Big Project ME March 2019

Publication licensed by Dubai Production City

156

MARCH 2019 meconstructionnews.com

THE BUSINESS OF CONSTRUCTION

“there needs to be a cultural shift against stereotypes, changing pre-conceived notions and challenging the status quo”

Ghosson Ghassan alkhaled, deputy ceo of ACICO IndustrIes, on why takinG on the Gender imbalance in construction matters

Contents

Issue 156 March 2019 06

14

16

18

24

32

16 A Greener look at Insulation

32 Off-site construction

04 MEConstructionNews.com OnlIne

The biggest stories from Big Project Middle East’s home on the web

06 Sharjah real estate at $6.12bn

analysIs

Big Project ME speaks with industry experts to understand the benefits of using recycled materials in thermal insulation

The bIg pIcTure

Report finds there were 54,125 real estate transactions last year

18 Ghosson Ghassan Alkhaled In prOfIle

sTeel fraMIng

Ryno Fourie discusses the latest trends in off-site construction in the Middle East

34

cOMMenT

Removing Limitations

Louay Dahmash says that the future is generative design for the construction industry

12 Adnoc sells 35% stake

Big Project ME speaks with the deputy CEO of ACICO Industries about the Kuwaiti construction market and gender inequality in the regional market

36 Top Tenders

14 Oman tourism market review

24 Built to Sterling Standards

40 Constructing a Successful 2019

InTernaTIOnal news

Adnoc forms strategic equity partnerships with Eni and OMV MarkeT repOrT

Cavendish Maxwell analyses the Omani travel and tourism real estate sector for 2018, and what lies ahead in 2019

sITe VIsIT

Big Project ME visits Sterling Towers, Omniyat’s latest twin-tower residential project in Downtown Dubai

Tenders

Big Project ME lists the Middle East’s biggest construction tenders for March 2019 lasT wOrd

Sherief Elabd highlights the technologies that the construction industry should embrace in 2019

March 2019 1

Introduction

Future forward

A

s we move further into 2019, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the regional construction industry is determined to change with the times. Last month, I profiled six leading construction experts about their thoughts for the year ahead, and their views were reinforced by the thoughts shared by our contributors this month.

The key theme that runs through this issue is evolution. Not only do we have advocates for automation and technology preaching early adoption by the industry, but we also have experts extolling the benefits of off-site manufacturing and prefabrication in factories.

All of this points towards an industry that has realised that it can no longer afford inefficiencies and delays, and is determined to rectify the way it goes about its business.

And it’s not a moment too soon, given the challenges looming in the regional construction industry.

This and more is articulated in our In Profile interview this month with Ghosson Ghassan Alkhaled.

In a wide-ranging chat, we discuss how her company is adapting to a Kuwaiti construction market that has begun to realise its potential and is providing several opportunities to home-grown firms willing to embrace the vision of the leadership.

However, most interesting was Alkhaled’s advocacy for a better gender balance within the construction industry. Putting it concisely, she makes a strong business case for having more women construction professionals involved in the sector, both on- and off-site.

2 March 2019

GROUP MANAGING DIRectOR RAZ ISLAM raz.islam@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5471 eDItORIAL DIRectOR VIJAYA CHERIAN vijaya.cherian@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5472 eDItORIAL eDItOR GAVIN DAVIDS gavin.davids@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5480 JUNIOR RePORteR ANGItHA PRADEEP angitha.pradeep@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5479 SUB eDItOR AELRED DOYLE aelred.doyle@cpitrademedia.com ADVeRtISING cOMMeRcIAL DIRectOR JUDE SLANN jude.slann@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5714 DeSIGN ARt DIRectOR SIMON COBON

I would certainly encourage a read of her interview, and I’m personally looking forward to her involvement with the upcoming Women in Construction Summit in May 2019.

That leads me nicely to our upcoming events calendar – in April, we’ll be returning with the VE Summit and it’s already shaping up to be an intriguing discussion.

Make sure that April 9, 2019 is free in your diary, because you’re not going to want to miss this event!

We’ll be discussing a variety of topics, including whether design and build is the future of construction; how technology can impact your costing process; and the benefits of lean operations on your construction site.

For more information, visit www.valueengineeringsummit.com

simon.cobon@cpitrademedia.com DeSIGNeR PERCIVAL MANALAYSAY percival.manalaysay@cpitrademedia.com PHOtOGRAPHY MAkSYM PORIECHkIN MARKetING MARKetING MANAGeR SHEENA SAPSfORD sheena.sapsford@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5498 cIRcULAtION & PRODUctION PRODUctION MANAGeR VIPIN V. VIJAY vipin.vijay@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5713 DIStRIBUtION MANAGeR PHINSON MAtHEW GEORGE phinson.george@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5476 WeB DeVeLOPMeNt MOHAMMAD AWAIS SADIq SIDDIqUI FOUNDeR DOMINIC DE SOUSA (1959-2015) PRINteD BY RASHID PRINtING PRESS LLC PUBLISHeD BY

Licensed by tECOM to registered company, CPI trade Publishing fZ LLC whose registered office is 207 – 209, Building 3, Dubai Studio City, Dubai, UAE

Gavin Davids editor gavin.davids@cpitrademedia.com @MecN_Gavin

www.cpitrademedia.com © Copyright 2019 CPI trade Media. All rights reserved While the publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information in this magazine, they will not be held responsible for any errors therein.

Lacasa.ae

2018 ARCHITECTURAL COMPANY OF THE YEAR A pleasure to be in business.

We have the good fortune to work with several of the nominees for the 2018 Middle East Consultant Awards. It is a privilege to participate in the continuous build that is developing our part of the world. We’re honoured and gratified that the region trusts us to help design well engineered and sustainable structures.

Congratulations to all the nominees, individuals and our colleagues.

Š 2019 LACASA Architects & Engineering Consultants All Rights Reserved

Online

MOST POPULAR

feATURed

ReAdeRS’ COMMeNTS

CONSULTANT

ReCONNeCTING dUbAI

Linesight collaborates on luxury project on The Palm

This article (Reconnecting Dubai) is a reminder of the pace of change within the industry and the region.

Many of our cities here, and Dubai in particular, are barely a few decades old and have grown exponentially; and because of this we are having to think on our feet when it comes to integrating modern city design.

The infrastructure we thought would be futureproof even a decade ago is already in need of a re-think when it comes to accommodating the need for high-density developments and the mobility solutions for citizens that live in them. The success of real estate close to the Metro in Dubai proves that the most successful developments need to be connected to the city beyond the road network. A single, sustainable Dubai (and all our cities) that is greater than the sum of developments must be one of our highest

CONSULTANT

Spain reveals pavilion design for Expo 2020 Dubai

feature: Site Visit – The Waterfront, Oman

CONSULTANT

IMKAN revamping Abu Dhabi park as multi-use space

CONSTRUCTION

India’s Larsen & Toubro wins UAE substation contract

priorities.

MACHINeRY

JCB to showcase generators at Middle East Electricity 4 March 2019

Interview: Rahail Aslam, group CeO, Select Group

Name withheld by request

The Big Picture

Diverse investment opportunities Sharjah has big and diverse investment opportunities available in the emirate, as well as financial facilities offered by banking institutions operating in the private and public sectors, says the director general of the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Directorate.

Sharjah real estate sector valued at $6.12bn Report finds there were 54,125 real estate transactions in emirate last year Sharjah’s real estate sector saw 54,125 transactions valued at $6.12bn in 2018, according to a recently released report by the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Directorate. As reported by WAM, the Directorate said real estate deals signed last year covered more than 4,830,958sqm, while mortgage transactions amounted to $4.05bn.

Abdul Aziz Ahmed Al Shamsi, director-general of the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Directorate, said this growth was down to the “big and diverse” investment opportunities available in the emirate, as well as the financial facilities offered by banks and banking institutions operating in the private and public sectors, while property prices have become more accessible to all types and levels of investors.

Recent government decisions to offer long-term residence visas

of up to 10 years for investors, residents, retirees and those wishing to study in academic institutions have also had a significant impact, Al Shamsi added. “Foreigners in the emirate have also been given the usufruct to enjoy all the advantages and uses in various real estate projects that include residential, commercial and industrial.”

This has remarkably added to the trust of local, Gulf, Arab and foreign investors, he underlined.

“It also opened the door for new investors and developers.”

As many as 3,459 mortgage transactions, worth over $4.05bn, were recorded, Al Shamsi added. “These span 2,114 mortgage transactions, 824 mortgage releases and 521 mortgage add-ons.”

Up to 106 sales transactions were registered in 29 areas over the Central Region, led

by Al Dhaid Agricultural Area, Sohaila Commercial Area, Al Dhaid Commercial Area and Al Madam Commercial Area.

“These four areas represent 40.6% of the total deals sealed in the Central Region – exactly 43 transactions – while the remaining 63 deals were concluded in 25 areas. The Central Region trading volume exceeded $40m last year,” he said.

Khor Fakkan and Dibba Al Hisn witnessed 134 transactions in 20 areas, led by Al Harrai Commercial Area with 28 transactions and Al Harrai Industrial Area with 21 transactions – 45% of the total deals concluded in Khor Fakkan City.

Kalba City came next with 155 transactions in 26 areas, led by the Industrial Area, followed by Al Saf Area and Soor Kalba Commercial Area, representing 47.1% of the city 73 sales deals, while the remaining 82 transactions spanned 23 areas.

54,125 $6.1bn 2,114 Total number of real estate transactions in 2018 6 March 2019

Total value of real estate transactions in 2018

Total number of mortgage transactions in 2018

Residential properties ranked first in terms of sales transactions.

“They accounted for the largest share of the sales transactions by up to 67.7% of the total number of properties, followed by commercial properties which stood at 18.4%, as compared to 11.4% for industrial properties and 2.5% for agricultural properties,” Al Shamsi said.

In terms of built properties, residential apartments came first with 921, followed by residential land with 535 properties, residential built land with 462 properties, and commercial land with 347 properties. Investors from 48 nationalities were involved in the reported real estate transactions in Sharjah in 2018.

“However, GCC nationals top the list with realty investments worth over $5.44bn, as compared to $680.6m for investors from other nationalities,” Al Shamsi explained.

$4.1bn

Total value of mortgage transactions in 2018

DELIVERING EXTRAORDINARY PROJECTS FOR EXTRAORDINARY CLIENTS

Hill International provides program and project management, construction management, cost engineering and estimating, quality assurance, inspection, scheduling, risk management and claims avoidance to clients involved in major construction projects worldwide.

Suite 2104, Marina Plaza, Dubai Marina, PO Box 71467, Dubai, UAE www.hillintl.com

The Big Picture

Dubai Holding launches 550m Burj Jumeirah Project is centrepiece of mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly urban destination Dubai Holding has announced a new 550m-tall tower that will take shape in Al Sufouh. Located close to Sheikh Zayed Road and the Burj Al Arab Hotel, the new Burj Jumeirah will feature homes, hotel units and office space. The tower will also serve as the centrepiece for Downtown Jumeirah, which Dubai Holding describes as a pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use urban destination.

The project was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

He reviewed plans for the tower and surrounding area and said that both are a “continuation of Dubai’s vision for becoming a city of the future, distinguished by its intelligent design and cohesive infrastructure and network”.

Inspired by nature The tower’s flowing design is inspired by the regional dunes and oases of the UAE, while the spherical observation deck is evocative of the native Gulf pearl.

8 March 2019

“The entire Downtown Jumeirah area, and Burj Jumeirah specifically, are distinctive projects that focus on providing an unparalleled experience to both visitors and residents. It will not only serve the needs of residents who are looking to live in cohesive and connected communities, but will also enhance Dubai’s tourism offering by adding another icon to the emirate’s portfolio of unique attractions,” said Abdulla Al Habbai, chairman of Dubai Holding.

The project is expected to create a comprehensive and vibrant community that will cater to the various lifestyles of its residents and become a new focal point and landmark for Dubai, drawing in both residents and tourists alike, the developer said. The tower’s façade will be

covered with digital displays that can be used for occasions and celebrations, while the base of the tower is said to be designed in the outline of Sheikh Mohammed’s fingerprint.

Architect Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) released details of the project, which will begin construction immediately and is expected to complete its first phase in 2023. The firm, which is providing both architectural and structural services, says features of the tower will include upper storeys offering worldclass dining, active programming and multiple observation decks with 360-degree views of the surrounding city.

The reflecting pool at the base of the tower can be reconfigured into a staging structure to host cultural events.

A new retail destination is also being built on the periphery of the central structure.

SOM’s New York office led a collaborative approach that created Burj Jumeirah’s unique branching, bifurcated shape, and the firm says the geometry of the exterior bracing is optimised to strengthen the tower against lateral forces, with the building’s form aerodynamically mitigating wind loads.

The building’s panellised metal facade system is intended to seamlessly blend into the structural system, with a central void creating the space for panoramic views. The tower’s flowing design is inspired by the regional dunes and oases of the UAE, “while its spherical observation deck is evocative of the native Gulf pearl”.

“It will not only serve the needs of residents who are looking to live in cohesive and connected communities, but will also enhance Dubai’s tourism offering by adding another icon to the emirate”

DELIVERING EXTRAORDINARY PROJECTS FOR EXTRAORDINARY CLIENTS

Hill International provides program and project management, construction management, cost engineering and estimating, quality assurance, inspection, scheduling, risk management and claims avoidance to clients involved in major construction projects worldwide.

Suite 2104, Marina Plaza, Dubai Marina, PO Box 71467, Dubai, UAE www.hillintl.com

The Big Picture

Expanding outwards Emirati investors will continue to expand out of their slowing home market and will look to take advantage of growth potential in Saudi Arabia and increased ties with Africa, China, India, Russia and Latin America.

Regulation changes to boost PPP projects

Emirati investors eye growing KSA, Africa, China, India and Russian markets

C

M

Y

The introduction of new regulations such as the publicprivate partnership (PPP) law in Saudi Arabia will see an increased number of PPP projects get off the ground in the region, with a growing focus on renewables, transportation, education and healthcare.

The impact of key market regulations will become clearer as they are approved and implemented, said Hogan Lovells in its Investment Outlook 2019 Report: Economic Trends and Corporate Transactions in the GCC. Oman is likely to have a new PPP law, while the UAE is expected to see new foreign investment laws as well, it added.

In this year’s report, aside from examining trends for capital markets, privatisation and PPPs, Hogan Lovells also examined

the prospects for foreign direct investment (FDI), growing trade and investment ties with Africa and China, and the Gulf region’s emergence as Silicon Valley’s leading venture investor.

The report also pointed out that Emirati investors will continue to expand out of their slowing home market and will look to take advantage of growth potential in Saudi Arabia and increased ties with Africa, China, India, Russia and Latin America.

Furthermore, sovereign wealth funds like Mubadala and Saudi’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) are likely to expand their investment in global ventures, increasingly financed by loans.

Hogan Lovells said the macroeconomic picture in the GCC had improved significantly across the region over the

previous 12 months. Increased oil production and a more benign fiscal environment has translated into improved GDP growth, the report explained.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE returned to fiscal surpluses in 2018, and Oman’s deficit narrowed very sharply. Bahrain pulled back from crisis after receiving support from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait.

However, there are challenges in 2018 that could transition over to 2019, it points out, adding that GDP growth has not yet delivered a better environment for the private sector.

“Also, the low-hanging fruit has gone, hindering the high growth rates we have become used to. The global and regional framework grows ever more challenging and harder to navigate. There are also key opportunities shaping

Gulf markets this year, including growing trade and investment ties. With the US becoming a less predictable partner, Gulf countries are making efforts to develop ties in new markets,” the report pointed out.

In Saudi Arabia, a number of privatisation deals currently in the pipeline are likely to be completed in 2019, and sovereign wealth funds are investing in global ventures.

“The major opportunities shaping Gulf markets include the UAE’s strong position as a gateway for investment into Africa, besides the transformation in China’s relations with the Gulf over the past year, and Brexit, while causing financial markets to suffer, could be seen as an opportunity for GCC nations to strike mutually beneficial trade deals directly with the UK,” it stated.

“The low-hanging fruit has gone, hindering the high growth rates we have become used to. The global and regional framework grows ever more challenging and harder to navigate” 10 March 2019

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

The Big Picture

$2.7bn Turner Construction generated $2.7bn in revenue in healthcare construction in the US in 2018, making it the highest- earning contractor in the sector

1. Italy’s EnI and austrIa’s OMV tO haVE 35% Of adnOc rEfInIng busInEss Adnoc has announced strategic equity partnerships and a new joint trading venture with Eni and OMV, giving the former a 20% and the latter a 15% stake in the company, which is valued at $19.3bn.

Adnoc will retain the 65% stake in the company for now, but could be “open to selling another 5-10% of its shares in another competitive bidding process”, Adnoc CEO Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber was reported as saying.

A statement from Adnoc said that, supported by Adnoc’s high cash flow generation capacity, the three partners have committed to substantial growth plans for the short to mid-term. They have also agreed to a comprehensive capital allocation framework to achieve self-funded growth, paired with an attractive dividend policy.

“These agreements consolidate our strong partnership with ADNOC,” said Claudio Descalzi, CEO of Eni. “This transaction, which allows us to enter the United Arab Emirates’ downstream sector and represents a 35% increase in Eni’s global refining capacity, is in line with our announced strategy.”

12 March 2019

716MW

Italy’s Enel SpA has commenced construction of a 716MW wind power complex in Brazil’s northeastern state of Piaui

2. saudI JOrdanIan InVEstMEnt fund sIgns $705M raIl nEtwOrk dEal The Saudi Jordanian Investment Fund (SJIF) said it has signed an agreement with Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (Aseza) to develop a rail network at an investment of $705.2m, to connect Aqaba’s seaports to a dry port

in the Ma’an region, forming the first phase of Jordan’s national railway network.

Work includes construction of a new railway line inside the city of Aqaba to connect the southern seaport and container terminal with the existing line and renovate the existing railway line connecting Aqaba to Ma’an.

Scope of work also includes procurement of

new rolling stock, wagons and other equipment, and constructing a dry port in Ma’an on 4m sqm of land.

The railway will eventually operate along a 195km rail track and will transport cargo and containers to and from the Aqaba Special Economic Zone, as well as phosphate from the mines in Shidiya to Aqaba for export.

1

The Big Picture

72m

India’s construction industry is set to become the country’s largest employer by 2022, with 72 million employees 2

4. gE pOwEr and Iraq MInIstry Of ElEctrIcIty launch 1,000Mw substatIOn GE Power, in partnership with the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity, has launched a substation adding 1,000MW to the country’s national grid. The Baghdad West North Substation is 35km

4

from the city and can reduce

3

bottlenecks and increase hours of available power.

The project is said

2021

to underline GE Power and the Ministry of Electricity’s commitment

Construction work on the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund has started in Rwanda, with completion scheduled for early 2021

to the development of Iraq’s power infrastructure.

According to a statement, GE’s scope of work in the turnkey 400/132/11kV gas insulated substation project included design, equipment manufacturing, site delivery, erection, testing and commissioning, and training of personnel. GE said the new substation can feed 132kV substations at Kadhmiya, Al Shualla and Al Sabbeaat, in addition to five new substations that could go into development in the future.

The 1,000MW substation will also help connect power from the Basmaya Power Plant, Taji Gas Power Plant and other gas power plants

3. Egypt’s bEnban sOlar park starts cOMMErcIal OpEratIOn Of $68.6M aEEs1 prOJEct Renewable energy producer Alcazar Energy has announced the completion and commencement of commercial operation of its Alcazar Energy Egypt Solar 1 (AEES1) Photo Voltaic project in Benban

Solar Park in Aswan, Egypt.

AEES1 is one of four projects being developed by the energy producer in Benban, each with a capacity of 64MWp (for a total of 256MWp), part of the Nubian Suns development scheme led by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in unison with the World Bank, the Multilateral Investment

Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and the government of Egypt.

AEES1’s project cost is estimated at $68.6m, the energy producer said It will be financed by loans from IFC, lead arranger Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the African Development Bank Group and the CDC Group, and equity from Alcazar Energy.

to the national grid.

March 2019 13

Market Report

OMAn trAvel And tOurisM MArket review Cavendish Maxwell analyses the performance of the Omani travel and tourism real estate sector in 2018, and what lies ahead in 2019

The travel and tourism sector’s contribution to Oman’s GDP is forecast to increase to $8.67bn over the next nine years, representing 8.9% of GDP in 2028, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

According to the National Centre For Statistics and Information (NCSI), the total number of inbound visitors to Oman grew from 1.9m in 2013 to 3.3m in 2017, a compound

annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.1%, while outbound visitors grew at a CAGR of 10.3% during the same period.

As of November 2018, GCC nationals accounted for 45.3% of visitors, followed

by Asians and Europeans at 21.8% and 20% respectively.

In recent years, Oman has taken steps to boost international tourist arrivals by relaxing its visa restrictions for more

nationalities. In October 2017, more nations were added to the list of countries whose citizens qualify for unsponsored e-visas to visit the country for tourism.

Indians and Russians joined 25 other nationalities who are now eligible to travel to Oman, as long as their passport is valid for six months.

Visitors can now also spend up to one month in Oman, as opposed to the prior three-week

limitation, as a result of new regulations issued in 2017 on one-year multiple-entry visas.

The one-month visa is more expensive than the 10-day visa, and the new regulation is expected to have a positive impact on the market, as tourists often want to spend more time in the country.

The new Muscat International Airport opened to the public in March 2018, with an initial annual

“Between 2017 and 2018, the number of GCC nationals who own real estate in Oman increased by 15.3%” 14 March 2019

Market Report

Key ITC developments in Oman Al Nakheel Beach Resort

500,000sqm

Muscat Bay

Al Mouj Muscat

Omagine

2,200,000sqm

500,000sqm

1,000,000sqm

Barr Al Jissah

450,000sqm

Muscat Hills

Naseem A’sabah

undisclosed

400,000sqm

Jebel Sifah

6,247,752sqm Note: Key ITC developments not represented here include Janout Resort in Shlen and Hallaniyat Island (1,000,874sqm), Salalah Beach Resort in Taqah (12,000,000sqm), Ras al Hadd in Sur (1,971,823sqm) and Quriyat Integrated Project in Quriyat (1,282,300sqm)

capacity of 20m passengers.

As part of the tourism strategy, the Omani government aims to increase the passenger flow of national carrier Oman Air to 39m by 2030.

In 2005, the first Integrated Tourism Complex (ITC) was launched in Oman with the aim of reducing the country’s reliance on oil and diversifying the economy.

Under the ITC umbrella, the real estate sector opened up to investment from expatriates, constituting 43.7% of Oman’s population in 2018.

ITCs are freehold mixeduse developments featuring different asset classes including residential, hospitality, retail, leisure and office.

The government grants developers a usufruct right

over the development site and once it is complete, the developer is authorised to dispose of the residential units to third-party purchasers, including non-GCC nationals.

Under current laws, expatriate owners automatically get residency rights for themselves and their immediate families when they buy property in designated ITC developments.

Oman hotel guests, January - November 2018 Omani

World ranking (out of 185 countries) Potential for tourism growth

Non-Omani

28

1,000,000 800,000 600,000 400,000

Growth 2018 forecast

200,000 2017

Between 2017 and 2018, the number of GCC nationals who own real estate in Oman increased by 15.3%.

This increase has multiple causes, including high returns on real estate investment compared to other GCC countries, and the desire to own holiday homes in popular tourist spots like Salalah, Masirah Island and eastern coastal towns in the Sultanate.

2018

18

Long-term growth 2018-2028 forecast

Sources: NCSI, WTTC, Cavendish Maxwell

Inbound tourists in Oman by nationality, 2013-2018 GCC

Other Arabs

Asians

Europeans

Other

4,000,000 3,000,000 2,000,000 1,000,000 2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

March 2019 15

Analysis

A Greener Look At InsuLAtIon Big Project speaks to experts in the industry to understand the long-term benefits of using recycled materials, and what it means to have sustainable construction technology in thermal insulation Green building standards vary as the world’s urban population increases, and the built environment is continuously being designed to use less energy and improve the overall quality of life. Improved insulation plays a major role in improving indoor air quality, as well as increasing energy efficiency by reducing the amount of air that escapes.

Insulators can be simply described as wall filters that prevent heat gain or loss through the building envelope, 16 March 2019

to reduce energy consumption.

Green insulation is therefore sustainable construction technology that eliminates the need for expensive and highlyfinished materials by making use of recycled items, such as denim and newspaper, to line walls.

“The use of energy conservation is economically attractive and one of the ways to conserve energy is through the use of quality thermal insulation materials in buildings.” says Miro Donabedian, GM at Technical

Supplies & Services. “Ecofriendly insulation has zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and lower global warming potential (GWP) than regular insulations.”

He explains that with a low GWP, widespread adoption of eco-friendly insulation could save about 60m metric tons per year of carbon dioxide equivalent, comparable to eliminating carbon dioxide emissions from more than 11.8m cars every year.

“When selecting an insulation material, the most important

environmental consideration is its performance and suitability for application,” says Ujjwal Goel, managing director of Teraciel Engineering and Contracting. “Second to this is the environmental impact of the insulating material’s manufacture and disposal. Some insulation materials are made from almost entirely non-toxic, abundant or renewable materials, while others are made from limited petroleum resources and are difficult or impossible to recycle.”

Analysis

Donabedian says local building codes are evolving with a focus on insulation, recognising the need to improve sustainability.

“Considering energy conservation as a critical issue, authorities in the UAE and Saudi Arabia have made it mandatory to insulate all the new construction.”

Abey Boban, divisional manager for Sustainability at Nael General Contracting Group, echoes this sentiment. He believes the market is adapting to new trends, and that the insulation

materials on the market are on a par with the rest of the world.

“One example is the wall spray insulating mortar, and another is the stone wool. The wall spray insulating mortar is easy to apply, avoids thermal bridges, is weatherproof, highly durable and has good thermal conductivity and better acoustic performance; meanwhile, the stone wool brings substantial benefits in terms of fire protection. It is a non-combustible material that doesn’t generate smoke or burning droplets and, in some instances, can withstand up to two hours of fire damage.”

Jon Lee, head of Acoustics and project manager of Cundall Dubai, says, “In terms of green insulation, the Middle East is still playing catch-up with more developed regions like Europe and the US, and in these regions the use of extremely sustainable materials like sheep’s wool, hemp or cotton (recycled jeans) is becoming more widespread in the insulation market.”

Cundall recently refurbished its Dubai office to the WELL Building Standard, a performancebased system for measuring, certifying and monitoring features of the built environment that affect human health and wellbeing, according to the US Green Building Council (USGBC). Lee explains that the firm used a combination of wood, plastic and cardboard to achieve the desired look while maintaining a sustainable ethos.

“The climate of the UAE is among the most challenging in the world when it comes to implementing sustainable building solutions, yet the UAE was named among the top 10 markets for green building space,” says Goel.

UAE is a flag-bearer when it comes to building sustainability, and recycled materials are given top priority. In this context, Goel explains that Estidama in

Playin g catch -up Jon Lee of Cundall says the Middle East is still playing catch -up with more develo ped regions when it comes to the use of green insulation.

“The Middle East is still playing catch-up with more developed regions like Europe and the US, and in these regions the use of extremely sustainable materials like sheep’s wool, hemp or cotton (recycled jeans) is becoming more widespread” Abu Dhabi regulates the design, construction and operation of buildings through phased approvals, led by the Urban Planning Council (UPC). Estidama also uses an assessment scale called the Pearl Rating System to drive and determinine sustainable development by reducing a building’s load from heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, and lighting.

Donabedian explains that for new buildings, recycled content must account for the

required percentages of the total volume of materials used in its construction. “As per the Al-Sa’fat Rating System used

by Dubai, recycled content and sustainable products (paints, sealants, etc) must account for 5% for silver, 10% for gold and 15% for platinum ratings.”

According to Goel, the most popular methods of green insulation used in buildings include cellulose, cotton, foam insulation and mineral wool.

“Whether the insulation is made from shredded denim, hemp or sheep’s wool, alternative insulation can not only help the environment, but save money too,” he notes.

He also points out that recycling is even possible in cooling equipment, specifically by using recycled water. “Using highly treated recycled water for non-potable purposes is an effective way to reduce the demand for precious fresh-water resources. It is also a recognised green building practice.”

Lee gives a similar example, citing Cundall’s refurbished office in Dubai, which he says is highly innovative. “The ductwork for the office has been manufactured from cardboard, which is a more sustainable solution than regular ducting, and this has only been done once before in Dubai.”

Goel summarises: “In conclusion, in terms of performance, eco-friendly insulation works just as effectively as regular insulation and the best way to quantify how well insulation works is by its R-value.

Buildings should be insulated with enough material to achieve an R-value between R-30 and R-60. That means if the type of insulation selected has an R-value between R-3 and R-4 per inch, there should be at least 10 inches of the material to achieve an R-value of R-30.”

March 2019 17

In Profile

18 March 2019

In Profile

“Not oNly do we Need to eNcourage youNg womeN to pursue their careers beyoNd the uNiversity level, we Need to provide them with the tools to help them do just that�

Big Project ME talks to Ghosson Ghassan Alkhaled, deputy CEO of ACICO Industries, about the outlook for the Kuwaiti construction market and the urgent need to correct the gender imbalance in the regional construction industry March 2019 19

In Profile

i

n the summer of 2018, it was estimated that Kuwait had 709 active projects, with approximately 58% of them under construction, according to data from the BNC Network. In comparison, the GCC has approximately 18,855 active construction projects, with a combined estimated value of $2.3tn. As such, Kuwait has the lowest number of active projects in the region, constituting only 4% of the total.

However, while Kuwait’s project investments are relatively small, the combined estimated value of construction projects in the Gulf state – $230.4bn ¬– is around 10% that of all construction projects in the GCC. While this can be attributed to a number of high-value projects in the country, the consensus is that the Kuwaiti construction market is performing well despite the backdrop of an economic slowdown in the region.

This is likely to continue, with 2019 seeing a raft of newly announced projects announced in the country, which is set to add to the pipeline of project investments.

According to a report by local Arabic-language newspaper Al Nahar in February 2018, Kuwait is set to launch 20 major development projects worth $71.6bn this year.

These will include a railway network project and a waste management plant, all part of the country’s 2018-2019 development plan. The massive hydrocarbons sector has the lion’s share with a total value of $39.1bn, nearly 50% of the total amount spent. The transport sector is expected to be the second-biggest beneficiary, 20 March 2019

capitalising on the boom ACICO Group is ideally positioned to take advantage of the opportunities available in Kuwait’s burgeoning real estate and construction market, thanks to its range of offerings and services.

with five projects worth a total value of $14.77bn, including the expansion of Kuwait’s international airport, the report added.

As part of the senior management of a locally-based construction services company, this surge in construction activity and investment in Kuwait is something Ghosson Ghassan Alkhaled has seen first-hand. As deputy CEO of ACICO Industries, she is responsible for operations across all sectors, companies and group subsidiaries in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, the UK, the Netherlands and South Africa.

Having begun her career as an industrial engineer in the industrial sector of the group in 2002, she has made her way up at the company, which was founded by her father.

In that time, Alkhaled has seen numerous changes take place across the Kuwaiti construction market, and for her, 2018 was certainly a year that stood out.

“Overall, 2018 was quite an interesting year for us. It was challenging in many ways, but at

“I do believe that the national focus needs to be redirected to infrastructure and construction, for both private and public entities.

In my opinion, more importance should be placed on successfully establishing private-public partnership models”

the same time, it yielded a lot of strategic growth for the group.

Although we saw some difficulties in regional real estate markets, such as Dubai, at the end we were successful in streamlining our operations in a way that mitigated any negative impact. That enabled us to map out a clear route for sustained future growth for the whole group,” she explains during an interview with Big Project ME. “That being said, our core businesses have continued to flourish and grow, especially in the Kuwait market. The industrial and construction sectors in Kuwait have been experiencing quite the boom as of late, and that has resulted in plenty of opportunities for us, both in 2018 and beyond.”

It is not surprising then that Alkhaled declares that the ACICO Group is ideally positioned to capitalise on this boom, with several new projects in the pipeline and government investment in both the construction and industrial sectors promising a very positive outlook for the market.

“This is why, despite our continued presence and operations across the GCC, this year we are focusing first and foremost on the Kuwait market,” she says. “We firmly believe that the market in Kuwait has only just scratched the surface of what it has to offer in terms of opportunities for growth and development.

Therefore, this year we are focusing on investing our efforts and resources in growing our core businesses across the local market.

“We believe that there are plenty of opportunities ahead, but in order to reap the benefits of these opportunities, we will continue to focus on enhancing our operational efficiency, building effective relationships and placing our stakeholders at the core of everything we do.

“Technology and innovation will also play a key role in improving

long-term goals Kuwait’s government has set out long-term goals that are playing their part in stimulating activity in the construction sector, Alkhaled says.

our business and enabling us to find better and more efficient ways of working. I am proud to say that ACICO Group has already taken a proactive approach in offering environmentally friendly, efficient and sustainable solutions, incorporating green technologies throughout the construction process.”

She points out that the Kuwaiti government has set long-term goals that are playing their part in stimulating construction activity.

“The construction sector will also enjoy a boom as a result

of investments in sectors such as tourism and real estate. The government is also preparing for and undergoing several transport infrastructure projects, which are designed to encourage increased business and tourism flows as part of efforts to diversify the economy,” she explains.

“On the technical side, nowadays there is more implementation and application of manufacturing technology and best practices that are helping construction companies drive successful and sustainable results. Although the

construction industry often lags other sectors in adopting digital tools, infusing digital technology and advanced automation can transform the industry and lead to greater efficiency. However, merely employing technology will not solve the problem.

There needs to be a fundamental culture change and buy-in to embrace these digital solutions.”

Looking at the wider GCC market, Alkhaled says that while the construction industry has faced several challenges over the last two years, she believes there has

In Profile

been noticeable improvement as well. Despite issues around delayed payments, less than favourable contract conditions and ongoing challenges with falling oil prices, she asserts that the sector seems to be weathering the storm quite well, with a significant number of new projects on the ground, and more in the pipeline, across the region.

Returning to Kuwait, she is keen to point out that many significant steps have been taken to improve the current market situation and build upon the gains of the last year.

“Kuwait has laid down a lot of the groundwork to allow for major development within the sector, from regulatory changes to streamlined financing facilities.

We are seeing plenty of positive change across the board,” Alkhaled says. “[However], I do believe that the national focus needs to be redirected to infrastructure and construction, for both private and public entities. In my opinion, more importance should be placed on successfully establishing privatepublic partnership models. We also need to change our mindset in the industry, bringing in more of a collaborative, sustainable approach to government projects.

applying technology ACICO Groupapplies and implements some of the latest manufacturing technologies and practices in its facilities as part of its drive for successful and sustainable results.

March 2019 21

In Profile

“Although we saw some difficulties in regional real estate markets, at the end we were successful in streamlining our operations in a way that mitigated any negative impact. That enabled us to map out a clear route for sustained future growth for the whole group”

strategic growth Despite several challenges, 2018 provided ACICO Group with the opportunity to strategically grow and streamline its operations in key markets, says Alkhaled.

“Additionally, in order to improve efficiency in the sector, we need to change our approach to attracting and retaining the right calibre of talent. Change cannot be achieved without investing in our workforce. More technical training programmes can equip a workforce that is currently under-developed. This will in turn generate more jobs and create longterm investment opportunities for the country as a whole,” she asserts.

This brings her to a topic especially close to her heart – the improvement of the gender

balance in the regional construction industry. As one of the few women in a senior management position, Alkhaled is ideally positioned to be an advocate for change within the GCC construction sector.

“Traditionally, men have in fact dominated the sector. However, I do believe that diversification is not only possible, but needed. There are several reasons behind this existing imbalance, including the stigma usually associated with skilled trades, the perception that there are fewer career opportunities for women in construction and that

National focus There needs to be a national focus on infrastructure and construction in Kuwait, for both private and public entities, Alkhaled asserts.

22 March 2019

the sector is perceived as being inalterably dominated by men.

“That is why there needs to be a cultural shift against stereotypes at work in the construction sector, changing pre-conceived notions and challenging the status quo. Education is a big part of this, both on an academic and social level,” she stresses.

“Here’s a fact for you: despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of engineering graduates in Kuwait are female, a minuscule percentage of them actually end up pursuing careers in the industry.

That is mainly because socially they are encouraged to pursue less demanding careers, if at all.

“Moreover, more often than not, none of these female students are provided with a clear path towards starting and pursuing their careers. Not only do we need to encourage these young women to pursue their careers beyond the university level, we need to provide them with the tools to help them do just that – be that through mentorship, internship, post-grad training, work benefits and much more,” Alkhaled emphasises.

She adds that having representation at senior levels is also key, as it provides young females with role models and opportunities for mentorship, as

In Profile

having more women onboard not only encourages more women to join the industry, but is also good for business, as it provides a greater range of perspectives and improves collaborative teamwork.

In addition, women in senior positions are more likely to recognise other women for their skills and accomplishments, she adds.

“Diverse teams have proven time and time again to be better performing and more innovative, often showing improved retention rates and better employee satisfaction. That being said, gender equality will not only improve the sector but the economy as a whole. However, the issue should be about quality – being the right person for the job.”

In order to achieve this, Alkhaled says attempts to correct the gender imbalance should

raising awareness Ghosson Ghassan Alkhaled is a passionate advocate for increasing the gender diversity of the construction industry in the region, highlighting that diverse teams often achieve better results and performances on projects.

start at the grassroots level, with schools and universities providing counselling and training opportunities targeted at both genders, without discrimination.

This will not only increase youth participation by encouraging interest from an early age, but will also help attract female students.

“As with any sector, youth are required to have experience to succeed in the job market and often struggle to get a foot in the door.

Accordingly, we should provide them with the necessary job skills and hands-on experience through internships and work placements.

We need to raise awareness of the importance of this sector on a national scale, and its contribution to the overall economy and national development – thereby closing the gap in public perception of the reality of working in construction, making it a viable career choice.”

Tafawuq provides technology driven integrated facilities management solutions to a wide range of clients in various sectors focusing on residential, commercial and mixed use communities.

800 839 |

www.tafawuq.ae

Driving Asset Management Forward

March 2019 23

Site Visit

Built to Sterling StandardS Big Project ME profiles The Sterling, Omniyat’s twin-tower residential project in the Downtown Dubai area

24 March 2019

Site Visit

March 2019 25

Site Visit

t

he Downtown Dubai area has long been known as a hotspot for architectural design and engineering – not just regionally, but around the world as well.

Dominated by the towering Burj Khalifa, the buildings in the area are not just symbols of Dubai’s towering ambitions, but also serve as examples of the ingenuity and creativity of some of the brightest minds in the global architecture, design and engineering communities.

Therefore, if a developer is to launch a project in this neighbourhood, it had better be ready to bring its A-game. And perhaps no developer understands this better than Omniyat, which has several projects in and around the area, including the distinctive Opus in Business Bay and the striking Pad in Downtown Dubai.

Adding to the portfolio is the upcoming The Sterling development, opposite Dubai Mall and near the Dubai Canal.

A twin-tower residential project with 385 residential units on offer, along with retail spaces, the development aims to provide its residents with a sense of community in Downtown Dubai, with the canal promenade and community gardens on their doorstep, Omniyat says.

STaTS: Project name: Sterling Towers Project developer: Omniyat Project Value: $272 million number of Units: 385

“Omniyat is highly focused on creating masterpieces in vantage locations within master communities in Dubai,” says Peter Stephenson, executive director of Property Development and senior project director at Omniyat.

“For The Sterling, the vision was to encapsulate bespoke luxury living in a vibrant location. A great advantage was the Burj Khalifa views and the downtown location, along with the proximity to the Dubai Canal, where residents are within walking distance to great built and natural amenities. In addition, the project offers great links to Dubai’s major arterial roads, which means convenient access in and out of the area.

“All our projects are unique in character, design and execution. The Sterling caters

Community living Residents at The Sterling will have a sense of community in Downtown Dubai, with the development having the canal promenade and community gardens on its doorstep.

“The Sterling caters to our specific clientele, who value quality, craftsmanship and our attention to detail” 26 March 2019

Site Visit

Shared resources Because the two towers are being built concurrently, the construction teams on each tower are able to share resources, materials and equipment if necessary.

to our specific clientele, who value quality, craftsmanship and our attention to detail,” he adds. “Omniyat is focused on bringing the very best of living experiences for the residents of our projects. The Sterling has a home automation system that is primed and ready for any user’s demands. Features like light settings, curtains and turning on the air conditioning while the homeowner is on the way home from work, through to seamless Wi-Fi throughout the buildings, are just a small part of a system that is capable of being specifically tailored by any resident.”

Omniyat adds that the two towers come pre-wired so that residents have easy internet connectivity, while the apartments are also designed to incorporate smart living concepts. Stephenson explains that the system was easily integrated during the construction process, as it was originally designed to be installed into finished buildings that wanted to upgrade to home automation. As such, the entire system operates wirelessly, with the only thing behind the wall being a back-box behind the unit’s main touchscreen.

Known as East and West House, each tower offers a range of unit sizes, from studios of 49sqm to one-bedrooms of 9296.3sqm. The penthouse units

are 367.5-524.1sqm, while the two-bedroom and three-bedroom units max out at 159.7sqm and 235sqm respectively.

Each tower will have dedicated amenities and each unit will have high-quality finishes and materials, including marble flooring and walls, bespoke crafted and fitted wardrobes, and walk-in closets, he adds.

Furthermore, Stephenson points out that the Dubai Mall is a five-minute walk away for residents, while Dubai International Airport is a 15-minute drive away. In

addition, the location offers easy access to Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road and Emirates Road, a factor that was important to the smooth construction progress.

Work on The Sterling began in 2017, with Sun Engineering and Contracting Company appointed as the main contractor.

Stephenson confirms that the project is expected to be completed on schedule by Q2 2020 and explains that by constructing the two towers together, the development team was able to achieve greater efficiencies on-site.

“The team has been able to take advantage of shared resources between each project, leading to greater efficiencies in the construction methodology, especially with both projects now reaching significant milestones in terms of structural completion for each tower,” he highlights, adding that it actually works in the construction team’s favour to have one tower slightly behind the other in terms of construction progress. This allows the team to switch around work cycles and ensure that workers on-site are continuously kept busy and occupied, with the two towers sharing resources to ensure that there are no significant delays or shortfalls.

Omniyat says the workforce currently operates in two shifts, with the morning shift starting at around 5:30am and the night shift at around 4pm. Workers are transported to the site by bus early in the morning, before there is significant traffic build-up, but there are fewer restrictions on the movement of materials into the site due to its location, which

Smart homes All the apartment units come pre-wired so that residents have easy internet connectivity, while they have also been designed to incorporate smart living concepts.

March 2019 27

Site Visit

Built to specification The furnishings in the apartment units are designed, manufactured and assembled in supplier factories in Italy and Germany before being shipped to Dubai.

has direct access to Emirates Road and Al Khail Road.

“We work with reputable contractors and subcontractors who ensure that the highest standards are met in the region with regard to staff management and transport,” adds Stephenson.

For waste management on-site, he explains that Omniyat has put in place directives to ensure that sustainable practices are followed by the workforce. “Separate waste skips for biodegradable waste are provided on-site and disposed of once in two days. For the floor marble cutting waste, this is segregated and disposed of separately, as it will be recycled and used in the mosaic industry.”

In addition, measures have been put in place to ensure that noise and pollution levels are managed on-site so as not to disturb neighbouring buildings or fall foul of Dubai Municipality regulations. During the night shift, workers are not allowed to do any work that creates noise, so most night-time operations take place inside the apartments, with the teams doing things like tiling, kitchen work or even cleaning the site.

“We water access roads regularly, as well as construction areas, for dust control. In addition, closed waste chutes are provided to reduce dust generation.

RCC elements are plastered 28 March 2019

“The team has been able to take advantage of shared resources between each project, leading to greater efficiencies in the construction”

(at additional cost) instead of fair facing, so as to avoid dust generation as well,” Stephen says, adding that pest control measures were initiated quite early on during the construction process.

“Sanitation facilities are also provided on alternate floors, with biodegradable waste segregated and disposed of regularly, so as to avoid mosquito breeding.”

HSE is also an important consideration for the developer, with Stephenson pointing out that daily tool box talks are held to improve the awareness of construction staff, and to

Working with reputable stakeholders Stephenson says Omniyat was careful to work with contractors and subcontractors who ensured that the highest standards were met and maintained.

extol the benefits of personal protective equipment.

“Construction rest areas are also provided on-site, while sanitation facilities are provided at multiple locations and levels on-site. In addition, rehydration liquids are provided and distributed free of cost during hot working days, while there is forced ventilation for all work in space-restricted areas.”

When it came to the planning and design stages of the project, Stephenson says all Dubai Municipality standard requirements were met, even

Site Visit

assembled off-site The window frames are prefabricated at the factory and then shipped to the construction site, where they are then installed in a smooth and quick operation.

Contractors Golf Day 26 March 2019

Trump InTernaTIonal Golf Course, DubaI, uae

Consultants Golf Day 28 March 2019

Trump InTernaTIonal Golf Course, DubaI, uae

“Omniyat is focused on bringing the very best of living experiences for the residents of our projects” though BIM was not used extensively on the project.

Instead, the construction team relied upon shop drawings and schematic designs, with the latter drawn up by a council of architects and consultants before being handed over to the main contractor and subcontractors.

They then took the schematic designs and turned them into shop drawings, which were then used to build the project.

He adds that the developer uses off-site manufacturing to a considerable extent, with furniture in the apartment units designed, manufactured and assembled in Italy and Germany. These items are then installed on-site.

A similar process is also followed on-site for the ducting systems, with preinsulated ducts used instead of GI + insulation ducts.

Furthermore, the towers’ window frames also come prefabricated from the factory, thereby removing the requirement to assemble them on-site. Instead, all the frames are installed first, and the glass is put into place afterwards.

Finally, Omniyat says that while there isn’t a formal greenstar rating for the project, the construction and development team has worked on the project in as sustainable a manner as possible. It highlights that all the concrete mixes used on the project are environmentally friendly, while it has mandated the use of chemicals that don’t harm the environment. Furthermore, it has installed specific concrete washer tanks on-site to ensure that no dirty or contaminated water washes out into the street or into surrounding areas, it concludes.

Contact Us Sponsorship Jude slann

+971 4 375 5714 | jude.slann@cpitrademedia.com

Marketing sheena sapsford

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© 2019 CPI Trade Media. All rights reserved.

March 2019 29

Steel Framing

Ryno Fourie

IS OFF-SITE CONSTRUCTION SET TO TAKE OFF IN THE REGION?

Ryno Fourie, sales manager at Hadley Group, Dubai, gives an overview of the latest trends in the use of light gauge steel profiles in the construction process and its application in local markets The Middle East construction market has witnessed a very encouraging paradigm shift in recent years. After a difficult phase, the sector is now experiencing a period of recovery and anticipated growth, as indicated in a recent study by the Middle East Economic Digest.

Similarly, Forbes Middle East has suggested that stronger support by the various regional states and a moderate increase in oil prices are facilitating local firms to take advantage of new construction technologies.

To this end, construction companies in the region are beginning to consider the 32 March 2019

possibilities of implementing modern methods of construction in their operations. These modern methods can take many forms, but one of the most significant is within off-site construction. Simply put, offsite construction refers to the planning, design, fabrication and assembly of building elements at a location other than their final installed location.

Off-site or modern methods of construction could have clear benefits for the development of high-rise towers in the Middle East, but there is still a long way to go before it becomes a common practice in this region.

Our parent company Hadley

Group in the UK is already supplying the industry with pre-fabricated and preassembled units which are easier to erect than alternative steel and concrete frames, without relinquishing any of the strength or durability.

A recent study by the Steel Construction Institute found that the work required on a four-storey building could be reduced by as much as 75% thanks to off-site methods, which will have multiple benefits as the off-site method gains traction in the region.

Light gauge steel profiles will play an important role when it comes to the introduction

of more modern methods of construction here. A light gauge steel profile is cold roll-formed and then installed on-site. It has the ideal profile for completing through the wall systems that deliver the fire rating, U-values, moisture absorption and acoustic performances required by Dubai Municipality or UAE Civil Defence.

Such light gauge steel profiles are already in use across a number of prestigious projects, as their multiple benefits work well for regional requirements.

The benefits of light gauge steel profiles The use of a light gauge steel

Steel Framing

Saving time and money Recent improvements to the manufacturing and engineering of steel frames means they are even easier to install than previous alternatives, saving the amount of time and money spent on the installation process.

“Precision engineering is a key factor to manufacturing a welldesigned profile that can deliver maximum strength and performance� profile as part of a drylining system is contributing to stronger walls with significantly less deflection. Precision engineering is a key factor to manufacturing a well-designed profile that can deliver maximum strength and ensure increased efficiency and performance. Recent improvements mean they are even easier to install than previous alternatives, reducing the amount of time and money spent on the installation process.

Significant savings in weight, coupled with increased strength, have opened up new possibilities in terms of crosssection profiles. It is now possible to design profiles that have tolerances as low as Âą0.15mm, which can have inherent benefits for a system design.

More options than ever before Developers can achieve increased design flexibility thanks to the longer length spans that

can be achieved in the design of light gauge steel profiles.

By choosing a manufacturer that can translate complex requirements into high-quality, effective solutions, it is possible to procure steel profiles and components that have multiple benefits over other methods.

The introduction of innovative technology and software also means new possibilities in terms of cross-section profiles can be achieved.

Light gauge steel structural framing systems have a wide range of applications. Such profiles are already in use on many iconic buildings and developments around the world, and are now becoming more common in the Middle East too. The next step could well be their future roll-out as part of a complete system for the implementation of off-site construction methods in the region.

March 2019 33

Comment

Louay Dahmash

Removing Limitations Louay Dahmash, territory director, Middle East and Turkey for Autodesk, explains how the future of automation lies in generative design for the construction industry Humans are currently facing one of our most crucial dilemmas. As our needs, desires and demands continue to grow, we must face the reality of less: fewer natural resources, less space and less skilled labour than ever before.

Although these important resources are in short supply, the global population is exponentially increasing – set to increase to 10 billion people by 2050 – while poverty is decreasing.

While rising standards should be celebrated, it is important to question how our growing consumption needs are affecting design, engineering, building and manufacturing.

According to research firm Statista, as the global population 34 March 2019

grows and urbanises, the construction industry will need to build an average of 13,000 buildings in major cities every day through the year 2050 – a fraction of the trillions of dollars the world will need to invest in building new infrastructure.

This poses a huge creative and logistics challenge – but also the biggest opportunity designers and makers may ever see. With more growth comes more pressure. As people reconcile the inevitability of more with the reality of less, the future of automation can offer a much better way forward.

Today, we are lucky to have unprecedented access to the tools and technologies needed to make better decisions about everything we design and make.

The only way to keep up the pace is to leverage technology not just as a design tool, as used traditionally, but as a design partner and co-creator. This is where automation can unlock the ability for us to design the future.

The future of automation is about more than robots – it has transformed the design and make process from drafting 2D CAD to 3D modelling, and now generative design.

Automation is about using simulation to validate or optimise a design without needing to make a physical prototype. It is about creating a building information model (BIM) to foster collaboration among architects, engineers and construction teams so they can

make decisions in real time across traditional work silos. Today, our customers and developers expect to use abundant computational power and the cloud to generate thousands of design options with generative design.

If you are in the building, infrastructure or manufacturing industries, you’ve most likely heard about generative design.

We are living in a time where we can collaborate with a computer using artificial intelligence algorithms, unlimited cloud computing power and generative design tools to create tons of design options you couldn’t fathom on your own. This means you will be able to solve bigger problems and iterate faster on solutions. As the world

Comment

a game changer Generative design is viewed as being a game changer for the construction industry due to the many benefits it brings to the design and development of buildings and structures.

“We can collaborate with a computer using artificial intelligence algorithms and generative design tools to create design options you couldn’t fathom on your own”

continues to evolve and become more complex, engineer and designer jobs are also evolving.

Generative design is a game changer for the industry and is going to affect humans tremendously. Here are some reasons why: 1. It saves time – in the time it takes for a human to create a few designs, a computer can create thousands, along with data to prove which designs are performance-based top contenders. It essentially allows designers to make more creative decisions and focus on the bigger picture.

2. It saves money – simulation and testing are baked into the initial design process, preventing expensive

changes later in the manufacturing process.

3. It boosts creativity – creating thousands of ideas, generative design opens new doors for designers and engineers to explore nontraditional forms they could not have imagined alone.

4. It leads to novel geometry – generative design software makes formulating this complex geometry possible, and 3D printing enables fabrication of objects that would otherwise be impossible to make.

5. It results in increased customer satisfaction and loyalty – through delivery of better designed products and improved performance.

6. It is more sustainable – with significantly reduced waste and energy.

Generative design removes the limitations traditionally imposed on the design process, which used to match one designer with one computer. The role of technology is elevated and the computer is an active participant in the design process, working with defined parameters rather than simply reflecting actual finished designs.

In the complex and competitive world of manufacturing, generative design, thanks to automation, is providing designers with previously unimagined design solutions for increasingly demanding customers.

March 2019 35

Tenders

Top tenders Terminal 6 ProjecT – King Khalid inTernaTional airPorT Budget $600,000,000 Project number WPR3998-SA Territory Saudi Arabia client General Authority of Civil Aviation – GACA (Saudi Arabia) address King Abdulaziz Centre for National Dialogue city Riyadh 11552 Postal/Zip code 47360 Phone (+966-11) 525 3333 Fax (+966-11) 525 3222 / 525 3111 email gaca-info@gaca.gov.sa Website www.gaca.gov.sa description Construction of a new terminal with capacity to handle 35 million passengers a year Period 2021 Status New Tender Tender categories Airport,

Construction & Contracting Tender Products Airports Development & Management

Status Current Project Tender categories Power & Alternative Energy, Roads, Bridges & Infrastructure, Sewerage & Drainage, Water Works Tender Products Infrastructure, Roads Construction

Sea VieW ProjecT – al KhoBar inFraSTrucTure WorK ProjecT – SaBah al-ahmed ciTy Budget $225,000,000 Project number MPR1576-K Territory Kuwait client Public Authority for Housing Welfare – PAHW (Kuwait) city Safat 13094 Postal/Zip code 23385 Phone (+965) 2530 1000 Fax (+965) 2538 7464 Website www.housing.gov.kw description Execution of infrastructure works within a housing project Period 2021

Budget $200,000,000 Project number WPR4040-SA Territory Saudi Arabia client Private investor (Saudi Arabia) description Construction of a mixed-use development comprising a five-star hotel, office space, commercial centre and gated residential community Period 2022 Status New Tender Tender categories Construction & Contracting, Hotels, Prestige Buildings Tender Products Mixed-use Developments, Residential Buildings, Commercial Buildings

dayTona ToWer ProjecT – Bahrain Bay Budget $100,000,000 Project number WPR3965-B Territory Bahrain client Nama International Real Estate Company WLL (Bahrain) address Road 117, Tubli city Manama Postal/Zip code 1041 Phone (+973) 1778 6500 Fax (+973) 1778 6565 description Construction of a twin hotel tower comprising 45 floors and 40 floors Period 2020 Status Current Project Tender categories Hotels, Prestige Buildings Tender Products High-rise Towers, Hotel Construction

dilmunia grand canal & marina ProjecT Budget $100,000,000 Project number WPR3970-B Territory Bahrain client Ithmaar Development Company – IDC (Bahrain) city Manama country Bahrain Phone (+973) 1758 4601 Fax (+973) 1758 4017 description Construction of a grand canal featuring public promenades, geysers, water fountains, water walls, cascades, boardwalks and viewing decks Status New Tender Tender categories Construction & Contracting, Leisure & Entertainment, Marine Eng Works & Seaports Tender Products Marina Development, Retail Developments

36 March 2019

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Tenders

Middle East tenders UAE Burj jumeirah ProjecT Project number WPR4028-U Territory United Arab Emirates client Dubai Holding Group address Umm Suqeim Road city Dubai Postal/Zip code 66000 Phone (+971-4) 362 2000 Fax (+971-4) 362 2091 email mail@dubaiholdinggroup.com Website www.dubaiholding.com description Construction of a mixed-use tower comprising homes, hotel units and office space Period 2023 Status New Tender Tender categories: Hotels, Prestige Buildings Tender Products Commercial Buildings, Hotel Construction, Residential Buildings

conrad marjan iSland reSorT ProjecT Budget $75,000,000 Project number WPR3982-U Territory Northern Emirates client Mohamed Ruqait Real Estate (Ras Al Khaimah) city Ras Al Khaimah Postal/Zip code 2186 Phone (+971-7) 236 2221 email info@mrproperties.ae gm@mrproperties.ae Website www.mrproperties.ae description Construction of a resort comprising 120 guestrooms,

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including beach and over-water villas Period 2022 Status New Tender Tender categories Construction & Contracting, Hotels Tender Products Hotel Construction, Villas Construction

al FarFar roadS & inFraSTrucTure WorKS ProjecT Budget $5,000,000 Project number WPR3989-U Territory Northern Emirates client Crown Prince Court (Abu Dhabi) address Bainunah Street city Abu Dhabi Postal/Zip code 124 Phone (+971-2) 668 6666 Fax (+971-2) 668 6622

Website www.cpc.gov.ae description Construction of roads and infrastructure Period 2020 Status New Tender Tender categories Water Works, Power & Alternative Energy, Sewerage & Drainage Roads, Bridges & Infrastructure Tender Products Infrastructure, Roads Construction

diSTricT cooling PlanT 6 ProjecT – BuSineSS Bay Budget $5,000,000 Project number WPR4044-U Territory United Arab Emirates client Empower (Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation) – Dubai address Dubai Healthcare

City, Building No. 33 city Dubai Postal/Zip code 8081 Phone (+971-4) 375 5555 Fax (+971-4) 375 5500 email info@empower.ae Website www.empower.ae description Construction of a district cooling plant Period 2021 Status New Tender Tender categories Construction & Contracting Tender Products District Cooling Plants

reSidenTial Building ProjecT – al raha Beach (rBW8-c20) Budget $15,000,000 Project number WPR4008-U

Tenders

Territory United Arab Emirates client Link International Properties (Abu Dhabi) city Abu Dhabi Postal/Zip code 94444 Phone (+971-2) 553 2700 description Construction of a residential building comprising 3 basements, a ground floor and 11 floors Period 2020 main consultant Architectural & Engineering Consultants (Abu Dhabi) Tender categories Construction & Contracting Tender Products Residential Buildings

Oman cemenT clinKer cooler line uPgrade ProjecT – Salalah Project number WPR4014-O Territory Oman client Raysut Cement Company SAOG (Oman) address Salalah – Raysut Industrial Area city Salalah 211 Postal/Zip code 1020 Phone (+968) 2322 0600 Fax (+968) 2421 9291 email info@raysutcement.com.om Website www.raysutcement.om description Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract for upgrading of a clinker cooling line Period 2019 Status Current Project main contractor Ayoki Fabricon Pvt Ltd (India) Specialist contractor IKN GmbH (Germany) Tender categories Industrial & Special Projects Tender Products Cement Plants

calcined PeTroleum coKe (cPc) PlanT ProjecT – Sohar FreeZone Budget $100,000,000 Project number WPR3952-O Territory Oman client Sohar Port & Free Zone Company (Oman) city Sohar PC 327 Postal/Zip code 9 Phone (+968) 2685 2700 Fax (+968) 2685 2701 Website soharportandfreezone.com description Construction of a calcined petroleum coke plant Period 2021 Status Current Project main contractor Sanvira Industries Tender categories Industrial & Special Projects Tender Products Chemical Plants

Territory Oman client Sohar Calciner LLC (Oman) city Muscat PC 102 Postal/Zip code 148 Phone (+968) 2440 3700 email info@soharcalciner.com Website www.soharcalciner.com description Construction of a calciner plant to produce calcined coke Period 2021 Status Current Project main contractor MMEC Mannesmann GmbH (Germany) main contractor (2) ACWA (Arabian Company for Water & Power Development) – Saudi Arabia Tender categories Industrial & Special Projects Tender Products Aluminium Smelters/Plants

Egypt

Sohar calciner ProjecT

cenTral liBrary ProjecT – neW caPiTal ciTy

Project number WPR3217-O

Budget $25,000,000

Project number MPP2656-E Territory Egypt client Administrative Capital for Urban Development (Egypt) address Tolip Elnarges, Fifth District city Cairo Phone (+20-100) 003 7737 / 109 494 9999 email info@acud.eg Website www.acud.eg description Construction of a central library comprising 2 buildings with a total built-up area of 24,000sqm Status Current Project main consultant Administrative Capital for Urban Development (Egypt) Project manager Army Engineering Authority (Egypt) main contractor SIAC Industrial Construction & Engineering Company (Egypt) Tender categories Construction & Contracting, Education & Training, Leisure & Entertainment Tender Products Educational Developments

March 2019 39

Last Word

Constructing a Successful 2019

Sherief Elabd, director, Industry Strategy & Innovation, Oracle CEGBU, highlights the technologies that the construction industry should embrace in 2019

According to KPMG’s 2017 Global Construction Survey, 72% of respondents say technology is prominent in their strategic plan or vision. However, less than half (48%) of respondents say their company has developed a data/technology strategy or road map. Fortunately, while most companies’ strategies may not yet be fully established, we are heading in the right direction in terms of technology adoption.

One promising area involves the use of machine learning algorithms to automate aspects of the scheduling process. This can improve speed and accuracy of planning and resource management, as well as make it easier for teams to adjust to changes to the schedule. A second business imperative is the need for construction businesses to realise true real-time collaboration across all stakeholders.

Although construction companies are collecting

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vast amounts of data from ERP and other technologies like project controls, the information is often disconnected and lags project activities in ways that limit its utility.

This reality undermines the value of the data and forces organisations to react after the fact. But cloud collaboration and maturing technologies such as sensors are enabling real-time collection of data that feeds into project control systems. This allows organisations to run AI algorithms in real time to analyse and proactively manage projects.

1. The everywhere work-site While we saw progress in 2018, achieving true realtime collaboration across all stakeholders remains a major job-site challenge.

By pursuing an integrated, cloud-based approach to data and processes, construction businesses can achieve a tremendous positive impact on project

outcomes. This is critical for a field characterised by large numbers of personnel working across highly distributed teams on increasingly larger, more complex projects.

Leveraging the cloud via mobile devices and applications is providing more businesses with the ability to quickly, easily and inexpensively stand up and manage an endto-end project control and delivery platform.

Most importantly, this technology combination helps improve productivity and margins through collaborative workflows and communication, allowing stakeholders to access common project data and work together.

2. Get connected The Internet of Things (IoT) continues to change how we approach data by enabling real-time data collection and proactive data management through the cloud, connected devices and mobile

applications. This will only accelerate in 2019. It also is very exciting to see promising advancements with drones, sensors and autonomous construction equipment that will also contribute to how data is captured and used to improve automation and productivity overall.

Wireless carriers will start deploying early stage 5G in 2019, which is going to bring fibre optic-type highbandwidth connectivity and low latency – and greatly speed up data transfer. Taken together, these developments and applications – and the data they yield or analyse – offer significant opportunities to transform project delivery by delivering a truly connected work-site.

With new levels of project intelligence arising from sensor technology and cloudbased analytics tools, the IoT presents a significant opportunity to improve productivity, quality,

safety and standardisation, as well as to enable continuous improvement across operations.

3. Visualise project success As building information modelling (BIM) becomes increasingly prominent, its uses (and users) will continue to grow and become more valuable.

Already today there are innovative software applications offering reality capture from an array of sources, including drone photos and other digital images, to create sophisticated models.

Once integrated with scheduling tools, such technology presents a deeper and more immediate level of insight into project progress, performance and risk, with the help of machine learning. This technology is developing quickly and can already yield benefits in terms of visibility into key project operational (not just design) information.

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