ME Architect - Nov 2009 by ITP Business Publishing

An ITP Business Publication

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

NOVEMBER 2009 | VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 11

THE VEIL REDUCES

GLARE AND DIFFUSES SUNLIGHT

LANDSCAPED ROOFS

WATER CONSERVATION

AND TERRACES CREATE A

MICROCLIMATE THAT ENHANCE

DAILY INTERACTION WITH NATURE

INCIDENT PV CELLS INCLINED FOR

DAYLIGHT

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

OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE HARVEST SUNLIGHT TO GENERATE ELECTRIC POWER

GREY WATER RECYCLED FOR NON-POTABLE USE

OPENINGS IN BUILDING

MASS ALLOW BREEZE TO

PERMEATE INTO COURTYARDS

FRESH AIR IS PASSED BELOW

GROUND, COOLED USING THE EARTH’S SUBTERRANEAN TEMPERATURE

AND SUPPLIED INTO THE CENTRAL

COURT RESULTING IN A COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT VENTILATION:

WARM AIR INLET

VENTILATION:

COOL AIR OUTLETS

VENTILLATION:

WARM AIR INLET

GROUND COUPLED

AIR HEAT EXCHANGE

CHANGING THE GAME Norr Group’s new design could revolutionise architecture in the Middle East

An ITP Business Publication

INTERVIEW DSA Architects’ Floris Smith FEATURE Green communities are more than just green buildings SUPPLIERS YOU SHOULD KNOW GEZE, Mapei, VE Solutions, AHEC & Architectural hardware POST-SHOW REPORT Cityscape 2009

CONTENTS NOVEMBER

November 2009 ISSUE 11 VOLUME 3 21

ON THE WEB 02 WHAT’S MEA Construction Week

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

07 INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHTS

A roundup of some of the industry’s biggest stories and product launches from October ‘09

REPORT: CITYSCAPE POST SHOW 12 SHOW MEA

brings you feedback from architects, engineers, developers and organisers from Cityscape Dubai ‘09

16FEATURE: GREEN COMMUNITIES

Exploring how best to build green communities rather than focusing simply on green buildings

21 COVER STORY: THE HABITAT

Norr Group’s Yahya Jan presented a new typology at Cityscape. It may end up revolutionising architecture

27 Q&A: FLORIS SMITHMEA

DSA Architects’ newest director of architecture goes on the record with editor Jeff Roberts

YOU SHOULD KNOW 32SUPPLIERS MEA

finds out why architects need to pay attention to suppliers GEZE, Mapei, AHEC and VE Solutions

41FEATURE: ARCH HARDWARE

Selina Denman catches up with six of the industry’s architectural hardware suppliers

47 SKETCHBOOK: ALL SAINTS ACADEMY

Abu Dhabi newcomer Stride Treglown gives readers a preview of the types of projects Gulf clients can expect

48SKETCHBOOK 2: D17

Qatar’s Focus Design Partners gives MEA exclusive access to sketches for Energy City

www.constructionweekonline.com | 11.09 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT

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ONLINE

the online home of:

IN PICTURES

5 MOST POPULAR

• UK asks UAE to pay

construction firms • High rise fire in Sharjah • In the budget • Sustainability still mostly ‘green wash’ • New project director for Tiger Woods Dubai For breaking news, go to: www.constructionweekonline.com/news/ Stories selected October 25-31, 2009

ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX CIRCUIT

The first F1 track in UAE history. In a word, it is amazing. The hotel is state-of-the-art. The venue is pristine. The stands, snack bars, restrooms and relaxation space are all integrated seamlessly within the seating structure. And the track...ah the track...it is at once a testament to engineering pre-eminence and aesthetic brilliance. For more galleries, check out: www.constructionweekonline.com/in_pictures/

COLUMNS & FEATURES GLASS TOWERS WILL ALWAYS BE ICONIC

CAN THE GCC REALLY GO GREEN

The move to sustainability will not sound the death knell for iconic buildings in the region, according to VE Solutions founder Arkady Siterman and director of development Eugene Siterman.

Representatives from the UAE Ministry of Environment & Water, UN University, Arab Media Group and LG Electronics Middle East signed the Greenomics Conference 2009 Protocol.

US $2.65bn UPTOWN BAHRAIN SHELVED

ARE YOU LEEDing THE INDUSTRY ON?

The US $2.65 billion Uptown Bahrain development has been shelved indefinitely and may never be built according to a senior source at Fortune Investment House (FIH).

The preservation of our environment is quickly climbing up many people’s agendas and green building products can contribute, in a big way. Construction Week delves into the issue.

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

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EDITOR’S CHOICE • Contractor detained over

deadly roof collapse • Single business tower due four months early • US $2.65bn Uptown Bahrain shelved • Green buildings are ‘sensible’ and ‘logical’ • The culling of transparency Stories selected October 25-31, 2009

POLL: Who do you want to see interviewed next? 37.5% A government official. I want to know what leaders think. 37.5% A contractor. I want to know what’s happening on the ground. 25.0% A developer. I want to hear about upcoming projects.

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

T 00 971 7 244 74 64 F 00 971 7 244 74 62 P 34132 R A K , U A E

EDITOR’S LETTER

FORM SWALLOWS FUNCTION

-)$$,% %!34

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Last month I had the opportunity to visit Abu Dhabi for the first F1 race in UAE history. In a word, it is amazing. The hotel is state-of-the-art. The venue is pristine. The stands, snack bars, restrooms and relaxation space are all integrated seamlessly within the seating structure. And the track...ah the track...it is at once a testament to engineering pre-eminence and aesthetic brilliance. Even before the final race, as I write this article, drivers and pundits around the world are singing the praises of its design and sporting genius. Like me, you’ll probably recall hearing about this particular piece of architecture about 18 months ago. The first F1 track interwoven with a hotel, they said. The longest straightaway on the F1 circuit, they boasted. The first F1 track to feature underground pit lanes, they extolled. All of this is true and, from a spectator’s point of view, it lived up to its original billing. But, in a few short hours, the F1 will have come and gone and all that excitement will have given way to an important question: Now what? After an 18-month build up to an event that, I suspect, has been both musically and financially successful, what happens now? Sure, the F1 will come back in 12 months but until then, what happens? For anyone who’s traversed the new Sheikh Khalifa Bridge or had the chance to visit the F1 race, you know Yas Island is unfinished. Big time. I mean no disrespect to Hani Rashid, designer of the Yas Island Hotel, but after this event, who is going to want to stay in a hotel on the middle of an island that is itself one big construction site? This week would have been fun with the races and the concerts but, believe me, Yas Island will be a much different place after the drivers and divas have gone home. Furthermore, I have nothing but respect for renowned circuit designer, Hermann Tilke, who accepted the challenge 1001 days from the first green light and created a racetrack under ridiculous pressure, which now has the entire industry talking. But, again, you can’t run people, motorcycles, camels, horses or dogs on this track, so did Mubadala seriously invest £15 billion to have it sit dormant for 361 days of the year? Kyalami Grand Prix in Gauteng, South Africa, doubles as a business park, featuring commercial, hospitality, conference and public meeting space. The Singapore Grand Prix weaves through a mix of modern, historic, public and government buildings. Casinos, hotels, marinas and restaurants bespeckle both the Monaco and Montreal F1 locations. But what is to become of the Abu Dhabi site? The Grand Prix track in Bahrain and the Aspire Tower complex in Doha (which was also built amidst great fanfare for the 2006 Asian Games) are two regional examples of smallish markets that took on big events before their time and sit largely vacant for most of the year. Like many projects in the Gulf, form has supplanted function as the primary concern in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Circuit and it’s a shame. It’s often said that with the gargantuan budgets and tiny chances for success, one of the most financially futile investments one can make is to run an F1 team. Perhaps the same can be said for building an F1 track in the middle of a construction site.

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NEWS, DATA,

ANALYSIS AND

2009 | VOLUME NOVEMBER

3 | ISSUE 11

WATER CONSERVATION

INCIDENT DAYLIGHT RECYCLED GREY WATER USE NON-POTABLE

FOR

BUILDING OPENINGS IN BREEZE TO MASS ALLOW INTO COURTYARDS PERMEATE

POWER

BELOW IS PASSED FRESH AIR EARTH’S USING THE GROUND, COOLED N TEMPERATURE SUBTERRANEA INTO THE CENTRAL AND SUPPLIED IN A COMFORTABLE COURT RESULTING ENVIRONMENT VENTILLATION: INLET WARM AIR

VENTILATION: INLET WARM AIR

VENTILATION: COOL AIR OUTLETS

GROUND COUPLED AIR HEAT EXCHANGE

ME CHANGING THE GA Norr Group’s

Publication

Cover Design: Lucy McMurray/ITP

IN THE GCC

ROOFS LANDSCAPED CREATE A AND TERRACES E THAT ENHANCE MICROCLIMAT WITH NATURE DAILY INTERACTION

INCLINED FOR PV CELLS OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE SUNLIGHT TO HARVEST ELECTRIC GENERATE

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Cover image: The Habitat courtesy of Norr Group Consultants

SUNLIGHT

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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.

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INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHTS

KEO GIVEN GO AHEAD TO RELEASE DESIGNS FOR DOHA’S NEW FINANCIAL DISTRICT DOHA, QATAR // Three years

after it was awarded the project, KEO International Consultants is finally allowed to release its design for Barwa’s Financial District Project in Doha, Qatar. The jaw-dropping 700,000m² mixed use development aims to create a new business community for Qatari professionals and a prestigious landmark for Doha proper.

According to KEO, the project features an outer ring of six office towers ascending in a clockwise direction from 20 to 35 storeys in height as well as an inner ring of towers, comprisingw three office towers and a hotel tower ascending in a counterclockwise direction from 31 to 50 storeys in height. The placement of the nine office towers and their opposing

movement of heights help maintain maximum views as well as ensuring that all the buildings have access to natural light. Raj Patel, principal designer at KEO, describes the design concept: “It represents two nautilus forms spiraling in opposing directions which create a dynamic flow of mass and space. The opposing spiraling geometry builds up

the movement of the towers to create the pinnacle at the southwest corner of the site creating a landmark tower visible from the West Bay Area as well as the road arteries west of the site.” The office towers are connected by a two storey enclosed atrium lined on either side with retail space on both

the ground and first floor to create an intimate and lively boutique mall. In an effort to capture both tradition and modernisation, the glass and terracotta towers emerge from a solid plinth clad in travertine. The glass curtain walls are protected from direct sunlight by a metal screen inspired by the mashrabiya of traditional Arabian architecture.

The Financial District was designed to capture both tradition and modernity

Image © KEO Int’l Consultants

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INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHTS

STRIDE TREGLOWN TO BRING HOSPITALS, UNIVERSITIES TO UAE CAPITAL ABU DHABI, UAE // In an effort

specialists in Vietnam, Stride Treglown aims to add “five or six” architecture practitioners on the ground in its Abu Dhabi branch office. Led by UK-based director Richard Philipson and UAE general manager, Nathan Hones, Stride Treglown is focusing on building connections in the UAE and forming joint venture arrangements throughout the region. While the Stride Treglown announcement for expansion was unexpected—given that the firm has never held an office outside the UK—Philipson was quick to point out that the move was strategic.

“We reviewed a number of global locations for our first step into the international market, and after a couple of adventures in the Caribbean and Europe, we determined that the UAE provided the greatest opportunity for us,” explained Philipson. “The inspirational vision of the Plan Abu Dhabi 2030…presented to us the kind of market in which Stride Treglown likes to do business,” he added. Industry response to adding one of the UK’s most reputable firms to Abu Dhabi’s growing pool of architectural talent has Image © Stride Treglown

to expand its global presence and offer Middle East clients state-of-the-art education and healthcare facilities, multidisciplinary UK firm Stride Treglown, established an office in Abu Dhabi in early October. In the UK, the Londonbased firm is recognised for its portfolio of public sector buildings, its reputation for safety and its burgeoning design excellence—all attributes it hopes to transfer to a Middle Eastern context. Utilising its 270-person design team in the UK as well as its documentation

The University of Reading’s Carrington Building illustrates ST’s core skill set

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MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.09 | www.constructionweekonline.com

been positive and appointing Hones, an architectural veteran of the Middle East, to manage the office was a crucial step for Philipson. “We’ve had a really positive response from other consultants and potential clients,” said Philipson. “Nathan’s knowledge of the region and experience is proving invaluable…. We also just liked the look and feel of Abu Dhabi today – it has heart and soul.” Despite the timeliness of its expansion, Stride Treglown isn’t just another international firm looking to capitalise on Abu Dhabi’s

veritable gold rush of development. The firm’s regional focus will be on designing and building facilities for education and healthcare— something sorely lacking in Abu Dhabi’s largely commercial/retail skyline. “We are focusing on our strengths in education from early years through universities to lifelong learning and healthcare,” said Philipson. “Our capabilities in master planning, commercial, office and hotel design will also be available,” he added. (Check out this month’s Sketchbook for examples of work from Stride Treglown)

‘PEOPLE FUNCTION IS CRUCIAL’, SAYS TABANLIOGLU PARTNER DUBAI, UAE // In her presenta-

tion to Cityscape’s World Architecture Congress, Melkan Gürsel Tabanlioğlu, second generation leader of decorated Turkish architecture firm Tabanlioğlu, urged architects throughout the region to try to focus more on the ‘people’ aspect of projects. “You’ve got to know the end-user,” said Tabanlioğlu. “If a building is sellable, as an architect, you are successful, but the ‘people’ function is crucial,” she added. Her recommendation for the future of Gulf architecture consisted largely of the same message. “Open

communication between developers, end users and architects is the only way to achieve a truly successful building,” said Tabanlioğlu. “If you don’t know anything about the people or culture you’re building for, how can the project be considered a success?” she asked. Three of the firm’s most anticipated projects are the Turkish Chancellery in Berlin, the Baku Crystal in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan’s Abay Business Centre.

“If you don’t understand the people or culture, how can the project be a success?“

INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHTS

MOSQUE DESIGN GUIDELINES TO BE ISSUED IN 2010 ABU DHABI, UAE // Abu Dhabi’s

Mosque Development Committee (MDC) recently announced that it will issue a new set of guidelines for the planning and design of mosques in early 2010. The guidelines will cover the development and management of all new and existing mosques undergoing renovation throughout the

emirate of Abu Dhabi. All mosques that fall into these categories will be expected to adhere to the soon to be unveiled planning and design guidelines specified by the MDC. “Mosques are important public facilities that play a crucial role in everyday life

in Abu Dhabi. The adherence to the MDC guidelines will not only define the urban character of the city, but will also preserve Abu Dhabi’s Emirati, Arab and Islamic identity,” said MDC chair-

man Falah Al Ahbabi in a prepared statement. Al Ahbabi continued: “Owing to the population growth and urban expansion witnessed by the emirate recently, the importance of planning, locating and developing mosques based on community needs has gained

paramount importance and the MDC guidelines are a step in that direction.” Not surprisingly, the MDC guidelines will closely follow Abu Dhabi’s Estidama sustainable building principles. Urban planning, building, construction, safety and security will be considered in the guidelines, according to the statement from the MDC.

The MDC’s guidelines will closely follow Abu Dhabi’s Estidama

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INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHTS

dwp LOOKS FOR LEED GOLD IN ABU DHABI ABU DHABI, UAE // Multidis-

master plan—overlooks the Abu Dhabi Corniche and lies adjacent to the Lagoon Precinct. The project presented dwp with an opportunity to design for a highly distinguished living experience that promises “uninterrupted vistas of the waterfront and foreshore districts.” In its design, dwp’s UAEbased design team, led by Toufic Zaidan, aimed to reduce operational energy demands and carbone emis-

sions on the building as well as ensure maximum comfort for investors and end users. “The smooth and slim undulating tower echoes the water it faces. Its curvilinear facade will vary in colours and shades according to the sun’s location and intensity,” said Zaidan. “This intensity of climate has also made us look at energy efficiency and sustainability in its design.” In order to maximise energy efficiency, dwp used

state-of-the art glass curtain walls with thermal insulation and low-VOC building materials. It also used the location of the site to determine a design context that considered orientation and boundary and, ultimately, define the building’s shape. Adopting an environmental and ecological balance was important for the developer. dwp’s own brand of sustainable consciousness has developed a design that

Saraya Abu Dhabi is aiming for completion in 2013

‘QUESTION CONVENTIONAL WISDOM’, URGES NORR DIRECTOR DUBAI, UAE // Yahya Jan, direc-

tor of design for Norr Group Consultants, urged architects, students and government officials to “question conventional wisdom” in his speech at Cityscape’s World Architecture Congress. The crux of Jan’s argument was how the rapid transformation of urban centres, which began in the early 20th centrury, brought tremendous socioeconomic change to both developed and developing cities. While the urban centres of the West experienced unparalleled growth and prosperity, according to Jan, urban

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will aim for a Gold-rated LEED certification. Indoor air quality improvement with air filtration systems and natural ventilation, waste reduction and recycling strategies; the design of the structure and use of materials are all incorporated into the architectural DNA of the building. The Saraya Abu Dhabi district will ultimately consist of 30 towers and is aiming for completion in 2013.

Image © dwp

ciplinary architecture and interior design firm, design world partners (dwp), recently announced a contract from aabar Investments to provide the architecture, environmental and interior design services for a 41-storey luxury residential tower in the Saraya district of Abu Dhabi. The Saraya 1 project site—located within Sorouh Real Estate’s 120,000m²

centres in the developing world experienced scarcity of resources, poverty, squalor and low-rise urban sprawl. “While some cities have experienced a boom as a result of rapid population growth, most have only succeeded in creating a huge chasm between the haves and havenots,” said Jan. The point that was reiterated several times throughout his presentation was clear: Urban centres, whether developed or developing, are in grave danger unless design professionals and governments make density a priority.

“Any project that calls itself ‘sustainable’ includes planned density,” said Jan. In an impassioned plea to the industry, Jan pointed to the vast slums of Rio and Karachi as examples of what can happen when the environmental, economic and social need for density in urban centres is ignored. “Population growth will place ever-increasing demands on scare resources. If we don’t start thinking about these issues creatively, the world we leave our children will be much worse than this one,” he said. “In my opinion, it’s going to get worse

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.09 | www.constructionweekonline.com

before it gets better.” Jan’s final message was an encouraging one. While he acknowledged that government officials are generally positioned to make these ideas a reality, he also tried to encourage the architects in the room. “Early simple design decisions can have an enormous impact,” he said. “Start smart and spend the necessary time at the front of the design.” (For an illustration of, check out this month’s case study on pp. 29-32)

Poverty, squalor and urban sprawl are byproducts of unplanned density, says Jan

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CITYSCAPE 2009 POST-SHOW REPORT

Cityscape 2009 was about showcasing finished or ongoing projects

CITYSCAPE POST-SHOW REPORT Getting some perspective

s Day Three of Cityscape Dubai kicked off, I published an editorial piece suggesting that Cityscape Dubai might reclaim its place among the largest and most influential trade shows in the industry. (http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-6555-cityscape-isback-if-only-for-a-day/) I waxed optimistic about the potential for it to be the spark that would ignite the flame of creativity throughout the industry and the region. In that article, I pointed to the buzz that had returned to Dubai’s International Exhibition and Convention Centre along with the queues of curious visitors and savvy businesspeople looking to steal glances of the latest project launches. A month later, as I wait patiently for the official post-show report to be released, it is clear to me that Cityscape is not back. It wasn’t a failure, but it’s certainly not back. In fact, I’m not sure if this particular show in this particular city will ever experience the circus-like atmosphere it achieved in 2006 and 2007. I’m not sure if this exhibition will ever garner the gaudy

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numbers—81,162 in 2008—that have come to define it since its inception. Despite how that sounds, it’s a good thing. Regardless of where they are positioned in the building cycle, few in the industry would ever agree that the pace and fervour of pre-credit-crunch Dubai was either healthy or sustainable. In fact, despite the overflowing coffers of the boom years, I never met one architect or engineer that honestly enjoyed working at that breakneck pace. If the 2009 Cityscape did nothing else, it reaffirmed that the industry is regrouping and preparing to traverse the largely unfamiliar path of stability and achievability in its projects. Unofficial reports claim visitor numbers for 2009 were down 50% (38,000) from 2008 and exhibitors were down from 340 to 218 over the same period. If those numbers are accurate—and I suspect they’re not far off the mark—pundits and jounalists across the land will be looking to stick their proverbial forks in Dubai because, as the saying goes, “it’s done”. Call me overly-optimistic or even naïve

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.09 | www.constructionweekonline.com

but I’m not so sure that’s the case. “We saw a shift back to market fundamentals at Cityscape Dubai this year,” explained Rohan Marwaha, managing director of Cityscape Dubai. “The speculators and other amateur investors were conspicuous by their absence as were any hint of unrealistic or dazzling developments. The mood was sober and professional.” Well said Mr. Marwaha. What he didn’t have a chance to explain was that international participation actually increased as a year-on-year percentage, with stands from Sudan, Angola, Paris, and companies from Canada and Australia, complemented by a healthy regional presence which extended across the GCC and Iraq. Feedback from the industry has been similarly positive. Even in Cityscape’s very obvious move away from an architecture

50%

Fewer visitors at Cityscape 2009 than in 2008

CITYSCAPE 2009 POST-SHOW REPORT

and design focus, some of Dubai’s big players were pleasantly surprised by the show. Floris Smith, director of architecture at DSA Architects—also profiled in this month’s Q&A—found Cityscape “quite amazing”. He said: “The number of enquiries we got from around the UAE was actually quite stunning. We also got four or five enquiries from developers in Syria.” Matthew Becker, director of operations for Perkins Eastman UAE, was also surprised. “We expected something similar to that encountered at Cityscape Abu Dhabi – an absence of clients and an abundance of job-hungry consultants poaching off each other. Cityscape Dubai surprised us by evidencing a very decent quantity of clients, representing a broad geographic area, including Africa and Asia, who discussed real projects.” Rami Nasser, director of sales and commercial leasing for Aldar Properties, was similarly impressed with what he considers the “preeminent real estate show in the region”. Like many of the region’s large developers, the Aldar strategy focused on showcasing nearly finished projects and delivery and maitenance of existing ones. “This year’s event was a good opportunity for us to showcase…the first Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix,” said Nasser. “We also featured Al Raha Beach, our major waterfront development where delivery of the first districts (Al Bandar, Al Muneera and Al Zeina) will

THE SPECULATORS AND OTHER AMATEUR INVESTORS WERE CONSPICUOUS BY THEIR ABSENCE AS WERE ANY HINT OF UNREALISTIC OR DAZZLING DEVELOPMENTS. THE MOOD WAS SOBER AND PROFESSIONAL. ROHAN MARWA

Cityscape never fails to attract high profile visitors and local heads of state

Donald Trump Jr gave the keynote address at Cityscape ‘09. In it, he urged patience and persistence

Visitors were down at this year’s event, especially on Day 1

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CITYSCAPE 2009 POST-SHOW REPORT

Large-scale urban planning seems to be the focus for future Gulf cities

[CITYSCAPE] IS A GATHERING PLACE FOR PROFESSIONALS INTERESTED IN REAL ESTATE PRODUCTS. WE MEET PEOPLE, FRIENDS AND CLIENTS FROM THE GCC. IT EXPANDS THE BUSINESS NETWORK AND REVEALS POTENTIAL PROJECTS. FOR US, THIS IS IMPORTANT. MOHAMED FAHMY begin in 2010 and Trust Tower, a Grade A commercial office building in the heart of our Central Market re-development in the heart of Abu Dhabi.” Perennial big player Nakheel also put its efforts into showcasing its handover and management capabilities as Palm Jumeirah, Al Furjan and 33 islands on The World made up the lion’s share of what was on offer on its stand. “Nakheel demonstrated its role as an industry leader in the field of masterplanned communities this year at Cityscape 2009. We focused on exhibiting our prime communities that are close to completion…,” said a spokesperson from the Dubai-based developer. Despite a tumultuous 2009, Nakheel left Cityscape quite optimistic about what the rest of the year will bring and where its main efforts will be focused. “We have an extremely active fourth quarter ahead of us and our attendance highlighted our commitment to delivering units and services to existing investors and residents.”

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Egyptian developer SODIC was pleasantly surprised by what it considered a clear lack of “fluff” and enjoyed the attention it received as the only Egyptian contingent at Cityscape. “As a company we feel our expectations were met,” said SODIC PR professional Esmat Elnahas. “We felt a marked interest in our projects and received a lot of media attention.” Mohamed Fahmy, vice president of EHAF Consulting Engineers, approached Cityscape Dubai with a healthy dose of clarity and perspective. “Cityscape is not only a real estate show. It is a gathering place for professionals who are interested in real estate products,” said Fahmy. “We use it to meet people, friends and clients from the GCC. It expands the business network and reveals potential projects. For us, this is important.” While Fahmy seemed very clear about what Cityscape is, perhaps more importantly, he understands what it is not. “We don’t expect to sign deals in such shows, unless it is planned ahead. We expect to

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.09 | www.constructionweekonline.com

expand our business network and explore new opportunities with developers.” Despite reports of 472 cancelled or shelved projects in the UAE and a lack of ‘high-profile’ project launches at Cityscape, Marwa remains unfazed. He is bolstered by the Cityscape Intelligence study that reported US$ 900 billion worth of ongoing projects in the country. In fact, Marwa insists that the Cityscape strategy for the foreseeable future will be driven by principles that were prevalent this year: realism and transparency. “We will continue to tailor this event to meet the requirements of real estate professionals, whether locally, regionally or internationally,” he said.

1352

Number of ongoing projects—residential, hospitality, commercial, retail—in the UAE (source: Proleads)

FOR OPENINGS

FEATURE GREEN COMMUNITIES

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FEATURE GREEN COMMUNITIES

GREEN COMMUNITIES IN THE UAE: FACT OR FICTION? By Jeff Roberts

ay Three of last month’s World Architecture Congress—which ran alongside Cityscape Dubai—was coined ‘Green Day’ and it witnessed a bevy of architects, developers, engineers and sustainability pundits waxing intellectual about everything related to the region’s growing green building conundrum. Throughout the day, professionals and practitioners from every corner of the industry addressed ‘community’, construction best practices, energy saving,

As green credentials and bizarre acronyms flittered and fluttered throughout the conference, one particularly interesting session—Delivering Green Communities, Not Just Green Buildings—brought together designers and developers to talk about how to actually deliver the level of greenness being touted for the region.

CONCEPT OF COMMUNITY Geoff Sanderson, Dubai veteran and principal of Green Concepts Landscape

THERE IS SIMPLY AN ABUNDANCE OF THEORY WITHOUT A SERIOUS UNDERSTANDING OF THE COMMUNITIES THAT SUPPOSEDLY EXIST HERE. GEOFF SANDERSON

financing, green legislation and regulation, facilities management, life-cycle costs and new ‘green’ materials and products. Habiba Al Marashi, chairperson of the Emirates Environmental Group and board member of the UN Global Compact, began the day with a sobering—albeit refreshingly honest—sentiment. “A 100% mindset change will be necessary to reduce carbon emissions and encourage best practices industry wide,” said Al Marashi. “Right now, it’s not just political will that is necessary. Leadership should be taken by the private sector, which is one sector [ in the UAE] that is currently lagging far behind.”

Architects (GCLA), began by directing the discussion toward the fundamental concept of community. “Without defining ‘community’,” said Sanderson, “it is impossible to really get to the heart of what constitutes a ‘green community’.” Sanderson rightly pointed out that many of the speakers, and in fact visitors to Green Day, ply their skills and specify their products in regions other than the Middle East. He criticized the conference’s willingness to apply external experiences in the UAE without truly understanding the nature of the professional design community, the contractor community or the end users that acutally live and work here.

“It’s difficult to establish a community [in the UAE] because of the transient nature of society here. If we’re depending on a stable community, we’re struggling,” said Sanderson. “End users [tend to be] largely self interested persons with no concern whatsoever for the UAE’s sustainability beyond their own contract period. Sadly, there are too few people like Habiba Al Marashi to make a big enough difference in the UAE’s green debate.”

DECISIONS FROM THE TOP Mike Lewis, senior associate director at Benoy, is of the opinion that change needs to come in the form of clear and universal green legislation. Rather than fight the good fight from the bottom, he sees little point in expending the effort unless the true decision makers are on board. “My particular concern is the fight during the project brief. We need a large-scale change in attitude at the decision maker level,” says Lewis. “It’s sad but true. It takes someone to stand up with a torch and say ‘enough’,” says Lewis. “Decision makers need to make it happen. We have a responsibility to clients to educate them and make recommendations but that’s from the bottom up. I’d love to walk into a briefing and be told ‘We will be doing a LEED Gold building’,” adds Lewis. Never one to buy in to altruism within the building industry, Sanderson suggests change will only come when legislation dictates that material gain is available for those willing to implement green strategies. “We should devise a system to combine regulation with reward,” says Sanderson. “If rewards were very attractive financially for developers and users,

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FEATURE GREEN COMMUNITIES

A 100% MINDSET CHANGE WILL BE NECESSARY TO REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS AND ENCOURAGE BEST PRACTICES INDUSTRY WIDE. IT’S NOT JUST POLITICAL WILL THAT IS NECESSARY. LEADERSHIP SHOULD BE TAKEN BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR, WHICH IS ONE SECTOR THAT IS CURRENTLY LAGGING FAR BEHIND. HABIBA AL MARASHI it would create some impetus. Unless that happens soon, I don’t think we’ll see anywhere near the amount of change [in the UAE] that we’re expecting.”

VALUE OF MASTERPLANNING Mark Grundy, sustainability & environment manager for Abu Dhabi-based Aldar Properties PJSC, suggests that sustainability at the community level will only come when master plans are designed with the health of the individual in mind. “In Mexico City,” explains Grundy, “the average person spends 2.5 hours per day in their car. It stands to reason, then, that the city also has the highest rate of obesity and diabetes in the world. That’s just one illustration of how smart master planning can actually be the frontline of healthcare.” Sanderson, on the other hand, rejects the idea that the mere presence of buildings begets communities. He uses a Mumbai example to illustrate a strong, vibrant community that thrives without a collective reliance on the build environment. “In the modern Middle East, there is too much emphasis on buildings, structures and planning,” says Sanderson. “Some of the closest communities in the world are located in the slums of Mumbai. Devising a common interest or shared experience throughout the community is what brings it together and creates a bond.”

WHAT COST SUSTAINABILITY? As it often does during discussions of sustainability, the session moved into an analysis of the financial benefits and detriments of green technology in build-

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ings. One point on which everyone—both speakers and audience alike—agreed is that green technology is generally more expensive initially but when taken over a building’s entire lifecycle, it ends up saving significantly in terms of energy consumption and, therefore, outright cash. The financial discussion only got interesting when a woman from the audience asked—given the financial state of the building industry—what methods or techniques could be employed to achieve sustainability free of charge. Echoing the popular sentiment that architects alone can single-handedly achieve LEED Silver just through smart design, Lewis pointed out the importance of continuing professional development. “There are things designers can do that are free but that’s down to education,” says Lewis. “We’ve got to make sure the older architects are using the new tools as well.” From the perspective of landscaping and public realm space, Sanderson doubts the idea that the onus of education lies solely on architects. “Amongst the design community, very few architects, fewer engineers and even fewer clients, recognise the role of landscape architecture or other site design issues in the sustainable equation. For Sanderson and landscape architects, the formula is quite simple: “In terms of landscaping, we can reduce the cost of buildings by up to half, just through smarter and more efficient maintenance.” Grundy quickly brought the conversation back to earth when he reminded everyone that there is a limit to what can be achieved through design. “When you

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.09 | www.constructionweekonline.com

try to really push the envelope; when you try to build something that is really cutting edge or ground-breaking, that’s when the big [technology] costs come in.”

LOOKING AHEAD According to Jimmy Grewel, co-founder of UAE-based Pulse Technologies, there is no time like to present to innovate and set new eco-friendly building standards for the region. “If there’s ever a time to do this, it’s now,” he says. “Everyone around the world is looking at what [the region] has done, what has been finished and what types of projects are going to come next.” While it’s encouraging that the debate about building green communities is happening, Sanderson is pessimistic about the amount of talk surrounding the issue. Experience tells him that this level of airplay generally sees little or no follow through in the region. “I have attended so many sustainable conferences that I doubt I can cope with another,” he says. For Sanderson, the issue remains one of fundamental misunderstanding. “There is simply an abundance of theory without a serious understanding of the communities that supposedly exist here.” Sanderson concludes: “There will always be individuals in any residential area—I avoid the term ‘community’—who express a keenness to support sustainable endeavors. However, unless there is a history and serious community depth and commitment as exists in Europe, Japan, North America and Australia, such sustainable communities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are no more than fiction.”

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AN EXPERIENCE WHICH IS TRULY...

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REGIONAL CASE STUDY THE HABITAT by NORR GROUP

THE HABITAT

A theoretical model for dense living By Yahya Jan & Norr Group

he â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Habitatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; project is a theoretical attempt at addressing the challenge of high-density development within the contemporary urban condition. Located somewhere in the Middle East, this model for urban living challenges the all-too-familiar and conventional typology for multi-use development: point towers, segregated by use, rising from a shared support podium. The Habitat idea is predicated on a somewhat different premise: Inside, a variety of uses are massed as interlocking and interconnected elements that allow for accidental relationships and celebrate shared landscaped public realm spaces. This model for density addresses critical questions and opens doors for further study in the reinterpretation of traditional urban structures. It responds to its social and environmental context and it proposes an alternative matrix for sustainable development.

URBAN SPRAWL, TYPICALLY SQUALID AND LOW IN DENSITY, PRESENTS A CHALLENGE TO INFRASTRUCTURE GROWTH THAT IS NOT SUSTAINABLE IN THE LONGER TERM.

The Habitat challenges the conventional typology for mixed-use developments

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REGIONAL CASE STUDY THE HABITAT by NORR GROUP

THE NEED FOR A NEW TYPOLOGY The impetus behind the research and development of the Habitat model is the observation of the less than satisfactory trends in urbanism over the past century. The tremendous strains faced by rapidly urbanizing societies, especially in the developing world, necessitate an integrated

response that addresses the needs of the population and those of the changing natural environment. Throughout the 20th century, the great urban centers of the Western world witnessed an unprecedented transformation in the form and density of their built environment. During this period, social,

economic and political forces aligned to create high density city centers that, over time, have come to symbolize the achievements of the developed world. In contrast to these historic developments, the urban centers of the developing world witnessed a somewhat different transformation of their own: Mass migra-

Norr Group has addressed the need for landscaped spaces by creating â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;parks in the skyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

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MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.09 | www.constructionweekonline.com

REGIONAL CASE STUDY THE HABITAT by NORR GROUP

tion and high population growth. Scarcity of resources within developing countries also resulted in the emergence of ‘mega cities’, or expansive urban centres featuring populations of 10,000,000 or more. The physical form of these cities is often comprised of low-rise buildings spread over vast areas, which is evidenced by the sprawl that has come to typify cities such as Cairo, Calcutta, and Sao Paolo. In a timeline analysis of urban growth, perhaps the most disconcerting of all trends is the inability of society to adequately address the need for infrastructure and support services for a rapidly growing population. Urban sprawl, typically squalid and low in density, presents a challenge to infrastructure growth that is not sustainable in the longer term.

A NEW MODEL FOR DENSITY We believe the more recent emergence of higher density communities within Asia and the Middle East presents a unique opportunity to reconcile the best of urban design thinking from the past century while improving on aspects that have been less than successful. Perhaps the most obvious areas for improvement are the need to develop a new model for dense living and the need to create a sense of community centered on shared public and landscaped spaces. The Habitat model, seen within this framework, proposes a unified and integrated approach to urban planning, architecture, engineering and landscape design. This model includes residential, office, hotel, and retail spaces that challenge conventional or traditional developer solutions for these types of projects. As a response to the dire need for landscaped public and private spaces within cities of the Middle East, we have proposed ‘neighborhood parks in the sky.’ These shared spaces have the potential to act as catalysts; creating identity for the building while also helping to establish small group or community identity within a larger living space as a whole.

A variety of uses are massed as interconnected and interlocking elements

LOOKING FORWARD We believe the challenge for public and private enterprise is to question conventional wisdom and the currently formulaic approach to high density development. This belief is based upon a collection of accepted realities. First, high-density vertical communities are the most sustainable living solution for the future. One need

Energy consumption inside the matrix is shown to be significantly less than an average tower complex

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REGIONAL CASE STUDY THE HABITAT by NORR GROUP

AS A RESPONSE TO THE DIRE NEED FOR LANDSCAPED PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SPACES WITHIN THE CITY, WE HAVE PROPOSED ‘NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS IN THE SKY’.

Norr’s design challenges the conventional definition of density

Without the screen

The screen protects from glare and direct sunlight

The Habitat is a fully integrated community

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only to look to certain sections of New York City, Tokyo, Chicago or London to see real-world examples of sustainable density in action. Second, throughout the developing world, rapid population growth will inevitably place increasing demands on scarce resources including food, clean air, water and land. If left unmet, these demands for basic human needs will lead to death, disease and destruction on a much larger scale than current figures suggest. Third, societies and governments will need to find innovative ways to provide acceptable living standards and economic opportunities for their citizens if they want to move their countries from ‘developing’ to ‘developed’. This shift will become increasingly difficult as populations continue to increase faster than infrastructure can support.

THE CHALLENGE FOR GOVERNMENTS, DEVELOPERS, DESIGNERS It is incumbent upon governments, developers and design professionals to question conventional wisdom and the formulaic approach to high-density development. This group must work together to identify creative ways to respond to environmental, economic and social forces of change. Decision makers need to be open to the development of new archetypes in the form of buildings, cities and master plans. It is absolutely essential that they encour-

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.09 | www.constructionweekonline.com

This pattern is the inspiration for the PV panels on The Habitat

PV panels will be integrated throughout the exterior screen

age the exploration of new and appropriate technologies that have the potential to give birth to these new archetypes. Put simply, if this response does not happen on a large scale government level, and we as design professionals don’t start thinking creatively about these issues, the world we leave our children will be much worse than this one. This is an issue that promises to get worse before it gets better.

NORR Design Team on the Habitat Bruno Cantale Chris Pal Christina Yesudhas Jafar Owainati Robert El Habre Rowena Samson Sofia Rodrigues Yahya Jan

Q&A FLORIS SMITH

FLORIS SMITH Examining the differences between streets and roads & the similarities between a city and a home

ven as a young boy on his grandfather’s Johannesburg farm, DSA Architects’ newest director of architecture, Floris Smith, knew he wanted to be an architect. A fascination with practical pieces of machinery and a talent for freehand drawing combined to show him the architectural light at the tender age of 15. Mentored by people like Aldo van Eyck and Edmund Bacon at the University of Pennsylvania, where he attained his Masters degree, Smith returned to South Africa to become a young partner—and eventual chairman—of the prominent South African firm of Meyer Pienaar & Partners. That was in the 1980s, when contextualism in architecture was a relatively new discovery for South Africa. Smith admits to us that that was when he realised buildings were part of a larger urban fabric and that built space and public space required thoughtful integration. The lessons he learned under the careful tutelage of Penn’s architectural greats were invaluable then and continue to serve him in his work today. He gave Middle East Architect an hour of his time.

Smith knew he wanted to be an architect since he was 15 yrs old

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Q&A FLORIS SMITH

Designs for the Al Qasr Hotel in Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah

Who inspired you? FS: Louis Kahn. He played a massive role in the development of South African architecture. During the late 1950s and early 1960s a number of South African students did their Masters degrees at the University of Pennsylvania in Louis Kahn’s studio. Two of them happened to be my erstwhile partners: Willie Meyer & Francois Pienaar. Kahn was a great architect. I really admire his work. He built fantastic buildings. So he was a great inspiration. That was also the reason why I followed in their footsteps and went to Penn. There was a tradition in the firm. Johannesburg art gallery

Nelson Mandela Square

Aldo van Eyck, the Dutch architect, came from a different direction but he espoused similar values in architecture, which had to do not with the form, but with the underlying principles. If I design an office building, it’s not merely an office building; it’s a place of work. The design of any building is simply the final expression of a fundamental realisation about what that building is really about. When you sit down to design a new project, what are the first issues you consider? FS: First, it’s to realise what you’re actually working with in an archetypal sense. If you do a school or university, you’ve got to understand, in a spiritual sense, what that’s all about. Then you’ve got to consider the site. You’ve got to relate the building to where it is on the planet so you’ve got to consider climatic and ecological issues as well. Then, you’ve got to understand the client’s objectives. I see design as a process through which you achieve clearly stated objectives. The objectives South African Reserve Bank

may be defined by the client, the architect or the public. All those things have to come together. Really good architecture satisfies all three of those parts of the equation: client needs, public needs and architect needs. Critics say contemporary Arabian architecture is an exercise in kitsch. Your thoughts on that? FS: I think its fair criticism and I think it would apply to many projects in the region. We’re involved in a number of private villa projects where the clients want to express them in a sort of Andalusian or Moorish style. We accept that as a directive but before designing anything, we study the principles in that architecture very carefully. It’s too easy to just take a building and slap a style onto it. That’s like wallpaper architecture. At DSA we go beyond that. Because of our research-based approach, we consider ourselves like a radio: You can put us on any station and we’ll play. A colleague of mine once told me, ‘There’s no such thing as bad architecture, there’s only bad architects’. In the hands of a good architect, a building can achieve any style. Just by giving it the right proportions, balance and composition, you can elevate it to a much higher level. It all depends on the talent of that particular designer. What do you see in the architecture of the Middle East? FS: Well, from an urban design or ‘macro’ level, there seems to be a considerable lack of care for the public realm. I read a good analysis recently that talked about the difference between ‘roads’ and ‘streets’. Dubai is very much a city of roads. The street is the traditional public

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Q&A FLORIS SMITH

FROM AN URBAN DESIGN OR ‘MACRO’ LEVEL, THERE SEEMS TO BE A CONSIDERABLE LACK OF CARE FOR THE PUBLIC REALM... THERE SEEMS TO BE A LACK OF CONCERN FOR WHAT HAPPENS AT THE STREET LEVEL OF ALL THESE TOWERS

FLORIS SMITH

realm of most cities, with squares and piazzas et cetera, and you simply don’t find that here. There seems to be a lack of concern about what happens at street level at the foot of all these towers. Very often, it’s almost a standard pattern here where you’ve got a podium enclosing four or five levels of parking and the tower sitting on top of them. The interface of that podium at street level is completely dead; completely blank. It’s a pattern that is being repeated all the time and, unfortunately, the result of that, once all the buildings are finished, is that the street level will remain completely dead. To me, that is an aspect that is neglected here. In Dubai in particular, I find an incredible lack of walkability. Although, when I bring that up in discussions, people tell me ‘Dubai is an extreme climate. You have to internalize everything’. I don’t agree with that. From October to April, it is very pleasant outside. I think the buildings, particularly at street level, could provide more shaded colonnades, arcades and pedestrian-friendly edges. Architecture-wise, I’m shocked to see how glass buildings are still being perpetrated all over the place. First of all, every client wants his building to be an ‘icon’. So you’ve got a place that’s bristling with icons to such an extent that nothing stands out anymore. Now, a building stands out if it’s not an icon. It’s a bit of a pity. Architects and clients don’t seem to want to learn from the lessons of the region. The traditional architecture of the region had limited openings on external walls; any glass is inset to keep the sun off of it; the walls are generally thick and well-insulated; courtyard solutions are used extensively.

This emphasis on high-rise buildings in itself is a question I have. I’m not sure why we don’t build more mediumrise courtyard fabric throughout the city. There’s certainly no shortage of land around here. Everything is pushed upwards. I guess, in a desert landscape, if you build high, it’s seen easier. A tall building makes a visual statement. Personally, I tend to concentrate more on making environments than making objects. To me, it’s more about the space and the experience than the object. What’s your take on the recent focus on ‘green’ architecture? FS: I started practicing in 1977, which was shortly after the oil crisis in 1975. In South Africa, energy was very expensive so from the outset I was always forced to limit the amount of glass in the external wall. Early on, we applied early principles of orientation and protecting the glass from direct sunlight. Sustainability seems to be the flavour of the month in the region. But for me, sustainability is like having good morals. I’ve practiced it for 30 years. It’s not a new thing; it is orientation, aspect, light, ventilation and other basic principles. There are two parts to sustainability: There’s sustainability in a biological or scientific sense, but also in a psychological sense too. I think sometimes we push one at the expense of the other.

What I mean is, as an architect, I’m interested in what makes people react positively to the environment as well as ecological sustainability. I think the psychological aspect is often neglected. One of my professors at Penn once said: ‘there are certain things that cost nothing per square foot: light, air, proportion. They’re free. Use them’. What are some examples of your favourite projects? FS: One of my favourites was the South African Reserve Bank in Johannesburg. That was almost the pinnacle of my work in South Africa. We were selected from a shortlist of 50 architects and we landed this very prestigious project. Another one is Nelson Mandela Square. There was a large shopping centre in a particularly affluent part of the city, but it had no heart. So, the local authority appointed us to come up with a heart for the district. It’s almost the size of St. Mark’s Square in Venice. The square itself is underpinned by 2,000 car park spaces below; it contains a bridge into the shopping centre and a lot of retail and F&B at square level. It has the 5-star Michelangelo Hotel at one end and at the other is the Council Chamber and Library Building. It’s become a very popular meeting place.

Smith’s biggest inspirations were Louis Kahn, Aldo van Eyck and Edmund Bacon

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029 029

Q&A FLORIS SMITH

In Australia, I was a partner in a smaller firm and worked on several harbour-front mansions, commercial headquarters and industrial buildings. That taught me a lot of very good lessons because the work was much more commercial in nature. I came from the luxury of designing public buildings and had to learn very quickly how to design buildings that could actually make money for clients.

studying for my PhD at the University of Sydney. I’m looking at the philosophical climate around Louis Kahn and Aldo van Eyck and why, at one stage, their buildings were very similar. That’s just a hobby of mine. When I’m not doing all this other stuff, I’m busy with my thesis, which should be completed in another three or four years.

Favourite building? FS: I’ll give you two—both by Louis You’ve taught at universities Kahn. One is the Salk Institute in La in South Africa and Australia. Jolla, California. The other is the KimWhat lessons can you teach MEA? bell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas. FS: When you think about designing cit- They’re fantastic buildings. They’re new ies or smaller scale buildings, you’ve got and old at the same time. to remember that a house is a tiny city My favourite urban space in the world and a city is a large house. You’ve got to is the Piazza del Campidoglio in Rome, think about what that implies for city which was designed by Michelangelo. and residential planning. Rockefeller Center is another wonderful Like a house, a city has to have a clear example of integrated urban design. definition of public/private space. It has What do you love? to have a living room, which is like a FS: My family. public square; it has to have a kitchen, which is the industrial component; it What do you despise? has to have suburbs, which is like the FS: Hypocrisy. Double standards. Also, bedrooms where the kids stay. There is a fascinating relationship between large I don’t like any sort of fanaticism. and small in both types of projects. What three words describe you best as an architect? What inspires you? FS: Passionate. Committed. Hard-workFS: Travel. I’ve got to always be going. And, I think, reasonably humble. ing somewhere. In my spare time, I’m

In Australia, Smith learned how to design commercial spaces that needed to make money for the clients

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a pedestrian has passed through the door. By their very nature, doors prevent the ingress of hot air or the escape of cooled air. 4. How does GEZE reconcile the lack of building standards in the UAE and around the Gulf? MC: Building standards in the region are, in most cases, up to international standards. International architects, designers and contractors are active here and import the standards from their home country into designs and concepts. However, approvals are needed on a case by case basis which is very time consuming. I would like to see the Gulf countries giving a blanket acceptance of one set of standards, whether this would be European on British standards.

5. How closely do GEZE personnel work with architects and engineers to meet design specifications? MC: GEZE staff work with architects from the concept stage through to installation and commissioning of our products. We work with contractors throughout the building phase to either train his technicians how to professionally install our products or, agree a suitable time for GEZE technicians to install our products. Architects and designers provide solutions to access needs. This creates the demand for our products. Design professionals are central to our core business. 6. If I’m an architect or engineer, why would I specify GEZE? MC: Architects and engineers are trained to exceptionally high standards. They want

CREATING A MODERN BUILDING IS LIKE A TOP CHEF MAKING A WORLD CLASS MEAL. HE USES THE VERY BEST INGREDIENTS AVAILABLE TO MAKE HIS MASTERPIECE. ONE INFERIOR INGREDIENT CAN SPOIL THE WHOLE MEAL. IT IS THE SAME FOR THE ARCHITECT AND ENGINEER.

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.09 | www.constructionweekonline.com

PRODUCT SUPPLIER YOU SHOULD KNOW

GEZE also fit out Abu Dhabi’s F1 circuit

to create buildings to the highest international standards. This can only be achieved if ALL of the products used in the building are of the highest international standards. Creating a modern building is like a top chef making a world class meal. He uses the very best ingredients available to make his masterpiece. One inferior ingredient can spoil the whole meal. It is the same for the architect and engineer. They too need the very best materials to create their masterpiece. GEZE have been in business for 146 years. Our customers rely on our experience and innovation to keep them at the very top of their profession.

GEZE was awarded 2009’s reddot award

7. What is the biggest/smallest installation GEZE can handle? MC: GEZE has been the supplier of choice on some of the largest projects in most of the markets of the world. The list of projects where our products are used is long and distinguished. Some of the more recognizable projects for Gulf consumers are the Emirates Stadium in London; Heathrow Terminal 5; Wembley Stadium; Madinat Jumeirah; Down Town Burj Dubai – Souq Al Bahr; Business Bay Park; Limitless HQ and the F1 circuit on YAS Island. We are able to handle any size of project and treat each with the same respect. The client doing a small project today could be executing the next year’s largest project. Customer satisfaction is what drives our business. 8. What GEZE innovations can architects, engineers and designers expect to see in 2010? MC: At GEZE, innovation is constantly occurring. From design improvements to existing products to the launch of completely new

products, scarcely a day goes by without news of a new technical advancement or state-of-the-art product launch. Recently GEZE was awarded the reddot design 2009. The reddot award, as you know, is one of the largest and most renowned design competitions in the world, which was founded in Germany in 1955. 9. What is the GEZE strategy postcredit crunch and for the future? MC: Like most companies GEZE needs to see the end to the credit crunch. Market conditions in the construction industry are still very difficult. Liquidity remains the greatest problem. No matter what product or service is supplied to the construction industry, getting paid is what keeps everyone in business. Getting paid allows us to keep innovating, never mind paying our staff and our material suppliers. We are very fortunate to work with industry leading clients who share the same business ethics that we do. 10. Bottom line: How can GEZE help architects do their jobs better? MC: GEZE ensures that architects are presented with the latest designs and solutions available internationally. We also provide continued professional development programs and seminars to architects to ensure they remain fully appraised of product innovations.

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PRODUCT SUPPLIER YOU SHOULD KNOW

TARANA DAROOGAR technical services manager, Mapei 1. What is the Mapei vision? TD: Put simply, the Mapei vision is to be the leading supplier of adhesive and building solutions in the region, mirroring that which has been achieved by our parent company throughout the world. 2. Tell our readers about Mapei’s ‘total building solution’... TD: Products are usually selected from different sources with the consequence being that liability in the case of any disputes is difficult to resolve. Mapei’s philosophy is to provide a system based approach where all products are compatible and the client has only one source of liability. With the exception of the actual finishing item i.e. the ceramic tile, wooden floor, marble and natural stone, Mapei is able to provide a full installation system which includes the appropriate substrate primer, a screed or self leveler—which could be rapid setting/rapid hydrating where required—and the most compatible adhesive and colour matched grouts and sealant. 3. How can Mapei products help architects or developers gain LEED, BREEAM or Estidama points? TD: Mapei invests more than 70% of its R&D budget (approximately 90 million Euros for FY 2008) in the development and production of products which are environmentally responsible. As a result, we have over 120 products in our range which are considered ‘green’. Where projects require certification such as LEED, Mapei’s products can help to contribute in a number of different ways for example local production which enables sourcing within 800km of the jobsite (LEED MR Credits 5.1 and 5.2) and also the GEV Emicode certification, which ensures VOC emissions are lower than

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those required under most of the world’s sustainable building assessment tools or environmentally friendly programmes. 4. How does Mapei deal with the region’s lack of building standards? TD: One of the biggest challenges has always been the mixed use of standards and specifications in this region particularly

systems in particular adhesives complying to the new GSO ISO 13007. We are also involved in detailing work located in particularly difficult site situations such as wet/marine areas and finishes which incorporate the use of sound insulation. 6. If I’m an architect, engineer or designer, why would I use Mapei?

OUR AIM IS TO RESOLVE DESIGN ISSUES ON THE DRAWING BOARD RATHER THAN LEAVING THEM TO BE ISSUES AT SITE. THIS HELPS BOTH THE DESIGNER AND THE OWNER AND ENHANCES THE DURABILITY OF THE INSTALLATION. with architects and engineers designing to codes and standards they are more familiar with from their own countries. Obviously, these standards and specifications are sometimes not the most appropriate for this part of the world. However, one recent and very positive development has been the adoption by the Gulf Standards Organization (GSO) of the ISO 13007 standard for tile adhesives and grouts. To our knowledge this step represents the first unified building standard in this region and will go a long way in eliminating some of the confusion associated with this type of activity. Mapei’s adhesive products and grouts are already manufactured to comply with ISO 13007, therefore we are in a good position to help the market in both understanding the new standard and to ensure that products supplied locally are compliant with those supplied internationally. 5. How closely does Mapei work with architects and engineers to meet design guidelines? TD: Mapei typically has very strong relationships with architects and engineers. We have been requested by a number of practices to run workshops where we explain how to specify the most appropriate

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.09 | www.constructionweekonline.com

TD: Apart from being a world renowned leader, Mapei’s local team is made up of professionals who are experts in the field of adhesives, and the other associated building activities. Our aim is to resolve design issues on the drawing board rather than leaving them to be issues at site. This helps both the designer and the owner and enhances the durability of the installation. We also provide a lot of aesthetic value through our range of ‘Ultracolor Plus’ coloured grouts and ‘Mapecil AC’ matching sealants (26 standard colours) and some of our more innovative products such as ‘Kerapoxy Design’ and ‘Mapeglitter’. These products have proven to be very popular with designers as they give the opportunity to compliment or contrast the colour of the grout and sealant with the selected tile in a unique way. 7. What is the biggest/smallest installation Mapei can handle? TD: There really is no restriction for Mapei. We supply and service jobs as small as a bathroom in a villa to whole shopping malls and major mixed-use developments. Part of our service includes on-site technical support where we advise on such aspects as substrate preparation, correct

PRODUCT SUPPLIER YOU SHOULD KNOW

material selection, mixing and application to ensure that the final finish is to the highest standard it can be. 8. What Mapei innovations can the industry expect to see in 2010? TD: Mapei will continue to innovate in 2010 and introduce products which save time without compromising quality. We will be introducing our ‘Ultraplan’ range of self leveling compounds which are able to provide sound and level substrates with thicknesses ranging from 1-30mm in a single application, with compressive strengths in excess of 30N/mm2 and on to which can be applied most type of finishes including parquet after only 24 hours. This range is completely unique in the UAE market but will go a long way to minimizing some of the substrate preparation issues often associated with such applications. 9. What is the Mapei strategy moving forward, post-credit crunch? TD: The feedback we have received from the market post-credit crunch is that developers are now improving quality of finishes on many projects as the end user client base has become more discerning. Additionally installers are now taking more time to study the material and application techniques to minimize snagging activities which are both profit and time consuming. Therefore, Mapei’s strategy is basically to continue doing what we do best which is providing the best product and support for each project with which we are associated and/or specified. 10. Bottom line: How can Mapei help architects do their jobs better? TD: By providing a system based solution for whatever type of finish is being specified. This is particularly relevant as many finishes have evolved e.g. increased use of resin agglomerate stone, ever thinning tiles or different substrates such as building boards, plywood and composites. Mapei provides peace of mind by offering a range of products which keep up with the changes in finishes and substrates and backing this up with the highest level of technical support in the industry.

Mapei has heard that end users have become much more discerning post-credit cruch

One of Mapei’s specialties is finding solutions for difficult or marine projects

The adoption of GSO ISO 13007 for adhesives and grouts is a step in the right direction for Mapei

www.constructionweekonline.com | 11.09 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT

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PRODUCT SUPPLIER YOU SHOULD KNOW

RODERICK WILES

Consultant for international markets, American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC)

imple fact: wood is the only construction material on the planet that is naturally renewable and recyclable. It leaves a lighter footprint than any other building product and has been found to save energy from its production stages up to construction—regardless of whether the project is a multibillion dollar development or simple home furniture. These results are due to the fact that wood’s embodied energy is equivalent to only a fraction of the energy required to produce almost any other building material. Wood is also carbon negative, and takes only 1.47 kilograms of carbon dioxide on average and gives off 1.07 kilograms of oxygen to grow a kilo of this material. Furthermore, the thermal insulation properties of wood save energy in heating and coooling and thus save carbon emissions throughout the life of a building.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY HARDWOOD & THE ‘GREEN’ MOVEMENT

The European Union’s Veterinary & Food Office in Dublin, Ireland

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The ‘green building’ concept is generating waves of interest and action around the world and as the call for sustainability— the primary tenet of the ‘green’ concept—continues to become the watchword for natural materials, wood is the solution to which builders can turn to for a more sustainable built environment. There are many sources of non-certified wood around the world – from well managed forests and many countries. There are also several forest certification schemes, recognised internationally by professionals and by governments, which provide assurances to users that wood is grown and harvested sustainably. Two of the more widely accepted schemes include Forest Stewardship Council (FSC); an independent, nongovernmental, not-for-profit organisation established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests. Established in 1993, FSC is regarded as one of the most important initiatives of the last

The restoration of a 17th century barn in Herefordshire, UK

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.09 | www.constructionweekonline.com

decade in promoting responsible forest management throughout the world. The other is the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes (PEFC); an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organisation founded in 1999 to promote sustainably managed forests through independent third party certification.

AMERICAN HARDWOOD The American hardwood industry has a wealth of experience in processing the native hardwoods of North America. Growing more temperate hardwood species than any other region of the world, the USA is among the few countries that can boast of high level success in sustainably managing its hardwood forests. Due to the intensive application of Best Management Practices (BMP), the hardwood forests of America represent thriving ecosystems. They support a vibrant and healthy standard of timber, a diverse

PRODUCT SUPPLIER YOU SHOULD KNOW

THE ‘GREEN BUILDING’ CONCEPT IS GENERATING WAVES OF INTEREST AND ACTION AROUND THE WORLD AND AS THE CALL FOR SUSTAINABILITY…CONTINUES TO BECOME THE WATCHWORD FOR NATURAL MATERIALS, WOOD IS THE SOLUTION TO WHICH BUILDERS CAN TURN TO FOR A MORE SUSTAINABLE BUILT ENVIRONMENT. population of wildlife, clean rivers and streams and various forms of recreation. As the world faces up to environmental change, the net volume of hardwood growing stock in the USA has increased from 184,090 million ft³ in 1953 to just under 400,000 million ft³ in 2007 (Source: Planning Act Assessment 2007). Generally speaking, American hardwood lumber is sold from the United States to importers around the world, who then distribute the wood to manufacturers and specifiers. The majority of users include

design professionals and manufacturers of furniture, flooring, cabinets, interior mouldings, panelling and joinery.

WOOD FOR DESIGN & INTERIORS Hardwoods offer specifiers, manufacturers and end-users around the world a great variety of colour, grain and character; from the warm, darker tones of walnut, red alder, elm, cherry and red oak to the lighter hues of white oak, maple and ash. Many of these species also have interesting colour contrasts between the sapwood

and heartwood, with species such as hickory, sapgum and tulipwood displaying exciting colour variation within their heartwood as well. The physical properties of some species—oak, hard maple, ash, walnut and hickory—make them ideal for flooring and myriad other applications.

AHEC STUDY Responding to increasing demands for independent assurances that US hardwoods derive from legal and sustainable sources, the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) commissioned a report titled Assessment of Lawful Harvesting and Sustainability of U.S. Hardwood Exports. The report, which was commissioned by AHEC but prepared by independent consultants, provides confirmation of the legal and sustainable status of American hardwood forest management. To review report and for more information, check out: www.americanhardwood.org.

The ribbon will guide visitors down to bedrock level

Castellon Auditorium, Spain

American volume of hardwood growing stock has reached 400,000 million ft³ in 2007

www.constructionweekonline.com | 11.09 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT

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SERVICE PROVIDER YOU SHOULD KNOW

VE SOLUTIONS

Optimising MEP systems reduces cost by up to 15%, energy consumption by up to 25% and plays a critical role in getting developers to revisit shelved projects By Gerhard Hope

E Solutions founder Arkady Siterman and director of development Eugene Siterman attended Cityscape 2009, and Middle East Architect caught up with them during their whistlestop visit. The New York-based company was established in UAE in 2008, during which one of its high-profile projects was the 62-storey Trump International Hotel & Tower. Ironically, Donald Trump Jr. recently revealed that the project could be resurrected “within two years”. Eugene says that one of the company’s aims is to correct the general misunderstanding around the concept of ‘value engineering’. “We feel that the definition has been misunderstood in the marketplace. The first thing one thinks of is a costcutting exercise, but this is exactly what it is not. Our definition is the art of applying engineering principles to achieve utmost value with the least possible resources.” Arkady comments that the total project savings achievable through such a process are significant: “Basically what we have seen on all projects is that a 10% to 15% cost saving and a 20 % to 25% energy reduction can be effected in terms of value engineering.” The biggest scope for savings lies in oversized systems, which present problems in terms of consolidation of equipment and inefficient layout of engineering communications. Such systems have often not been designed in accordance with the prevailing local climatic and market conditions.

positive impact. We are not here to criticise and say you did it wrong. We are not trying to supplant the professional team. We complete the circle....” Eugene emphasises that “cost management is not cost cutting.” Therefore it is crucial to integrate value engineering consultants right from the beginning of the process, so it becomes more ‘harmonious’. “It is a mindset change. Designers spend a lot of time on a design, and then we come to the table and tell them to do something different. It is human nature to reject this. However, it is still easy to change when it is pencil and paper. When the job is done and you have to redesign, that is when people start to resist the process.

SIGNIFICANT IMPACT “The impact of value engineering, if brought to bear at the end, is still significant, but not as maximised if it had been introduced upfront. Nonetheless, with most of our jobs we are brought in towards the end. We hope this will change as value engineering becomes more acceptable, and when developers start to appreciate the value it adds. The reality is that at the end of the day the designer simply cannot do everything,” says Eugene. Arkady says there are two main issues

associated with value engineering: design functionality and design constructability. “Basically we coordinate both. We analyse the design and introduce systems that are easily installed and operated, so it improves the final quality. The simpler a system is, the easier it is to install and operate. We cannot control the installation quality itself, but reducing complexity goes a long way to mitigate this.” The company also recommends suppliers and manufacturers with a reputation for reliability and quality. “This is a big plus for those people who have to maintain the equipment after the construction has been completed,” says Arkady. Another corollary of value engineering is that it allows developers to be creative and continue to tackle iconic projects, even in the current market constraints. “We are of the opinion that the glass tower, and iconic buildings in general, will always be there, as these bring character to a city. The point is not to avoid glass totally to reduce energy consumption, but to respond to the engineering challenges posed. Working with architects and developers can help overcome the potential negative impacts. That is how a lot of technology evolves, through human desire to go beyond and achieve something more.”

Eugene and Arkady Siterman of VE Solutions of New York.

OVERSIZED SYSTEMS “Some people think oversized systems are better in a hot and humid climate. Actually the opposite is true: when a system is oversized, you cannot control the humidity effectively,” explains Arkady. This not only impacts on MEP, but on architectural and structural aspects as well. “Oversized systems require more space for equipment, and more space in the ceiling for ductwork and piping. It impacts everything.” Eugene acknowledges that, “in a perfect world, there would be no need for value engineers. But having us as part of the team helps keep them on their toes. It is a

www.constructionweekonline.com | 11.09 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT

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MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.09 | www.constructionweekonline.com

FEATURE ARCHITECTURAL HARDWARE

ARCHITECTURAL HARDWARE THE NUTS & BOLTS OF DESIGN by Selina Denman

ood design is judged in the detail. Often, it is the smallest, leastconspicuous components of a space that speak of its true calibre. The difference between a remarkable project and something mundane, banal, or even pastiche, one can sometimes lie in the least obvious of places – in door controls, locks, lever handles and hinges, to name a few. This month, Middle East Architect is looking at the architectural hardware industry, inviting key players to introduce themselves and highlight recent developments at their company. Architectural hardware is the ‘nuts and bolts’ of a space,

the bits that hold it together and that you can’t do without. But the industry is becoming increasingly design-orientated too. More and more companies are coming up with solutions that are functional, durable and technically-advanced, but aesthetically appealing as well. Häfele, for example, is on the verge of launching a new range of luxury handles called The Platinum Series, which was designed by Paolo Pedrizzetti and enhanced with Swarovski crystals. The designs are highly contemporary and are available in a range of finishes, as well as different coloured crystals.

The technology behind the products is also evolving rapidly. Dorma recently launched the latest version of its automatic sliding door operator, the CS80 Magneo, which features ‘SoftMotion’ safety features. Meanwhile, Häfele has created a new ‘economy’ version of its Dialock Hotel Locking Range, which features touchless card reading and has been used in many of the region’s five-star hotels. The new line offers features created specifically to suit three- or four-star hotels. Find out more about new launches, latest technologies and enhanced aesthetics over the next few pages.

www.constructionweekonline.com | 11.09 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT

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FEATURE ARCHITECTURAL HARDWARE

ASSA ABLOY Company background: ASSA ABLOY is a global leader in door opening solutions, dedicated to satisfying end-user needs for security, safety and convenience. Yale is the brand name behind locks of every design and function in over 125 countries, and is a part of the ASSA ABLOY Group. At ASSA ABLOY, we believe that freedom enriches people and that fear makes us poorer. To realise freedom, we must first feel safe and secure. That’s why the ASSA ABLOY Group is committed to creating high-quality door opening solutions. Abdul Aziz & Saad Mohammed Al-Moajil is a KSA-based company with 70 years of trading history in this region. It is the sole distributer of Yale products in the GCC. Locations: Yale Security Point, Alkarama, Dubai, Tel: +971 (0)4 3355587. Who to talk to: Younis Ali, business development manager. USPs: All over the world, people are actively securing all that they care about – their home, their family, their personal

DORMA Company background: A fascinating journey of 100 years of history, starting from a humble factory in Germany in 1908, to a current 71 wholly-owned companies in 47 different countries, 6,600 employees and a turnover of EUR882 million (fiscal 2008/2009, June 30). Dorma products are grouped under five divisions: Door Controls, Automatic, Glass Fittings & Accessories, STA (Security, Time and Access) and Moveable Walls, backed by a service and maintenance team. Location: The Middle East operations are controlled from DORMA Gulf FZE, the regional headquarters in Dubai’s JAFZA, with a purpose-built showroom displaying the latest products. In addition, there are branch offices in Abu Dhabi and Al Quoz. Offices in KSA, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan ensure efficient service at a local level. Who to talk to: Ahmed Sameer in the marketing department.

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USPs: DORMA provides solutions for literally every opening in a building, with the right balance of aesthetics, functionality, convenience, safety and security. Best sellers: The slide channel camaction door closers in the Contur design; the KTV Atrium Glass revolving doors; the Moveo sliding and folding acoustic partitions; and the Beyond swing and sliding door fittings for frameles doors. News: Dorma provided the new Dual Drive FST automatic sliding doors for all the Metro stations in Dubai, the security and access control products for Dubai’s Terminal 3, the Tornado Glass atrium feature and transparent facades for Mall of Arabia in Jeddah, and the huge Variflex acoustic sliding folding partitions for the exhibition halls in ADNEC Abu Dhabi. Our latest product is the CS80 Magneo, the automatic sliding door operator, with ‘SoftMotion’ safety.

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.09 | www.constructionweekonline.com

belongings or their businesses – with the name they trust the most, Yale. Best sellers: Among the wide range of Yale products, door solution items like handles, door cylinders and closers are a favourite with our dealers and solution providers. The quality, service and professionalism that we offer are the main reasons behind our continued success. News: We are proud to announce the launch of our digital door lock, Yale Gateman. Yale Gateman is a unique hybrid of digital technology, cost-efficiency and luxurious finishings. Being integratable, smart and flexible, Yale Gateman has no limitations. You can integrate it with any automation system and then control, communicate and automate it easily. To keep our business integrity and meet client needs, we are providing a free-of-charge installation, a toll-free based service and an expandable one-year guarantee for our new product. Please visit our security centre in Dubai or visit www.yalegateman.ae.

FEATURE ARCHITECTURAL HARDWARE

HAFELE

Company background: Häfele is a privately-owned company that has been in existence since 1923. It has subsidiaries in over 30 countries, as well as 40 sales offices linked to its headquarters in Germany. Locations: Häfele Middle East has been operational in the UAE for 25 years and, more recently, has opened direct sales offices in Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Who you should talk to: Adam Taylor, general manager. USPs: One of Häfele’s greatest assets is its staff. The company employs a number of highly-qualified and experienced employees who are experts in the joinery field and are able to support the designers of large construction projects. Häfele is a member of the Door and Hardware Institute (DHI) of the USA, as well as the Guild of Architectural Ironmongery in the UK. Best seller: The Dialock Hotel Locking Range, which features touchless card

reading and has been used in many of the region’s five-star hotels. A new economical line was recently introduced with fewer features, to suit three- or four-star hotels. The Startec brand of hardware for doors is also popular among specifiers. News: Häfele will be returning to Big 5 in November, where it will be launching a new luxury range of lever handle designs called The Platinum Series. Häfele GCC is also pleased to introduce, as part of its Luxury Collection, a range of products enhanced by Swarovski crystals. Designed by Paolo Pedrizzetti for the Italian manufacturer Manital, the designs are practical and contemporary, and are available in different finishes as well as different coloured crystals. In a separate development, Häfele Bahrain is to supply the architectural hardware for the new Sofitel Zallaq Resort and Spa in Bahrain. The handle design selected for the project is called Barocco, which is also manufactured by Manital.

EUROSPEC Company background: Eurospec was established in the UK in 1997 to meet the demands of the specification and commercial ironmongery sectors, where proven performance and certification are essential. Eurospec Middle East was launched to support the growing number of direct sales in the GCC, with a region-specific product range available from stock, and technically-experienced staff on hand to offer expert advice. As a designer, manufacturer and distributor, we ensure that behind the aesthetics lies a functional and durable product that will keep performing for the next 25 years or more. Locations: We have representatives all over the GCC, as well as head offices and warehouses in Dubai and the UK. Who to talk to: Angus Grant, general manager (agrant@eurospec.ae) USPs: With our ‘contract’ and ‘architectural’ ranges we have products to meet

differing specifications without compromising on quality or performance. We are proud members of the UK’s Guild of Architectural Ironmongers and Master Locksmiths Association and we invest heavily in BS EN and Warrington Certifire product testing so that you know you are specifying a product you can trust. We also understand the urgency of sample and project mock-up requirements and are fully equipped to satisfy these specifications with next-day delivery. Best sellers: The ‘Easi-T’ lock range, with its patented latch reversal system, and the ‘Enduro’ hinge range are the best sellers in the region. We’re also very proud of our ‘Steelworx’ range of high performance levers which have been specified on some of the region’s most prestigious projects. News: The new Middle East range brochure is now available. Request your copy by visiting www.eurospec.co.uk.

www.constructionweekonline.com | 11.09 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT

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FEATURE ARCHITECTURAL HARDWARE

HAWA Company background: Sliding hardware systems from Hawa have been at home all over the globe for more than 40 years. The company from Mettmenstetten, which is near Zurich, is renowned internationally as a specialist in sliding systems and a leading manufacturer of state-ofthe-art sliding hardware. The Swiss company offers a high-quality solution for virtually any requirement, any material and any door weight. From sliding doors for furniture and buildings to sliding shutters and highly complex sliding wall systems, Hawa has an answer. Locations: Hawa AG has had a subsidiary in Dubai since 2005: Hawa Middle East FZE, Jebel Ali Free Zone. Who to talk to: Adeeb Ghazal, regional sales director. USPs: Designers and installers alike appreciate our simple design ability, convenient installation, high functionality and quality. Over 60 international patents

GEZE Middle East

Company background: has been active in the Middle East since 1996 as a regional office in Amman, Jordan. For more than seven years, GEZE Middle East has established a solid network of business partners, distributors and dealers. In January 2003, GEZE Middle East moved to Jebel Ali Free Zone Area in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The move has helped it to improve its customer service ability of providing shorter delivery time & better technical support. Its offices are well equipped and well staffed to meet market demands. GEZE’s warehouse maintains adequate stock of all its products to meet the immediate requirements of our client. GEZE exports to every country throughout the Middle East. Its staff are trained to offer technical support and have conducted several in-house seminars and training sessions to the great satisfaction of its clients.

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Who to talk to: Mally Clarke, sales manager (m.clarke@geze.ae) USPs: GEZE’s quality management system constantly optimises the satisfaction of our customers and product quality. The fulfilment of ISO 9001 is a matter of course for us. The TÜV SÜD Management Service GmbH confirmed our extremely efficient management system and awarded us an internationally recognised certificate. News: GEZE launches the new Perlan 140 design sliding door system with the SoftStop entry damping system. The new automatic sliding door system Slimdrive SL NT from GEZE is, with a construction height of just seven centimetres, ideally suited for glass facades in which large and heavy door leaves are moved with force and all of the construction elements need to appear slim and subtle. GEZE GmbH was voted one of the 100 most innovative small/medium enterprises in Germany.

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.09 | www.constructionweekonline.com

show just how resourceful Hawa technicians are when it comes to developing new sliding hardware solutions. Best seller: The HAWA-Junior sliding hardware with plastic rollers and sliding bearings today belongs amongst the bestselling sliding hardware systems, thanks to continuous development and additions to the programme. News: Hawa has launched the HAWAPurolino 80, a puristic designer hardware system for all-glass sliding doors, with concealed suspension for surface-mounting onto walls or ceilings, or integrated ceiling installation. Hawa will shortly introduce another two innovations as part of its furniture programme: HAWA-Concepta 25/30/50, the sophisticated hardware for effortlessly pivoting and sliding in doors made of wood and glass; and HAWA-Antea 50-80/ VF, hardware for glass and wood sliding doors running in front of the cabinet body.

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AED 15 QAR 20 BHD 2 OMR 2 KWD 2 SAR 20

OIL INVESTMENTS

THE E SKETCHBOOK SK SKETC ETC CHBOOK HBO OO OK K ST STR STRIDE IDE DE E TREGLOWN TR T EGL TREGL GLLOWN

ALL SAINTS ACADEMY Client: National Academies Framework Location: Cheltenham, UK Architect: Stride Treglown Ltd. Website: www.stridetreglown.co.uk

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THE SKETCHBOOK SK KETC ETCHBO HBOOK O OK FOCUS DESIGN FOC DES G PARTNERS PA PARTN T ERS RS

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Client: Qatar Finance House Location: Energy City, Lusail, Qatar Architect: Wissam Mansour & Velina Mirincheva (Focus Design Partners) Website: www.focusdp.com

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