Middle East Architect | October 2012 by CENTROID (Planners.Architects.Engineers)

OCTOBER 2012 / VOLUME 06 / ISSUE 10

An ITP Business Publication

NEWS, DATA, ANALYSIS AND STRATEGIC INSIGHTS FOR ARCHITECTS ARCHITEC EC E C TS TS IN I N THE T HE TH E GCC GC GC p2// FRONT

p14// ANALYSIS

Emaar announces super-tall Dubai hotel near Burj Khalifa

How can the Middle East fully utilise solar power?

INTERVIEW

Peter di Sabatino, dean of Sharjah’s College of Architecture, Art and Design /p22

SITE VISIT GAJ’S EXTENSION TO PALM TREE COURT CASE STUDY SAUDI CONFERENCE CENTRE BY SOM

CLEAN LINES Exploring AGi Architects’ modernist beachside chalets in Kuwait City

OCTOBER | CONTENTS

OCTOBER 2012 VOLUME 6 ISSUE 10 2

FRONT

Top stories in the world of architecture including Emaar’s super-tall Dubai hotel

THE BIG PICTURE

Capturing Daniel Libeskind’s bendy tower complex on Singapore’s waterfront

PROJECTS A round up of the latest project news from MENA and the rest of the world

ANALYSIS

COMMENT Georgina Chakar argues that modern-day exhibitions are integral to the industry

What needs to happen before the Middle East fully utilises solar energy?

INTERVIEW

SITE VISIT

GAJ’s stone-walled extension project for the Palm Tree Court resort in Jebel Ali

Peter di Sabatino, dean of the College of Architecture, Art and Design at AUS

CASE STUDIES

THE WORK

A detailed reference section covering all the best projects in the world

AGi’s Kuwait beach chalet, a new Abu Dhabi tower and a Saudi conference centre

CULTURE

LAST WORD

A snapshot of funky furniture, lighting and other accessories in the market

Karim Benkirane, regional managing principal, Woods Bagot, on Qatar’s needs

www.designmena.com | 10.12 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT

FRONT | OCTOBER

650

Number of students at CAAD (page 22)

EMAAR TO BUILD NEW SUPER-TALL DUBAI HOTEL 340m-high tower to be second tallest building in Downtown area

NUMBER OF STOREYS IN THE ADDRESS THE BLVD

TOP STORY Emaar has launched The Address The BLVD, a 340m-tall hotel and serviced residences located in its ﬂagship Downtown Dubai. The 63-storey building will be the second tallest in Downtown Dubai after Burj Khalifa. Featuring 200 hotel rooms and 542 serviced residences it will be the sixth addition to The Address Hotels + Resorts portfolio. Work is said to commence shortly and is scheduled for completion in early to mid-2015.

Ahmad Al Matrooshi, managing director, Emaar Properties, said: “The launch of The Address The BLVD is a strong reiteration of the positive growth trends in Dubai’s real estate sector, led by the signiﬁcant increase achieved in tourism, hospitality, retail and foreign trade.” He added: “With the Address hotels in Dubai recording average 85 to 90 percent occupancy throughout the year, The Address The BLVD will further complement the city’s hospitality sector growth.”

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 10.12 | www.designmena.com

An image of the Address hotel, Downtown Dubai.

The building is already out to tender and all of the serviced apartments were sold on the day they were launched, it was reported. The company said that it released a “signiﬁcant volume” of studio apartments, and a number of the one-, twoand three-bed units, although some (including a number of four-bed apartments) have been held back. Design details remain scarce at this stage, although the rendering depicts a stepped form similar to the nearby Address Downtown, by Atkins.

OCTOBER | FRONT OCTOBE

THREE

Units in AGi’s Kuwait beach villa complex

Number of storeyss in Abu Dhabi towerr

(page 48))

(page 44)

Rock Stadium picks up LEAF Award in London MZ Architects’ Rock Stadium in Al Ain won the Best Future Building at the 2012 Emirates Glass LEAF Awards in London. The Rock Stadium is a planned 40,000-seater stadium built into the side of Jebel Hafeet, near the UAEOman border. The stadium sinks its 200,000m2 structure into the ground, turning the rocky mountain into a feature. It creatively works with the topography and relies on a series of emerging planes to mold the space and help create the 40,000 seats. While developing the idea for the stadium, MZ’s Marwan Zgheib,

DESIGNMENA.COM • 2012 Commercial Interior Design Awards winners • LW Design receives Interior Design Firm of the Year • Al Ain Rock Stadium wins LEAF Award • Emaar launches 340m-tall Dubai hotel • In Pictures: CID awards 2012 winners design • Dubai to build eco mosque

The 40,000-seater stadium in Al Ain.

founder and principal, spent three days with a geologist, stone specialist, topographer and a cave expert at the site. Zgheib received the award on September 21 at a ceremony in London’s Four Seasons Hotel.

Commercial Interior Design Awards winners announced Key players in the region’s interior design industry converged at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers on September 25 for the Commercial Interior Design (CID) Awards. There were 15 award categories in total, with LW Design picking up four honours, including three of the most prestigious categories. Founder Lars Waldenstrom was handed the Lifetime Achievement award, the ﬁ rm won Middle East Design Firm of the Year and Pia Sen was named as Interior Designer of the Year, Middle East. The company also won Middle East Interior Design of the Year: Outdoor Design for

WEIRD PROJECT OF THE MONTH

its work on the Monte Carlo Beach Club in Abu Dhabi. Elsewhere, Laura Bielecki from GAJ won Young Interior Designer of the Year, Middle East, after joining the ﬁ rm late last year.

Almere, The Netherlands, has won a bid to host the World Horticultural Expo in 2022 with a proposal by MVRDV for a square-shaped peninsula covered in gardens. The 45 ha development will create a new city quarter over a lake with a university, offices, homes and leisure facilities. DATASTREAM HOW OFTEN DO YOU USE DUBAI METRO? (Data: Construction Week Reader’s Poll)

OFTEN

NEVER

SOMETIMES

43.8% 31.2% 25%

The winners of the 15 awards.

www.designmena.com | 10.12 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT

FRONT | OCTOBER

PEOPLE

60 SECOND INTERVIEW

Hilson Moran Qatar appoints new boss

Larsen’s ﬁrm is active in the region.

Henning Larsen wins Praemium Imperiale Danish architect Henning Larsen, whose practice has several projects in the Middle East, was honoured with the Praemium Imperiale 2012. The prize was founded by Japan’s oldest cultural organisation, the Japan Art Association, and is presented by the Japanese Imperial Family at a ceremony . Five categories represent the major arts – Painting, Sculpture, Architecture, Music and Theatre/Film. The prize committee’s citation stated: “Light seems to fall from the ceiling and windows, reflecting off the floors and walls, filling the space sublimely; these minutely calculated lighting effects are one of the greatest characteristics of Henning Larsen’s architecture.“ Henning Larsen Architects is working on a number of projects in Saudi Arabia, including the King Abdullah Financial District and the Institute of Diplomatic Studies in Riyadh.

People say that precast has to be square and rectangular, but glass-ﬁbre fabric can be used stretched to form elements, and sprayed with resin to create a mold.” BOB SCOTT, head of structural engineering at Atkins

Engineering consultancy Hilson Moran Qatar has appointed British sustainability expert Matt Kitson as regional director. Kitson’s career, which has been spent with Hilson Moran for over 12 years, includes engineering and sustainability advice on major projects across the UK, Europe and the Middle East. One of his key projects was the masterplan for North Yas in Abu Dhabi. Commenting on his appointment, Kitson said: “The Qatar market presents an exciting opportunity and Hilson Moran’s approach to design is very much aligned with the Qatar 2030 national vision. “This is an exceptional career opportunity and I am extremely excited by the prospect of working on what will become some of the world’s truly iconic and sustainable designs.”

LARS WALDENSTROM, FOUNDER, LW DESIGN You have just won the Lifetime Achievement category at the Commercial Interior Design Awards. How does it feel? To win such an award means everything to me. It is a tribute to the hard work that has been undertaken over the last 35 years here in Dubai. When I ﬁrst came here, Dubai was unknown and I originally started by working on some projects for Sheikh Mohammed and, since then, the emirate has grown immensely.

What would you say is your greatest achievement?

Matt Kitson becomes regional director.

A lot of problems are coming from the quality of the concrete, but if you keep it in shutter one day longer it can add ten years of life to a building.” DR. MAHER TADROS, Professor at the University of Nebraska

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 10.12 | www.designmena.com

I can’t pinpoint one particular achievement which stands out over the others but if I had to choose something I would say that the Grosvenor House Dubai and Buddha Bar projects stand out. I am proud of each and every project I’ve worked on over the years.

Compared to other supertall towers with a height of 400m or above, Marina 101 has one of the narrowest structures.” UGUR ANLIATAMER, TAV Construction project manager at Marina 101, Dubai

Air Tightness... Protect your homes and offices by reducing air/dust infiltration; increasing the lifespan of your property and promoting a healthier environment with TECHNAL®’s world-class aluminium façades, skylights, sunshades, windows, doors and office partition systems. TECHNAL® sets the standard for quality and innovative engineering solutions with a range of complete applications that meets all your architectural aluminium needs in both residential and commercial buildings.

TECHNAL C MIDDLE DD EAST - P. O. Box: 21848, Manama, Bahrain - T: +973 1722 5777 - F: +973 1721 7799 - E: technal@technal.com.bh - W: www.technal-me.com

FRONT | OCTOBER

MENA PROJECT SNAPSHOT 1

1 TURKEY

2 ABU DHABI

3 TURKEY

Tower complex proposed for ﬁnancial district

Atkins wins design for $2.1bn community

Tsunami-inspired building touted for Istanbul

Saraiva + Associados has proposed a design for an office project in the Atasehir ﬁnancial district of Istanbul which allows interaction between the podium and sky-lobby. The base holds the commercial areas while the two office towers rest above, with the rooftop of the podium acting as a public urban square. On the south corner of the square, the water feature contains a sculpture and may be used as an ice rink in the winter.

Abu Dhabi General Services (Musanada) has awarded Atkins a contract to design the infrastructure for a $2.1bn Emirati community in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The North Wathba Urban Development is a 42 km2 social infrastructure scheme that will eventually house a community of 130,000 people. Atkins’ role involves the design and provision of tender documentation for all aspects of the project development .

UK ﬁrm CRAB Studio has designed a disaster prevention and education centre in Istanbul that is inspired by a reaction to a tsunami. CRAB’s design featured in a competition, also entered by California-based Dinkoff Architects and Engineers. CRAB’s building sits with its blades resting into the ground, ready to divide streams of water. Beneath the series of clusters are a collection of shallow pools with indigenous plants.

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 10.12 | www.designmena.com

FRONT | OCTOBER

4 QATAR

5 IRAQ

6 DUBAI

Revolving crystal ball planned for Qatar 2022

Dewan awarded Basra Culture Centre

Deira to build eco mosque for 3,500 worshippers

A huge spinning crystal ball containing a sports museum and shopping centre has been unveiled for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, reported Inhabitat. The audacious project, ‘Crystal BallLight of the Future’, is designed by architects Vedran Pedišić of Sangrad and Erick Velasco Farerre. Resting on a vertical axis and spinning on a spiral path, the crystal ball makes slow revolutions around the centre. The exact status of the project is unclear.

UAE-based Dewan has won a contract to design the Basra Culture Centre which will form part of a new administrative complex in the Iraq province. The centre will contain areas for ﬁne arts exhibitions, meeting rooms, conference halls, heritage museums, cinema halls, a theatre, radio and television broadcasting department. The façade is notable for randomly-placed diagonal squareshaped openings.

Al Arif Contracting has been awarded the contract for the construction and maintenance of the UAE’s ﬁrst eco-friendly mosque. An initiative by Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation (AMAF) and scheduled for completion in 18 months, the mosque will be located in Bur Saeed area close to the Clock Tower Roundabout in Deira. At 45,000ft2 it will be the largest mosque in Dubai, accommodating up to 3,500 worshipers.

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 10.12 | www.designmena.com

FRONT | OCTOBER

GLOBAL PROJECT SNAPSHOT 1

1 PERU

2 RUSSIA

3 UK

Swimming pool tower proposed for Lima

Moscow to build new district for 1.7m people

KPF reveals design of new City of London tower

Mexican architecture studio DCPP Arquitectos has proposed an unusual tower design, Sky Condos, for Lima, Peru with the aim to create a landmark building for Latin America. The scheme features concrete swimming pools sticking out from the base of the tower like ﬂoating diving boards. Constructed beside a golf course, the 20-storey tower’s façade is made of transparent glass. A series of elevated courtyards are also included.

A new district with manmade waterways has been chosen as part of a masterplan to double the size of Moscow. The jury selected the entry from Capital Cities Planning Group containing landscape designers Gillespies, urban designers John Thompson & Partners and engineering consultants Buro Happold. It will house 1.7 million people and provide 800,000 jobs, mainly in government, education and business sectors.

Kohn Pederson Fox (KPF) has released images of a 35-storey tower in London, commissioned by American insurance ﬁrm W. R. Berkley. It was reported that construction on the US$795m project should begin in 2013. The 190m-tall building will include 930m2 of retail space as well as 1,100m2 of outdoor public space. It will be situated next to Richard Rogers’ seminal Lloyds building, and close to Foster + Partners’ ‘Gherkin’.

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 10.12 | www.designmena.com

Geberit concealed cisterns

Hidden ,QQR vation Safely hidden behind the wall, with a Geberit concealed cistern only the actuator plate is visible. Geberit‘s in ZDOO WHFKQRORJ\ DOORZV XQLTXH EHDXW\ IURP ƮRRU WR FHLOLQJ *HEHULW DOVR SXW VXVWDLQDELOLW\ DW \RXU ƬQJHUWLSV ZLWK ZDWHU VDYLQJ GXDO ƮXVK DFWXDWRUV *HEHULWnV FRQFHDOHG FLVWHUQV XVHG DURXQG WKH ZRUOG RƪHU XQVXUSDVVHG TXDOLW\ DQG \HDUV RI WURXEOH IUHH SHU formance and with a wide range of design solutions give you the aesthetic freedom to create the bathroom you have always wanted. )RU PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ SOHDVH YLVLW ̛ ZZZ JHEHULW DH

FRONT | OCTOBER

THE BIG PICTURE

ROUND THE BEND This stunning shot, taken by ITP staff photographer Lester Ali, showcases Daniel Libeskind’s new showstopper in Singapore, called ‘Reﬂections at Keppel Bay’. The six bendy towers are clad in anodized aluminum panels with large openings.

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 10.12 | www.designmena.com

NEWS ANALYSIS | SOLAR POWER

BLACK HOLE SUN To what extent is solar power underutilised in the Middle East? Devina Divecha investigates ANALYSIS

ccording to a recent report, up to 630,000 terawatt hours of solar energy remain unused in the deserts of the MENA region. The “FM In the Middle East Market Intelligence Report 1 – 2011” released by forecast and analytics firm, ispy publishing, shows that alternative energy supply is an area whose benefits are under-utilised. Commenting on the report’s findings, Jamal Abdulla Lootah CEO of facilities management firm Imdaad, says: “Solar energy sources in particular are considered to be the most underutilised resources in the Middle East and we are determined to fi nd innovative ways to promote and capitalise on this hugely untapped reserve.” Solar panels is an obvious technology for the Middle East region, but why has it not been adopted on a wide scale yet?

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 10.12 | www.designmena.com

SOLAR POWER | NEWS ANALYSIS

Ronald Diab, managing director, EEG says solar panels can be used for electricity generation (PV) and hot water production (solar thermal). “They can in principle assist in the reduction of utility’s electricity or fuel used in electrical or thermal energy supplies. However, the main problem in the GCC is that downstream adoption is tightly linked to financial incentives,” he says. In the absence of feed in tariff and in a mostly subsidised electricity landscape, PV is very difficult to be financially viable at the present stage, where most projects are governmentfunded large-scale ones. Diab continues: “PV projects in the private sector are mostly driven by forward thinking and ‘green’-oriented people rather than from a commercial perspective. On the other hand, solar thermal has a better financial feasibility, in particular when considered in larger commercial facilities such as

hotels where there is a high hot water demand.” Gary Moss, director of operations, Mace Macro, also weighs in. He says at an individual building level there are a number of issues which work against the widespread uptake of solar panels in the UAE. These include the high capital cost and the relatively low cost of energy, which results in long pay-back periods for the initial investment. “Even in Western countries where energy costs are signiﬁcantly higher, it has still been necessary for governments to incentivise building owners

with subsidies to encourage a wider uptake of this technology,” he adds. There’s another caveat which Moss mentions: “The performance of solar panels also deteriorates quickly in dusty conditions such as the UAE. However, the UAE is starting to invest heavily in large-scale solar energy plants using advanced ‘solar collector’ technology, and this shows a lot of promise for the future.” Alain El Tawil, managing partner, Grako says the main challenge faced in the region is resistance, mostly due to low awareness about the beneﬁts associated with energy management.

Solar panels are affected by dust.

“The UAE is starting to invest heavily in large-scale solar energy plants using advanced ‘solar collector’ technology, and this shows a lot of promise for the future.” Gary Moss, director of operations, Mace Macro

www.designmena.com | 10.12 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT

NEWS ANALYSIS | SOLAR POWER

Gary Moss, Mace Macro; Ronald Diab, EEG.

630,000

“We find education and He adds the next UNUSED HOURS OF incentive based initiastep is to remove SOLAR ENERGY tives key in overcoming subsidies from IN TERAWATTS this challenge; beginning electrical tariffs. with the staff and involving the “Generally clients client as well. will not be keen to invest in “At Grako we understand the energy efficiency if it doesn’t impact criticality of planning now for an unsignificantly on their bottom line and certain energy future and realise that OPEX. energy management and long-term “As a third point, financing mechacost-saving are directly linked,” says nisms are key, as in many cases, El Tawil. energy management is linked to new Diab thinks awareness of climate investments in upgrades, controls, change, green initiatives and energy retrofits etc which would require efficiency is at its peak nowadays. funding. In these difficult economic However, when it comes to pure times, the lack of budget jeopardises energy management, in order to eninvestment in energy efficiency sure a proper market evolution, there projects. This is where banks and are three important points to tackle, financial institutions can take the explains Diab. lead with appropriate specialised “Number one is market regulafinancial products tailored for EE tion. We need to ensure the levels of and RE projects.” services provided by Energy Services Moss explains that since energy Companies (ESCOs) and energy prices are very low in this region, saving companies are following good it acts as a disincentive to energy standards, and used products are conservation. meeting all certifications. In many In addition, the fact that the quality countries, poor energy services of plant installations is often poor disrupt the whole market.” in this region and commissioning

“PV projects in the private sector are mostly driven by forward thinking and ‘green’-oriented people rather than from a commercial perspective.” Ronald Diab, managing director, EEG

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 10.12 | www.designmena.com

is often not carried out adequately, explains Moss. He also mentions education, and says: “There is much still to be done locally to educate both clients and building users about energy and environmental issues. Attitudes are changing and initiatives such as Abu Dhabi’s Estidama Pearl Rating System for new buildings are having a positive impact.” “However, it is true to say that the region still lags some way behind Europe on energy awareness and conservation, and I believe governments should be introducing more stringent regulatory requirements in order to raise the bar.” Moss says: “It is encouraging to see some excellent initiatives being implemented, such as the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy, which is targeting a 30% reduction in energy demand in Dubai by 2030.” Large organisations are in general focused on improving their sustainable practices including their energy efficiency, according to Diab. “The market of established companies, operated buildings, large facilities and various other energy end users is enormous and far beyond those abiding by CSR policies. There are few steps that can be made mandatory, mostly in the import and marketing of equipment and appliances whereby all poor efficiency ones should be banned from the market, such as home appliances and lighting.” Another trend Diab has witnessed is what he terms “green washing”, which he explains as widespread use of green initiatives and energy efficiency ads, but without market regulation to ensure that advertised actions and/or products are effectively correct. “If energy conservation policies become mandatory then service providers will be obliged to follow the same standards, thus their prices will reﬂect their investment in energy conservation,” says El Tawil.

Our modular process makes your building a snap.

architecture.geometrica.com

COMMENT | EDITOR’S LETTER

TAJ MARK TWO EDITOR’S LETTER

Will Dubai really build a bigger version of the Taj Mahal?

GOT A COMMENT? If you have any comments to make on this month’s issue, please e-mail oliver. ephgrave @itp.com

ust at the time of going to press, we received the breaking news that Dubai’s version of Taj Mahal, for the Falcon City of Wonders, is allegedly back on track. Those that have been in Dubai for four years or more are probably well aware of Falcon City of Wonders, an audacious 3.8 million m2 project on Emirates Road which is planned to contain replicas of famous landmarks from across world. Other than the Taj Mahal, the project is planned to feature Dubai versions of the Pyramids, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Eiffel Tower, the Great Wall of China, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Fairly predictably, the project was put on hold at the outbreak of the credit crisis. However, local newspaper 7DAYS claims the Taj replica has been resurrected. It was reported that, according to investors in the project at Cityscape Global, the ‘Taj Arabia’ will be ready by 2014. Costing a whopping US$1bn, it will feature a hotel, event facilities and a retail hub. It will also serve as a wedding venue, with the capacity to host parties for up to 3,000 people. Four years ago I visited the Taj Mahal and it is one of the most beautiful structures on the planet.

The Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site,

The proportions, the materials, the exquisite craftsmanship, the manicured grounds; it’s a place that you can stay all day and savour, even if it’s swarming with tourists. Will the Taj Arabia, if it is built, successfully replicate the magic of a 460-year-old Mughal masterpiece? I would say almost certainly not, despite the huge budget. Deﬁ nitely not, if it built ‘three to four time bigger’ than the original, as claimed in the report. The Taj replica will add to a growing list of copycat buildings in the emirate. We have Business Central Towers, which borrows very heavily from New York’s classic Crysler

“Will the Taj Arabia, if it is built, successfully replicate the magic of a 460-year-old Mughal masterpiece?”

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 10.12 | www.designmena.com

building, yet adds an extra tower for good measure. Just recently, we have seen the emergence of a tower on Sheikh Zayed Road that looks suspiciously like London’s Big Ben, only substantially taller. In all of these cases, I’d have to pick the original as the superior, and I’m sure I’m not alone. These copycat buildings represent the opposite end of the spectrum to Dubai’s pioneering structures such as Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab; two buildings that really push the boat out. After the credit crisis, the real estate and construction industries in Dubai convinced themselves there was now more ‘realism’ in the market; the projects that survived were rational and tailored to peoples’ needs. Is there a need for a US$1bn Taj Mahal replica in Dubai?

COMMENT | GEORGINA CHAKAR

SHOW TIME OPINION New age exhibitions are integral for the construction industry Georgina Chakar is an Australian architect and a Master of Urban Planning. She works in Abu Dhabi

he continual development of the construction industry as a whole is not only supported by qualified personnel, machinery, equipment and building materials, but also by yearround international exhibitions. Of course, it all started in Europe; the cradle of the industrial exhibitions was France. In 1844 the first ever national exhibition, boosted by the French industrial expansion was held in Paris, creating expansive interest in other European countries. However, the first international exhibition of manufactured products was held in 1851 in London’s Hyde Park. It took the world by storm, with major cities competing for the hosting rights of what was known as the

World Fair, now the World Expo. Dubai is competing for the 2020 World Expo under the motto ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ , with stiff competition from Thailand’s Ayutthaya, and Turkey’s Ankara and Izmir. The World Expo has become a stage for promoting countries and their culture and is a fruitful platform for the dissemination of more speciﬁc exhibitions over the world. Undoubtedly, the construction industry, along with infrastructure and real estate, is one of the largest industries of all derived from the World Expo with a number of different presentations. Some of the most remarkable are Cityscape in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Conmex Middle East in Sharjah and most recently the

An impressive exhibitor stand at Cityscape.

Events like these expos give us the opportunities to build our professional libraries, to enrich our networking and empower all components in the industry to deliver better products.”

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 10.12 | www.designmena.com

Cityscape Riyadh and Jeddah in KSA as well as Cityscape Qatar. Today there are 77 trade shows in Africa and the Middle East related to building and construction. The UAE and KSA dominate with ten annual expos each year. Considering the Middle East only established an intensive construction industry in the last couple of decades, and construction exhibitions in the last 10 years, it’s certainly an impressive figure. Especially given there are 88 in both Americas and 137 in the entire AsiaPacific region. There are quite a few important benefits to the growing number of construction international expos. For example, the exchange of information, ideas and experience significantly contributes to the scientific development of the industry, while signing business deals improves the economy as a whole. To know the market means to know your competitors and to understand the way forward. Events like these expos give us the opportunities to build our professional libraries, to enrich our networking and empower all components in the industry to deliver better products. In April, Cityscape Abu Dhabi, attracted around 25,000 visitors from 78 different countries. No less were expected to visit Cityscape Global in Dubai, which just took place on 2-4 October. The Cityscape exhibitions, and many others related to the building industry, are events that reach far beyond the expos developed in the last 160 years.

+3 UHFRPPHQGV :LQGRZVÂ&#x2030; 3URIHVVLRQDO

$OO LQ RQH DOO LQVLGH

,QWURGXFLQJ WKH QHZ +3 = :RUNVWDWLRQ 3RZHU ZLWKRXW WKH WRZHU %ULQJ \RXU LPDJLQDWLRQ WR OLIH ZLWK WKH DOO LQ RQH +3 = :RUNVWDWLRQ s IHDWXULQJ WKH SRZHUIXO ,QWHOÂ&#x2030; ;HRQÂ&#x2030; SURFHVVRU ( VHULHV JHQXLQH :LQGRZVÂ&#x2030; 3URIHVVLRQDO DQG D VWXQQLQJ FP KLJK UHVROXWLRQ /(' EDFNOLW GLVSOD\ *HW SURIHVVLRQDO JUDGH JUDSKLFV DQG SHUIRUPDQFH LQ D VOHHN VSDFH VDYLQJ GHVLJQ WKDW PDNHV FXVWRPLVDWLRQ D VQDS s OLWHUDOO\

7KH +3 = :RUNVWDWLRQ VQDSV RSHQ IRU VLPSOH WRRO IUHH FXVWRPLVDWLRQ

Â&#x201E; &RS\ULJKW +HZOHWW 3DFNDUG 'HYHORSPHQW &RPSDQ\ / 3 7KH LQIRUPDWLRQ FRQWDLQHG KHUHLQ LV VXEMHFW WR FKDQJH ZLWKRXW QRWLFH ,QWHO WKH ,QWHO ORJR ,QWHO ,QVLGH WKH ,QWHO ,QVLGH ORJR ;HRQ DQG ;HRQ ,QVLGH DUH WUDGHPDUNV RI ,QWHO &RUSRUDWLRQ LQ WKH 8 6 DQG RWKHU FRXQWULHV 0LFURVRIW DQG :LQGRZV DUH WUDGHPDUNV RI WKH 0LFURVRIW JURXS RI FRPSDQLHV 5HIHUV WR GLDJRQDO PHDVXUHPHQW RI GLVSOD\ $OO VSHFLÆFDWLRQV UHSUHVHQW WKH W\SLFDO VSHFLÆFDWLRQV SURYLGHG E\ +3oV FRPSRQHQW PDQXIDFWXUHUV DFWXDO SHUIRUPDQFH PD\ YDU\ HLWKHU KLJKHU RU ORZHU

INTERVIEW | PETER DI SABATINO

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 10.12 | www.designmena.com

PETER DI SABATINO | INTERVIEW

THE INTERVIEW Oliver Ephgrave meets Peter di Sabatino, the dean of the College of Architecture, Art and Design at the American University of Sharjah

t’s mid September and the first day back at the College of Architecture, Art and Design at the University of Sharjah. Standing in the airy entrance atrium, college dean Peter di Sabatino points to a group of two dozen students, crowding round drawings on the floor, and remarks: “It’s only four hours since the start of the semester and they’re already looking at work. That’s quite good.” The traditional classroom style of teaching has been rejected in favour of a more modern approach. “We only have one traditional classroom left,” adds di Sabatino. “Most education spaces are crit rooms, computer labs and studios. There’s also a 100-person auditorium.” Describing the building itself, he comments: “It uses a really simple material palette with concrete floors, white stucco walls and glass. “It’s honest in the use of materials and it’s really a machine for education. The lack of colour is made up by the students’ work, which brings the place alive. The building is a background for the activity of the college.” Formed in 1997, CAAD offers six degree courses and has around 650 students in total. The Bachelor of Architecture programme is the only National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) course outside the USA,

which happens to be di Sabatino’s country of origin. He elaborates on his background. “I was born and raised on the East coast of America. After a degree in Economics and Fine Arts, I worked in New York for a few years and then decided to get a Masters in Architecture at Washington University, St Louis, Missouri. “After graduate school I loaded everything I had into a van and drove west to Los Angeles. I then spent the next 30 years practicing or teaching there, then I came here. I have been the director of design at ﬁrms, and I also had my own practice. I have talked a lot; that included becoming a full Professor of Architecture in Los Angeles and running the department in the Art Center College of Design, Pasadena. I’ve been back and forth between academic work and practice.” When asked on the differences between architectural education in the United States and the UAE, he replies: “The University of Sharjah is based on the American model so the quality of the institution, the facilities and the faculty governance is very much the same. Particularly in CAAD; there is literally no difference. “This programme is amongst the best internationally. There was a website recently that ranked us in the top ten - it was based on student satisfaction and enthusi-

Our students may have a tendency towards digital processes, both 2D and 3D, but they still know how to pick up a pencil and sketch an image of a building.” Peter di Sabatino

www.designmena.com | 10.12 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT

INTERVIEW | PETER DI SABATINO

Peter di Sabatino has been dean for four years.

asm, as well as facilities. Undergraduate education is more normative, especially in a NAAB-accredited programme. Probably 70-85% of the curriculum is similar to anywhere. Architecture is a discipline, so the language of architecture is similar. That’s what’s great about it - you may not speak the same verbal language but it’s always the same visual language; everyone knows how to read a plan and a model.” However, he hints that university life in Sharjah is different from the West. “The students at the faculty work extraordinarily hard, but unfortunately not as many of the students are involved in extracurricular activities as we’d like them to be. Maybe they don’t all get to play sports or perform in plays. Many do, but it’s tough. But the students are so dedicated, as are the faculty and staff.” In the age of technology, it would be fair to assume that students are increasDATE OF FORMATION ingly using computers to design their projects. OF CAAD Di Sabatino agrees, yet adds: “We have a year-long foundation programme for all students, so we are teaching them how to think through the act of drawing, as well as making models. Making things with your hands is still fundamental to what we do. “Our students may have a tendency towards digital processes, both 2D and 3D, but they still know how to pick up a pencil and sketch an image. “We’re communicating between faculty and students in a multitude of ways. We also use photography and the moving image; we’re using every tool or process that’s available to us.”

1997

The college certainly possesses an impressive array of tools. The tour moves to the labs on the lowest level, which di Sabatino describes as a microcosm of “the history of making”. He explains: “It starts with the use of the hands in the wet lab - this involves plaster, clay, pouring concrete. Next we move to the mechanical age with the metal lab, next is the digital age. Everything is designed and made in the studio. Facilities are important as enablers.” As we leave the labs, we pass two huge robotic arms, reminiscent of a scene from The Terminator. Di Sabatino adds: “The robots can do whatever you want to do - they have a tool on the end of the arm. Students can experiment with them. “Each student has a dedicated workspace, similar to the way that offices work. The way we teach architecture is similar to the way we practice architecture. However, in many cases the academy is ahead of the professional community which is interesting for the UAE. The students enter the office and go ‘where is the digital printer and where is the robotic arm?’” The facilities involved a “signiﬁcant investment”, according to di Sabatino, although he declined to disclose an exact ﬁgure. He adds: “We presented to the board of trustees with a case for providing the best environment for students. This resulted in investment by the university. It is committed to excellence, which supports His Highness’ vision.” He says that the UAE is currently in a critical transition period, and CAAD is playing a valuable role. “We’re in a movement right now. It’s

The way we teach architecture is similar to the way we practice architecture. However, in many cases the academy is ahead of the professional community.” Peter di Sabatino

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 10.12 | www.designmena.com

PETER DI SABATINO | INTERVIEW

an extraordinary moment and an extraordinary privilege to be involved in CAAD; the creation of professions, the development of a creative culture and a creative economy. In Sharjah, one of his highness’ projects is developing culture, education and creativity. “The creative economy is huge in many places. In Los Angeles, it’s the largest economic sector; it’s no longer the military or tourism or agriculture. It does include the movie industry, but even if you took that away it’s still a big economy and a big culture. LA is inherently one of the most creative places on the planet, like Berlin and other great cities.” Regarding new initiatives at CAAD, di Sabatino remarks: “We’re developing a ‘Design Build One to One’ lab. Every student has the

opportunity to work at full scale. Remember that a painter gets to paint and a graphic designer might get to design a billboard. For architects and interior designers it’s about making buildings and understanding the relationship between drawing lines and the ﬁnal product. At CAAD the students will soon be able to design and build a full building. The best schools in America also offer this.” More courses are also in the pipeline such as a Master of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, a degree in Product Design and a Masters degree in Architecture. There are initiatives at college level and university level that continue that trajectory of excellence. It’s exciting,” adds di Sabatino. His face lights up after hearing a comment on the impressive setup of the college. “We continue to move

forward and it’s really great when you hear alumni and professionals compliment the school and the facilities we have. I think that’s the best thing a dean can hear.”

Dean di Sabatino

www.designmena.com | 10.12 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT

gives a tour of the impressive labs at CAAD.

WPC protecs primeval forests. Our first objective was to develop the technology to create a composite wood superior to natural wood in order to combat the thoughtless lumbering of forest trees

NEW SHOWROOM, NOW OPEN! Come and visit us at our Grand Showroom “WORLD OF FLOORING” For the complete display of Natural Wood and Composite Flooring - @ The Curve Building., SH-12, Sheikh Zayed Road.

PORTFOLIO | CAAD STUDENT PROJECTS

T ROOTED IN SHARJAH T JEWEL OF SHARJAH

Project by Wasib Mahmood; 5th year

Project by Belinda

architecture; Professor: Kevin Sweet.

Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Souza, 5th year architecture; Professor: Kevin Sweet.

S VISIONARY FUTURES Project by Fadi Banani, 5th year architecture; Professor: George Katodrytis

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 10.12 | www.designmena.com

HIGH AESTHETIC TOTAL WALL SOLUTION.

Qbiss One on McLaren Production Centre, GB | Architect: Foster + Partners

Qbiss One,

Qbiss One Facade System

Aluminium Rainscreens

The cost-effective solution for your facades an ideal alternative to Aluminium rainscreens. Combining total functionality and aesthetics it is the natural choice for all architectural building applications.

Qbiss One the full through wall solution, offering excellent insulation values, the highest levels of airtightness and exceptional levels of ﬂatness. The true alternative to Aluminium Rainscreens.

Qbiss One the Full facade solution including curved radius panels.

Prefabricated rounded corners - no cuts, folds or welds. Giving the highest levels of aesthetics.

PORTFOLIO | CAAD STUDENT PROJECTS

W THE THINKERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CHAIR Project by Maha Habib; Form, Furniture and Graphics (elective); Professors: Bill Sarnecky, Amir Berbic.

S NETWORKED DISTRIBUTIONS Project by Hatem Hatem, 3rd year architecture; Professor: Faysal Tabbarah.

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 10.12 | www.designmena.com

CAAD STUDENT PROJECTS | PORTFOLIO

Industrial sectional door ALR

S PHOENICIAN READING TABLE Project by Noor Jarrah; Form, Furniture and Graphics (elective); Professors: Bill Sarnecky, Amir Berbic.

=DEHHO +DOO Ĺ? 6WDQG / 05 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 08 November 2012

Show Your Cars in the Best Light

Practical and safe: wicket doors with trip-free threshold

HĂśrmann offers the largest range of industrial doors with extensive glazing and matching operators throughout Europe. Only from HĂśrmann: extremely scratch-resistant DURATEC synthetic glazing for industrial sectional doors. For a permanently clear view of your showroom.

For more information, please contact:

+ĂšUPDQQ 0LGGOH (DVW 7HO Ĺ? )D[ ZZZ KRUPDQQ DH Ĺ? LQIR G[E#KRUPDQQ FRP

www.designmena.com | 10.12 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT

ADVERTORIAL | TECHNAL

TECHNAL reports increased demand for Sunéal Aluminium brise-soleil system is an ideal solution that provides solar protection

n line with regional moves over recent years to construct sustainable and efficient buildings, Technal Middle East (TME) reports increasing demand for its TECHNAL® Sunéal aluminium brise-soleil system as an ideal solution that provides solar protection, particularly in glass-clad high-rise buildings while enhancing their aesthetics and optimising on day-lighting. Sunéal brise-soleil or sunshades launched by its parent company Technal in 2010 - combines the various solar protection applications that were hitherto offered by the France-based company into one effective solution that addresses the multiple needs of building envelopes and particularly of glazed façades. “Whether to provide sun protection or control solar heat gain or optimise on day-lighting, our Sunéal system provides an ideal solution particularly in glass-clad high-rise buildings,” says Hesham Kameshki, marketing and business development manager of Bahrain-based TME, the regional office of the international architectural aluminium systems provider. “The system gives designers and oc-

cupants all the comfort they could possibly want in both winter and summer. The natural light is diffused with neither heat nor solar radiation, and the concept adds aesthetic value, by transforming the façades to their best advantage.” The Sunéal brise-soleil, which combines attractive design with efficiency, can be integrated with the TECHNAL®’s Géode curtain-walling and roof-lights or used on an independent structure or framework. It allows designers the flexibility to customise the design and optimise comfort with a wide choice of solutions. The range is rich and varied, and offers a multitude of different-shaped blades from 100 mm to 600 mm; “aerofoil”-shape, ogive-shape or rectangular, horizontal or vertical, fixed or rotatable; and can be motorised. TME also offers bespoke solutions and customised sizes for special projects. When integrated with the Géode curtain-wall, Sunéal envelopes the entire range from the simple grid facade to structural sealant glazing or beaded glazing solutions. Its fixed 215 mm blades can be equipped with photovoltaic cells, all of which are adaptable to the curtain-wall.

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 10.12 | www.designmena.com

A complete selection of accessories allows installation on a canopy, offset vertical structure, or roof-light. Sunéal can also be installed on a totally independent structure with a wide choice of brise-soleil blades available including single-piece (100 to 300 mm) or multi-part (350 to 600 mm) for installation between load-bearing structures, and semi-elliptical blades (175 to 300 mm). Also offered are special blades including rectangular (300 by 40 mm), large perforated blades (580 mm) and louvers (100 and 115 mm). In façade cladding applications, the louver blades integrate fully within a standard cladding structure such as the concrete slab or vertical steel structures. Sunéal can provide enhanced efficiency when photovoltaic cells are integrated on its aluminium blades. “The Sunéal photovoltaic blades provide privacy as well as electricity power generation with 15 per cent efficiency. Blades come in angles of 15, 30, 45 and 60 degrees depending on the orientation of the façade and the geographical zone of the building to ensure maximum efficiency,” says Kameshki. “The photovoltaic modules integrated in

TECHNAL | ADVERTORIAL

the Sunéal blade are made to the highest market standards and meet the IEC 61730 (safety) and IEC 61215 (performance) standards.” Sunéal also offers rotating mobile blades (motorised or manual) for optimum comfort. Here, the choice and orientation of a brise-soleil is determined by the sun’s path and position at all times. “With this option, one can enjoy the benefits of solar gains in winter and solar protection in summer, and finely control the natural lighting of interior rooms,” he says. As with all TECHNAL® systems, only the highest quality materials and components are used for low maintenance and long-term performance, says Kameshki. The aluminium profiles are extruded from high-grade alloys such as 6060 T5-T6. The accessories are cast from Zamak 5 alloy, while the screws are made of high-grade stainless steel. The product has been tested according to the wind-tunnel test protocol at CSTB (Construction Scientific and Technical Centre) of France. “This actual rig test is used to define graphs for dimensioning the brise-soleil according to the location, wind pressure and snow load, on fixed or mobile models,” Kameshki says. Here, the airflow was progressively increased to 160 km/h and the speed maintained for 10 minutes, after which was quickly raised to 210 km/h, he explains.

A wide range of finishes is available to satisfy the requirements of individual projects, for use on existing buildings and to give architects and designers additional design flexibility for new buildings. These include natural anodised finishes; PVDF coatings; polyester powder coatings in an extensive range of colours and finishes; and some exclusive TECHNAL® colours for a stylish and contemporary appearance. TME has already supplied the solution for a number of prominent projects in the region including recent landmarks Princes Nora University in Saudi Arabia, a multipurpose administration complex for Qatar Petroleum in Qatar and Al Ahli United Bank headquarters in Oman, using vertical and horizontal blades ranging from 250 to 600mm. TME as the regional services provider for TECHNAL® has been serving the regional markets for more than 32 years. The TECHNAL® brand that has recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, is a product of Hydro Building Systems, the world’s leading group in the building systems sector, dedicated to the creation of innovative and sustainable aluminium window, doors and façade systems that inspire contemporary architecture. Technal offers a wide range of technically-advanced proprietary and bespoke products developed to meet specifiers’ requirements for increased thermal performance, design flexibility and visual appeal. These include innovative solutions for all types of architectural aluminium façades, skylights, sunshades, windows, doors, office partitions, balustrades and blast- and bullet-proof applications in the region. The company also offers a wide range of solutions for all architectural aluminium applications – a range that is constantly being expanded to meet local needs, create custom-designed systems and unique projects. “TECHNAL® architectural aluminium systems are renowned for their quality, innovative French design, durability and technical performance. All over the world, TECHNAL®’s aluminium systems give ar-

Sunéal in façade.

Sunéal in rooﬂight.

Sunéal special blade.

chitectural projects intelligence and performance, right from the design stage and are increasingly specified and utilised in landmarks across the Middle East,” concludes Kameshki. Technal Middle East will be promoting its diverse range of new category products at the Big 5 show in Dubai next month (November 5 to 8), providing its clients with the opportunity to meet the company’s representatives face to face and witness its latest innovations in windows, doors and unitised façade products in a smart tangible display on one of the biggest stands in the show located at Zabeel Hall (Stand F121).

www.designmena.com | 10.12 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT

SITE VISIT | AL BATEEN PARK

PARK LIFE Oliver Ephgrave visits Al Bateen Park, Aldarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s huge Emirati housing scheme which is nearing completion in the heart of Abu Dhabi

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 09.12 | www.designmena.com

PALM TREE COURT & SPA | SITE VISIT

tanding on the edge of the beach, the afternoon before delivery, a remarkably calm David Green of GAJ points to the new extension of White Orchid restaurant and says: “It just had to be a stone and glass facade.” The GAJ partner explains that his fi rm designed the original Palm Tree Court & Spa in 1994. Its contemporary extension mimics the design language of the existing structure, primarily the textural stone wall by Brian Johnson. Green adds that the form was kept simple in order to complement the elaborate Asian-style pitched roof of the entrance lobby section. “How can you compete with an A-frame? It would look wrong. So we used a simple form with a solid massing. The levels work and it retains the connection with the beach.” He continues: “It feels very different inside. It’s actually an angular space but from the outside you perceive it as a rectangular block. The footprint was determined by the old terrace that it has replaced.” As well as extending the popular Asian-fusion restaurant, GAJ also created a new infi nity pool, extensive landscaping and water features as well as 74 new rooms and suites for Palm Tree Court & Spa, which sits next to Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa. Green remarks that the landscaping plays a big part in the overall design. He continues: “The landscape is what makes it special. It’s a journey for guests - there’s 1km of rolling lawns. At night time it is amazing.” Paul Bradford, associate at GAJ, adds: “There is a sense of water flowing through the whole resort. The streams are designed as wadis for a natural feel. When you arrive the emphasis is on water cascading down.” A new wadi feature also graces the entrance area. “We added more car-parking spaces and new planting; the palm trees make it more formal,” remarks Green. He continues: “This is one of Dubai’s fi rst true resort hotels and was created over 30 years ago. It’s a true family resort - a journey of discovery with peacocks and meandering waterways. It was certainly a challenge to integrate within the existing landscape. The wider resort is famous for its peacocks that wander lazily through the grounds. The sight

www.designmena.com | 10.12 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT

SITE VISIT | PALM TREE COURT & SPA

The new extension to White Orchid restaurant.

of them dodging construction workers is certainly incongruous. Inside one of the guest rooms, a large artwork of feathers shows that the decor was partly inspired by the exotic birds. Green continues: “Some of our original peacock concept has been retained, yet the upholstery has been toned down. The client was actively involved in the design.” He adds: “It’s a ﬁve star resort but it is a family resort with kids and it needs to be lived in and comfortable. There are subtle Arabic details, such as in the tiles and on the doors of the bathroom. They came from our side. We kept to a neutral palette. The arched ceiling also adds to the Arabic feel.”

NUMBER OF NEW ROOMS AND SUITES

How can you compete with an A-frame? It would look wrong. So we used a simple form with a solid massing.” David Green, partner, GAJ

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 10.12 | www.designmena.com

SITE VISIT | PALM TREE COURT & SPA

Ground ﬂoor guest rooms contain a garden while the upper rooms have a terrace. Bradford explains that the decor will be different in the largest beachfront guest rooms, which will feature marble, other natural stones and wood panelling. These luxury villas contain a living room, two bedrooms and huge terraces overlooking the beach and sea. Externally the villas are very similar to the original ones. “We were not allowed to change the style. We changed the look of the windows

slightly. The original guest rooms have much darker ﬁ nishes internally,” remarks Green. GAJ was also responsible for the design of the new pool by the beach, the largest in the resort by surface area. “It’s much bigger than I imagined,” comments Green. General manager for the hotel, Fredrik Reinisch, comments: “I’m delighted with the new pool; it connects the garden very well. It will be the place to be - the best in the resort. It’s next to Anchors Bar, the beach restaurant.”

1994

DATE OF THE ORIGINAL BUILDING, ALSO DESIGNED BY GAJ

Our design brief was to create a contemporary university that would rival the leading education infrastructure projects around the world.” Greg Howlett, director for Cox Architecture

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 10.12 | www.designmena.com

PALM TREE COURT & SPA | SITE VISIT

When it comes to the extension to White Orchid, Reinisch adds: “I think it will be very well received. We’ve managed to upgrade all the facilities with a modern twist, but it still carries the same spirit of the Palm Tree Court. White Orchid is our most popular restaurant. It has been doubled; people will still recognise it but it’s much more up-to-date. “The ﬂow of the restaurant has been improved. Guests will now walk through the lounge bar rather than past it.” Corin Dougall, manager project development at Dutco Group, adds: The exisiting building is notable for its A-frame roof (left).

“There’s a big difference in the space. We were looking for the wow factor. Now we have a nice ﬂow.” Inside the lobby, Green explains that a new wall was placed in front of the staircase in order to reinforce the distinction between the lobby and

the restaurant spaces. The demarcation effect was enhanced with a chain screen, complete with an abstract image of an orchid. The decor of the bar was changed to reﬂect the Asian theme, replacing the previous nautical look which in-

“This is one of Dubai’s ﬁrst true resort hotels and was created over 30 years ago. It’s a true family resort - a journey of discovery with peacocks and meandering waterways. It was certainly a challenge to integrate within the existing landscape. David Green, partner, GAJ

www.designmena.com | 10.12 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT

SITE VISIT | PALM TREE COURT & SPA

Renderings depicting the new look White Orchid restaurant.

volved port holes. The new aesthetic includes grey walls, Asian lamps of various sizes and shapes, tree branch wallpaper behind the bar and stained oak on the walls. Further orchid emblems were added, with new paintings and carpets also displaying the colourful

ﬂower. Green points out the coordination between the gold of the lamps and the ceramic tiles. Moving through to the existing restaurant area, Green comments: “We chose the new fabrics and ﬂoor tiles. The mezzanine level was previously a VIP area but it was hardly

used. It will now add an extra level to the bar area.” The new extension building, with extra seating and live cooking stations, is located past the pitched roofed space and is notable for its extensive use of glazing to exploit sea views. At the time of visit, the area was teeming with construction workers, yet Dougall adds: “It will be fi nished tonight. When you place in the furnishings and fi nishing touches it comes together.” Overall the extension project feels well-integrated with the existing buildings. A large contributing factor was GAJ’s continuing involvement in the development; it was respectful and inspired by the older structures that were designed by founder and managing partner Brian Johnson. “The building has evolved as our fi rm has evolved,” remarks Green.

Martigny Design Group represents over 60 companies aiming to combine innovation and technology, artistic design and ecology. The exceptional results of this joint effort are marketed through ESTAMP. ESTAMP’s main objective is in seeking to link the world’s places of hospitality and to reunite them under the ESKAL banner

is one of the concepts that has emerged from company synergies. In your home, this top-of-the-range bath will refresh you with hydrotherapy, chromatherapy and aromatherapy.

Experiencing our savoir-faire and testing our products is to understand them.

the quality label

Having a direct link to the producers to discover their authenticity means getting the best value for money. Joining ESKAL is being an ambassador of:

Martigny Design Group presents ESKAL at the Big Five Show in Dubai from November 5 – 8, Stand Rashid A241

the quality label

More information on: http://www.estamp.ch - http://www.eskal.ch

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 10.12 | www.designmena.com

Textile passion meets profession

Explore innovations from all over the world. Experience how the year’s hottest trend – Being, the search for authentic surroundings – is pushing forward the industry. And ﬁnd out how the future is becoming the present.

9 – 12. 1. 2013

Frankfurt, Germany

Information and tickets at advance sales prices at www.heimtextil.messefrankfurt.com mary.ann.oliva@uae.messefrankfurt.com Tel. +971 4 389 45 00

SITE VISIT | PALM TREE COURT & SPA

PALM TREE COURT & SPA Technical drawings supplied by GAJ

FIRST FLOOR PLAN T This plan shows the restaurant White Orchid as well as the bar and the foyer. The existing areas are shown in grey whereas GAJ's extension is depicted in yellow.

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 10.12 | www.designmena.com

PALM TREE COURT & SPA | SITE VISIT

A Wide Selection of Designs and Surfaces Finishes.

SECTIONS

KE > d, Z

S These drawings show how the levels link up through the pitched and ďŹ&#x201A;at roofed sections.

Bedienen Sie sich aus einer Vielzahl von 'HNRUHQ XQG 2EHUĂ&#x20AC;lFKHQ HUKlOWOLFK LQ YHUVFKLHGHQHQ 3ODWWHQVWlUNHQ

WK>z'>K^^Í&#x2DC;^Z ÍŽ WK>z'>K^^Í&#x2DC;^Z KZ

ELEVATIONS S The elevations show how the new extension mimics the stone wall and ďŹ&#x201A;at-roofed section of the original

KZ^ t/d, ' ĆľÄ?Ä&#x201A;Ĺ? KÄ¨Ä¨Ĺ?Ä?Ä&#x17E; Íť ĆľĆ?Ĺ?ĹśÄ&#x17E;Ć?Ć? sĹ?ĹŻĹŻÄ&#x201A;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E; Íť KÄ¨Ä¨Ĺ?Ä?Ä&#x17E; ĎłĎĎą Íť WĹ˝Ć&#x152;Ć&#x161; ^Ä&#x201A;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x161; Ä&#x17E;Ĺ?Ć&#x152;Ä&#x201A; ĆľÄ?Ä&#x201A;Ĺ? Íť hÍ&#x2DC; Í&#x2DC; Í&#x2DC; Íť WÍ&#x2DC;KÍ&#x2DC; Ĺ˝Ç&#x2020; ĎĎĎŻĎŹĎ´Ďą Íť d Đ˝ĎľĎłĎ ĎąĎąĎ˛ ĎąĎłĎ´ ĎŻĎłĎŻ

building rather than competing with the pitched roof area in the middle.

Ĺ˝Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x201A; KÄ¨Ä¨Ĺ?Ä?Ä&#x17E; Íť 'Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x161;Ä&#x17E; ĎĎ´Ďą Íť ^Ć&#x161;Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x161; ĎŻ Íť /ĹśÄ&#x161;ĆľĆ?Ć&#x161;Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ä&#x201A;ĹŻ Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x201A; Íť Ĺ˝Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x201A; Íť YÄ&#x201A;Ć&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152; WÍ&#x2DC;KÍ&#x2DC; Ĺ˝Ç&#x2020; ĎąĎĎ´Ďł Íť Đ˝ĎľĎłĎ° Ď°Ď°Ď˛ĎŹ Ď°ĎĎŹĎ°

www.designmena.com | 10.12 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT

SCALE TO NEW CONSTRUCTION HEIGHTS

The 24th International Construction Technology & Building Materials Exhibition 11 - 14 NOVEMBER 2012 RIYADH INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTER

Held Concurrently:

The 3rd International Exhibition for Construction Equipment, Plant, Machinery & Vehicles

The 15th International Stone & Stone Technology Exhibition

www.saudibuild.com To reserve space or more information, please contact: Official Magazine:

Strategic Partners:

Ú°Sóæ¡ª∏d ájOƒ©°ùdG áÄ«¡dG SAUDI COUNCIL OF ENGINEERS

P.O. Box 56010 - Riyadh 11554 - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Tel: +966 1 2295604 - Fax: +966 1 2295612 E-mail: info@recexpo.com

S CUBE CHALET | CASE STUDY

S CUBE CHALET

THE SITE Increased shaded areas are featured on the north side to frame views out to sea, as well as creating a pleasant outdoor environment. All three houses include individual outdoor areas that are open to the sky, with sweeping sea views, yet retain privacy from the neighbouring units. The outdoor spaces on the ground ﬂoor and roof terrace are the main distinguishing elements of the project, with the three houses designed and organised around them. The entire project is designed to optimise and enhance the outdoor experience.

Designers: AGi Architects Location: Kuwait City, Kuwait CASE STUDY

750m

AREA OF PROJECT

THE CONCEPT The clients for the S Cube Chalet residence, two brothers and a sister - with two small children each - wanted to continue living in a close environment but also one with a sense of privacy and independence. They called for a duplicated programme with outdoor areas, sea views and terraces. With a highly dense organisation, the intertwined houses are manipulated to create outdoor spaces which harvest the prevailing winds and enhance their circulation within the courtyards. All of the buildings are carefully situated to protect exposure to the sun on the southern façade.

THE PROJE PROJECT

44/54 44

Designed by Spain and Kuwait-based architecture studio AGi Architects, the S Cube Chalet residential resident space is comprised of three intertwined seafront houses developed levels. Located in the capital, Kuwait City, each house is complete with into three level overlooking the sea. The plot is divided into two units with two an outdoor terrace terr houses, which are a mirror images of each another, named S2 and S3. The two units are that leads to the third house, S1, which is positioned on top and separated by a staircase s across the two llower residences.

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 10.12 | www.desig www.designmena.com

www.designmena.com | 10.12 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT

56/60 306

NUMBER OF ROOMS ROO OMS AND SUITES

PARK HYATT PA AB ABU DHABI Architect: Perkins Eastman Location: Abu Dhabi

PROJECT UPDATE

JAIDAH AL HITMI SQUARE COMPLEX Designers: FRASER SUITES

70,000M 84 2 TOTALOF NUMBER CONSTRUCTIBLE RESIDENTIAL UNITS AREA

Woods Bagot, MZ &Location: Partners Doha, and United Qatar Designers Location: Architect:Doha, Qatar Norr Group Consultants

BODRUM ALINTERNATIONAL ABDULKARIM AIRPORT TOWER Architect: Architect: Tabanlioglu Dewan Location: Architects & Bodrum, EngineersTurkey Location: Dammam, Saudi Arabia

24 50,000

STOREYS DOUBLE-CURVED TALLEST OF THE FIVE EXTERIOR PANELS BUILDINGS

50 56

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 10.12 08.12 || www.designmena.com www.designmena.com

NEO DONGDAEMUN BANKSIDE DESIGN PLAZA Architect: AND PARK Rogers Stirk Location:+Seoul, Harbour Partners South Korea Location: Architect: London, UK Zaha Hadid Architects and Samoo Architects & Engineers

WATER DISCUS HOTEL

Completed This seven-storey in Aprilcommercial 2012, the new office building residential broke section ground is the inﬁnal 2009. piece The of the jigsaw initial concept forwas Doha’s given distinctive to Woods Al Hitmi Bagot to create complex, the designed building’sby priNorr Groupplan. mary Consultants. MZ & Partners With afurther built up 2 area of 27,743m cultivated the building’s aesthetic as , the 15-storey tower accommodates a total of 84 units consultant of record. and sitsDesigners behind theofolder 7-storey United London comoffice section. Selective glazing all pleted the detailed architectural aroundfor provides the living design the colour of the rooms glass, the and bedrooms withand ample showroom façades thenatural ﬁt-out in lightcommunal and viewsareas. of the Corniche. the

Bodrum Dewan has International been awarded Airport, a contract designed to design by and Turkish supervise architecture the con-firm Tabanlioglu, struction of awas 150m-tall completed tower inin June this Dammam, year, with KSA. a construction Designed fortimebuildframe ing material of 15 months. supplierThe Al-Abdulkarim 455,000m 2 building of two main strucHolding,consists the 35-floor structure tures, an ‘airaside’ transparent will contain totalofbuilt-up area of glass and 2steel linearfor scaffold which 54,846m . Notable a dramaticonnects to section, the planes a ‘land cally tilting theand tower is set side’ terminal building. Primary eleto open in 2014. Its façade and tilting ments arewill organised to provide office easy volumes create distinctive circulation for passengers. spaces on every floor.

Picking Dongdaemun up twoDesign International Plaza project Property (DDPP) Awards is a major in 2011, cultural Neo Bankside facility was under designed construction by Rogers in Seoul. StirkThe Harbour main+client Partners. is theThe Seoul development Metrocontains politan Government, a range of sixwhich to 24 chose storeya buildings consortium with comprising 229 residential Zaha Hadid units. Situated Architects in and the Bankside local ﬁrmarea Samoo of ArLondon, chitects & the Engineers. scheme forms The 85,000m a linking 2 scheme will establishthe a learning between Southwark, Thames resource for designers and members and the Tate Modern. Apartments of thefrom public, with to a museum, library vary studios four bedrooms and educational facilities. as well as penthouses.

Designer: Deep Ocean Technology Location: Various, including Dubai

TITANIC BELFAST

3,000

ALUMINIUM SHARDS IN THE FACADE

Lead consultant: Todd Architects Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland

THE GALLERIES

18M

HEIGHT OF LOBBY SPACES

Architect: Burt Hill Location: Downtown Jebel Ali, Dubai

The first hotel project completed on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island, as well as the first Park Hyatt-branded property in the UAE capital, the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Villas opened its doors in November 2011. Designed by Perkins Eastman, the 306-key 45,000m2 resort is oriented towards the sea, with private villas that line a boardwalk and private beach. The energy-efficient design meets LEED Certified standards.

This daring concept for an underwater hotel was conceived by Polish company Deep Ocean Technology (DOT). Drydocks World, the shipbuilding arm of Dubai World, signed a deal to become the exclusive main contractor for the hotel concept in the Middle East. Named Water Discus Hotel, the design envisages an ‘ultimate leisure facility’ with a structure that is partly above water and the rest submerged underneath.

This $140m cultural scheme is a strikingly modern homage to the Titanic, located on the site where the ill-fated ship was designed and built. It is the world’s largest ever Titanic-themed visitor attraction and Northern Ireland’s largest tourism project. The building contains nine galleries documenting the Titanic, as well as the maritime history of the city, and a 1,000-seat banqueting suite.

As the ﬂagship project for UAE developer Limitless, the Galleries is a mixed-use scheme in Downtown Jebel Ali containing Grade-A office space, housing and retail space. Since last month, all four towers in the Galleries Offices Buildings are now open, with 70% of the 800,000m2 space already leased. Certiﬁed LEED Silver, it consists of two groups of four buildings, separated by a landscaped plaza.

www.designmena.com | 08.12 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT

BOOK T ARCHITECT SAYS THE LLaura Dushkes

LIKE WANT NEED | CULTURE

LIKE WANT NEED

CULTURE | LIKE WANT NEED

THE WORK

THE WORK | PROJECT UPDATE

PROJECT UPDATE | THE WORK

CASE STUDIES

FURNISHING GAUDI Unda

This book is a colourful compendium of quotations from more than one hundred of q h history’s most opinionated design minds. Laura S. S Dushkes says in her introduction: “The depth a breadth of the thinking of architects through and t time, how they may all grapple with a core set of issues, but their approaches and opinions vary i widely.” It features quotations from over one w h hundred architects and architecture critics from Alvar Aalto to Frank Lloyd Wright. A

Gaudi is a divider inspired by the stained glass used by famous Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí, most renowned for the Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona. This folding screen by Unda, shrouded in stainless steel, brings light and colour to interior spaces. It measures 210cm by 180cm.

CULTURE

LIGHTING FRESHFIBER Janne Kyttanen Designed by Janne Kyttanen, Riot is the ﬁrst light in the Freshﬁber collection which works with Megaman CFL energy saving bulbs. It is made from 3D printed nylon and powder coated steel. Other parts of the light originate from recycled items, such as metal parts, switches and cables. It is currently sold as a limited edition.

APP AUTOCAD WS Autodesk FURNISHINGS PYRAMID Planika Studio

62/63 62 6 2

Suitable for indoor and outdoor use, this fireplace by Planikaa Studio Stu udio u dio is made of highly-resistant fibreglass polyester laminate. The glossy white base contrasts with the natural, golden flames. The product is completely safe, thanks to the commerce burner, which is filled with highly absorbent ceramic fibres. Pyramid is smokeless and user-friendly, suitable for private residences, as well as luxurious commercial areas. The product does not require any installations and special connections.

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT EC | 10.12 10 0.12 0.12 12 | www.designmena.co www.designmen www.designmena. www.designmena.com ena.co na.co

AutoCAD WS enables users to view, edit, and share AutoCAD drawings with anyone, anywhere, using a mobile device. They can annotate and revise drawings in the office, in the field, or in a meeting. Users can work on designs without an internet connection, and easily open DWG, DWF, and DXF files directly from email.

www.designmena.com | 10.12 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT

CULTURE

www.designmena.com | 10.12 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT

S CUBE CHALET | CASE STUDY

S CUBE CHALET Designers: AGi Architects Location: Kuwait City, Kuwait CASE STUDY

THE PROJECT Designed by Spain and Kuwait-based architecture studio AGi Architects, the S Cube Chalet residential space is comprised of three intertwined seafront houses developed into three levels. Located in the capital, Kuwait City, each house is complete with an outdoor terrace overlooking the sea. The plot is divided into two units with two houses, which are mirror images of each another, named S2 and S3. The two units are separated by a staircase that leads to the third house, S1, which is positioned on top and across the two lower residences.

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 10.12 | www.designmena.com

Increased shaded areas are featured on the north side to frame views out to sea, as well as creating a pleasant outdoor environment. All three houses include individual outdoor areas that are open to the sky, with sweeping sea views, yet retain privacy from the neighbouring units. The outdoor spaces on the ground ďŹ&#x201A;oor and roof terrace are the main distinguishing elements of the project, with the three houses designed and organised around them. The entire project is designed to optimise and enhance the outdoor experience.

750m

AREA OF PROJECT

www.designmena.com | 10.12 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT

CASE STUDY | S CUBE CHALET

THE SITE

S CUBE CHALET | CASE STUDY

THE DETAILS AGi also designed the interiors, using materials that were locally manuNUMBER OF UNITS factured. The ďŹ&#x201A;ooring, stairs and dividing wall between S1 and S2 are all clad with Indian sandstone. The ceilings and walls of the interior space are ďŹ nished using plaster and paint, while handrails are clad with wood. All of the units contain two levels, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and a living room. The terraces in S1 and S2 are visually separated by a grid. The top residence, S1, enjoys a large roof terrace facing the sea, while the lower units have large courtyards open to the sea.

THREE

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 10.12 | www.designmena.com

AL DOHA HALALTWIN BANKTOWERS TOWER | CASE STUDY

AL HILAL BANK TOWER Architect: : Goettsch Partners Location: Abu Dhabi CASE STUDY

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 10.12 | www.designmena.com

CASE STUDY | AL HALAL BANK HQ

THE PROJECT Goettsch Partners (GP) has designed a 24-storey commercial development for Al Hilal Bank in the heart of Abu Dhabi’s Al Maryah Island, formerly known as Sowwah Island. Totalling 87,570m 2 overall, the tower includes 49,110m 2 of office and retail space with 1,000 parking spaces for tenants and visitors to the building. James Goettsch, president of GP, added: “The new tower creates a distinctive architectural form, which is expected in the region. At the same time, the building offers very efficient ﬂoor plates that are atypical in the local market.”

87,570M2 TOTAL AREA

THE SITE The speculative office tower is located in the capital’s new central business district, next to GP’s huge Sowwah Square project for Mubadala. The tower will be serviced by a multi-tiered transportation infrastructure, which includes a planned light rail station. It is designed to stand out from other towers on Al Maryah Island while also providing optimally-efficient, column-free spaces within. The development is scheduled for completion in the last quarter of 2013 and is due to receive an Estidama 1 Pearl rating due to sustainable initiatives.

www.designmena.com | 10.12 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT

AL DOHA HALALTWIN BANKTOWERS TOWER | CASE STUDY

THE CONCEPT Challenged to defi ne a distinctive image that would reflect the bank’s brand while also reflecting an international aesthetic, GP designed a bold form that shifts in massing as it rises. A podium contains a retail banking facility as well as a dramatic three-storey transparent lobby to the north. Three cubical masses sit atop the podium, stacked like shifted blocks. These masses derive their forms from a ‘push-and-pull’ effect at the corners. In addition, the building’s façade changes at the created voids to accentuate the shifted aesthetic. Pedestrian arcades are located on the east and west.

THE DETAILS The façade consists of an aluminum-and-glass curtain wall system with glass and notched metalspandrel elements and vertical glass ﬁ ns that accentuate the building’s

NUMBER OF STOREYS

verticality and provide shading. Floor-to-ceiling glass provides clear views for occupants and plentiful natural daylight. A landscaped park and reﬂecting pool along the building’s western

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 10.12 | www.designmena.com

façade will draw traffic to the retail and main building entry by creating an inviting, shaded urban space. Café seating for tenants and visitors will further help activate the outdoor environment.

SUPPORTING AN INDUSTRY EXHIBITION. CONFERENCE. TRAINING.

5 – 8 November 2012 Dubai World Trade Centre THE REGION’S MOST EXCITING CONCRETE EVENT ‘MIDDLE EAST CONCRETE’ WILL BE BACK AGAIN THIS YEAR! Middle East Concrete will provide a global showcase of products including admixtures, precast solutions, machinery and more. Co-located with The Big 5, this is the only complete event to provide products, training and education solutions to the Concrete industry. Register and save AED 50 by visiting

www.middleeastconcrete.com/arc2

Silver Sponsors:

Co-located with:

KAFD CONFERENCE CENTRE | CASE STUDY

KAFD CONFERENCE CENTRE Architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) Location: King Abdullah Financial District, Saudi Arabia

images © SOM

CASE STUDY

THE PROJECT Located in the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, this futuristic complex by SOM provides a multipurpose event hall with operable walls, a 600-seat auditorium, and a ‘digital forum’ approach that allows all venues to be internally and externally networked. The conference rooms are clad in electrochromic glass which permits users to change from clear to opaque glass to control light levels and privacy. Sustainability strategies include a solar chimney to move air through the main atrium spaces, and a roof containing desert grasses to minimise irrigation.

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 10.12 | www.designmena.com

CASE STUDY | KAFD CONFERENCE CENTRE

THE SITE King Abdullah selected the facility to serve as the ceremonial venue for the opening of the entire Financial District. The centre is located along the perimeter and functions as an attractor building. It is designed as an extension of the Wadi, a sunken open-air pedestrian mall that runs like a river throughout. An at-grade landscaped park softens the site parcelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s boundary. The architects used parametric tools including Rhino and Grasshopper to analyse and optimise how site and construction constraints would impact the proposed design.

28,350M2 SITE AREA

www.designmena.com | 10.12 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT

KAFD CONFERENCE CENTRE | CASE STUDY

THE CONCEPT The conference centre is designed as an extension of the desert landscape; its organic proﬁ le, green roof and faceted skin link the building with the terrain. Vertical circulation elements and sculptural gardens focus pedestrians approaching from the Wadi on the main public lobby. Designed to achieve LEED Platinum certiﬁcation, shading targets in the façade minimise heat gain. The team used localised facet analysis to determine which of the building’s larger facets should exhibit the greatest amount of transparency and opacity.

12,000M2 PROJECT AREA

THE DETAILS Water conservation is essential in order to supply the conference centre’s abundant landscaped areas. Grey water runoff collected from adjacent parcels will be stored in underground cisterns and used to irrigate outdoor vegetation. Inside the centre, continuous green ribbons of planted soffits and gardens link the interior levels with the building’s cladding design. Ceiling-deployed ﬂexible partitions allow multiple conﬁgurations for each conference room. Suspended solar absorption panels totalling 360m2 at the peaks of the atrium draw hot air upwards, accelerating the expulsion of excess heat through operable panels at the roof.

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 10.12 | www.designmena.com

FACILITATING THE FM INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST EXHIBITION. CONFERENCE. TRAINING. 5 – 8 November 2012, Dubai World Trade Centre

ATTEND THE MIDDLE EAST’S MOST COMPREHENSIVE EXHIBITION, CONFERENCE AND TRAINING EVENT FOR THE FACILITIES MANAGEMENT INDUSTRY 100+ exhibitors and brands, 40 free seminars, live demos, a cutting edge education program, and one of the world’s leading FM conferences, FM EXPO is back and set to be bigger and better than ever. Thousands of top FM service providers, industry leaders and government representatives are attending. Are you?

Platinum Sponsor:

Principal Intelligence Partner:

Innovation Sponsor:

Facility Energy Management Sponsor:

Sustainability Sponsor:

Clean Sponsor:

Co-located with:

PROJECT UPDATE | THE WORK

THE WORK PROJECT UPDATE

JAIDAH SQUARE

70,000M2 TOTAL CONSTRUCTIBLE AREA

Designers: Woods Bagot, MZ & Partners and United Designers Location: Doha, Qatar

BODRUM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Architect: Tabanlioglu Location: Bodrum, Turkey

NEO BANKSIDE

STOREYS TALLEST OF THE FIVE BUILDINGS

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 10.12 | www.designmena.com

Architect: Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners Location: London, UK

This seven-storey commercial office building broke ground in 2009. The initial concept was given to Woods Bagot to create the building’s primary plan. MZ & Partners further cultivated the building’s aesthetic as consultant of record. United Designers of London completed the detailed architectural design for the colour of the glass, the showroom façades and the ﬁt-out in the communal areas.

Bodrum International Airport, designed by Turkish architecture ﬁ rm Tabanlioglu, was completed in June this year, with a construction timeframe of 15 months. The 455,000m2 building consists of two main structures, an ‘air side’ of transparent glass and steel linear scaffold which connects to the planes and a ‘land side’ terminal building. Primary elements are organised to provide easy circulation for passengers.

Picking up two International Property Awards in 2011, Neo Bankside was designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners. The development contains a range of six to 24 storey buildings with 229 residential units. Situated in the Bankside area of London, the scheme forms a linking between Southwark, the Thames and the Tate Modern. Apartments vary from studios to four bedrooms as well as penthouses.

PROJECT UPDATE | THE WORK

MASDAR INSTITUTE

86,138M2 AREA OF PHASE 1B

Lead consultant: RW Armstrong Designer: Foster + Partners Location: Masdar City, Abu Dhabi

DISASTER PREVENTION AND EDUCATION CENTRE Architect: Dinkoff Architects and Engineers Location: Istanbul, Turkey

SERPENTINE GALLERY PAVILION

NUMBER OF SUPPORTING COLUMNS

Designers: Herzog & de Meuron with Ai Weiwei Location: London

AL HITMI COMPLEX FRASER SUITES

NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL UNITS

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 10.12 | www.designmena.com

Location: Doha, Qatar Architect: Norr Group Consultants

The Masdar Institute is the ﬁ rst development in Abu Dhabi’s eco-driven Masdar City. It is being developed in phases, with a total planned area of 343,740m2. Construction of the six buildings in Phase 1A commenced in 2007 and was completed in September 2010. Expansion of the existing campus under Phase 1B started in January last year, and is scheduled for completion in Q3 2012, covering 86,138m2.

This disaster prevention centre in Istanbul draws inspiration from ancient cave dwellings. A conference hall and planetarium are each situated at opposite ends of the facility. The conference hall is flanked by an exhibition hall, orientation stage and children’s section, while the planetarium is surrounded by the 4D-video display room, fi re fighting training room and rainstorm simulation section.

Every year since 2000, a different architect has been responsible for creating the Serpentine Gallery’s Summer pavilion for Kensington Gardens, London. The 2012 edition, on display until October 14, features a collaboration between Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron and Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. This year’s designers went for an archaeological approach, with excavation revealing the traces of previous pavilions.

Completed in April 2012, the new residential section is the ﬁ nal piece of the jigsaw for Doha’s distinctive Al Hitmi complex, designed by Norr Group Consultants. With a built up area of 27,743m2, the 15-storey tower accommodates a total of 84 units and sits behind the older seven-storey office section. Selective glazing all around provides the living rooms and bedrooms with ample natural light and views of the Corniche.

35,,000+

CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS

2,50 00+

EXHIBITORS FROM 80 COUNTRIES

13 30+

FREE SEMINARS ?ddelWj_ed IkijW_dWX_b_jo _d 9edijhkYj_ed

<_dZ j^[ fheZkYji oek Wh[ beea_d] \eh _d j^[ Z[Z_YWj[Z fheZkYj ped[i Wj J^[ 8_] +0

A_jY^[di" 8Wj^heeci Ikh\WY[i ^c GVh]^Y =Vaa >L79 ^c =Vaa ( VcY OVWZZa =Vaa Ij[[b ^c BV`idjb =Vaa MWj[h J[Y^debe]o ^c =Vaa ) 9eWj_d]i" 7Z^[i_l[i I[WbWdji ^c =Vaa M_dZemi :eehi ^c OVWZZa =Vaa

Dg\Vc^hZY Wn/

* Ä - CdkZbWZg '%&' 9jWV^ LdgaY IgVYZ 8ZcigZ

<daY Hedchdgh/

GZ\^hiZg dca^cZ VcY I7L; +& :^i mmm$j^[X_]+$W[%WhY* Egdbdi^dcVa XdYZ/ 7H9*

PROJECT UPDATE | THE WORK

ALABDULKARIM TOWER Architect: Dewan Architects & Engineers Location: Dammam, Saudi Arabia

DONGDAEMUN DESIGN PLAZA AND PARK

50,000

DOUBLE-CURVED EXTERIOR PANELS

Location: Seoul, South Korea Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects and Samoo Architects & Engineers

PARK HYATT ABU DHABI

306

NUMBER OF ROOMS AND SUITES

Architect: Perkins Eastman Location: Abu Dhabi

WATER DISCUS HOTEL Designer: Deep Ocean Technology Location: Various, including Dubai

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 10.12 | www.designmena.com

Dewan has been awarded a contract to design and supervise the construction of a 150m-tall tower in Dammam, KSA. Designed for building material supplier AlAbdulkarim Holding, the 35-ﬂoor structure will contain a total builtup area of 54,846m2. Notable for a dramatically tilting section, the tower is set to open in 2014. Its façade and tilting volumes will create distinctive office spaces on every ﬂoor.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza project (DDPP) is a major cultural facility under construction in Seoul. The main client is the Seoul Metropolitan Government, which chose a consortium comprising Zaha Hadid Architects and local ﬁ rm Samoo Architects & Engineers. The 85,000m2 scheme will establish a learning resource for designers and members of the public, with a museum, library and educational facilities.

The fi rst hotel project completed on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island, as well as the fi rst Park Hyatt-branded property in the UAE capital, the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Villas opened its doors in November 2011. Designed by Perkins Eastman, the 306-key 45,000m2 resort is oriented towards the sea, with private villas that line a boardwalk and private beach. The energy-efficient design meets LEED Certified standards.

SETTING THE BENCHMARK FOR THE REGIONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ARCHITECTURE INDUSTRY

TUESDAY 23RD OCTOBER 2012 THE WESTIN, DUBAI PLATINUM SPONSOR

The 5th annual Middle East Architect Awards are an opportunity for the industry to come together for one night to toast exceptional performance in architecture, engineering & design.

For sponsorship enquiries please contact: Yazan Rahman Sales Director, Construction Group Tel: +971 4 444 3351 Email: yazan.rahman@itp.com

BOOK YOUR TABLE TODAY Gold Sponsors

Alexander James Sales Manager, Middle East Architect Tel: +971 4 444 3393 Email: alexander.james@itp.com

For nomination enquiries please contact: Oliver Ephgrave Editor Tel: +971 4 444 3303 Email: oliver.ephgrave@itp.com For table bookings and further information please contact: Michelle Meyrick Events Manager Tel: +971 4 444 3328 Email: michelle.meyrick@itp.com

Category Sponsor

For more information, please visit:

www.constructionweekonline.com/meaa

CULTURE | LIKE WANT NEED

LIKE WANT NEED CULTURE

LIGHTING FRESHFIBER Janne Kyttanen Designed by Janne Kyttanen, Riot is the ﬁ rst light in the Freshﬁber collection which works with Megaman CFL energy saving bulbs. It is made from 3D printed nylon and powder coated steel. Other parts of the light originate from recycled items, such as metal parts, switches and cables. It is currently sold as a limited edition.

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 10.12 | www.designmena.com

BOOK TTHE ARCHITECT SAYS LLaura Dushkes This book is a colourful compendium of q quotations from more than one hundred of h history’s most opinionated design minds. Laura S S. Dushkes says in her introduction: “The depth aand breadth of the thinking of architects through ttime, how they may all grapple with a core set of iissues, but their approaches and opinions vary w widely.” It features quotations from over one h hundred architects and architecture critics from A Alvar Aalto to Frank Lloyd Wright.

LIKE WANT NEED | CULTURE

FURNISHING GAUDI Unda Gaudi is a divider inspired by the stained glass used by famous Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí, most renowned for the Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona. This folding screen by Unda, shrouded in stainless steel, brings light and colour to interior spaces. It measures 210cm by 180cm.

APP AUTOCAD WS Autodesk FURNISHINGS PYRAMID Planika Studio Suitable for indoor and outdoor use, this fi replace by Planikaa Studio Stu udio u dio is made of highly-resistant fibreglass polyester laminate. The glossy white base contrasts with the natural, golden flames. The product is completely safe, thanks to the commerce burner, which is fi lled with highly absorbent ceramic fibres. Pyramid is smokeless and user-friendly, suitable for private residences, as well as luxurious commercial areas. The product does not require any installations and special connections.

www.designmena.com | 10.12 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT

LAST WORD | KARIM BENKIRANE

Registered at Dubai Media City PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel: 00 971 4 444 3000 Fax: 00 971 4 444 3030 Web: www.itp.com Offices in Dubai & London ITP BUSINESS PUBLISHING CEO Walid Akawi Managing Director Neil Davies Managing Director ITP Business Karam Awad Deputy Managing Director Matthew Southwell Editorial Director David Ingham EDITORIAL Senior Group Editor Stuart Matthews Editor Oliver Ephgrave Tel: +971 4 444 3303 email: oliver.ephgrave@itp.com Reporter Aidan Imanova Tel: +971 4 444 3497 email: aidan.imanova@itp.com ADVERTISING Sales Director, Construction Group Yazan Rahman Tel: +971 4 444 3351 email: yazan.rahman@itp.com Business Development Manager, Saudi Arabia Rabih Naderi Tel: +966 1 2068697 email: rabih.naderi@itp.com STUDIO Group Art Editor Daniel Prescott Designer Wasim Akande

QATAR CALLING THE LAST WORD

PHOTOGRAPHY Chief Photographer Jovana Obradovic Senior Photographers Isidora Bojovic, Efraim Evidor Staff Photographers Lester Ali, George Dipin, Juliet Dunne, Murrindie Frew, Verko Ignjatovic, Shruti Jagdeesh, Mosh Lafuente, Ruel Pableo, Rajesh Raghav PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION Group Production & Distribution Director Kyle Smith Deputy Production Manager Matthew Grant Production Coordinator Nelly Pereira Distribution Executive Nada Al Alami CIRCULATION

Karim Benkirane, regional managing principal for Woods Bagot, on Qatar’s wants and needs What Qatar has done very successfully is has retained some cultural and historical signiﬁcance.

That’s huge; to generate tourism outside of the beach is incredible. They already have an arts and culture museum. Possibly a way to create a sustainable community is to start something much like the UK system CABE.

Having a body which is independent and comes from group of very well-respected individuals can help to really reinforce that sense of place.

Head of Database & Circulation Gaurav Gulati MARKETING Head of Marketing Daniel Fewtrell Marketing Manager Michelle Meyrick ITP DIGITAL Director Peter Conmy Internet Applications Manager Mohammed Affan Web Designer Meghna Rao ITP GROUP Chairman Andrew Neil Managing Director Robert Serafin Finance Director Toby Jay Spencer-Davies Board of Directors K M Jamieson, Mike Bayman, Walid Akawi, Neil Davies, Rob Corder, Mary Serafin Circulation Customer Service Tel: +971 4 444 3000 Certain images in this issue are available for purchase. Please contact itpimages@itp.com for further details or visit www.itpimages.com Printed by Atlas Printing Press L.L.C. Dubai

We’re a research-based practice and we want to make sure that whatever we design is intelligently designed and commercially sustainable.

We don’t want to create white elephants to fuel our ego. Some of the greatest cities in the world like London, New York, Hong Kong were built around the people who live there and can inﬂuence it.

Msheireb is a great example of that approach. Msheireb will be a tourist attraction; people will want to go there.

Subscribe online at www.itp.com/subscriptions Audited by: BPA Worldwide Average Qualified Circulation 5,184 (Jan – June 2012) Cover image S Cube Chalet, Kuwait City The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the reader’s particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publishers in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts used for the purpose of fair review.

There are very few nations in the world which can attest to trying to accomplish something as radical as Qatar. There’s an enormous amount of opportunity in Qatar.

But they need to be careful who they approach; t hey need to regulate this fairly.

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 10.12 | www.designmena.com