MAY 2012 / VOLUME 6 / ISSUE 05
An ITP Business Publication
NEWS, DATA, ANALYSIS AND STRATEGIC INSIGHTS FOR ARCHITECTS IN THE GCC
BUILDING FOCUS Inside Woods Bagot’s new tower in Abu Dhabi’s Capital Centre
CASE STUDY The Galleries office complex in Downtown Jebel Ali by Burt Hill
STADIUM SUPREMO MEA quizzes Albert Speer on Qatar 2022 and his practice’s famous arena designs
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MAY | CONTENTS
MAY 2012 VOLUME 6 ISSUE 05 4
FRONT
This month’s top stories including a report from the CW Qatar conference
12 THE BIG PICTURE Lester Ali captures New York’s soaring One World Trade Center
6 PROJECTS A round up of the latest project news from MENA and the rest of the world
14 ANALYSIS
20
OPINION Georgina Chakar asks whether Doha is putting its money where its mouth is
Qatar has a futuristic megamall in the pipeline, but is there real demand?
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COVER STORY
30
BUILDING FOCUS Inside International Tower, Woods Bagot’s commercial scheme for Abu Dhabi
MEA meets Albert Speer, the frontman behind most of the 2022 World Cup stadiums
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CASE STUDIES
56
THE WORK
A detailed reference section covering the projects MEA has featured recently
64 LAST WORD
Burt Hill’s The Galleries, a student scheme for Abu Dhabi and P&T’s Baku tower
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CULTURE Cool products, clever ideas, and some of the latest gadgets in the design world
Nigel Craddock, design manager for Stride Treglown on client education
www.designmena.com | 05.12 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
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FRONT | MAY
1964
Year that Albertt Speer formed d his company y (page 24))
QATAR STADIUMS ‘NOT ROCKET SCIENCE’ Construction Week Qatar conference throws up architectural debate
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A heated discussion on the challenges of Qatar’s World Cup stadiums took place during last month’s Construction Week Qatar conference in Doha. ‘Building Towards 2022’, held in the Grand Hyatt Doha, featured a panel discussion on architectural challenges involved in hosting the event, including the use of cooling technology and retractable roofs to deal with the scorching summer heat. Ivar Krasinski, design director for STR-Edge, said that the technologies are well within Qatar’s capabilities.
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El Hefny (top left); Krasinski (bottom left); Dalglish (far right).
NUMBER OF STADIUMS FOR QATAR 2022
“Retractable roofs have been around for decades. We have already seen sustainable cooling technologies – that’s coming from engineers. These are not rocket science technologies – Qatar is more than qualified to deliver them. I’m confident it can pull it off.” Yet Phil Dalglish, regional director for Buro Happold, remarked that a test stadium is required. “It is critical that a prototype has to be established somewhere along the line.”
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Another panelist, Tariq El Hefny, project director of Khalifa Stadium Development called for new stadiums to be more interactive with the surroundings. Dalglish concluded that the user experience is more important. “With the exception of the Bird’s Nest, no one remembers the stadiums from past events. It is the experience that is going to make this World Cup great. The key is ensuring that the attendees and athletes get the right experience.”
MAY | FRONT
4,000
28
Number of storeys in Baku’s AzerEnerji HQ
Expected total occupancy of International Tower (page 32)
(page 52)
Mayor of Sydney blasts ‘clumsy’ Dubai architecture
• 25 essential iPad apps for interior design students • Light bulb with 20-year lifespan goes on sale in USA • Sowwah Square design pedestrian-friendly • RW Armstrong starts work on acclaimed projects in Abu Dhabi
WEIRD PROJECT OF THE MONTH
Designers Victor Kopeikin and Pavlo Zabotin have come up with a radical idea for combating tsunamis, which uses residential skyscrapers as a defensive shield. The project proposes self-supporting residential units located in the sea which form a single closed defensive chain. DATASTREAM UAE SKYSCRAPERS
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(DATA FROM CTBUH) Atkin’s BurJ Al Arab.
with market expectations.” Net funds were reported to be around $194 million as at 31 March 2012 and “Atkins’ financial position remains strong”. Atkins was behind several Middle East’s icons including Burj Al Arab and Bahrain World Trade Centre.
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www.designmena.com | 05.12 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
BUILDINGS OVER 300M
Global giant Atkins has provided an update on trading for the year ended 31 March 2012, which indicated the strength of the Middle East market. A statement from the company said: ”The group’s operations in the Middle East and energy have continued to enjoy strong market conditions and have ended the year trading in line with our expectations.” The update was in advance of the group’s preliminary results announcement on 14 June 2012. It added: “Overall, the group has traded well through its fourth quarter and expects to report results for the year ended 31 March 2012 in line
Image: Getty
Atkins flags ‘strong market conditions’ in region
revealed at Cityscape
BUILDINGS OVER 200M
Clover Moore, Lord Mayor of Sydney.
Moore’s attack came after New South Wales premier Barry O’Farrell branded the project the “sort of tourism-related investment we want”. The scheme would sit in the middle of the 22ha site at Barangaroo Central, supposedly reserved for civic, educational and recreational uses with building heights capped at 30m. Last year construction work began on the US$5.4bn Barangaroo by Rogers Stirks Harbour + Partners. The scheme previously attracted a negative Dubai comparison, with architect Philip Thalis labelling Roger’s 213m hotel “the worst of Dubai ‘look at me’ architecture”.
• Futuristic tower in honour of Sheikh Zayed
BUILDINGS OVER 150M
Image: Getty
The Lord Mayor of Sydney has labelled a planned design in her city as a “clumsy Dubai-style hotel”. The comment, by Clover Moore, referred to plans for a second Sydney casino and a six-star 350-room hotel in Barangaroo, a new CBD in the city.
DESIGNMENA.COM
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FRONT | MAY
60 SECOND INTERVIEW GEOFFREY BATZEL , DIREC-
PEOPLE
Hadid helps female architect status
Hason worked in Kuwait for seven years.
RNL appoints MENA regional director US-based architecture and design firm RNL has announced the addition of Ala Hason as MENA regional director. Hason was previously director of international development for Fentress Architects and also worked for the Denver office of international giant Gensler. “Ala’s experience, spanning the Middle East and Northern Africa to China and the United States, is an enormous asset to the firm and to the firm’s clients,” commented Joshua Gould, chairman and CEO of RNL. “His familiarity with the region, including seven years in Kuwait will further our goals of delivering world class-design to clients throughout the MENA region.” Hason added that he is looking forward to delivering “true sustainable development, which respects the heritage and the cultural values of the area”.
Dubai is not dead. If you speak to any fit-out contractor, they are absolutely flat-out. We are looking to take advantage.” Campbell Gray, Middle East MD, Faithful + Gould
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Iraq-born architect Zaha Hadid picked up an award from the UK’s Architects’ Journal (AJ) for her outstanding contribution to the status of women in architecture. Hadid became the winner of the Jane Drew Prize after the AJ Women in Architecture judging panel came to the unanimous decision. The judging panel included Lord Richard Rogers and Martha Thorne, chief executive of the Pritzker Prize. The judges said: “Hadid has broken the glass ceiling more than anyone and is practically a household name. Her achievement is remarkable.” Hadid was the first woman to be awarded the Pritzker Prize and will be the first recipient of the revived Jane Drew Prize.
TOR, PLANNING & URBAN DEVELOPMENT, KEO
What are the risks/rewards involved with doing business in Qatar? The risks are companies eager to join this massive undertaking investing beyond their means, and overextending themselves by taking on too much work. Another risk is under delivering and loss of professional reputation. The e rewards are the creation com m or expansion of comga panies who will gain riworld class experience that can be used elsewhere.
Qatar’s suc cess important to the GCC? A successful 2022 World Cup gss will do great things for the region’s global rating t g once n image, demonstrating e b s are r again that GCC members capable of undertaking the most ambitious and complex of projects; and in this case, hosting the most prestigious single-sport athletic event in the world. Qatar is stepping forward as a regional leader in many different ways. This will make Qatar and the GCC a new tourist attraction for generations to come. If successful, this will be a major feat in the young history of the GCC.
Zaha Hadid in the spotlight again.
I will the most important consideration is to make it a multi-purpose v venue. I think the days are gone w when you just b build a racing circuit.” Richard Cregan, chief executive officer of Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina
The best placed are those who think with a global perspective... it will certainly be one of the greatest World Cups ever seen.” Dan Meis, senior principal, Populous
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FRONT | MAY
MENA PROJECT SNAPSHOT 1
3
2
1 QATAR
2 QATAR
3 KUWAIT
Work starts on World Cup training complex
Broadway Malyan wins flagship project
Kuwaiti projects to top $274bn in 2012
Construction has started on a complex designed by Perkins Eastman which will serve as a permanent home for football team Lekhwiya Club and a training site during the 2022 World Cup. The first phase will be completed by August 2012 and includes a 10,000-spectator stadium, practice facilities and training fields. The second phase will include a 12,004m2 75-key hotel, mosque and a multisport arena.
Broadway Malyan will design and manage the delivery of the headquarters and a presentation centre for Seef Lusail, a huge waterfront district in the north of Doha. The presentation centre contains an interactive display of the project, as well as a model of Doha with future projects planned for the city and an F&B outlet. The design team will deliver architecture, landscape and interior design services for the presentation centre.
Kuwait will see 267 projects worth $274bn begin this year, a new report reveals. Driving the growth in projects is the fast-paced population rises, robust economy and surging oil prices, the business intelligence firm CPH World Media has said. According to the report, the Kuwaiti government is expected to invest $3bn into the building industry in the coming five years, while the value of private projects is expected to top $8bn.
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MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 05.12 | www.designmena.com
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FRONT | MAY
MENA PROJECT SNAPSHOT
3
2
1 OMAN
2 EGYPT
3 ABU DHABI
Real Madrid architect designs Bank Sohar HQ
Landmark PPP healthcare scheme for Egypt
RW Armstrong starts work on flagship projects
Spanish firm Estudio Lamela, the architect behind the remodeling of Real Madrid’s legendary Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, has been appointed by Bank Sohar to construct its new head office in Muscat. The building comes complete with an internal oasis traversed by three internal bridges, hanging gardens and sea views. The HQ project, budgeted at $43.2m, occupies a 36,000m2 site in Airport Heights, Seeb.
The design contract for Egypt’s first healthcare project to use the PPP procurement model has been won by Scottish architectural firm Keppie Design. The project includes new 200-bed and 223-bed specialist facility, and a pediatric and emergency facility at the existing Smouha Hospital complex. The team includes Egyptian firms Detac Construction, The Arab Academy and Bareeq Capital, as well as the UK’s G4s and Siemens.
RW Armstrong has started construction on projects including the UAE Presidential Palace and the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club. Since establishing its regional headquarters in Abu Dhabi in 2006, the firm’s project portfolio includes Sorouh Sun & Sky Towers on Al Reem Island which was completed in 2011, the new Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority headquarters and Masdar Institute of Science and Technology.
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MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 05.12 | www.designmena.com
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FRONT | MAY
GLOBAL PROJECT SNAPSHOT 1
2
3
1 NORTHERN IRELAND
2 CANADA
3 CHINA
World’s largest Titanic attraction opens
Twisted tower planned for Vancouver
Woods Bagot wins airline mega scheme
Titanic Belfast, the world’s largest attraction dedicated to the famous sunken ship, opened its doors last week in the capital of Northern Ireland. Located on the site where Titanic was designed and built, the attraction’s six floors feature nine galleries dedicated to experiences within the ship. Designed by Todd Architects and CivicArts, the complex is also Ireland’s largest tourism project covering 14,000m2 in area.
A team comprising Buro Happold and Danish architect BIG has proposed a 49-storey twisted tower for Vancouver which will contain 600 residential units. Commissioned by Canadian developer Westbank, the project will aim for LEED Gold certification. The tower is situated on a nine-story podium base with housing as well as commercial and retail space. It bears a strong resemblance to Dubai’s twisting Infinity Tower by SOM.
Woods Bagot has won the competition to design China Southern Airport City, a 400ha mixed-use district to support China Southern Airlines. Located on the Liuxi River in Guangzhou, the new district will contain two wing-shaped parcels bisected by a highway. A central precinct contains Southern Airlines University, an executive complex with offices, a five-star hotel and VIP club overlooking an expansive lake.
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MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 05.12 | www.designmena.com
FRONT | MAY
THE BIG PICTURE
One World Trade Center This dusk shot by ITP photographer Lester Ali captures One World Trade Center, the replacement for the destroyed twin towers in New York. Designed by David Childs of SOM, Manhattan’s new skyscraper will soon top out at 104 storeys. A lofty height of 541m will be achieved through a large antenna. Once open in early 2014 it will be the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.
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MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 05.12 | www.designmena.com
NEWS ANALYSIS | MALLS
RETAIL THERAPY ANALYSIS
With yet another megamall receiving approval, MEA discovers whether there is real demand for more retail space in Qatar Barwa Commercial Avenue (right) and Gharafa mall (below).
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usail Municipality’s recent approval of Marina Mall will add yet another high profile scheme to Qatar’s retail arsenal. Designed by architecture firm HOK, the complex is a striking space-age design that aims to push the boundaries. But while Marina Mall revels in its futurism, many of Qatar’s pipeline malls are rooted in traditional Arabian architecture. Local firm Arab Engineering Bureau (AEB) is behind several historically-flavoured malls that are under construction in Qatar. These include Gharafa mall, a two-storey shopping arcade in Doha inspired by traditional souks and Arabian architecture, with pergolas, wind towers and decorative arches.
The firm has designed a large mall for Al Merqab, one of the oldest and most famous shopping streets in the centre of Doha. It contains cinemas, food courts, department stores, as well as office space. AEB’s managing director, Ibrahim Mohamed Al Jaidah, adds: “Retail
MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 05.12 | www.designmena.com
theming has been quite a trend of late in the region as it allows the design of a mall which avoids the more industrial looking buildings that have been built in the past. “With the design, the beautiful Arabesque style was utilised while integrating curtain walls to avoid the
MALLS | NEWS ANALYSIS
façade becoming too solid. Internally, the concept was also carried through, creating tent-shaped tensile structures to cover the main atriums.” AEB has also designed a Lulu hypermarket in Al Khor, a coastal city in the north of Qatar, which plays on the fort aesthetic. Furthermore, the firm is part of the team behind the $1.37bn Doha Festival City, one of the largest developments to get underway in Qatar since the country was awarded the right to host the FIFA 2022 World Cup in December 2010. The scheme will include a 32,000m2 IKEA store, which will be developed in the first phase of construction, set for completion in Q4 2012. The remaining elements of Doha Festival City are due for delivery two years later. Another huge complex with extensive retail components is Barwa Commercial Avenue which is due for completion in June this year. The mixed-use development will offer about 600 shops and showrooms and 150,000m2 of office space spread along 8km. It will also contain around 800 luxury residential units in one- to three-bedroom floor plans
The Habtoor Leighton Group confirmed in October that it has begun work on the first phase of the North Gate Mall project in Doha, valued at $290 million. Phase 1 covers a total built-up area of around 375,000m2, with a podium comprising two levels of carpark, a three-level mall and six, five-level office buildings. The project is due for completion in March 2014. One mega mall that already opened its doors is the $348m luxury Lagoona Mall. The high-end scheme in West Bay opened to shoppers in February this year, following several delays in construction. It contains 18 restaurants, 160 retail stores and a 13,000m2 department store. Meanwhile HOK’s Marina Mall will have a 60,000m2 Gross Lettable Area (GLA) with cinemas, restaurants, spas and a hypermarket. Barry Hughes, vice president London for HOK, is one of the key figures
behind the design. With 20 years’ experience in mall design, Hughes has worked on Dubai Festival City, Westfield in London and several US shopping malls. Hughes believes that Qatar shoppers will gravitate to the best malls. “I think there is certainly a demand for better malls. If you go to any city in the world and have two shops on
The $1.37bn Doha Festival City (top).
Retail theming has been quite a trend of late in the region as it avoids an industrial looking building.” Ibrahim Mohamed Al Jaidah, managing director, AEB
www.designmena.com | 05.12 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
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NEWS ANALYSIS | MALLS
HOK’s futuristic Marina Mall (top right) and AEB’s Lulu Hypermarket in Al Khor.
opposite corners of the street, the one that has the better ambiance will be more successful. We really want to build the mall with the best experience in Doha.” Mat Green, head of research and consultancy UAE for CBRE Middle East, agrees that bigger and better malls can win customers. “As seen from markets like Dubai, larger destination malls have the ability to cannibalise the market and take away share from other smaller or aging centres,” he says. When asked whether there is enough population to support the new malls in Qatar, Hughes replies: “Only time will tell. Doha is trying to create a city for the future. It is trying to manage growth and manage the cultural and commercial aspects.” CBRE’s Green is similarly positive, and adds: “The future performance of the retail market will of course rely heavily on the country’s ability to sustain solid population growth in the coming years.
If a mall offers a valuable public realm then it is a valid place to spend time. It is a big, complex organism with lots of factors that affect the design.” Barry Hughes, HOK
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“However, with close to 20% GDP growth during 2011 and forecasts of around 6% for this year, the economy is certainly doing its bit to help. “The tourism sector is also expanding rapidly and that could become a major driver of retail demand, although at this stage the market remains business and not leisure led.” Hughes believes that any development in the region involves some degree of risk. “There is an element of risk for any commercial developer. “Time will tell whether these experiments in the Middle East will be successful. I am fascinated by Qatar. We have an opportunity to create a new place on a grand scale.” Currently retail demand in Doha remains “very strong” according to Green, with most developments at, or close to, 100% occupancy. However, he continues: “With significant new retail supply set to be handed over during the next five years there is a risk of future oversupply. For now we expect to see the established malls continue to perform very well, although some new market entrants may initially struggle to achieve high occupancy rates. “Qatar is expanding rapidly and will need to continue to achieve
MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 05.12 | www.designmena.com
strong growth if it is to keep pace with the current level of construction.” Hughes believes that in many countries, malls aren’t taken seriously as a piece of urban fabric. He continues: “In the Middle East, you have places where you live and work but there is a third place where you spend a lot of your time. This traditionally would have been the souk. “If a mall offers a wonderful public realm then it is a valid place to spend time. At HOK we take the shopping mall seriously. It is a big, complex organism with lots of factors that influence the design.” Green agrees that malls can be important recreational areas, especially the large destination malls. “These malls have become increasingly popular across the region with consumers able to shop and spend leisure time in a single location,” he says. “By creating entertainment centres and major leisure attractions, developers are able to increase the dwell time of shoppers and driven up footfall and retail sales. The malls have become the new social centres and are increasingly popular among the rapidly growing young population.” Hughes believes that the malls in Dubai can offer valuable lessons for
MALLS | NEWS ANALYSIS
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developers and designers. “If you took certain elements from the different malls in Dubai you would probably have the best mall in the world. There are some amazing projects in Dubai; I am fascinated when I visit.â€? Scale is an important consideration with malls, according to Hughes. “In Dubai, the scale of the malls are more gracious than in other places. On occasion they feel empty whereas at peak times they feel about right. Achieving that balance is a challenge. You need a sense of intimacy without feeling too small.â€? He adds that malls are becoming increasingly international in avour. “With my job, I travel all over the world. “It is interesting but also depressing to see how small the world is becoming. The mall is becoming more global and homogenous.â€? Yet he stresses that the key is creating a product that stands out from the pack. “The next opportunity for designers is to create something different. Malls are machines for selling goods and services. The key is making it a positive experience; if you create a better place then people will come.â€?
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www.designmena.com | 05.12 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
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COMMENT | EDITOR’S LETTER
DEFENDING DUBAI EDITOR’S LETTER
Was Sydney’s Lord Mayor off the mark?
GOT A COMMENT? If you have any comments to make on this month’s issue, please e-mail oliver. ephgrave @itp.com
L
ast month, the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore, raised eyebrows in the Middle East by labelling an Australian development as “a clumsy Dubai-style” hotel. Moore’s attack was in response to plans for a second Sydney casino and a six-star 350-room hotel in Barangaroo, a new CBD underway in Sydney. It was not the fi rst time that Dubai has attracted negative criticism from Down Under. Last year, architect Philip Thalis labelled Richard Roger’s hotel in Barangaroo “the worst of Dubai ‘look at me’ architecture”. A few weeks ago, we published a story about Moore’s comments on designMENA.com and constructionweekonline.com. It attracted several thousand page impressions, as well as many comments from our online readers. Tariq from Abu Dhabi posted: “It is a pity that a political figure has to denigrate others to bring attention to her particular subjective viewpoint. The comment made was unnecessary and only serves to damage international relations.” Other readers leapt to the defence of Dubai’s buildings and labelled Sydney’s architecture as ‘boring’. Elmer Fabros from Saudi Arabia
Infi nity Tower.
commented: “Dubai architecture is not clumsy. In fact, it is fascinating, as they have unlimited funds to experiment and produce fantastic designs. For other areas, they have limited funds, thus produce only standard, boring designs and are jealous of Dubai.” However, one commenter on designMENA.com sympathised with Moore, stating: “It is really true that most of the so called modern towers of Dubai which were built in the last few years are perfect examples of ‘look at me’ architecture. “They looked like everyone involved was too hungry for fame and attention during the real estate
The defence of Dubai’s architecture from a Sydney reader suggests Moore’s comment was misjudged.”
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MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 05.12 | www.designmena.com
boom here. Surprisingly, most of these non-architectural towers were designed by some of the world’s top architectural fi rms.” Perhaps surprisingly, Sydney professional Mick Dundee posted: “Most Sydney buildings are boring, built-to-a-price boxes. I have worked in Sydney and Dubai and know which buildings I prefer to both work on and look at.” The passionate defence of Dubai’s architecture from a Sydney reader suggests Moore’s comment was perhaps misjudged. Granted, Dubai contains buildings that could be termed ‘clumsy’, but this trait is not confi ned to the Emirates or the Middle East. For example, my home city of London contains countless post-war concrete monstrosities that sit next to historic buildings, such as St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London. Other modern buildings in London could be termed boring, due to conservative restrictions and mindsets. This mindset was evident in the rejection of Daniel Libeskind’s 1997 proposed extension to the Victoria & Albert Museum - a project that would have set the architecture world alight at the time. Architects in Dubai and the GCC are certainly freer in many respects. Projects such as the 828m-high Burj Khalifa and the twisting Infi nity Tower push the possibilities of architecture and engineering. One thing is for certain: Dubai’s architecture is certainly not boring.
COMMENT | GEORGINA CHAKAR
THE RIYAL DEAL OPINION Is Qatar putting its money where its mouth is? Georgina Chakar is an Australian architect and a Master of Urban Planning. She works in Abu Dhabi.
D
oha is becoming a destination of interest from different perspectives. Potential jobseekers see opportunities to settle there, while a minority visit as tourists. Perhaps all visitors, specifically those who have stayed in Dubai can’t avoid the comparison between two cities. Why? Because Doha, with its current developments, gives the impression that it is following the trend of its Gulf neighbour. For example, the skyline of West Bay is made of exceptionally interesting and sculptural buildings, but looking from the perspective of the short term visitor, the area may remind us of Dubai Marina. Furthermore, the large areas of low density developments, predominantly villas and other areas with blocks no higher than four or five levels, have a
lot of similarities with housing in the Emirates. Doha certainly ‘rings a bell’, yet is different and recognisable. Tightly linked with the development of Doha and Qatar as a whole are components that cannot be seen as clearly as the physical elements of the environment. The most essential is the population, currently estimated at 1.77 million, where the Qataris comprise the minority in their own country, at 459,000 people. Going deeper into the statistics, over 94% of the working population are not nationals, with many employed in the construction industry - the largest of all statistical groupings with around 45% of the workforce. The question is, who will absorb the towers of West Bay, The Pearl Qatar, the upcoming Lusail - the future home of 200,000 residents - and the other new developments?
Doha’s West Bay.
Groundbreaking buildings are initiating new technologies and challenge existing structural solutions.”
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The absorption may go slower at the present time due to the current situation in the Gulf region and the world as a whole. However, the strategic planning of the State of Qatar by its Planning Council is said to be looking far in advance for the current and future generations. Since Doha won the rights to host the FIFA 2022, the world is talking about the construction of the stadiums and the associated structures. Inside Qatar there are ongoing and planned developments that seem to be stronger investments for the future of the country; investments that will obviously secure long-term operation and prosperity, such as the Ras Laffan LNG Port Expansion. Located 80km north of Doha it aims to be the largest port for natural gas. The rapid growth in air traffic resulting from the country’s economic development will be addressed by the ongoing construction of the New Doha International Airport. Groundbreaking buildings with interesting water themes and curved roofs are not only creating sensational architecture, but also initiate new technologies and challenge existing structural solutions. The Museum of Islamic Arts in Doha by famous architect IM Pei is yet another investment for the future that the government obviously strongly believed in. Sitting within a 150 ha park this building is a piece of art justifying every riyal invested in it. Is Qatar putting the money where its mouth is? Looking at Doha, the proof is in the pudding.
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COVER STORY | ALBERT SPEER
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ALBERT SPEER | COVER STORY
STADIUM SUPREMO THE INTERVIEW
Oliver Ephgrave and Oscar Wendel talk to Professor Albert Speer of AS&P, one of the main frontmen behind Qatar’s stunning arena designs
E
ven at the age of 77, Professor Albert Speer is not thinking about giving up his passion. The founder of Albert Speer and Partners (AS&P) was in Doha to give the keynote speech at the Construction Week Qatar conference: Building Towards 2022. Despite a grueling day in the spotlight, Speer was spritely, goodhumoured, and eager to talk at length about his background and his firm’s key role in Qatar’s World Cup plans. “The idea of retiring is not going to happen any time soon,” he remarks. “I do a little bit to stay healthy - I exercise every morning, in the gym or the pool, and I have a personal trainer. As long as I feel I can influence and bring ideas and creativity to the office I would like to stay.” Speer says that he wasn’t particularly inspired to be an architect, but fell into the profession due to family tradition. “It was less about inspiration and more of a necessity. After the war I was stammering a lot - I couldn’t really speak. I left school and did a carpenter’s apprenticeship. “Then I went to the technical school in Munich and studied archi-
tecture for five years. I followed the tradition in the family - my grandfather and my father were architects. “I wanted to do urban planning in the future, but these possibilities were not given at that time in German technical schools. Munich is one of the most beautiful cities but I got a job in Frankfurt. In the 60s it was a very grey and unattractive city.” Speer explains that he received his big break by pitching for work in his spare time. “Over the weekend and at night I started to do competitions. The first two or three I lost but eventually I won an international competition for the development of the settlement in Ludwigshafen. “My boss was very supportive as he saw it was a good opportunity for me. So I started a one-man office. That was in 1964. Now the company has grown to about 120 people in German and 30 people in Shanghai.” Despite winning its most prestigious job in Qatar and having several projects in Saudi Arabia, Speer is uncertain about opening an office in the Middle East. “If we continue to do just consultant work there is no necessity to open an office here. I prefer
that all the people are in Frankfurt as we have very good connections. But if we are invited to do a stadium or two then we have to have an office.” He explains that his firm’s involvement in the Qatar stadiums was unexpected. “We developed a new field of activity in doing bid books for large sporting events. Every year there is a sports fair in a city, in connection with the International Olympic Committee. We decided to display our Olympic competitions in a small booth at the sports fair in Canada. “Members of the Qatari government visited us and later we got an email saying ‘please come to Qatar, we would like to talk to you’. We were chosen and we did a good job. “They wanted to have a very personal contact and didn’t want to have one of the big players. I was not in the negotiations - the next generation did that. I think this was the right strategy as the Qataris are 35-40 years old. The client’s aim was to have the best bid book given to FIFA and this is what we, together with our partners including Arup and Nusli, managed to do. This is not the only reason for winning, but it played a part.”
“I think it was important that you can see emotion in our stadiums. They are Qatari stadiums - they have something to do with the culture of the people.
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COVER STORY | ALBERT SPEER
Albert Speer was in Doha to present the keynote speech at the Construction Week Qatar conference.
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He also adds that the “emotion” in the bid book was a crucial quality. “I think it was important that you can see emotion in our stadiums. They are Qatari stadiums - they have something to do with the culture of the people. “They are not just technical, which could be built in Moscow or Berlin. They were mainly done by a female architect in our office. I’m very proud that these prototype Islamic stadiums were such a success.” Speer is optimistic that the emotion of the renderings can be replicated in the final products. “We are part of the team and we hopefully will be part of the execution team too. You can never say they will definitely build them as designed. There are so many influences. “But the decision making people on the bidding committee and the execution committee are the same people and I am very convinced that they stick to the concept. Because it is a winning concept.” Speer says his favourite designs are Al-Khor stadium, which resembles a sea shell and the Al-Wakra stadium due to its location in the city centre and integration with leisure, shopping and social facilities such as playgrounds and swimming pools. “Al Wakrah stadium is part of the city centre and this is very feasible economically. All the car parking spaces for the stadium can be used in the evening, not just once a week.” Speer adds that good city stadiums can benefit the community. “In Germany, for a long time people thought that a stadium has to be far out in the middle of nowhere because of noise and litter. This changed completely. “It is tied into the stadium design. If it’s more attractive and people can bring their children, if it’s open for women, and interesting to stay there because you have restaurants and playgrounds and a place of worship, then people are not just spending one and a half hours there, but five hours.”
The critical challenge for Qatar is not the stadiums, it’s the infrastructure. To build a rail system of 100km in seven years is really very hard.”
He cites his company’s Allianz Arena in Munich, completed in 2005, as a good example of a city centre stadium. “A stadium can be a community meeting point. Our Allianz Arena in Munich is a good example, with all the facilities, restaurants and playgrounds. It’s not only the match itself, it’s the lifestyle.” When it comes to other successful city stadiums, he points to the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid and London’s new Olympic stadium. Speer was less positive about China’s Bird’s Nest stadium. “The Bird’s Nest is incomparable. The Chinese wanted something spectacular but it is not sustainable. They have used steel to an amount that is incredible. It’s an icon, but it’s not used much,” he remarks. AS&P is working on several projects in China, including large master planning schemes. As an urban planner, he believes that the masterplan is a viable model for the Middle East, if it is executed correctly.
MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 05.12 | www.designmena.com
“It depends what is the context of a masterplan - it is no solution if it is trying to solve all problems. It has to be flexible for future developments. Things can change in terms of the market and the population.” He says that maintenance is critical. “Cairo has Sadat City, which was started 25 years ago. It is a pure catastrophe, because parts are built, parts are empty and others are run-down. In many countries in the region, maintenance is not known.” Commenting on AS&P’s current Middle East projects he says: “We are doing a lot of work in Saudi Arabia. We have done the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh, which is still one of the best urban developments in the Arab world. We have designed and engineered the King Abdullah Road which is about 25kms long. “We are doing a very nice building in the centre of Riyadh - a huge criminal court project. It will be finished at the beginning of next year. We are working on a masterplan for 2032 for
ALBERT SPEER | COVER STORY
TREND-CONFORMING. STRAIGHTFORWARD. INDISPENSABLE. THE NEW ZOOM®
Alexandria. It is very complicated because of the change in the government. We are now waiting for decisions. Qatar is much faster.” According to Speer, the greatest challenge for Qatar’s World Cup delivery is not the stadiums. “A stadium can be built in two and a half or three years. The critical part is infrastructure. To build a rail system of 100km in seven years is really very hard. “It’s not a question of construction – it’s the planning and coordination and the permissions. You can’t have construction sites in Doha everywhere. The people will explode. The plans have been reduced to 100km, which I think is feasible, but it is a huge challenge.” He offers further words of caution: “The biggest errors in huge projects are done at the beginning because nobody thinks about the alternatives of what is going to happen. I was told this by my former teacher, a famous Swiss architect called Jakob Maurer.” When asked whether he received any architectural advice from his father or grandfather, Speer slowly shakes his head. He makes no mention of his father, but speaks admiringly about his grandfather. “My grandfather made enough money when he was 50 years old and stopped working as an architect. He built himself a villa in the cool area behind Heidelberg castle and lived until his mid 80s. He was a very strong man. Many of his buildings that were not destroyed in the war are protected buildings.” Coming from a long line of Albert Speers, with both his father and grandfather bearing the same name, he reveals that this trend is very unlikely to continue. “I have no children. My brothers and sisters have eight or nine children altogether, but there are no more Alberts. I think there were enough.”
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Dubai Office · Business Village B · Office 506 · Port Saeed Deira Dubai · U.A.E. · P.O. Box 113085 · t +971 556 578 373 Doha Office · Gate 185 · Street 3 · Industrial Area · Doha · Qatar P.O. Box 5187 · t +974 4460 4104
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COVER STORY | ALBERT SPEER
PORTFOLIO: Albert Speer
QATAR WORLD CUP STADIUMS AS&P’s delivery for the World Cup in 2022 includes the design of eight of the 12 stadiums. One of Albert Speer’s favourite designs is the Al-Khor stadium with a seashell motif (below). The flexible roof the permanent lower tier seats 25,500 and the modular upper tier seats 19,830. It offers spectators a direct view of the Gulf from their seats and will be located in a new sports and recreation zone. Speer’s other favourite design is Al-Wakrah stadium, (above) which is located in the centre of the city and linkswith leisure, shopping and social facilities such as playgrounds and swimming pools.
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ALBERT SPEER | COVER STORY
ALLIANZ ARENA, MUNICH This pioneering stadium was completed in 2005 and provides the home for FC Bayern Munich and TSV 1860 München. On 19 May it will stage the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final. AS&P worked on the stadium along with Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron. The arena facade is constructed from 2,874 ETFE-foil air panels that are inflated with dry air. It is lit up in different colours depending on the team that is playing - red for Bayern Munich, blue for 1860 Munich and white for the German national team and neutral events.
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COVER STORY | ALBERT SPEER
CRIMINAL COURT COMPLEX, RIYADH Currently under construction and scheduled for an early 2013 completion, this striking 44.4m-high criminal court complex completes a set of public institutions with the intention of breathing new life into the centre of the Saudi capital. A wraparound strip of light at the base is said to form a natural barrier, creating a feeling of security and emphasising the raised status of the building. Footbridges bring the visitor to the conically-shaped entrances along the main axes. The facade features the region’s typical coarse chalky sandstone panels. Narrow slits with window elements are strongly recessed, minimising the exposure of the rooms to the heat outside and accentuating the facade’s sculptural appearance.
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SITE VISIT | INTERNATIONAL TOWER
The ямБ n-tastic facade of International Tower in Abu Dhabi.
4,000 EXPECTED TOTAL OCCUPANCY
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SITE VISIT | INTERNATIONAL TOWER
le mp co r w l y n i ke o ne r, a bal m we To t s glo al oi on a ti pt e r n ve s u I nt li t ’s th at go B a ntre ds Ce oo al s W a p it C i sit e v a bi ’s r av h hg bu D Ep A in ve r O li ding il bu
W
te d co mm e rc ial
ith its rectilinear plan and absence of curves, twists and roof-top ornaments, International Tower seems like a rather ordinary commercial tower from a distance. Yet when the measured vertical rhythms on the facades come into view, it’s apparent that the building was carefully conceived and delivered. Developed by Sino Gulf and designed by Woods Bagot, the building is the first office complex to be launched in ADNEC’s huge Capital Centre which adjoins the exhibition centre. The ‘international’ moniker was chosen for a very good reason, according to SinoGulf’s fund manager, David Cockerton. Standing in the airy triple-height lobby, Cockerton remarks: “Most people that come here haven’t seen anything quite like this in Abu Dhabi. A lot of the global occupiers arrive and say ‘this is exactly what I see around the world’. That was precisely what we were aiming for in terms of the concept. “What we wanted was a very sensible, regular, flexible Grade-A commercial building that global occupiers can recognise. It doesn’t have lots of architectural attributes like curves and little corners that you can’t use.” He continues: “I’d call it a smart and sensible building. A global occupier can come in without any real issues. There aren’t lots of columns, so they can roll out the normal fit-out that they have all around the world. That’s pretty powerful.” Woods Bagot principal Karim Benkirane, who was also present on the tour, adds: “I think the name International Tower has a fantastic synergy with the design brief. The way they procured the design team was in an international competition. They were trying to replicate an international brand and standard here.” When it comes to the lobby space, Benkirane remarks: “We created a
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SITE VISIT | INTERNATIONAL TOWER
The northern facade uses the same design language.
ceremonial entrance which needs to align with the businesses that are going to be here. The finishes needed to align with that design aspiration.” According to Benkirane, the finishes include black glass, timber veneer, a ceiling which utilises the same language as the external fi ns, as well as stainless steel mullions and limestone flooring. “It's fairly magnificent,” adds Cockerton. Benkirane continues: “Taking on the international standards also meant that the building has to be commercially viable. Net to gross was incredibly important to the client. This was helped by placing the core on the eastern side of the building, which allows a continuous floor plate. “Another benefit was that the side core eliminates the eastern aspect of the building, which is one of the harsher solar orientations, to help reduce energy consumption. “The western aspect on the building has got the large vertical fins which tries to limit some of that solar gain. The sun is very low on the west so the vertical fins help to cut out the light. Horizontal fins would only work on southern facades.” He points out that the fins have become the most recognisable aspect of the tower, with the distinctive ripple forming the logo for the marketing collateral. “It’s fantastic that the branding of the building has taken on that idea,” adds Benkirane. “From a different aspect they look like they are changing. They’re inspired by the shifting sands as the wind blows through the desert. They were originally glass but they became more solid which is a little stronger and more powerful.
“They are powder-coated aluminium, same as the mullions. At the deepest point the fins are 1.2m. The edge of the curtain wall takes on the same profile of the fins. Also, there are lights in between the fins, so the facade looks spectacular at night.” Yet the external artistry is not confined to one facade. The north side features a curtain wall which “cracks”
Most people that come here haven’t seen anything quite like this in Abu Dhabi. A lot of the global occupiers arrive and say ‘this is exactly what I see around the world’.” David Cockerton, fund manager, SinoGulf
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to create a canopy. “It protects the entrance but it’s giving you a clear identifier as to where the entrance is,” adds Benkirane. He continues: “The rhythms on the north facade are similar to the fins. It’s trying to replicate what’s going on in the western facade but not in such a strong way, because it doesn’t have direct sunlight. It’s also there to break up the expansive facade but also give it some verticality.” Cockerton expects between 3,000 and 4,000 people to be working in the building when it is fully occupied. He adds that there is a 500m2 area allocated for F&B or retail operators. “In spite of the F&B areas in ADNEC,
15 -17 May 2012 Dubai World Trade Centre 11.00 – 19.00
The Office Exhibition Innovation in the spotlight
Visit the largest commercial fit-out and design exhibition in the Middle East to find the latest innovations and international trends. Hundreds of market leading brands and products will be on display from exhibitors representing over 20 countries.
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SITE VISIT | INTERNATIONAL TOWER
The main entrance is protected by a canopy.
I think it’s important we have it here within the building. It needs breakout space for meeting visitors and guests without necessarily taking them into the office space. It also helps to put the building on the map by getting the right operator in there.” Another unusual quality of the building is the lift strategy, according to Benkirane. “One thing that is unique to the region in a building of this size is that there 2 is a low rise and high rise lifting strategy TOTAL NLA with destination lifts. able environment,” This limits the waitremarks Cockerton. ing times, which takes Benkirane adds: “The you back to international depth of the floor plate has standards such as British Council for been correctly engineered in terms Offices (BCO).” of optimum daylighting for the The building contains 12 lifts building. It’s not too deep and not too in two banks of six, with one half shallow to get too much light or have serving levels three to 15 and the dark areas. The approach is unique other servicing 16 to 26. The high in this region - it’s not about shape rise lifts travel at a rate of six metres or texture, it’s about intelligence in per second. Benkirane describes the commercial office building.” clean-lined lift lobby areas as “inofThe next noticeable factor is the fensive” as they need to appeal to a impressive view over Abu Dhabi and wide global audience. the gracious space between developWalking into an open plan shell ments in Capital Centre. “You notice and core space, one of the immedifrom the view that the towers are not ate qualities is the amount of natural squashed up close like in other places. light. “There is no artificial light, People expect the towers to be close there is no glare and the depth of together but there is a lot of space,” light is fantastic. It’s a very comfortremarks Cockerton.
41,000M
“This is the first complete building in the masterplan. We now have the Premier Inn next door that has been handed over. The overall masterplan has 23 towers in total and a number of hotels.” Commenting on the dimensions of the space, Cockerton adds: “When you add in a raised access floor and suspended ceiling, the floor to ceiling height is 2.7m. This is an international standard and not available in all buildings in Abu Dhabi.” At the time of the visit, 242 workers were on site, primarily to complete a fully-fitted show floor on level 18 in time for Cityscape Abu Dhabi. Benkirane points out that the upper floors (16-26) have an extra 50m2 due to the absence of the low-rise lift shaft. The fourth floor was also a hive
BUILDING CREDITS
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ROLE
COMPANY
Funding partner
Abu Dhabi National Islamic fi nance
Fund manager
Eastgate Capital Group
Development fund
industRE
Development and asset managers
SinoGulf
Architect
Woods Bagot
Project Manager
Coffey
Quantity Surveyor
Blair Anderson
Structural & MEP Engineer
Aurecon
Main contractor
Group 3
MEP contractor
Thermo
Enabling words
NSCC
Fit-out
ISG
MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 05.12 | www.designmena.com
SITE VISIT | INTERNATIONAL TOWER
As well as being expressive, the fi ns are used to limit solar gain.
The approach is unique in this region. It’s not about shape or texture, it’s about intelligence in commercial office building.” Karim Benkirane, principal, Woods Bagot
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SITE VISIT | INTERNATIONAL TOWER
Workmen were busy completing fit-outs in time for Cityscape Abu Dhabi.
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of activity with fit-outs on partitioned offices. Cockerton adds that this floor contains the prayer rooms as well as wide corridors that are “perhaps a little too generous”. He continues: “The upper levels are primarily built for global occupiers who require spaces up to 1,750m2. Other floors, such as this one, are subdivided between tenants with units as small as 100m2. We also have a choice between shell and core and fully-fitted. We’re the only office building in Abu Dhabi with this amount of choice.” Another key considerable for many global occupiers is sustainability, and Cockerton states that the building ticks all the green boxes. “Our LEED certification for Shell and Core is in the final stage. They have confirmed we are in the Silver category and it should be Gold. This is important to us. I think LEED Gold
sends out a very powerful message. LEED Platinum is a little too far.” He adds: “Global occupiers are perhaps not focusing on it as much as pre2008, but it is starting to come back. It’s still a check list item and it gives organisations with CSR procedures a lot of comfort. It’s not just a case of ticking the boxes - it also results in reduced running costs.” Green measures include a grey water recovery system, low-flow nozzles on all taps, the provision of bike racks plus showers on each level, tinted
MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 05.12 | www.designmena.com
windows to reduce solar gain and the procurement of locally-sourced and natural materials. For Cockerton, the green credentials are yet another example of how the tower lives up to its name. “It is built to international standards, with global expertise in what occupiers want. “We are bringing something that we know works internationally and translating it into the local market. The crucial thing is we have made it locally relevant.”
Under the patronage of Sheikh Saleh Abdullah Kamel President of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry
29 - 31 MAY 2012 JEDDAH CENTRE FOR FORUMS AND EVENTS KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
www.indexksa.com
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is welcoming INDEX for the first time The MENA region’s largest interiors and design exhibition is coming to Jeddah in May 2012! View the best international furniture, textiles, lighting, kitchen & bathroom and outdoor design products under one roof over 3 days. INDEX Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 2012 will be an unrivalled showcase of international design excellence for the Kingdom’s interior designers, architects, fit out contractors, consultants and developers from the interior design industry community who are working on the country’s most prestigious projects. Register to visit now at www.indexksa.com
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Venue
SITE VISIT | INTERNATIONAL TOWER
INTERNATIONAL TOWER Technical drawings supplied by Woods Bagot
NORTH ELEVATION The north elevation features a curtain wall which “cracks” to create a canopy. The vertical rhythms break up the expansive facade while replicating the fins on the western side of the building in a subtle manner.
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SITE VISIT | INTERNATIONAL TOWER
SECTION The building section illustrates the tripleheight lobby space, the 26 floors above ground and the ample parking space underground.
PLAN: CORE The core of the building is located on the eastern side, which allows for an uninterrupted floor plate, maximising on leasable space.
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Case study Heathrow Airport Midfield Pier 3 Project
Terminal 2 Concourse B, London Heathrow Airport Client: Balfour Beaty Investor: BAA Architect: Grimshaw Location: London, United Kingdom Building type:
Heathrow Airport chooses Qbiss One London Heathrow Airport is the largest and busiest airport in the United Kingdom and more international passengers pass through it than any other airport in the world. Owned and operated by BAA Ltd., London Heathrow is continually being developed and expanded as well as existing areas being refurbished and modernised to meet the growing needs of the modern traveller.
Flying high The Midfield Pier 3 Project on Heathrow’s Terminal 2 follows a long history of Trimo’s involvement in aviation projects at Heathrow and other UK airports and highlights the company’s growing expertise and portfolio in this sector. Forming part of the £1.5 billion Heathrow East project, the midfield Pier 3 component is a £105 million freestanding building on the airport’s Eastern Campus and is being
“The Qbiss One product was selected as it boasts a modular facade panel with expressed joints, folded tight corner details and can be easily adapted to interface with louvre systems without express flashings.”
undertaken by contractor Balfour Beatty. Although freestanding, the midfield pier is an integral part of
Julian Watt, Associate, Grimshaw
the overall modernisation of the terminal.
Lead
Architects,
Grimshaw,
specified
Trimo’s
exciting and state-of-the art Qbiss One modular facade system as its combined functionality and nocompromise aesthetics was important to express the purpose of the building and the conditions under which it will be used. The horizontal orientation, together with the contrasting RAL 7016 and RAL 9006 riser colours, provided a visually striking appearance. Additionally, the use of Qbiss One with its optically smooth facade makes an impressive architectural statement on the landscape. In total some 1100 m2 of Qbiss One was specified on the project and was installed by specialist cladding installers, Lindner Schmidlin. Although on-going, this particular component of the project was completed late 2009, with Trimo’s involvement in the overall Terminal 2 revamp continuing on other areas.
Trimo UK Ltd, UAE Branch office | Level 19, Monarch Office Tower | Office 1907 | One Sheikh Zayed Road | P.O Box 333840 | Dubai, UAE t: +971 4 7050401 | m: +971 505093153 | dubai@trimo.org.uk | www.qbiss.eu | www.trimo.org.uk
Pre-Register for FREE to attend the exhibition: www.cityscapeqatar.com/CSQab
REFLECTING QATAR’S NATIONAL VISION FOR 2030 Visit Qatar’s Premier Real Estate Investment and Development Event Meet leading real estate developers, regional authorities, and service providers and explore the exciting real estate opportunities supporting Qatar’s 2030 vision. 5000+ participants ~ 100+ exhibitors ~ 3 days of intensive networking and learning ~ Qatar Real Estate Summit ~ Investor Round Tables ~ Cityscape Awards for Real Estate, Qatar
Pre-Register for FREE at www.cityscapeqatar.com/CSQab to attend the exhibition
23 ~ 25 May 2012 Doha Exhibition Centre, Qatar T. +971 4 336 5161 | F. +971 4 335 1891 E. info@cityscapeqatar.com
Scan QR code to register
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THE GALLERIES | CASE STUDY
THE GALLERIES Architect: Burt Hill Location: Downtown Jebel Ali, Dubai CASE STUDY
THE PROJECT As the flagship project for UAE developer Limitless, the Galleries is a mixed-use scheme in Dubai containing Grade-A office, housing and retail space. Since last month, all four towers in the Galleries Offices Buildings are open, with 70% of the 800,000m2 HEIGHT OF space already leased. LOBBIES SPACES Certified LEED Silver, the scheme consists of two groups of buildings, separated by a 20,000m2 landscaped plaza. The towers rise from a common podium known as The Gallery.
18M
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CASE STUDY | THE GALLERIES
THE SITE Located on the edge of Urban Centre Zone 1 of Downtown Jebel Ali, the Galleries sits next to the Jebel Ali metro station. With green grounds, shaded seating areas, and fish ponds, each building has a mini version of the central plaza, for activities during cooler weather. Bahaa Abouhatab, head of projects, UAE, Limitless, adds: “The original plan was to build a central plaza from the metro to the main building. As Limitless still wanted to encourage use of the metro, they built a shaded walkway leading to the building, which is about 200m.”
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THE GALLERIES | CASE STUDY
THE CONCEPT Abouhatab explains the concept of the office component. “We are keen on creating a business hub that will serve mostly international companies. However, we did not think of it just as a business building - we thought of it as an environment to
serve the clients throughout the day. It’s not just designed for working, it considers the need for entertaining and taking breaks. In terms of the design itself, it is extremely efficient – the depth of the floor plate
allows natural light throughout the day, reducing the requirements to artificially light the offices. It is certainly a Grade-A building, in terms of the way it functions and the quality of materials used.”
LEASABLE SPACE
THE DETAILS Lobbies are designed with dramatic 18m-high ceilings and with natural materials such as wood panelling and polished granite. An interconnected glass and metal façade spans approximately a quarter mile length across the four buildings, creating the effect of one horizontal tower. The completed office towers contain water-efficient toilet cisterns and tap heads that cut water consumption by up to 30%. Energy consumption is reduced as energy efficient light fittings and movement sensors are installed in all lobby areas The highperformance glass façades allow optimal natural light in, but keep heat out.
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2
244,000M
SETTING THE BENCHMARK FOR THE REGION’S ARCHITECTURE INDUSTRY
TUESDAY 23RD OCTOBER, 2012 THE WESTIN, DUBAI
For sponsorship enquiries please contact:
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.
Yazan Rahman Sales Director, Construction Group Tel: +971 4 444 3351 Email: yazan.rahman@itp.com
NOMINATION DEADLINE: THURSDAY 23rd AUGUST 2012
Platinum Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Luke Jones Sales Manager, Middle East Architect Tel: +971 4 444 3713 Email: luke.jones@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
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THE VERTICAL OASIS | CASE STUDY
THE VERTICAL OASIS
Architect: Aaron Marriott and Clarissa Wenborn Location: Abu Dhabi CASE STUDY
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CASE STUDY | THE VERTICAL OASIS
THE PROJECT This eco tower for Abu Dhabi was designed as part of a Master’s course at the University of Nottingham’s Department of Architecture and Built Environment. Each year the studio promotes high-rise designs that respond to the city’s climate, NUMBER OF STOREYS culture and context, IN THE TOWER tasking students to generate new ideas. The project Vertical Oasis, by Aaron Marriott and Clarissa Wenborn, recreates the oasis at height on Abu Dhabi Corniche, adjacent to the ADIA Tower.
49
THE CONCEPT The students’ design was a response to the lack of potable water in the UAE, and the reliance on desalination. To solve this, inspiration was drawn from the oasis, a traditional source of life for the region providing settlement, water, trade and shade from the harsh arid sun. The design consists of a series of stacked ‘oasis villages’ shaded by an outer perforated facade which wraps around the building like a veil. Each village includes its own green community space, irrigated by an extensive water recycling system.
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THE VERTICAL OASIS | CASE STUDY
THE DETAILS Grey water from showers, hand basins, kitchen sinks and dishwashers is fed to the oasis space. Here it is cleaned through a series of filters within the floor plate and then passed through the open planting area where it is further fi ltered by a fi ne gravel whilst simultaneously irrigating the plants. Surplus water cascades down the building, through the various inter-connected oasis levels and is collected in a basement tank. Rather than hiding the grey water recycling, the whole process is exposed and celebrated as a key part of the architecture and experience of the building. Internally the lush planting and water recreate the environmental benefits of the ‘oasis effect’ – warm air enters the building and is cooled by the exposed water, while greenery provides additional shade. The oases create a continuous ecocorridor up the buildTRIPLE-HEIGHT UNITS ing and act as a home for birds and insects. The density of openings in the facade is designed to provide more shade on the ‘hot’ sides of the tower, with more openings to the north and areas with good views. Openings are also reduced for private spaces.
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AZERENERJI HQ | CASE STUDY
THE PROJECT This 28-storey tower complex is the HQ for AzerEnerji, the state provider of power for Azerbaijan. P&T was tasked to design a building that is highly secure and functional, which reflects the technology used in Azerbaijan’s new grid. It is capped with a triple-high space for the company president. The ground floor holds a museum for the founder of Azerbaijan, an assembly room, a canteen and a dispatch room where the entire grid of the country is monitored.
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Architect: P&T Architects and Engineers Location: Baku, Azerbaijan CASE STUDY
THE SITE The building is located on a prominent site on Hydar Alieyev Prospect, leading from the international airport to the city centre. With the prominent position and dramatic core lighting, the tower was envisaged as a landmark for the country. A dramatic NUMBER OF STOREYS entrance is created by IN THE TOWER lifting up the central mass on a 1.4m high base, with a ceremonial staircase.
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CASE STUDY | AZERENERJI HQ
AZERENERJI HQ
AZERENERJI HQ | CASE STUDY
THE CONCEPT P&T director Stephan Frantzen explains the concept. “We used the tension characterising electricity in a simple way by slicing the building into three elements and tilting the middle portion slightly. The government connection is expressed by a serene and efficient design. It is clean and simple, not gimmicky, boring or running the ENERGY SAVINGS risk of becoming out OFFERED BY THE VRV of date. Government SYSTEM buildings do not need to be boring even though they are monumental and expresses importance and authority.”
30%
THE DETAILS A VRV room in the facade on each floor handles the AC rather than a central system typically installed on the roof. According to Frantzen, the system will save approximately 30% energy, since water is pumped horizontally rather than up and down. The capital cost is roughly the same for both systems. At the top of the tower, the president’s office makes full use of the protruded central building mass. This triple height space contains an office on the lower level flanked by a boardroom and a private lounge, while a balcony with trees is level with the roof terrace and is used for functions.
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Your industry doesn't stand still, so why should your knowledge?
BREAKING NEWS | ANALYSIS | COMMENT
FOR THE MIDDLE EAST CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
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PROJECT UPDATE | THE WORK
THE WORK PROJECT UPDATE
XEROX EMIRATES HQ
5193M
2
GROSS FLOOR AREA
Architects: AK Design/ Adel Almojil Consulting Engineers Location: Dubai
MARINA MALL Architect: HOK Location: Lusail, Qatar
KUWAIT CULTURAL CENTRE
2,500
ESTIMATED POPULATION OF SABAH AL-AHMAD CITY
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Architect: BDP Location: Sabah Al-Ahmad City, Kuwait
Designed by UAE-based AK Design and Adel Almojil Consulting Engineers, this clean-lined complex serves as a showcase for the Xerox brand in the Middle East. It contains a customer showroom, offices, workshops, support centres and training facilities. The large open-plan areas encourage transparency and interaction between departments. The Xerox complex was completed in late 2011.
Designed by HOK, this futuristic retail complex for Qatar’s mammoth Lusail development contains five interconnected retail ‘islands’ with water running through the centre. Smaller outlying pods will house additional retail, exhibition and entertainment space, such as a skate park and children’s play area. It is aiming for the top ranking in Qatar’s green building index and was recently granted planning permission.
BDP has been appointed by the Public Authority of Housing Welfare to design a landmark cultural centre in Sabah Al Ahmad, a new city for 2,500 people in the Kuwaiti desert. According to the architect, the centre will offer an “inspirational home for a wide range of cultural activities” and includes a gallery, museum, theatre, screening room, conference centre and children’s theatre.
US$1BN TOTAL VALUE OF PROJECT
Architect: Design by Innovation (DBI) Location: Abu Dhabi
AMAF HEADQUARTER BUILDING Architect: Lacasa Location: Dubai
JAMESON HOUSE
2
33,000M
TOTAL GROSS AREA
Architect: Foster + Partners Location: Vancouver, Canada
AL HAMRA TOWER
412M
TOTAL HEIGHT OF THE TOWER
Architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill Location: Kuwait City, Kuwait
Completed in November 2011, this mixed-use project in Abu Dhabi comprises five towers, plus an interconnecting podium, developed by Sheikh Suroor Projects Department (SSPD). It includes the 585-key Jumeirah Etihad Towers Hotel. The project contains three residential buildings, housing 885 apartments, a commercial office tower, a shopping mall, restaurants and cafes and the UAE’s largest banqueting hall.
Lacasa won fi rst prize in a competition design for the headquarters of Islamic foundation, Awqaf & Minority Affairs Foundation (AMAF). Accordingly the design language of the, so far, unrealised project uses Islamic patterns and motifs. Symbolism was used in the materials and their relation to the masses to reflect the entity. Functioning as an office complex, the building designed to provide flexible spaces that can be divided per the tenant’s request.
Jameson House is a new 35-storey mixed-use tower in the Canadian city of Vancouver and includes the fi rst residential development to be completed by Foster + Partners in North America. Finished at the end of last year, the building is already almost fully occupied, according to the architect. The development comprises 11 storeys of offices and shops, topped by 23 storeys of apartments.
Designed by US giant SOM, Al Hamra Tower is a sculpted concrete skyscraper in Kuwait, valued at US$950m. The commercial complex contains offices, a health club, rooftop restaurant and a high-end shopping mall with an IMAX cinema complex and food court. Standing at 412m, it claims numerous heightbased records such as tallest building in Kuwait, tallest ‘sculptural’ tower and tallest stone-clad structure.
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THE WORK | PROJECT UPDATE
ETIHAD TOWERS
PROJECT UPDATE | THE WORK
SARAYA BANDAR JISSAH Architect: GAJ Location: Oman
SIDRA VILLAGE
1,165
Architect: Allies & Morrison Location: Doha, Qatar
NUMBER OF FLATS IN THE VILLAGE
AL MIZHAR VILLA
7M
Architect: AK Design Location: Dubai
COST OF THE VILLA
TOZEUR RESORT Architect: GAJ Location: Tozeur, Tunisia
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Designed by GAJ, Saraya Bandar Jissah is a luxury resort and community nestled within a sheltered bay where mountains meet the Gulf of Oman. Residential units and recreational facilities are located within the valleys while two luxury hotels sit adjacent to the beach. With views of a lagoon system, wadis and mountains, the housing units are oriented to follow the contours and minimise impact on the landscape.
This walled community on the outskirts of Doha will provide 1,165 flats for the nursing staff of the new Sidra hospital, as part of the Education City development. The scheme will contain a small mosque, community and leisure facilities, restaurants and cafes. Developed by Mazaya for enduser Qatar Foundation, Sidra Village is integrated within the existing street pattern.
Designed by UAE-based AK Design, Al Mizhar Villa is a contemporary play on the traditional courtyard houses of the Gulf region. The constraints of the long, narrow site led to the form of two ‘living tubes’ sliding past each other to create a central landscaped courtyard. The northern tube contains family-oriented functions while the bedrooms are housed in the southern tube and accessed via a fully-glazed gallery. Both tubes are anchored by a central living room.
Runner-up in the Hospitality & Leisure category at the 2011 Middle East Architect Awards, this boutique 63-key resort in Tunisia comprises a destination spa, a banqueting and conference centre and a cultural village. Other facilities in GAJ’s Tozeur Resort include local craft studios, retail outlets, restaurants, nightclubs as well as an Arabian Nights outdoor dining experience and an outdoor amphitheatre.
CULTURE | LIKE WANT NEED
LIKE WANT NEED CULTURE
LIGHTING AQUAREA Preciosa Part of lighting fi rm Preciosa’s Lightness collection, the design of the fi xture Aquarea by designer Lucie Sokolova was inspired by jellyfi sh hovering in the ocean. Glass jellyfi sh made of mouth-blown crystal, decorated with optical patterns, bubbles and green lustre contrast sharply with other glass jellyfi sh that are formed from machine-cut chandelier trimmings. It is equipped with three types of light sources, including optical fibres.
BOOK WRITING ABOUT ARCHITECTURE Alexandra Lange This handbook, by Alexandra Lange, is a complete guide to writing effectively and critically about the contemporary city. It uses works by some of the best architecture critics of the 20th century to explain successful methods for approaching architectural criticism. Each chapter opens with a reprint of a historically significant essay, and is organised around specific typologies such as skyscrapers, museums and parks.
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CULTURE | LIKE WANT NEED
ACCESSORIES KOHLER STEREOSTIK StereoStik is an audio product from Kohler that further enhances the bathroom’s role as a relaxing experience. An audio add-on system that is easily installed to existing mirrored cabinets, the StereoStik is designed to work with Kohler’s 26-inch tall, surface-mounted mirrored cabinets. The panel module mounts on either side of the mirrored cabinet, allowing for flexibility in installation and easy access for users. Its features include an AM/FM radio with antenna and an auxiliary input jack with a cable for connecting to an MP3 player.
MATERIAL CRYSTAL TITANIUM Architectural Titanium The finish of Crystal Titanium is an intrinsic part of the metal, not just a surface finish. Developed by Architectural Titanium, it is produced by physically growing the titanium crystals in a controlled vacuum chamber. Through this process, the titanium’s natural crystal structure begins to enlarge and re-orientate.
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100 OBJECTS OF
DESIRE
THE CRYSTAL LIGHT QisDesign 2010
f the makers of the Rubik's Cube teamed up with FIFA to design a lighting fi xture, then they may have come up with something like this. Actually designed by QisDesign, the Crystal Light is an LED fi xture which allows you to assemble the ‘crystals’ into any form you want. Each crystal is connected by a magnet and the light can be changed via remote control. The interactive element is possible thanks to the low temperature of the LED.
BUBBLE CHANDELIER Charles Loomis 2010
8
n amazingly modular fi xture, the Bubble Chandelier by Charles of Paris also has a matching floor lamp and other endless possible adaptations. Composed of stainless steel or silver glass bubbles attached to each other in infinte permutations, it is glamorous and playful, futuristic and art deco. Dress it up or dress it down like another good staple of your wardrobe. The Bubble Chandelier by Charles of Paris is a shimmering lighting fi xture that adds a sense of Parisian chic to any room.
/(' FXEHV IRUP RQH FU\VWDO OLJKW
MARSTON CHANDELIERS Sharon Marston 1997-2011
CORAL LIGHT QisDesign 2010
haron Marston creates dramatic lighting features with fibre optic filaments using material from a range of industries including fine bone china, hand-blown glass and woven polymers. Her London based studio has won international acclaim for its chandeliers and vibrant backdrops and works across a range of industries including art, fashion and product design. She combines traditional techniques with contemporary design with projects from private residences to international large-scale features in the commercial and hospitality sectors.
027
ou don’t need to be in Venice to bring Murano glass to your home. Murano House in London has launched a collection of handles to decorate cabinets, drawers and doors infusing the glass inside the design. There are four types of Murano Scolpisce La Maniglia in colours including amethyst, black silver, black gold, white gold and white silver. They are manufactured by interiors and product designer Simon House and Italian glass designer Simone Piccoli.
036
hey say it's inspired by coral, we say it looks like a bit like a giant dandelion. Either way, this lamp by Qis Design is certainly unique and eye-catching. Thanks to a special light diff usio the light emitted by the LED bulb is evenly distributed on the edge of each diff user. There are six colours to choose from to suit different environments, and the light is available in table, ceiling and floor models.
MURANO HANDLES Simon House and Simone Piccoli 2011
085
088
From lamps to lighting installations, book shelves to balustrades, furniture to floors, and the spaces interior designers create, CID’s One Hundred Objects of Desire is a celebration of all things inspirational. To honour these objects, and celebrate the inspiration they generate, Commercial Interior Design will select the most inspirational 100 for the 2nd annual CID’s One Hundred Objects of Desire. CID’s One Hundred Objects of Desire will be revealed at a private party, held at a local gallery in Dubai on Wednesday 30th May and attended by an invitation-only guest list of interior designers, industrial designers and the purveyors of our objects of desire. Sponsorship and advertising packages are available for a select few, so to find out more contact one of our team today.
SPONSORSHIP ENQUIRIES Teri Clarke, Sales Manager, Tel: +971 4 444 3679, Email: teri.clarke@itp.com EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES Jenny Eagle, Editor, Tel: +971 4 444 3363, Email: jenny.eagle@itp.com
LAST WORD | NIGEL CRADDOCK
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 Devina Divecha Tel: +971 4 444 3502 email: devina.divecha@itp.com ADVERTISING Sales Director, Construction Group Yazan Rahman Tel: +971 4 444 3351 email: yazan.rahman@itp.com Sales Manager Luke Jones Tel: +971 4 444 3715 email: luke.jones@itp.com Business Development Manager, Saudi Arabia Rabih Naderi Tel: +966 1 2068697 email: rabih.naderi@itp.com STUDIO Group Art Editor Daniel Prescott Senior Designer Christopher Howlett
THE BIG PICTURE THE LAST WORD
Nigel Craddock, design manager for Stride Treglown, on regional masterplanning and client education
PHOTOGRAPHY Chief Photographer Jovana Obradovic Senior Photographers Isidora Bojovic, Efraim Evidor Staff Photographers Lester Ali, George Dipin, Juliet Dunne, Murrindie Frew, Lyubov Galushko, Verko Ignjatovic, Shruti Jagdeesh, Stanislav Kuzmin, Mosh Lafuente, Ruel Pableo, Rajesh Raghav PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION Group Production & Distribution Director Kyle Smith Deputy Production Manager Matthew Grant Production Coordinator Nelly Pereira Distribution Manager Karima Ashwell Distribution Executive Nada Al Alami CIRCULATION Head of Database & Circulation Gaurav Gulati MARKETING
There is an obsession with masterplanning in the region
The main disadvantage is that you end up with a piecemeal, half-baked project in the event of cancellations. Urban framework plans offer a more flexible, organic model. Historically there has been an awful lot of mistrust in this market.
Now is the time to build personal relationships between clients and architects. In theory, there should be more time in the planning stage for buildings.
It is not a speculative-driven frenzy like it was. I think we’ve learnt a lot in the last five years.
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 were trying to churn out concept designs in a week-and-a-half for a 50-storey tower, which was absolutely ridiculous.
Now things are more normal, and we should have more time to sit down and educate the client. Clients can employ international architects with global knowledge.
They have the perfect opportunity to get world class buildings.
Subscribe online at www.itp.com/subscriptions Audited by: BPA Worldwide Average Qualified Circulation 5,132 (July – Dec 2011) Cover image Spine Mosque, Palm Jumeirah 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.
I think that legislation will help to create greener buildings in the UAE.
It will put more pressure on architects to innovate and educate the client if they are not aware of simple things, such as exploiting external circulation and passive natural ventilation.
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Published by and © 2012 ITP Business Publishing, a division of the ITP Publishing Group Ltd. Registered in the B.V.I. under Company number 1402846.
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