Marcus Taylor on what’s needed to elevate regional recruitment
ON TOPIC
Angitha Pradeep covers the construction of Bee’ah’s HQ
IN PRACTICE
Women in Construction: Omnium’s Mercedes Carrillo
ON SITE JANUARY 2020
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Contents | 01
20
January 2020 Issue 066
Cover Story
The Region’s Best & Brightest
Middle East Consultant recognises the region’s top personalities, projects and consultancies at its annual awards ceremony
36
Opinion
Recruitment through the Looking Glass Marcus Taylor says transparency of real-time data between a talent pool and employers is what’s needed to elevate the industry
Site Visit
16 meconstructionnews.com
Setting a Benchmark
Angitha Pradeep speaks to Nada Taryam about Bee’ah’s new HQ, which will be the MENA region’s first fully integrated AI building, and one of the smartest buildings in the world once it begins operations in 2020 January 2020
02 | Contents
42
Analysis
Riyadh Q3 Snapshot
JLL weighs in on the supply and performance of Riyadh’s residential, office and hotel sectors in Q3 2019
12 Profile
Mercedes Carrillo
Jason Saundalkar talks to Mercedes Carrillo, claims consultant at Omnium International, about her influences, career and gender diversity in the construction industry Opinion
Healthcare of the Future H+A’s Stas Louca outlines six elements that should be considered when planning health campuses, systems and facilities for the future of healthcare delivery
08 Update
News
Abu Dhabi Ports embarks on $1.08bn expansion of Khalifa Port; Shatha Saif Al Suwaidi new MD of Nakheel infrastructure project construction unit; MAG Development breaks ground on $2bn mixed-use project January 2020
18 meconstructionnews.com
04 | Welcome
Group MANAGING DIRECTOR RAZ ISLAM raz.islam@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5471 EDITORIAL DIRECTOR VIJAYA CHERIAN vijaya.cherian@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5713
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Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana Happy New Year everyone! The 2010s have been consigned to the history books, and what a decade it has been. While the 2010s got off to a good start, particularly for Dubai, as the Burj Khalifa officially opened its doors on January 4, 2010, the decade ended on a more sombre note, with the world reeling from the latest devastating effects of climate change. I’ve no doubt in my mind that 2019 will go down in history as the year the world burned. Although wildfires are a part of nature, climate change is making them more frequent and a lot more intense. California, the Amazon, Russia, Indonesia, Lebanon and Australia were all affected by destructive wildfires last year. In fact, at the time of going to press, the wildfires in Australia are still raging out of control. The Australian fires first began in September 2019 and the damage, as you can imagine, has been catastrophic. Reports state that over 12 million acres of land have already burned, some 480 million mammals, birds and reptiles have been affected or killed, 25 people have been killed and 2,500 buildings have been destroyed. What’s worse is there doesn’t seem January 2020
to be an end in sight – the Wall Street Journal is now reporting that the fires in certain areas of Australia are so intense that they’re causing thunder and lightning. This devastation and the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires must be seen as yet another wake-up call for all of us around the world. Simply put, unless we drastically change the way we live, consume and build things, we’re heading for an unmitigated global disaster. Having said that, and despite all the other crazy (there’s really no other word for it) things that are happening around the world, I’ve faith that this decade will be the one where we come together and change things for the better. I hope to get a glimpse of that future once Dubai officially opens Expo 2020. The Expo’s central theme is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ while its subthemes are opportunity, mobility and sustainability. I’m stoked and I can’t wait until October 20, 2020 comes around. In the meantime, I’m going to work on my New Year’s resolution – to try and reduce my own impact on the environment as much as possible.
Jason Saundalkar Editor, Middle East Consultant
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06 | On Topic
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SHATHA SAIF AL SUWAIDI ANNOUNCED AS NEW MD OF NAKHEEL’S INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT CONSTRUCTION UNIT
Revealed: Middle East Consultant Awards 2019 winners
What a fantastic story to be one of the last headlines of 2020 (Shatha Saif Al
Suwaidi announced as new MD of Nakheel’s
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Abu Dhabi Ports embarks on $1.08bn expansion of Khalifa Port
construction unit). There has been a lot of debate in the industry, and subsequently on
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Bahrain signs $691m contract with China’s CMEC
have someone earning their right to work on major projects like Deira Islands on merit. This is a woman and Emirati national that has already proven herself on the Palm Jumeirah
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developments. I’m sure she will continue to add value to master communities across Dubai and demonstrate that we, as an industry, can put aside outdated preconceptions as we
CONSTRUCTION
Atkins appoints Cris Dedigama as CEO for the Middle East and Africa
January 2020
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8 | On Topic
Expansion
Abu Dhabi Ports embarks on $1.08bn expansion of Khalifa Port Abu Dhabi Ports has announced expansion projects to boost handling capacity at Khalifa Port. The $1.08bn expansion follows seven record years of operational growth at the port, senior officials said. As per a statement, the project’s scope of work includes development of South Quay and Khalifa Port Logistics at an investment of $598m, along with $435m expansion works at Abu Dhabi Terminals. The South Quay development is expected to be complete by Q1 2021 and will feature a 3km quay wall with 18.5m alongside draft for general cargo, rollon-roll-off and bulk usage. It will also include eight berths and a 1.3m sqm terminal yard. Designed for multi-purpose use, the Khalifa Logistics expansion will boast a 3.1km quay wall with an 8m draft, as well as 15 berths and land plots which can be tailored to individual customers. Abu Dhabi Ports said Phase One of the South Quay expansion will be completed by Q4 next year, while Phase Two and the Khalifa Logistics expansion will be completed by Q1 2021. The two expansion projects will create more than 2,800 direct and indirect jobs and contribute $871m to the city’s GDP by 2025, the statement said. The expansion at ADT will include an extension of the quay from 1,400m to 2,265m and 10 new ship-to-shore quay cranes, doubling capacity from 2.5m to 5m TEUs.
New Appointment
01
01 Al Suwaidi has a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Sharjah and a master’s in Urban Planning from the American University of Sharjah.
Shatha Saif Al Suwaidi new MD of Nakheel infrastructure project construction unit Nakheel has appointed Shatha Saif Al Suwaidi as the new MD of its infrastructure project construction unit. In line with her role, she is leading the delivery of all infrastructure work at Nakheel’s master communities across Dubai. Her current focus is said to be the delivery of key projects at Deira Islands, including the main access bridge and the
02
02 With this capacity expansion project, Khalifa Port will see its container handling capacity jump to 7.5m TEUs.
January 2020
meconstructionnews.com
On Topic | 9
03
access bridge to Al Khail Avenue mall at Jumeirah Village Triangle, as well as projects in Al Furjan, Warsan Village, Palm Jumeirah, International City and Madinat Al Arab. Nakheel said her appointment comes as part of its commitment to the development of talented young UAE nationals into senior positions within the organisation. The developer noted that it employs a growing team of Emirati men and women who continue to prove their ability to deliver. Al Suwaidi has a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Sharjah and a master’s in Urban Planning from the American University of Sharjah. She began her career at the Directorate of Public Works in Sharjah, before joining Nakheel in 2007. Since joining the master developer, she is said to have successfully completed infrastructure projects covering roads, bridges, power substations and utilities at Palm Jumeirah, Deira Islands, International City and Jumeirah Village, the statement said. meconstructionnews.com
03 The project will feature 8,000sqm of retail space, 84,000sqm for public parks and green areas, and will include running, riding and cycling tracks.
New Development
MAG Development breaks ground on $2bn mixeduse project
project features 5,100 housing units comprising studios and one- and twobedroom apartments and 694 two-, threeand four-bedroom townhouses, plus retail and other amenities. The development also features public facilities with an area of 48,000sqm, including a private clinic, a nursery and a mosque. 8,000sqm is also said to be devoted to retail spaces, while 84,000sqm has been earmarked for public parks and green areas which will be equipped with running, riding and cycling tracks. The development is due for completion in 2022. China National Chemical Engineering Group Company (CNCEC) was recently awarded the contract for the construction of the Phase One of MAG City. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by senior MAG Holding Group officials, including group founder and chairman Moafaq Al Gaddah, along with top CNCEC executives including chairman Dai Haijin, vice president Han Ping, chairman (Middle East) Nay Chaun and CC7 chairman Su Fukiang, as well as UAE and Chinese board members of the two companies, in addition to real estate developers and experts. “Today we are pleased to announce the launch of the giant Mag City project, the largest residential complex we are offering to the Dubai real estate market. We will exert our professional experience to build a distinguished project that is in line with the reputation of Dubai and the value of our distinguished partners and the history of our group,” said Al Gaddah. He also said his company worked on designing a model city that includes integrated services and facilities which provide a sustainable social environment for the project’s residents and reduce the need to move to secure living requirements.
MAG Development has broken ground on Mag City, its new $2bn mixed-use development in Mohammed Bin Rashid City’s Meydan District 7 in Dubai. The January 2020
10 | On Topic
Expansion
Fujairah Terminals takes delivery of two new quay cranes Fujairah Terminals has received two new quay cranes at Fujairah Port, as part of an extensive expansion programme. The Post Panamax ship-to-shore cranes are said to be the largest available in the market and were purchased from ZMPC China. According to a statement, Abu Dhabi Ports, which owns Fujairah Terminals, is embarking on a $272m expansion programme.
04
The cranes feature enhanced propulsion speed during the movement of containers between the ship and quayside. They will heighten productivity, speed up the turnaround of vessels and increase safety, the statement said. Fujairah Terminals said it seconded two UAE national graduates to China to undergo a technical training programme at ZMPC’s facility, to enable maximum efficiency in the operation of the new cranes.
05
04 Expansion programme will see a capacity increase to 1.5m TEUs and a general cargo handling increase to 1.3m tonnes.
Collaboration
AESG launches Pathway to Net Zero design tool AESG has launched a new Pathway to Net Zero tool designed to define and evaluate the options available for reducing the embodied and operational carbon footprint of buildings. The tool is said to provide the firm’s clients with an optional pathway to achieving net zero carbon buildings. Earlier this year, the firm became a signatory to the World Green Building Council’s Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment. With buildings contributing upwards of 40% of global CO2 emissions, the adoption of net zero principles by the sector has the potential to reduce worldwide emissions by up to 43% within the next decade, the firm said. AESG also cautioned that perceived costs, extreme climatic conditions and a general lack of expertise in design and implementation are currently key factors encumbering net zero projects in the Middle East.
January 2020
meconstructionnews.com
On Topic | 11
05 The UAE-based consultancy says that buildings contribute upwards of 40% of global CO 2 emissions.
Project Handover
The specialist consultancy notes that by applying its new Pathway to Net Zero tool free of charge to all its design projects from 2020 onwards, it hopes to address most misconceptions around the concept and incentivise its clients. “Much of the resistance to change can be eliminated by providing developers with a clear picture of their journey to net zero, the short-term investments it will entail, and the many long-term operational and commercial benefits they’re likely to enjoy. We hope that by providing a convenient and well-defined pathway to net zero on all our projects, we will be able to stimulate the transition to decarbonising the construction sector,” said Phillipa Grant, head of Energy & Sustainable Development at AESG. AESG says it followed industry standards in the development of its tool, including EN standards for the embodied carbon assessment, as well as the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) standards for the operational carbon assessment. The tool assesses buildings based on a myriad of factors such as the typology and planned usage, along with any additional project requirements specified during the briefing stage. As per the statement, AESG has successfully provided construction support for the Sustainability Pavilion at Expo 2020 (destined to be a net zero building), and enabled Multiplex to achieve nearly zero energy consumption at its construction site offices. Based on its track record, AESG says it is confident of its Pathway to Net Zero tool’s applicability to all design projects that it provides services for.
Havelock One has announced the completion of fit-out works for VOX Cinemas at Nakheel Mall on The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai. The firm’s scope of work included the full turnkey fit-out from shell and core – the steel structure for the cinema stadia and plant rooms, the complete MEP works, acoustic ceilings and walls, and all interior finishes including gypsum, cladding (marble, ceramic, carpet, vinyl and terrazzo), wallpapers and paint, decorative glass and metal works, as well as joinery works like furniture and firerated doors. The contractor is also said to have coordinated with the client and third parties on all cinema-related equipment such as screens, projectors, speakers and seats. The 6,000sqm Nakheel Mall project boasts 15 theatres with more than 900 seats,
meconstructionnews.com
Havelock One completes fit-out of VOX Cinemas at Nakheel Mall
and 26 slots designed to provide ample space for wheelchair users, who have dedicated elevator access across the two floors. The region’s leisure and entertainment industry is buoyant and for Havelock One Interiors, this means business is brisk, said a spokesperson from the firm. “Our business relationship with Majid Al Futtaim (MAF) Cinemas, the Middle East’s largest and most rapidly growing exhibitor, has grown steadily. This year, we have been commissioned to work on two additional VOX Cinemas in the UAE and on two of their ground-breaking projects in Saudi Arabia,” said Syed Kashif Akhtar, group managing director of Havelock One. The firm has also delivered the F&B outlets, Nutella VOX Cinemas, Pizza Al Taglio and Kitchen 35, all VOX Cinemas homegrown brands.
06 The firm was also appointed for the turnkey fit-out of VOX Cinemas at Al Jimi Mall in Al Ain. The package included eight screens. 06
January 2020
12 | On Topic
Riyadh Q3 Snapshot JLL weighs in on the supply and performance of Riyadh’s residential, office and hotel sectors in Q3
The performance of Riyadh’s real estate market remained relatively subdued across all asset classes in the third quarter of 2019. In the office sector, grade A office rents maintained their resilience, while grade B spaces registered marginal declines. Meanwhile, vacancy rates showed annual improvement to reach 6% y-o-y. Sale prices and rental rates in the residential sector recorded declines in Q3 2019. However, on a quarterly basis, the rate of decline is beginning to slow down in the city. In the retail sector also, rents continued to register mixed performance. While rents in the super-regional malls offering a mix of entertainment and F&B remained stable, rental decreases were noted in the regional and community centres. The hotel sector in Riyadh saw occupancy rates improve to 54% in the YT August 2019 versus YT August 2018, while average daily room rates (ADRs) fell significantly to $155 over the same period. However, we expect the hotel sector to perform positively by year-end on the back of the upcoming Riyadh Season. January 2020
meconstructionnews.com
On Topic | 13
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January 2020
14 | On Topic
Riyadh residential supply, 2017-2021 (million units) Current supply
Riyadh apartment rent and sale prices
Future supply
1.40
-1%
-6%
Rent Y-o-Y
Sales Y-o-Y
1.20
Riyadh office supply, 2017-2021 (million sqm of GLA) Current supply
Future supply
4.90 4.20
12-month outlook
1.00
3.50
0.80
2.80 Riyadh villa rent and sale prices
0.60
2.10
0.40
-1%
-5%
Rent Y-o-Y
Sales Y-o-Y
Residential Supply & Performance
Q3 2019 witnessed a slowdown in the number of completions, as only 177 stand-alone units were handed over in Riyadh. Projects delivered include Canary Al Khozama, phase five and six of the Darraq project at the Diplomatic Quarter, and villas within the Masharef Hills complex in the north of Riyadh. This brings the total supply of residential units in Q3 to approximately 1.3m units. Riyadh is expected to receive an additional supply of 2,400 residential units by the last quarter of the year. Likely completions include Al Ra’idah complex project, Al Bayt 53 project in Hittin district and Al Bani 8144 in Al Sulimaniyah district. Projects announced by the Ministry of Housing have received good reservation rates, including Saraya Al Narjis in the north of Riyadh and the Suhail Al-Riyadh project in the south. A significant amount of these projects will be delivered in the form of small to medium-size units targeting lowerincome and middle-income families. The performance of the residential market continued to soften in Q3 2019, albeit January 2020
marginally. On an annual basis, apartment and villa sale prices dropped 6% and 5% respectively. However, on a quarterly basis, both registered marginal declines of 1%. Meanwhile, rental rates across apartments and villas declined 1% on an annual basis and remained stable q-o-q. Looking ahead, as supply is expected to increase over the next 12 months, we expect rental rates and sale prices to continue to face downward pressure. In the long run, however, the Ministry of Housing (MOH) aims to improve living conditions for current and future generations, increase the supply of affordable housing units in record time, and enhance access to subsidised and appropriate funding. We expect these initiatives to promote demand for residential units, which in turn is expected to reflect positively on the market.
2021
2020
2019
2018
12-month outlook
2017
2021
2020
2019
2018
0.70
2017
0.20
1.40
Office Supply & Performance
Despite delays in the handover of some office projects, Q3 2019 saw the completion of one corporate office building, Verdun Towers by Al Fardan Group, adding 14,800 of GLA to the market. This completion left the total office space in Riyadh largely unchanged at around 4.3m sqm GLA. The last quarter of 2019 is expected to see a more significant increase in the supply of office space, with nearly 125,000sqm of GLA scheduled for completion. The delivery of these projects within the time frame will see total office stock increase to 4.4m sqm GLA by year-end 2019. While demand is currently driven by large government inquiries, mainly from entities linked to Vision 2030, we expect this demand to diversify as Vision 2030 initiatives and the ongoing socioeconomic reforms attract investors, entrepreneurs and smallto-medium enterprises (SMEs). This will likely result in greater demand for smaller, flexible, competitively priced office space. This segment will make an attractive target for business incubators. meconstructionnews.com
On Topic | 15
Riyadh office vacancy rate
8%
6%
2018
2019
Riyadh hotel supply, 2017-2021 (thousand rooms) Current supply
Riyadh hotel occupancy
Future supply
18.0
52%
54%
2018
2019
15.0 12-month outlook
12-month outlook
12.0
Riyadh office rents (SAR sqm/annum)
1250
1240
Q3 2018
Q3 2019
Riyadh hotel ADR (USD)
9.0
6.0
171
155
2018
2019
The performance of office space in Riyadh remained stable. Select grade A spaces characterised by high-quality finishing with ease of access and ample amenities maintained healthy rents of approximately $400 per sqm. The average weighted rent of grade A space was $360 per sqm, while rent in grade B office space dropped 1% to $270 per sqm per annum. Meanwhile, market-wide office vacancy decreased 200 basis points to reach 6% y-o-y, due to the large government demand, especially from newly created government companies which are part of Vision 2030. Looking ahead, and in light of new and improved supply, we expect rents to stabilise and potentially bottom out across the betterquality grade A spaces. We expect further pressure to stem from tenant relocations to newer facilities once these are delivered to the market.
meconstructionnews.com
2021
2020
2019
2018
12-month outlook
2017
3.0
Hotel Supply & Performance
Q3 2019 saw no new hotel completions in Riyadh, keeping the total supply of hotel keys at 14,800. Approximately 550 and 2,200 keys are expected to enter the market in 2019 and 2020 respectively. Upcoming hotels include branded hotels such as Hilton Riyadh King Saud University, Nobu Hotel in the heart of downtown Riyadh (the first property for the brand in the Middle East), Le Meridien Riyadh on King Abdullah Road, and the new Movenpick Riyadh opposite King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD). Looking ahead, as the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) has formally announced the launch of tourist visas for international visitors, we expect demand for more luxurious hotels in the Kingdom. Hotel occupancy rates improved in the YT August 2019, versus the YT August 2018, to 54%, while average daily rates (ADRs) fell 9% to $155 over the same period. In turn, revenue per available room (RevPAR) fell 6% year-on-year to $84. Hotel performance is expected to remain under pressure as more
12-month outlook
supply is added to the market over the next 12-24 months. As part of the Saudi Entertainment Authority (SEA) initiatives to improve the quality of life by hosting various entertainment events across the Kingdom, Q4 2019 will see the launch of the Riyadh Season, the first and biggest entertainment event in the capital. Such initiatives are expected to reflect positively on the number of tourists arriving in the Kingdom in general, and Riyadh specifically, which is expected to enhance hotel performance levels over the last quarter.
January 2020
16 | On Topic
01
01 Marcus Taylor is the CEO and founder of TSM & FifthEdge.
January 2020
Marcus Taylor “We have certainly evolved from the days of sending a CV by fax. However, we still haven’t solved the problem of recruitment readiness” Very few of us have met anyone who wanted to be a recruiter when they grew up, and the same is true of many of today’s lucrative industries, including car sales, financial advising, real estate and timeshare sales. Unfortunately, as many of us know all too well, the negative stereotype of a recruitment consultant has been well earned. For those who are ethical in the undertaking of their professional responsibilities, it’s a reputation that is hard to outrun. The harsh truth of the matter is the entire recruitment industry is based on one single reactive factor: reducing the risk of not having the skill set available to enable a company to grow. Sales will always come first. In the GCC’s construction and engineering sector, there are over 600,000 employees registered on LinkedIn who are recruited by over 1,800 recruitment professionals, not including the offshore market. With the status or contact details of a candidate changing every 24 months on average, this everlasting battle not only drives the $500bn recruitment industry but is also responsible for creating the reputation of the stereotypical recruitment consultant. With the millions of work hours dedicated to candidate databases, applicant tracking systems, social media channels, career days, graduate schemes and securing LinkedIn followers, we have certainly evolved from the days of sending a CV by fax. However,
we still haven’t really solved the problem of recruitment readiness. Let’s break this down into two types of recruiter, the internal recruiter and the agency recruiter. Let’s also consider the two types of candidate: the active candidates (currently searching for a new job), of which 18% change their status every month in the construction industry, and the passive candidates, of which 14% will change their status monthly. An active candidate will likely be one of 300-500 people applying to a job advert, of which only 2-5% (depending on the sector) will match the required criteria. These candidates will likely approach the company in multiple ways, including connecting via LinkedIn or even calling the company directly. Our data shows that this one vacancy will be just one of the 14 jobs an active candidate will apply to directly. Of these 14 jobs, which are bona fide rather than just a recruitment fishing expedition is another story. Then comes the candidate’s interaction with the agency recruiter. Depending on who you go to, these recruiters might send your CV to everyone with a company email address and, in some cases, even your own boss! Conversely, a competent consultant discusses the candidate with a select range of suitable employers. However, it is unlikely that the active candidate’s skill set is what these firms are searching for. Generally, recruiters achieve the majority of their success by finding you before you find them. meconstructionnews.com
On Topic | 17
Providing job seekers don’t circumvent recruiters and approach companies directly, because they think having the recruiter’s fee attached to them will jeopardise their chances of being hired, their CV is just one of many sent out of a heavily KPI-driven workhouse. This brings us to the passive candidates solicited by agency recruiters, most = fighting to secure fees from the same employer. In many cases, candidates are promised the riches of the world and a fairytale work environment. However, more often than not, your new best friend never calls you back after getting your details and CV. Make no mistake, recruitment offices, especially the larger outfits, are high-pressure sales houses where results, not effort, are all that is rewarded. They are high-risk environments where a recruiter can and will be used and abused by a candidate, robbed by a competitor, and misled and mistreated by a client. However, at least larger recruitment firms are governed to a degree. Independent recruiters, on the other hand, have the freedom to either create a respectable best practice of their own or go the other route by making placements at any cost, even if the candidates’ families and livelihoods are at stake. The ongoing debate of whether an agency recruiter is the best choice to bring in-house talent to a company is controversial. If an agency recruiter is a consistently high performer, their financial rewards are generally more than enough to keep them on that side of the fence. Alternatively, an average or belowaverage performing agency recruiter would likely be very interested in the easier life that a 9-5 non-commission-based in-house position can offer. With many exceptions to this, the in-house recruiter has an equally challenging role. Getting ahead of requisitions to hire by the management is what prevents internal teams from having to use external agents, with their accompanying fees. Strong employer branding and a positive candidate experience are the signs of a great employer of choice, and these differentiators give an employer meconstructionnews.com
An active candidate will likely be one of 300-500 people applying to a job advert, of which only 2-5% (depending on the sector) will match the required criteria”
not only better candidate options but also a better offer to acceptance conversion ratio. In fact, a recent survey shows that a staggering 81% of candidates say the selection process played a major factor in their decision to join or not join a company. As with agency recruiters, in-house recruiters have the same impossible mission in their recruitment readiness. As they are just one of many competitors, in-house recruitment teams and assigned agency recruiters are all chasing the same talent pool. Recruiters, in-house or agency, and candidates, active or passive, all have one thing in common. They all share the same legacy issue, which is that so far technology and innovation have merely exasperated issues rather than solving them. Ongoing transparency of real-time data between a talent pool and employers of choice is what is really required to turn this industry on its head and improve the process for companies and candidates alike.
January 2020
18 | On Topic
01
01 Stas Louca is founding partner and managing director at H+A.
January 2020
Stas Louca “Health is finally entering the digital age: unlocking information, empowering patients, enabling realtime analytics and bringing the focus to prevention� The Middle East has one of the most extensive healthcare systems in the world. Advances in medical care, pharmaceuticals and medical technology, along with the mass transfer of information, have created new challenges for campus and facility design. One of the biggest drivers is patient satisfaction not being met, as expectations of care are changing, especially from millennials. I believe this patient group are driving the biggest changes in the healthcare sector, from wearable technologies to managing their own data. While they are more invested than other groups in wellness trends, from veganism to fitness classes, millennials also see themselves as responsible for their own care and are less likely to rely on a health system they are dissatisfied with. A survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation this year found that 45% of 18-29-year-olds and 28% of 30-49-year-olds have no primary care provider (PCP). Comparatively, as much as 85% of the older generations have a PCP. Their reliance on technology, like telemedicine, will force traditional hospitals and health systems to change how they offer and deliver care. While the impact has been relatively small in terms of millennials’ impact on healthcare to date, I think in the next ten years the drive to accommodate them is
really going to change the way the current system works. The most interesting finding from a construction and design perspective is that over a third of millennials prefer walk-in clinics to visiting a tertiary hospital. Another recent report, this time by Frost & Sullivan, highlighted that in 2019 GCC countries represented 13% of global revenues for healthcare products, with services growing at 12% a year. The report said the rising demand for better healthcare services in the region, coupled with global advancements in medical technologies, have opened up a number of opportunities for IT players to tap into this growing sector. Embracing Technology
The Middle East has a positive outlook when it comes to adopting technologies. Basic IT infrastructure such as the Hospital Information System (HIS), Electronic Health Record (EMR) and other database technologies are quite prevalent in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. AI-based technologies are being adopted in the region and provide opportunities within the diagnostic space, where it is anticipated that AI will play a major role. What that means for architects is a greater consideration of spaces to be used for technology, rather than simply the patient. AI can be applied to improve the patientcustomer experience, on top of the diagnostic meconstructionnews.com
On Topic | 19
side of things. The third and arguably most important area is working towards integrating and offering secure access to the health data of all residents of the UAE, so that it can be used by various healthcare entities when the patient travels or moves. Integrating and improving the exchange of member, payer, patient and provider data and workflows to bring value of aggregated data and systems on a near real-time and cost-effective basis to all stakeholders equitably is going to mean one of the biggest digital transformations in healthcare to date. Leveraging advanced analytics and new sources of disparate, non-standard, unstructured, highly variable data (history, labs, Rx, sensors, mHealth, IoT, socioeconomic, geographic, genomic, demographic, lifestyle behaviours) to improve health outcomes, reduce administrative burdens and support transition from volume to value, and to facilitate individual, provider and payer effectiveness, is going to mean increased efficiency across healthcare institutions. Designers will have to accommodate this new way of working and treating patients. Healthcare around the globe is embarking on a move to Health 2.0, a consumer-centric, outcome-driven, prevention-focused method. Health is finally entering the digital age: unlocking information, empowering patients, enabling real-time analytics and bringing the focus to prevention. Yet just as technology creates opportunities for healthcare organisations, it also presents threats as new entrants disrupt the competitive landscape. These changes require patients, payers, providers, governments and life sciences companies – everyone within the health ecosystem – to think differently about healthcare as we know it. Collaborative approaches will be needed, to create sustainable healthcare systems that deliver high-quality care while being efficient and cost-effective. The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to medical devices and applications that connect healthcare IT systems through online computer networks; such devices include technology that can track vitals, body systems and sleep, among other functions. Telehealth, meconstructionnews.com
mHealth, wearables, digital devices, retail clinics, home-based care and micro-hospitals are all moving care closer to the home and office. I expect to see the start of a substantial move away from general hospitals toward prevention centres and micro-clinics, with hospitals evolving into specialist spaces. As we progress, the volume of outpatient care will increase significantly. Technology will continue to advance at extreme rates, but this entails the need to upgrade, replace and support equipment that does not even exist yet five to ten years after opening a new facility.
2020 Challenges
I think some of the biggest challenges we can expect to face in 2020 will entail staying ahead of cyber-security threats and other healthcare information, to enhance consumer trust in sharing data and stay current with the changing landscape of personal privacy. Large tertiary hospitals will have to adapt their business models to adjust to millennial expectations, merging existing and familiar technologies with traditional practices. Apple, Amazon, JP Morgan Chase and Berkshire Hathaway have already announced their intent in January this year to enter the healthcare market. Overall, there are six elements which should be considered when planning health campuses, systems and facilities for the future of healthcare delivery: flexibility, technology-led design, the role of design in a provider of choice, higher acuity levels in more facilities, growing outpatient care, and facility repurposing. January 2020
20 | On Site
01
January 2020
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On Site | 21
The Region’s Best and Brightest Middle East Consultant recognises the region’s top personalities, projects and consultancies at its annual awards ceremony The fifth edition of the annual Middle East Consultant Awards took place on 10 December at the Ritz-Carlton JBR in Dubai. Unlike in previous years, the event was moved indoors due to unpredictable weather conditions. Over 250 professionals from across the GCC attended the gala, and by the end of the night 22 trophies had been awarded across 21 categories. Due to fierce competition and thanks to urging from the panel of judges, the Women in Construction Professional of the Year category recognised two winners, one based in the UAE and the other in Saudi Arabia. A total of 165 nominations were submitted across all the categories. The judges for this year’s event were Ahmed Abou Alfa from the UAE BIM Association, Craig Garrett from Bentley Systems, Dana Salbak from JLL, Suhail Arfath from Autodesk and Nithin Thomas from Shapoorji Pallonji Mideast. They were joined by Gavin Davids, group editor of the construction division at CPI Trade Media, and Jason Saundalkar, editor of Middle East Consultant.
“The 2019 edition of the Middle East Consultant Awards builds on the success of the 2018 edition. While we had slightly fewer nominations this year (165 versus 170), the editorial team and judges agree that this year’s submissions were of a much higher standard. The fact that the nominations site also closed just a day after the first, and only, deadline tells us that the industry takes the event seriously. Congratulations to everyone that was shortlisted and that walked away with a trophy on the night, it was well-earned. I’d also like to thank our sponsors for their support – we look forward to working with you all in 2020,” said Raz Islam, managing director of CPI Trade Media. The 2019 Middle East Consultant Awards were supported by silver sponsors CKR Consulting Engineers, Hadley Group, K Tech Consulting, LACASA, Rawlplug, Sto, and Studio Lumen Lighting Design & Consultancy, and by bronze sponsor 12D Model. This year’s network sponsor was Faithful+Gould, while the event’s intelligence and knowledge partners were ProTenders, CIOB and RICS.
WSP returned to the Awards as its social media sponsor and hosted a Twitter selfie competition. Attendees walked away with an event keepsake as a result of the competition; in order to participate, guests were asked to use the instant Polaroid cameras on each table to take pictures, place the picture in WSPbranded frames and take images of the frames to be shared on Twitter under the hashtag #MECAwards2019, #TheBestoftheBest and #WSP. As before, the most creative picture won a prize, in this case a 128GB iPhone XR. Jon Lee from Cundall was announced as the winner ahead of the end of the night.
01 The fifth edition of the Middle East Consultant Awards attracted 165 nominations across 20 categories.
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January 2020
22 | On Site
Rising Star of the Year
Executive of the Year
Nominees:
Nominees:
• Romit Chakravarty – desert INK • Sachin Sharma – Ramboll
• Claire Tromp – Compass Project Consulting • Nicholas Harris – Omnium International
Winner:
Winner:
• Drew Gilbert – Croquis Design Studio
• Ralf Steinhauer – RSP
This award recognises young professionals making a name for themselves within their organisation and the industry. To qualify, nominees had to have at least two years of formal work experience and demonstrate expertise within their discipline. Croquis Design Studio’s Drew Gilbert grabbed the award this year. His nomination proved he has already accomplished much in his career, working on a diverse array of projects including netzero apartments, art galleries, a refugee centre, five-star hotels and museums. He is LEED-accredited and publishes articles in a bid to stimulate discussions around sustainable design. “Winning the award validates all of the hard work we have been doing in the past year. And the company ethos is we are always driving for cutting-edge solutions, net-zero solutions and creating a brighter future for tomorrow. This is only the beginning. I have been in this region for two years now, and like I said this is the start of something great,” said Drew Gilbert, senior architect at Croquis Design Studio.
This category is open to female and male executives and attracted 14 quality nominations. The judges noted that all three shortlisted candidates earned their place, but noted that this year’s winner stood out due to a consistent focus on selfimprovement and mentoring. Ralf Steinhauer, director at RSP, was recognised as the 2019 Executive of the Year. He has led several high-profile projects within the region and overseas, and is a keen advocate of educating through experience. He views knowledge-sharing as part of his professional obligation to the next generation of architects and interior designers. In line with this, he’s worked with the Canadian University of Dubai as a guest professor and endorses talented candidates for internship or employment with his firm and others in the industry. “I’m overwhelmed, to be honest; I had no idea that I was going to win this against such amazing competition, and I heard that there were 14 people nominated in the first place. To win this award – it shows a little bit of the hard work RSP is putting into this market, and I think that from a business perspective, it shows that we have made the right decisions in the past few years. We are still going strong in Dubai, the UAE and the wider region,” commented Steinhauer. “This award validates us in a way – our vision of how we drive the business as part of the bigger RSP group, as a Dubai studio, that we are successful in implementing this vision, and I have to say I’m thrilled and excited and thankful.”
This is only the beginning. I have been in this region for two years now, and like I said this is the start of something great” January 2020
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On Site | 23
Women in Construction Professional of the Year Nominees:
• • • •
Aleksandra Popivoda – Mott MacDonald Aurore Knight – Black & White Engineering Margaret Bautista – Jacobs Suad Khawaja – Parsons
Winners:
• Kaarin Kalavus – Turner & Townsend • Rachel Collins – Faithful+Gould This category recognises professionals who deliver sterling work on a day-to-day basis and are role models for other women through their participation in industry events and media. A total of 13 nominations were submitted for this category, and competition was so strong that the judges were adamant that six women be recognised on the shortlist, rather than just three. Kaarin Kalavus, associate director at Turner & Townsend, was the first woman recognised on the night. Since joining her current employer in 2015, she has risen swiftly through the ranks and has earned a reputation as a region-wide BIM specialist. She’s also played an important role on high-profile projects including Expo 2020, and was given the opportunity to be part of her firm’s chairman group. In addition, she’s also been recognised as a future leader. “For me, winning this award was quite unexpected, as I saw six people have been shortlisted – so obviously the competition must have been fierce. But it’s really nice to receive it now, as it’s been a tough year. I would say the hard work isn’t over and it’s a great encouragement for the rest of my team, as well as other people in the business to work hard, and I guess this award shows them that recognition will come if you work hard,” said Kalavus. meconstructionnews.com
The second winner was recognised following a tally of the votes, when the editorial team found that two women had received an equal number of first-choice votes. Due to this, and because the second candidate is based outside the UAE and is blazing a trail for women in that market, the editorial team decided to recognise a second, international winner. Rachel Collins, head of procurement at Faithful+Gould, won due to her experience across multiple sectors. In her current role, she leads the implementation of strategic procurement best practice and is responsible for attracting and retaining procurement professionals. She has also dedicated her time to encouraging women into careers in the industry, through opinion pieces and through her participation in industry events such as Middle East Consultant’s own Women in Construction Summit. “To be honest, it’s a huge shock, so congratulations to the other winner within the category. I’m really surprised to be able to see that we have been able to win in this category. It’s a huge step forward, particularly for my business in Saudi Arabia, and that’s what the judges have recognised – that we are moving fast-paced within that culture and supporting the culture change and shift within KSA. For me and our part of the business – emerging services – it’s fantastic to see this credibility around what we are delivering and the support that we are providing to clients, so it’s all about how we continue to progress from here,” Collins remarked.
It’s fantastic to see this credibility around what we are delivering and the support that we are providing to clients” January 2020
24 | On Site
Gender Diversity Champion of the Year
Specialist Consulting Company of the Year
Nominees:
Nominees:
• Mott MacDonald • RMJM
• LIMAH • Patrick Parsons
Winner:
Winner:
• Atkins
• K Tech Consulting
This category recognises consultancies that are working to build a gender-diverse workforce and empowering women who are already part of their ranks. Judges studied each nomination for evidence of a commitment to building a diverse and empowered workforce through well thought-out initiatives and programmes. Atkins was selected as the winner in this category, thanks to its holistic view of diversity and inclusion. It has already launched its own Regional Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Business Network, with local chapter heads in the UAE, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and South Africa. The firm also signed the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles in early 2019, conducted a self-audit and rolled out a D&I action plan around leadership, recruitment, HR policies, performance tracking and talent development and training. Commenting on winning the award, Naomi Miles, human resources director at Atkins, stated, “We are thrilled to win the award. We have worked hard on D&I throughout the business, throughout the Middle East, and we have some really strong champions across the business. We drive D&I, especially from a women’s point of view, into the business and it’s something that we are very passionate about. We drive this strategy all the way to the top and all the way to the bottom of the business.”
K Tech Consulting was selected as the winner of this category, thanks to a nomination that highlighted its commitment to providing quality consulting services and value while maintaining client trust. The nomination indicated a broad portfolio of work that includes airports, residential and office towers, stadiums, mosques, prisons and even the military. The judges commended the firm for persevering to maintain high standards of design and approved materials, while trying to educate clients on its approach and methodology, despite prevailing market trends of trying to complete projects quickly and cheaply. “We’re very happy to win this award. We’ve worked hard for the past three years, trying to make all our clients happy by achieving their goals on all their projects, while sticking to their schedule and delivering quality work,” explained Rami Al Deeb, security and ICT engineer at K Tech Consulting.
January 2020
We’ve worked hard for the past three years, trying to make all our clients happy by achieving their goals on all their projects” meconstructionnews.com
On Site | 25
Start-Up of the Year
Workplace of the Year
Nominees:
Nominees:
• Integrity Project Solutions • SAY Studio
• Cundall • JT+Partners
Winner:
Winner:
• Climatize Engineering Consultants
• LIMAH
This category recognises a consultancy that recently opened for business in the region and has already begun delivering sterling work. Only companies established in the last 24 months and working on or already having delivered projects were considered for this award. Climatize Engineering Consultants was recognised as the winner on the night. It was established in October 2018 and has quickly established itself as a contender in the sustainability and environmental segments. It secured over $270,000 in contracts within its first year and expects to close year two with between $540,000 and $815,000 in its pipeline. The firm’s portfolio of work includes five buildings in Meeras’ Port De La Mer and Abu Dhabi Port’s KIZAD new headquarters office, and it has converted 57m sqft of land into green and sustainable development. It has also achieved a 50-50 male to female ratio and offers mentorship and training programmes through its affiliation with the British University in Dubai. Engi Jaber, CEO and MD of Climatize Engineering Consultants, commented, “This feels fantastic, given that it was our first nomination for the Start-Up of the Year category. This will definitely boost our brand and our image in the market, which is extremely competitive at the moment. At the same time, it is wonderful recognition for all the hard work that the entire team has done over the past year.”
This award honours a firm that has built an excellent equalopportunity environment, empowers its workforce and strives for employee satisfaction and retention. To qualify, companies simply had to demonstrate their commitment to staff. LIMAH, a previous winner in this category, was once again recognised as the Workplace of the Year winner for 2019. The firm’s nomination showed its ongoing commitment and understanding of its diverse staff. The firm says its ethos is to first create exceptional experiences for itself, and its nomination included several written and filmed endorsements from members of staff. As a result, the majority of our judges ultimately gave this firm a positive nod. “We’re surprised to win, however we do place huge importance on our workplace. It’s something that we have always prized, and we work hard on making the studio a great place to work and hence this recognition means a lot to us,” said Aysha Ahmed, marketing coordinator at LIMAH.
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We work hard on making the studio a great place to work and hence this recognition means a lot to us” January 2020
26 | On Site
Lighting Design Consultancy of the Year Nominees:
• dpa Lighting Consultants • Nulty
Urban Design & Landscaping Company of the Year Winner:
Parsons Winner:
• Studio Lumen Lighting Design and Consultancy This award honours companies that specialise in lighting design and looks for consultants that have delivered distinctive and impressive lighting solutions across projects in the last 12 months. Five firms nominated, but only three made the shortlist. In its nomination, Studio Lumen Lighting Design and Consultancy said it believes lighting should be seen to both aesthetically enhance the environment and meet formal requirements such as local and state energy requirements, as well as safety, security and amenity. The firm also said its own success lies in the professional and personal growth of its people, and it thus offers equal opportunity to every employee. Projects in the 2018-2019 period include several in Dubai, such as the Creek Park District, Kifaf Phase III and Burj Nahar Mall; the Address Hotel in Istanbul; and many more. “We are thrilled to have won this award the second time in a row, I think it proves we have been able to demonstrate key qualities for the judges, in the last 12 years of being a stable business with our project profile and the quality of work. Tonight’s success is a validation of our efforts that comes from the industry, so we are going to go to our clients and extend a vote of thanks for the trust that they have placed in us,” said Siddharth Mathur, partner at Studio Lumen Lighting Design & Consultancy. January 2020
This award honours an urban design or landscaping firm that has created the most attractive outdoor spaces in the year leading up to the awards gala. This category does not have a shortlist, as the judges felt there was one clear winner. Parsons was honoured thanks to a focus on enabling greater design thinking and processes. This approach has led to the firm winning prestigious projects including the Red Sea Project and several key city regeneration projects. It aspires to create enduring places through quality and design excellence and leave a legacy for future generations to enjoy, its nomination stated. David Manfredi, VP – Design and Consultancy Services at Parsons, explained, “Ours is a fairly new design offering to the market, it’s only four or five years old, so relatively new compared to the other firms in the region. We have been working hard for the last year to develop more of an aesthetic approach while being functional and supporting client objectives, so it’s fulfilling to know that we’ve done well to garner an award for one of our first major projects.”
We are pretty new, so it’s fulfilling to know that we have done well to garner an award for our sort of first major project” meconstructionnews.com
28 | On Site
Technology Champion of the Year
Sustainable Consultancy of the Year
Nominees:
Nominees:
• Aurecon • RSP
• Climatize Engineering Consultants • Griffin Project Development Consultants
Winner:
Winner:
• Parsons
• AESG
This category honours a consultant that has developed an inhouse solution or has taken advantage of a third-party solution to elevate its service offering and the value it delivers to clients. Parsons was recognised as the winner thanks to its consistent commitment to the development and integration of solutions to empower and drive client value. Over the years it has developed a multitude of technology suites and more recently it has been focused on the deployment of PAR-IMS. David Manfredi, VP – design and consultancy services, commented, “This is the second year in a row that we are winning this award, so it’s pretty amazing. We have worked hard on our digital strategy; we embed that in our business planning and our training schemes. The whole office is digital, so we enjoy delivering our projects from the earliest ideas to the hand-over of the projects to the clients digitally, so it’s very satisfying to win this.”
Sustainability is an important topic and this category looks to honour consultants with significant expertise in terms of sustainable building practices and techniques. Seven nominations were submitted for this category, but the majority of votes pointed to AESG as the winner once again. Its nomination showed that the firm is taking an active role in shaping the future of sustainability through technical innovation, participation with governments, academia and industry groups, voluntary training and the publishing of free whitepapers. The firm also stated that it has upped its commitment to combating climate change by signing the World Green Building Council’s Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment, and has committed itself to providing a pathway to net zero carbon on all its projects by 2020. Weighing in on winning the award, Phillipa Grant, head of energy and sustainability at AESG, explained, “It’s great to win the award again, this is the third year in a row, and it’s great to be recognised for the work we are doing. Each year we try to push ourselves further, and this year we have signed the WELL building council’s net-zero carbon buildings commitment, which is an international commitment to further net-zero carbon buildings within the industry and actively drive that.”
The whole office is digital, so we enjoy delivering our projects from the earliest ideas to the hand-over of the projects to the clients digitally” January 2020
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On Site | 29
Sustainable Project of the Year
Cost Consulting Company of the Year
Nominees:
Nominees:
• Al Faya Lodge – desert INK • Swiss International School of Dubai – U+A
• Compass Project Consulting • Currie & Brown
Winner:
Winner:
• Cundall Dubai Office – Cundall
• Omnium International
This award highlights a project that stand out as a sustainable regional benchmark. Four nominations were submitted. Cundall’s Dubai Office was given the nod by the judges; the panel felt that the project can serve as a regional example of a commitment to sustainability, health and wellbeing in design. The nomination also thoroughly demonstrated that reducing the carbon footprint was at the heart of the project. “Sustainability and wellbeing are at the forefront of what we do as a business and we try to practise what we preach, so it was inevitable that when we moved into a new office, it would be designed to meet the highest standards available. That is also something that we tell all our clients, that this is the way to go if you want to promote a healthy workplace for staff and it also helps to increase productivity across a wide range of businesses,” said Tony Owens, technical director at Cundall.
This award acknowledges a company that has successfully achieved the best possible value for construction costs and has exhibited a depth of expertise in the field of quantity surveying and cost consulting in the Middle East. Five firms submitted nominations for this category. Omnium International was once again given the winning nod, thanks to its focus on client relationships and its commitment to exceeding expectations in a challenging market. The firm prides itself on looking beyond just the cost element on each of its projects, and states that it establishes positive relationships with project managers and stakeholders as early as possible. The firm says it offers tailored services unmatched in the market, and as part of its nomination it supplied significant evidence to back up its claim – there were no fewer than 10 positive testimonials from clients including One Za’abeel, IMKAN, Calatrava International, CallisonRTKL, Ithra Dubai, Al Ghurair Real Estate and Emaar. “We are truly honoured and thrilled to have won this award again. This is an award for every single member of our staff at Omnium; we try hard to do our absolute best for our clients, as we recognise how incredibly important client relationships and retaining reputation is for the company,” noted Peter Westeng, director at Omnium International.
It was inevitable that when we moved into a new office, it would be designed to meet the highest standards available” meconstructionnews.com
January 2020
30 | On Site
Structural Engineering Company of the Year
Project Management Company of the Year
Winner:
Nominees:
DeSimone Consulting Engineers
• Compass Project Consulting • Turner & Townsend
Nominees in this category spent the last 12 months providing the most intelligent and innovative structural solutions to clients. As with two of the other categories, the judges decided against a shortlist as an obvious winner was apparent. DeSimone Consulting Engineers is a long-term player in the region and has established a reputation for creative thinking and innovation. Since 2015, its UAE-based engineer headcount has grown by 90% and the judges applauded the fact that women make up 40% of its UAE-based workforce. From September 2018 to September 2019, the firm worked on a variety of key projects including the Al Wasl Tower and the Ha’il Water Tank Tower in Saudi Arabia. On winning the award, Ahmed Osman, managing principal at DeSimone Consulting Engineers, stated, “This recognition is actually a responsibility, and I believe this award goes to the hard work of the employees we have, and it just makes us proud and puts the pressure on us to maintain the quality work that we are doing. For the next year, it’s going to be very challenging, but we are still developing very interesting projects and we are very happy to be here.”
This recognition is actually a responsibility, and I believe this award goes to the hard work of the employees we have” January 2020
Winner:
• Faithful+Gould Project managers provide leadership, guidance and decisiveness in challenging situations, and are often the conduit between those working on-site and the client. This award recognises an organisation that has achieved outstanding results. All three candidates made strong cases for themselves, but the judges applauded Faithful+Gould for its commitment to delivering excellent work across diverse projects, its broad project portfolio and its development and use of technology to drive client value. In its nomination, the firm said it enjoyed a 10% uplift in revenue on the last year and a 20% compound annual growth rate in the last three years, while its margin has increased by 40% through operation efficiency. The firm has also experienced significant growth in the Saudi market, stating that it has seen 50% revenue growth and a 40% increase in staff. It also boasts an 80% repeat business rate. Johan Hesselsøe, managing director at Faithful+Gould, commented, “For me, this recognition is about the hard work of the teams across the whole region; right now our focus is on growing our presence in Saudi Arabia, but also having a real focus throughout the market in the UAE, Oman and Qatar, as a core part of the business. The second part for us is our dedication to technology, to deliver consistent services to our clients and ensuring that we can use that to continue our service going forward.” meconstructionnews.com
On Site | 31
MEP Engineering Company of the Year
Architectural Company of the Year
Nominees:
Nominees:
• Atkins • BuroHappold Engineering
• JT+Partners • Pace
Winner:
Winner:
• Black & White Engineering
• RSP
This award recognises the accomplishments of a firm in the field of mechanical, electrical and plumbing. Black & White Engineering has worked on everything from schools to mixed-use developments and supertall structures. In the last year, it has been involved in the design and build of several major data centres across the region, and has earned a reputation for specialising in the delivery of complex engineering design solutions. Jamie Darragh, electrical director at Black & White Engineering, noted, “We are delighted to have won the award, and it’s all about how we work – we all work as one team and that is one of our ethoses, we strive for a culture of excellence in design and services. To build on tonight’s success, we will continue with the same mentality we have had for the last couple of years, which has proven to be successful and allowed us to expand and deliver the level of quality our clients now expect from us.”
The Architectural Company of the Year award celebrates a company for conceptualising and delivering innovative architecture, while also training and inspiring the next generation of architects. This year the category received no fewer than five quality nominations, however RSP was ultimately given the winning nod by the panel of judges. Through its nomination, the firm showcased significant project expertise and a client-centred and collaborative approach to projects. Over the last 12 months, the firm leveraged its talent pool to work on projects in markets such as Azerbaijan, China, India, Kenya and Singapore, while continuing its focus on dozens of regional projects, including the Nakheel Mall & Palm Tower. As a testament to its expertise, the firm also won an international design competition for what is likely to become an iconic project for the UAE – Abu Dhabi’s first Hindu temple complex. “I think it’s a great achievement winning this award, and it’s a true testament to the hard work and the dedication of a very talented team in the Middle East. We strive to do the best design and the best buildings we can, and winning this award is a sign of how well we have done over the last number of years,” explained Michael Magill, MD and creative director at RSP.
It’s all about how we work – we all work as one team and that is one of our ethoses, we strive for a culture of excellence in design and services” meconstructionnews.com
January 2020
32 | On Site
Smart Project of the Year
Editor’s Choice Award
Winner:
Winner:
3D Printed Home – U+A
Alison Watson – Class of Your Own
This category highlights a project that set a new benchmark within the regional construction industry. Judges were looking for projects delivered using modern building techniques and technologies such as BIM, artificial intelligence and 3D printing technology. While a handful of nominations were submitted, there was no shortlist for this category, as the judges felt only one nomination really qualified. U+A grabbed the prize this year for its work on a 3D printed home for a developer. The firm leveraged rapid prototyping, namely PLA 3D printing, as a tool in the iterative design process, which made it possible to inspect a physical model and make design decisions based on that model. As the project itself will be delivered using 3D printing technology, this approach makes perfect sense. “We have had incredible investments in what we are doing right now, and it’s a massive experiment within the region. There are opportunities to do what we are doing with this technology, and having the back-up of the companies that are running this – it’s given us a massive opportunity to expand. This technology, when rolled out, is going to be able to achieve the next level and we are very happy to be behind that,” said Malcolm MacLeod, project director + partner at U+A.
This award is one that companies could not submit for and that the panel of judges did not vote on. The winner was chosen by the Middle East Consultant editorial team, based on an interview with an individual within the last 12 months. For the 2019 edition of the Middle East Consultant Awards, Alison Watson, founder and CEO of Class Of Your Own, was honoured. Watson is determined to attract young talent to the construction industry at the school level, through the Design Engineer Construct (DEC) learning programme. Since founding Class Of Your Own in the UK 10 years ago, she has worked to roll out the STEAM-focused curriculum in schools around the world, including in Dubai. Since the programme was launched, she’s worked to forge partnerships with construction and technology firms, and has already changed the lives of many young people, several of them already employed by world-class professional services firms. Through DEC, she is effecting significant positive change in the industry and is looking for support from firms and professionals. Samuel Landete, DEC teacher at Fairgreen International School, stated, “I’m super happy to accept this award on behalf of Alison. We hope to make a difference by bringing the construction industry to schools and helping young students to discover this great world, while giving them the skills they need to succeed. Hopefully, the next winners will be our students! I hope winning this award raises the profile of DEC in the region, so more schools adopt it and more students can benefit from it and are encouraged to join the construction industry.”
This technology, when rolled out, is going to be able to achieve the next level and we are very happy to be behind that” January 2020
meconstructionnews.com
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Project of the Year Nominees:
• ADM Control Centre and Park – Parsons • Khazna Data Centre – Black & White Engineering
Multi-Discipline Consulting Company of the Year
Winner:
Nominees:
• Al Qana – MZ Architects
• Atkins • Aurecon
The Project of the Year award recognises a consultant’s work on a project that showcases design prowess, unparalleled engineering and a commitment to sustainability. 15 submissions were entered for this category; however, Al Qana, submitted by MZ Architects, was given the ultimate thumbs-up. The project impressed the judges thoroughly thanks to its scale, functional diversity and distinctive architectural language. Once complete, it is expected to play a key role in the future social development of the emirate, while simultaneously influencing architecture in the city for the foreseeable future. Following the win, Tony Abi Gebrayel, managing partner at MZ Architects, stated, “Winning this award is a great feeling – we’ve been working for five years on this project and it’s finally coming to completion, so this is a great reward as we get close to delivery. This is a one-of-a-kind project in the region and especially in Abu Dhabi. It’s very diverse and we had to think about every detail and every small corner, so it’s a big thing for us to win this award.”
We’ve been working for five years on this project and it’s finally coming to completion, so this is a great reward as we get close to delivery” meconstructionnews.com
Winner:
• WSP This award recognises firms that provide a variety of inhouse services to their clients and have made a name for themselves by taking on complex and prestigious projects while delivering quality results consistently. 12 companies submitted nominations for this category. As per its nomination, WSP has worked on no fewer than 660 projects in the region in the last year, and has thrown its weight behind important issues such as health and safety, diversity and inclusion, as well as encouraging young people of all genders and cultures into STEM-related careers. It has also focused on educating clients about the future challenges they may face. “On behalf of WSP, I would like to thank the organisers and judges for this award. To be recognised for the work we do in the industry is a real honour, considering the shortlisted firms. At WSP we place our clients at the centre of everything we do and we take pride in the work we do for them on their projects. Valuing our clients and our people is in our DNA. Our drive to challenge the status quo, and contribute positively to the future of our societies, is what makes WSP such a rewarding consultancy to work with,” remarked Gurminder Sagoo, client director at WSP. January 2020
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Setting a Benchmark Angitha Pradeep speaks to Nada Taryam about Bee’ah’s new HQ, which will be the MENA region’s first fully integrated AI building, and one of the smartest buildings in the world once it begins operations in 2020
Starting its journey in 2007 with the objective of creating a sustainable future, Bee’ah had 60 employees and a primary offering of three stream bins. Today, 6,000-plus employees later, its vision to revolutionise environmental management services, systematic waste management, utilisation of renewable energy sources, and community engagement initiatives has made Bee’ah synonymous with sustainability in the MENA region. The benchmarks it has set over the years have allowed the waste management mogul to not only create a roadmap for sustainability meconstructionnews.com
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01
but also strategise a futuristic renewable energypowered headquarters. Speaking about preliminary plans and design selection, Nada Taryam, director of civil and architectural projects at Bee’ah, says, “The design of the project was initially run as a competition where three international architects had submitted proposals. Upon presenting it to the Sharjah ruler, he chose the Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) design. During that time, Bee’ah was rapidly expanding and diversifying in terms of starting with waste collection, but also moving towards becoming a more integrated environmental solutions company tackling challenges in Sharjah and other emirates. “So there came the need to build a new HQ, and by doing that we also wanted to incorporate our two core pillars – sustainability and digitisation – and we were also looking at improving the quality of life in the MENA region and beyond.” Bee’ah’s commitment to sustainability and digitisation is evident throughout the design, construction and , as Taryam explains, operation of the new HQ. It will be the MENA region’s first fully integrated office building with artificial intelligence (AI), and one of the smartest in the world once it opens in April 2020. Located in Al Sajaa, Sharjah, the design of the 90,000sqm site began in 2014 and took two years. Construction began in 2017. January 2020
01 The 7,450sqm new Bee’ah headquarters is located on a 93,000sqm site adjacent to the Bee’ah Waste Management Centre in Al Sajaa, Sharjah. 02 Bee’ah collaborated with JCI to create a digital twin of the building, in order to view how different technologies would interact with each other.
The project is targeting 20% recycled materials based on the total material cost of the project, while the recycled materials are a combination of post-consumer and pre-consumer recycled content”
Taryam says, “We wanted proximity to our waste management complex, but we also wanted a site that complements and pays tribute to the local Emirati environment; the building itself is inspired by the dunes. In the future, we plan to connect our facilities either through a bridge or a tunnel so that all of our operations are seamless. “In terms of its constitution, it’s an innovative structure that we’ve incorporated sustainability through passive design such as the orientation of the building, the roof’s reaction to harsh sunlight and its location within the site with respect to prevailing winds. We have also embraced other sustainability measures such as water and power reduction and the use of recycled materials within the construction process, while waste generated during construction goes back to our construction and demolition waste recycling facility.” Taking into account the “office of the future”, as Taryam says, the HQ will have an open-plan office layout and will accommodate 200 staff members plus visitors in a two-floor setting. The ground floor will have the main programme of the building and is separated into private and public space. She elaborates: “The private area is where we have the offices with open workstations and meeting rooms, while the public area will include a visitors’ centre, an auditorium with around 220 meconstructionnews.com
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seats, a café space and other meeting rooms. On the first floor there is the management suite, with the chairman and CEO’s offices, the Majlis, the VIP boardroom and a public gallery space with rotating exhibitions. “The central part of the building – the courtyard, which we call the lungs of the building – is where the private and public space meet, so it’s an engagement area with water features, seating areas and softscape.” She adds that the visitors’ centre will be an interactive experience which tells the Bee’ah story and the general story about the environment, and will also highlight the HQ – its features as well as the project and its process. Integrating Technology
In Q2 2019, Bee’ah signed agreements with Microsoft, Johnson Controls and EVOTEQ for smart building solutions at the HQ for employee development and operational convenience. Summarising the building, Taryam says it will have a persona – an AI feature which can speak
to visitors and employees, integrated in one piece of software. “On the employee side, the software will be integrated into one unit, so in terms of HR processes and admin, the staff can directly speak to the building or the software and the task will be done. Meanwhile, for recording meeting and forums, everything will be done wirelessly and even features such as minute-taking will be an automated procedure. “The building will have facial recognition and access control features, which negate the requirement of an additional chip/card, while in the longer run the building is going to learn using the AI feature and the different software installed. Everything will be integrated into one tablet, so it reduces manual work, since we believe that is the future. We have also allowed provisions for flexibility within the structure, for adopting new technology when it comes.” Taryam says the HQ will open doors for people to rethink the idea of integrating technology, and how it comes together.
“We have integrated features such as power, water, security systems – including CCTV, window blinds, energy monitoring, our operations within and outside the building – into the BMS, which will be monitored. Meanwhile, different principles such as mechanical, electrical and plumbing will be connected into one system which can read and talk to each other. So through the BMS system, the building will be able to pre-emptively maintain itself and also learn about maintenance frequencies and pattern of maintenance after some time through the AI feature. “However, the integration of all of these principles was a big challenge. Due to the nature of the design, everything had to be thought of before going to the site. Moreover, agreeing to the location of all the services is a complex process, which is why we adopted BIM right from the beginning,” Taryam states. Bee’ah is aiming for LEED platinum certification, and is working to a net-zero energy building and achieving net-zero certification.
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Demand for Sustainability
Bee’ah has collaborated with Masdar to build a photovoltaic (PV) farm consisting of approximately 3,000 solar panels to power the HQ. Taryam explains that they started with the groundwork late last year, and the PV farm will be ready at the same time the HQ is scheduled to open. Bee’ah has also partnered with Tesla to have four batteries on-site, to store the surplus power from the PV farm. The batteries have a capacity of 912kWh and the surplus energy will be reused at a later time. Additionally, Taryam says the plan is to have a larger rooftop PV farm on Bee’ah’s landfill site for the operation of its upcoming waste-to-energy plant, as well as to later connect it to the HQ site. Taryam notes that the HQ embodies the most sustainable solutions, with no compromise on innovation or delivery. “We were able to achieve exemplary performance through innovative wastewater technologies; the project has reduced potable water
We wanted proximity to our waste management complex, but we also wanted a site that complements and pays tribute to the local Emirati environment; the building itself is inspired by the dunes” 03 Bee’ah is working towards making the development a netzero energy building and achieving netzero certification.
consumption by 69% through the on-site greywater system and 100% on-site wastewater treatment. This recycled water will be reused for flushing toilets and meeting water demand for landscaping at the site.” In terms of landscaping, the firm is working with native plants that don’t require much irrigation, and is using fixtures in bathrooms and toilets to reduce water flow and consumption. “The project is targeting 20% recycled materials based on the total material cost of the project, while the recycled materials are a combination of post-consumer and preconsumer recycled content,” she explains. Asked about lighting, Taryam notes the HQ has a media façade on its roof with over half a million LED lights attached and integrated into the overall design. The media façade will light up the building at night for different occasions, and the content can be adapted onto the façade. “We also have electric charging stations for electric cars integrated within the parking, which has over 200 vehicle spaces,” she adds.
03
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04 Nada Taryam is director of civil and architectural projects at Bee’ah.
04
05 Total steel usage on the project is 2,300 tons (1,250 tons of primary steel and 1,050 tons of secondary steel), and over 11,000m 3 of concrete was poured.
Joint Effort
Taryam says the firm appointed Al Futtaim Carillion, now Al Futtaim Construction (AFC), early for better engagement on the packages and to select the best partners to work with. “We have regular meetings and workshops and full-time resources from ZHA. The core team from London flies in every month and does workshops from different areas of the packages where needed, while we also have DSA Architects International as the local consultants. “The main sub-contractor is called Arabian Profile, a company located in Sharjah with their factory just 25 minutes away from the site, while the glazing façade sub-contractor is called Linder, which is also locally based. The main steel structure frame was also constructed by a local company called Unger, based in Sharjah.” Taryam makes a point of mentioning that ease of logistics contributes to the LEED rating. Asked about the challenges of coordinating with different stakeholders, Taryam says, “We did have some clashes, because it’s a complex structure to build and the region here is not used to it, but through workshops we were able to discuss and agree and move forward.” She mentions that one of the things that helped reduce clashes was creating mock-ups. “We had mock-ups built on the recommendation of the consultants; the contractor was obviously onboard because it simplifies the process, and when we agree on certain elements it’s easier to have smoother construction that speeds up the process as well. “Mock-ups were built for different sections of the building: the external panels; the external façade; the glazing; the internal panels, which are the glass reinforced panels (GRP); and the meconstructionnews.com
05
external panels, which are glass reinforced concrete (GRC), since they are more durable to environmental factors.” Pre-fabrication was extensively used during construction. “Over 6,400 GRC panels, each different from the other, and over 2,600 individually moulded external façade GRC cladding panels, each weighing 400kg, were pre-fabricated. Another batch of over 2,400 internal GRP fit-out panels were also individually moulded and fabricated, along with approximately 300 external glass panels.” Taryam says another important mock-up was the casted concrete dome, since contractors in this region are not used to this type of finished concrete surface.
She also stresses that AFC holds itself to high standards when it comes to health and safety on the site. Taryam concludes, “We have gotten a lot of positive feedback on the project, but the message we want to send is that we want people to reconsider the way they are building and set a benchmark for upcoming projects. I think we have been influential to a certain extent; people are starting to come up with projects that we think will have a positive impact. It’s necessary to think about the environment and sustainability features of construction projects, and there is so much that can be achieved by passive design and active design, as well as active features in the building.” January 2020
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Mercedes Carrillo
“Employers should promote diversity, ensuring that development is offered to employees irrespective of gender” Following our special edition dedicated to women in the construction industry, Middle East Consultant continues to share the inspiration and experiences of women working in the male-dominated industry across the GCC. Here, we catch up with Mercedes Carrillo, claims consultant at Omnium International. What drove you to get into construction and your very first role in the industry? What were some of the influences that set you on your path?
I have always been fascinated by infrastructure, the lynchpin of a successful society. During my teenage years, Spain was going through an exciting period of transformation – structural funds from the European Union were being invested in developing new and upgrading existing infrastructure systems. Thanks to this, I got a first-hand look at how investment in infrastructure can positively impact and improve the quality of life for society. I decided then that I wanted to be a civil meconstructionnews.com
engineer and work in an area that can make a positive difference to our society. Share a brief about your career, mentioning key achievements.
When I graduated high school, I hit a barrier as Civil Engineering master’s degrees are not available in my homeland Gran Canaria, which is a small island off the coast of West Africa. I was the only student in my class who wanted to pursue engineering as a degree, and in order to make it happen I had to leave my home to pursue my studies in Madrid and Vienna. While studying, I soon realised that I was more interested in the commercial management of construction projects, and in particular the claims and dispute resolution side of construction. Thus I decided to complement my engineering background with some Business Administration studies. My biggest achievement to date is actually the first job I had after I completed my studies. I was one of 600 engineers to be selected from a pool of 15,000 applicants to work at the Directorate-General for Mobility January 2020
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and Transport of the European Commission in Brussels. Based in the nucleus of Europe and working for the exact government body that inspired me to pursue this career path is an achievement I will always be proud of. I gained a fascinating and rare insight and understanding of the decision-making processes for transport policies that affect the mobility of millions of European citizens. In 2013 I was drawn to the Middle East, which was going through a period of transformation similar to the one Spain went through during my teenage years. I have been lucky enough to have worked on some fascinating and highly complex infrastructure projects, including the New Orbital Highway in Qatar and the new Midfield Terminal Building in Abu Dhabi. During this period, I’ve worked for both contracting and consultancy companies and have been involved in all phases of a project’s commercial lifecycle, from managing contracts and tender processes to providing specialised claims and dispute services.
Construction presents some barriers to people entering the industry. However, I don’t think these barriers are exclusive to women. When I started working in this industry, I always felt that it was my age that was the real disadvantage”
How have you made your mark in the construction industry and what is your proudest moment?
It is difficult to say. Some defining moments come to mind, yet it is the entire journey that I’m most proud of. Working for different organisations in different countries has always been accompanied with new challenges. Adapting to new environments and teaming up with professionals from different cultural backgrounds, although stimulating, has never been a straightforward process. Coping with these changes has helped me to develop resilience and self-determination. But above all, each experience has made me more eager to learn. Rather than any specific milestone, I’d say that I’m proud of the growth and experience I’m gaining through the years.
to women. When I started working in this industry, I always felt that it was my age that was the real disadvantage. I’ve always thought that construction is an industry that fosters seniority over investing in the new generations. The sector is generally keener on extensive experience than on new ideas. To enter the sector being young and unexperienced, regardless of gender, is the real challenge. I’d say that barriers to women are more evident at a later stage in their careers, rather than when entering the sector.
What are some of the barriers to women entering the construction industry?
The GCC construction sector is still
What was your personal experience?
male-dominated, but diversity is
Construction presents some barriers to people entering the industry. However, I don’t think these barriers are exclusive
beginning to increase. If you agree,
January 2020
comment on what is driving this and how you see the GCC markets changing
in the coming years. If you do not agree, please share your thoughts and views of the market.
Construction is still a male-dominated market here and outside the GCC. I believe that the main reason for this is that the construction sector has never been really as appealing as other industries are to women. However, I agree that this is slowly changing. Women are increasingly becoming interested in the career opportunities the construction sector has to offer, yet diversity is not growing homogeneously within the industry. While there has been a noticeable rise in the number of women working in design and architectural firms, the change is less obvious in contracting or project management companies. I believe that if we persist in meconstructionnews.com
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Employers should promote diversity, ensuring that salaries, development programmes or positions are offered to employees irrespective of gender. They can also embrace a more flexible working environment, allowing the achievement of a better work-life balance for both men and women. Besides authorities and construction companies, who else can play a part in increasing diversity and balancing pay scales in the industry?
pushing boundaries and raising awareness of the diverse opportunities and roles available in the sector, diversity in construction will continue to increase in the coming years.
I believe that women themselves have an important role to play in addressing these issues. Women can often put restrictions on themselves and are guilty of not placing as high a value on themselves as their male counterparts would. In my experience, women are less likely to push themselves to go talk to their boss when they are unhappy or want things to change, for fear of appearing difficult. We must learn to put ourselves forward in the same way our male counterparts do. I recently read an interesting article about a phenomenon referred to as the aspiration gap – that is, young women increasingly losing ambition to secure high-level jobs. What can women themselves do about this issue? This article highlighted that there was a duty on women to self-promote and step into leadership roles, not only because we are capable and competent, but also to be role models to younger women. As a woman in the industry, what has your experience been working in
Everyone has a part to play in diversity
the GCC construction sector? If you
and equal pay. What would you like to see
have worked in markets outside the
government authorities and construction
GCC, how does your experience here
firms do to increase diversity and make
compare with what you’ve experienced
pay a level playing field?
and observed in other markets?
Government and employers have a pivotal role to play in boosting diversity in the workplace. I believe that governments have an implied obligation to encourage equality and combat gender bias. Initiatives, and even laws, establish a framework for equal pay, and equal employment opportunities could be a first good step to take.
There is no denying that construction is a male-dominated industry both here and outside the GCC. In fact, since I moved into the claims and dispute resolution sector of the industry, I’m the only woman in the room in 90% of the meetings I attend. And while it sometimes feels that male attendees are a little wary, gender boundaries and
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preconceptions are disregarded quickly once technical discussions are underway. In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge women in the construction sector face in GCC countries? How can these challenges be addressed?
Women are increasingly becoming aware of the opportunities available in construction and are gradually developing an interest in the sector. Although slow, the industry is seeing an evident rise in the number of women working in construction. Unfortunately, I don’t perceive a corresponding trend when it comes to leadership roles. The lack of diversity in high-level positions is what I consider to be the biggest challenge faced by women in the construction sector nowadays. Despite being particularly evident in the Middle East, I believe this is an issue affecting the industry globally. How can this challenge be addressed? I think this issue should be tackled on two fronts. Firstly, we must continue to break down gender stereotypes about the role of women in societies and ensure that females are offered the same opportunities as their male counterparts. Secondly, women should eliminate those self-imposed boundaries and learn to put themselves forward in the same way that their male colleagues – that is, learn to ask for the opportunities they believe themselves to be worth. In doing your job, what sort of discrimination (if any) have you faced, and how did you or your employer address it?
I personally have been lucky enough to escape any overt and direct discrimination in any office that I have worked in. I have always felt that my gender has never in any way impacted how people interact with me. However, I do believe that my mindset does not allow such a barrier to stop me, as I believe in myself, and if there are any doubts by my colleagues due to my gender, they will quickly be removed as I have confidence in my knowledge and expertise. January 2020
Believe that you have unlimited potential and never think that it’s your gender that makes you ‘unsuitable’ for a specific role. Show respect for your colleagues, both male and female”
Apart from the statistics, Omnium is currently mentoring a significant number of staff members in obtaining their memberships with the Royal Institute of Quantity Surveyors. Support is given to both male and female employees, and I’m personally benefiting from this programme. In addition, Omnium also has a support scheme which provides sponsorships for non-technical staff members to undertake a postgraduate Quantity Surveying degree. This scheme is open to all staff who meet the criteria, regardless of their gender. Omnium also sponsored the first Women in Construction Summit to take place in the Middle East, which comprised a panel of discussions on gender diversity and creating equal workplaces. I attended the summit and felt encouraged by some of the female professionals who shared truly inspirational career stories. What advice would you give to a woman entering the GCC construction industry today?
Do you feel there’s a limit to how far you can progress within Omnium?
I don’t think there are any limitations for women in Omnium. Since joining, I’ve enjoyed an exceptional level of autonomy and am proud to be the most senior female member of the claims team that Omnium has ever had, and to be entrusted with largescale multi-billion-dirham projects highlights their belief in my ability. I’ve always felt that the organisation appreciates hard work, irrespective of gender. How does Omnium International approach diversity in the workplace? What more can your company do to increase diversity?
In Omnium, women currently represent approximately one quarter of the workforce, which is higher than the industry standard. In the claims department, we go a step further – 50% of our team are female.
Construction is an exciting industry that offers diverse career paths and countless opportunities for both men and women. Forget any prejudices you may have about construction in the GCC. Harness the unique opportunities this region has to offer; you will learn something new every day. I’d advise you to gain multi-disciplinary experience – a comprehensive understanding of the industry is the key to excelling in a leadership role. I will not deny that the construction industry still presents some challenges for women, yet there are still many self-imposed boundaries that we must break down. Believe that you have unlimited potential and never think that it’s your gender that makes you ‘unsuitable’ for a specific job role. Show respect for your colleagues, both male and female. We are not competing against men; we are working hand in hand with them. Be a team player. Finally, remember that your story is full of choices. Don’t be afraid of change. Good opportunities are generally outside your comfort zone! meconstructionnews.com
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01 Tariq Al Ghussein is the CEO of Taqeef.
01
Tariq Al Ghussein “With a surge in new properties entering the market, the need for more considered cooling has never been greater” at the top of our agenda and work together to find new ways of cooling our buildings that lessen the environmental impact. There are a number of ways we can approach this challenge, but a strong regulatory framework, more efficient technology, education and awareness are all good starting points. Sustainability and legislation
The UAE property development market is renowned for its innovation, and the promise of Expo 2020 has only served to accelerate this trend. An estimated $8bn of new infrastructure, an expected 25m visitors, and 124,000 new retail units entering the market by the end of 2021 equate to a lot of development and a need for a lot of cooling. In a region which faces some of the harshest weather conditions during summer, our reliance on air conditioning is inevitable. In fact, our own YouGov research found that 65% of UAE residents consider AC essential to quality of life, even more so than WiFi and cars. So with a dependency on AC coupled with a surge in new properties entering the market, the need for considered cooling has never been greater. As developers, manufacturers and suppliers, we need to put energy conservation January 2020
We know that HVAC systems can account for up to 75% of a building’s energy consumption during peak loads. Proportionally, that’s huge, so it’s good news that we’ve already got sustainability at the heart of our strategic focus, including UAE Vision 2021, the UAE Centennial 2071 and the UAE Energy Strategy 2050. Sustainability legislation has been the driving force behind developers abiding by greener, cleaner specifications, and to look at long-term energy impact over short-term gains. With this now factored into all aspects of development and design, we’re seeing more pull for efficient energy solutions. If we turn our attention to the AC industry, new technologies offer more sustainable and intuitive cooling, which keeps residents comfortable and reduces the overall impact on the environment. HVAC efficiency is evolving with the use of technologies such as VFD, VRF and invertors. Key players invest heavily in R&D to manufacture products designed specifically (not merely adapted) for desert conditions. That’s how we’ll realise the biggest savings and challenge over-use and over-cooling. New AC technology promises to deliver supreme cooling and efficiency for large-scale projects.
Education and awareness
However, awareness and perception of these newer technologies can be a barrier, and this is a key challenge for us as suppliers. We need to educate the opinion formers and specifiers on the benefits of emerging technologies. For example, VRF systems currently account for only 8% of the entire AC market by value, despite their well-evidenced benefits. VRF allows building owners to quantify savings, carbon footprint reduction and payback terms. It also facilitates lower cooling demand and ambient temperature at off-peak conditions, which may constitute more than 90% of the system operation. Another example, our first residential tower block VRF project in Dubai, resulted in audited savings of 66% – the scope for savings can be huge. And while these kinds of figures are difficult for even the most reticent decision-maker to ignore, VRF is still not always specified as the preferred technology. However, through training and education, we’re slowly witnessing a sea change. Solid year-on-year increases in VRF sales now make it one of the fastest growing AC segments in the UAE. More mindful use of AC is also all of our business. Taqeef launched AC Awareness Month in August, and our drive to promote less, more considered AC use led to some interesting responses. It’s important that all of us are thinking and talking more about how to cool our homes and businesses in a more considered way. After all, we can all play our part in protecting our planet one degree at a time. meconstructionnews.com
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