Devmark’s Sean McCauley assesses the rise of the sector and what developers must do to ensure fresh market share in an evermore-crowded market…
March 2025 Issue 121
“A data-driven journey”
Archcorp - with its far-ranging project portfolio - was an early-adopter of BIM-tech and a pioneer in the quest for sustainability. To find out more about the practice’s principles and ambitions, ME Consultant met with Imran Afzal, Principal - Creative Lead, and Farhana Imran, Managing Partner…
Realising the ‘15-minute city’
Everyone in the construction, architectural and urban planning sectors has recently heard much talk of the so-called ‘15-minute city’ and the allied quest to create ‘urban hubs’. But what exactly does this entail, and what are the current examples of it being implemented in practice?
In Practice
In Practice
From the ground up
It’s often forgotten that tall buildings are not defined as ‘tall’ purely by height alone, but according to the proportional relationships between their height and ground-level girth. Structural software designer SkyCiv explains the various foundation genres and what they are designed to achieve…
JLL’s Sean Doherty and Osama Bashir look at the competitive advantages of a diversified PPP model…
Fire Safety for Mixed-Use Buildings
It goes without saying that for risks of any kind, a mixed-use structure can present a plethora of challenges - and in the case of fire risks, these complexities can all too easily endanger life. ME Consultant spoke to UKbased Sovereign Fire & Security about the best approaches for providing regulation-compliant, proactive fire - and life - safety
New division can ensure end-to-end service provision and better empower region’s growing raft of mega-projects
Ÿ
Ÿ
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Threat & Risk Assessment
Gap Analysis
Security System Design
IT/AV Design
Master Planning & Development
Operational Requirements
Testing & Commissioning
Control Room Design
System Integration
Policies & Procedures
Site Surveys & Audits
&
Crisis Management
How times
change…
The Future of Architecture Awards are now in their third edition, and I’m delighted to say that this year, across most categories, we are seeing by far the highest standard of nominations in the event’s history.
The annual contest has progressed from being a ‘niche’ celebration of architect and designer skills to being a well-recognised showcase for not only household-name industry leaders, but also the highly regarded, expert ‘boutique’ providers.
First of all, it’s clear that advances in parametric design, 3D modelling and the broader raft of generative packages are truly making their presence felt. Certainly, some of the entries where parametric approaches have been used from concept to full delivery are remarkable indeed. We are seeing how the use of algorithms and data to create complex, efficient shapes and forms is allowing architects to optimise designs for functionality, performance, and aesthetics. A number of the video entries show how, by
manipulating parameters such as dimensions and variables, architects can generate designs that respond to environmental conditions, such as sunlight and wind, improving energy efficiency and occupant comfort.
Nominations are also showing how the new-found viability of generative design, depending on algorithms and computational processes to explore a vast range of design possibilities, is in fact leading to ever-higher standards of creativity. Clearly, not only are these approaches opening the door to rapid iteration but to ingenious solutions that balance form, function, and sustainability.
In the ‘People’ categories of the Awards, too, we are seeing less dependence on pure seniority, and more of a recognition that youth is no barrier to bandwidth, insight and operational prowess.
Please, keep the nominations coming through. The Judges and I are enjoying looking at every single one!
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CONSTRUCTION
Arada awards $165mn contract to build the first phase of Arada Central Business District
The business park’s full master plan features 40 office blocks, employee-friendly elements and landscaped ‘green spine’
INDUSTRY
CHEC begins operations at modular facility in KSA
The facility is equipped with an independently developed production management system and advanced robotics, enabling a fully digitalised workflow
SUSTAINABILITY
Tender announced for MBR Solar Park Phase VII
The winning developer/developer consortium will share the ownership of the project, and the power generated by the plant will be purchased by the Dubai utility under a long-term PPA
INDUSTRY
Asheil Lighting secures land for advanced manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia
The facility will integrate production techniques, energy-efficient LED technologies, and precision engineering, addressing market demand and the need for a skilled, future-ready workforce
PROPERTY
DURAR and OCTA Properties collaborate to develop Trio Isle Interiors by Missoni
The project features three buildings, each offering unrivaled design, flawless finishes, and boasting a wide range of exceptional lifestyle amenities said the developer
INFRASTRUCTURE
SUSTAINABILITY
Ajmal Makan launches two projects to support sustainable Real Estate Investment in Sharjah
INDUSTRY
ISG Middle East promotes Andrew Collier to Managing Director
Dubai South and UPS to establish new facility at Dubai South’s Logistics District
“A
data-driven journey”
Archcorp - with its far-ranging project portfolio - was an early-adopter of BIM-tech and a pioneer in the quest for sustainability. To find out more about the practice’s principles and ambitions, ME Consultant met with Imran Afzal, Principal - Creative Lead, and Farhana Imran, Managing Partner…
rchcorp describes itself as a business “transforming winning concepts into tangible realities”. Imran and Farhana, can you give some examples of striking concepts that you have delivered as real, keynote projects?
Imran: “So, as you may know, it's always a challenge to define what would be classed as a truly ‘striking’ project, because while, on one hand, many of our clients are expecting us to deliver to a high creative benchmark, not everyone is necessarily looking for a stunning concept. Nonetheless, there are several projects that come to mind.
“One is a recent project - currently under construction - where the client had the vision of developing a mosque and souq inspired by the famous Al Zaytuna mosque in Tunisia. The idea was to bring the same ambience and visitor experience to Sharjah. So, I accompanied the client to Tunisia and saw first-hand the vision he had in mind; in these situations, it’s vital to be there physically, so you’re better-placed to grasp the scale, experience the space and its connection with the surroundings, the directions of visitor traffic, the closeup styling, the use of patterned motifs, and so on. More than 1200 years old, the Al Zaytuna mosque and its adjacent souq actually house one of the oldest universities in the world. Al Zaytuna is a classic example of advanced medieval Islamic architecture which was built, re-built and expanded successively over time.
“The challenge is to replicate that structure, with all its true spirit and essence, using new technologies. This is
Imran Afzal, Principal - Creative Lead, Archcorp.
a very detailed and challenging transition, and one that I can genuinely say that we’re proud to be delivering.
Farhana: “Another one that we have recently worked on is the Rove Home Branded Residences in Marasi Drive, Business Bay. An addition to the Rove Hotels brand, this is an 829-room unit, and epitomises a luxury, integrated lifestyle experience. Here, we created a sky garden and a range of poolside areas; there is an indoor pool on the top floor,
We’ve always believed that if we’re going to build a relationship with a client, then it needs to be a long-term relationship, lasting 20 years or more”
complemented by a range of pools at the lower levels.
“Then, very nearby, there’s the Paragon Project, which is being handed over. This is a mixed-use development featuring a host of different amenities - there’s even a squash court - and again, the accent is on providing a ‘one-stop lifestyle’ approach, where everything residents could need is quite literally all around them, very close at hand, and generating a real sense of community.”
We hear a great deal about Sustainability; can you tell us about the ways that you make sustainable protocols intrinsic elements of your projects?
Imran: “First things first. Let’s not forget that the present day concept of measurable sustainability in the built environment has been around for more than 20 – 25 years or so. Regionally, we see the UAE taking a lead here; you’ll see their guidelines follow a lot of the benchmarked, international standards. We ventured into sustainability in 2009 around four years into our existence, when the financial crisis made us question our own sustainable future. We first looked at relocating to a better address in a sustainable way by implementing recycling solutions and a better work environment for our own workspace. This process led us to achieving LEED Silver Certification in 2010 for the Archcorp offices in the Dubai National Insurance Building, Deira.”
Farhana: “Along with that, in 2012, the Abu Dhabi Environmental Agency, in association with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), had launched a Corporate Heroes programme, with entries audited by Ernst & Young. We were one of the first five companies to be awarded the accolade of Corporate Hero of UAE in 2013, and this was in large measure due to our commitment to delivering a sustainable workspace.
Imran: “While sustainability is ingrained
Rove Home Marasi Drive, Dubai, UAE.
in how we work and operate, we were also fairly lucky in that some of our clients really believed in the principles of remodelling and repurposing, rather than always building from scratch. Other clients engaged us for projects where Certification was a key aim; we’re proud to say that a number of these have gained LEED Gold and even LEED Platinum certification. In fact, Easy Hotel, Jebel Ali, Dubai, was the first hotel in the emirate to take the LEED certification.”
What about working with BIM? To what extent do you use BIM tech, and - as projects grow in scale - how does it help you work smoothly with multiple stakeholders?
Imran: “We believe we were one of the early adopters of BIM in the region. As long as 15 years ago, we hired fulltime an Autocad certified BIM trainer to train our staff in Revit who stayed with us for more than 2 years. Around the same time, we
started to hire software engineers to work alongside the architects in developing a range of effective project management tools relevant to the architects. We later realized that project management alone does not provide a holistic solution to the problems that architects are required to address. We then progressed towards parametrics, and because this field is highly dependent on data, we started to think much more about the actual role of data across our portfolio - and as a result, made ourselves into very much a data-driven organisation. Of course, on an everyday basis, we also use DALL-E and Midjourney, for example, because we believe that the process of visualising a range of solutions is critical.
“Right now, we’re trying to connect the full spectrum of our design activities, along with our business activities - together with office administrative functions - into a one leanly unified platform.
“One of the key advantages of today’s emphasis on a tech-led approach is that there can be much greater transparency for all stakeholders. Just look at the widely discussed Saudi mega-projects; there aren’t just a dozen or so stakeholders, but perhaps hundreds. Traditional project management systems cannot give the inclusiveness and engagement that is now so crucial.
“In fact, a couple of weeks ago we developed our first ‘homegrown’ AI agent, developed internally by our technology team. It’s connecting a number of data points that now appear on a dashboard, which can really facilitate many facets of project work. It prevents the need for continual cross-referencing and switching from format to format.
What do you see as the key vision and objectives of Archcorp? Is there a particular vision and gameplan across your multiple projects?
Imran: “There are of course a lot of firms who want to associate themselves with a certain type of architecture, with a certain type of branded ‘look’. We decided 20 years ago that we wouldn’t be one of them. If you work in that way, it can be very hard to cope
with the demands of what is ultimately a cyclical market. We felt that we always needed to address different typologies, rather than have one particular fixation. I think that when we see practices that have a fixed series of motifs, or a rigid brand identity, they have a tendency to impose it on everything they do. Now this can work if you’re specialising in one vertical, but here at Archcorp, our clients are varied, and we need to cater to everyone; we offer the capacity to create everything from industrial premises to mixed-use and residential developments.”
What do you feel are the main trends currently impacting the built environment across the GCC?
Farhana: “There’s no doubt that the quest for sustainability is a major factor, as we’ve already discussed. But I think the price point is a big driver nowadays, from the way that a development is conceived and pitched, right the way through to the value engineering that can be applied in its execution. You also have to remember that Dubai is almost a world-unique market, with a rapidly-evolving society - and price point is crucial when creating built environments for people with widely varying budgets.
Imran: “We are also starting to see a trend towards eco-tourism, where I believe the UAE can take a strong leadership position internationally. For example, we recently
worked on a large eco-tourism resort, deep in the desert. Here, we see many themes come together: from sustainable materials and reduced energy consumption, right the way through to levels of design and layout that foster to the needs of a very precise customer demographic.”
Tell us about the future aspirations of Archcorp?
Imran: “We’ve always believed that if we’re going to build a relationship with a client, then it needs to be a long-term relationship, lasting 20 years or more. We will remain committed to that view in the future as well. 80% (in fact, to be precise, 79.8%) of our work is repeat and referral, and I feel this is a testimony to our working
At Archcorp, our clients are varied, and we need to cater to everyone; we offer the capacity to create everything from industrial premises to mixeduse and residential developments”
style and commitment to the client.
“However, I think that one of our key ambitions for the future is to try and transform our company outside of the usual constraints of being a ‘design firm’. After all, we tend to see design firms as totally human-centric. But what if we can marry that human touch with the benefits of advanced technology? So that we have all the accuracy and speed that comes with an AI-led, data-smart business, but with Emotional Intelligence to make the right choices and judgement calls. I believe that this would not only empower us to deliver higher levels of service, creativity, and best practice, but make everyone’s lives - and importantly, those of our clients - a good deal easier, too.”
The Paragon by Igo, Dubai, UAE.
Everyone in the construction, architectural and urban planning sectors has recently heard much talk of the so-called ‘15-minute city’ and the allied quest to create ‘urban hubs’. But what exactly does this entail, and what are the current examples of it being implemented in practice? Paul Godfrey investigates…
healthy and sustainable living, and improve wellbeing and quality of life for city dwellers.
irst things first. The 15-minute city (sometimes referred to as FMC or 15mC) is an urban planning concept in which most daily necessities and services, such as work, shopping, education, healthcare, and leisure can be easily reached by a 15-minute walk, bike ride, or public transit ride from any point in the city. This approach aims to reduce car dependency, promote
Implementing the 15-minute city concept requires a multi-disciplinary approach, involving transportation planning, urban design, and policymaking, to create well-designed public spaces, pedestrian-friendly streets, and mixeduse development. This change in lifestyle may include remote working which reduces daily commuting and is supported by the recent widespread availability of information and communications technology. Part of the emphasis behind this concept has sometimes been described as wanting to return to "a local way of life". There is also the rationale that, as people spend more time working from
Traditionally, cities were built over hundreds of years, and these longstanding urban hubs often have subdistricts that epitomise the 15-minute city.
home or near their homes, there is less demand for large central office spaces and more need for flexible, local co-working spaces. The 15-minute city concept suggests a shift toward a decentralised network of workspaces within residential neighbourhoods, reducing the need for long commutes and promoting work-life balance.
The concept's roots can be traced back decades, to pre-modern urban planning traditions where walkability and community living were the primary
focus, long before the advent of street networks and private cars. In recent times, we can also see the influence of pedestrian-centered design movements, such as New Urbanism, which proposed transit-oriented and transit-friendly development - not to mention modern trends that promote walkability, mixeduse developments, and compact, liveable communities.
Numerous models have been proposed about how the concept can best be implemented, such as 15-minute cities being built from a series of smaller 5-minute neighborhoods, which in themselves would be complete communities, or - at least - walkable neighbourhoods.
Moreover, It’s not only urban planners and designers who see merits in this approach: seven years ago, Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo included a plan to implement the 15-minute city concept during her 2020 re-election campaign. Since then, a number of cities worldwide have adopted the same goal and many researchers have used the 15-minute model as a spatial analysis tool to evaluate accessibility levels within the urban fabric.
THE PRECEDENTS: FROM URBAN DESIGNERS TO CONSPIRACY THEORISTS
The 15-minute city was influenced by cities such as Paris, in which a range of amenities tend to be within walking distance.
The 15-minute city concept is also derived from historical ideas about proximity and walkability, such as Clarence Perry's ‘neighborhood unit’. As an inspiration for the 15-minute city, Carlos Moreno, an advisor to Anne Hidalgo, cited Jane Jacobs's model presented in The Death and Life of Great American Cities
There is no doubt, too, that the ongoing climate crisis and global COVID-19 pandemic have prompted a heightened focus on the 15-minute city concept. In July 2020, the C40 Cities
Implementing the 15-minute city concept requires a multi-disciplinary approach, involving transportation planning, urban design, and policymaking”
Climate Leadership Group published a framework for cities to "build back better" using the 15-minute concept, referring specifically to plans implemented in Milan, Madrid, Edinburgh, and Seattle after COVID-19 outbreaks. Their report highlights the importance of inclusive community engagement through mechanisms like participatory budgeting and adjusting city plans and infrastructure to encourage dense, complete, overall communities.
A manifesto published in Barcelona in April 2020 by architecture theorist Massimo Paolini proposed radical change in the organisation of cities in the wake of COVID-19, and was signed by 160 academics and 300 architects. The proposal has four key elements: reorganization of mobility, (re)naturalization of the city, de-commodification of housing, and degrowth.
Many readers might also remember that in early 2023, far-right conspiracy theories began to flourish that described 15-minute cities as instruments of government repression, claiming that they were a pretext to introduce restrictions on travel by car. In fact, the '15-minute city' proposals do not involve any restrictions on travel by car - unrelated measures introduced to reduce traffic in some
Utrecht features a number of 'mini pockets' that enable a complete lifestyle to be lived and enjoyed very conveniently.
The 15-minute city concept is undeniably gaining traction; and yet, it’s most likely that we’ll see its fuller implementation in the near-future, with a plethora of cities set to be built from scratch”
cities have been somehow confused with
'15-minute cities'.
WHERE THE 15-MINUTE CITY IS BECOMING A REALITY
Asia: In 2019, Singapore's Land Transport Authority proposed a master plan that included the goals of "20-minute towns" and a "45-minute city" by 2040.
Dubai launched the 20-minute city project in 2022, where residents are able to access daily needs & destinations within 20 minutes by foot or bicycle. The plan involves placing 55% of the residents within 800 meters of mass transit stations, allowing them to reach 80% of their daily needs and destinations.
In the Philippine's largest city, the government of Quezon City announced in 2023 its plans to implement the 15-minute city concept to establish a walkable, people-friendly, and sustainable community for its residents. Influenced by the city of Paris, the government aims to make urban development people-centred, and to further reach the city's goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050.
China: The 2016 Master Plan for Shanghai called for "15-minute community life circles", where residents could complete all their daily activities within 15 minutes of walking. The community life circle has been implemented in other Chinese cities, like Baoding and Guangzhou. Xiong'an is also being developed under the 15-minute life circle concept.
The Standard for urban residential area planning and design (GB 50180–2018), a national standard that came into effect in 2018, stipulates four levels of residential areas: 15-min pedestrian-scale neighborhood, 10-min pedestrian-scale neighborhood, 5-min pedestrian-scale neighborhood, and a neighborhood block. Among them, "15-min pedestrian-scale neighborhood" means "residential area divided according to the principle that residents can meet their material, living and cultural demand by walking for 15 minutes; usually surrounded by urban
trunk roads or site boundaries, with a population of 50,000 to 100,000 people (about 17,000 to 32,000 households) and complete supporting facilities."
Chengdu, to combat urban sprawl, commissioned the "Great City" plan, where development on the edges of the city would be dense enough to support all necessary services within a 15-minute walk.
Europe: As mentioned above, the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, introduced the 15-minute city concept in her 2020 reelection campaign and began implementing it during the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, school playgrounds were converted to parks after school hours, while the Place de la Bastille and other squares have been revamped with trees and bicycle lanes.
Cagliari, a city on the Italian island of Sardinia, began a strategic plan to revitalise the city and improve walkability. The city actively solicited public feedback through a participatory planning process, as described in the Moreno model. A unique aspect of the plan calls for re-
purposing public spaces and buildings that were no longer being used, relating to the general model of urban intensification.
In Utrecht, the fourth-largest city in the Netherlands, 100 percent of residents can reach all city necessities in a 15-minute bike ride, and 94% in a 10-minute bike ride. The local municipality has plans to improve this further by 2040.
Copenhagen's Nordhavn neighbourhood was developed according to a fiveminute city concept. This is based on all daily amenities being located at a distance of 400m from the nearest public transit stop - a distance walkable within 5 minutes.
North America: In 2012, Portland, Oregon, developed a plan for complete neighbourhoods within the city, which are aimed at supporting youth, providing affordable housing, and promoting community-driven development and commerce in historically under-served neighbourhoods. The Portland plan emphasises walking and cycling as ways to increase overall health and stresses the importance of the availability of affordable, healthy food. The Portland
plan calls for a high degree of transparency and community engagement during the planning process, somewhat similar to the ‘diversity’ component of the Moreno model.
In 2015, Kirkland, Washington, developed a "10-Minute Neighbourhood Analysis" tool to guide the city's 2035 Comprehensive Plan. This tool is intended to guide community discussion about how the 10-Minute Neighborhood concept can improve liveability and explore the policy changes necessary to achieve that vision.
FUTURES
All in all, the 15-minute city concept is undeniably gaining traction; and yet, it’s most likely that we’ll see its fuller implementation in the near-future, with a plethora of cities set to be built from scratch, particularly in South America and SE Asia. While the cost of demolishing existing neighbourhoods (or the expense of re-purposing large stretches of downtown areas) Is prohibitive, there is literally nothing to stop the promise of the 15-minute city in the blueprints of tomorrow…
BRANDED RESIDENCES: HAS DUBAI’S MARKET
REACHED ITS PEAK, OR IS THERE STILL ROOM FOR GROWTH?
Everyone connected with Dubai’s development and real estate sectors is the familiar with the concept of the ‘branded residence’. What’s more, it’s not a fixed category, but is in fact, highly dynamic, offering a rich spectrum of styles, approaches and lifestyle motifs. Here, Sean McCauley, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Devmark, assesses the rise of the sector and what developers must do to ensure fresh market share in an ever-more-crowded market…
ubai’s real estate market, a global stage for architectural ambition and luxury, is moving into a new era with the rapid rise of branded residences. These exclusive developments, created in partnership with top global brands like Armani, Bugatti, and Kempinski, offer more than high-end homes - they promise a lifestyle that resonates with high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and seasoned investors. Yet, as the market expands at a breakneck pace, a question lingers: has Dubai’s appetite for branded residences reached its limit, or is there still untapped potential?
As someone who’s spent years working closely with developers and investors alike, I see this sector’s appeal up close. In 2024 alone, Dubai launched 17 new branded projects, adding to an impressive lineup of 121 developments and over 39,000 units citywide. The demand is evident: AED 28.8 billion in sales came through in just the first six months of this year. With an additional 70 projects anticipated by 2028, it’s clear that developers are confident in the segment’s growth, though I can understand concerns around potential saturation.
WHY BRANDED RESIDENCES REMAIN POPULAR
In my experience, branded residences hold value because they offer buyers more than just property - they provide a trusted name, a community, and an investment in something lasting. Buyers today are savvy; they want security in their investments, and a reputable brand often represents that. For the HNWIs flocking to Dubai
(Henley & Partners reported a 62% rise in this group relocating to the city in 2024 alone), these residences offer not only homes, but lifestyle choices aligned with their preferences for luxury, exclusivity, and quality.
One of the standout projects we’ve launched is the W Residences DubaiJumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT), known for its energetic brand appeal, which has shown me how much these developments are moving beyond mere luxury. Today’s affluent buyers want experiences, convenience, and community wrapped into their lifestyle investments. The
A brand doesn’t have to be globally recognised to resonate with buyers; it just needs a compelling narrative”
project drew strong interest from HNWIs, many of whom were captivated by the brand’s contemporary vibe and tailored services. It reflects the “hotel at home” concept, where hospitality-inspired amenities (such as concierge services, wellness facilities, and dynamic social spaces) are seamlessly integrated into residential living.
When people think of branded residences, they often default to hospitality giants like Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton. While these brands have defined the segment, the universe of branded residences is far more expansive.
Kempinski Marina Residences, Dubai, UAE.
Today, lifestyle, automotive, fashion, and even tech brands are entering this space, each bringing its unique identity and appeal. For instance, lifestyle-driven brands focus on creativity, ethos, and cultural identity, offering an experience rather than just luxury.
What’s particularly exciting is how storytelling plays an increasingly pivotal role in branded developments. A brand doesn’t have to be globally recognised
to resonate with buyers; it just needs a compelling narrative. For instance, a lesser-known fashion or tech brand can focus on sustainability, craftsmanship, or innovation, creating an emotional connection with buyers who value those
principles. Developers need to think beyond what they consider “good brand” and instead explore those that offer meaningful, distinctive experiences.
Regardless of the brand, one of the key considerations for developers exploring branded residences is time to market. Partnering with a brand requires navigating design approvals, marketing strategies, and legal agreements - all of which can significantly extend timelines. Understanding the parameters of each brand, the expectations around interior design and brand guidelines is key for real estate developers, but as we’ve seen in projects like Kempinski Marina Residences and W Residences Dubai - JLT, a clear vision and meticulous planning can make all the difference in delivering a project that exceeds market expectations.
THE NEED FOR DIFFERENTIATION AND INNOVATION
In a market as competitive as Dubai’s, I’ve seen firsthand that branded residences need more than just a well-known logo on the door - they need a robust and distinctive identity that appeals to the buyers of today. The Kempinski Marina Residences in Dubai, a project we helped launch, underscored this. Selling out in hours and achieving AED 1 billion in sales, its success was driven by prime location, thoughtful design, and standout amenities like a private 25-seater movie theatre, golf simulator, and wellness facilities. Projects like this show how powerful it can be when a brand’s values are carefully aligned with the property’s features.
There’s also a shift in what different generations of buyers want. I see younger, lifestyle-driven clients drawn to branded residences that reflect a modern identity. For many, these homes have become statements of style, self-expression, and ambition. To capture this audience, I believe the most successful developments will be those beyond traditional luxury, offering experiences that appeal to a more contemporary mindset. Developments like Mama Residences perfectly capture
W Residences Dubai - Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, UAE.
this trend with their vibrant, artistic design led by French architect El Doghaili Benjamin. Every detail, from the mosaic steps to the kaleidoscopic glass accents, creates a dynamic living experience.
It’s not just residences that are evolving; commercial spaces in Dubai are also transforming. The concept of office spaces being designed to blend work and lifestyle seamlessly are gaining traction. Today’s best commercial towers feature gyms, daycare facilities, premium food and beverage options, and amenity floors to attract tenants and enhance productivity. This trend of “hotelification” extends the principles of branded residences into workplaces, further blurring the lines between living and working environments.
Looking ahead, Dubai’s branded residence market is maturing, and differentiation will be the cornerstone of its continued growth. Buyers are no longer satisfied with cookie-cutter luxury; they crave authenticity, hyper-customisation,
Branded residences hold value because they offer buyers more than just property - they provide a trusted name, a community, and an investment in something lasting”
and sustainability. Projects that embrace innovative partnerships, cutting-edge technology, and wellness-oriented designs will continue to lead the market.
SUSTAINABILITY AND TECHNOLOGY: KEY DIFFERENTIATORS FOR THE FUTURE
When I talk to investors today, sustainability is no longer an afterthought - it’s a priority. Buyers are increasingly looking for properties that embrace eco-conscious values, whether that means sustainable building practices, energy-efficient systems, or green certifications. I’ve seen a fundamental shift in buyer interest toward properties that reflect these values, adding a new layer of meaning and longevity to their investments.
Technology, too, is playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of branded residences. Dubai’s market is attracting a new wave of tech-savvy buyers, and their expectations are high: smart home
W Residences Dubai - Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, UAE.
features, AI-driven services, and advanced conveniences are no longer nice-to-haves but essentials. We’ve found that branded residences embracing these technological innovations are best positioned to capture the attention of this new generation of buyers.
LOOKING AHEAD: OPPORTUNITIES AMIDST COMPETITION
Dubai’s branded residence market is maturing, and with that comes a greater need for refined positioning and deep insight into buyer preferences. It’s clear that projects aligned with values like hyper-customisation, technology, wellness, experiential amenities, flexible spaces and sustainability will continue to attract interest. As a consultant in this space, balancing these aspects is critical in creating residences that resonate with today’s buyers, who have more choices than ever.
At Devmark, we work closely with developers to fine-tune every aspect of their projects, helping them structure the
right combination of product, pricing, and customer engagement. But the journey doesn’t stop once the sale is made. Postsales and after-sales experiences are equally vital in maintaining the brand’s reputation and enhancing buyer satisfaction. From personalised handovers to tailored aftersales services such as concierge support, maintenance, and exclusive access to
brand-related perks, these touchpoints ensure that the promise of luxury extends well beyond the purchase.
Developers who understand these shifting dynamics and embrace innovation will find themselves well-placed for success. I still see plenty of potential for growth in this market, but I believe differentiation will be the cornerstone of capturing Dubai’s affluent clientele in an increasingly crowded landscape.
A MARKET READY FOR EVOLUTION
There’s no question in my mind that Dubai’s branded residences sector has a bright future - but only if developers are ready to evolve. This market, like any, will reward those who respond thoughtfully to what buyers really want: a lifestyle that is more than luxurious but genuinely resonant. The next phase for branded residences will be defined not just by high-end names but by authentic, meaningful experiences that exceed expectations and set new standards for what luxury living can be.
Mama Shelter, Dubai, UAE.
Sean McCauley, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Devmark.
since 1956
66
CELEBR AT E YEAR S
A R CHI TECTU R A L i nno v a ti o n
A ST O UND I N G su cc es s
G LO B AL r ec o g n itio n
I N O VE R 2500+ P R O JE C T S
HOW PPPS CAN DRIVE VISION 2030'S DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Proven internationally to potentially offer faster delivery times, increase job creation, and provide greater risk-sharing, the PPP model is rapidly gathering pace in Saudi Arabia. Sean Doherty, Head of Program and Project Management MEA, Project & Development Services MEA, JLL, and Osama Bashir, Senior Manager, Strategic Consulting, JLL, look at the competitive advantages of this diversified PPP model…
To meet the ambitious targets outlined in Vision 2030, various delivery models and collaboration between public and private sector resources are essential. PPPs have proven to be an effective way to enhance the private sector's role in helping governments achieve objectives.
audi Arabia is experiencing an unprecedented scale and pace of real estate development.
PPP is a long-term contractual agreement in which private sector institutions are typically involved in financing, designing, constructing, and sometimes operating public assets.
While the PPP model in Saudi Arabia is not new, its application has mainly focused on infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, ports, and airports. In recent years, however, PPPs have gained traction in real estate project delivery. This trend initially began with schools, hospitals, and other projects traditionally managed by the state, but it is now expanding to various real estate market sectors. A
number of different PPP formats are being utilised, including Design-Build (DB); Design-Build-Finance-Maintain (DBFM); Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Maintain (DBFOM); Operation and Maintenance Contracts (O&M); Build-Own-Operate (BOO); Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT); Buy-Build-Operate (BBO); Build-Lease-Operate-Transfer (BLOT); Operation License; and Finance Only.
BENEFITS OF PPP
As well as being increasingly applied in Saudi Arabia, it’s well documented that PPPs offer numerous benefits through government and private sector collaborations. Key advantages include attracting higher levels of foreign investment, improving public services, and diversifying the economy beyond its heavy reliance on oil.
We can see a number of specific advantages in the application of PPPs in KSA, for example -
Capital efficiency: One of the most immediate benefits to the Kingdom is capital efficiency. By leveraging private sector investment, the government can undertake large-scale projects without immediately straining its budget. Not only is the CAPEX model more refined, but more focus is certainly placed on OPEX models and the overall whole lifecycle costs. This is particularly important as Saudi Arabia seeks to modernise its infrastructure and real estate in line with Vision 2030's broader economic transformation goals.
Accelerated project delivery:
Another significant advantage is the speed at which projects can be delivered. With access to capital, higher risk tolerance, focus on innovation, and profit-driven incentives structure, the private sector can deliver projects more quickly and efficiently. Earlier contractor involvement is a must in assisting and finalising the expected outcome of delivery. A key aspect of PPP is that change in design during construction is often less likely to happen, and therefore, the end dates are more certain to be achieved. In short, increased private sector participation is essential for meeting the tight and ambitious timelines outlined in Vision 2030.
The PPP model, first evolved in Europe, has become a powerful tool for leveraging capital efficiency and accelerating project delivery.
Enhancing quality and innovation:
Greater private involvement has the potential to shorten (and perhaps be more certain about) delivery timelines and typically leads to better quality and more innovative projects. Competition among private companies drives the adoption of advanced technologies and best practices, ensuring that the completed projects are functional and state-of-the-art.
Job creation: The private sector has historically taken a backseat in delivering major infrastructure and real estate projects in Saudi Arabia. However, as it begins to assume a more prominent role, there will be an increase in privatesector job opportunities in areas such as finance, legal, construction, operations, and management. This shift supports two
PPPs offer a strategic way to deliver the range and scale of real estate development required to support the Kingdom's future economic growth”
key objectives of Vision 2030: economic diversification and employment growth in the non-government sector.
Risk sharing: Another attractive aspect of PPPs is their ability to share financial and operational risks associated with large-scale public projects between the public and private sectors. This means the government doesn't bear the entire burden of unforeseen costs or delays. Such risk-sharing safeguards public funds and encourages private investors to be more efficient, knowing that risks are shared and mitigated.
Early contractor engagement: PPPs also allow for earlier engagement of contractors in the project design phase, providing them with greater flexibility to innovate and influence decisions.
PPPs have been used for a variety of innovative projects, which will often require an unusual mix of skills and resources.
It enables contractors to make more informed choices on delivery timelines and construction methods, increasing the likelihood of projects being completed on time and within budget.
CHALLENGES AND LESSONS
While Saudi Arabia has made significant strides in adopting the PPP model in recent years, there are still lessons to learn from more mature markets globally where PPPs are well-established.
Recent changes, such as the introduction of the PSP Law, are significant steps forward, but a more solid foundation of laws, regulations, and best practices is essential to attract sustained private sector interest. Investors need clear, reliable rules to reduce risk and enhance their returns.
Saudi Arabia is also in the early stages of building capacity within its government and local private sector institutions to effectively manage and oversee PPP projects. While private companies bring technical expertise and efficiency, the public sector must be equipped with the knowledge and tools to manage these partnerships. This includes the ability to negotiate contracts, monitor progress, and ensure accountability and transparency. As the country develops these competencies, it will improve the effectiveness of its PPP framework and increase the success rates of this required private sector investment.
FUTURE OF PPPS IN THE KINGDOM
Looking forward, Saudi Arabia's commitment to expanding the use of PPPs is clear. The government has announced its intention to roll out more than 200 structured projects worth $50 billion through the National Center for Privatization and PPP (NCP). These projects span healthcare, education, transportation, and renewable energy sectors. More ambitious investments, characterised by joint ventures with different companies controlled by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), are also included.
Giga projects like the $500bn Neom Megacity, Red Sea Global, Qiddiya, ROSHN,
King Salman Park, and Diriyah would all greatly benefit from private sector participation in their development and operational phases. As the country continues to refine its regulatory environment, expand private sector participation, and encourage international collaboration, the scale and sophistication of its PPP projects will grow.
The upcoming FIFA World Cup in 2034 could act as a catalyst for the greater use of PPP arrangements in the Kingdom. Maximising the potential benefits of this single event will require the creation of not just football stadiums but also supporting facilities, infrastructure, and mixed-use developments surrounding multi-purpose arenas. These projects would be an ideal opportunity to create PPP structures to attract experience and expertise (as well as financial investment) from Asia, as well as the Middle East, Europe and the Americas.
As Riyadh prepares to host the World Expo 2030, numerous opportunities will emerge across sectors, including
infrastructure, accommodation, renewable energy, tourism, and technology, encouraging private sector participation in large-scale, sustainable initiatives. Supporting the Expo's implementation and its supporting elements, such as hospitality, may also drive forward Vision 2030 initiatives, particularly as the government reviews and adjusts current investments in response to both success and growing demands.
In conclusion, while Saudi Arabia is still developing the necessary legal framework, the case for a greater need for private sector investment through the use of PPPs is compelling, and the potential benefits are immense. With more efficient use of government capital, faster delivery times, increased job creation, and greater risk-sharing, PPPs offer a strategic way to deliver the range and scale of real estate development required to support the Kingdom's future economic growth. In doing so, Saudi Arabia has the potential to become a global leader in PPPs, unlocking new opportunities for economic growth and social advancement that the public or private sector would be unable to achieve alone.
(Left to right) Sean Doherty, Head of Program and Project Management MEA, Project & Development Services MEA, JLL, and Osama Bashir, Senior Manager, Strategic Consulting, JLL.
It’s often forgotten that tall buildings are not defined as ‘tall’ purely by height alone, but according to the proportional relationships between their height and ground-level girth. This proportionality can massively impact the style of foundations required to support them - and here, ME Consultant speaks to structural software designer SkyCiv about the various foundation genres and what they are designed to achieve…
FROM THE GROUND UP
t’s worth defining the basic parameters from the outset. A ‘tall structure’ (often referred to as ‘high-rise’, a ‘skyscraper’, or in extreme variations, a ‘super-tall’) is characteristically a building with a small footprint and roof area but a very long and tall facade. Mostly built within dense city limits, these structures are turning into distinctive landmarks and corporate symbols for their housing cities.
This type of structure requires special engineering procedures for its design and construction, due to its height; as we will consider here, it also requires unique consideration in terms of the below-level support that may be required - in other words, the structure’s Foundations.
HOW TALL IS ‘TALL’?
There are no ‘absolute’ criteria for considering a building tall, but according to the Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CBTUH), the following categories may be used. First, the urban context on where the building exists. If a 10-story building is located in a central business district surrounded by 20-story buildings, then it may not be considered tall. However, if it's located in a suburban area that is predominantly
Foundation depth is often directly related to project height and dimensions, but a number of other factors can also impact the composition of the elements required.
low-rise, then it may be considered tall. Secondly, the proportion of the height and width of the building contributes to its classification as a ‘tall building’. For example, a building that is relatively tall but has a large footprint (and therefore a low proportional relationship) may not necessarily be considered tall.
Another way to consider a building tall is by its slenderness ratio. The slenderness ratio is obtained by dividing total building height by the smallest of the base width dimensions. At a slenderness ratio of 5 or less, the structural system can usually
accommodate the lateral loads typical for low or mid-rise structures. Conversely, for a slenderness ratio of 5 and above, that is where the slenderness of the structure can significantly affect the design. In this range of slenderness ratios, the structural system will be working harder to resist lateral forces and the dynamic behaviour is likely to be dominant in the structural solution, and thus the building is considered to be tall.
WHAT ABOUT FOUNDATIONS?
Load transfer on a tall structure can influence the ground at a greater depth and to its adjacent structures, therefore a thorough ground or site investigation must be completed during the design of the foundation. The interaction between the structure and the supporting ground must be closely evaluated by engineers during the design process. Tall building foundation design needs to capture the full impact of the structure, both above and below the ground. Before any meaningful decisions can be made, site investigations and reports must be conducted by geotechnical engineers.
Load transfer on a tall structure can influence the ground at a greater depth and to its adjacent structures, therefore a thorough ground or site investigation must be completed during the design of the foundation”
Historically, foundation design is based on empirical formulas to derive approximate foundation solutions. This may result in a non-unique and conservative solution, usually overdesigned and a relatively expensive foundation for the structure. In recent years, great efforts have been made to come up with modern insitu testing methods to accurately measure geotechnical parameters for foundation design or the influence of the soil-structure interaction. The soil-structure interaction significantly affects the distribution of vertical loads on the ground, stresses in the structure, foundation design, soil settlement, and the dynamic behaviour of the structure under the effects of dynamic lateral loads such as wind and seismic events.
Once the ground conditions and site investigation have been established, a basic solution for tall building foundation design can be provided. Foundation options for tall structures range from a raft which transfers the building loads into the immediate soil layer directly below the structure, or a fully piled
Foundations options for tall structures may include a raft which transfers the building modes.
solution to transfer structural loads from weak layers of soils onto firmer strata, or a composite system that uses both raft and piled solutions. Such foundation types are complex and generally require more structural engineering effort than other conventional foundation systems found in low/mid-rise structures. It is also common in practice to make the foundation design a more collaborative effort with the geotechnical engineer.
RAFT FOUNDATION
A raft foundation, also known as a ‘mat foundation’, is essentially a continuous slab lying directly on top of the soil that extends over the entire footprint of the building, thereby transferring its weights and the loads to the ground in a more even distribution. Unlike isolated or pile foundations, a raft foundation is often used when the soil is weak, as it distributes the weight of the building
over the entire area of the building, and not over smaller zones or at individual points, which results in reduced stress on the soil. Typically, the thickness of rafts can be several meters thick to accommodate the punching-shear effect of heavily loaded columns, while adequate load spread should be ensured in respect to the underlying strata.
PILES FOUNDATION
Pile foundations are commonly used for structures that lie on depths of weak or saturated soil where the excavation depth is not feasible for shallow foundations. The load from the superstructure is transferred from the piles through the weakly compressible soil strata down to stiffer soils or hard rock. Usually, designers evaluate the use of significant groups of large diameter piles for tall structures. It should be noted that there is a difference between the performance of a single pile and a large pile group. The performance of a single pile depends on the skin friction along the shaft and the strength of the soil at the base of the pile. Conversely, for a pile group, the piles and soil enclosed by the group can act as a
single unit, and the overall capacity is the sum of all the capacities of piles in the group, and it is also influenced by the spacing between the piles.
PILE-ASSISTED RAFTS
When a conventional raft foundation can't provide adequate support, the foundation can be enhanced by adding piles. Pile-assisted raft foundations are a popular choice for tall buildings wherein the soil is not suitable to prevent excessive settlement. Adding piles to a raft foundation increases the effective size of a foundation and can help resist lateral loads. The raft provides additional capacity at the ultimate loading state while the piles provide most of the stiffness. Overall, this can improve the performance of the foundation in terms of ultimate load capacity and in reducing the amount of settlement and differential settlement. This is also the solution we tend to see being used more frequently in the era of the super-tall structure, since advanced pile-assisted raft matrices can cope well with the exponential lateral stresses almost universally present in buildings of 350m or more.
A piling solution is a classic option in the case of saturated soil and will transfer the loads from the superstructure.
nsuring that there are up to date fire safety systems for your mixed-use building isn’t just a good way to keep your residents and structure safe and secure - in every Gulf state, it’s a legal requirement. Learning what these regulations entail will enable compliance while ensuring the safety of your building.
In this article, we will discuss what qualifies as a mixed-use building, the mixed-use regulations, the fire safety regulations for different classes within a building, and the process involved at different stages of fire safety assessment and implementation.
FIRST THINGS FIRST: WHAT IS A MIXED-USE BUILDING?
A mixed-use building is defined as a structure that has multiple classes for use. This can include residential, commercial, and retail components, among others.
A mixed-use building has separate regulations compared to its parts, and when compared to a multi-occupancy or HMO property. These differences in mixed-use regulations come from the different
FIRE SAFETY FOR MIXED-USE BUILDINGS
It goes without saying that for risks of any kind, a mixed-use structure can present a plethora of challenges - and in the case of fire risks, these complexities can all too easily endanger life. ME Consultant spoke to UK-based Sovereign Fire & Security about the best approaches for providing regulation-compliant, proactive fire - and life - safety
hazards that are presented by the varying types of use-class. This leads to the need for a more comprehensive set of regulations to cover every possible scenario, helping to protect occupants from any section in your building. Due to these differences in danger sources and subsequent regulations, it is important to stay up to date with the specific regulations for your property and ensure you have the best fit fire safety system.
WHY IS FIRE SAFETY IMPORTANT IN MIXED-USE BUILDINGS?
With a mixed-use building, there can be an increase in the potential sources of fire. This is because, unlike a single-use building, all of the hazards that individual residency types will have can be present in a single structure. Additionally, there are likely to be multiple occupants interacting in different parts of the building simultaneously, increasing the risk of fire.
The way in which a fire safety system is implemented may also have to be adjusted. Different escape routes, signage, emergency lighting, and alarm systems may need to be present for the various different occupancy types to ensure safety and full regulatory compliance.
FIRE
SAFETY REGULATIONS FOR MIXED-USE BUILDINGS
Internationally, quite apart from ‘hard’ specifications - covering, eg, the use of fire-resistant materials, fire-cladding, exit points, and required alarm systems - the majority of fire regulations cover periodic ‘checklist’ requirements, such as entrance fire door checks at least once a year, communal fire door checks every three months, and the provision of fire safety training, information, and instructions to residents about the importance and use of fire doors. There are also different specifics depending on the size and layout of the building as well, such as differences between buildings under 11m, over 11m, and over 18m.
The regulations for different types of mixed-use building, such as specific ones for
residential or commercial buildings, must also be considered to ensure the safety of all classes of occupants in the event of a fire.
‘RESPONSIBLE PERSONS’
A term that comes up often when talking about fire safety and mixed-use regulations is ‘responsible person’. This term refers to the individual or persons who are responsible for the fire safety of the building - this can be a building manager, the owner, or landlord, among
It is important to have a procedure that encompasses every stage of fire safety system design, implementation, and maintenance”
other choices depending on several factors, including the classification of the building or the classes present within it.
Due to the nature of mixed-use buildings containing multiple different classes of occupants, it is likely there will be more than one responsible person. The fire safety plans need to be co-ordinated between these responsible persons, ensuring the safety of occupants and people near the premises. For common and shared areas, this responsible person
is typically the landlord, the freeholder, or the managing agent.
FIRE SAFETY FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF MIXED-USE BUILDING
Aside from the mixed-use regulations covering these types of buildings in general, it is good to look at the regulations for the individual classifications of use that your building entails. We will detail the benefits and regulations behind fire safety practices for residential and commercial buildings, two of the most common classes within a mixed-use property.
FIRE SAFETY FOR RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
Fire safety for residential buildings is of key importance as there can a large number of residents within a single mixed-use or multioccupancy property. There are also special cases of residencies such as care homes, which require their own considerations for fire safety - in the case of care homes, this is due to the greater evacuation times, leading to increased risk during a fire.
Typically, the Fire Safety regulations for a residential multi-occupied building will include:
The essence of fire safety in mixed-use developments lies in regular testing, servicing and operational maintenance.
• Sharing electronic data with the local fire and rescue service (FRS) regarding the wall system of the building, floor plans, and building plans.
• Keeping hard copies of the floor plans along with a single-page orientation plan and the name and details of the responsible person in a secure box which the FRS can access.
• Installing signage, visible in situations with low light, that allows occupants to find their way out.
• Establishing monthly checks on lifts and equipment for the FRS to use in highrise buildings.
• Informing the FRS if a lift or piece of equipment designated for use by firefighters is out of order for over a day. By following these regulations, you ensure that your residential building meets all the requirements, alongside additional benefits such as the safety and security of your property, assets, and occupants;
saving lives in the case of an emergency; and ensuring your fire safety systems are well maintained and operable in the event of a fire.
FIRE SAFETY FOR COMMERCIAL
BUILDINGS
For commercial buildings and businesses, or any other non-domestic or nonresidential premise, there can be a number of people responsible, or ‘responsible persons’, for the fire safety in the building. These can include employers, building owners, landlords, occupiers, or anyone else with control of the premises, such as a facilities manager, building manager, or managing agent.
Despite this large range of options for who can be responsible, it is easy to refer to them as they are simply addressed as a ‘responsible person’ within the context of fire safety. The fire safety regulations for commercial buildings are applicable even in the event of the building having paying guests, for example a bed and breakfast or a hotel.
The responsible person for a commercial building must:
• Carry out regular fire assessments. These
must be reviewed regularly, recorded, documented, and enacted upon should any alterations or maintenance be required.
• Inform staff of any safety risks.
• Ensure fire safety measures are in place and operational.
• Train staff on proper fire safety procedures.
• Create a plan to be carried out in case of an emergency.
Any responsible person who carries out a fire assessment has to be able to identify the fire risks to the property, staff who may be at risk, assess the suitability of the prevention measures that are in place alongside escape routes and other safety measures, and create and implement a fire safety action plan.
This can be done by one of the aforementioned responsible persons, but a specialist company can also use their expert knowledge to provide quality support and maintenance across all the aspects of fire safety in your building.
WHAT ARE THE STAGES OF FIRE SAFETY FOR MIXED-USE BUILDINGS?
To ensure your building meets mixed-use regulations and is as secure as possible in the event of a fire, it is important to have a procedure that encompasses every stage of fire safety system design, implementation, and maintenance. This will make sure you have up-to-date, working fire safety systems tailored directly to the varied needs of your property. It’s normally felt that there are five key stages to implanting effective fire safety systems. These are -
• Assessment: assessing the full and accurate needs of your property, working with a specialist provider who will blueprint a design that is bespoke to you.
• The drafting of a comprehensive fire and security system that covers your needs and provides complete safety features.
• Having qualified engineers install the fire safety systems, ensuring maximum effectiveness.
Effective
Unlike a singleuse building, all of the hazards that individual residency types will have can be present in a single structure”
• Regularly surveying your fire safety systems, ensuring they are working and in-line with mandatory government regulations.
• Back-up: should your fire safety system fail or encounter issues, always ensure you have a specialist provider on hand who can offer a responsive maintenance team to help resolve the problem. By providing comprehensive coverage of every stage of design and implementation for fire and life safety systems, the right specialist can ensure that you and your property are as protected as possible.
The correct fire safety offeringswhether that means expert knowledge of the regulations and their application, or hardware such as a range of fire alarm services - can detect, alert, and ultimately save lives.
signage is a 'first-step' protocol for fire safety risk management.
EGIS LAUNCHES COST CONSULTANCY SERVICES
New division can ensure end-to-end service provision and better empower region’s growing raft of mega-projects
viability from inception to completion and operation.
gis, an international leader in architecture, consulting, construction engineering and mobility services, has announced the launch of its Cost Management services across the Middle East and South Asia - an expansion that responds directly to the evolving complexities of today’s built environment.
With unprecedented levels of investment in infrastructure, real estate, and sustainable urban developments, the demand for strategic cost consultancy has never been greater. Egis’ view is that the onset of shifting regulatory landscapes - and the increasing prioritisation of sustainability - necessitate expert financial stewardship to optimise project
Founded and headquartered in France, Egis can trace its origins back to the 1930s; the group has evolved over the past 90 years to encompass transport, infrastructure engineering and building engineering. Now 62% of the organisation’s work is outside France, with a close-knit and fast-growing network of offices across every continent.
To date, Egis has more than 20,500 staff across 100+ countries, working on a portfolio of more than 5,000 key projects.
The introduction of Cost Management now reaffirms the company’s commitment to providing a fully ‘end-to-end’ service delivery, covering every step of the client’s journey - from idea to design to operation, through to ongoing effective commercial management.
Similarly, the ever-growing emphasis on sustainability requires a comprehensive, ‘umbrella’ grasp of a project’s intricate requirements, from the drawing board through to all-important delivery and assessment of every element in the
procurement and materials chain. As for the ‘bigger picture’, Egis’ perspective is that it is preferentially-placed to adapt the world to climate change, reduce emissions or preserve biodiversity, tackling the major challenges that necessitate ingenuity and technical prowess. Throughout, a key element is effective financial modelling and ensuring value-for-money for a diverse range of clients and stakeholders - and in this mix, effective Cost Management is paramount.
A cost consultancy arm ensures that Egis is uniquely positioned to deliver unparalleled value to clients by integrating commercial insight with its well-established raft of multidisciplinary expertise. Clients will now benefit from a seamless, end-to-end consultancy offering, where cost consultancy forms a cornerstone in realising ambitious masterplans, giga-projects, and critical national infrastructure.
Simon Trafford, Regional Director for Cost Consultancy, Egis.
The acceleration of development across the market means placing greater emphasis on cost predictability, value engineering and commercial efficiency”
To lead this initiative, Egis has appointed Simon Trafford as Regional Director for Cost Consultancy. With over 35 years’ experience in cost consultancy services, Simon has played a pivotal role in shaping the financial frameworks of some of the world's most ambitious and transformative developments. His distinguished portfolio and deep understanding of regional dynamics, financial governance and cost optimisation will be instrumental in ensuring returns on investment, while upholding the highest standards of sustainability and efficiency.
Simon’s appointment follows Egis’ acquisition of Thomas & Adamson, a UKbased cost management firm with a legacy of excellence dating back to 1935. This move significantly strengthened Egis’ advisory capabilities, enabling a robust cost management function that aligns seamlessly with client needs in the Middle East and South Asia. By embedding cost consultancy within its multidisciplinary approach, Egis offers a distinct advantage - bringing together technical excellence, economic prudence, and sustainable foresight to deliver projects that are future-proofed against emerging industry challenges.
"I am delighted”, said Simon, “to be joining this dynamic and rapidly expanding business. This is an exciting time to be part of Egis and contribute to their transformational journey. The acceleration of development across the market means placing greater emphasis on cost predictability, value engineering and commercial efficiency. Through our integrated delivery model, and building on the legacy and expertise from the recent Thomas & Adamson acquisition, Egis is now uniquely positioned to tackle these challenges, delivering sustainable, future-ready cities and developments. Furthermore, by adding Cost Consultancy to our portfolio of services we will enhance our clients’ experience by providing a knowledge-based commercial proposition to the success of all our projects.”
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