010 deceMBer 2014
InsIght and analysIs for constructIon specIalIsts Materials
How the ash from rice husks could replace cement Quantity surveying
Dispelling the industry myth of ‘brick-counters’ preview
FHSI reveals bold design for The Sterling in Dubai specification
Experts discuss the latest trends in aviation design
Claim academy
Hill’s David Merritt on nurturing consultant talent
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CONTENTS
December 2014
07 07
On topic news analysis frOm acrOss the miDDle east fOrUm
Experts discuss sustainable alternatives to concrete
10
infrastrUctUre
The latest trends in aviation design and specification
14 14
07
16
in practice cOmpany prOfiles, OpiniOns anD interviews
10
OpiniOn
Majed Bushnaq, Hyder Consulting, on strategic intent
16
interview
David Merritt, regional MD, Hill International Claims Group
22
insiGht
Understanding the true role and value of quantity surveyors
28
awarDs
34
Construction excellence at the Big Project Awards 2014
34 On site
BUilDinG reviews, case stUDies anD snapshOts
34
preview
Uncovering FHSI’s bold design for a twin tower scheme
40
snapshOt
22
48
The Stirling Prize-winning Everyman Theatre in Liverpool
44
cOmpany news
New appointments for Faithful+Gould, Zaha Hadid Architects
46
prOject news
Qatar reveals designs for 2022 stadium and mixed-use scheme
48
thOUGhts
Agnes Koltay on setting up a façade engineering company
40 December 2014 Middle East Consultant 3
WELCOME
Editor’s note Group
Preparing for takeoff
F
or our final issue of 2014, we look at a broad range of subjects, one of which is aviation design. For me, it was a pleasure to explore this sector in detail. As well as interviewing two experts on the subject, the article involved identifying the very best airports across the Middle East and the rest of the world. From my own personal experience, by far the best airport I have visited is Madrid-Barajas. It is the only airport where I have felt compelled to take photographs from every angle, at the risk of missing my return flight, or even detainment by airport security. Of course, Dubai’s terminals are undoubtedly impressive, but there is something about Madrid’s which makes it stand out from the rest of the pack, in terms of design. In spite of the building’s size, the warm and playful treatment of the ceiling helps to create a sense of calm in a potentially stressful environment. Richard Rogers and Antonio Lamela have created what many consider to be a modern masterpiece of design. I was pleased to hear that my two expert interviewees – Clive Naylor and Melkan Tabanlioğlu – both emphatically agreed that Madrid-Barajas is one of the world’s best. Naylor also pointed to Heathrow Terminal 2 as a great example of aviation design. The newly revamped terminal is perhaps most notable for its 70m-long sculpture by British artist Richard Wilson. Yet from the photographs, it would appear that the artwork is perhaps more inspiring than the architecture. As a British national resident in Dubai, I am yet to visit the new terminal, but I will get the chance when I return to the UK over the Christmas period. Although I’d love my favourite airport to be in either the UK or UAE, I'll probably never experience the same level of aviationinduced excitement as I felt in Madrid. Barajas is just too good.
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4 Middle East Consultant December 2014
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07
FORUM Experts discuss the sustainable alternatives to cement
10
INFRASTRUCTURE The latest trends in the design and specification of regional airports
On topic C
NEW MATERIAL
The incredible husk A panel discussion at Middle East Concrete drew attention to an organic material which could provide a surprising and sustainable replacement for cement
ement, a ubiquitous construction material and the binding component of concrete, is one of the primary industrial sources of carbon dioxide. According to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, the cement industry contributes up to 5% of global manmade emissions of the greenhouse gas. Unsurprisingly, the material is coming under increased scrutiny as sustainable construction movements gather momentum, with cement replacements becoming more commonplace. Middle East Concrete 2014, running alongside The Big 5 in Dubai World Trade Centre, brought together the greatest minds in the industry to explore sustainable and progressive solutions for the material. This was most evident during a panel discussion on November 18, titled ‘Innovations in Concrete Technologies and Applications’. Moderated by Hilal El-Hassam, assistant professor of civil engineering at the American University in Dubai, the session included Abu Saleh Mohammod, general manager, Pudlo Middle East Building Materials; Manas Singh, technical manager, Conmix; Mamdouh Hamouda, engineering director for Arkan Architects & Engineers; and Mohammad Alidousti, quality manager, Leca. Commenting on the need to find alternatives for cement, Conmix’s Singh said: “Cement is the raw material [in concrete] that gives the maximum carbon dioxide to the atmosphere – that is what we want to curtail. We want to keep the cement as low as possible, so we use cement replacements. There is a lot of talk about this.” Singh noted that cement replacements, or partial replacements, are mainly applied in the substructures of projects. However, he pointed December 2014 Middle East Consultant 7
on topic NEW MATERIAL
In the mix Middle East Consultant looks at the various cement replacement materials GGBS Ground-granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) is made from molten iron slag, a by-product of iron and steel-making, from a blast furnace MICROSILICA Also known as silica fume, microsilica is an ultrafine powder collected as a byproduct of silicon and ferrosilicon alloy production FLy ASh In an industrial context, fly ash refers to ash produced during the combustion of coal, and describes the fine particles that rise with flue gases RICE hUSk ASh This little-known material involves burning and grinding rice husks, a commonly-found agricultural residue, into fine particles
out that specifiers should also pay attention to the superstructure. Pudlo’s Abu Saleh agreed: “Why can’t we use [cement replacements] for other structures – the roof and the walls? That will help us with sustainability, as it will reduce the total cement.” Some of the better-known cement replacements are ground-granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS), microsilica (also known as silica fume) and fly ash. Abu Saleh stated that one of the common arguments against using GGBS is the fact that it is mainly imported from countries such as Japan, therefore adding to the carbon footprint.
5%
Cement industry’s contribution to global manmade CO2 levels Source: World Business Council for Sustainable Development 8 Middle East Consultant December 2014
However, he asserted that this argument is invalid, as projects in the region will need to use GGBS in order to make concrete resistant to chlorides and sulphates. Leca’s Alidousi called for more studies and information on the correct use of microsilica. He remarked: “Many people changed the concrete and the way they use it. We can reduce the cement. If we use microsilica in a good amount, it has a very high reaction. We need more information on how we can use it for best results – it’s very important.” However, Mamdouh pointed out that microsilica cannot be used in large quantities. “The replacement percentage for microsilica never exceeds 15%. The optimum percentage is 5-10%, so your replacement of cement will be less than GGBS, which can be up to 60-70%. But microsilica is superb – I love it. It gives concrete very high properties.” A lesser-known replacement material is ash from the humble rice husk, an agricultural residue which accounts for 20% of the 649.7 million tonnes of rice produced annually worldwide, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation. Abu Saleh explained: “An alternative to microsilica is rice husk ash. It is not widely used, but you can use a higher proportion – around 20-30%. In my research I have used 70% GGBS with 15% rice husk, making 85% cement replacement to get a good quality concrete.” Rice husks are burnt under controlled temperatures, below 800°C, to produce ash with silica, mainly in amorphous form. Researchers have noted that a challenge of using the material is that the chemical composition of rice husks varies across samples, due to the differences in the type of paddy, crop year, climate and geography. Abu Saleh noted that the strength of concrete using rice husks is weaker than using 100% cement. “You cannot get the same strength – you have to strike a deal between strength, durability and sustainability. You are talking about three factors, and each has its own merits.” A set of codes will need to be developed in order to advance the use of the material, according to Mamdouh. “Rice husk ash is a really interesting material, but there must be a campaign for it to be codified for us to be able to use it,” he said. Abu Saleh agreed: “We need to have a code. The only standard we have is microsilica to work with.” He added that an issue with rice husk ash is crystallinity and that, unlike microsilica, it needs
to be ground in order to get sufficient reactivity. Yet he pointed out the big advantage of rice husk ash over other cement replacements is the fact that it is organic and can be grown. “Fly ash is from coal-fired power, silica is from the metal industry and GGBS is from the steel industry. They are from non-sustainable sources.” According to the panelists, it is already possible to completely replace cement using GGBS or fly ash. Abu Saleh added: “Cemfree is a product
on topic NEW MATERIAL
“Rice husk ash is a really interesting material, but there must be a campaign for it to be codified for us to be able to use it” MaMdouh haMouda, aRkan aRchitects & engineeRs
which is 95% GGBS. It is a reality – in the UK we are promoting it, and hopefully it will one day be available in this part of the world.” Moderator Hilal El-Hassan replied: “It is reassuring to know that one day we will not be using cement anymore. Cement is one of the most used but most carbon-emitting materials.” When it comes to the adoption of cement replacement products, Singh remarked that they are slowly taking off. “I would not say that they are
being used widely in the market, but they are in the nascent stages. Durability with GGBS is very good, and the cost is not far off cement – 20 or 30 dirhams here or there. “With GGBS replacements, the cost would be more or less the same. It’s just that you have to add an extra bit of admixture – a microsilica particle is 100 times smaller than a cement particle, so you would need more admixture to cover the surface of those products.”
Only time will tell whether rice husk ash will eventually be accepted as a much-needed, sustainable replacement for cement. Abu Saleh called on research and government bodies to investigate the material, and asked industry experts to spread awareness. “Researchers and universities should take on more projects with rice husk ash. The specifiers and the authorities should also use the right code. If we don’t start talking, we will never use it.” December 2014 Middle East Consultant 9
on topic AIRPORT DESIGN
inFrastructure
Flying high With the regional aviation industry continuing its upwards trajectory, Middle East Consultant looks at the latest trends in airport design
L
ast month, in true UAE style, Abu Dhabi International Airport opened a 924sqm terminal for VIPs seeking the ultimate in luxury and privacy. Targeting high net-worth individuals, celebrities, government officials and royalty, the terminal has its own dedicated facilities including a drop-off area, immigration, police and baggage handling capabilities. This extra level of comfort is indicative of a recent shift in aviation design. Clive Naylor, head of Areen Aviation, explains: “There is a growing emphasis on passenger comfort and getting people to relax,
10 Middle East Consultant December 2014
in order to use the facilities in the airport. Most of the airports we get involved in have facilities such as sleeping pods, lounges, airside hotel, airport gardens – the latter started with Changi Airport in Singapore. Anything to make people feel more relaxed in a stressful environment.” Melkan Tabanlioğlu, partner at Tabanlioğlu Architects, also draws attention to the provision of extensive facilities in modern airports. “One of the recent trends is creating a rewarding travel experience, so lounges and duty-free shops have become more comfortable and fashionable,” she
remarks. “Airport design today is more than a question of needs, but a matter of representation and higher quality.” The design of an airport will have a big impact on comfort levels for users, according to Naylor. He says: “We’ve been through an era of big sheds – which became a little bit impersonal – but recently developers have realised that they have to lighten up. In recent designs you get the high ceilings, but there is also daylight coming in – you need to make people feel comfortable and relaxed in a space so they spend money and don’t dwell in the wrong places.”
on topic AIRPORT DESIGN
“There is a paradigm of material use in airports that is inescapable – airports have probably the most stringent international codes you can find” Clive Naylor, areeN Naylor explains that the traditional high ceilings of airports are “a function of the scale of the space” and are thus unavoidable. Areen was the interior designer for the upcoming King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA), a large-scale terminal in Jeddah which is notable for a light touch. He continues: “In large airports, you can use some translucent fabrics to make it less oppressive. You need to make it feel like you’re outside in a comfortable environment. In general, there hasn’t been any change in the scale of airports, as of yet. There are some immense spaces throughout the
world, but they are trying to lighten them so they are not so heavy.” One of the key challenges with large airports is providing an effective wayfinding strategy. Tabanlioğlu states: “The scale is getting bigger and bigger, especially at the active destinations. Clear wayfinding is important for the traveller not to get lost in the technology jungle, especially when time is limited.” Naylor agrees: “There is a huge trick to wayfinding. In a big space, passengers will be worried if they can’t find the information board.
You have to give people the right information at the right point – as soon as someone comes through the door, they must immediately find the information they need to go to the next steps.” Despite the current trend of huge international airports, Naylor believes that the industry will move towards a more “dispersed system”, with the emergence of smaller regional hubs. A recent example of this breed of terminal can be seen in Tabanlioğlu Architects’ design for the Turkish resort of Bodrum, completed in 2012. Melkan Tabanlioğlu explains that the use of
December 2014 Middle East Consultant 11
on topic AIRPORT DESIGN
King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, KSA.
columns in the interiors is minimised to provide an uninterrupted and spacious environment. She continues: “The sense of wealth – created with the minimal use of columns, high ceilings and optimum daylight received through the sides and the roof – relieves the tension at the most stressful areas, such as the security and passport checkpoints. “Bodrum Airport aims to get rid of the pressure and monotony created by compulsory standards and becomes a special spot, not only for travel, but also significant to the region it connects. The design and materials refer to the local values.” She adds that the suspended ceiling, consisting of aluminium rods in
Bodrum International Airport, Turkey.
12 Middle East Consultant December 2014
the shape of reeds, alludes to the local tradition of weaving loom. A local flavour was also requested by the client for KAIA, according to Naylor. “I think the industry is over the period of gross international style,” he says. "Everybody wants an airport to be a symbol of contemporary prowess. Now they want people to know where they are in the world.” Naylor admits that few historical reference points exist in the Middle East, given the relatively recent development of the regional aviation industry, yet points to the possibilities of local materials, patterns and artwork.
He also highlights the limited material choice for airports due to extensive regulations. “There is a paradigm of material use in airports that is inescapable – airports have probably the most stringent international codes you can find. KAIA adopted a US code for the airport; this is not universal in Saudi Arabia,” he says. “That means you can’t just say, ‘We’d like to have that type of wall’ if it doesn’t comply with the requirements of fire and sustainability. For the most part, you specify the materials that you can rely on. You tend to find a lot of metallic panels, back-painted glass panels, floors in stone or ceramic, and highresistant laminates.” However, this does not mean that an airport environment has to be sterile, with many hospitalitytype features creeping into today’s designs. Taylor continues: “Public art in airports is now the thing to do – it becomes the representation of the airport. Terminal 2 in London Heathrow has a massive installation that cost millions and is about 70m long – it’s quite dramatic. KAIA also wants to have a lot of artwork in the building – we are using old photos of aviation in Saudi Arabia.” With its stunning use of materials and colour, Barajas Airport in Madrid is widely considered to be one of the world’s most spectacular airport
on topic AIRPORT DESIGN
soaring above – three of the best airports The rundown on a trio of groundbreaking airport designs around the world MaDriD-Barajas airport, terMinaL 4 This terminal in the Spanish capital, designed by Antonio Lamela and Richard Rogers, picked up the Stirling Prize in 2006. The design aims to relieve stress in passengers, with glass panes instead of walls, and domes in the roof for natural light. An undulating ceiling and an earthy colour palette give the terminal its distinct look. The entire Barajas airport can handle 70m passengers annually. LonDon HeatHrow, terMinaL 2 As part of a $17bn airport development programme, Heathrow replaced the original Terminal 2 with a brand new building designed by Luis Vidal + Architects. Opened on 4 June 2014, the terminal will serve roughly 20m passengers a year. Along with its sustainable design, the terminal is notable for containing a huge 70m sculpture by British artist Richard Wilson. singapore cHangi airport, terMinaL 3 Opened in 2008, Changi’s Terminal 3 is dubbed the 'green' terminal, with natural skylighting and gardens that feature over 200 species of foliage. As well as containing the world's first butterfly garden in an airport, the terminal boasts a dramatic green wall, a movie theatre and 130 shopping and dining outlets. It was designed by CPG Corporation, with SOM working on the roof structure.
terminals. Naylor adds: “Madrid is one of my favourite terminals because of the interior concepts and colours – it’s brilliant.” Tabanlioğlu also hails Barajas, along with Oslo Airport, Gardermoen and Kansai Airport in Osaka, Japan. Naylor believes that most airport designs are iconic by default, due to their scale and prominence. “A big space is going to have a degree of iconic design – you can do it badly or you can give it character,” he says. “A client will always want to make his airport something memorable and special. I don’t think that’s unreasonable, as you have to build something quite substantial and spend a lot of money. Why wouldn’t you want people to walk in and gaze?” Tabanlioğlu remarks that a passenger’s experience in an airport will have an impact on their perception
“When leaving a city, the airport is the last record of that place – it has to have values to be remembered, through its design” MelkaN TabaNlioğlu, TabaNlioğlu arChiTeCTs
of a destination. “When leaving a city, the airport is the last record of that place – it has to have values to be remembered, through its design.” Yet how do the airports in the Middle East compare with international standards? The new facilities in Dubai, Doha and Jeddah are certainly up to scratch, according to Naylor. “They have massively changed and are now as good as anywhere,” he says. “When Dubai opened I was really impressed by it, especially the baggage reclaim hall – it’s like a palace. They have also been developing the standard of service, which was a problem in the past. “We are seeing massive changes in Jeddah. They’ve realised that everything in this new hightech building will need to work together.” Given the size and complexity of airports, is it necessary for clients to only engage consultants with specific knowledge in the aviation sector? Tabanlioğlu believes that overall project experience is more important than niche knowledge. “In terms of design, it is not crucial to have a previous experiment on a special function building, yet it is crucial for an architect to work with highly competent consultants in related matters. This is effective for all kinds of buildings, not only for airports.” Naylor disagrees though, stating that prior aviation experience should be a prerequisite for consultants on an aviation project. He points out that an understanding of the codes is paramount. “The regulatory environment for an airport is massive and covers all the areas in every other building site you can think of. You have to work with people that know their way around the codes. Last year’s code may not be appropriate this year, because the industry has moved on. As designers, we have to adapt the spaces to those incoming requirements.” In addition to an up-to-date knowledge of aviation codes, consultants need to understand the technology and systems within airports, according to Naylor. He explains: “For example, a designer will have to interface with the baggage handling system and understand how it works. They may need to challenge what has been proposed – something that could be a very messy interior can be turned into something half-decent.” Yet the creation of an attractive and functional building is the key requirement for any designer, no matter how experienced in the field. “From the point of view of the passenger, the technology and codes are behind the scenes. As a designer, you have to create an internal environment which is pleasing, regardless of your expertise,” concludes Naylor. December 2014 Middle East Consultant 13
IN PRACTICE MAJED BUSHNAQ
Opinion
Majed Bushnaq is the regional major projects director for Hyder Consulting
Mind the gap
How design consultancies should be aware of the distance between intent and reality In the design consultancy industry, it is not uncommon to hear strategies relating to market penetration, market development, key account management, increased revenues and gross margins. These are all easier said than done. It is less common, however, to obtain real clarity on the direction needed to enable the company to achieve and sustain its intent. This gap – the distance between where a company is today and where it wants it to be – is the strategic focus that is often missing. I looked at the viability of the design consultancy industry and asked why the strategic focus seemed to be a bigger challenge than in other industries. I drew a straight line, a direct correlation between the strategic focus and achieving the intent, hence industry viability. I will attempt to answer some of the industry challenges (and solutions) resulting from this gap. Let’s first consider distance – how far away the industry is from achieving its full potential. The strategic intent set by a business defines where the business wants to be, five to ten years from today. The strategic focus is the tool needed to achieve the full potential that will lead to this intent. This full potential must be capable of dealing with the most challenging of intents. The strategic intents themselves must not be unrealistic but dictated, to a certain extent, by the full capability potential of the business; I stress full, not current, potential. A word of caution here – full potential is not a static state, but rather is dynamic. 14 Middle East Consultant December 2014
The benefits associated with a business that strategically focuses on achieving its full potential is a combination of organic and non-organic growth, sustainability and viability. Why is strategic focus more of a challenge in the design consulting industry? It boils down to a few factors. These include organisational and business design, culture and excessive resistance to change, tactical non-holistic views of business strategic intent, and a greater emphasis on engineering or design at the expense of focusing on the road map leading to the strategic intent. So what is needed to close this gap? In my view, the industry needs to look at four key things. Firstly, a viable systems/business model. Secondly, to encourage and not destroy both entrepreneurship (external) and intrapreneurship (internal) at all levels of the business. Next, a culture that competes for the future by continuously challenging assumptions and is prepared to forget the past. Lastly, performance-related incentives to create a win-win situation for business and staff alike. The time needed to close this gap ultimately depends on the level of commitment from the very top of the organisation. This is the difference between a relatively short journey and a very long one. The focus must be to shorten the journey time, as leaving it too long may lead to the demise of the business.
“Why is strategic focus more of a challenge in the design consulting industry?”
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The right workflow and processes defined, BIM enables organisations to improve the quality of building design
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BIM – Business Enabler or Technology Red Herring? Lorem Systems' Dolor Sitamet explains why it is so important for BIM providers to create systems that will push forward the concepts of simple and effective cooperation between all stakeholders involved in a project Luptas aut acil issus acea polvolorporro iliquibust re occae dimitis dolor? The UK government’s decision to require that all suppliers involved in public sector construction projects use Building Information Modelling (BIM) tools and techniques by 2016 is to be applauded. The intention is to drive better value from capital investment and realise a 20% reduction in lifetime costs, whilst supporting environmental commitments by facilitating a more integrated approach to design. It is also about changing the culture between the client and the rest of the supply chain, replacing the traditional, rather adversarial business practices with a collaborative approach that should also drive innovation. However, misinformation is rife. BIM is not just about 3D data but about creating a holistic information resource that also includes 2D data sources, documents, spreadsheets, and more. I believe the key to realising the government’s BIM vision is to create simple, effective cooperation among the design, construction and operation aspects of the infrastructure lifecycle. Overcoming these traditional silos
provides a chance to reduce duplication, minimise errors, streamline processes and facilitate collaboration. However, while the majority of new bids now demand some level of BIM compliance, requirements are often opaque at best. Let’s set the record straight: BIM, when done correctly, is about information sharing enabled by information mobility (across engineering disciplines and the infrastructure lifecycle). It provides contractors and owner operators with access to key design data that can be used to transform effectiveness throughout the construction and operations processes. Yes, it drives better use of 3D across the industry, but not only 3D. 2D data remains important, as does information held in documents, spreadsheets, and other databases, all of which contribute to a holistic BIM approach. Luptas aut acil issus acea polvolorporro iliquibust re occae dimitis dolor? BIM is ultimately about creating an asset model from day one that can be used consistently throughout the project to drive efficiencies
and improve collaboration. Indeed, BIM also encompasses information management as much as information modelling. It enables a contractor to feed design information into project planning tools and resolve potential conflicts before arriving on site. It also empowers the sharing of space information with facilities management teams before the building goes live to drive effective up-front planning, as well as the sharing of other crucial design, engineering, and construction information that can later be used to help drive cost-effective operations decision making and renovations work. Leveraging a collaborative platform and technology to share and integrate information, within an incremental approach that accommodates all of the specialised design simulation and analysis software best suited for each project role, will best enable the industry to achieve the desired widespread adoption of BIM. The government’s stance on BIM is to be commended. Demanding Level 2 compliance by 2016 is pragmatic and achievable and promotes the very real promise of intelligent infrastructure that is better performing in terms
of its energy efficiency, resilience to natural and man-made disasters, safety, and cost-efficiency. However, while industry adoption and interest are positive, it is essential that organisations take a step back and truly assess information requirements. Luptas aut acil issus acea polvolorporro iliquibust re occae dimitis dolor? BIM is a business process not a technology. With the right workflow and processes defined, BIM enables organisations to improve the quality of building design, reduce costs and achieve the collaborative workflows required to drive true innovation. However, misinformation is rife. BIM is not just about 3D data but about creating a holistic information resource that also includes 2D data sources, documents, spreadsheets, and more. I believe the key to realising the government’s BIM vision is to create simple, effective cooperation among the design, construction and operation aspects of the infrastructure lifecycle. Overcoming these traditional silos provides a chance to reduce duplication,
information into project planning tools and resolve potential conflicts before arriving on site. It also empowers the sharing of space information with facilities management teams before the building goes live to drive effective up-front planning, as well as the sharing of other crucial design, engineering, and construction information that can later be used to help drive cost-effective operations decision making and renovations work. Luptas aut acil issus acea polvolorporro iliquibust re occae dimitis dolor? Leveraging a collaborative platform and technology to share and integrate information, within an incremental approach that accommodates all of the specialised design simulation and analysis software best suited for each project role, will best enable the industry to achieve the desired widespread adoption of BIM. The government’s stance on BIM is to be commended. Demanding Level 2 compliance by 2016 is pragmatic and achievable and promotes the very real promise of intelligent infrastructure that is better performing.
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minimise errors, streamline processes and facilitate collaboration. However, while the majority of new bids now demand some level of BIM compliance, requirements are often opaque at best. Let’s set the record straight: BIM, when done correctly, is about information sharing enabled by information mobility (across engineering disciplines and the infrastructure lifecycle). It provides contractors and owner operators with access to key design data that can be used to transform effectiveness throughout the construction and operations processes. Yes, it drives better use of 3D across the industry, but not only 3D. 2D data remains important, as does information held in documents, spreadsheets, and other databases, all of which contribute to a holistic BIM approach. BIM is ultimately about creating an asset model from day one that can be used consistently throughout the project to drive efficiencies and improve collaboration. Indeed, BIM also encompasses information management as much as information modelling. It enables a contractor to feed design
Knowledge partners
Analyst partner
IN PRACTICE DaviD Merritt
interview
Claim aCademy
With a new region added to his remit, Hill International’s David Merritt is relishing the opportunity to nurture talented claims consultants
H
HAvINg TAkEN oN AN ExPANDED RolE As senior vice president and regional managing director Middle East and Africa for Hill International Claims Group, David Merritt is now frequently jetting off to far-flung destinations. Yet despite his early morning flight from South Africa, Merritt is wide-eyed and eager to talk about the latest goingson at the company. “I spend a fair bit of time in South Africa at the moment,” he explains. “We acquired a business, Binnington Copeland and Associates, last year so we have a lot of interaction with our South African business.” Hill International took over the African company on May 31 2013, with Merritt assuming responsibility at the same time, in addition to his duties as head of the Middle East region. Merritt recounts how he started his construction industry career as a trainee quantity surveyor for UK contractor Cementation, before moving onto Wiltshier Construction (now part of the Dutch group Ballast Nedham). During this time, Merritt studied for his RICS exams on a part-time basis, followed by a two-year stint in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, with Wade Adams. On returning to the UK he joined Schofield Lothian, where he first took an interest in claims and dispute resolution. He explains: “I was seconded to Schofield Lothian’s Hong Kong office for three years and spent my time working on some big claims for the Mass Transit Rail Corporation, Aoki and the Airport Authority. I spent 12 months preparing a claim which didn’t settle and went to arbitration. Lawyers turned up, said ‘Thank you very much,’ and I had no more
16 Middle east Consultant December 2014
involvement, which was very frustrating. I knew then I wanted to get a formal legal qualification, so I went back to university and then on to Bar school before I qualified as a barrister in 1999. That whole process was a hard slog – seven years of part-time and full-time studying.” Yet despite his legal training, Merritt states that he is first and foremost a construction professional. “I enjoy construction and engineering projects – I’ve been doing it for 27 years now, and I enjoy problem-solving. I consider myself a construction professional rather than a lawyer, but the legal training has made me a lot better at what I do.” His dual qualifications in quantity surveying and law made Merritt a perfect fit for the claims group of Hill International, a business which sits between the technical and the legal side of the construction industry. Merritt continues: “We can go and talk to a contractor about his claims and disputes and understand the technical aspects better than a lawyer. Equally, we can discuss the legal and contractual with the legal team. At Hill, most of our consultants are technically qualified with a formal legal qualification.” Hill International was founded as a pure claims consultant by Irv Richter in 1976. “Irv really did pioneer the concept of the modern claims consultant, and from those earlier roots the whole Hill empire has taken shape,” adds Merritt. The company’s claims expertise was later bolstered by a move into project management and today the firm has a combined workforce of 4,600 employees across 100 offices. Hill Claims now boasts 600 consultants, making it the biggest claims consultancy in the world.
December 2014 Middle east Consultant 17
IN PRACTICE DaviD Merritt
Hill's South African business has offices in Johannesburg (above) and Cape Town.
He adds that the claims market has changed considerably in Dubai during his time in the Emirates. “When I first arrived in the Middle East seven years ago, there wasn’t a culture of claims – people will argue whether that’s good or bad.” A highly informal dispute resolution process used to exist in the regional construction and engineering industry, as Merritt explains. “While it’s a cliché, dispute resolution often involved a sheesha and a coffee in a majilis – two people sorting out their differences amicably. “Things are different now, particularly in the UAE. The construction industry has grown and matured immeasurably, and so have the claims and dispute resolution practices that attach to it. Construction is a risky business, wherever you are, but the Middle East does pose some particular problems.” One of the key issues in the Middle East, and often a contributing factor towards a claim, is the prototypical nature of projects in the region. Merritt remarks: “The vast scale and engineering challenges posed by some of the more iconic projects means that technical boundaries are consistently being pushed. This often means more risks are being taken and delays in construction are commonplace.” He continues: “Another challenge for contractors working in the Middle East is that employers not only want their unique and iconic project, but they also want it tomorrow. I’m consistently amazed at the abridged timeframes in which contractors are required to complete projects. “Contractors’ baseline programmes are often way too aggressive, with little to no float built in for the unforeseen. This means that delays are often critical and project completion dates
“While it’s a cliché, dispute resolution often involved a sheesha and a coffee in a majilis – two people sorting out their differences amicably” 18 Middle east Consultant December 2014
are missed, and additional costs are incurred by all parties.” Projects that are not fully designed before construction often give rise to claims, according to Merritt. “I also think that projects tend to come to construction too early – most projects are only partially designed when tenders are awarded and construction begins. Design development takes place during the progress of the works, which means that change and variations to the scope of works is the norm. This in turn normally causes delay and disruption to the progress of the works.” He points out that many construction companies have shied away from entering the Middle East due to the lack of transparent legal systems. “Overall, the Middle East remains a risky place to do business, too risky for many risk-adverse American and European contractors who are now not as active in the region as they once were. Certainty of payment remains a big issue for many Western companies. In the United States and Europe, you have open and transparent legal systems together with established arbitral laws underpinning most commercial relationships, whereas the same cannot always be said of some GCC countries.” Yet those American and European companies that have entered the region have imported a claims know-how and a Western culture of contractual entitlement. Merritt continues: “When I arrived in the UAE, Hill International had just 35 claims consultants; and now, across our seven Middle East offices, we have 220 staff. It shows how far Hill International Claims in the Middle East has come as a business in a relatively short space of time.” Although Dubai has matured, the claims culture is not equally developed across the various countries in the Middle East. “Qatar is probably where Dubai was five years ago – it does not have an established claims culture, although that is slowly changing. The same can be said for Saudi Arabia, whereas Oman and Bahrain are more aligned with the trend in the UAE.” According to Merritt, the day-to-day activities of a claims consultant involve a high degree of stress. “You normally get involved in a tense situation where big money is at stake. For instance, an employer is not going to get his building on time and the contractor is denying any responsibility for those delays
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IN PRACTICE DaviD Merritt
Merritt is trained in both law and quantity surveying.
and making his own claims. Emotions are often running high when we get involved. “We have to take a step back from the front line – we have a job to do and we know how to go about it. We carry out a forensic assessment and establish culpability – who’s responsible for what. This involves reviewing all the contemporary data, the contract, the baseline programme, the costs, and talking to the relevant people. It can be quite formulaic in terms of the steps to take, but the actual issues are always different.” He says that the job satisfaction comes from helping the parties to resolves their issues, without the need to go to arbitration. “We’ve been involved in so many arbitrations and seen how disruptive it is to the respective businesses. It is timeconsuming, stressful, expensive and probably best avoided. The whole process is not conducive to ongoing business relationships, but sometimes it’s the only resort. If we can help clients avoid arbitration, that’s always good.” When it comes to the credentials needed to be a claims consultant, Merritt says there are no set rules. He explains: “There was, and is, a theory that you can’t be a good claims consultant unless you’ve got 10-15 years of technical experience on construction sites. If we were recruiting ten years ago, you looked for that, but things are changing. We are seeing a lot of graduates or relatively inexperienced professionals who want to
“We don’t see too many architects and they tend not to make great claims consultants, although there are always the odd exceptions”
20 Middle east Consultant December 2014
be claims consultants. You ignore them at your peril, because some of them are really smart and switched on. “The theory was that lawyers don’t make good claims consultants, but we have ones that have wanted to make the transition and done it so well. They are intelligent professionals and they adapt.” While engineers generally have the analytical skills required for claims, Merritt states that quantity surveyors are the most likely consultants to make the switch. “When I did my RICS exams, law and contract administration were a big part of the training. You weren’t just scratching the surface of these subjects. There is the commercial aspect to being a quantity surveyor – you are trained as a commercial practitioner, which is important as a claims consultant.” However, it is rare for designers to make the transition, according to Merritt. “We don’t see too many architects and they tend not to make great claims consultants, although there are always the odd exceptions.” A recent source of promising cost consultants has arisen from Hill International’s new links to South Africa. Merritt remarks: “We’ve brought talented people over here and fast-tracked them into claims. They get involved in the jobs and then they go back to South Africa. I’ve really enjoyed working with them. In our firm, there’s no one-size-fits-all claims consultant.”
SOOTH SURVEYING Is the role of the quantity surveyor
fully appreciated and understood in the Middle East construction industry? 22 Middle East Consultant December 2014
IN PRACTICE QUANTITY SURVEYORS
Insight
Q
uantity surveyors have traditionally been seen as minor players in the Middle East’s construction landscape, but given the market’s need for commercially viable yet sophisticated projects, the costing expertise of quantity surveyors is far from optional. Experts from Currie & Brown, TTS and Mott MacDonald tell Middle East Consultant how quantity surveyors are building a new identity in the market, with the help of enlightened clients. December 2014 Middle East Consultant 23
IN PRACTICE QUANTITY SURVEYORS
IN THE wAkE Of THE GlObAl fINANCIAl CRISIS,
commercial viability is now a key consideration for any project developer around the world. The need to control and monitor costs is no less apparent in the Middle East region. Coupled with the fast-paced execution of ambitious, complex projects – such as the $1.2bn Kingdom Tower in Jeddah and the $2.7bn Dubai Parks & Resorts – and it seems that quantity surveyors have become a greater priority for developers than ever before. “Clients these days take more notice of us and our cost advice than they did in the past,” Ralph Hodgkinson, managing director of Trafalgar Technical Services (TTS), says. “The Dubai market for quantity surveyors has changed a lot over the last decade. Developers have begun to understand that we have a certain method of operating which should not be altered, and they are now more cost-conscious than they were before.” Hodgkinson’s colleague Richard Taylor, senior quantity surveyor at TTS, backs up this sentiment. “We were just a bank
“One of the common generalisations about quantity surveyors is ‘brick-counters’. They are viewed as adding little value to the end product” Erland rEndall, CurriE & BrOwn
24 Middle East Consultant December 2014
figure earlier,” he says. “If the client wanted to build, he would find a builder who could do it for him, and everyone else was in the background. “But we’re listened to a lot more now, and some of the clients we work with really engage with us rather than setting us into a corner, as was the case back then. We have a lot of knowledgeable clients who understand where we’re coming from. This approach was missing previously. “America still struggles with fully understanding what a quantity surveyor does, but thankfully we look like we’re overcoming that hurdle here.” However, many in the region would beg to differ; despite growing acknowledgement of their role, quantity surveyors still tend to be confused with cost consultants by some sections of the construction market. Erland Rendall, director for Currie & Brown’s operations in Dubai, plays myth-buster to explain the difference between the two. “One of the common generalisations about quantity surveyors is they are ‘brick-counters’. Indeed, even clients and occupiers/users have strong views of construction, with the two main parties – designer and constructor – recognised for either having created the design or enabled its construction. Quantity surveyors are viewed as secondary and perhaps adding little value to the end product.” Rendall argues for quantity surveying to be fully appreciated as a professional discipline. “Surveying is undertaken to manage all costs relating to building and civil engineering projects, from the initial calculations to the final figures,” he says. “Quantity surveyors seek to minimise the costs of a project and enhance value for money, while still achieving the required standards and quality. They lead in the process of procurement, tendering and contract award. “The role will then move into the post-contract stage which, dependent on contract form, will either administer the contract or support the employer’s representative or engineer in the administration of the contract." As with most construction trends, it takes the backing of a developer to promote a new product or construction practice. Taylor explains how an increasing level of due diligence from developers has reduced the impact of cost and time delays on projects in the region. “Quantity surveyors prepare a bill of quantities [BoQ] after the final design has been approved. However, clients in the past were accustomed to altering designs while the BoQ was being prepared, leading to duplicity and increased costs. Clients are more engaged nowadays.” The size of a development firm may also influence the perceived value of quantity surveyors. “Small-sized developers tend to be easier to work with because they are seeing the bottom-line results, which is not something a large-sized developer might immediately think of,” Taylor says. “Quantity surveyors can act as middlemen between the
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IN PRACTICE QUANTITY SURVEYORS
The Reconciler Erland Rendall, director, Currie & Brown, explains how quantity surveyors can have a crucial role in
various construction parties and ensure that the project targets are met.” Do quantity surveyors and cost consultants perform exactly the same role on a project? Not necessarily, according to James Parker, projects director for Mott MacDonald and RICS Valuation Professional Group member for the MENA region. “The functions are similar in many ways: prediction, control, forensics and the production of information to enable decisionmaking,” Parker says. “However, determining the true benefits case and driving out the value proposition of the asset and long term potential ‘in-use’ savings is more associated with cost consultancy than quantity surveying.” Parker says the interchangeability of the terms can be attributed to the many similar activities between the two disciplines. “Cost consulting seeks to advise clients about the cost of their proposed asset throughout its lifetime. Quantity surveying, by its connotation, is much more related to project development, determination of capital expenditure and construction contract administration.” The distinction between cost consulting and quantity surveying has also blurred over the years, due to surveyors aiming to enhance the market perception of their services. “Individuals and businesses have looked to rebrand themselves as construction cost consultants rather than pure quantity surveyors,” Rendall says. “Evidencing the enhanced portfolio of services that are offered whilst seeking to remove a traditional label and ensure a more attractive and contemporary image. The functions do overlap, with quantity surveying providing the foundation skillset and expertise.” However, Rendall asserts there are nuanced differences between the two functions. “In contemporary construction environments, the demand is generally for cost consultancy. Quantity surveying forms a part of that overall service and provides the core discipline and skillset on which cost consultation is then built. “The addition of specialist strategic advice, business and financial planning, optioneering, value and risk management, specialist procurement, contract and legal advice, project
“america still struggles with fully understanding what a quantity surveyor does, but thankfully we look like we’re overcoming that hurdle here” riChard TaylOr, TTS 26 Middle East Consultant December 2014
the event of a dispute. “A quantity surveyor’s role in a dispute is significant, as most result in commercial consequences. Irrespective of whether design, specification or construction issues progress to a dispute, time and cost are of consequence; both are core areas of expertise for quantity surveyors. Ideally, surveyors will be able to resolve most issues prior to a dispute. However, where ambiguity appears, the ability to assess objectively the performance of any party within the terms of the contract sits squarely with the surveyor. Quantity surveyors generally sit centrally between the client, designer and contractor. Therefore, the surveyor has a unique role in arbitrating or reconciling differences of view, thus providing a facilitation role. This is built from both experience and expertise, and the core professional training of the QS in all commercial and legal aspects of a construction project.”
delivery and operational aspects of project costs results in a subtle but clear differential between the two service offerings.” As is the case with most disciplines in construction, technology is playing a pivotal role in advancing and altering the services provided by quantity surveyors in the GCC. Parker states: “Increases in computing power, in terms of applications and data volumes, and the use of BIM mean that far more information can be created and possible design options analysed beforehand. Furthermore, big data capability is now allowing for more information to be captured. Therefore, cost modelling has the capability to become far more structured and predictable.” Rendall reiterates Parker’s views on BIM, commenting: “It is now a key trend due to the ability to sequence time and cost into the digital model prior to actual physical construction taking place. The requirement for workflows to operate effectively within the digital environment is a prerequisite. “With new methods of designing and constructing including robots and 3D-printing, the continued development and evolution of the quantity surveying and cost consulting industry will be maintained in a Darwinian fashion.” Rendall concludes that the opportunities are there for the taking if quantity surveyors are willing to ignore market stereotypes regarding their role, instead focusing their energies on harnessing technology to improve their trade. “Advances in technology and service offerings result in the development of quantity surveyors into cost consulting and then across the whole asset life. This has enabled surveyors to form a new lead role which is respected and valued across the whole life of a project.”
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IN PRACTICE BIG PROJECT AWARDS 2014
Event
ChAmPIoNs of CoNsTRuCTIoN
As well as acclaiming contractors, this year’s Big Project ME Awards also recognised the region’s best consultants 28 Middle East Consultant December 2014
IN PRACTICE BIG PROJECT AWARDS 2014
A
A CRoss-sECTIoN of ThE INDusTRy DEsCENDED oN
Dubai’s Conrad Hotel on November 18 to celebrate excellence in construction, at an awards ceremony hosted by Middle East Consultant’s sister title, Big Project Middle East. Over 350 guests attended the gala dinner for this year’s Big Project Middle East Construction and Sustainability Awards of Excellence, with awards spread across 12 categories. Along with the contractor-focused awards – reflecting Big Project’s readership – consultant categories included Consultant of the Year, Project Manager of the Year, Young Construction Professional of the Year and the Editors’ Choice Award for Strategy and Vision in
Construction. Winners were chosen by an independent panel of judges featuring consultants, contractors and developers. The panel included David Cockerton, fund manager, SinoGulf; Jeff Decker, director of business development, Aecom; Christopher Seymour, partner, EC Harris; Stephen Smith, environmental and sustainability manager, Brookfield Multiplex; Adel Mohamed Mokhtar, senior architectural engineer, Dubai Municipality; and Professor Mohammed Dulaimi, professor of project management and innovation, BUiD. Sponsors for the event were Mouchel, FAMCO, Dubai Economic Council, Hyder Consulting, Foamglas, Al Rajhi Building Solutions, Autodesk and WSP.
December 2014 Middle East Consultant 29
IN PRACTICE BIG PROJECT AWARDS 2014
Consultant of the Year WSP Shortlisted Buro Happold Hyder Consulting Lacasa Mace Canada-headquartered technical firm WSP was awarded Consultant of the Year, ahead of Buro Happold, Hyder Consulting, Lacasa and Mace. The jury honoured WSP for the work it has undertaken this year on prestigious projects such as Dubai Mall Expansion, Sharjah Expo Centre and Education City People Mover System in Doha. The firm has also strengthened with the purchase of Parsons Brinckerhoff in September. Greg Kane, director at WSP Middle East, commented: “We’re delighted to have won this award tonight, especially because we’ve done some really good work over the past year. I’m incredibly proud of the projects we have worked on, and given our lineup of projects for the future, I’m looking forward to picking up another award next year.”
Development of the Year Yas Mall Shortlisted National Museum of Qatar New York University – Abu Dhabi Heydar International Airport Yas Mall, Aldar Properties’ sprawling retail complex on Yas Island, was crowned Development of the Year in the face of strong competition. The project claimed victory ahead of the National Museum of Qatar, New York University – Abu Dhabi and Heydar International Airport in Azerbaijan. Aldar’s Peter Smith, director of retail development, said he was thrilled to have picked up the award on the same day as the inauguration of Yas Mall by members of Abu Dhabi’s ruling family, adding: “I’m very privileged to be here tonight. His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser and Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, opened the mall this evening. Yas Mall is one of the best projects I have worked on, and I’m proud that the project has been recognised tonight.” 30 Middle East Consultant December 2014
IN PRACTICE BIG PROJECT AWARDS 2014
Project Manager of the Year faria Latif, WsP Shortlisted Craig Griffen, ALEC Michael Callianiotis, Faithful + Gould Faria Latif, a senior project manager at WSP’s Dubai office, was awarded the title of Project Manager of the Year. Latif is currently working on the Middle East’s energy-efficient tram system, the Education City People Mover System in Qatar. The judges noted how Latif used her extensive list of contacts to provide niche engineering skills for her projects while forging partnerships to bring about positive change. Beating out Craig Griffen of Alec Contracting and Michael Callianiotis of Faithful + Gould to win the award, Latif said the local construction sector is an inclusive market, and that there is “nothing to be intimidated about” while working in the industry. She commented: “I am very excited to have won this award. I hope it encourages and empowers more women to join this sector. If I can do it, then anyone can.”
Young Construction Professional of the Year scott madigan, Brookfield multiplex Shortlisted Engi Jaber, Dewan Architects and Engineers Mohammed Imran Shaikh, CKR Consulting Engineers Touted as a rising star in the construction industry, Scott Madigan, project manager at Brookfield Multiplex, was awarded Young Construction Professional of the Year. The 28-year-old is project manager for Etihad Airways’ largest business class lounge in the world and largest flight simulator facility. Commenting on winning the award, Madigan said: “It’s a really positive thing. Over the next few years, as things pick up more and more, it’s about taking opportunities. It’s about putting your hand up and saying, ‘If there’s an opportunity, I want to take it.’” December 2014 Middle East Consultant 31
IN PRACTICE BIG PROJECT AWARDS 2014
Editors' Choice Award Arcadis Shortlisted Aabar Investments Meraas Holdings WSP Holland-based consultancy Arcadis picked up the Editors' Choice Award for Strategy and Vision, selected by the editors of Big Project ME and Middle East Consultant. Arcadis was recognised for its acquisitions of Hyder Consulting and Callison earlier this year, creating one of the world’s biggest and widest-ranging consultancies. “We’re very proud, of course, because it’s a very prestigious award,” said Christopher Seymour, partner at EC Harris, a sister company of Arcadis. “It’s been a big year for Arcadis. Certainly, the Hyder acquisition is quite a big event for us in the Middle East and also in the UK. “We had minimal overlap but maximum synergy. We’re really pleased to have won this award,” added Seymour.
Best of the rest Contractor of the year ALEC
Excellence in Building Technology DoKA
health and safety Initiative of the year Dutco Balfour Beatty
ALEC was named Contractor of the Year,
The award for Excellence in Building
Al Futtaim Carillion was pipped to the post
beating Al Shafar General Contracting
Technology was picked up by DOKA, ahead
by Dutco Balfour Beatty, with its ambitious
and China State Construction Engineering
of shortlisted companies CCS and Genesis
health and safety initiative for all employees.
Corporation. ALEC has $1.16bn worth of
Manazil. DOKA’s winning entry was a real-
The scheme involves a rigorous health
work in hand, and a forecast turnover of
time concrete maturity sensor system that
check on parameters such as pulse rate,
over $950 million for 2015. Its current
allows customers to ensure quality control
blood pressure, BMI, blood sugar and
portfolio includes Doha Festival City and
while simultaneously cost optimising their
cholesterol levels, conducted by a company
Meraas’ Bluewaters project in Dubai.
construction site work-flow.
doctor and a supporting team of nurses.
Green Initiative of the year Al Qusais Landfill, Dubai
Green Project of the year IRENA headquarters
Green Energy Solutions and Sustainability
The judges unanimously chose the
outstanding Achievement in Construction mattar Al Tayer, RTA
(GESS) was awarded the Green Initiative
Brookfield Multiplex-constructed IRENA
RTA Chairman Mattar Al Tayer was
of the Year for the Al Qusais landfill in
Headquarters in Masdar City as the Green
recognised for championing the
Dubai, ahead of schemes by DP World and
Project of the Year. Designed and built to
development of Dubai’s transport
WMS. The Al Qusais landfill is the region’s
achieve four pearls, the highest ever under
infrastructure. The award coincided with the
first to produce power, generating 1MW of
the Estidama Pearl Building Rating System,
launch of Dubai Tram last month. Abdulla
electricity for on-site equipment and offices,
the project triumphed over Yas Mall and
Yousif Al Ali, CEO of the Rail Agency, RTA,
reducing the amount of diesel required.
Mohammed Bin Rashid Solar Park in Dubai.
collected the award on behalf of Al Tayer.
32 Middle East Consultant December 2014
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December 2014 Middle East Consultant 35
ON SITE the sterling
ThE fIrST ThINg ThaT camE TO my mIND was a series of soldiers standing up in a very straight line – confident and strong,” says Fariborz Hatam, co-founder of FHSI Architects, the concept designer of The Sterling by Omniyat in Dubai. “You can see this in the series of vertical fins in continuous grid lines, which anchor themselves in the ground.” Unveiled at this year’s Cityscape Global, the striking project will contain over 300 high-end units – from studio to three-bed apartments to penthouses – in the burgeoning Business Bay district. Along with FHSI, which provided conceptual design, the team also contains Jouzy Axianta as architect of record, as well as BG&E for structural engineering and Clarke Samadhin Associates for MEP. FHSI engaged Buro Happold to work on the sustainability design. Hatam explains: “Working very closely with Buro Happold, we chose to put the cores on the sides to protect the east and west from the sun. Then we introduced a horizontal element with the balconies for further protection. “If you put your core in the right place and orientate the building in the right way, you don’t have to do much in terms of sustainability. Then it’s a matter of choosing the right materials – the more local materials you use, the better.” Hatam believes that a fully-glazed building is inappropriate for a desert environment. He says: “If you take a glass of water out in hot weather in Dubai, and come back five minutes later, that water is extremely hot. So how can you imagine putting a glass tower in the middle of a desert? This is why we need to protect against the east and west sun coming through.” By placing the cores on the east and west façades, the solar gain is said to be reduced to virtually zero, while peak and annual gains were reduced by 80% and 40% respectively for the south façade. The architect also draws attention to the wind analysis and subsequent solution. “The towers are actually shifted in terms of the grid. We are using the actual sheer wall – the sikka wall – to deflect the amount of wind coming in. There are some really nice breezes coming through.” Another differentiator from buildings in the local area is the absence of a podium. Hatam continues: “The towers
“It’s clever design. You don’t often see things like the cantilever of the units and the infinity pool at the top. We’ve thought about everything” FarIborz Hatam, FHSI arcHItectS 36 Middle East Consultant December 2014
in Business Bay have continuous podiums, meaning the buildings start 16 metres above the ground. The whole idea of human interaction between the people and the building is missing. Most towers use the podium area for parking, so pedestrians are pushed out onto the streets, which are not shaded in any way. It makes it very difficult to walk from one building to another. “We completely ignored the rules and convinced the developer to push the basement onto the ground. We also designed a beautiful park that joins to another park at ground level. By producing this, hopefully others will follow.” Accordingly, lush landscaping surrounds the external ground level and the courtyard between the two towers. Seven individual townhouses, with their own private lifts, are topped with an infinity pool overlooking the gardens as well as Burj Khalifa. “It’s clever design,” adds Hatam. “You don’t often see things like the cantilever of the units and the infinity pool at the top. We’ve thought about everything.” Internally, the building will feature an expansive lobby with dramatic V-shape columns and water features. “It’s not your standard lobby – it has more of a feel of a hotel than an ordinary residential building.” He notes that the V-shaped columns will present the building’s biggest engineering challenge, both in terms of structural forces and MEP integration. “All those shafts are coming in, so we need to transfer them cleverly, take them through the cores and into the basement, which is a challenge.” Despite the many consultants involved in the project, the press material from Omniyat only mentions one team member – well-known interior designer Steve Leung from Hong Kong. However, Hatam remains unconvinced about the designer’s suitability for the project. “Steve brings a very cosy feel into his design. Personally, I don’t know if it's the right thing for this architecture, but we shall wait to see the final product. “I see this building as all about simplicity. When you look at Tadao Ando’s work, you realise that concrete can really look good when you polish and detail it the right way. If it was up to FHSI, we would have wanted a design simplicity in terms of materials, while maintaining the rough industrial feel, rather than a poetic approach. We don’t have control over that.” He also states that the geographical split between the design team also creates challenges. “We hold workshops in Hong Kong with us and Steve Leung, and we get together on Skype on a weekly basis. But it makes it very challenging when the consultant is not based in Dubai. It’s always a different feel when you are around a table and sketching and putting things onto the wall, rather than Skyping someone. I’m always against it, as it’s very difficult to do work.” Revealing more of his views on regional design, the architect continues: “The majority of buildings are about ‘five minutes architecture’. For the first five minutes it’s all
ON SITE the sterling
nice on the outside, and then you go in and the whole idea of the design has disappeared. It’s almost like two people not talking to each other. That’s exactly what we’re trying to avoid in this project. “We want the building itself and the interiors to marry together as one element. I think we’re getting there, we just need to look at the materials more subtly and understand them – that’s the challenge for us in the next two months.” Moving forward, the main challenge for Hatam and FHSI will be honing the materials and finishes. When it comes to the exterior, Hatam has his heart set on steel. “The only material I could think of was steel, and I would love to clad
this whole building in it. I don’t know if it will come out of value engineering or not. We are very much about industrial architecture, and we stand up for our rights. After the world credit crunch, we wanted to design a building that confidently stood its ground.” He concedes that steel would not be the most sustainable choice and states that it is an architect’s responsibility to choose the right material. “We need to really evaluate the different options to give us the right look and feel. We’ve also got to be cautious, there is a difference between a commercial suit and a custom-design suit – they do the same thing, but the tailoring is very different.
Luxury townhouses are topped with an infinity pool and roof terrace.
December 2014 Middle East Consultant 37
ON SITE the sterling
The team cLIENT Omniyat cONcEPT DESIgN FHSI Architects archITEcT Of rEcOrD Jouzy Axianta STrUcTUrES BG&E mEP Clarke Samadhin Associates INTErIOrS Steve Leung SUSTaINaBILITy Buro Happold
“If steel cannot be done, our next option is pre-cast concrete, but using beautiful aggregates to give it toughness. I can confidently say it’s not an ugly building, so it will not be hard to clad it – it’s always harder to clad an ugly building.” Hatam believes that many projects in the Middle East are marred by less than perfect detailing. “In this region, there are a lot of unskilled workers that can’t read drawings,” he says. “They can’t read a plan and they don’t know what it’s going to be like – a foreman is telling them what they should be doing. That’s why you have unresolved detailing.” The team at FHSI is working around this potential problem by using pre-cast elements wherever possible. The skeleton of the building will be constructed on-site, as standard, while the fins and balconies will be pre-cast in a warehouse. “It will be very controlled in the warehouse off-site, so the detailing can be perfect and clean. That will give us much better control over the quality of the finish,” adds Hatam. With hoarding already on site, Hatam is confident the construction process will be smooth. “It’s not a complex
FHSI and Buro Happold conducted a number of solar and wind studies.
38 Middle East Consultant December 2014
building – we haven’t done any funny cantilevers – it’s all nicely moduled and the whole thing has gone down onto the ground. There’s nothing tricky about the building, so there’s no excuse.” The rational form was designed with constructability and efficiency in mind. “There’s no point in doing flamboyant, weird shapes if you can’t put your square table into it. We want to make money for the client, but it also has to look good – it’s about integrity and efficiency.” Refreshingly for the region, it appears that the team behind The Sterling – from the developer to the consultants – is considering the entire project lifecycle rather than just short-term gains. Reiterating the principal aim of longevity, Hatam remarks: “The perception of developers in this region is very different to what you get in the UK or Australia. They want all their money in profits within the first five years. But just as Le Corbusier and Louis Khan were saying, we should be designing machines that last a long time. We want this building to stand and mark the place for the next 50 years.”
Corrotech Construction Chemicals announces the acquisition of CCCParex with a buy out of the shares held by the Parex Group. The newly acquired company has been renamed to CCCDrymix and will continue to manufacture the full range of speciality dry mix mortars. 2007 Corrotech Construction Chemicals factory opened
2008 JV CCCParex factory opened
1994 Corrotech Building Maintenance established
2004 License agreement with 1982 Marketing Consultancy Trading
2000 Started formulating own construction chemicals
1992 Corrosion Technical Services
2001 Corrotech Construction Chemicals established
2009 international expansion
2012 30 years in business
2014 Buyout of JV CCCParex establishment of CCCDrymix
Corrotech Construction Chemicals, Dubai Investments Park, P.O.Box 8344 Dubai, U.A.E. Tel : +971 4 8112100, Fax : +971 4 8112101, Website : www.mctuae.com, Email : ccc@mctuae.com
ON SITE EVERYMAN THEATRE
Snapshot
40 Middle East Consultant December 2014
ON SITE EVERYMAN THEATRE
In detail lOCaTION Liverpool, UK CapaCITy 400 OpENED 1964 (original building) 2014 (after re-build) BUDgET $44m grEEN raTINg BREEAM ‘Excellent’
EvEryman ThEaTrE
This year’s Stirling Prize-winning scheme involved a close collaboration between all stakeholders, for a sustainable and sensitive integration into a historic site
O
OrIgINally OpENED IN 1964, ThE EvErymaN Theatre in Liverpool was housed in the shell of a 19thcentury chapel on one of Liverpool’s main streets. Although a much-loved institution, the building itself was in a state of disrepair and was consequently demolished to make way for a new building, involving a nine-year timeframe. The consultant team was tasked with creating an entirely new and sustainable building, while retaining and revitalising the best-loved features of its predecessor. The client, Liverpool and Merseyside Theatre Trust, requested that the soul of the old Everyman, known as a ‘theatre of the people’, be carried into the new building.
The project includes a new 400-seat auditorium, youth and community zones, a writers’ space called The Hub' and a café/bistro, as well as rehearsal and workshop areas. Enabling works and demolition were undertaken prior to the start of the main contract, with the entire project budgeted at $44m. Last month it was awarded the 2014 RIBA Stirling Prize, the UK’s most prestigious architecture accolade. RIBA President Stephen Hodder remarked: “The success of this exceptional new building lies in the architect’s close involvement with the local community throughout the project. Haworth Tompkins have struck the perfect balance between continuity and change to win the hearts and minds of the people of Liverpool.” December 2014 Middle East Consultant 41
ON SITE EVERYMAN THEATRE
Architecture
Structures
hawOrTh TOmpkINS Situated on an elegant street which links the city’s two cathedrals, the location is respected in the building’s scale, materials and sense of humour – external solar shading features 105 cut-out figures based on photographs of Liverpudlians. A welcoming internal ambience is created with three accessible public foyers for bars, lounges and a café. The construction re-uses 90% of the material from the old theatre, helping the scheme achieve its BREEAM Excellent rating. Steve Tompkins of Haworth Tompkins commented: “Winning the RIBA Stirling Prize is an enormous honour for our project team and our clients, the reward for an intensive collaboration over almost a decade, during which we have grown to love the Everyman and the great city that it serves.”
alaN BaxTEr INTEgraTED DESIgN With structural engineering provided by Alan Baxter Integrated Design, the building involves a new complex reinforcedconcrete framed structure to incorporate the auditorium, theatre, community space and bistro in the basement. The auditorium’s use of natural ventilation to control its environment was a challenge for the consultant, given the atypical nature of the space. Out-of-sight concrete labyrinths supply and expel air while maintaining total acoustic isolation and helping the building attain its BREEAM rating. In addition to its engineering services, Alan Baxter Integrated Design also acted as heritage advisors on the scheme, with careful consideration for the history of the building and its surroundings.
42 Middle East Consultant December 2014
ON SITE EVERYMAN THEATRE
Project manager
Theatre consultant
gva aCUITy UK-based GVA Acuity provided project management, strategic advice, as well as contract administration. It assisted with the preparation of a development plan and the subsequent feasibility study, advising on different procurement routes and forms of contract. In addition, GVA Acuity advised on the procurement of the consultant team under OJEU procedures and assisted with the site assembly, including the acquisition of the freehold of the Everyman Theatre and bistro. The Stirling Prize jury drew attention to the collaboration between the various parties, commenting: “[This was an] extraordinary contribution to both theatre and the city, achieved through clever team working [between the] client, architect, consultants and contractor.�
CharCOalBlUE As well as designing all the installed equipment and infrastructure, Charcoalblue also specified the loose technical equipment. The stage engineering system includes a modular stage floor on a demountable sub-stage structure, which allows the theatre to be quickly reconfigured into a variety of formats, or even removed. The seat mounting has been integrated into the front of the decking to allow the seats to be moved as required, without the need to drill the stage floor. Walkways above the stage can be moved or taken out to accommodate large set pieces. The movement of these large bridges, complete with fold-down lighting bars, is a simple manual operation that uses the structural steelwork as a guide, with a railway-style track to ensure stability.
December 2014 Middle East Consultant 43
on site roundup
Company update Mouzhan Majidi to join Zaha Hadid Architects Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) is strengthening its executive team with the appointment of former Foster + Partners chief executive Mouzhan Majidi. Majidi spent 27 years with Foster and Partners, acting as chief executive for the last seven years, and led the company through a period of global growth. He will join ZHA in spring 2015 and work closely with Zaha Hadid (pictured) and Patrik Schumacher, the figureheads of the company. Zaha Hadid commented: “I am delighted that Mouzhan will be joining us. He brings a unique balance of strong management and leadership skills with architectural
Faithful+Gould appoints hospitality boss Project and programme management
Campbell Gray, Faithful+Gould’s
consultancy Faithful+Gould has
managing director for the Middle East,
appointed Mark Shea as head of
said: “We have strong foundations in
hospitality for the Middle East, to
the hospitality and large mixed-use
support its expansion in the sector.
development sectors, and are looking
Shea has 20 years of industry experience, most recently as head of hotels and resorts for Aecom (Davis
to capitalise on this as the market continues to grow and develop.” He continued: “Mark has a
Langdon) across Europe. He was
fantastic track record and will be
responsible for delivering project,
a great asset to the team.”
cost and commercial management for
Shea, who is based in Faithful+Gould’s
large-scale hospitality developments
UAE office, added: “I’ve really bought into
and provided a strategic link to the
Faithful+Gould’s vision for developing
Middle East, drawing on previous
its business in the Middle East,
experience from working in the region.
and I’m looking forward to
Shea’s appointment follows
playing my part. The region’s
Faithful+Gould’s project wins in the UAE,
hospitality sector is probably
Qatar and KSA, and its growth following
the most exciting in the
the acquisition of project management
world right now, but it’s also
consultancy Confluence in 2013.
extremely competitive.”
44 Middle East Consultant December 2014
and design sensitivity that is so important to our creative studio. This is a key step in the evolution of our practice, now in its fourth decade, with our growing portfolio of diverse and exciting projects worldwide, and is important for our long-term strategy.” Majidi remarked: “I am very excited to join ZHA next year, and very much look forward to working with Zaha, Patrik and the team to contribute to the company’s continued success. “I have always admired the innovation and beauty of their work and its growing global impact. It’s a privilege to be part of this amazing team.”
on site roundup
Atkins’ regional revenue up by 16%
Dsi’s net profit Drops Despite increaseD revenue MEP specialist Drake & Scull International PJSC (DSI) reported total revenues of $338m and total net profit of $6.9m for Q3 2014 ended 30 September. These results represent a year-onyear top line increase of 25% and a bottom line decrease of 16%. Commenting on the results, Mukhtar Safi, chief financial officer of DSI, said: “Q3 2014 was a good quarter in terms of backlog burn and profitability margins, despite the provisions of AED 25 million taken against the arbitration case on our legacy contract in the UAE.” He remarked that operating cash flow “remains stretched” until negotiations are finalised on the large claim and variations orders with major clients in KSA. Safi added: “Overall, we have picked up operational momentum in our key markets in the GCC, and particularly in the UAE. Our revenues for the quarter from the engineering business and the general contracting business also surged 19% and 34% year-on-year respectively.”
Atkins announced its preliminary results for the six months ended 30 September, with a growth in revenue in the Middle East at 16% as opposed to 2% across the entire group. This year-on-year improvement reflects its strategic focus on major projects and programmes in rail, infrastructure and property in the uAE, Qatar and KSA. Middle East revenue is up 16% at $150m ($129.3m in 2013), with an improved operating margin of 9.3% (5.1% in 2013). Simon Moon, chief executive officer – Middle East, said: “These are strong
results for the Middle East business, which reflect our deep focus on the region’s most dynamic growth sectors and markets. This has put us in a great position to win and successfully deliver complex, exciting projects which really play to our strengths. He continued: “our people are delivering transformational work which is making a positive difference for the region’s urban environment. I can’t think of anything more motivating for talented engineers and architects, and it’s enabling us to look ahead with confidence.”
“Our people are delivering transformational work which is making a positive difference for the region’s urban environment” December 2014 Middle East Consultant 45
on site roundup
Project update PM contract awarded on Doha Oasis Faithful+Gould has won a project management contract for Doha Oasis, a 460,000sqm residential, retail and hospitality scheme in Qatar. The consultancy will provide a project management office (PMO) solution to the four main components of the project and develop a detailed project delivery plan to identify and address all associated risks. Doha Oasis will include 14 nine-storey residential buildings containing 245 apartments and penthouses. A podium will comprise housing, retail and a large
indoor amusement theme park with 26 or more rides and attractions. The scheme also contains a luxury hotel, with 28 floors and six restaurants. Charles Kadri, project director, said: “This project demonstrates the continuing development of Qatar’s property market, which is geared towards delivering the National 2030 Vision. “We’re really proud to be part of it, with the aim of ensuring the project is delivered within stringent time, cost and quality objectives.”
Dubai Tram opens first 11 stations The Dubai Tram became operational
(RTA) said. The entire Dubai Tram
JLT stations via pedestrian bridges. It
on November 12, with its first stage
network will comprise 17 stations, with
also intersects with the Palm Jumeirah
spanning 11 stations across 10.6km.
the first stage covering 11 stations (JBR
Monorail on Safouh Street for ease of
It is the first tram system outside
1, JBR 2, JLT, Dubai Marina Mall, Dubai
passenger transfer. The initial fleet comprises 11 trams,
Europe powered by ground electric
Marina, Marina Towers, Mina Siyahi,
cables, and the first in the world to
Dubai Media City, the Palm Jumeirah,
with an addition 14 to be added in the
use platform screen doors to provide
Knowledge Village and Safouh).
next stage. The RTA expects the tram
additional comfort and safety for users, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority
46 Middle East Consultant December 2014
The Dubai Tram links with the Dubai Metro at the Damac Properties and
network to reach around 66,000 users by 2020.
on site roundup
Tower power GeoGraphical share of worlD’s tallest 100 builDinGs, completeD or in proGress
India – 4% Kuwait – 1% Malaysia – 3% Qatar – 4%
concourse for british icon unveileD
Saudi Arabia – 4%
A public concourse outside historic Battersea Power Station in London, designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), was unveiled by a Malaysian consortium. The pedestrian space, Malaysia Square, creates a two-storey link between the southern entrance of the power station and the top of the new Electric Boulevard High Street, set to contain projects by esteemed architects Gehry Partners and Foster + Partners. Bjarke Ingels, founding partner at Bjarke Ingels Group, commented: “Situated at the very foot of the towering Battersea icon, the new Malaysia Square derives its shape from human flows, creating a cascading landscape carved into the street; or simply put, form follows flow. “As an urban canvas of possibilities for cultural expression – where landscape, architecture, urbanism and media design are in complete harmony – the new Malaysia Square lends dignity to the majestic industrial heritage while paving the way for a new Malaysia identity.”
USA – 11%
South Korea – 4% Taiwan – 2% UAE – 16% Vietnam – 2%
Qatar reveals stadium revamp for 2022 The organisers of the Qatar 2022 World Cup have revealed Dar AlHandasah’s revamped design for Khalifa Stadium in Doha. The stadium will be expanded to a 40,000-seat capacity and will host group, round of 16 and quarter-final matches during the tournament. Located in the Aspire Sports Centre, Khalifa Stadium was a key component of the 2006 Asian Games and the iconic arch in the western side will be retained.
New functions are planned underneath the revamped structure, including 10,000sqm of retail space and a further 10,000sqm of corporate hospitality zones. The main contactor works will be overseen by a joint venture between Midmac Contracting and Six Construct. Khalifa Stadium is the third venue to have final designs, following Zaha Hadid and Aecom’s Al Wakrah Stadium, and Al Khor Stadium, also designed by Dar Al Handasah. December 2014 Middle East Consultant 47
Source: Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH)
49% China
THE BACK PAGE AGNES KOLTAY
Thoughts I hold a bachelor’s degree in Architecture and Building Engineering from Budapest University of Technology and Economics. I followed this up with two master’s degrees over
the years – an MSc in Architecture from North Carolina State University in the USA, and an MSc in Façade Engineering from the University of Bath in the UK. I previously worked at Zaha Hadid Architects’ London office as an architect, before working at Meinhardt Facade
Technology’s Dubai offices as a senior façade consultant for two years. After this I moved to Whitbybird, which merged with Ramboll in 2008, and held this role until 2011. I set up my own consultancy, Koltay Façades Engineering, in the same year. Intelligent façades are the new trend and topic of discussion in the construction market over here. In
my definition, every façade is intelligent if designed with awareness of the local climate and solar conditions, and suitably implemented into the project. The same simple, glazed façade can provide very good energy efficiency, natural light conditions, and air- and water-sealed enclosure. It depends on how the façade is designed, built, oriented, framed, placed, interfaced and combined. There are many ways of defining the ‘intelligence’ of a façade. Intelligent façades are either climate adaptive
(responsive), where solar or thermal conditions may trigger a change, or façades with a secondary function designed in, such as energy creation or heat exchange or ventilation. Contrary to popular misconceptions, I don’t think the Dubai construction market is behind Europe in any way.
Why I chose my job Agnes Koltay, founder, Koltay Façades Engineering
A
rchitecture is very subjective and comprises numerous designs and ideas, whereas engineering has many practical aspects to it which I enjoy. Façade engineering was a key area of interest of mine, since I was keen to combine those disciplines and make design ideas work. 48 Middle East Consultant December 2014
The problems in Europe are very different to this region. It is not an extreme environment – it isn’t predominantly marine or dusty, and their systems are made to work for their environmental conditions. They’re therefore more likely to use double-skin façades, since they need to increase natural lighting in their buildings. Electricity is also far less affordable there than it is in, say, Dubai. However, in Dubai and other Middle Eastern markets, the biggest challenge is dust. Fine sand can block movable
parts. Even for fixed features, dust collects and necessitates more frequent and thorough cleaning. You can often see buildings with dust collecting on the external shading elements or dusty, non-accessible glazing behind the shading. Cleaning and maintenance access is often neglected until the last phase of the project, when it may be too late to develop an optimal strategy. Other challenges here are the corrosive marine environment, combined with high UV exposure and high surface temperatures. The region is known for its traditional intelligent construction systems, such as the mashrabiya, which has been
used on buildings for centuries and can be found on new project developments. Project designers, architects and developers are learning that you can’t copy everything that European designers are doing – you could end up with much worse results.