ME Consultant July/August 2022

HLB on its decades-long quest to reimagine spaces with light

BRIGHT IDEAS

A much-discussed technique moves dramatically up-scale

3D PRINTING

New Horizons

Fady Corm, Joe Tabet and JT + Partners’ Beirut office

Licensed by Dubai Development Authority

Bharat Limaye on infrastructure delivery

INFRASTRUCTURE JULY-AUGUST 2022

093

Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

Threat & Risk Assessment Gap Analysis Security System Design IT/AV Design Master Planning & Development Operational Requirements

Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

Testing & Commissioning Control Room Design System Integration Policies & Procedures Site Surveys & Audits Crisis Management

Contents | 01

22

July-August 2022 Issue 093

Cover Story

Taking the lead

In an increasingly cost-driven market, with little consensus in terms of architectural styles or scale, JT + Partners continues to grow substantially - and has now committed to a presence in Lebanon.

Middle East Consultant spoke to the head of the new Beirut office, Fady Corm, and the practice’s Founder and Managing Director, Joe Tabet

Infrastructure

The Infrastructure Imperative

10

Bharat Limaye explains why Consultants delivering infrastructure initiatives are in reality entrusted with nationbuilding of the highest order

Markets

18 meconstructionnews.com

UAE Real Estate Market Overview

JLL reviews the supply and performance of key real estate sectors in Q2 2022 in the UAE July-August 2022

02 | Contents

Lighting

Making everything extraordinary

Founded in 1968, HLB’s lighting designs have added texture and impact to many of the world’s ground-breaking projects. Now, as the firm expands its physical presence internationally, Dubai is set to be a primary hub

14 Opinion

Handling Project Panic

How to overcome project fear - a Consultant’s view on how to do things better

26 On Site

A nation (and a man) on a mission

Sergey Drozhzhin’s vision of 3D printing is a key element bringing the ‘UAE Industry 4.0’ programme to life

36 Event Review

Building the Future

The Future of Architecture Summit defined forthcoming urban hallmarks - and honoured the top architectural talents of tomorrow July-August 2022

32 meconstructionnews.com

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04 | Welcome

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Editorial

Keep on doing what you’ve always done…

It was the great American author Mark Twain who coined the famous phrase: “Keep on doing what you’ve always done and you’ll keep on getting what you’ve always got”.

The reason I mention this is because it’s increasingly becoming crystal clear that architects, designers and urban planners here in the region are no longer seeking to define the future as an extension of the present: they realise categorically that simply ‘bigging-up’ what we’re doing right now is only going to keep us in the same place, with the same frustrations, conventions and dilemmas.

Rather, it’s time to re-think the core model time to create cities that actually put people (not things) first and are built around community hubs that make life easier, more nourishing and more enjoyable.

The content of this issue of Middle East Consultant is built around this theme. You’ll see it writ large in the conclusions drawn from the recent Future of Architecture Summit. In fact, one of the remits when commissioning the presentations for this event was that we weren’t going take a snapshot of present trends and then July-August 2022

EDITOR PAUL GODFREY paul.godfrey@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5470

call this ‘the future’ - rather, we were going to think of the future as being so rich with innovations that it would be impossible to incorporate them in the existing urban framework.

There were some terrific examples of this at the event, not least a panel discussion titled ‘The Five Hallmarks of the Future City’. The panelists did indeed make a considerable leap of faith; they picked five features by which we’ll recognise the all-new urban landscapes of the future. They are: • Full Sustainability • Huge flexibility - built to accommodate future technologies (such as, eg, flying cars) • Micro communities, but at giga-scale: the vast cities of the future will in fact be composed of thousands of highly liveable, urban ‘hubs’ • People-focused: people will be front and centre of the design blueprint - with a priority on pedestrian areas, sidewalks and boulevard design • Appropriate materials - tomorrow’s materials will also reduce stored heat and help environmental cooling and temperature regulation One last question: so, what are we waiting for?

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06 | On Topic

LATEST NEWS

FEATURES

INFRASTRUCTURE

RTA says majority of construction completed on roads across three residential districts in Dubai

ANALYSIS: A circular economy can drive the way forward for sustainable infrastructure

INFRASTRUCTURE

Etihad Rail achieves major milestone in development of $13.6bn UAE Rail Network

PROPERTY

SAAS Properties inks deal with hospitality firm to operate 401 units in Business Bay tower

INTERVIEW: “We are committed to being the most inclusive employer in our industry”

SUSTAINABILITY

32 Dubai projects awarded green building certificates by Trakhees

GALLERY: The energy-positive 49,000m2 ‘Sluishuis’ building

CONSULTANT

RINA Consulting appoints Alberto Cavaggioni as new CEO

July-August 2022

Digital construction tools to improve delivery and operations in the smart build environment

REGISTER NOW

14 Sept 2022 Dubai UAE

meconstructionnews.com

On Topic | 07

FEATURED NEWS

MOST POPULAR INFRASTRUCTURE

Evaluation of prequalification bids for $2bn Bahrain Metro project underway Transport and Telecommunications Minister says the evaluation process will be concluded by the end of July 2022

CONSTRUCTION

Saudi German Health awards $59.5mn in contracts for Riyadh expansion

SUSTAINABILITY

“We have 93% certainty within the next five years of hitting new temperature highs” The global adoption of carbon taxes is required to enforce industry change says WSP Middle East’s Sophia Kee

TECHNOLOGY

Verdantix urges building facility managers to secure building systems against cyber-attacks

CONSTRUCTION

Shurooq reveals plans for adventure project in Khorfakkan Project overlooking Luluyah Beach will help bolster Sharjah as an appealing tourist destination in the region PROPERTY

CONSTRUCTION

DAMAC announces start of piling works at Cavalli Tower project The luxury residential project was launched in September 2021 and will feature 485 units once it is complete

Khidmah ranked in top 50 best workplaces in the country for 2022

SUSTAINABILITY

INFRASTRUCTURE

Saudi Arabia and Iraq move forward on electricity interconnection project The completion of this project comes within the framework of Saudi Vision 2030 and its executive programs

Critical debates in the Diversity and Inclusion agendas: lobbying for real-time change

meconstructionnews.com

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25 October 2022 Dubai UAE

Al Futtaim Group Real Estate partners with TIER Mobility for micro-mobility services

PROPERTY

Provis achieves significant energy and utility savings across residential destinations

July-August 2022

08 | On Topic

Environment

Technology

Dr. Matthew Bell becomes EY’s Climate Change and Sustainability Services leader

JLL Spark tops $340 million in investments

01

The EY organisation has appointed Dr. Matthew Bell as Global Leader of its Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) team, as the company continues to strengthen efforts to help businesses across the globe manage the growing risks and opportunities relating to climate change and sustainability.

Matthew has more than 20 years’ experience helping businesses build their climate change and sustainability credentials; he’s worked across the public and private sectors, including 14 years with the EY organization. He has a background in science, with a PhD in biotechnology.

In his new role Matthew will lead EY teams of more than 2,500 global, multidisciplinary sustainability professionals across the globe, who help companies better understand the risks and opportunities arising from climate change and sustainability issues.

Established more than 20 years ago, the teams serve businesses in more than 150 countries around the world. Marie-Laure Delarue, EY Global Vice Chair – Assurance, says: “Climate change and sustainability are among the most vital issues of our time and, over more than two decades, the EY organisation has built an incredibly strong reputation, advising businesses across the globe, on a whole host of related risks and opportunities.”

02 JLL Spark demonstrates formidably that the role of technology can expand to diverse operational areas in the quest to leverage performance.

July-August 2022

01 Matthew Bell is destined to help EY be better-positioned to advise clients on critical aspects of global climate change.

JLL Spark Global Ventures, the corporate venture arm of JLL, is marking the fourth anniversary of the launch of its global fund by announcing that it has invested over $340 million across 40+ proptech startups since June 2018.

Led by experienced Silicon Valley investors and entrepreneurs with successful track records building and investing in tech companies, JLL Spark focuses on leveraging technology to improve everything from real estate development and management to leasing and investing, while enhancing the experience of those who occupy commercial spaces. Its strategic proptech investments offer JLL the ability to provide innovative products to real estate owners and operators.

02

meconstructionnews.com

On Topic | 09

“Our goal is to bring the best of the startup ecosystem to JLL and its clients, globally,” said Mihir Shah, co-CEO, JLL Technologies, the parent division of JLL Spark. “JLL Spark is unique in the industry, combining a world-class venture capability and unrivalled expertise in the commercial real estate sector with an ability to provide a path to revenue to the teams we invest in.”

An investment from JLL Spark offers access to JLL’s extensive CRE client roster, including its global distribution and scale.

More than 60 percent of JLL’s investor and occupier clients use a JLL Spark portfolio company solution.

Portfolio companies also work with JLL Spark growth teams who serve as liaisons between JLL’s external investments centered around innovation, technology, and all internal JLL business lines. These experienced technologists and real estate leaders assist with creating opportunities by providing growth strategies and guidance.

“JLL Spark identifies concepts that we believe will be successful and deliver significant value,” said Raj Singh, managing partner, JLL Spark. “We’re growing new ideas by providing both funding and JLL’s deep commercial real estate industry expertise to transform the real estate industry through technology-based innovation.”

JLL Spark’s portfolio consists of global technology startups that support investor and occupier clients with innovative solutions in construction tech, ESG, fintech, smart buildings, and the future of work.

One such example is VergeSense, in which JLL Spark invested during multiple rounds including their Series C in March 2021. VergeSense’s platform provides contextualized insights about how spaces are really used by leveraging an optical sensor network combined with artificial intelligence. These insights empower companies to continuously optimise their workplaces, delivering exceptional employee experiences while achieving cost reduction and sustainability goals. In partnership with JLLT, VergeSense successfully expanded its strategic integrations with other real estate technologies. meconstructionnews.com

03

03 Carole O’Neil has played a powerful role in Cundall’s growth and her new appointment is set to leverage solid tactical advantage.

Strategies

Cundall announces new global Managing Partner Cundall has announced the appointment of Carole O’Neil as new global Managing Partner.

Carole steps up to lead the business 15 years after she first joined. She takes over from Tomás Neeson, who has served as Managing Partner for eight years and will now act as Chair of Cundall’s Partners.

Carole joined as Human Resources Director in 2007 and has helped Cundall grow from 450 people to a global practice of over 1,000 people in 21 offices during that time. She has been a part of Cundall’s Management Board for over a decade and has played a pivotal role supporting

the business’s leadership over the years.

This growth has provided many with the chance to broaden their career opportunities, including Carole. She spent 18 months in Cundall’s Asia Pacific offices in Hong Kong and Australia assisting the local management teams to develop and implement their business strategies - an experience she describes as a career highlight.

The appointment coincides with the launch of a new strategy for Cundall, solidifying the global business’s commitment to sustainability - with the company pledging that all projects will be zero carbon in design by 2030. The strategy also sets goals for the practice for the next ten years, building on the vision set out by previous generations of partners. This includes a renewed focus on culture and ensuring that Cundall remains a people-focused practice - a natural fit for a new Managing Partner with a background in human resources.

Carole’s experience as a people and culture professional, in addition to her role as a leader on Cundall’s management board, was further proven in November 2021, when she was named the Institute of Directors’ Chartered Director of the Year for Yorkshire and the North East.

As Managing Partner, she will be responsible for leading the Management Board, including delivering on Cundall’s new strategy and steering the practice through the next period of development.

July-August 2022

10 | On Topic

UAE Real Estate Market Q2 2022 Overview JLL reviews the supply and performance of key sectors in Q2 2022 in the UAE

Office

Since there were no new office completions in Dubai or Abu Dhabi in the second quarter of this year, the cities’ stocks remained stable at 9.1 million sq. m. and 3.9 million sq. m., respectively. In the second half of this year, an additional 53,000 sq. m. is scheduled to be delivered in Dubai and around 75,000 sq. m. in the capital.

Strong demand for Grade A floorspace coupled with tight availability in this segment led to double-digit growth in rents in Dubai.

Indeed, average Grade A CBD rental values climbed 15% year-on-year to AED 1,945 per sq. m. per annum in Q2 2022. On the same basis, rents in the capital increased by 8% to an average of AED 1,700 per sq. m. per annum.

Healthy levels of leasing activity helped exert downward pressure on Dubai CBD’s vacancy rate, which reached 14% in the second quarter of this year (a 3%-point fall compared with the preceding three months). Broadly, this can be attributed to tenants’ continued flight to quality as they take-up space in singleowned, well-managed quality office buildings.

In Q2, Abu Dhabi’s vacancy rate remained July-August 2022

stable at 26% compared to three months earlier but was 2%-points lower compared to a year ago.

We saw a considerably higher number of enquiries from new market entrants in the second quarter, especially for flexible office space. Queries from existing tenants also rose strongly as firms looked to expand their existing footprints. In terms of absorption, the financial, technology and e-commerce sectors continue to lead the way.

In view of healthy levels of leasing activity, landlords are firmly back in the driving seat. As a result, we are seeing fewer incentives being offered and less flexibility on asking rents during negotiations.

Residential

Around 6,500 units were added to Dubai’s residential stock in Q2 2022. Furthermore, approximately 35,000 units are scheduled to be delivered in the second half of this year. In Abu Dhabi, nearly 1,300 units were completed in the second quarter and 5,200 units are planned to be handed over by the end of the year. meconstructionnews.com

On Topic | 11

meconstructionnews.com

July-August 2022

12 | On Topic

Dubai Residential Supply

Abu Dhabi Residential Supply

664k

35k

+19%

276k

5k

+3%

Total residential stock

Expected 2022 deliveries

Average rental rates change

Total residential stock

Expected 2022 deliveries

Average rental rates change

Abu Dhabi Office Supply

Dubai Office Supply

9.1m

53k

+15%

3.9m

75k

+8%

Total stock (sq m GLA)

2022 deliveries (sq m GLA)

Average Grade A rental rates

Total stock (sq m GLA)

2022 deliveries (sq m GLA)

Average Grade A rental rates

Dubai Hospitality Supply

Abu Dhabi Hospitality Supply

144k

10k

75%

32k

700

71%

Total hotel keys

Expected 2022 deliveries

Occupancy Jan-May 2022

Total hotel keys

Expected 2022 deliveries

Occupancy Jan-May 2022

As partly demonstrated by some off-plan projects selling out in Dubai, demand for housing continues to see a healthy recovery.

This is supported by residential transaction volume data for Dubai showing a 39% annual jump in Q2 2022. In light of this, it’s unsurprising that developers are rushing to complete existing projects and are looking to release new off-plan ones.

Demand remains strong for prime residential properties, especially across waterfront developments.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that there continues to be a large influx of investors from Eastern Europe, albeit buyers from China, India, Pakistan and Central & Western Europe are also active.

In-line with higher transaction activity, residential prices in Dubai remain on an upward trajectory – rising 11% year-on-year in May. Rents also saw a double-digit increase, of 19%, over the same period.

In Abu Dhabi, new villa and townhouse developments continued to see robust demand in Q2. Year-on-year, sales prices for apartments and villas increased by an average of 5%. On the same basis, rents picked up by 3%.

July-August 2022

In-line with the U.S. Federal Reserve, the UAE Central Bank raised its benchmark base rate for its overnight deposit facility by three quarters of a percentage point in mid-June. We suspect that the impact of higher interest rates on aggregate demand will be limited given that the majority of residential transactions comprise cashbought properties.

Hospitality

Dubai saw the completion of around 500 keys in Q2 2022, which led to the city’s total hotel stock reaching 144,000. An additional 10,000 keys are scheduled to be handed over in the second half of this year. Whilst no new stock was added in Q2 in Abu Dhabi, around 700 keys are expected to be delivered by the end of 2022.

The recovery in tourism has supported the resurgence of both Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s hotel sectors. In the case of the former, the occupancy rate reached 75% in the first five months of this year – a significant uplift from 58% in the corresponding period of last year.

Simultaneously, the average daily rate (ADR)

jumped to USD 213. The solid improvement in turn had a notable impact on revenue per available room (RevPar), which nearly doubled to USD 160.

In the capital, the occupancy rate rose to 71% (up 10%-points compared to JanuaryMay 2021) and ADR climbed by 27% year-onyear to USD 112. As a result, RevPar saw a double-digit increase to USD 79 in the first five months of 2022.

So far this year, the UAE’s hotel sector has benefitted from higher visitor numbers from a range of source markets. Luxury resorts and waterfront destinations remain the preferred choice for guests, and as such have outperformed other segments.

As the market matures, hotel operators will need to be competitive in their offerings.

Traditional models are likely to evolve to offer a variety of F&B options to maintain an edge.

Another key challenge for operators will be managing the overall impact of the strength of the UAE Dirham and higher inflation on the purchasing power of tourists. In response, operators will need to adopt a balanced approach to achieving revenue targets. meconstructionnews.com

14 | On Topic

01 Romi Sebastian is a Senior Project Manager brought up in the UAE; he’s been working in the Middle East with top tier firms for the past two decades.

Romi Sebastian

How to overcome project fear - a Consultant’s view on how to do things better After coming out of a stressful progress meeting recently for a critical project, I started to reflect on how the different stages of project execution have provoked a number of panicky and chilling experiences in my 16 years of working life. In fact, it almost became habitual to have a level of anxiety before starting a new project/phase - and then enjoying the feeling of calm when the project would come to a close, saying to myself: “Well that wasn’t too bad after all.”

So what I have I learned from all this? Here are some of the mantras that I have adopted from my experience - and the panic scenarios that prompted them.

01

Usual suspects: the Project ‘Characters’

These are the characters that can all too easily panic when there are project budget overruns or missed deadlines. Typically within the higher ranks (the higher up they are, the more the panic and anxiety they can of course create among subordinates) they do not like hearing any bad news, especially without any prior warnings. To keep the panic mode under control, I have learned that: • It’s best to forewarn them of any potential risks • Communicate with them on a regular basis with honest project updates, whether good or bad • Set aside the first hour of every day for these client updates • For long term success, one should recognise one’s limitations and be transparent in your reporting - e.g., if the project is falling behind, say so, explain why, and list exactly the resources you will need to get it back on track (more on this below) July-August 2022

The Project Programme Fallacy

There is a misconception that if the project team isn’t hitting every milestone on the dates specified, the project is obviously a failure. My take from my years of work is that all stakeholders need to be made aware that the initial project milestones are created weeks/months ahead of time, and not all requirements can be known when a project is launched. The project may still produce good results. Project managers must be clear and transparent when managing stakeholder expectations. Explain to stakeholders that a “project plan” is merely a “projection” of what you expect to happen in the future.

Following an outdated project plan will merely result in failure. Project managers should communicate to stakeholders what they can expect regarding imminent milestones. As soon as a milestone seems to be at risk, this fact must be communicated immediately.

Explain the reasons and communicate any new plans based on updated project priorities. One shouldn’t ‘fear’ baseline project programmes but rather, have control and work proactively.

The Project Risks - Sudden Scares and using an Adaptive approach

As experience builds, one will realise that things will sometimes go wrong; things can and will ‘come out of nowhere’ and create sudden scares. Of course, the trick is trying to ascertain when this is most likely to will happen: what are the ‘hotspots’ and what form are they most likely to take?

Notwithstanding, there will always be some project issues that arise without any warning (especially when everything else seems to going smoothly). In my experience, one needs meconstructionnews.com

On Topic | 15

to keep a record of these as and when they occur, because the reality is that while they may appear random, they are actually anything but - and the next time these crop up, you’ll know exactly how to target, mitigate and resolve them. Prioritising the resolution of sudden risks (impact wise) also aids in the overall mitigation and lessens panic when multiple risks arise within a short span of time.

The ability to use the best mix of planning and structured thinking, while also staying flexible and agile, is the key. Too much planning without being agile, and it’s all too easy to fail to adapt when the situation/risk changes.

Having a back-up plan is good, but be open to adapting. The crux is to adopt a hybrid approach - where the focus is on project value and positive outcomes, and less priority on rigid tools, organisational processes or literal outputs.

At times, the strangest and or simplest tool/idea will help kill/mitigate a risk and this comes only when you can keep a cool, open mind.

Plus - while it can be very satisfying to resolve a prickly project issue, we need to remain vigilant to the possibility that it could recur. If its been previously identified as a risk, you’ll now have quantitative data regarding its impact, which you can use to be better prepared in the future.

The ‘Error free’ project scenario

We shouldn’t expect project matters to be right or go well every time. We all make poor decisions and assumptions from time to time. What’s most important is to continually reflect on the outcomes of one’s decisions and how one would approach the situation differently in the future. Identify the prejudice one may have had and which part of the decision-making process could be improved, if any.

In an imperfect, everchanging world of project construction, continual reflection, transparency and owning/learning from your mistakes will ultimately make you a more effective decision-maker and well-respected project manager/leader.

The Final Assault

Believe it or not, there is no ideal or perfect project scenario, whether in planning or execution. One thing or another will keep cropping up, no matter how many times you attempt to finish it.

For me, it is typically the last 10% of a project that takes a lot longer - and which will therefore cost a lot more - pro rata - than the actual 10% you will have budgeted for. Being fully aware that the final 10% of the project more often takes more time (about 20% of time and effort) helps ensure there are no unwanted surprises, just as you thought the end was in sight...

This is a very important aspect that Project Managers/schedulers should try to remember when calculating earned value throughout the project. A lesson here is that it’s extremely useful to set checking ‘milestones’ whereby you can re-align any earned value estimations for project deliverables.

As time passes and we gain experience (not just from the sheer volume of what we go through, but from what we actually learned from it), we’ll be better-equipped to avoid panic and acquire a level of maturity whereby instead of feeling fear, we can govern and control our project scenarios with a cool head, shrewdness and optimism.

Project Decision making - the ‘stop and reflect’ method

The skill to pause and reflect before making a decision is important in times of panic. Any decision-making must be reviewed, based on one’s current mindset/mood. It’s important to query if you (or your line manager) would reach the same decision on a different day, ie, if you or the manager were in a different frame of mind.

It’s a truism that if you are one stressed, upset, exhausted or angry, it is clearly best to avoid making big decisions. Things regularly go wrong when project managers are habitually over-stressed, tired and anxious. An effective approach is prioritising self-care and taking effective short breaks for regular reflection and review.

Having a positive mentality and a wellrested, calm demeanor is a simple, yet often underrated component of good decision making, especially in panicky situations. meconstructionnews.com

July-August 2022

DUBAI / UAE

A one-stop briefing on the essentials of Health & Safety and Wellness and the strategies for implementation 28 September 2022

About the

Wellness in Construction Summit

2022

The current raft of Health & Safety legislation has never been so extensive – and it’s putting in place important reforms for on-site work and premises management. At the all-new Wellness in Construction Summit, taking place on 28th September, you’ll see exactly how to avoid the critical risks and ensure a fully professional agenda is in place.

The Wellness In Construction Summit will take place in Dubai at on 28 September 2022 in full compliance with all COVID-19 safety guidelines and protocols.

Plus – you’ll hear all about developments in the important and growing area of Wellness, which proactively focuses on the physical and mental health of employees, offering tailored one-to-one monitoring and guidance within a company-wide programme. This is a key chance to awaken to the considerable human resource – and commercial – benefits of these initiatives.

Participation

Live Event

Insightful

Discussions The one-day conference will feature high quality dialogue and provocative discussions; we will be hosting leading names from across the region, providing a terrific opportunity to see how the realities behind the major debates are progressing.

Get in touch

Workshop Opportunity

Contact us

Participate by exhibiting, creating a workshop, join a panel discussion or run a demonstration - whichever way - it’s a lucrative platform to get connected. Contact us now to learn more about this opportunity to interact and connect with regional industry decision makers and influencers.

Content Paul Godfrey | +971 55 472 9717 paul.godfrey@cpitrademedia.com

Sponsorship Andy Pitois | +971 4 375 5473 andy.pitois@cpitrademedia.com

Date

28 Sept

Venue

Website

Dubai

wellnessinconstructionsummit.com

Complimentary

Register now

Register for free and stay connected

2022

Agenda

Implementation

Legislation

Managing a Wellness programme

Be aware of your obligations

We believe content is king and our panel discussions and presentations seek to provoke insightful debate and shed light on current trends, issues and solutions.

All too many Health & Safety protocols collapse at the point of implementation.

So, how to ensure successful and proactive workplace and site briefings, properly safeguarding staff? Now find out how!

The raft of legislation protecting staff wellbeing has never been larger: now is the opportunity to get ahead of the curve and understand what needs to be done to ensure full legal and professional compliance.

Wellness innovation

Knowledge

Be part of the Wellness Revolution!

and Expertise

Wellness has now fully come of age as a key Human Resources tool that every business needs to have in its C-suite wheelhouse. The event shows how companies can work oneto-one with staff and implement a workable Wellness culture.

Knowledge and expertise sharing are vital for success across an industry; discussing challenges and experiences that can be overcome in the future with digital adoption, education, and new normal ways of working.

2022

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18 | Architecture

July-August 2022

meconstructionnews.com

In Practice | 19

The Infrastructure Imperative Bharat Limaye explains why Consultants delivering infrastructure initiatives are in reality entrusted with nation-building of the highest order “American roads are not good because America is rich, but America is rich because American roads are good” – John F Kennedy Roads and more broadly infrastructure has been a key enabler of a nation’s prosperity for centuries. Just think of one key example: the density of ancient Roman roads, built two thousand years ago, at a given point in Europe strongly correlates with presentday prosperity - as measured by modernday road density, population density and even satellite imagery of nighttime lighting.

The definition of prosperous nations may have evolved over centuries, however, at its core we can define it as an ecosystem where environment is clean, quality of life is enhanced and political institutions act with integrity. The interpretation of this definition changes with each generation, however, in the 21st century it can be defined as an ecosystem where: • People are empowered to work, earn, save and take risks • Learning is valued and everyone receives high quality education • People care for their physical and mental wellbeing and can rely on the healthcare system • Economy is open and one that provides sustainable pathways out of poverty meconstructionnews.com

through employment and productivity • Natural environment is preserved as a legacy for present & future generations • High quality infrastructure that facilitates trade and investment If we look at the national strategies around the world and more specifically in the Middle East, it becomes clear that prosperity in all its manifestations is at the heart of their strategies. These strategies cannot be realised without a significant focus on infrastructure development. Infrastructure creates the environment that enables citizens and businesses to achieve their objectives.

There are eight critical factors for nations to transform and a deeper analysis suggests infrastructure plays a key role in all of them: • Economic development – Infrastructure improves supply chain and labour mobility • Quality of Life – Infrastructure enables improved access to education and healthcare • Sustainability/Environment – Green infrastructure and utilisation of natural resources contributes towards sustainability • Employment – Infrastructure is a major contributor to job creation • National security – Infrastructure enables access to border areas and improves defense capabilities July-August 2022

20 | In Practice

• National Competitiveness – High quality infrastructure improves investor confidence and attracts foreign direct investment It should be clear by now that infrastructure provides significant opportunities in almost every aspect of nation-building for governments and businesses.

It is imperative that governments establish a national infrastructure strategy underpinning the national vision. This infrastructure strategy should take into account the priorities and considerations of various ministries and their initiatives.

Infrastructure projects should be planned to enable these ministries to achieve their objectives.

A comprehensive investment strategy is required to fund these infrastructure

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01 White matrix: Old Roman Roads Red: Roman territorial boundaries White Lights: Nighttime illumination (measure of economic activity) 02 A zoomed in view of France showing significant economic activity around Roman roads in Paris, Lyon & Bordeaux.

03 Bharat Limaye, CEO and Managing Director, Probity Management Consultancies.

If we have to take lessons from history, infrastructure is never a one-time investment”

initiatives. The national investment funds or similar government organisations play a critical role in selecting strategic investment advisors and partners to shape the investment roadmap, along with special purpose vehicles to channel the funds.

Governments need to establish a robust governance mechanism that will give assurance to investors that their investments are safe and regardless of the changes in the political situation, the infrastructure projects will continue.

The infrastructure delivery companies also have a critical role to play by making commitments to deliver the project within budget and on time.

There are a number of specialised consulting companies that provide services in infrastructure strategy formulation and execution. A consortium of carefully selected consulting partners is important to ensure strategy execution is successful.

In summary, the key foundational elements that governments need to have in place that will help transform nations are: • National Infrastructure Strategy – A comprehensive strategy that is fully aligned with the national vision and objectives will deliver the desired outcomes • Strategic Investment Roadmap – A consortium of strategic investors that can work closely with government owned investment funds and local organizations to drive sustainable flow of funds • Governance Mechanism – A robust governance mechanism to ensure transparency and fast decision-making is required. This needs to be supported by multi-faceted special purpose vehicles such as Public Private Partnerships, Debt or Equity based models • Strategy Execution – A consortium of specialised advisory partners that can ensure the initiatives are planned and executed in a coherent and consistent manner • Infrastructure Delivery – Specialised delivery partners based on the nature of infrastructure projects need to be selected to ensure high quality infrastructure is put in place meconstructionnews.com

In Practice | 21

Critical Infrastructure

Healthcare & Public Health

Communications

Defence Industrial Base

Chemical

Critical Manufacturing

Commercial Facilities

Food & Agriculture

Dams

If we have to take lessons from history, infrastructure is never a one-time investment.

The ongoing technological advances and changing needs of citizens expectations need to be considered to ensure a level of agility in the infrastructure development.

The infrastructure built today will never be adequate for future needs. A fifty-tohundred-year horizon should be considered

Information Technology

Energy

Emergency Services

Transportation Systems

Government Facilities

Financial

to continuously enhance, improve and if required replace infrastructure based on modern techniques and technology.

In addition, a nation doesn’t and cannot exist in isolation. A much broader outlook is required to ensure that the infrastructure can enable trade and collaboration within the region and globally. Initiatives such as China’s Belt and Road Initiative or the African

Water

Nuclear Reactors, Materials & Waste

initiative to link the Electric Power Grid are some of the examples that take a more global and regional view respectively.

To conclude, infrastructure if planned properly is an all-encompassing and comprehensive mechanism to transform nations and transition lives.

Bharat Limaye is CEO and Managing Director, Probity Management Consultancies

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In Practice | 23

Taking the lead In an increasingly cost-driven market, with little consensus in terms of architectural styles or scale, JT + Partners continues to grow substantially - and has now committed to a presence in Lebanon. Middle East Consultant spoke to the head of the new Beirut office, Fady Corm, and the practice’s Founder and Managing Director, Joe Tabet

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“You see”, jokes Joe Tabet, “that Fady and I first met more than 20 years ago - and even then, I knew there was a little piece of Joe in Fady and a more than a little Fady in Joe! The shared values between us were always something very important for me. There was a great example of this recently; I’d spent months deliberating on whether or not to open a Beirut office, and then suddenly I get a Linkedin message from Fady - and I knew the time was right; I knew that he should be the one to head up our expansion.

“When it came to opening an office in Lebanon, I realised that if I thought about the plusses and minuses of the local economy, and so on, I’d wait forever: but if I wanted to truly give something back to the country, I had to take the plunge and act now. Fady is the person to help us do that. His getting in touch sparked something between us - and it turned out that he’d been thinking about this idea of a Beirut office for years.”

In corporate terms, what’s the relationship between the new Beirut office and the HQ in Dubai (where there has also been substantial change, with JT + Partners recently moving into a spectacular and spacious new office suite)?

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Joe continues: “I want to emphasise that the Beirut office is an extension of JT + Partners - we work together. It’s not an outsourcing unit - it’s an extension of the Dubai office. We’re very much working together”.

Fady elaborates: “In fact, this is an extension and an expansion at the same time. Accessing the very rich resources in Lebanon is much easier than in other places, shall we say, because a high level of skill is very evident here - at least for the time being.

I’ve already been recruiting a key team, and we’ve brought creative, design and IT heads over from Dubai to do the training and set the templates.”

“At the moment”, says Joe, “my dream is for JT + Partners to design one of Lebanon’s icons. But until that happens, we don’t have a focus on Lebanon as such; the Beirut office is like the Dubai office - we don’t think regionally, we are delivering projects for the whole world - Maldives, Addis Ababa, Morocco, etc. One day we will add Beirut to the list, but for the time being, the growth of JT + Partners will not be based on the growth of a new regional office. It’s not about servicing a regional market from a regional hub.”

01 Joe Tabet and Fady Corm now join forces to enlarge the footprint of JT + Partners - two old friends united with a commercial purpose.

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24 | In Practice

Market trends and preferences

Whether in Dubai or Lebanon, do Joe or Fady see any clear market trends at present?

“Not really”, says Joe. “We have clients from all levels, with every kind of need that you can imagine. So, for instance, we might have very well-resourced and visionary clients from KSA who ask us to design spaceships - and I’m only half-joking here! - while others will want a simple house, or an archway across a motorway. But is there one trend? No. People sometimes talk about the market slowing down, but in reality, all the projects that are slowing down are driven by the wrong feasibility study. Yet, having said that, if there is one single theme, it’s that projects are driven by money! We see the market being very cost-driven and cost-conscious at this time.”

What about the inevitable impact of the Pandemic? Has it changed the way the company works ? Fady believes that “Yes, it has affected the way we work and how we integrate with clients on the projects we do. I believe that it’s opened our eyes to new and more productive ways of working - ways that can combine being very cost-effective with a high level of virtual client interaction.”

02 Fady Corm believes that it’s important to remember that the current crop of ‘giga-projects’ are all fuelled and driven by a coherent government vision.

03 In Beirut, exciting possibilities abound - BUT this market is qualitatively and quantitatively different from the ‘blue sky’ opportunities that we see in KSA.

The era of Sustainability

How do Joe and Fady feel about the growing commitment to Sustainability? Joe comments that: “I believe Sustainability is linked to client demand. Some clients like to invest, others don’t what to invest. However, there is a responsibility on us as designers to take the lead here. I won’t wait for the client - I will do everything I can to create as sustainable a project as possible and I won’t go on hold until there are specific client instructions, or a ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Instead, I will keep the client fully up to date with every step I take.

“Times are changing and Sustainability is part of that new world whether we like it or not.

Let me give you an example. My son has had lessons about the environment and the need

02

for eco-friendliness at his school. They told him that “Sustainability and the environment starts with you” - so now my son is asking me to turn off the light bulb at home! I give this example because it shows how it’s the responsibility of each of us to take the lead when it comes to matters of Sustainability. The next generation will do this as a matter of course.

“One thing I should say is that it will make a big difference once we’re given incentives about the way we use power. For example, take something like solar panels. The day has to come when any extra energy you create is directed back to the grid, and - to incentivise you - there’s then a sum deducted from your bill.”

Surely, though, there is one building and development trend that we’re starting to see appear internationally? It’s the conversion and re-purposing of existing buildings. For example, Sharjah has implemented a number of these initiatives to renew and refresh existing residential communities, without the cost (and potential damage to the environment) of wholesale demolition. Are Joe and Fady interested in this? “Well, we’re not facing such demand as yet”, says Joe. “It’s not really our key area of expertise. However, we have done various studies in modular construction, and they were related to the pandemic. For example, asking questions like ‘how can you use modular techniques to quickly turn that building into a hospital?’ What’s more, can you imagine, for example,, how many empty offices there are, how many empty buildings, that could be re-purposed and turned into new facilities? These are the aspects that, as a practice, we’re more interested in, and better-equipped to do something about.”

Into the Metaverse

How do Joe and Fady see the Metaverse and its opportunities for a whole new design universe - impacting JT + Partners? “Am I going to have a client say that they want me to design something in the Metaverse?”, asks Joe. “Yes, it might happen. So we need to prepare our foundations so that we have the right infrastructure in place. Here, the Beirut office is another way in which we can increase our resource and build our foundations in the right way. “You see, you really have to have people in your organisation digging into the metaverse July-August 2022

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In Practice | 25

and thoroughly understanding it. I’m regularly encouraging team members to investigate it.

This approach is nothing new for us: we always have people in the office working on R&D. A few years ago, we had our team looking into the Digital Twin, and then into 3D printing - now it’s the Metaverse.”

Conflicts between the big and the small

We’re starting to see the emergence of two quite contradictory visions of the urban future.

On the one hand, there’s the fondness for the giga-cities and mega-projects that we see in KSA, for example; and then there’s the quest for micro-hubs, where people are closer to where they work, near to the shops, the gym and their amenities, and where the logistics hubs that serve them are also as near as possible. What side of the coin are JT + Partners most interested in?

Fady answers that: “Well, we are of course familiar with the KSA mega-projects. But these projects come primarily from the vision of a government entity - the vision to expand and build a new city, and they want that, because for them it’s actually faster to build a new city from scratch, attracting new residents, workers and tourism, than it is to change existing cities.

But you’re not going to see this everywhere, only where that level of expansion is an economic priority. However, in Lebanon, for example, none of this would be possible because the land areas are so much smaller, and you have so much variety - mountains, forests, coasts - in a very compact area. You also have various historical contexts that have to be preserved and worked around, each of which takes special care and attention - and this is very different from when you’re able to start with a blank canvas.

“These giga-projects, of course, are very complex, involving hundreds of engineers. I meconstructionnews.com

This is an extension and an expansion at the same time. Accessing the very rich resources in Lebanon is much easier than in other places, because a high level of skill is very evident here”

personally have worked on mega-projects in KSA, and I can see how complicated it is to make everyone work together on the timeline, budget, and so on. It takes massive amounts of management, requiring more than one contractor, across hundreds - often thousands of sq. km. Now, at JT + Partners, we can handle this (we have the experience) but on the other hand, it all depends on the market.”

Joe adds an extremely interesting point: “Of course, the biggest giga-project of all was Dubai! A vision conceived in the 1990s that has intrigued the world and become one of the great trading and commercial hubs globally. Just think of the phenomenal development in the last 20 years - only 20 years! But let me say this: as remarkable as that is, when we do it again in another country, we’re now able to do twice as much in 20 years - because now, we have the knowledge and the technology. What Dubai did in 20 years would now take 10 - because, thanks to the UAE, the template has been set and we have the resources and means to do it.”

Would Joe be interested in expanding JT

+ Partners to being a consultancy working at the epicentre of that next generation of megaprojects? “Let me say that I have no illusions about our uniqueness or abilities. Quite the opposite. I only deal with day-to-day realities.

When I started JT + Partners, the one thing I knew was that I had a good reputation - I didn’t try to drive the business on the basis of ‘we can do this’ or ‘ we can do that’. Now, every step I take is related to the current realities and the environment we find ourselves in. Of course, my first priority is always to protect the people I work with; so I want JT + Partners to remain as a strong brand in urban design and urban creativity: we’re not a major consultancy- we have a vision and purpose of our own, and I don’t want us to spread beyond those skillsets.

“We often say ‘no’ to client requests, because we have a specific theme and vision in what we do - and people know that, and that’s why they come to us. Let me give you an example. Although we’re doing large-scale urban planning, I still love the way that old cities grew organically, according to demand. Something people forget today is that when you design an urban landscape, you have to build in a huge amount of flexibility, because that demand in tomorrow’s world will require massive, wholesale change in five years, not 10 or 20. So If you want to build a city that will accommodate flying cars, why are you still building one with roads? This is the kind of view that we specialise in - and I believe it’s that insight and ‘twist’ that will continue to help us grow.”

Fady adds: “I’m looking forward to bringing this value-set to the market in Lebanon, where I fully believe we can see the kind of market depth and progress that we have been fortunate enough to deliver from the Dubai office. I’m extremely optimistic.”

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Making everything extraordinary

Image © Feinknopf Photography.

26 | In Practice

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In Practice | 27

Lighting design firm HLB has a simple and powerful mission: “We believe in the power of light”. Founded in 1968, HLB’s lighting designs have added texture and impact to many of the world’s ground-breaking projects. Now, as the firm expands its physical presence internationally, Dubai is set to be a primary hub.

Middle East Consultant spoke to HLB’s Maria Dautant about the opportunity - and found out a good deal about the power of light…

First things first. HLB is well-known for being able to provide lighting

01 Samuel de Champlain Bridge, Montreal, Canada.

design across a very diverse range of environments. Yet given that the company hasn’t previously had a physical presence in the region, are there some prime examples locally, that we might know about?

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“Well, HLB works in 21 market sectors. Yes, 21! We like to say that we work on everything from airports to zoos. As a firm with over 110 staff members, we can tackle projects of any scale and have a wide range of expertise that ensures our clients are covered for any lighting challenge. Some of our most notable work in the GCC includes: • Dubai Creek Harbour in Dubai Phase I, UAE, designed by SWA Group • Trump International Hotel in Dubai, UAE, designed by HOK • Sheikh Khalifa Bridge in Abu Dhabi, UAE, designed by Touchstone Architecture and Parsons • Al Rashid Hotel in Al Khobar, KSA, designed

by DiLeonardo • King Saud Bin Abdulazaz University for Health Sciences - Al Hasa, Jeddah & Riyadh Campuses, designed by Perkins+Will “I should also say that although we don’t have a physical presence in the region, our offices across the United States have been

actively working on projects in the Middle East for many years. In fact, our list of international projects dates back to the 1970s and we are proud to say we have projects in five continents.

Expanding HLB’s global footprint has been part of our strategic plan for many years.”

But what about Dubai specifically?

“We have a dedicated work group internally that is focused on geographic expansion, and Dubai is our first step towards expanding our physical presence internationally. This is the right time for us for many reasons - we are more capable now than ever to dedicate resources and design expertise to the Dubai and Middle East markets. I am our first employee in Dubai, and I will spearhead the opening of a Dubai office with guidance and collaboration with our Principal team in New York City and Los Angeles. For Dubai, our plan is to work with international partners that have offices in the region to build our name and reputation in the local market. And we are looking forward to leveraging our extensive experience in areas such as infrastructure, hospitality, daylighting and sustainability design to make new relationships.”

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28 | In Practice

You mention ‘Sustainability’, and of course, this is a huge concern currently in the Construction sector; CPI recently held its own Energy & Sustainability Summit, and we see leading names like Cundall, JLL and WSP increasingly committing world-class levels of resource to their own Sustainability initiatives. But what role does lighting itself play?

“Lighting contributes to Sustainability by being efficient in terms of energy consumption.

Since LED became the go-to light source in the market, we have been able to lower the energy consumption of a lighting system drastically and more efficient products are launched in the market every year. Additional energy savings can be achieved when we pair a lighting system with a control system that adds the advantage of automation to regulate light levels.

“In addition to this, LED products have no mercury, making them less hazardous than fluorescent and other discharge lamps. They also have a very long life, which means they don’t need to be replaced as often as products that used traditional lamps. However, at HLB we continue to push manufacturers to make their products easier to maintain, and to use more recyclable materials to minimise electronic waste, which can be detrimental to the environment.”

Another term we hear a good deal about is Wellness - and for example, we’re organising the Wellness in Construction Summit on 28th September. Given that good lighting makes such a beneficial impact on the built environment, are there also ways in which it can contribute to the Wellness agenda, for example, for a company’s employees?

“The interesting thing about lighting is no one notices the effect of well designed lighting, but everyone knows when lighting is bad. How many times have we heard someone complaint of a headache because of bad lighting? Countless.

“In recent years, we’ve come to realize the powerful impact light has on mental and physical wellbeing. A well-designed and executed lighting scheme can contribute to Wellness in many ways. Good lighting can improve people’s mood, focus, productivity, and it can even reduce July-August 2022

02

02 Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai, UAE. 03 Maria Dautant, Associate Lighting Designer, HLB.

symptoms of depression, among other benefits.

“It is very common now to hear the term Human Centric Lighting when discussing wellness. Current technology has made it possible to tune the correlated colour temperature and intensity of electric lighting systems to mimic the variation in daylight throughout the day. As we spend the majority of our time indoors, the main benefit of Human Centric Lighting is the possibility to support the circadian rhythm of the occupants, potentially minimising disruptions that could turn into sleep disorders or other health problems.

“Circadian lighting is an approach that HLB has used in clinics and hospitals to minimise the negative effects shift work can have on doctors and nurses. In patient areas, on the other hand, our approach may vary, depending on the type of treatments. In these areas, our design focuses more on the quality of light and the comfort level of patients. For example, patients in cancer clinics prefer having control of their own lighting and they tend to

benefit from soft and indirect illumination as treatments may create light sensitivity.

“But let’s be clear, a good lighting scheme cannot be complete without the inclusion of daylight. After all, our bodies have been programmed over thousands of years to function according to the variations of natural light throughout the day. It’s only recently that we have electric lighting available to us. So, in order to fully promote Wellness, it is important that we keep our connection to the exterior and design with daylight in mind.”

Speaking of daylight, we often hear about ‘Daylight Integration’: what does that mean in practice, and how does it work with the particularly harsh light we see here in the GCC?

“The most common way in which lighting designers integrate Daylight in our projects is through Daylight Harvesting, which refers to energy savings achieved by dimming electric lighting near windows and skylights.

“Daylight is a wonderful light source, however, we must be careful when and how we integrate it into our design as it can cause “glare”, which describes a wide range of visual conditions from discomfort to impairment.

Because daylight is complex and dynamic, at meconstructionnews.com

Image © Alessandro Merati.

In Practice | 29

HLB we have a dedicated team that focuses on studying in detail how this source can be used and controlled to enhance spaces while improving our experience in them.

Our Daylighting Studio runs climatebased simulations to inform our clients how to orient buildings, modify the façade and glazing and integrate shading to take advantage of available daylight so it does not become a hindrance for the occupants. These studies have been critical in projects such as airports, where large window walls make terminals feel spacious and comfortable, but also may allow sunlight to enter unchecked into areas where critical visual tasks, such as facial recognition, could be impaired and impact safety and security.

“Even in areas where the sun feels ‘harsh’, as in the Middle East, we can make superior use of daylight through the application of a wide variety of sun control strategies. The key is to involve our Daylighting Studio at the earliest stages of the design process so that daylight can be a form-giver for the building design, rather than an afterthought.”

One of the key elements that we see in HLB’s work is that you liaise with highly sophisticated interior designers in order to accentuate and craft spaces with the effective and creative use of light. Can you explain some of the

The interesting thing about lighting is no one noticeS the effect of well designed lighting, but everyone knows when lighting is bad” interest, comfort and intimacy, drawing our eyes to focus points or making finishes shine and come alive. Through the subtle use of colour we can also create impact and movement, making a space feel attractive and inviting.

“In fact, lighting has the power to make or break a space. This is why it is very important to get it right! And because lighting can do so much, at HLB we always seek to understand the client’s expectation and discuss all the possibilities before we set our eyes on a final approach.

“I should also say that it’s not only interiors that can reap the benefits of good and well thought-out lighting; exterior spaces can also show drastic changes.

ways in which good lighting can complement interior spaces in terms of their visual appeal and dimensions?

“I usually say that all we see is light.

It reveals and shapes our world. In the words of filmmaker Aaron Rose: “In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary.” And it is true, good lighting design can make spaces look extraordinary.

“In interiors, well designed lighting schemes are capable of making spaces seem larger and open, they can create a good sense of navigation through the use of highlights and lowlights. Good lighting design can also create depth, meconstructionnews.com

When illuminating cityscapes people tend to think the brighter, the better. Satellite images of earth at night clearly show how our lighting footprint has become brighter over time and it is concerning. But as with interior spaces, quality can do far more than quantity.

“Well-designed exterior lighting can support the development of economies and society by promoting outdoor activities and entertainment, create a sense of safety, aiding in wayfinding, uniting communities and supporting their identities and their wellbeing.

A good lighting design can do all this, while minimising the impact that artificial lighting at night has on the natural environment.

After all, sustainable development will only be possible if we have a balanced relationship with the environment - and light pollution is a big problem in our world today.”

So, going from the ‘macro’ to ‘micro’ view - and given what you’ve said about the potentially beneficial impacts of light for employees - what would be the quickest and simplest things that a company can do to improve the lighting environment for its staff?

“Giving employees the capacity of controlling their immediate surrounding can make a big difference in their comfort, productivity and wellbeing. The quickest and simplest way to do this is by giving employees the option to have a task light with dimming controls.

“It is one of the many lighting features promoted by the WELL Building Standard.

It is fairly inexpensive, and it may also help employers save energy by dimming the general lighting at certain times during the day and allowing staff to choose their preferred illumination level.”

Tell us something about your own background, Maria, and how, as a designer, you came into the lighting sector?

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“I’ve been an architecture lighting designer for 15 years and I’m happy to have a varied portfolio of work that includes architecture lighting design, manufacturing and light art installations. However, unlike many designers in the industry, my background is not July-August 2022

30 | In Practice

architecture. My background is in engineering, and I discovered lighting in theatre.

“I studied Geophysical Engineering in my hometown of Caracas. While studying, I became part of a community theatre that introduced me to the interesting art of lighting design. I was so fascinated by it that after graduating I decided to pursue a Master of Design Science in Illumination Design from The University of Sydney - and I’ve been hooked ever since!

“In 2009 I moved to the United States where I spent three years working for Traxon Technologies as a project manager for New York and New Jersey, before joining HLB Lighting Design. At HLB, I spent six and a half years working alongside Stephen Lees and Barbara Horton, designing a variety of local and international projects. Some examples include MSKCC David H. Koch Center in New York (winner of a Lumen Award of Merit and

an IALD Award of Merit in 2021); Waterline Square in New York; Al Rashid Hotel in Al Khobar; and the New North Concourse at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington D.C., where I had a great experience working closely with our Daylighting Studio.

“Coming to the Middle East was a great opportunity to take on new challenges. And when HLB asked me to lead the company’s international expansion efforts, I immediately said yes. I rejoined the company in January 2022.”

So much about what you’ve said relates to the impact of light in terms of how we re-envisage and design space. In summary, Maria, how do you see light as benefiting the Creative process?

“Lighting has endless possibilities to create great experiences. The advancement in lighting technology in recent years has given

04 Xiqu Centre, West Kowloon Cultural District, Hong Kong .

us many more tools to play with. Now, it is easier to make light itself the main feature in the space and create ‘wow!’ moments that can become iconic and unforgettable.

“Also, the more we learn about how light can affect or benefit us allows us to make more informed choices on how to apply lighting in different settings and offer alternatives to meet project goals.

“In my view, lighting benefits the creative process by giving designers a world of possibilities and allowing us to truly think outside the box. Plus, based on the progress the lighting industry has made in the last 10 years, I’d say this is just the tip of the iceberg. I’m sure we will continue to see many more interesting things in the realm of architecture lighting.”

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Image © Ema Peter Photography.

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Architecture | 33

A nation (and a man) on a mission Sergey Drozhzhin’s vision of 3D printing is a key element bringing the ‘UAE Industry 4.0’ programme to life The future of construction is evolving thanks in part to a vision that includes 3D printing at its core. In a bid to improve production times, the energy used and to decrease labour costs and waste, it’s looking more than likely that your next home will be 3D printed.

While many believe not much has changed in the construction industry, where bricks and mortar or concrete blockwork has reigned supreme for decades, new and exciting advances in technology mean the familiar glass and steel edifices and high-rise towers synonymous with Dubai, might be produced in a different way in the very near future.

The UAE is on a mission to become a global leader in advanced construction technologies, with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology earmarking three key areas, including construction, medical products and consumer products in the Dubai 3D Printing Strategy. The goal, as set out during its launch in April 2016, is that 25 percent of buildings in Dubai will be based on 3D printing technology by 2030. This includes areas such as lighting products, bases and foundations, construction joints, facilities and parks as well as galleries, stores and residential villas.

All of this comes under the UAE government’s ‘UAE Industry 4.0’ program, announced late last year by the Ministry of meconstructionnews.com

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34 | Architecture

Industry and Advanced Technology, with the aim of placing the UAE at the heart of the global Fourth Industrial Revolution. ‘UAE Industry 4.0’ is designed to accelerate the integration of 4IR solutions and applications across the UAE’s industrial sector, enhancing the UAE’s overall industrial competitiveness, driving down costs, increasing productivity and efficiency, enhancing quality, improving safety and creating new jobs.

The strategy has a highly pragmatic target, with a lofty goal of increasing the contribution of industry to national GDP to AED300 billion in ten years and increase industrial productivity by 30 percent. This will be done with a concentration across three pillars for future investment: Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence and 3D Printing.

The sentiment behind such a transformation is one that appears to be shared by the public, with a recent YouGov survey showing that over half of UAE residents think the government should make investments in Artificial Intelligence and 3D Printing. So how will this affect the construction realm?

From the environmentally-friendly carboncapturing concrete by Carboncure, to advanced 3D monolithic construction technologies such

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as Modular Precast Systems, the construction industry is already undergoing innovation across the entire value chain. Biomimicry, the concept of seeking inspiration to design challenges from natural forms, has led to the Airbus A380’s unique wing shape, modelled off the wings of the albatross.

But it’s in their combination that these technologies reveal their true exponential value.

Playing with different elements and technologies to not only improve construction capabilities but also elevate sustainable practices.

Within nature, we see a constant search for solutions that not only conserve but also compete for energy and materials. The results of generations of gradual improvement mark the elegant solutions we see in our natural environment today.

Similar to nature, generative design is an iterative design process that harnesses AIpowered software to generate a range of design solutions that meet a set of constraints.

Whereas traditional design requires an engineer’s knowledge, generative design uses AI to mimic nature’s iterative design approach.

The difference? AI can do in minutes what would have taken nature millions of years to generate, select and evolve. The results of this

01 The complex geometry of an electric motorcycle frame, designed through generative design and created through 3D metal printing.

02 Sergey Drozhzhin is the founder and director of 3D.ru.

process are truly astonishing - exotic forms that, like nature, ruthlessly conserve energy and materials - producing results that would be impossible to machine using traditional subtractive manufacturing.

Much like Michelangelo’s David was chiseled out a larger block of granite to reveal its final form, subtractive manufacturing machines away the material we don’t need, to leave a completed object. This presents a challenge as it’s almost impossible for machines to make the complex forms thought up by artificial intelligence.

The solution here lies in 3D printing and something known as additive manufacturing.

Where materials, such as plastics (through a hot nozzle) or space-age laser-melted titanium is fused together, layer by layer to manufacture or ‘print’ the impossible objects thought up by generative design.

Naturally, these technologies are finding application in the rarefied fields of motorsport, aerospace and medicine, but as the technology matures and access becomes democratised, these technologies are slowly finding their way into the construction space.

What is the WOW effect?

There is one man on a mission to marry two of the three pillars of investment that the UAE government is interested in - merging AI and meconstructionnews.com

Image © APworks by Airbus.

Architecture | 35

3D printing in a way that could transform the way we build and live in the future.

Sergey Drozhzhin is the founder and director of 3D.ru - and he’s set to expand how 3D printing is used in places like museums and events.

Using an Israeli-designed 3D printer - the largest of its kind in the world - he is showing the world what is possible when it comes to deploying 3D printing on a human scale.

Sergey and his team are now focusing their efforts on envisioning how 3D printing can be a key feature when the UAE hosts the International Council of Museums in 2025. It’s certainly a unique opportunity to showcase new ideas. Sergey knows first-hand what a futuristic museum should be like, given that his company has a long history in the development of visionary museums and exhibition spaces with high-quality content developed using state-of-the-art technologies.

Sergey has simple yet demanding criteria: “What is the WOW effect in the context of a museum? How to achieve it in the world that

03 The world’s largest 3D printed building is a two-storey, 640 square metre, one completed in 500 hours by Apis Cor for Dubai Municipality. The city wants 25% of new buildings 3D printed by 2025.

seems to have already seen everything and forgotten how to be surprised? How to make a museum with a narrow-profile scientific content spectacularly interesting for children and adults?

These are the criteria we need to address”.

Sergey’s view is that today’s museum is not just a place to keep collections of cultural artefacts. It is also a space where you come to gain a unique experience that involves the visitor’s personal interaction with the exhibits.

Multimedia technologies and interactive mechanics now allow for exactly that kind of interaction. Modern museum exhibits are supposed not only to talk about themselves, presenting information in a popular science way, but also to do it brightly, clearly, and comprehensively. With the help of physical mechanics, integrated communications, 3D

printing and AI, a visitor will be provided with a totally new experience of what a museum can do.

As Sergey comments: “These developments are the first steps to harness AI-powered generative design and 3D printing; the building blocks of a construction technology revolution, paving the way for how we will build, and live, in the future.”

If we look at another key factor, environmental impact, there’s never been a more vital time for those innovations According to new research by construction blog Bimhow, the construction sector contributes to 23% of air pollution, 50% of the climatic change, 40% of drinking water pollution, and 50% of landfill wastes. As the UAE prepare for the COP28 presidency in 2023, new technologies are key to unlocking different and better working protocols across the construction industry.

That is, of course, until we all pack our belongings and move into the Metaverse. But that, as they say, is a different story…

03

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July-August 2022

36 | Architecture

July-August 2022

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Architecture | 37

Building the Future The Future of Architecture Summit defined forthcoming urban hallmarks - and honoured the top architectural talents of tomorrow Taking place at the Oberoi Hotel on 7th June, the second iteration of the Future of Architecture Summit was created with two aims in mind. Firstly, to ‘break the mould’ and attempt to define the future shape of the world not by looking at present trends but by asking leading architects and designers to do their best ‘blue sky’ thinking; and secondly, by running a brandnew awards event as part of the Summit -The Future Talent Awards, identifying top young architects and designers and honouring their thought-provoking compositions.

The day’s key topics embraced the Metaverse and its role as a new architectural universe; the pursuit of Wellness in an urban setting; and the increasingly crucial emphasis on re-purposing existing buildings and communities. Threaded throughout the day’s schedule, each of the six Future Talent Awards were presented so as to be aligned with actual Summit content.

The primary objective of generating and encouraging ‘blue sky thinking’ was made

patently clear by the day’s first opening sessions: firstly, Prof. Dr. Anna Cornaro, Chair and Associate Professor of Architecture, American University in Dubai (AUD), reviewed the academic programmes which AUD has created in order to encourage fresh architectural initiatives and design concepts which are often closely context-bound to realworld concerns such as Sustainability, the role of the community and energy conservation.

This very ‘grounded’ perspective was to be seen throughout the rich - and often emotionally stirring - award-winning projects presented by the students for the Future Talent Awards.

This presentation was followed by a ‘fireside chat’ in which the event Moderator, Paul Godfrey - Head of Content, Middle East Consultant - sat down with Joe Tabet, Managing Director, JT+ Partners, and drew his thoughts on the impact and promise of the Metaverse. Key points to emerge here were Joe’s concern that far from being one homogenous platform, sharing a common bandwidth (in the same way, eg, as the

Internet), the Metaverse is in fact any number of separate and unrelated Metaverses, which at the moment any designer can invent and add to at will. His argument was that until this process is regulated in some shape or form, there cannot ever be value-sets (financial or otherwise) attached to the Metaverse, since it has no shared perception and ‘common ground’.

But what about common experiences in terms of the world we live in right now? Amer Mneimneh, Vice President, Urbanism and Planning, AECOM ME, looked at how Dubai life could be made safer, healthier and more enjoyable by re-inventing and re-planning tracts of the urban landscape, so pedestrians can became a core priority (rather than being largely constrained by the road network), with their proximity to sports and leisure amenities drastically improved. All of which would help transition the emirate’s profile into a world-leading lifestyle and Wellness-focused city. Now wonder, then, that his intriguing presentation was titled ‘Dubai City as a Gym’ following on from an in-depth AECOM report

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38 | Architecture

of the same name, full of equally provocative and insightful urban comment.

Meanwhile, Bainona Engineering Company has played an exceptional role in creating the structures and communities by which we define modern-day Abu Dhabi; and Naser Al Fakhouri looked at the way that materials, their forms and architectural possibilities have evolved across the years, enabling the current move towards nanomaterials that are not only highly ecocompliant, but introduce all kinds of tensile horizons with reduced construction timings and - potentially - costs.

Don’t demolish - re-purpose!

Pragma’s Founder and Director, Ahmed Khadier, believes passionately that repurposing existing structures is a far more practical, cost-efficient and less disruptive option than demolishing them and starting afresh. It also avoids releasing potentially megaton volumes of carbon into our atmospheres as the concrete is broken down. Ahmed looked at a range of extraordinary community projects in Sharjah, where the priority has been to re-invent community life by maximising the existing infrastructure and recognising people’s preferred lifestyle and habits.

July-August 2022

A similar attention to profiling human behaviour and creating architectural solutions where scale, practicality and proximity are priorities was seen in the exceptional presentation made by Kourosh Salehi, Design Director – MENA, LWK + Partners.

He focused on one of the firm’s current pitch concepts, analysing the journey of millions of Hajj pilgrims around the city of Mecca, and creating highly innovative structures that on the one hand make the physical passage simpler and less arduous, while on the other are also constant reminders of the spiritual journey, with libraries and sacred precincts vividly interlocking.

The Summit then asked a simple question: how can we define the cities of the future? The answer was given by an expert panel session, titled ‘The Five Hallmarks of the Future City’.

The concept of this session was cut through the somewhat vague, familiar statements about urban futures and to physically create a checklist that clearly defines what a city of the future will have that present ones do not.

The panelists were: • Dr. Hassan Ali, Programme Leader, Department of Engineering, De Montford University, Dubai • Martin Dufresne, Design Principal, U+A

•

Hatham Mousa, Senior Project Designer, KEO • Ralph Steinhauer, Director, RSP The panel’s Moderator was Prof.

Mohannad Abu Suhaiban, Assistant Professor of Architecture, School of Architecture, Art& Design, American University in Dubai.

Together, the panelists and Moderator hammered out the five features by which we’ll recognise the all-new urban landscapes of the future. They are: • Full Sustainability • Huge flexibility - built to accommodate future technologies (such as, eg, flying cars) • Micro communities, but at giga-scale: the vast cities of the future will in fact be composed of thousands of highly liveable, urban ‘hubs’ • People-focused: people will be front and centre of the design blueprint - with a priority on pedestrian areas, sidewalks and boulevard design • Appropriate materials - buildings will no longer simply use materials that look good and have high strength; tomorrow’s materials will also reduce stored heat and help environmental cooling and temperature regulation meconstructionnews.com

Architecture | 39

The Future Talent Awards

The Sustainable Future Award –

Commitment to Community Award –

In creating the Future Talent Awards, CPI Trade Media was hugely indebted to the role and support of the American University in Dubai (AUD) - with particular thanks to Prof. Dr. Anna Cornaro, Chair and Associate Professor of Architecture. It was decided that there would be six awards categories, and AUD brought together the last three years of graduate work for an expert panel of Judges to assess. The Judges were: • Marija Milenkoska, Architect, Pragma • Ralf Steinhauer, Director, RSP • Drew Gilbert, Design Manager, OBM International • Joe Tabet, Managing Director, JT + Partners After considerable deliberation, the Awards were decided as follows. Please also see the Judges’ comments here, alongside the name of each winner.

Winner: Nada Yusif Husein

Winner: Dalia Qasem

“At a time when Sustainability has become an over-used watchword, it’s very tempting to take on too much and risk further resources in a futile way. This entrant understood that completely and didn’t try to ‘reinvent the wheel’.

She has created a commercially-applicable plan of considerable maturity.”

“This entrant has a strong grasp of what comprises an effective commercial pitch, as well as a good understanding of who needs help and recognition in society - without unbalancing that society. This is a highly commendable project. When will see it actually developed?”

Tomorrow’s World Award –

Urban Infrastructure Award –

(Overall winner): Joe Sassine Finianos

Winner: Nadine Amaar

“From the conceptual design point of view, his graphics and form language could be enhanced, but overall, his choice of project is a clear winner.

It is relevant and well worked out from the narrative standpoint. 50 years of conflict, terror, pain and loss are showcased in an impressive experience trying to revive the area of the ‘big blast’ and help restore Beirut to its former glory.”

“Infrastructure is a topic that makes municipal authorities across the globe waste time and come unstuck. Here we find someone who has a clear understanding of an effective solution. While it can be further developed, this is a concept of strong professionalism and cleverly anticipates modern priorities and logistics.”

Shape of the Future Award –

Next steps…

Winner: Rhea Khoury

Cultural Identity Award –

“We believe that this entrant has a remarkably mature and well-conceived vision of the Future; far from being an ‘architect of tomorrow’, in many ways she is ready to assume this role today. We can clearly foresee that in the years to come, she will be pitching her concepts to some of the world’s leading corporate clients.”

Winner: Joe Sassine Finianos

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“Here we have someone of complete and masterful understanding of how to meet diverse - and so often conflicting - social, ethnic and cultural priorities. He has taken a controversial topic and made it the centre-piece of a muchneeded urban renaissance.”

Like the Future of Architecture Summit itself, the Future Talent Awards will now become a regular annual event, and we look forward to growing their scale, outreach and impact in the years to come. Meanwhile, sincere thanks to our valued judging panel, Prof. Dr. Anna Cornaro, and Jocelyn Soriano, Administrative Assistant – Architecture, CRID. July-August 2022

40 | Last Word

01 Samit Sheth, Digital Transformation Lead, Digital Solutions, Project & Development Services MEA, for JLL.

Samit Sheth

“The quest for Digital comes from every cornerstone of the market” Samit, do you believe that the advent of Digital working platforms is actually changing the scope and style of the projects themselves?

Certainly. Digital platforms and modern collaboration tools are dynamically changing both the market and the requirements of individual projects. Project Workflows and traditional manual processes are rapidly being digitised. This is only accelerated by the progress in Artificial Intelligence and other technologies such as BIM, Digital Twins and Common Data Environment Technologies which are fundamentally changing the project delivery value chain.

Is this Digital capability increasingly in 01

demand from clients? In other words, could a business even pitch for a large project if it wasn’t digitally on-side?

We’re seeing the Digital drive from both industry and clients. The market itself is demanding Digital integration for optimised workflows.

Remember, this is all because Digital-enabled approaches are far superior to traditional work streams, and thus provide a competitive edge on all projects, regardless of scale.

Samit Sheth is Digital Transformation Lead, Digital Solutions, Project & Development Services MEA, for JLL. He’s successfully designed and implemented large-scale Digital Transformations for the preeminent real estate portfolio owners in the Middle East and Africa. Leveraging ‘designthinking’ methodologies, he’s worked across a variety of diverse, full lifecycle Digital implementations. Who better, then, to comment on the future shape of the sector now its biggest players and projects demand a ‘go big or go home’ attitude when it comes to Digital formatting?

July-August 2022

delivery value This is only accelerated by the progress in Artificial Intelligence, BIM, Digital Twins, Common Data Environment and other prop tech which are fundamentally changing the project delivery value chain.

What do you see as the greatest challenges in this new Digitalised landscape?

Picking the right technologies, and having a cohesive data strategy and approach is one of the greatest challenges. In the current Digitalised landscape, there are an abundance of tools positioned as innovative solutions to resolving traditional pain points. Expertise on digital value propositions of various technologies is critical to developing digital initiatives in line with larger objectives for large development companies and real estate organizations. The key for these organizations is to define the right stack for each project and programme requirement, ensuring seamless integration, enhanced data quality, and optimising the processes across the project lifecycle.

What is the one aspect of your own work that you have felt most pleased

Samit, do you believe that the

with, in terms of the innovation

advent of Digital working platforms

you were able to deliver?

is actually changing the scope and

The Middle East has been rewarding in many ways, boasting unique scale and sometimes the most visionary developments in the world. For me, the aspect of working here which has been the most pleasing is the rate of technology adoption and Digital drive. Whether it’s the government, clients, consultants, startups or market leaders, innovation and a quest for Digital has absolutely come from every cornerstone of the industry. I truly look forward to the innovation and future of digital project delivery in this region.

style of the projects themselves?

Certainly. Digital platforms and modern collaboration tools are dynamically changing both the market and the requirements of individual projects. Project Workflows and traditional manual processes are rapidly being digitised. This is only accelerated by the progress in Artificial Intelligence, BIM, Digital Twins, Common Data Environment and other prop tech which are fundamentally changing the project

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