Middle East Architect - Jan 2010

An ITP Business Publication, Licensed by International Media Production Zone

NEWS, DATA, ANALYSIS AND STRATEGIC INSIGHTS FOR ARCHITECTS IN THE GCC

JANUARY 2010 | VOLUME 4 | ISSUE 1

JANUARY 2010 | VOLUME 4 | ISSUE 1 NEWS, DATA, ANALYSIS AND STRATEGIC INSIGHTS FOR ARCHITECTS IN THE GCC

Bright Lights Green buildings need intelligent lighting. MEA investigates what’s being done

An ITP Business Publication

INTERVIEW Tony Archibold & P. Baskaran on RMJM’s Capital Gate FEATURE Build quality in the Middle East FEATURE Smart & green lighting solutions CASE STUDY Saudi Arabia’s ITCC SUPPLIER YOU SHOULD KNOW Zumtobel Lighting

LIGHTING

Showrooms in Jeddah and Riyadh

and

JEDDAH (HEAD OFFICE) Rawada Street Omnia Center P.O. Box 12679 Jeddah 21483 Saudi Arabia Tel. +966 2 669 3241 Fax +966 2 668 3069

CONTRACT FURNITURE

aralazem@technolight-ksa.com

RIYADH Tahlia Street Olaya P.O. Box 17420 Riyadh 11484 Saudi Arabia Tel. +966 1 462 1150 Fax +966 1 465 5406 www.technolight-ksa.com

Technolight was established in 1980. Over 30 years, Technolight has become one of Saudi Arabia’s leading suppliers of lighting fixtures, lighting control systems, wiring devices, contract furniture and security systems with branches in Jeddah, Riyadh and Khobar. We take pride in being the first lighting company to enter the Saudi market and to offer a professional lighting concept solution, marking a landmark in the right direction. Not only did we introduce some of the most prestigious lighting brands and lighting solutions to the Saudi market, but we have also set a professional lighting standard in the Saudi Market.

Our outstanding performance could not have been realized without the family team of Technolight. In fact, our family consists of 57 highly trained sales engineers and installation staff. In addition, we have two showrooms in Jeddah and one in Riyadh all of which are superbly located right in the heart of the city.

Technolight is run by a management team. The managing director and five managers representing different administrative areas of expertise who convene periodically. They run analysis with never-ending improvement cycle.

Technolight has several departments. There are lighting design dept, sales dept, marketing dept, financial dept. pricing dept, and other various activities. Technolight sales stock policy is to keep running items always in stock.

We have about $4 million in stock which gets updated on regular basis.

Some companies we represent exclusively in KSA are as follows: ERCO (Interior & Exterior Lighting) • WE-EF (Exterior Lighting) • BTICINO (Wiring Devices) VITRA (Office & Home Furniture) • CLIPSAL ( Diming Systems) • COOPER CONTROLS (Diming Systems)

CONTENTS JANUARY

January 2010 ISSUE 1 VOLUME 4 07

15

33 ON THE WEB 03 WHAT’S MEA

keeps you in touch with the latest news from the industry with a synopsis of Construction Week online

07 INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHTS

A roundup of some of the industry’s biggest stories and product launches

13 GREEN PAGE: SUSTAINABILITY

A new section, January’s Green Page sees Philips question whether sustainability is merely for show

21

39

15 INTERVIEW: CAPITAL GATE

RMJM and Eversendai Engineering answer pointed questions about Abu Dhabi’s most bizarre building

LIGHTING 21 FEATURE: MEA

explores the ubiquitous issue of architectural lighting and finds out what’s happening on the ground

26 CASE STUDY: KSA’S SMART CITY

Ben Millington gets access to the KSA project that hopes to change IT and architecture in the Kingdom

30

30 SUPPLIER YOU SHOULD KNOW: ZUMTOBEL

Gabriel Abdelhakmi-Gaisne goes on record about projects, products and why architects need Zumtobel

BUILD QUALITY 33 FEATURE: MEA

investigates the pressing issue of build quality after last year’s building collapse in Dubai

BUILDINGS 39 LAST WORD: GREEN MEA

Samuel Keehn talks to about the LEED brand and how the Gulf’s green movement happened overnight

www.constructionweekonline.com | 01.10 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT

001

ONLINE

the online home of:

IN PICTURES

MOST POPULAR

• Exclusive: US $2.5 billion

claim over Dubai Metro • Nakheel to clear debt within 14 days • Contractors say US $10bn will allow industry to breathe Abu • Dhabi to finance Dubai World debts

MEYDAN RACECOURSE ON TRACK The first phase of Dubai’s ambitious horseracing village, Meydan, has been completed and the brand new grandstand and racecourse will welcome their first visitors on January 28, when the Dubai Racing Festival kicks off. The grandstand has seating for 20,000 and a capacity for 60,000 spectators on race days. Expected 2010 attendance is 300,000.

For more galleries, check out: www.constructionweekonline.com/in_pictures/

COLUMNS & FEATURES 10 RESOLUTIONS FOR A GREEN WORKPLACE The New Year is almost upon us – and it’s time to start thinking about those resolutions. So why not pledge to ‘green your workplace’ in 2010, asks Mervin De le Torre, interior designer at BAFCO.

Kenneth Laidler, former president of APID, has written a paper proposing the continual assessment of interior design practioners. Over the next few months, CID will be publishing exclusive extracts.

WILD WILD MIDDLE EAST

ROYAL INSIGHT

When Dubai’s deserts weren’t a well-kept secret, camels were a common site and talk of erecting skyscrapers would have risked your expulsion from the arab state, four pioneers found Arabtec.

HH Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum earned a reputation last year for his restructuring strategy that resulted in strengthening the balance sheet of his company, Al Fajer Properties.

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 01.10 | www.constructionweekonline.com

EDITOR’S CHOICE • Exclusive: US $2.5 billion claim over Dubai Metro

• Moustachioed Maestros • Madrasati renovates 200 schools in Jordan

ASSESSING DESIGNERS

For more columns & features, go to: www.constructionweekonline.com/comments 002

For breaking news, go to: www.constructionweekonline.com/news/ Stories selected December 27-31, 2009

• Nakheel to clear

debt within 14 days • Audio solutions makes ‘building in’ easier Stories selected December 27-31, 2009

POLL: What’s your main aim for 2010?

31.8% Get paid for 2009.

27.3% Tender for more work.

27.3% Survive.

9.1% Upsize.

4.5% Downsize.

To vote in spot polls, go to: www.constructionweekonline.com

EDITOR’S LETTER

YOU SAID IT, NOW DO IT

-)$$,% %!34

Registered at Dubai Media City PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel: 00 971 4 210 8000 Fax: 00 971 4 210 8080 Web: www.itp.com Offices in Dubai & London ITP Business Publishing CEO Walid Akawi Managing Director Neil Davies Deputy Managing Director Matthew Southwell Editorial Director David Ingham VP Sales Wayne Lowery Publishing Director Jason Bowman EDITORIAL Senior Group Editor Stuart Matthews Group Editor Jeff Roberts Tel: +971 4 435 6269 email: jeff.roberts@itp.com ADVERTISING Commercial Director Raz Islam Tel: +971 4 435 6371 email: raz.islam@itp.com Sales Manager Carolyn Lewis Tel: +971 4 435 6184 email: carolyn.lewis@itp.com STUDIO Group Art Editor Daniel Prescott Designer Lucy McMurray PHOTOGRAPHY Director of Photography Sevag Davidian Chief Photographer Khatuna Khutsishvili Senior Photographers Efraim Evidor, Thanos Lazopoulos Staff Photographers Isidora Bojovic, George Dipin, Lyubov Galushko, Jovana Obradovic, Ruel Pableo, Rajesh Raghav PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION Group Production Manager Kyle Smith Production Manager Eleanor Zwanepoel Production Coordinator Louise Schreiber Distribution Manager Karima Ashwell Distribution Executive Nada Al Alami CIRCULATION Head of Database & Circulation Gaurav Gulati MARKETING Head of Marketing Daniel Fewtrell ITP DIGITAL Director Peter Conmy Internet Applications Manager Mohammed Affan Internet Design Manager Hitesh Uchil Web Designer Meghna Rao ITP GROUP Chairman Andrew Neil Managing Director Robert Serafin Finance Director Toby Jay Spencer-Davies Board of Directors K M Jamieson, Mike Bayman, Walid Akawi, Neil Davies, Rob Corder, Mary Serafin Circulation Customer Service Tel: +971 4 435 6000 Certain images in this issue are available for purchase.

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Wow, that was a hell of a year. I’m sure I’m not alone when I say it feels good to see the back of 2009. Trust me, dear readers, I tried to stay positive. I probably bored you all to death with proclamations of construction grandeur in countries across the GCC. You probably became quite tired of my urging you to do more with less, stay strong and take the high road. Well, as we embark on another year together, my message this time is both simple and straightforward: In 2010, do what you said you’d do.

This time, I’m urging you to remember your commitments, especially with regard to making your companies smarter, more transparent and greener. In the midst of the credit crunch, very few people could be asked to remember their green commitments because whether your field is architecture, engineering, interior design, facilities management or MEP, green technology is initially more expensive. But I don’t have to remind you that, over the lifecycle of the building, that same technology will actually save you money in terms of energy use, cooling loads, lighting, and reduced carbon footprint...not to mention, garner extra LEED points.

Samuel Keehn’s Last Word interview in this issue delves much deeper into the myriad benefits of aligning one’s company with a green rating system.

In the midst of the credit crunch, I’m sure it was rather attractive to shop around for building products and professionals promising the same quality at a lower cost. I’d be willing to bet that those low-cost options, as unscrupulous as they seemed, were actually considered—if only for a moment—in boardrooms and back rooms across the region. My only hope is that honesty and integrity prevailed more often than not. We tackled that very issue—using the collapsed building in Deira as a case study—in this month’s Standard Operations feature on build quality.

When I remember back to 2007—the year I first arrived on the Dubai building scene—I recall that everything was booming. There were more projects, contracts and competitions than anyone could handle and money was being made by the truckload. In the middle of all of it, came Sheikh Mohammed’s green building decree. From that moment on, every project, product and property began marketing itself as ‘green’ this and ‘sustainable’ that. Fast forward to January 2010.

The prospectors are gone. The design gimmicks and fads have passed.

The industry has returned to a manageable pace. Dare I say it, even the sustainable/green rhetoric has been quieted. So, dear readers, in the most polite and unoffending way I can, I say this: It’s time to put up or shut up.

If you said your company was going to be a green one before the crisis, do it now. Pull the trigger. Make the necessary investment, build a properly green building and reap the benefits of cheaper energy and positive PR. Likewise, if you committed yourself to adopting ISO 9001 pre-credit crunch but never got around to it, do it now. Build quality buildings and set a regional benchmark. It’s a new year and a fresh start. Now, stop talking and do what you said you’d do.

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Bright Lights Green buildings

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Cover image: A ‘pixel cloud’ lighting solution by Zumtobel. Located in the office of Allen & Overy in London

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The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the reader’s particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publishers in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts used for the purpose of fair review.

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 01.10 | www.constructionweekonline.com

need intelligent lighting.

MEA investigates

what’s being done

East FEATURE quality in the Middle Gate FEATURE Build SHOULD KNOW Zumtobel Lighting on RMJM’s Capital YOU Archibold & P. BaskaranSTUDY Saudi Arabia’s ITCC SUPPLIER INTERVIEW Tony solutions CASE Smart & green lighting

INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHTS

ABU DHABI TO BUILD 18 NEW SCHOOLS IN 2010 ABU DHABI, UAE // The Abu

Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) unveiled a school facilities programme at the Building Schools Exhibitions and Conference – Middle East and North Africa (BSEC MENA) held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) on 13th and 14th December 2009.

The school facilities program will see the building of 18 new schools across the emirate of Abu Dhabi starting in mid-2010. These are the first new schools to be developed under ADEC’s 10 Year Strategic Plan.

“ADEC’s 10 Year Strategic Plan is a historic transformation of the education system that will deliver educational excellence. Providing students with world class learning environments is a key element of our 10 year plan and is the foundation for achieving excellence,” said HE Salem Al Sayeri, Acting Director General of ADEC. The schools will include seven Cycle 1 (Grade KG-5) schools, seven combined Cycle 2 and Cycle 3 schools (Grades 6-12), two

Cycle 3 schools (Grades 1012), and two KG-12 schools.

The program will provide learning environments of the highest quality that support current teaching methods and new curricula while supporting the population growth of the Emirate.

“With the best facilities to support them, students in the UAE will have a greater chance of achieving their learning goals and will be better able to help Abu Dhabi reach its goal of economic diversification and growth.” added HE Al Sayeri.

Established by HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Musanada is a government initiative devoted to developing and managing cost-effective and responsive services for the government of Abu Dhabi.

As part of its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ADEC, Musanada will provide design and construction manage-

ment services as well as construction supervision for each of the 18 new schools.

Musanada has enlisted the support of a leading global contracting firm to provide premier technical, engineering, construction, and management support.

“Our government leaders have said that education is one of the government’s top priorities for the emirate so we see our role in ADEC’s school facilities program as more than just being a service provider,” said Musanada, CEO Mohamed Khalifa Al Fahed Al Mehairi.

“This MOU is a sign of our commitment to the young people of Abu Dhabi and the future of our emirate.”

“What we are doing is creating a new way of learning,” added

Hamad Al-Daheri, director of infrastructure and facilities at ADEC. “Development of analytical skills in our students is a key objective of ADEC’s strategic plan and these new learning communities combined with the other innovative features of our school designs will help bring this initiative to life.”

ADEC’s new school designs promise to be economical as well as easy to build and operate. For the first time in the UAE, sustainability features have been incorporated into school design. Energy efficient HVAC systems, water saving devices, orientation, insulation and shading devices have all been carefully considered and planned into the school design.

Other key features of the new school

designs include special attention to maximizing the use of daylight, and maintaining indoor air quality acoustics and thermal comfort to provide students and teachers with a healthy, safe and stimulating work environment.

Labs and ICT rooms will also be furnished and equipped with the latest technology, and every educational space in the new school buildings will be fitted for smart wireless Internet connections.

For the first time also in the UAE, all of the schools will feature dedicated classrooms for music, art and design and technology that will be fully equipped to support diverse learning opportunities. The new school designs will include sport facilities, swimming pools, auditoriums, libraries and other spaces which can be used by the community after school hours.

The designs for the new schools promise to be cutting-edge and economical

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INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHTS

SNØHETTA SEEKS GOLD FOR CULTURAL INSTITUTION DHAHRAN, KSA // The King Abdulaziz Centre for Knowledge and Culture is a project destined to become Saudi Arabia’s preeminent cultural institution.

Situated near Dhahran on the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia, the King Abdulaziz Centre for Knowledge and Culture is a project relatively small in size, but big on innovation, ambition and unique design.

Once complete, the centre is estimated to cost around US $400 million (SR 1.4 billion) and is being developed

by Saudi Aramco as part of the oil giant’s 75th anniversary celebrations.

Aramco says the purpose of the centre is to promote the development of knowledge and culture in Saudi Arabia by offering an array of exhibits, events and learning tools that engage and educate students, adults and scholars alike.

Covering a total of 70,000m² it will include a library of 200,000 books, a 930 seat auditorium, a 315 seat cinema, a 1500m² hall, a museum, a learning centre, a children’s discovery zone, a 4,000m² multifunctional plaza and supporting administration areas.

The main construction tender for the project was opened at the beginning of the year with four firms prequalified; Saudi Binladin Group, Saudi Oger, Athensbased Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) and Turkey’s Baytur Construction & Contracting Company.

By the middle of the year Aramco re-tendered the contract and included more contractors in the bidding process such as Dubai’s Gulf Technical Construction Company (GTCC). The bids are being evaluated and main construction is due to start in Q2 2010 and finish in 2013.

DESIGN One of the most striking features of the centre is without doubt its unique pebble-like shapes, which were designed by Norwegian architects Snøhetta with engineering—civil, ground, façade, structural, acoustic and sustainability—provided by international consultant Buro Happold.

Snohetta’s project manager Astrid Renata Van Veen says they wanted to come up with a one-off piece of architecture to reflect the centre’s cultural purpose.

“It’s important that a cultural building has its own expression and doesn’t lend images from any other known cultural buildings around the world,” she says.

“The client had very clear aspirations for a never-before-seen-building. The idea of the pebbles came into play because the project has a lot of different functions and we

KACKC is designed around the concept of a collection of pebbles

008 008

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 01.10 | www.constructionweekonline.com

thought each of these should get their own outlook. These individual items are then composed together in one frozen moment.”

There are five main pebble shaped structures which are arranged to visually and physically support each other, she added. One of the most visually interesting elements is the ‘keystone’ which is the only pebble suspended above ground level.

Wedged between the tower and another pebble, the keystone is a key element in the geometry of the pebble composition. The function of the keystone will be as a public ‘dialog, discussion and contemplative space’ linked to the library.

The tower itself will be 86m high with 17 floors and three below-grade levels. The various levels will include plant rooms, the learning centre and restaurants and lounge areas.

Underneath the tower, linking all of the pebbles is the 4,000m² plaza at grade level. The space will function as a large foyer and channel visitors to the various cultural elements.

Van Veen says one advantage to designing the project was that many of the centre’s different elements, i.e. the theatre, cinema, library, exhibition space and museum do not require large amounts of natural light. “That is one of the reasons why we chose introverted shapes like pebbles,” she said.

Van Veen adds: “There are quite a lot of introverted functions in this project which means we didn’t have to worry about windows and conventional function – it allowed us play around a lot more with the shapes and design. The tower is probably the only place where any of the rules of conventional function applied.”

INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHTS

While the design of the project may be unique, Van Veen says construction will be relatively conventional for the most part.

The tower will be built using a concrete core containing lifts, stairs, shafts and MEP while the other pebbles will use steel structures. The walls will be constructed using insulated wall systems, which will be faceted to follow the curves of the pebble’s unique external facade

THE FACADE This bespoke external façade is made from stainless steel tubes and is the secret to the distinctive smooth metallic look of the project. The tubes are 76.1mm in diameter and will be wrapped around the pebbles with a constant 9mm gap in between.

“Imagine wrapping a piece of string around a ball – that’s the concept,” says Snøhetta’s Peter French.

“There is about 350km of pipe in total. Each pipe starts at an opening and keeps on going until it meets another pipe and then they turn away from each other. The pattern itself is self-generating.”

French says the tubes will be pre-bent to follow the shape of the pebble based on structural analysis from an AutoCAD computer model.

Where there are windows in the buildings, the steel tubes will be flattened to allow for a clear line of sight.

“The squashed pipes will be similar to louvres, in that you will be able to direct them to various points in order to control the view,” says French. “They are also a terrific shading element for the windows.”

Aside from the aesthetic benefits, the stainless steel facade will also serve a very important function as a ventilated solar shield against the harsh Saudi Arabian sun.

French explains that the metallic surface will deflect a ‘substantial amount’ of solar gain and any built up heat will be naturally flushed out thanks to a 300mm cavity between the steel tubing facade and the inner facetted wall of the pebble.

The result of such a facade will be to drastically lower the air conditioning requirements of the buildings and thus the electricity consumption, which is a significant contributing factor in achieving an ecofriendly certification for the development.

French says Aramco is aiming specifically for a LEED Gold environmental rating which will be achieved by implementing environmentally friendly design and construction techniques, efficient energy use and optimum building performance.

ARCHITECTS CHOSEN FOR TRIPOLI UNIVERSITY CAMPUS

TRIPOLI, LIBYA // Libya’s gov-

ernment agency ODAC has appointed Bruesa, IAD Architects and Cottrell & Michelangeli to realise the technological campus of Tripoli’s 7th of April University.

One of seven Libyan universities master planned by BDP, planning and construction of the 45ha campus and its 13 buildings will be led by Bruesa and IAD with engineering help from ARUP and project management from Hill International. The project is aiming for completion by 2013.

“ODAC and the project manager Hill International have placed particular emphasis on environmental sustainability, as well as energy and water management throughout the complex,” said a statement from Cottrell & Michelangeli.

A project which is aiming for LEED Gold certification, the campus is looking to set a sustainability benchmark in Libya. “A solar plant is planned in conjunction with

campus infrastructure. The buildings are oriented and designed for an optimised solar and thermal control, adapted to the coastal area of Zuwarah, west of Tripoli,” concluded the statement.

At the end of 2008 BDP was chosen by ODAC to design master plans for seven universities in Libya: one in the mountains; two near the coast; and four inland. The facilities, which were designed in response to environmental conditions, will accommodate a total of 28,400 students and look to create a uniform standard for educational facilities across Tripoli and into the Sahara.

The realisation of the campus is considered a priority for the Libyan government in their efforts to institute policies of social reform.

Building universities in Libya is highly symbolic as April 7, 1976, is the date on which a peaceful student protest was broken up by the Gaddafi-led military by firing into the crowd of protesters.

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INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHTS

Adjusting ambient temperatures by just 2 degrees will have significant benefits

TOP TEN TECHNIQUES FOR A ‘GREENER’ WORKPLACE MIDDLE EAST // For many, New

Year is the time for personal resolutions of varying degrees of difficulty, ranging from beginning a diet, to stopping smoking, or even just being nicer to friends and family. However, Mervin De le Torre, interior designer at leading UAE-based corporate interior solutions specialist BAFCO, explains why our resolutions needn’t be restricted to the home.

“Most of us spend so much of our lives in the office that we should consider choosing some resolutions for the workplace that can help the environment and even save our company some money along the way. As office specialists, we had a brainstorm among our team and have come up with ten of the best tips to consider as office resolutions for 2010,” says De le Torre.

1. IT’S COOL TO BE A LITTLE WARMER Once you’ve adjusted your air conditioning to the

010

temperature you prefer, turn it back up by just 2 or 3 degrees. You’ll hardly know the difference, but it will make a big difference to your consumption. This two degree difference can save the company over Dh 500 a year. Also remember to turn your AC off when you leave the office.

2. BE BRIGHT AND SAVE MONEY Energy saving light bulbs are much more efficient than the traditional version and last up to ten times longer. Next time your company needs to replace a bulb, recommend they take the energy saving option. The average office can save a very worthwhile Dh 806* over the year by making this switch.

3. CHOOSE FLEXIBLE OFFICE FURNITURE Always consider products with highly flexible options as offices tend to change and adapt to newer technology, manpower and market con-

ditions. Demountable partitions, open plan workstations, glass partitions, heavy duty ergonomic chairs are a must for any modern office.

4. DON’T JUST USE STANDBY - SWITCH OFF AND UNPLUG If you leave your computer on standby overnight it uses almost as much electricity as it does when switched on. Remember to turn it off and unplug. You should also consider switching off monitors, printers, fax machines and copiers during lengthy breaks away from your desk.

5. ONLY USE ESSENTIAL LIGHTING We enjoy plenty of sun here in the Middle East, so allow natural outdoor light to illuminate the office. Turn off non-essential and decorative lighting, particularly in unoccupied areas. Use ‘task’ lighting, such as angle-poise lamps, to directly illuminate specific work areas instead of brighter ‘area’ lighting.

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 01.10 | www.constructionweekonline.com

6. GET YOUR RATINGS RIGHT - LOOK FOR ENERGY STAR Most office appliances these days have an energy-efficiency rating. If buying, make the choice that’s the most energy efficient and always ask the supplier if they have this information. When purchasing PCs, monitors, printers, fax machines and copiers, consider Energy Star models that automatically power down after a period of inactivity. Also, use laptop computers wherever possible as they consume 90 per cent less energy than desktop computers.

7. GOING OUT? WELL THEN TURN IT OFF! Get into the simple habit of switching lights off whenever you leave a room or workspace.

8. DETECT YOUR LOCAL MOTION Install motion detectors or dimmers to control lighting in frequently unoc-

cupied areas, such as restrooms. It is also a simple job for an electrician to re-wire restroom fans to operate with the lights.

9. AUTOMATE LIGHTING SIGNAGES Install time clocks or photoelectric cells to control exterior lighting, advertising sign lighting and some interior lighting.

10. KEEP COOL AND INSTALL BLINDS It is not only enhance the design of your office but adding blinds, solar screens or shades to your office actually helps cool down the office.

GREEN PAGES

SUSTAINABILITY IS IT ONLY PERFORMANCE? E ver since human-beings have lived on Earth, daylight has been important both for and in life. In architecture, sun orientation contributes to the delight of working or living in a space. This notion of comfort created by light, emotions generated by light is essential for the health and well-being in place.

Some people in United Kingdom, but even more in Alaska, Russia and Scandinavian countries, suffer from seasonal affective disorder as a result of the lack of daylight, both in quantity and quality.

These winter blues can cause dramatic mood swings but can be treated by light therapy using high quality light sources with a good spectrum. Sustainability in all senses—daylight, heating, water and

Philips’ interior lighting at The Watch House in Al Bawadi Mall, Al Ain

MENTAL HEALTH FACT:

Philips’ Blue LED lighting on Dubai’s Business Bay Bridge

controls—is taken seriously by architects.

Lighting is an actor of sustainability going beyond the implementation of environment and human consumption parameters. Of course, energy performance or recycling of lamps and luminaires is important, but for architects and lighting designers the quality of light is a far greater issue since it makes a major contribution to the experience of the end users.

For architecture, sustainable lighting is a question of mood, brightness and colour.

Just as daylight differs in summer and

winter, so flexible lighting adds meaning according to the use of the place or the moment of the night.

Sustainability has become the industry’s biggest buzzword – but architects, lighting designers and manufactures cannot solve all the problems alone, it is a long term concern of society where each actor has his or her responsibility towards climate change. It is up to those architects and lighting designers to define tone, rhythm and saturation that produce the right light for the right context.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also known as winter depression or winter blues, is a mood disorder in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year experience depressive symptoms in the winter or, less frequently, in the summer, spring or autumn, repeatedly, year after year. In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), SAD is not a unique mood disorder, but is “a specifier of depression”.

The US National Library of Medicine notes that: “Some people experience a serious mood change when the seasons change. They may sleep too much, have little energy, and crave sweets and starchy foods. They may also feel depressed.

Though symptoms can be severe, they usually clear up.” It has been estimated that 1.5-9% of adults in the US experience SAD. There are many different treatments for classic (winter-based) seasonal affective disorder, including light therapy with sunlight or bright lights, antidepressant medication, cognitive-behavioral therapy, ionized-air administration and carefullytimed supplementation of the hormone melatonin.

Source: Wikipedia

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For further details please contact: MALLY CLARKE GEZE Middle East FZE P.O. Box 17903 Tel: +9714 8833112, Fax: +9714 8833240 Mob: +97150 6540632 www.geze.com

Q&A FLORIS SMITH

INTERVIEW RMJM & EVERSENDAI

Tony Archibold, associate director, RMJM

LEAN ON ME RMJM’s Tony Archibold teamed up with Eversendai to bring to life his Capital Gate design

C

apital Gate is part of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre’s development in Abu Dhabi. The 160 metre, 35 storey tower leans 18 degrees to the west and forms the ‘gateway to Abu Dhabi’. The project is being developed by Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) and was designed by RMJM. Capital Gate forms the centerpiece of the Capital Centre development, a business and residential micro city being constructed around the ADNEC district.

In December 2009, RMJM and Eversendai completed the steelwork on the building and are looking to 2010 for the official opening. MEA caught up with Tony Archibold, associate director of RMJM, and Pitchaimuthu Baskaran, project manager with Eversendai Engineering, to talk about some of the specifics of a building that is as pioneering as it is bizarre.

Capital Gate leans 18 degrees to the west, the leaning Tower of Pisa leans only four degrees. An application to the Guinness Book of World Records has been submitted for the category of The World’s Furthest Leaning Manmade Tower, and is scheduled to be judged following the completion of Capital Gate’s external facade toward the end of 2009.

How does Capital Gate compare to the Leaning Tower of Pisa?

The structure has now topped off its central core and has reached

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its final height of 525 feet. From either an architecture or engineering perspective, is this significant?

The topping out of the central core is a major milestone in the building’s construction and we are moving forward swiftly with other elements as well.

December 2009 saw the completion of the steelwork on the external facade and diagrid structure, which provides a large percetage of the building’s support, of course, along with the central core.

The first phase of the Splash, which sweeps down from the 17th floor of the tower over the top of the main ADNEC Grandstand, is expected to complete before the end of the year. Fitting out and final additions to the building’s overall structure will occur throughout 2010.

How long has it taken to top off the core since the design was taken off the drawing board?

Work started on site in August 2007 so the shell and core have taken approximately 27 months to complete.

What challenges has RMJM faced and continue to face?

The challenges are numerous on such a pioneering building. These include the pre-cambered core, which meant building the steel frame and facade whilst the building itself was continuously moving; the unique nature of each piece of steel diagrid, which required custom fabrication of each one to very precise tolerances; managing the logistics and planning of the façade installation which is effectively like

a huge jigsaw puzzle with each piece designed to fit in one specific location; not to mention the world record breaking incline and the resulting difficulties of contraction with such a pronounced overhang.

How does one top off a core that slants in the opposite direction of the building’s lean?

The central core is a vertical structure that provides the central strength, but that also houses what will be the lift and emergency stairwell systems within the building.

Post-tensioning was used to improve the stiffness of the building.

At the same time, the core was built at an angle so that as the weight of each concrete slab is added the centre of gravity of the building pulls the core into its final

AN APPLICATION TO THE GUINESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS HAS BEEN SUBMITTED...IT IS SCHEDULED TO BE JUDGED FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF CAPITAL GATE’S EXTERNAL FACADE, TOWARD THE END OF 2009.

TONY ARCHIBOLD

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vertical position. The result is a much stronger and stiffer core, but this construction technique affected the building design in profound ways, such as accommodating the resulting movements in the facade, the installation of the lifts installation and the coordination of the service risers.

Has this been done before?

No. Capital Gate is the first building of its kind to be developed in the world.

How wide is the base of the building and how much reinforced steel did it take to form the mesh?

The base of the structure is a concrete raft which is 2m deep solid concrete slab packed with reinforcement to allow it to resist the enormous forces acting on it.

FAST FACTS ON CAPITAL GATE: PROJECT TITLE CAPITAL GATE: ADNEC development Phase 3 DEVELOPERS ADNEC ARCHITECTS RMJM MAIN CONTRACTOR Al Habtoor Engineering STEELWORK SUBCONTRACTOR Eversendai LOCATION Abu Dhabi, UAE BUILDING TYPE Mixed-use commercial, residential, leisure SIZE 50,000m2 HEIGHT 160m FLOORS 35 INCLINATION 18 degrees STATUS Under construction COMPLETION External (Q4 2009)

Capital Gate leans 18 degrees, compared to the Leaning Tower of Pisa’s four degrees

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How many piles were drilled?

How did you go about accommodating gravitational pressure, wind speed and seismic pressure which will have been caused by the lean?

There are 490 piles that descend on average around 30m into the ground. Conventional piles are compression piles and are designed to resist descending vertical load.

Due to the lean of the building some of the piles are in tension and are designed to resist ascending forces that would otherwise pull the pile form the ground.

Is the leaning tower the biggest challenge RMJM has undertaken?

This is certainly one of RMJM’s more challenging projects, but as one of the world’s largest and leading architectural firms we have been involved in many notable and challenging projects. One example would be the Scottish Parliament Building in the UK which won the Sterling Prize.

What was RMJM’s reason behind choosing the diagrid structure?

The diagrid approach was driven by the

Capital Gate forms the centrepiece of the ADNEC mixed-use development

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unique architectural form as well as by the varying core position in relation the floor plate and also by the need for clear internal floor space particularly in the hotel floors at the upper level of the tower. The diagrid approach being a gravity and lateral load resisting system is really an obvious choice in this context over the conventional approach which would not be suitable.

Where did you source the steel?

The steel was fabricated in Sharjah and Dubai, then transported to Abu Dhabi.

How many tonnes of steel has it taken to build Capital Gate?

Right now, the total tonnage of steel is approximately 13,200 tonnes.

Does the steelwork provide the main support to the building?

The frame is an exoskeleton. That means that the diagrid carries all the weight of the floors, with the exception of the internal diagrid, which transfers its load to the concrete core at level 17.

INTERVIEW RMJM & EVERSENDAI

How does the steelwork interact with the other materials?

The floor steel spans between internal and external diagrid, and between external diagrid and the core. The floor beams are connected to the concrete core via embedment plates which are cast directly into the core wall when the concrete is poured.

How much steel is in the diagrid?

There is approximately 7,000 tonnes of steel use to create the diagrid system.

What are the dimensions of the Capital Gate’s podium footprint?

The footprint for Capital Gate is essentially elliptical. The diametre of its major axis is 50m while its minor axis diameter is 35m.

Capital Gate has used 13,200 tonnes of steel

Do floor plate dimensions vary with height? If so, by how much?

The floor plates are all more or less the same size throughout the tower. The floors up to 10th level are stacked vertically directly on top of one another.

Between levels 10 and 27, the floor plates stagger over each other, in relation to the lean and twist of the shell, by between 800 to 1400mm and then back to 900mm.

Between Level 27 and 34 the range is between 900mm and 300mm in relation the line of the facade.

Does the lean of the building create an overturning moment?

The lean does create an overturning moment. The maximum axis tension on one diagrid is 8500 KN. How well is the overturning moment resisted in the foundations? Are there tension piles?

There is a large podium footprint which means the piles are not predominantly in tension. The piles however, have been designed for tension as well as compression.

In total there are 287 1m piles of 25 to 30m deep and another 193 600mm piles which plunge to 20m deep.

Does the building have any unusual energy use/production features? If so, what are they?

The hotel space, in particular, will feature a double facade. This will create a thermal cushion in the intervening space which should significantly reduce building energy demands. There are also energy recovery measures integral within the building’s MEP systems.

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FEATURE LIGHTING

BRIGHT LIGHTS

Cutting light consumption and therefore energy use is crucial in achieving the region’s green building goals. But what measures are actually being taken on the ground?

W

hat did we do without mobile phones?’ So go a number of bewildered conversations. Well, to answer the question, empires were built and men landed on the moon. Not bad when you think of the lines of communication available. Equally, the conversation could go: ‘What did we do without artificial light?’ Well, Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel and London, earth’s most populous city with nearly a million people in 1800, prospered using just candles, rushlights, torches and lanterns.

That the modern world needs artificial lighting to function, and only functions 24/7 today because of the lighting technologies available, means the thurst and expectation for light will only increase: reports concerning energy consumption in the UAE last year claimed 25 percent of the Gulf’s water had been consumed – one fifth of which was used to generate elec-

tricity. The report also estimated the UAE would need to find US$10 billion to satisfy energy demand for the next 10 years, due to the amount of ongoing construction.

Focusing on energy consumption and the built environment, research by lighting manufacturer Osram shows electricity used for indoor lighting accounts for 10% of the total electric energy required for buildings. In many facilities, this percentage is even higher. For example, illumination in an office space of 400 m² accounts for approximately 40% of the total energy consumption of the space.

HOT TOPIC “Climate protection and sustainability is a big topic for us,” says Mourad Boulouednine, director of projects, Osram Middle East. “We have set the trend in energy saving lamps and feel a great obligation to play an active role in the migration to

energy efficient lighting solutions. With our sustainability campaign – which we started in 2007 – we want to tell our customers about the fact that climate protection and money saving go hand in hand, throughout the world.”

Energy efficient products already account for 65 percent of Osram’s sales says Boulouednine, which the company intends to increase to 80% by 2016. “It is currently possible, for example, to save up to 80% of electricity by using energy-saving lamps, or intelligent T5 fluorescent lamps. On average, more than 90% of the environmental relevance of our products relates to their usage. This is more than in any other industry,” he points out.

“Lighting accounts for around 15% of the energy bill in most homes, and around 25% in commercial buildings,” says Bastable Lighting Services MD Rod Bastable. “We are UK-based but have an

Due to the amount of construction, the UAE will need US $10 billion to satisfy energy demand over the next 10 years

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office in Dubai. Just as energy prices have risen dramatically in the West, the Middle East is now experiencing the same with energy bills increasing by around 60%. So the need to implement smart control systems and low energy lighting is pressing, as is attendant lifecycle maintenance.�

The architecture industry has always targeted lighting as a key element of sustainable design, and there is now a region-wide initiative to develop and implement lighting solutions that meet people’s needs and concerns while also addressing environmental regulations.

With this in mind, the US Green Building Council (USGBC) installed the third-generation version of its green building performance rating and certification system, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), midway

Dimming a room by 10% is imperceptible to the eye but the cost savings with that level of adjustment are significant

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FEATURE LIGHTING

through 2009. This latest version is the culmination of over four years of technical research, reviews of several LEED certified projects and the advisory activities of energy experts and political heavyweights.

The LEED revamp included a detailed restructuring of how points are calculated.

The previous congeries of different LEED systems for different project types has been harmonized to be more universal, with weighting given to the specific efficiency strategies that have the biggest positive environmental impact.

CONTROL SYSTEMS “We don’t have to do without light,” reassures Bastable, “It’s about controlling output. Flexible controls to enable zoning and gradation of lighting do just that – to the

human eye, the dimming of a light by 10% is imperceptible, yet the cost savings with that level of adjustment are significant.”

Sophisticated lighting control systems that regulate consumption can lead to significant cost and energy savings. In fact, advanced systems are estimated to reduce lighting energy requirements by 35-50% in most applications.

“These systems use less energy while continuing to provide the desired lighting level. They can also reduce peak demand charges by automatically dimming or switching off certain lighting loads during periods of peak electrical demand. Additional savings can be realised through less frequent lamp maintenance and reduced cooling loads. The overall result is a fairly short payback, typically five years or less, and a high rate of return on the investment,” notes Bastable.

Osram has developed specific FM software to enable efficient and cost effective lighting management. “Indeed, Osram light@FM 2.0 software also enables owners and facilities managers to track procurement and maintenance costs online, schedule maintenance and cut downtime.

And, with data protection in mind, only trained staff can download sensitive project and price data,” says Boulouednine.

On the lighting front, Bastable has developed Apollo, a patent pending multiple LED source for fibre optic illumination.

“Due to the uniquely designed driver system and optimal cooling techniques, when correctly installed, these light sources will operate for between 200,000 and 400,000 hours,” says Bastable. “This is based on the correlation between ‘Life’ and ‘Junction Temperature’ and validated by mean time between failures data throughout the LED manufacturing industry.”

LEVITON SINCE 1906 • Li Light g iing gh ght ng g co contr ontr t ols ols Le Levit v onn off offers ers a wid widee vari vari ariety ety of lilight ght htting ing n co c ntr ntrols ols th that a at combin com bi e soph bin ophist istica ist icaated te de d sign desig ign with w th st state ate-of ate -of-th -of -the-a -th e-art e-a rt tec techno te hhno nolog no ooggy. ogy y. TThe h se inc includ nclud udee dimmer dim me s, dim mer dimmin mingg rack min acks, cks, rrellays ays,, scen scen cenee cont cont ontrol roller rol lers, ler s, tim tii ers rss, mot o on sen oti se so s s, sor s occcupa upancy up ncyy seenso s rs, so s daayl yylilight gh in ing ngg and and arch arch rchite ite tectu ctu tural ral al co contr ntrols ntr ols ls.. ls • Energ En E erg gy mana anagem gem ement em entt W Witthh the mo most st com compre prehen pre hensiv hen sivee lline siv ine n of of eenerg ergyy manann a men age m t prod oduct od ucts to help help lp yoou save energ energ ergyy, y, mee meett ccode odee ccoompl mp ian iaan ance and n ga g rn rne nerr rebate reb ates, s, Lev s, Levito ito iton ton brin brings ings itt alll to toget get ether h to help help you bu build ild ld a com omp om mple lete e integr inttegrrated energy ene rgy m manag n eme ment n lig nt igghti hting ng con contro troll syst syst ystem em.

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Furthermore, the light source can be mounted directly into the duct-work of AC systems or into the conduits or piped water circulation systems to maximise life and performance. “Many products widely sold in the industry are already known to be failing, well short of their claimed life, due to excess temperature of the junction in normal operation, which the Apollo mounting negates,” says Bastable.

BUILDING ENVELOPE An energy audit comprises an inspection, survey and analysis of energy use in a building in order to understand the energy dynamics of the system.

“A typical energy audit would involve recording various elements of the building envelope including lighting, walls, ceilings, floors, doors, windows and skylights.

The audit will also assess the efficiency, physical condition and programming of mechanical systems such as HVAC and thermostat,” explains Manohar Raghavan, business development manager, MEA 3M Building and Commercial Services and 3M Construction Markets.

“The energy audit firms typically look at the energy use given local climate criteria, thermostat settings, roof overhang and solar orientation. All the elements in the

IT’S TRUE THAT LIGHTING IS OFTEN THE FIRST INSTALLATION TO BE COMPROMISED SHOULD COST SUDDENLY BECOME AN ISSUE. SPECIFICATIONS USUALLY GO OUT THE WINDOW. building envelope system need to be considered during the audit if an integrated approach to light use and energy consuption is to be achieved,” says Raghavan.

PROCUREMENT PROBLEMS “Indeed, these systems have the potential to make a huge impact on carbon emissions. But, there’s a lot of convoluted and conflicting information surrounding lighting, hindering real progression toward our sustainable goals,” says Bastable.

“In my role as a lighting consultant and designer, a major frustration is the disconnect between procurement and facilities management. Facilities management should ensure the full integration of systems and accurate maintenance schedules throughout the lifecycle of the building, but this is not always the case,” he adds.

Bastable continues: “I have consulted on prestigious developments that have not engaged FM from the design stage; consequently lighting was not integrated with all

LEED Version III places significant emphasis on retrofitting existing buildings with energy saving measures

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the other services, which is crucial if you’re serious about energy reduction.”

Cost cutting is also hindering progress on the ground says Bastable. “It’s true that lighting is often the first installation to be compromised should cost suddenly become an issue. Specification usually goes out of the window. For example, the price discrepancy between quality transformers and cheaper ones is huge, and often to tempting a saving to resist.”

FUTURE PROTECTION It is the simple things like turning lights off, using dimmers and timing switches that can make lighting more environmentally friendly. The technological solutions have to be part of the building envelope system and, in turn, architects, engineers and operations personnel have to be involved at the start of the process if the much talked about commitment to cut emissions is to come to fruition and secure the future for generations to come.

CASE STUDY KSA’S SMART CITY

ITCC is looking to provide critical infrastructure and networking for Saudi Arabia’s ITC industry

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CASE STUDY KSA’S SMART CITY

ITCC: SAUDI’S SMART CITY In two and a half years Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh will burst into the cyber-century and beyond with the completion of its Information Technology Communications Complex (ITCC), the Kingdom’s first “smart city” By Benjamin Millington

I

n order to attract the world’s leading Information Technology and Communications (ITC) companies to a place like Saudi Arabia, you need to offer the world’s best ITC services and infrastructure - this is the concept behind the Kingdom’s new US $1.65 billion (SR6.5 billion) ITCC development.

The project is being developed by Rayadah Investment Company, the investment arm of the government’s Public Pensions Agency (PPA), which is also developing the $10 billion King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh.

As with KAFD, ITCC aims to generate income to support the PPA’s social security network, as well as achieve the broader goal of stimulating new jobs and industry to improve Saudi Arabia’s social future.

Currently, the Kingdom’s ITC sector is disjointed, lacks sufficient infrastructure and faces numerous challenges and limitations with its internet service providers.

ITTC is looking to change that.

Included in the project’s 776,000m² will be administration buildings for ITC companies, technical business centres, buildings for research, training and development and software production companies.

There will also be support buildings such as hotels, restaurants, a convention centre, residential apartments, a technical college and government service buildings.

When commissioned in mid-2012 it is expected that ITCC will make Riyadh a regional hub for ITC services, education, research and innovation.

The contract included a sewage treatment plant and an underground concreteencased optic fibre cable network which was completed in August 2009.

Meanwhile, mobilisation and excavation works for the superstructures began in July following the award of three more contracts for phase one of construction.

The main package went to Al Rajhi Projects for construction of ITCC’s central area, which includes four 20-storey towers and is the project’s main architectural feature.

The contract also includes construction of two R&D buildings, two business technology incubator buildings, a sports club and a clinic. The second contract, valued at US $150 million, was awarded to Construction Contracting Enterprises for a 326-room Crown Plaza hotel and a 5000m² convention centre.

The third contract, worth US $50 million, was awarded to Al Yamama Company for the construction of a residential complex including apartments, villas and recreational areas. All three contracts are due for completion in 30 months.

ITCC project director Mohammed Alsabek says construction is progressing as per schedule and few hiccups are expected. “The time frame for this project is satisfactory; with hard work and good coordination we should be able to achieve the completion dates,” he says.

Alsabek says excavation work for the superstructures is ongoing and isn’t expected to be complete until the end of the year. He

FACTS OF INTEREST

CONSTRUCTION The master plan for ITCC was designed by a joint venture between local consultants Zuhair Fayez and Singapore’s Jurong International. Zuhair Fayez then carried on with the detailed design of infrastructure and substructures.

In April 2008 Rayadah awarded a US $65 million contract to local contractor El Seif Engineering for construction of infrastructure for the 487,000m² development.

• The total cost is around US $1.65 billion (SR6.5 billion) • The entire site will achieve at least the basic Leed environmental certification • The four towers will be covered by a golden perforated aluminium sheeting 1.4m away from the curtain wall which will reflect up to 60% of the solar gain • Each of the 4mx2m panels holding the aluminium sheets will have individual lights which will illuminate the towers in various changing patterns at night • ITTC’s data centre will be rated tier four, the highest rating possible which allows virtually zero downtime • There will be an average of one parking space per 25m

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One of the most unique features of ITCC’s central towers are their golden cladding says a staggering 1.6 million m³ of earth must be removed from the central area alone to accommodate ITCC’s extensive parking facilities. “For this development to be successful we wanted to provide enough parking for every tenant,” he said.

Alsabek adds: “So under each of the four towers there will be five basement floors of parking, a total of 22m deep, while under the R&D building there will be two levels.

Beneath the hotel and conference centre there will be an additional three levels.

“If we don’t have proper parking it will be difficult to market the development properly, so overall we have worked out a design that features one car per 25m², which is quite a lot.”

According to Alsabek, there are still several other elements within the project that are yet to start construction, one of which includes a 35-tonne district cooling plant. He said tenders will start rolling out gradually over the coming months.

Meanwhile, phase two of construction, which includes 18 buildings and the second infrastructure package, is currently under design and tenders will be open to bidders during the course of next year.

ENVIRONMENT While the focus of the project is certainly on the technology aspects, ITCC will also be up to scratch on its environmental credentials according to systems project director Abdul Muhsin Al Bakr.

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Bakr says all buildings in ITCC will achieve at least the basic LEED environmental certification through the use of grey water recycling, low energy lighting, low energy air conditioning and most of all – reduction in solar gain.

One of the key features of ITCC’s four central towers will be its unique external cladding designed to reflect the sun’s rays.

“About 1.4m away from the curtain wall is a golden sheet covering the entire building,” Bakr explained.

“The sheet is aluminium shined to gold and is perforated which means you can see out of the building but you can’t see the glass from the outside,” he continued. “The purpose of this cladding is not only for aesthetics but also energy savings as it reflects UV rays and up to 60% of the solar gain.”

Also, according to Bakr, the aluminum sheets will be held in 4mx2m diamondshaped panels featuring individual lights designed to illuminate the towers in randomly changing patterns at night.

SMART CITY The concept of the “smart city” can be loosely defined as a place which offers widespread broadband services, the latest in voice and video communication platforms and high-level data security.

All of this should be operated on a huge optic-fibre cable network designed to give the fastest speeds and accommodate next generation technologies for years to come.

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1.6 million cubic metres of earth must be removed for ITCC’s car parking lots

CASE STUDY KSA’S SMART CITY

THE SHEET IS ALUMINIUM SHINED TO GOLD AND IS PERFORATED WHICH MEANS YOU CAN SEE OUT OF THE BUILDING BUT YOU CANNOT SEE INTO THE GLASS FROM THE OUTSIDE.

Silicon Valley in the US was one of the first cities specifically designed around the needs of ITC companies. In this region, the UAE’s Dubai Internet City is one development which boasts the smart city tag while India’s Smart City Kochi and Smart City Malta are currently under development.

As the world catches onto the economic and social benefits to be gained from a thriving ITC sector, Rayadah’s lead ITC engineer Khalid Al Arfaj says ITCC will ensure Saudi Arabia is not left behind.

“We benchmark ITCC with the best and most high-tech smart cities in the world,” he says with little reservation.

“If a company comes to us with a specific need there is no doubt we will be able to do it. It’s a flexible design, which will suit both KSA and multi-national companies.

The sky is the limit,” adds Al Arfaj.

Rayadah commissioned international ITC consultants Orange to design all of its networks and solutions. Meanwhile the company has already signed MOUs with several leading ITC companies who want to be involved in the project, including Microsoft, Cisco and Cantel.

“One of the biggest attractions for these companies is the fact that we will own and operate the infrastructure and ensure the

highest quality is delivered,” says Al Arfaj.

He continues: “If you search around you are not going to find a space like this for ITC companies, basically there is nowhere in KSA that can provide all the services that an ITC company needs in one place.”

Al Arfaj says he expects only ITC related companies to operate within ITCC. It’s expected that the project’s 22,000m² technical college will help to feed the ITCC with trained professionals and create new jobs. The facility will act as a high-class and reputable ITC college and link in with the project’s research and development facility where and when applicable.

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PRODUCT SUPPLIER YOU SHOULD KNOW

Gabriel AbdelhakmiGaisne in the Zumtobel lighting studio

Interior lighting at the New York Times Building in New York City

GABRIEL ABDELHAKMI-GAISNE Marketing Manager MENA, Zumtobel Group

What is the Zumtobel vision?

GAG: ‘We want to use light to create worlds of experience, make work easier, improve communications and safety while being fully aware of our responsibility to the environment.’

Ever since the company was founded in 1950 by Dr. Walter Zumtobel, this vision has guided Zumtobel in developing innovative lighting solutions that meet ergonomic and environmental standards and create added aesthetic value.

When energy-use is in question, people often turn to lighting and HVAC as the culprits. How do Zumtobel products deal with this?

GAG: According to the International Energy Agency IEA, an average of 19% of the worldwide requirement of electrical energy is consumed by lighting. Therefore, the contribution of responsible and intelligent use of light is correspondingly high.

Light can play a huge role in saving energy resources and reducing CO2 emissions.

We address the issue of climate change in all our projects thanks to our ‘Humanergy Balance’ lighting philosophy. The target is to design lighting solutions that perfectly balance environmental and energy needs with those of the individual.

The right way towards increasing energy efficiency is the intelligent use of light and lighting. The first crucial factor is the

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lighting concept itself. The second step concerns the quality of luminaires and light sources. The greatest potential for saving energy is provided by the intelligent use of lighting control systems, which can be integrated into all Zumtobel fixtures.

Can you expand a bit on the concept of ‘Humanergy Balance’?

GAG: On one hand, you have the individual with his or her expectations, needs and feelings. As human beings, we need light for orientation, work and comfort. Like a plant, the individual also seeks light. Yet, there is a great difference between daylight and artificial light. There is also a big difference between a solitary light source and a dynamic lighting composition.

On the other hand, we have to address the issue of energy. Ever since the green movement happened, the issue of saving energy has been loaded with socioeconomic significance. With its concept of Humanergy Balance, Zumtobel is adjusting the equilibrium between human, economic and ecological aspects of light – always with a view to aesthetically sound design.

Light is more than just an energy consumer. The right use of light is oriented on visual requirements, emotions and biological effects. Human Aspects + Energy Efficiency = Humanergy Balance.

How do Zumtobel technicians and

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designers reconcile the lack of building standards in the Middle East?

GAG: In the Middle East you will actually find a mix of various international standards. The specifications of most of the projects are either realised from the US or Europe, or by international architects and designers located in the region. Therefore most projects are completed according to European or US standards.

How closely do Zumtobel personnel work with architects and engineers to meet design specifications?

GAG: Zumtobel has a long tradition of working closely with architects, lighting designers and electrical consultants who design, prototype, develop and manufacture non-standard fittings.

Many of the luminaires that are now mass-produced by Zumtobel were really novel when they were first created. They were developed to incorporate new design ideas in luminaires, to shape lighting by using innovative technology, or to break existing standards with new kind of applications. All of this was achieved through close collaboration with architects, designers, planners and engineers.

If I’m an architect, why would I specify Zumtobel lighting solutions?

GAG: Zumtobel, as a global player and leader can provide several benefits to the

PRODUCT SUPPLIER YOU SHOULD KNOW

The Budersand Hotel Golf & Spa on Sylt in Germany

projects and the people who achieve them.

Close Cooperation. Close cooperation with the customer Integral project solutions are based on high-quality lighting solution concepts, innovative technology in function and design, and a wide range of personal services ranging from support in planning and implementation offered by specially trained lighting solution consultants through to maintenance, care and programming.

Consulting and Knowledge Centres. The Zumtobel Light Forums as well as Light and Consulting Centres all revolve around the customer. Some 30,000 customers worldwide enjoy the benefit of acquiring in-depth knowledge in seminars and workshops, and gaining information on product innovations, lighting solutions and related application options.

Quality Assessment. Lighting scenarios are developed in close project partnership; after the brainstorming and conceptual phase, they are tested and assessed for feasibility in authentic installations before being used in real projects.

This enables the customer to make a cogent and realistic quality assessment.

Customised Solutions. International project partnerships with architects, lighting designers and artists provide abundant impetus to fuel ongoing innovation. Joint development of project-related customised special solutions is one important aspect of the firm’s very close relationships with its customers and clients.

Humanergy Balance. Zumtobel conducts research on the health-promoting effects of light and feeds its research

Danish Radio Concert Hall featuring Zumtobel lighting solutions

results into product optimisations in order to provide people with the best possible lighting quality and experience.

What is the biggest/smallest installation Zumtobel can handle?

GAG: Our portfolio, expertise, technology and people enable us to be able to deal with any type and size of installation.

Lately, we have been involved in the following projects in the Middle East: Yas Island Marina Hotel Abu Dhabi, Meydan Race Course in Dubai, Burj Dubai, Dubai Mall (Porsche Design, Swarowzki Crystal, Paul Smith, G Star), and the Atlantis Palm Hotel, Dubai.

What Zumtobel innovations can the industry expect to see in 2010?

GAG: This year four Zumtobel products— Aero II Hybrid, Linaria Seamless, Supersystem and ZBox—were winners of the 2009 iF Design Award by the renowned Industrie Forum Design.

First, the Aero II Hybrid pendant office luminaire combines inorganic LEDs for a brilliant direct component and fluorescent lamps for indirect ambient lighting.

Thanks to this hybrid design, created

by Sottsass Associati studio in Milan, the luminaire system’s overall efficiency can be significantly increased, when compared with conventional luminaires fitted with fluorescent lamps.

Second, ZBox presents itself as a straightforward, versatile lighting control system. Easy to operate through intuitive icons on its keys and an LED status display, it enables hotel guests to choose

the lighting scenes and brightness levels in their rooms without any fuss. Moreover, the lighting scenes for the day are different from those automatically activated via ZBox Nightlogic, with their markedly decreased brightness.

This creates a pleasant ambience at any time of the day while optimally using the potential for saving energy. Using the ZBox lighting management system, more than 25% of energy can be saved.

In 2010, we’re planning to launch some very innovative products which feature the latest LED technology…you will hear about all of them very soon.

Also, we invite you to visit us at our booth on the Light & Building 2010 fair in Frankfurt, Germany [April 11-16]. There you will witness some of the most amazing innovations the architecture and lighting industries have ever seen.

What is the Zumtobel Group’s business strategy post-credit crunch?

GAG: We have a long tradition of maintaining relationships with our partners worldwide. The Zumtobel strategy has always been to design joint solutions with our partners that fit the project requirements to address all the topics involved: design, planning, delivery and payment.

Bottom line: How can Zumtobel help architects do their jobs better?

GAG: We offer partnership, customised and state-of-the-art lighting solutions, superb design, real customer service (design, planning, engineering), innovation and passion for light!

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High-performance LED products by Zumtobel fascinate users with their high efficiency, excellent colour rendition, maintenance-free operation and sophisticated design.

The interaction with intelligent lighting control systems creates dynamic solutions providing a perfect combination of lighting quality and energy efficiency.

Intelligent lighting solutions

by Zumtobel strike a perfect balance of lighting quality and energy efficiency – HUMANERGY BALANCE.

CAREENA – LED recessed and surfacemounted luminaire, with unique microprismatic optic (MPO+) in a timeless design

www.zumtobel.com/LED

PANOS BioMotion: Colour temperature adjustable, RGB colour dynamism Design by Sottsass Associati

SUPERSYSTEM: LED hybrid luminaire system for complex lighting tasks Design by Supersymetrics

FEATURE BUILDING STANDARDS

STANDARD OPERATIONS The 2009 collapse of a new building in Dubai brought build quality to the fore. The adherence to globally recognised standards is being particularly scrutinized. What is expected of builders, developers and owners and is this likely to change?

MEA investigates

T

he collapse of an eight-storey building in Deira (Dubai) at the end of last year hit the headlines across the region. The fact that it was a newly built property and that there was no immediately identifiable reason for the collapse, such as a fire, heightened concern over why it had happened.

As expected, the results of an investigation conducted by Dubai Municipality were announced shortly afterward and, in conjunction with initial statements, the investigating committee confirmed that the building materials were in question. Moreover, the design of the structure was found to be flawed and the operational aspects of the project were found to be substandard.

One of the most effective ways to gauge all of these factors and guarantee that building X will continue standing well into the future is to ensure that every material and process onsite meets internationally approved standards and certifications.

But, the big question being of course is, what does gaining recognised certifications actually mean in the Middle East and are government authorities likely to increase the stringency of their construction requirements following the Dubai incident?

STANDARD PRACTICE There are a wide number of standards and certifications applicable to firms operating within the construction industry. Those

that must be adhered to by law vary according to discipline and the local authority regulations, however, certain standards are now recognised globally and widely used throughout the industry. “From a certification perspective, I would say that ISO14,001 for environment; OHSAS 18,001 for occupational health and safety; in addition, ISO9001 for quality [are among the main standards that must be adhered to in GCC countries],� explains BSI Abu Dhabi general manager Ahmad Al Khatib.

In general, the certification of firms to such standards shows that they adhere to recognised methods of working that have been set out within the listed stan-

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FEATURE BUILDING STANDARDS

dard. The aim of doing so is to improve performance, efficiency and safety, with the certifications demonstrating the firm’s achievements to outside parties. Although standards are voluntary and separate from legal and regulatory systems, they can be used to support or complement legislation.

Some of the other standards that are applicable within the industry relate to specific materials or products. “For reinforcing steel the product standard mainly used is the British Standard BS 4449:

OTHER CERTIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS There are numerous standards and certifications that can be applied to construction firms and their operations throughout the GCC countries. Some of the most widely recognised and followed are as follows.

ISO 9001 ISO 9001 outlines the requirements for a quality management system (QMS) ie a framework around which an organisation can control its processes in order to achieve set objectives including customer satisfaction, regulatory compliance and continual improvement.

First published in 1987, it was thoroughly revised for the third edition, which was introduced in 2000; changes included new requirements and a sharpened customer focus. The fourth and latest edition, ISO 9001:2008, does not require any specific reassessment for certification.

Ahmad Al Khatib, general manager, BSI Abu Dhabi

ISO 14001 ISO 14001 sets out the requirements for an organisation’s environmental management system (EMS). It applies to those aspects over which an organisation can be deemed to have control or influence over. First published in 1996, it has since been updated several times.

OHSAS 18001 OHSAS 18001 provides specifications for Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Management Systems. It is intended to enable an organisation to control its health and safety risks and ensure a continually improving performance trough ongoing measurement and setting of targets. Registration to OHSAS 18001 by an independent, third party, certification body demonstrates a commitment to implement, maintain and improve the way in which you manage your health and safety system

David Sugden, chairman, Passive Fire Protection Federation

BS 4449 BS 4449 is the specification for carbon steel bars used for the reinforcement of concrete. The standard lists the characteristic yield strength, tensile properties and ductility of the three grades of steel approved for use on the reinforcement of concrete.

LEED Developed by the US Green Building Council, LEED is used to establish the environmental accreditations of new construction or major renovation projects.

There are six categories in the LEED system - sustainable sites; water efficiency; energy and atmosphere; materials and resources; indoor environmental quality; and innovative design – each of which has a number of options.

An environmental designer or LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) uses these categories to determine what environmental features the project can incorporate given its geography, goals and budget and assigns a certification level which range from certified to platinum.

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Ben Bowsher, executive director, UK Cares

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FEATURE BUILDING STANDARDS

WHILE IN THE UAE, I HAVE PERSONALLY WITNESSED STEEL FROM SOURCES OF DUBIOUS ORIGIN SUPPLIED TO REINFORCEMENT FABRICATORS...

Using internationally recognised standards can help standardise the company’s processes and services 1997,” explains UK Cares executive director Ben Bowsher. “The standard requires either steel supplied by a company that has a valid accredited product certificate, which is normally supplied by Cares, or there should be a product testing regime applied, which approved each batch of steel from a non-certified source,” he adds.

Such stringent quality control over products is imperative in the construction of buildings. The absence of approved and properly installed products can create major issues warns Passive Fire Protection Federation (PFPF) chair David Sugden: “[In the case of passive fire systems] you can’t test the installed system. You need to have the products tested in a lab inside a

test rig. But unless you install the materials and products in a building to the same standard as they were in the test rig, they won’t perform in the same way,” he warns.

CONTROLLED STANDARDS Just how strictly are the application of standards and certifications enforced in the region and are firms complying? Again this appears to vary between countries, disciplines and the size of firms involved.

“In specific sectors like construction some of the standards are regulated,” assures Khatib. “In Abu Dhabi, the government started an initiative this year on regulating HSE implementation for the build and construction sector,” he explains.

“I understand that, in the main sections of the building, steel from Cares-certificated sources is being used. Although it is also apparent that sometimes this is not the case,” reports Bowsher. “In fact, while in the UAE, for example, I have personally witnessed steel from sources of dubious origin supplied to reinforcement fabricators in this way,” he warns.

In general, the international firms comply with such standards as a matter of course and also seek certifications from any subcontractors they employ. A spokesperson from a major construction industry contractor comments: “We take services and materials from companies that are registered to certain ISO systems; also, from subcontractors we want to see health and safety discipline.”

There are several reasons cited by major contractors for following internationally recognised standards that are not specifically required by law. These include the ability to standardise the company’s processes and services to increase efficiency; plus the ability to bid for work in markets that require the additional standards such as the oil and gas sector, municipalities and government departments.

And for those standards that are legally required, ensuring that all work is carried out within guidelines is essential in order that the final building produced can be used. “Currently, before we can pour a [concrete] slab on site we have to get the work inspected by the municipality; they have to be convinced that the supporting structure is correct,” states the spokesperson. “The municipality has to sign off the slab pour and we must show these documents before we can hope to get an occupation notice on completion of the building,” he explains.

So with the Deira building collapse still looming in minds throughout the industry, are the regulations for the region’s

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FEATURE BUILDING STANDARDS

Eurocodes are being adopted by several countries outside of Europe because of their universal application

HOW TO GET CERTIFIED • Identify the relevant certification body that works best for you • Contact the relevant local authorities to establish what certifications are required • Contact the certification body to determine their requirements • Appoint an individual to oversee the implementation of the standards procedures • Submit required materials to the issuing body and/or allow access for inspections

construction industry likely to become stricter? “Not necessarily,” stated Al Khatib. “This most pressing issue is more related to companies adhering to the local law and construction guidelines imposed by the local authorities rather than not having the right law in place. Nevertheless, it might raise a need for better or stronger specifications and standards.”

“The need for standards and best practices is increasing due to the arrival of so many high-profile, huge-scale, extremely expensive projects in the Middle East.

These create an expectation and thus, a strong demand, for international best practices and standards,” adds Al Khatib.

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Enforcement of the standards is made by different local authorities throughout the region. “In the UAE, for example, Abu Dhabi Municipality is in charge of enforcing HSE (14 & 18) implementation and certification to the build and construction sector of Abu Dhabi,” reports Al Khatib.

“PFPF member firm Warrington Fire has a role with the Civil Defence Department of Dubai in setting and maintaining fire prevention standards,” adds Sugden.

Penalties for non-compliance vary according to the severity of the consequences that this would invoke and could involve a warning notice, fine, removal of trading license or, in the event of a death on site, the people deemed responsible can be jailed.

Aside from potential legal consequences, operating without applying recognised standard procedures can create even more serious issues. “The penalty for occupants if a passive fire system is not properly installed is death,” stresses Sugden.

So what more can be done to ensure that buildings are constructed to international standards and standards-certified products are used on projects? “Create national building regulations, design codes and product standards and enforce their use,” suggests Bowsher.

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Ensuring that the message reaches a wider audience is also vital. “Establishing forums where experts and end-users can get together to discuss several related issues and share ideas and working with the local authorities on regulating many of those standards,” he adds.

INTO THE FUTURE One of the major events due to take place in the standards sector is the introduction of Eurocodes. These structural codes are scheduled to arrive in March 2010, and the flexibility of their design has meant that several countries outside of Europe have already committed to adopting them.

Also, BSI is currently working to identify existing regulations for construction.

The introduction of the Eurocodes has several objectives, including the provision of common design criteria for mechanical resistance; to form a common basis for research and development, in the construction industry; and to enable the preparation of common design aids and software. They are also intended to provide a common understanding between designers, manufacturers and contractors regarding the design, engineering and building of structures.

THE LAST WORD SAMUEL KEEHN

GREEN BUILDING GURU Samuel Keehn, LEED AP and Environmental & Sustainability Manager, Energy Management Services (EMS), gave us 15 minutes to talk about all things green

F

ounded in Jordan in 1991, EMS started as an energy services company and eventually grew into the Middle East’s first energy efficiency, water efficiency and green building consulting firm. Originally, EMS focused on existing buildings and, in doing so, started to notice MEP systems and how over-designed they had become in the region. The EMS team realised very quickly that the buildings they were trying to make ‘green’ were fundamentally inefficient.

Twenty years later, the industry has gotten to the point where clients are inviting green consultants to be involved during design. Currently, EMS consultants are involved at the pre-, mid- and end-design stages of building throughout the region.

In the simplest terms you can, define sustainability for us?

SK: My definition of sustainability is very similar to the one that is generally accepted. I see it as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet the needs of all species. Most people only talk about sustainability in human terms but, I don’t think that’s entirely accurate.

How did the green movement gather momentum in the Gulf?

SK: Three years ago, green buildings took off in the Middle East. That’s when business for us began to skyrocket. There’s a lot of talk about water and energy efficiency in buildings but there’s a lot more

to green buildings. Water and energy are important components but they’re certainly not the whole package.

What is the whole package?

SK: Regardless of whether you’re talking about BREEAM, LEED, Green Star or whatever, there are five main components: First, is the site, which is about connecting people and creating density; Water efficiency; Energy efficiency; Materials, which means using things that are locally sourced and/or recycled; and indoor air quality.

With so much information available, if I’m Joe Developer or Jane Owner, which one do I use?

SK: Honestly, you don’t get a lot of

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THE LAST WORD SAMUEL KEEHN

Such as?

SK: Lower operating costs, for example.

Improved air quality, lower insurance premiums, higher occupancy, higher market values and future capital, productivity gains—did you know that a 1% gain in productivity is worth USD $20 per square metre?—reduced life cycle costs and higher satisfaction for owners and occupants.

options. There are a lot of options for building sustainability assessment tools (BSATs) but where you build will generally dictate which one you use. Is that the best way to go about it? Probably not. But, it’s the way the market evolved here. The regulations haven’t yet caught up with the pace of building.

Why is that?

SK: You’ve got to remember, the green movement happened overnight here. No one was ready for it; not architects, not engineers, not contractors and not developers. The industry wasn’t ready but Sheikh Mohammed [bin Rashid al Maktoum] wanted to do it, he issued his decree in 2007, and it just happened.

Keep in mind, whether you use LEED or whatever, there aren’t a lot of quantifiable differences between BSATs. Estidama and BREEAM Gulf have a slightly more local approach in that they try to deal with the Gulf context specifically but they’re all pretty similar. A notable exception is integrated design. LEED, BREEAM and all the others talk about integrated design but Estidama actually requires it. That’s a very quantifiable difference.

So, why is everything LEED? SK: LEED has more name recognition than any of them. For those involved in the building industry, LEED is a high-end brand. And as such, there are definite financial benefits to aligning oneself with that BSAT and that brand.

As a green building consultant, do you get tired of the green washing that seems so prevalent here?

SK: Absolutely. There are a lot of false claims. There are a lot of products that claim to be able to add green points to a building but actually just add cost. The way we deal with that is to ask for documentation. If you don’t have documentation that proves a certain product comes with specific benefits, it’s not green as far as we’re concerned. If more consultants continue raising these questions, maybe the market will change.

Remember, the green movement happened very very quickly. In Europe or the US, the green building movement is 30, 40 or 50 years old; here, it’s three years old. So, yes, sometimes it’s easy to get frustrated at the green washing but you’ve go to keep it in perspective and see it for what it is.

What really bothers me is when consultants start green washing

YOU’VE GOT TO REMEMBER, THE GREEN MOVEMENT HAPPENED OVERNIGHT HERE. NO ONE WAS READY FOR IT; NOT ARCHITECTS, NOT ENGINEERS, NOT CONTRACTORS AND NOT DEVELOPERS...

SHEIKH MOHAMMED WANTED TO DO IT, HE ISSUED HIS ‘GREEN’ DECREE IN 2007 AND IT JUST HAPPENED.

Samuel Keehn, LEED AP

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themselves. That’s really frustrating. As a green consultant, we’re supposed to be serving the industry. Our role, as I see it, is halfway to being regulators. I understand green washing from manufacturers, but from a consultant, it’s really shameful.

What is the easiest way to achieve sustainability in a building?

SK: Get everyone involved as early as possible. That is absolutely key. There’s a lot of copy/paste design here where owners or contractors will try to add green components to a building after the fact. That’s pointless. The way to achieve a green building is to get everyone around a table and start at the beginning.

‘Stovepipe design’ simply won’t work for the industry. Stovepipe design is when you’ve got the architect doing his design, the MEP doing his design and the consultant doing a third one. Those guys need to be talking. They cannot have a vertical focus. They need to be having the same conversation; the earlier the better.

Alumil Gulf fzc subsidiary of ALUMIL in the Middle East

Technology Park, RAK FTZ, RAK tel +971 7 2444106, fax +971 7 2444107 email support.uae@alumil.com