started as a distributor by Odd Gleditsch, in Norway in 1920. In 1926 Gleditsch decided to begin manufacturing the paints and invited shareholders to subscribe to the company.

Today Jotun supplies paint to markets worldwide.

First entering the region with the opening of its Libya factory in 1961, the company established a UAE base in 1974 and expanded from there.

The regional network now comprises two factories in the UAE, three in Saudi Arabia, one in Oman, Yemen and Egypt; in addition to offices in Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain and strong brand presence in the Levant region and North Africa.

AD

XXXXXXXX GREEN SUPPLIERS | XXXXXXXXXX | TRIMO

Cradle-to-cradle Christine Fashugba investigates how manufacturers are applying nature-oriented concepts to their business practices in the Middle East

W

hen German chemist Michael Braungart and American architect William McDonough wrote the manifesto style book ‘Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things’ in 2002 it inspired the concept that products should be conceived with the intention of recycling them after use.

According to a UK study carried out for the Contract Flooring Association, about 600,000 tonnes of carpet is thrown out in the UK every year. One estimate suggests 2% of the landfill waste in developed countries consists of old carpeting. The millions of square feet of carpets are often being thrown away every year simply because they look dated.

Time Magazine calls the cradle-to-cradle The Porsche centre.

suggestion for an endless healthy manufacturing circle “a unified philosophy that - in demonstrable and practical ways - is changing the design of the world”.

Abu Dhabi based-developer Aldar and international carpet manufacturer Desso continued the revolution in the Middle East by co-hosting a major event in the UAE to raise environmental awareness among manufacturing companies, attended by “green sheikh” H.H. Sheikh Aziz Al Nuaimi.

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ABOVE: Paul Kinsey Trimo director, UAE

“We have not altered this for the Middle East as it is what modern construction must be” “By adopting the cradle-to-cradle philosophy which looks at the whole life-cycle of a product, we have voluntarily taken on a set of principles that take inspiration from nature itself. In the living environment, materials are constantly being transformed without losing their capacity as nutrients; nothing is wasted and everything is re-used without losing value,” Andre Dulka Middle East and Asia sales manager Desso says.

“As in nature, so can we do the same, using innovative supply chain management to use materials from one industry to support others, eliminating the concept of waste because all waste becomes tomorrow’s raw material or nutrients,” Dulka adds.

By adopting cradle-to-cradle principles Desso aims to ensure all the company’s products are made from positively identified components designed and manufactured to be disassembled to create new products.

The standards will be used for all Desso products by 2020, circulating in closed loop metabolisms without being down-cycled or thrown away. Dulka says the move is a conscious effort to work with nature rather than against it.

Trimo, providers of original and complete

solutions in façades, steel constructions, containers and sound-proof systems specifically developed a new bi-modular façade system ‘Qbiss Air’, with insulating properties per millimetre of thickness.

The product does away with traditional mineral wool insulation in favour of CO2-filled chambers of gas using CO2, captured from the manufacturing process. The entire façade is also 96% recyclable.

Paul Kinsey Trimo director in the UAE is keen to advise on how to adapt existing products to the cradle-to-cradle philosophy.

“The key is to open up to external scrutiny as only through independent audit and evaluation can any ‘environmental’ or ‘sustainable’ claim be valid and customers can have true confidence about the sustainable credentials of products,” Kinsey says.

“Trimo has gained Planet Positive status for its Qbiss products, which has meant having its entire manufacturing and sourcing process audited for their carbon footprint from the manufacture of the coated steel through to the delivery of the finished product. It then goes on to look at the impact of the product’s removal, breakdown and re-use at end of life and the environmental consequences. This is the way to look at true cradle-to-cradle product evaluation,” Kinsey adds.

Dulka confirms the main issue when adopting the cradle-to-cradle principle is its requirements must be actively met, from the initial standards being set at government and semigovernment levels through to the final contractors, compliance and purchase.

Dulka also advises the green issue must be addressed as it is often lost in the final purchase negotiation where contractors are strong, and on-site consultants are not as aware, or rigid, as they should be on the matter making the private sector more of a driving force than the governments.

“All too often companies align themselves with green values, but it is little more than a vehicle to latch on to sales. Belief in the value of the “cradle-to-cradle” concept promotes innovation and engages all stakeholders from employees to architects, investors to customers and with a far better outcome for what matters most – the environment,” Dulka concludes.

RedSky Plan it

Cost it

Build it

Bill it

Award Winning Summit - A truly Integrated Contract Financial and Operational Solution RedSky IT’s Summit system is the only truly integrated, Construction and Professional Services ERP solution for the UK and Middle East markets. Summit covers the complete process within a range of modules: Estimating, Tender Management Subcontractor Database & Management Document Management Service Management Mobile Solutions

Planning Budgeting Requisitions Job Costing - Budgeting, Plant Valuations Procurement Financials, Payroll, HR Villa building CVR Professional Services Modules

Scalability

Whether you are a small growing subcontractor or a top 100 construction business there is a Summit solution to suit you, and as you grow you can simply add modules and licenses as required.

Choice

Summit gives you freedom of choice to choose the appropriate technology for your business: Microsoft SQL or Oracle Database.

Windows or Linux

Scaleable thin client windows or web interface.

Pedigree

Over 1300 clients from your industry have chosen RedSky IT. These secure partnerships drive an unrivalled depth of functionality into our solutions.

A selection of MENA Customers Dutco Balfour Beatty Aldar AFC CEM Estero Master

Dubai Abu Dhabi Qatar Bahrain

Carillion Alawi AFC Orascom Burhan

Oman Egypt Kuwait

Villa Building Management

Estimating & Tendering

Service & Facilities Management Planning & Budgeting

Financial & Costing Suite

Procurement & Requisitions

summ t Enterprise operational and construction financial management software

Monitoring & Reporting

Payroll/HR

Valuations &CVR

Subcontractor Management

For more information on the Summit Solution contact RedSky IT: +971 (0)4 362 5106 or visit www.redskyit.ae

SUPPLIER COMMENT | JASON HIRD

Sound-off with Gyproc Over the next two issues, Gyproc’s Technical Development Manager, Jason Hird, looks at the challenges of controlling the ever sounds of a city in order to meet our rising expectations for health, safety and comfort

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oise is often referred to as unwanted sound. It is intrusive on our daily activities. It affects our ability to concentrate, to hear and to be heard. Continuous exposure to high levels of noise can temporarily impair our hearing and lead to long term hearing loss, and may even cause psychological and physical health damage to humans.

The ability to control noise levels in buildings is therefore fundamentally important to ensure that the building, and its individual parts, are suitable for the purpose for which they are intended. The level of acceptable noise in a particular building or room will obviously depend on its use, with areas such as gyms and playrooms able to tolerate higher noise levels than quiet areas, such as bedrooms and libraries.

structure (flanking transmission).

When considering sound insulation, it is important to recognise how the sound is propagated, as this will affect the way it is addressed.

There are two types of sound transmission: •

The science of controlling noise

Building acoustics is the science of controlling noise in buildings and includes not only the transmission of noise from one space to another – referred to as sound insulation, but the control of noise levels and characteristics within each individual space – referred to as sound absorption.

Sound levels are measured in decibels (dB), with the generally accepted range of human hearing being between 10dB (quiet) and 120dB (painful to the human ear). The dB scale is logarithmic, with each 10dB rise equating to a doubling of the sound level – thus a sound measured at 40dB is effectively double the intensity of a sound measured at 30dB, and half of that measured at 50dB.

Sound insulation

When addressing sound issues, sound insulation is the first thing that comes to mind for most of us, as this relates directly to the design of the structure (walls, ceiling, and floor). It describes the reduction in sound as it passes between two spaces separated by a dividing element and is affected both by the performance of the dividing element itself (direct transmission) and that of the surrounding

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•

Airborne sound - as the name suggests, this is sound transmitted through air.

The source of the noise is easy to identify and transmission is propagated directly via air to the receiver.

Examples include the sounds of speech and office equipment which are produced in one room and heard in another. It is rated using ‘Rw’ (Weighted Sound Reduction Index). An alternative and similar rating would be ‘STC’ (Sound Transmission Class) both of which provide a single number rating to describe the overall sound performance of a construction system when tested in a laboratory.

Impact sound - this is produced as a result of impact or shock to the building structure that produces vibrations transmitted via the building elements.

Typical examples of this type of noise are vibrations produced by footsteps or vibrations from operating machinery, which are transmitted through their structural supports. Impact sound is rated using ‘Lnw’ (Normalised Weighted Impact Sound Index), and is normally addressed by introducing separating elements into the structure which isolate the impacted element from the main building structure, for example vibration dampers or a floating floor system using resilient layers.

Sound Absorption

Whilst effective sound insulation will minimise the transmission of sound between spaces, it is also important to consider how best to control the sound generated within a particular area – this involves the use of sound absorption

ABOVE: Sound absorbing Gyptone .

“When considering sound insulation, it is important to recognise how the sound is propagated” techniques. Sound absorption is particularly important in large open areas, such as receptions, lobbies, restaurants etc to control the level of sound reverberation from hard surrounding surfaces; in schools to create an improved learning environment and in music halls, cinemas etc to improve the acoustics for better audience enjoyment.

Sound absorption is achieved using special wall and ceiling linings, such as Gyptone tiles and boards which combine patterns of full depth perforations with an acoustic fleece backing to provide absorption across the full spectrum of sound frequencies.

Sound absorption performance is measured using either ‘alpha w’ (Weighted sound absorption coefficient) which measures the sound absorption coefficient at standard frequencies and compares them with a reference curve to give a single figure rating, or ‘NRC’ (Noise reduction coefficient) which is a mathematical average of the measured sound absorption coefficients across a range of frequencies.

For quick comparison of the absorption performance of different materials, international standard ISO 11654 describes five different absorption classes, A to E, where A is the best performer and E the worst. Most Gyproc Gyptone boards and tiles fall within the C to B bands and are therefore very effective for use in corridors, lobbies, auditoria etc to control unwanted reverberation.

Next time we will look at the performance of lightweight partition systems compared to traditional masonry / blockwork equivalents, along with some practical solutions in design and ways of maintaining their performance on site.

CHAPTERS REGIONAL

“SUSTAINABILITY BEYOND CERTIFICATION” ASHRAE RAL-CRC - ANNUAL CONFERENCE

INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT : 19 & 20 SEPT. 2011 INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS : 21 & 22 SEPT. 2011

Beach Rotana, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.

On behalf of The American Society for Heating, Refrigerating, and Airconditioning Engineering - ASHRAE Falcon Chapter in UAE, we would like to invite you to attend and participate in the annual Chapter Regional Conference (CRC) for ASHRAE Region At Large (RAL).

The CRC will be accompanied by a two-day scientific conference, in collaboration with The United Nations Environment Programme – UNEP. The Conference will address many key topics, including:

Sustainable cities and Buildings , Urban Horticulture; Green renaissance in the MENA region; Energy Efficiency, HVAC design for high ambient conditions; UNEP Energy Efficiency – HVAC design for high- ambient conditions ESTIDAMA - the Green Rating System; Energy efficiency and demand-side management; Energy Efficiency in existing buildings; Implementing Sustainable Development in a Commercial Environment; Sustainability Through Maintenance Utilizing ASHRAE Standard 180; Sustainability and Cost Effectiveness ; Latest trends on IAQ ; Qatar’s Carbon Neutral Stadiums Challenges and Solutions ; Green Mosque Design.

Under the patronage of: H.E. Dr. Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahad Minister of Environment & Water, U.A.E. SUPPORTED BY

ENDORSED BY

CATEGORY SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS

PLATINUM SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSORS

MEDIA PARTNERS

For more information about the Conference, registration and sponsorship opportunities, please visit: crc.ashraeuae.org • www.ashrae.ae REGISTER NOW TO AVAIL EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT For information on sponsorship packages, please contact: Stephanie McGuinness +971 55 667 9459 | stephanie@cpi-industry.com

Suppliers in the spotlight A round-up of the latest news and announcements from industry suppliers in the Middle East

Al Reyadah

Al Hassan Engineering

Belhasa Projects

AC systems contract with Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club

Multi-discipline firm awarded ISO for environmental management and HS

30,000 square metres of eco-friendly flooring for Abu Dhabi Clinic

Al Reyadah, a UAE based contracting and management company serving clients in the Gulf region, has won a contract to provide AC systems for Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club.

The company, which provides services for sectors including hospitals, universities and residential units, will manage the club’s facilities for golf, rifle shooting and paintball games.

The building also includes Sensi restaurant, a fully equipped gymnasium, hair salon, swimming pool, and tennis and basketball courts.

“Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club, as one of the most modern sports clubs in the Middle East, chooses its partners with great care because we regard them as partners and supporters of the Club’s pursuit of leadership position on the sports map of the region,” Joseph Estephan, general manager, Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club, said.

“We chose Al Reyadah for managing our AC systems for its reliable, round the clock service,” Estephan added.

Al Reyadah, which undertakes a range of maintenance, says it aims to provide “reliable services” for its customers.

“We are glad to be associated with a leading sports club like Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club.

“We studied the club’s requirements closely to provide cost-effective and efficient AC solutions that are environment friendly in terms of rationalising electricity consumption,” Engineer Mohammed Swairjo, general manager, Al Reyadah added.

Leading Abu Dhabi-based engineering, procurement and construction company, Al Hassan Engineering Abu Dhabi LLC (AHECAUH) has been awarded two new ISO certificates in environment management system standards and occupational health and safety management system standards.

The qualification presented to Al Hassan Engineering CEO Peter Hall by ISO assessors Vincotte, was the organisation’s third, making it one of few companies in the GCC to hold multiples ISO certifications.

“As concerns about global climate change grow, an increasing number of our customers are demanding that our processes and systems are demonstrably respectful of the environment. These certifications are evidence of our continued commitment to pursuing world-class systems and processes,” said Hall.

The ISO certification is recognition of AHEC’s business process quality to not only meet but exceed customer expectations.

“Being triple ISO certified is a very powerful difference that sets us apart in today’s marketplace. It demonstrates our commitment to serving the needs of our customers and strengthens our dedication to quality and innovation in multiple areas of our business,” Hall adds.

The scope of both new ISO standards apply to a wide range of AHEC-AUH operations such as EPC Contracts, mechanical , instrumentation construction and maintenance services for oil and gas, as well as infrastructure projects across the UAE.

Swimming pool construction specialist, Belhasa Projects, is to provide a 30,000 square metre flooring system for Cleveland Clinic on Sowwah Island in Abu Dhabi.

Hardwearing and environmentally friendly, Epoxy Terrazzo flooring (DTZ) will be used for the multi-specialty tertiary care facilities with an adjacent clinic scheduled, all scheduled for opening in December 2012.

The building will include five clinic floors, three diagnostic and treatment levels and thirteen floors of critical and acute in-patient units.

“Our years of experience in providing specialist coating surfaces and flooring systems for the healthcare sector were a major factor in winning this sizeable project. This is going to be the single largest medical facility that we have worked on,” said Belhasa GM Geoff Jackson.

“We opted for the DTZ system as the client wants to retain a high degree of aesthetic appeal but at the same time make sure the floor is environment friendly and functional, particularly where micro organisms or bacteria are involved.

“It is a very hygienic system and well suited to hospitals and clinics,” Jackson says.

The system, which is also durable, low maintenance and expected to last for the full lifecycle of the building can contribute to U.S. Green Building Council credits.

“DTZ needs little maintenance, is proven to be a minimal, low-cost flooring system and the non-porous finish resists microbial growth and moisture,” Jackson concluded.

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surface area of environmentally friendly flooring to be supplied to Cleveland clinic, Abu Dhabi

GROHE

WAGO

Goblan Gallery

International digital design award for European sanitary ware manufacturer

New terminal blocks launched

Second interior design outlet opens in Dubai to serve “high quality real estate developments”

Europe’s largest manufacturer of sanitary fittings GROHE, has been recognised with the internationally renowned Red Dot: best of the best award for its digital collection.

The awards was presented at the annual Red Dot Gala at Essen’s Aalto Theatre in July.

The company was also singled out for the coveted “design team of the year 2011” accolade in the presence of more than 1200 international industry related guests.

“We have worked towards this moment for years, daring to believe we could one day join some of the best brands in the world, who have received this great honour,” said Paul Flowers, senior vice president design of GROHE AG, who received the trophy on behalf of the team.

“We are overjoyed, proud and thankful for having been singled out for this unique accolade,” Flowers added.

The award, which the company has now won four times, was presented in the presence of famous designers, business experts and politicians with the laudatory speech delivered by interior designer Steve Leung.

The company is the first sanitary manufacturer to be named Red Dot: design team of the year and joins previous winners Bose, BMW, Adidas, Apple, Audi, Sony and Philips.

As a company GROHE says it is committed to “infusing its products with emotional added value”, and says the attitude is reflected in its 17-member team’s philosophy: “enjoy life – enjoy design” and also in the the company slogan: “enjoy water”.

WAGO’s 2002 Series TOPJOB®S rail-mounted terminal blocks with additional jumper slot provide a higher level of flexibility in control cabinets, particularly for process measurement applications.

Dual-conductor rail-mounted terminal blocks with three jumper slots join WAGO’s 2002 Series terminal blocks. TOPJOB®S terminal blocks with additional jumper slot include: carrier, through, ground conductor and ground terminal blocks, disconnect/test terminal blocks with or without mechanical interlocking, fuse terminal blocks for miniautomotive fuses, as well as fuse terminal block with or without pivoting fuse holder.

The new TOPJOB®S rail-mounted terminal blocks are designed for one output and two input potential commoning.

The new terminal block design offers significantly more flexibility for control cabinets, as required for process measurement applications. Besides the new capability of distributing potentials on both sides of the terminal block, the jumper slots accommodate push-in type jumper bars, step-down jumpers and TOPJOB®S connectors.

All three jumper slots can serve test plugs (2009-182) for 0.08 to 2.5mm2 (AWG 28-14) conductors, as well as test plug adapters for banana plugs (2009-174).

The jumper slots cannot only be used to accommodate push-in type jumper bars, stepdown jumpers and TOPJOB®S connectors, but serve as a test point.

Interior decoration and furniture brand Goblan Gallery has celebrated the opening of its second branch, in Dubai.

Spurred by “strong economic conditions and high quality real estate developments”, the new branch will sell products targeting a range of budget and lifestyle options. Several facilities are offered for smaller budgets, including support from Islamic banks.

“Our services are not limited to new decorations alone,” explained founder and CEO Lulwa Ibrahim Al Humidi.

“We also provide advice and assistance on creatively rearranging existing furniture, and we can suggest the removal of some pieces that may generate negative energy in terms of colour or shape.”

The brand established in the region in the year 2000 and has a speciality antiques outlet, which also sells furniture and home accessories, called Bin Sougat Centre.

Goblan’s interior design services are based on the concept of cosmic energy, an approach the companies describes as “unique” and the driving force behind its ability to create “elegant and soothing residential environments”.

“Our main goal is to contribute to the happiness and well being of our customers who are always foremost in our minds. We have full confidence in our new branch, which embodies comfort, stability, love, intimacy, safety and warmth. Through it we will continue to abide by our promise of ‘A new pulse for a new life,’ ” Al Humidi added.

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CAREER LADDER SUPPLIER | NEWS | Coryn Hellewell

“We are overjoyed, proud and thankful for having been singled out for this unique accolade”

30,000sqm

SUPPLIER HOTSEAT | Redsky IT

Redsky thinking Technology may not always be tangible, but as regional director and general manager for Redsky IT, Monique Campbell, explains, the competitive edge is provides is very real

W

hile the Middle East is home to some of the most extravagant and ambitious developments in the world, the processes behind the projects haven’t quite been so sophisticated.

Reporting a reliance on paper and disorganised data logging, regional director and general manager for Redsky IT, Monique Campbell, says that accurate project management can only be based on accurate data.

“When I met one of my fist clients here, the managing director told me that he didn’t even know what the costs on a project were until six months later; so in August they would look at the costs as they were in February,” she recalls saying that basic accounting systems were in place, but that everything else was managed on spreadsheets and paper.

“He actually said to me that once they had implemented our Summit software, he calculated that the efficiency it gave on decisions saved 10% on the value of their contracts,” she continues.

Reporting that such attitudes are widespread across the region, Campbell associates such a mindset with the lack of tangibility surrounding IT systems.

“Construction as an industry has lagged behind in terms of technology. Companies will invest in a digger because they can see it out there earning them money, but IT is not a tangible product that they can see is earning, or saving money.”

Continuing to explain that the current economic climate is the ideal time to adopt a more joined-up approach to project management, she says that the savings made by clients are not found in overheads such as staff costs, but from enhanced financial efficiency.

“Typically and historically, people who do not have system will not know about such problems until the end of the contract and it’s all a bit too late then.”

The Redsky standard

As a specialist solution provider, Redsky IT doesn’t just know about computers they also know about construction.

Employing skilled staff with backgrounds in both industries, Campbell says combining staff skills has helped the company serve its growing client database in ways its competitors cannot,

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while also enhancing the after sales support provided as standard.

Part of the Canadian Explorer group of companies Redsky has been trading since 1975, entering the Middle East via a reseller in 1998 before establishing a dedicated subsidiary of its UK office for the region in Dubai in 2005 and relocating staff to better serve a growing client base.

It’s a touch Campbell says makes a difference in light of how business relationships are formed in the region and it’s proven in the exponential growth Redsky has experienced since taking the hands on approach; with a client base that now spans across the region, via Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Cairo.

System load

Redsky’s systems provide clients with the tools to manage, control and monitor the project lifecycle from inception, through to completion and even maintenance when needed.

With an estimation and tendering system, planning and budgeting tools, procurement

ABOVE: Monique Campbell.

“When I met one of my fist clients here, the managing director told me that he didn’t even know what the costs on a project were until six months later”

management systems, HR and maintenance ledgers, Campbell describes the applications as an integrated database with a single point of data entry, adding that the overview provided is vital to executing efficient, financially viable projects.

Unlike other programs, which rely on third party applications for elements such as estimating, document management and HR, Redksy systems are fully integrated.

Furthermore, within the system are modules designed to benefit companies incorporating two or more disciplines; can use one central island of data for all areas of the business.

“In this part of the world one of the main benefits is full visibility; anybody in the project can go to the system at any point in time and see where it is in regards to budgeted and actual costs, knowing about problems in good time so management can make decisions on what needs to be done,” Campbell explains.

“Because a lot of other companies are putting one thing in a spread sheet over here and one thing in a spread sheet over there nothing is joined up. With Redsky you have one point of data entry which is immediately more efficient, as it means everything is in one central database.”

Despite facing the same technophobia as many other IT companies, Campbell says the market is more receptive than when she arrived in 2006, with many professionals having a greater understanding of the benefits of integrated systems.

Witnessing a demand from the C-suite for remote connectivity, Campbell says the market factors currently driving the development of construction software are linked to the increased sophistication of non-construction technology, such as the Blackberry and I pad.

Reporting the company has done a lot of work to research and meet such demands she says further advancement lies ahead.

Additionally, over the coming year tracking systems will allowing the industry to monitor both assets and employees in a manner “far more advanced” than currently.

While the Far East, and to an extent the west, continue to lead technological innovations, Campbell maintains tendering and execution of projects will go from strength to strength.

“Clearly we are coming out of the recession, things are improving and people are looking to prepare themselves for that,” she concludes.

News

Woods Bagot’s Karim Benkirane says his relocation to Dubai will increase synergy between the region’s most defying projects and the firm’s global portfolio

H

aving worked with Woods Bagot for more than a decade, Karim Benkirane has spent almost six years in studios on Australia and seven years managing European projects from the firm’s London office before relocating to accept a new role as managing principal at the Dubai studio.

“The opportunities which present themselves within a global business is what makes my job so rewarding; varying clients, the spread of geographies and the differing projects,” he begins.

Oblivious to his flair for technical drawing, it was a school teacher who encouraged Benkirane to pursue his talent in high school, advice he heeded, commenting only that: “the rest is history, as they say”.

“I would love to say that I have wanted to do this since I was a small boy but I would be lying,” he explains.

“It is probably one of the most diverse professions in my mind and no one day is ever the same. It has to rank highly as one of the most rewarding professions; I get an enormous satisfaction working with all the talented individuals seeing something sustainable being created which is shared with so many,” he adds.

Project approach

Having worked on dozens of diverse and prestigious projects throughout his career, Benkirane says that despite every project being unique, one of his most memorable was the five star Banyan Tree Resort on the Croatian border with Montenegro.

“The rugged landscape and mountainous surroundings, which plunged almost uninterrupted into the bay, was simply breath taking.

“The project vision was to create a resort which gave meaning to luxury which differs from opulence. This was done by creating the smallest possible footprint on the landscape and letting the resort almost disappear into the landscape, creating a true intimate guest experience.

“We adopted sustainable principles and technologies to ensure the native flora and fauna was impacted as little as possible and we utilising local materials and building techniques to capture some of the local vernacular in a modern and contemporary way,” he recalls.

Explaining that each project is approached based on its and its clients unique attributes,

Karim Benkirane

”This is a region with enormous opportunity and ambitions which sometimes defy belief” Benkirane says architecture may not allow a “one size fits all approach”, but that client, community and company outcomes are ensured through strong team collaboration.

“This ensures that everyone contributes and buys into the outcome throughout the design evolution of the project,” he asserts.

“Our clients demand value, innovative solutions and exceptional results, this is the demand of us in all of our regions, the subtleties are more about ensuring your approach is calibrated and tailored to suit the local cultural and social demographic.”

Continuing to say he believes this is achieved through research, respect, tolerance and “above all, patience”, Benkirane also says commercial management remains a careful consideration.

“With the economic crisis continuing to loom we remain focused on the commercial management of the practice. We have a well established business here in the region with some very talented individuals who are familiar with the local way of doing business and I look forward to getting to know as many as I can and learning from their experiences.”

Common goals

Commenting on Benkirane’s appointment, the firm says Benkirane is an experienced project

CAREER LADDER | Karim Benkirane

The art of diversity director with the ability to realise the development aspirations of clients, by producing a product of “exceptional design quality and intelligence”.

“Karim maintains a strong grasp of all the project constraints such as programme, budget, procurement and construction; ensuring the client is embedded in the design team and that the team all work to the same goals.”

Part of a global network of 700 professionals operating across education, science and health, and lifestyle and workplace in five regions, the firm has realised projects for Kempinski, Muscat; DIFC, Dubai; Saudi Arabia Bank, Riyadh; and Durrat Al Bahrain, among scores of others.

“This is a region with enormous opportunity and ambitions which sometimes defy belief,” Benkirane adds.

“I am looking forward to assisting the business to continue to grow and expand further into the region; building upon a strong platform and reputation, which has come from the successful delivery of projects such as the Burj Residences, Index Tower, St Regis Hotel on Saadiyat Island, Qatar Science and Technology Park and the Emirates Towers.

“There is also a strong desire to forge much greater ties back to our relationships globally, particularly London because of the synergy of those relationships, sharing a similar global structure and a desire to offer intelligent solutions,” he says.

Career path Graduated from Leederville College with a Diploma in Architecture 1994 Bennett Design, Darwin 1997 Christine Vadsz Architects, Byron Bay 1998 Gary Hunt and Partners, Port Douglas 2000 Woods Bagot, Melbourne 6months Woods Bagot Brisbane studio leading a team on the Rivercity Apartments for developer Devine.

5 years in the Woods Bagot Melbourne studio 7 years in the London studio; three of those spent as the regional managing principal for Europe.

www.thebigprojectme.com | 73

TALK | Elena Denkovska

Imagining the unimaginable The events of October 2008 changed many things, but as Nakheel legal counsel Elena Denkovska explains, contract management in the wake of global recession is integral to making the industry move once again

B

ABOVE: Elena Denkovska

“The starting point when negotiating a contract is acting in good faith and understanding that the other party is not your enemy – it is your partner”

efore the economic downturn, force majeure in a contract was defined as a natural disaster like earthquakes, floods or other situation beyond the parties’ control such as political unrest – that was a standard clause, copied and pasted from one contract into another without much thinking, – but today, taking into consideration what has happened over the last few years, force majeure must now also include a global recession where really and truly the situation is out of your hands.”

Elena Denkovska has worked with Nakheel since 2007, advising on all areas of the company’s operations; including its retail, property, commercial, community and corporate activities.

Admitting that the company was then “the biggest player in the market”, it’s not just the legal recognition of the crash as a disaster on the scale of mother nature’s worst devastation, that has impacted Nakheel and Denkovska’s role within the company; it’s also the changing behaviour of the players in the industry.

In her professional experience since the crash, Denkovska has observed the most pressing issues to be the inadequacy of the contracts for “worst case scenarios” where both parties are not capable of honouring their respective contractual obligations. In very few instances, particularly in the years before the crisis, the parties envisaged these scenarios and implemented appropriate mechanisms in their contracts to mitigate the loss and maintain the viability of the deal. Parties have now become very cautious of the possibility to

74 | www.thebigprojectme.com

not only fail to receive their benefit of the contract, but to also fail to fulfil their own obligations under the same contract.

“Nobody anticipated the extent of the risks and difficulties that could be faced during an economic downturn. What the market faces now is contracts that were drafted during the booming years, which do not deal effectively with the effects of the downturn and the parties’ inability to fulfil their obligations.”

“As a result, companies today are very reluctant to enter into projects, especially long term projects without ensuring proper mechanisms for mitigation of loss are incorporated,” she continues, saying the most debated over clause currently is the clause giving right to termination for convenience, where the terminating party is not obliged to assign any reason why the contract has been terminated.

“The underlying reason for that is that you never know; tomorrow you may need to sell an asset that, at the moment, you are procuring services for. Tomorrow you may decide you are forced to stop construction on a project because either it’s no longer thought to be commercially viable or the resources to continue with it don’t exist.

“That’s what we’re facing at the moment compared to 2007 and 2008.”

The perfect contract While there is no such thing as the perfect contract, Denkovska says that a good contract is one which allows all the parties to work together, under equal terms and in good faith.

“If contracts were always one-sided, there would be no need for lawyers in the corporate world. You would be able to set out on paper various orders you wish to be followed, submit the paper to the other party and just sit and wait for that party to fully comply with the orders.”

Contrary to the one-sided approach, Denkovska likens contract drafting to an art “that needs to be approached seriously, diligently and passionately”. She explains that a good contract addresses the needs of all contractual parties, and strikes a balance between legal and commercial interests and rights.

“In order to achieve that balance, the starting point when negotiating a contract is acting in good faith and understanding that the other party is not the enemy – it is your partner. If it was the enemy, why bother even getting into any kind of relation with it, let alone a fruitful professional relationship which is mutually beneficial?

“Once you adopt this approach, it becomes fairly easy to negotiate and come to shared understandings

”The starting point when negotiating a contract is acting in good faith and understanding that the other party is not your enemy – it is your partner” with the other party,” she continues.

While some companies may see flexibility as a form of compromise rather than a progression within negotiations, she says it demonstrates an attempt to create a quality document.

Good advice

While almost everybody in the industry will have experienced the same scenario, few are prepared to deal with it, or the new business climate it brings, which Denkovska observes is increasingly “over-cautious” and still unprepared to cultivate stable economic conditions.

“In terms of what is being faced now, reviewing and drafting contracts goes to unbelievable extents in terms of the termination clauses or risk allocation.”

Preparing to deliver a workshop at the Middle East Contract Management conference next month, Denkovska has only one piece of advice for those tasked with drafting contracts.

“Get proper insurance in place.

Whatever happens, make sure you are covered to the maximum possible extent.

“First of all; before putting it in ink, envisage the situations where you or the other party may breach the contract and minimise them. Not every single detail can be predicted with full certainty, but it is important that the key issues are adequately addressed. The worst thing is to assume that everything will go smoothly and according to plan, but the fact is that no one can be certain that over five years both parties will be able to 100% honour their obligations set out in any contract. That’s just not possible.”

Envisioning the bigger picture and listing the many variable factors steering the market while prescribing adequate measures to respond to those factors will help to identify situations where contracts could be breached and ensure there is appropriate remedy for such breaches.

And when dealing with international partners the prospect of litigation which could arise should a party default on their responsibilities, makes these considerations even more important.

“Include as many conditions precedents as possible to allocate the risk fairly between parties, for example, there should not be a breach of your obligation to deliver the project on time if the client did not provide all possible assistance or relevant authorities created a delay in delivering the project, which is beyond your control.

“It’s thinking of all the different “bad scenarios” and minimising them.”

In conclusion she maintains the priorities for any contract should include adequate termination clauses, mitigation of loss, insurance and fair allocation of risk, and that those involved in the drafting of the contract must fully understand how indemnities and warranties work and why they are such essential elements of a good contract.

“The workshop at MECM targets not only the contract managers, but also project teams, facilities managers and quantity surveyors; departments that are often tasked with drafting contracts despite minimal – if any – legal experience. The workshop will endeavour to clarify the need of certain clauses in a contract and articulate complex legal jargon into real-world scenarios. The main purpose is to deliver the message that a good agreement is the one that when things go wrong, it can be relied on and to explore the steps in reaching and maintaining such good agreement.” she says.

Elena Denkovska will be attending the Middle East contract Management conference at Dusit Thani, Dubai. She will contribute to “The A-Z of Contract Law in the GCC” on October 24 and will lead the “Contact Drafting for Non-lawyers” workshop on October 27

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Project name: Kingdom Tower Project Project number: MPP2092-SA Territory: Saudi Arabia Client name: Kingdom Holding Company (Saudi Arabia) Address: 66th Floor, Kingdom Centre City: Riyadh 11321 Postal/ZIP code: 1 Country: Saudi Arabia Phone: (+966-1) 211 1111 Fax: (+966-1) 211 1112 Email: info@kingdom.net Website: http://www.kingdom.net

Budget: 30000000000 Description: Construction of onekilometre-high Kingdom Tower comprising a 97,000 square metre retail mall and underground garages for more than 4,700 cars.

Status: Current Project Remarks: This project will be located in Obhur, just outside of the port city Jeddah. On completion, this tower is expected to replace the 828-metre Burj Khalifa, formerly Burj Dubai, as the world's tallest building. The final height and number of storeys are yet to be finalised. The building will have 12 million cubic feet of space for offices, a hotel and residential units. Its floor area will be a staggering 38 million square feet. The height will take an elevator 12 minutes to get to the top. An 8.9-squaremile city will also be built around this tower, which can accommodate 80,000 people and an additional one million visitors. Two contracting groups had submitted revised bids for the main construction contract. They included local El-Seif Engineering & Contracting, with Belgium's Six Construct; and local Saudi

Binladin Group. Local Saudi Binladin Group has been awarded the main contract worth $1.2 billion to build this tower. US-based architect Smith+Gill has been awarded a formal contract to design the tower. US' Environmental Systems Design (ESD) has been awarded a contract to design the building system for this tower. The contract, which was won following a highly competitive tendering process, will see ESD design energy-efficient building systems, organised vertically in accordance with occupancy. ESD is also providing MEP and fire protection engineering along with delivering integrated consulting services for tele-data, audio/visual, security and acoustics. Further details have been revealed about this project.

It is understood that the tower would be at least 3,280-feet (1,000 metres) tall and about 50 storeys taller than the Burj Khalifa. The building will have three sky lobbies, with the most prominent situated at the 157th floor. The viewing platform disc that juts out from the side of the building was originally designed as a helipad and is 25 metres across.

According to the architect, Adrian Smith & Gordon Gill, one of the limiting factors in skyscraper design was elevator design.

At present, the elevators can reach a maximum height of 550-570 metres - due, primarily, to the weight on the cable and the load placed on motors that were currently available. As it stands, the elevators don't quite reach the highest occupied level of the tower, so a second tier of elevators has been designed in to the building. US-based Langan International has designed the tower foundation to overcome challenging sub-surface conditions consisting of very weak rock and highly permeable coral rock, which impacted pile capacities and settlement, among other critical design issues. Important geo-technical aspects of

the project included a sophisticated subsurface investigation using specialised field and laboratory testing, an advanced pile and barrette testing program, and a site-specific seismic hazard analysis.

As part of the design team, Langan is providing multiple engineering services, namely geo-technical, site/civil, traffic and parking planning. With regard to site/civil engineering, Langan is managing multiple challenges, ranging from locating and orienting a tower in the centre of a planned city to storm-water designs that will mitigate flooding. Part of the overall storm-water management system designed by Langan will eventually collect, detain and discharge rainwater into a massive reflection pond at the base of the tower. Langan will also support the transformation of the conceptual master plan into constructionlevel documents, complete with roadway elevations, defined property boundaries, sub-surface utility layouts and stormwater detention requirements. Langan has also provided recommendations on the internal circulation patterns to the garages in this tower, the layout of spaces inside the garages, and the design and orientation of helixes.

Main architect: Adrian Smith & Gordon Gill Architecture LLP (USA) Design consultant: Omrania & Associates Architecture & Engg.

Consultants (Saudi Arabia) Project manager: Bechtel (Saudi Arabia) Specialist consultant 1: Hyder Consulting Ltd. (UK) Specialist consultant 2: Arup (UK) Specialist consultant 3: Booz Allen & Hamilton (USA) Design consultant 1: Pickard Chilton Architects (USA) Design consultant 2: Environmental Systems Design Inc. (USA) Design consultant 3: Langan International (USA) Main contractor: Saudi Binladin Group (Saudi Arabia)

News

Saudi Arabia

XXXXXXXX MENA PROJECTS | XXXXXXXXXX | TENDERS

TENDERS

The latest tenders and project updates for developments in MENA region

Tender categories: Leisure, prestige buildings

Project name: Business Hotel Project-1 Project number: OPP360-SA Territory: Saudi Arabia Client name: Shuaa Capital (Saudi Arabia) Address: Dareen Center, 2nd Floor, Al Ahsa Street, Malaz City: Riyadh 11482 Postal/ZIP code: 8181 Country: Saudi Arabia Phone: (+966-1) 291 0070 Fax: (+966-1) 478 1718 Email: ksasales@shuaacapital.com Website: http://www.shuaacapital.com Description: Construction of a budget business hotel comprising (254) rooms.

Budget: 43000000 Status: New Tender Remarks: This project is in Jeddah and will cover a built-up area of approximately 12,000 square metres.

Client has recently completed the acquisition of a prime plot of land through its hospitality fund for the development of this hotel, which will be managed by Rotana Hotel Management Corporation.

Tender categories: Hotels, housing projects

Project name: Al-Manafie Towers Project Project number: MPP2486-SA Territory: Saudi Arabia

ESTIMATING AND PROJECT CONTROL www.thebigprojectme.com | 77

MENA PROJECTS | TENDERS

Client name: Al-Manafie Real Estate (Saudi Arabia) Budget: 800000000 Description: Construction of Al-Manafie Towers comprising (12) buildings, each with a maximum height of (27) floors, consisting of hotels, apartments, retail facilities, medical facilities, car parking and a bus station.

Period: 2012 Status: New tender Remarks: This project is in Mecca and will cover a total built-up area of more than 1 million square metres. A key element of the scheme will be a monorail, which will link the development with Mecca's mosque. Client is expected to tender the main construction packages on this scheme by first quarter of 2012. It has not yet been decided whether the 12 towers will be tendered as one contract or separated into smaller packages. The excavation contract is expected to be tendered in the next four to six months.

Design of this mixed-use development is expected to take 10 months, ground excavation work six months, basement and podium construction work 18 months, and the towers and hotel apartments 36 months. Invitation to bid (ITB) for the main construction packages are expected to be issued in 2012. A joint venture of US-based Hill International and Dubai-based TPM Engineering Consultancy has recently been awarded a four-year contract worth an estimated $22 million to provide project management services on the development.

Design consultant: Zuhair Fayez Partnership Consultants (Saudi Arabia) Project manager: Hill International Middle East Ltd. (Saudi Arabia), TPM Engineering Consultancy (Dubai) Tender categories: Hotels, housing projects, medical, prestige buildings

UAE Project name: Meridien Hotel Extension Project Project number: MPP2525-U Territory: Dubai Client name: Wasl Asset Management Group (Dubai) City: Dubai

Postal/ZIP code: 23073 Country: UAE Phone: (+971-4) 398 6666 Fax: (+971-4) 398 8111 Email: info@wasl.ae Website: http://www.wasl.ae Description: Construction of an extension to the existing Meridien Hotel.

Period: 450 days Closing date: September 11, 2011 Status: New tender Remarks: This project is in the Garhoud area, close to Dubai International Airport.

Scope of work involves construction of an eight-storey, five-star hotel with a built-up area of 26,000 square metres.

Contractors have been invited to submit bids for the main construction contract.

The scheme has attracted interest from leading contractors in the emirate, although those preparing to bid expect the competition to be fierce.

Main consultant: Arch Group (Dubia) Tender categories: Hotels, housing projects

Project name: Hotel Resort Project - Al Aqah Project number: MPR1350-U Territory: Northern Emirates Client name: Elwan Group (Dubai) Address: Festival Tower, Suite 2005, Festival City City: Dubai Postal/ZIP code: 14770 Country: UAE Phone: (+971-4) 232 9841 Fax: (+971-4) 232 9831 Email: info@elwan.com Website: http://www.elwan.com

Budget: 122000000 Description: Construction of a five-star hotel resort in Al-Aqah comprising 288 rooms, a large terraced pool, 1,320

square metres of conference facilities, and six food and beverage outlets, including landscaped gardens and parking facilities for more than 300 cars.

Period: 2013 Status: Current project Remarks: This project will be developed in Fujairah. Italian contractor Impresa Pizzarotti has been awarded the main construction package. The hotel is scheduled for delivery in third quarter of 2013. Foundation work has been completed two years ago, but the client decided to suspend work when the economic downturn began in 2008.

US-based Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum (HOK) has designed the hotel resort.

The client is hoping to achieve Leed (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification for the project by US' Green Building Council by using photovoltaic panels on the roof to increase energy efficiency. It is also expected to use treated wastewater for irrigation and cooling to increase efficiency.

Main contractor: Impresa Pizzarotti & C S P A (Abu Dhabi) Tender categories: Hotels, housing projects, leisure

Bahrain Project name: Headquarters Building Construction Project - Bahrain Bay Project number: OPR443-B Territory: Bahrain Client name: Al Baraka Banking Group (Bahrain) City: Manama Postal/ZIP code: 1882 Country: Bahrain Phone: (+973) 1754 1122 Fax: (+973) 1753 6533 Website: http://www.albaraka.com Description: Construction of headquarters building in Bahrain Bay comprising two office towers consisting

ESTIMATING AND PROJECT CONTROL 78 | www.thebigprojectme.com

of approximately nine levels above ground plus a mezzanine level, in addition to four basement levels for car park and facilities.

Budget: 55000000 Status: Current project Remarks: This project is in Bahrain. The gross floor area will be 22,221 square metres, while the gross development area is 38,540 square metres for the entire scheme of total 14 floors. The two towers will be joined by a podium and ground plaza level, while the upper floors will be linked by a bridge way. On top of the podium complex, the building will be divided into two office towers, one for lease and the other as the headquarters of the bank. The podium level will consist of banking, retail and VIP reception area.

UAE-based Arabtec Holding has been appointed as the main contractor on this development.

Main contractor: Arabtec Holding PJSC (Dubai) Tender categories: Housing projects

Oman Project name: Fort Hotel Resort Project Project number: OPR496-O Territory: Oman Client name: Oman Tourism Development Company S.A.O.C (Omran) City: Muttrah PC 114 Postal/ZIP code: 479 Country: Oman Phone: (+968) 2477 3700 Fax: (+968) 2479 3929 Email: enquiries@omran.om Website: http://www.omran.om Description: Development of five-star Fort Hotel Resort comprising (120) rooms.

Qatar Project name: Headquarters Building Project-17 Project number: MPP2427-Q Territory: Qatar Client name: International Bank of Qatar (IBQ) City: Doha Postal/ZIP code: 2001 Country: Qatar Phone: (+974) 4447 8000 Fax: (+974) 4447 3745 Email: enquiries@ibq.com.qa Website: http://www.ibq.com.qa Description: Construction of 32-storey, 225-metre-high headquarters building, including five basement levels for a bank.

Budget: 137000000 Status: Current project Remarks: This project is in Doha. The tower will be built on Al-Taawon Street, near the Qatar Olympics building and cover a total built-up area of 35,000 square metres. Six contractors had submitted bids for the main construction contract. They include Greece's Aktor, with local Redco International; UAE/ Australian Al-Habtoor Leighton Group; local Al-Seal Trading & Contracting; UAE's Arabtec Construction, Commodore Contracting Company; and Lebanon's Qatari Arabian Construction

Company (QACC). A joint venture of Greece's Aktor and local Redco International has been appointed as the main contractor.

Main consultant: KEO International Consultants (Qatar) Design consultant: Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (USA) Main contractor: AKTOR (Qatar), Redco Construction (Qatar) Tender categories: Prestige buildings

Project name: Doha Festival City Development Project Project number: MPP2455-Q Territory: Qatar Client name: Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate (Dubai) Address: Dubai Festival City, Al Rashidiya Area City: Dubai Postal/ZIP code: 159 Country: UAE Phone: (+971-4) 213 6213 Fax: (+971-4) 232 5550 Email: af.realestate@alfuttaim.ae Website: http://www.afrealestate.com Description: Development of Doha Festival City comprising a retail centre, an entertainment park, two hotels and an auto park made up of car showrooms.

Budget: 1600000000 Period: 2015 Status: New tender Remarks: This project is in Qatar. The multi-use scheme will be built on the northern highway, which will link Doha International Airport with the proposed Bahrain Causeway. The complex will cover a total area of 433,000 square metres, while construction will be divided into three phases. Brands set to open stores in this development include IKEA, Marks & Spencer, Toys R Us, Ace Hardware, Intersport and other major

regional retailers. Contractors have been approached to express interest in the main construction package on this development. The first retail phase is scheduled for completion in 2012. The remaining two phases are expected to be completed by 2015. Local developer Bawabat Al Shamal Real Estate Company has appointed UK-based built asset consultancy firm EC Harris to provide commercial management services for the shopping mall in this development.

The international firm will be assisting in delivering of the project across its two phases. Out of the 2.5 million square metres set aside for retail space, 28,000 square metres is to be an IKEA store, 32,500 square metres will be an entertainment and leisure complex, with the rest of the space divided between a supermarket, other major international and local brand tenants, hotels, cinemas and conference facilities.

Main architect: Arab Engineering Bureau (Qatar) Design consultant: DP Architects Pte. Ltd. (Singapore) Project manager: Mace Limited (UK) Project manager 1: EC Harris (UK) Main architect 1: Brewer Smith Brewer Gulf (Dubai) Research and marketing consultant: Portland Design Associates (UK) Engineering consultant: WSP (UK) Research and marketing consultant 1: Coverpoint Catering Consultancy (UK) Tender categories: Hotels, leisure, housing projects

Kuwait Project name: Bubiyan Island Port Development Project - Phase III Project number: MPP2012-K Territory: Kuwait Client name: Ministry of Public Works (Kuwait) Address: Ministry of Public Works Bldg., 3rd Floor, 6th Ring Road

City: Safat 13001 Postal/ZIP code: 8 Country: Kuwait Phone: (+965) 2538 5520 / 2538 5530 Fax: (+965) 2538 5219 / 2538 5234 Email: hmansour@mpa.gov.kw Description: Design-and-build contract for carrying out third phase port works on Bubiyan (Boubyan) Island development project.

Budget: 1400000000 Period: 2013 Status: New tender Remarks: This project is in Kuwait.

It is being implemented by the Mega Projects Agency, part of the client.

Scope of work covers construction of a container terminal, four berths and a 1,300-metre-long quay wall, in addition to port buildings and utilities (electricity, water and sewage), digging and soil improvement works, and site leveling. The client had invited prequalified contractors to bid for the main contract on this scheme. Pre-qualifiers included Geneva-registered Archirodon Construction Services, with local Mushrif Trading & Contracting Company; China Harbour Engineering Company, with local Mohamed Abdulmohsin Kharafi & Sons and Gulf Dredging & Contracting; South Korea's Hyundai Engineering & Construction, with local United Gulf Construction Company; and Turkey's STFA, with local Combined Group. Invitation to bid (ITB) for the construction contract is expected to be issued in October 2011. The project is expected to be completed in 2013.

Design consultants: Mouchel Middle East Ltd. (Kuwait) Tender categories: Sewerage and drainage, housing projects, marine engg. works and seaports, power generation and distribution, potable water works

ESTIMATING AND PROJECT CONTROL www.thebigprojectme.com | 79

MENA PROJECTS | TENDERS

Period: 2014 Status: New tender Remarks: This hotel will be located about 25 kilometres southeast of Seeb International Airport in Oman.

The project will be set on an area of 3.7 square kilometres on the Bausher mountains overlooking the city of Muscat. Client has invited companies to submit bids by September 19, 2011 for a contract to carry out earthworks on this scheme.

Tender categories: Leisure, hotels, housing projects

En

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To enquire about exhibiting or sponsorship at The Big 5 contact: ENTER ONLINE NOW forw:further details please visit e: thebig5@dmgevents.com t: +971 4 438 or 0355 www.thebig5.ae

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DIARY Global stats

$75m

paid by Standard Chartered Private Equity for a minority stake in Construction Product Holding Company, Saudi Arabia’s largest building materials manufacturer

4.2%

decline in Egypt’s main index at the start of August, following the US debt re-structuring. The market was at a two-year low

$25m

of private equity deals completed in H1 compared to $157m in 2010

156%

increase on the same period last year of construction contracts awarded in Saudi Arabia in H1

2013

the latest predicted recovery for the global construction industry, according to Laing O’Rourke

MENA INTERNATIONAL

DBX Kurdistan International Expo Dahuk Dahuk, Iraq: Sept 18 - 21 Covering a total exhibition space of 10,000 square metres, last year 400 national and international companies attended.

Project Iraq Erbil, Iraq: Sept 19-22 Organised by Riyadh Exhibitions Company Ltd., the four day expo showcases building material, airport equipment, architectural finishes, asphalt machinery, bathrooms, construction tools and equipment, earth moving equipment, false ceilings and ceiling materials, floor coverings and others.

Febrava Damascus: Sept 20-23 Specialises in refrigeration, air conditioning, ventilation, heating and air treatment, with more than 28,000 visitors expected from over 25 countries

Tower Tech Doha: Sept 20-23 A B2B trading event with focus on the drastic development of construction industry in the Arabian region. Welcoming both national and international exhibitors and visitors top exhibitors will be welcomed from Egypt, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

Cityscape Global Dubai Sept 27- 29 The international property investment and development event is an annual networking exhibition and conference focusing on all aspects of the property development cycle.

MANILACON Pasay, Philippines: Sept 1-4 The Philippines’ building and construction trade exhibition on innovations and sustainability.

KazBuild Almaty, Kazakhstan: Sept 6 - 9 The Kazakh building industry benefits from the economic growth and the inflow of foreign capital and is regarded as a very promising market with projects in road, house and office construction.

Construir Minas Minas Gerai, Brazil: Sept 7 - 10 Construir Minas is an event that is meant for the entire construction sector of the mining industry.

This show is designed to make the provision for enhancing the performance of all aspects of service delivery in the field of mining. Retailers, engineers, architects, decorators, designers, insurance experts and others will exhibit.

Roads Bridges & Tunnels Expo St. Petersburg, Russia: Sept 21-23 The show demonstrates the best achievements in construction of roads and bridges, design, operation of automobile roads, road research, engineering and other adjacent sectors represented by the leading Russian and foreign manufacturers and suppliers.

www.thebigprojectme.com | 81

DIARY | INDUSTRY EVENTS

SEPTEMBER

TEA BREAK | FM and design

Get involved: Visit: www.thebigprojectme.com Follow us on Twitter: METheBigProject Become a group member on LinkedIn Or become a fan on Facebook: Thebigproject

Your Shout

Following the news that Saudi Arabia is tendering works for the world’s next record breaking skyscraper, Kingdom Tower, we asked readers for their reaction to the news...

Roneesh Vashisht Mechanical engineer

With my engineer hat on, a new tallest building is definitely fun and I look forward to following its development and hopefully one day seeing it, and the the Burj Khalifa, in person. That being said, with my human/ designer/green hats on, I think the race to build the tallest building in the world is a bit outdated. What about the most measurably green building? What about a building that’s flat out visually striking?

I think when you get that tall, your concessions to the wind make for a pretty bland building. What about buildings that engage the population in totally new and exciting ways?

Meng Chen Structural designer

It is not something you want to live in; it is something you want to drive by.

William Rogers Architect

It’s really quite amazing! First the Burj Khalifa, 2717 feet, more than twice the Empire State Building’s 1250 feet and now this. As an erstwhile skyscraper architect I have to marvel. When I was starting out in the early 1980’s we never thought anyone would build this high. The economies of scale simply didn’t support the cost.

To do this in the Middle East is even more amazing as land costs and densities are simply not that high compared to Manhattan.

So I wonder; other than egotism, what is driving these ventures? Clearly they must be succeeding economically, or the race for the world’s tallest building could not continue at this pace.

82 | www.thebigprojectme.com

Robert Suttles CAD drafter

Only 2 comments: 1. I would love to live in something like this.

I’ve been piddling with my own hyper-city design on and off for a while.

2. Someone just tell me how to get hired on to the design team for this!

Jaspreet Kowli Consultant

The buildings that I find really interesting are ones that utilize innovative materials and construction methods. Really, even buildings that do pretty simple things like

look beautiful I find more interesting and worthwhile than tall for tall’s sake. The flowing curves of Gehry’s 8 Spruce street do something pretty simple but very effective.

The CCTV building by Rem Koolhaas uses space in such an amazing way and absolutely captivates me. Rather than Saudi Arabia have the tallest building, it would be much more interesting to see a city filled with buildings as innovative as the CCTV building.

Dan Gorski Architect/ senior associate

When I see projects like this, I have but one comment.....Why?