ME Consultant January 2015

011 january 2015

InsIght and analysIs for constructIon specIalIsts project management

Exploring highend hospitality with EC Harris

architecture

Julie Knight and Richard Fenne of Woods Bagot

civil engineering

The role of the engineer in today’s global market

sub consultants

Uncovering the unsung experts of construction

Talking TALL Scrutinising skyscrapers in Dubai and beyond

www.wspgroup.com

CONTENTS

January 2015

05 05

On topic

05

news analysis frOm acrOss the miDDle east event

Tall building council holds inaugural event for Dubai chapter

08

14

fOrUm

Debate on the workplace obstacles facing female engineers

12 12

in practice cOmpany prOfiles, OpiniOns anD interviews

20

OpiniOn

Walied Abdeldayem, Diales, on court-appointed experts

14

interview

Julie Knight and Richard Fenne on the latest at Woods Bagot

20

Overview

The niche consultants that have made a mark on the GCC

28

insiGht

32

The role of civil engineers in today’s global marketplace

32 32

On site BUilDinG reviews, case stUDies anD snapshOts review

28

EC Harris showcases the elaborate Pacha Ibiza Dubai

38

snapshOt

48

Innovative residential design at One Central Park, Sydney

44

cOmpany news

Aecom named largest practice on the planet in UK survey

46

prOJect news

New contract for Arcadis and Hyatt hotel launch in Dubai

48

thOUGhts

Andy Hewitt on setting up a construction claims business

38 January 2015 Middle East Consultant 1

WELCOME

Editor’s note Group

Community service

W

elcome to our first issue of 2015. The new year brings new aspirations for the key players in the construction industry. One company with an important 12 months ahead is Meraas.

Having delivered The Beach at JBR to widespread acclaim from residents and construction professionals alike, the focus will now switch to Citywalk in Jumeirah, which many will expect to progress in a similarly rapid and impressive fashion.

As a resident of Dubai Marina, I am constantly amazed by the developer’s ambition, boldness and vision. The manner in which The Beach sprang up in a matter of months was, quite simply, jawdropping. This boldness is perhaps most evident in its Bluewaters scheme, a man-made island, offshore from JBR, which is set to contain the world’s largest Ferris wheel.

I have the dubious privilege of watching the construction work unfold from the vantage point of my balcony. While it is strangely captivating to keep track of the humongous cranes and the structures rising up, I fear my sleep will diminish exponentially as the project kicks into overdrive.

Although Bluewaters will undoubtedly be impressive, my feeling so far is that Citywalk will be more of an asset to the emirate. One of this month’s interviewees, Woods Bagot design director Richard Fenne, proclaims it a “vibrant new community” for Dubai. I feel that ‘community’ is the operative word.

What is often missing in Dubai – certainly in newer parts of the city – is a sense of community. I am far more interested and excited by projects that create a real piece of city – which embrace the outdoors – than flashy mega-malls or theme parks.

Yet with the city rapidly maturing, I am optimistic that 2015 will see more community-minded developments emerge in the emirate.

GROUP CHAIRMAN AND FOUNDER DOMINIC DE SOUSA GROUP CEO NADEEM HOOD GROUP COO GINA O’HARA

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Oliver Ephgrave, Editor, Middle East Consultant

Printed by Printwell Printing press LLC © Copyright 2015 CPI. All rights reserved While the publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information in this magazine, they will not be held responsible for any errors therein.

2 Middle East Consultant January 2015

SHAPING CITYSCAPES ACROSS THE WORLD

Hyder is an award winning multi-national design and engineering consultancy that has delivered landmark projects in over 100 countries for more than 150 years.

www.hyderconsulting.com

Cranleigh School - Abu Dhabi, UAE

WHAT WE DO.

ARCHITECTURE INTERIOR DESIGN MEP

Hotel & Resort . Interior Design . Mixed-Use & Masterplanning . Commercial Residential . Education . Sports & Leisure . Public Sector & Institutional

UAE . OMAN . QATAR . KSA . UK +971 4 323 7555

mail@gaj-uae.ae www.gaj-uae.ae

05

EVENT Opening lecture reveals the latest data on tall buildings in Dubai

8

FORUM Experts discuss the reasons behind the lack of female engineers

On topic D

EVENT

Talking tall The Dubai chapter for the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat held its long-awaited inaugural event last month

ubai may be home to 8% of the world’s skyscrapers, as well as the tallest structure on the planet, yet it took until last month for the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) to hold its inaugural session for its chapter in the emirate.

The event, held on 10 December at Vida Hotel and Resorts, was a “long time coming” according to Dean McGrail, one of CTBUH’s two Dubai representatives and director of specialist services at WSP, who remarked that the inaugural session had been on the cards since 2012.

With three offices around the world – a headquarters in Chicago, a new office in Shanghai and a research hub in Venice – CTBUH is best known as the global authority on building heights. Yet the council offers far more than just statistics to its impressive 1.3 million members worldwide. The not-for-profit organisation holds worldwide seminars, networking events, building tours and tall buildings awards, as well as an annual international conference, next in New York City on October 26-30, 2015.

CTBUH also draws on its members’ expertise to produce documents on specific areas of tall buildings, with 12 working groups covering the latest developments in subjects such as BIM, facades, security and fire & life safety.

McGrail drew attention to a project called the Research Roadmap, set up by CTBUH, UNESCO and the International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB). “It has three primary objectives – to look at the important research that we need for tall buildings, any gaps in current tall building research, and any programmes for research moving forwards.”

One of the current CTBUH research projects is a study on dealing with high-rises that have become obsolete. “There is a huge task ahead of us in very January 2015 Middle East Consultant 5

on topic EVENT

51%

Percentage of Dubai skyscrapers that are residential in function Source: CTBUH

dense high-rise cities, like New York and Hong Kong, when the building stock becomes outdated and needs to be dismantled. How do you go about demolishing something like JBR, for example?”

When it comes to measuring tall buildings, CTBUH’s method is floor to architectural top. Cohost Mark Lavery, CTBUH Dubai representative and associate director – Tall Buildings at Buro Happold, explains: “Architectural top can be towers, spires – anything that doesn’t have a function. That was one of the key things that put One World Trade Center in third place in the overall list. It was quite contentious at the time. The Willis Tower [in Chicago, formerly the Sears Tower] has antennae which put them at a great height but don’t count because they have communication purposes.”

He also notes that ‘highest occupied floor’ is another, unofficial, method of measuring buildings.

“That can be widely different from the architectural tip.

With Burj Khalifa, the last usable floor is about 70% of its height, as is [the case in] One World Trade Center."

Around 11% of the council’s members are from the Middle East, with existing chapters in Abu Dhabi and Qatar. “That is something that we are looking to increase,” says McGrail.

Referring to data compiled by CTBUH on its extensive website, Skyscraper Center, Lavery comments: “Since 2000 [the Middle East] has been at the centre of tall building development throughout the world. Up until the 1990s, it was completely dominated by the United States. Now we have a large percentage in Asia and the Middle East.”

Lavery also highlights the evolving function of high-rise buildings. “The buildings of North America were all primarily office-based. Now we’re seeing that residential and mixed use are starting to really dominate. Less than half of the hundred tallest are actually office.”

6 Middle East Consultant January 2015

The inaugural session was held in Vida Hotel and Resorts, Dubai.

on topic EVENT

DUBAI TOWER STATS

BUILDING FUNCTIONS Based on 168 buildings over 150m height

Residential – 51% Mixed use – 21% Office – 18% Hotel – 8% Serviced apartments – 2%

BUILDING MATERIALS Based on 163 buildings over 150m height

Concrete – 94% Steel/concrete – 3% Composite – 3%

CTBUH statistics reveal that Dubai has 168 buildings over 150m in height. Of those, 51% are residential, 21% are mixed use, 18% are office, 8% are hotels and 2% are serviced apartments. The functional split is very different from New York City, which features 58% office, 24% residential and 11% mixed use towers.

The predominant structural material has also changed, with steel now less prevalent. Lavery explains: “[Skyscraper builders] in the Middle East and Asia are more comfortable with concrete in general. Steel has typically been taken as more expensive, so we are starting to see concrete and composite buildings really dominate tall buildings.”

According to the website, 94% of Dubai’s skyscrapers are built with concrete, while only 3% are steel/concrete and 3% are composite. In the case of New York City, 62% are built with steel while 31%

used concrete. Reflecting the rapid recent expansion of the emirate, the average age for a tall building is a mere six years, compared to 38 in New York City. Elsewhere, the average age for a skyscraper is 11 in Shanghai, 13 in Hong Kong and 15 in Singapore. However, Dubai’s skyline is relatively mature compared to Abu Dhabi and Doha, where the average age for a tall building is four and three years respectively.

Lavery reiterates the staggering level of tall building construction in the UAE. “It has 8.4% of the world’s tallest buildings yet only 0.1% of the world’s population – that’s a completely disproportionate amount. It becomes even more unbalanced when you look from [a regional] perspective. The UAE has 66% of the Middle East’s tall buildings and only 1.4% of the population.”

As for the world’s tallest structures, six of the top 20 are in the Middle East, with three in Dubai (Burj Khalifa, Marina 101 and Princess Tower). Yet by 2020, CTBUH predicts that the Middle East will only have three of the world’s tallest. “China will rise up the chart with more tall buildings. By 2020, Kingdom Tower [in Jeddah] and the Pentominium [in Dubai] will have crept in, but at this stage we are completely overtaken by Asia – there are only three in the Middle East. The rest [apart from Burj Khalifa] slide off the list,” comments Lavery.

He also draws attention to the number of unfinished structures in the region. A recent CTBUH study plotted the tallest uncompleted buildings, with site works begun but halted and no indication that construction will continue. The study found that four of the ten tallest are in Dubai, including the 1,000m Nakheel Tower.

In terms of the activities of CTBUH in Dubai, both of the city representatives underline a desire to connect with the local industry by hosting lectures.

“We really want to get active. We are thinking of lectures with real subjects that have a use to [people in the industry],” states McGrail.

Globally, the council is aiming to attract more memberships from developers, ultimately the key decision-makers in high-rise projects. “There are a lot of developers listed, but many of them are single person memberships – [CTBUH] are trying to push the organisational membership of developers.”

In addition, the organisation is looking for contributors and experts to share their knowledge by writing papers and journal articles. McGrail adds: “We want to bring in a lot more education for everyone to learn from, and we want to encourage people to start to take part in a meaningful way.”

January 2015 Middle East Consultant 7

on topic Forum

FORUM

Breaking the glass ceiling A panel discussion at the World Engineering Education Forum 2014 drew attention to the lack of female engineers in the UAE workforce, particularly at the highest level By Jerusha Sequeira

I

t doesn’t take a detective to notice that engineering is a heavily male-dominated profession. Many women study engineering without going to work in the field, while others are often deterred from considering it as a career option in the first place. So should companies take note and step up their efforts to attract and retain a female workforce? The numbers suggest they might just have to.

According to the UAE Society of Engineers, 60,000 additional engineers will be needed between 2011 and 2020. While the dependence on foreigners is not expected to end anytime soon, a 2014 report – 'UAE Economic Vision: Women in Science, Technology and

8 Middle East Consultant January 2015

Engineering', by The Economist Intelligence Unit – predicts that more qualified nationals will be needed to fill vacancies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields in the UAE, and this involves tapping the potential of female graduates.

The importance of STEM subjects is not lost on women in the UAE, given that half of STEM graduates (50.7%) are female. But many grow disillusioned with the prospect of working in engineering, for reasons ranging from cultural factors to a perceived glass ceiling, according to experts.

Dr Gisela Loehlein, associate professor at the College of Engineering, Ajman University

of Science and Technology, says that, on average, 80% of her students get married right after graduation and are unable to pursue a career.

“The 20% that go out into the market do very well,” says Loehlein, who teaches architecture courses. “They dominantly choose positions where they can grow within [the company]… they have more of a tendency to stay with one firm and then work their way up into a higher position.

“They get to a senior project manager, senior architecture position, and usually that’s where it stops. And I think over time the enthusiasm gets ground down if they see nobody else is getting through that barrier – the glass ceiling,

on topic Forum

“Even though they may have an engineering degree, you don’t see a lot of women staying and working as engineers” Dr BouthEina tlili, rochEstEr institutE of tEchnology, DuBai as they call it. Then they themselves also get disillusioned, and I think that is the problem.”

Female engineers and architects often believe that their workplace will treat them fairly, she adds, but that may not turn out to be the case.

“The reality is different. They realise, when they’re going out, that they’re not treated equally.

They’ll [find] it very hard to get anywhere in the senior ranks because the men will always be pushed forward.”

Dr Boutheina Tlili, associate professor of electrical engineering at the Rochester Institute of Technology, Dubai, echoed Loehlein’s comments during a panel discussion at the World Engineering Education Forum (WEFF), held in

Dubai World Trade Centre on December 3 2014.

Speaking during a session entitled ‘Enhancing Gender Diversity in Engineering Education and Practice’, Tlili said: “[Women] feel like there’s no room for them to grow – if there’s a leadership position, the men will get it before the women.

Even though they may have an engineering degree, you don’t see a lot of women staying and working as engineers.”

Dr Hans Hoyer, executive secretary of the Global Engineering Deans Council, points out to Middle East Consultant that engineering is not necessary a conducive environment for females. “Many universities bring very bright, capable young women into engineering and they

get turned off by the culture, by the professors.

It’s a really serious cultural problem.”

While other professions like medicine have achieved near parity in employing women, engineering lags behind. “Engineering turns off many women. It’s the culture, the mind-set of the males. It’s not just in engineering, it’s a psychological, cultural phenomenon. How many women are in top executive positions? This is a universal issue,” Hoyer stresses.

Other panellists at the WEFF session emphasised the need for companies to provide a more supportive work environment to retain women employees. “Workplace environment is a major factor, indeed one of the biggest factors, of

January 2015 Middle East Consultant 9

on topic Forum

why women engineers are leaving the profession,” says Dr Jennifer DeBoer, assistant professor of engineering education at Purdue University.

“You see a smaller percentage of women studying engineering than men, and then you see an even lower percentage in the workforce,” remarks Dr Alaa Ashmawy, dean and professor of Civil Engineering at American University in Dubai.

“Part of the reason is the support system that is available in the companies for women to succeed and progress. At the university level, there is a very strong push from all universities in the region to ensure that we have better representation of women. The challenge is after they graduate – to find the right opportunity and the support system from their employer.”

This lack of a support system makes it harder to attain a work-life balance, a key challenge in a traditional society that identifies women as primary caregivers. Cultural issues also pose further problems, the report highlights.

Same-sex education across government institutions in the UAE means that many female Emirati engineering graduates do not have a lot of prior experience working alongside men, which can cause discomfort in a male-dominated environment. “Women don’t stay in engineering, because all their colleagues are men and they shy out of it,” Tlili says.

Long working hours are often a reality of the profession, Loehlein explains, further compounding the problem. Because much of the industrial expansion in the country takes place outside the city, and work sites don’t have facilities for female engineers to stay overnight, women must travel long distances daily. This too can be a further impediment to them gaining site experience, says the report.

However, policy changes to boost female participation in the workforce will have to be accompanied by cultural changes that are more supportive of women in engineering, DeBoer

“Parents encourage the male offspring, rather than the female, to study engineering.

But our best and brightest students in engineering are female” Dr alaa ashmawy, amErican univErsity in DuBai argues. “[In addition to] any policy changes, there has to be some recognition that culture goes along with it as well. You can change a policy... but having a supportive culture that enables women to take advantage of the policies, that’s sometimes a roadblock even when policies are in place.”

According to experts, a key measure to get more women in engineering is to educate them about the field from an early age. “We go to high schools to promote engineering. In a lot of cases, it’s the parents that would encourage the male offspring, rather than the female, to study engineering. But we’re seeing a change. Our best and brightest students in engineering are female students,” Ashmawy says.

Companies also have to take steps to address inequalities between male and female employees, starting with remuneration. A woman with “the same college degree gets less money than a man,” Hoyer says. Loehlein agrees: “That’s where legislation is required to actually state that they

60,000

Additional engineers needed between 2011 and 2020 Source: UAE Society of Engineers 10 Middle East Consultant January 2015

are not allowed to pay different for male or female.

It’s a danger for society to start making these differences rather than looking at the substance, quality and skills that somebody has.”

Other panellists stressed the importance of role models and mentors for young women in the field early on, along with formal and informal social networks. One way for universities to make engineering more appealing to women, DeBoer said, is to contextualise the field into a broader social context.

“There’s a high importance for women in engineering to see the social impact of their work,” she commented.

While companies may have to work harder to attract and retain female talent, they will miss out if they do not, according to Loehlein.

“They’re losing out at the moment. They are running after the monetary focus and forgetting that they are putting down talent, and that’s a shame,” she tells Middle East Consultant.

“The female graduates are often of the higher calibre. If it was fair in the market, they would earn more and get higher up in the rank, and then normal economics would make the decision in the family,” she says, adding that the rising cost of living may force more women to work instead of staying home.

“We just need to have it fair, and then women will have the chance that they deserve.”

onstruction Intelligence eport

An industry in words The Construction Intelligence Report will offer an in-depth analysis of the Middle East construction market, covering a broad range of topics from property development and megaprojects to infrastructure and finance. The report will feature an exclusive survey on regional salaries and industry trends, as well as interviews with key executives, sector updates and country reports. This annual report will serve as a one-stop guide for industry professionals, enabling them to make more informed business decisions.

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82

The right workflow and processes defined, BIM enables organisations to improve the quality of building design

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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IN PRACTICE WALIED ABDELDAYEM

Opinion

Walied Abdeldayem is a delay expert at Diales

See you in court?

Why UAE courts should fully recognise quantum and delay analysis experts Commercial disputes heard by the UAE courts are generally conducted with an exchange of written submissions without oral advocacy or witness examination. The UAE courts are empowered to appoint one or more experts to give an opinion on any of the issues in dispute.

Should the court decide to appoint an expert, the court must determine the issues for which it requires assistance and define the expert’s assignment, as per Federal Law No. 10. Typically, the court appoints an expert registered in the List of Experts maintained by the Ministry of Justice.

The court expert is expected to embark on a factfinding mission and is empowered to visit governmental and non-governmental entities to obtain relevant information. This function of the court-appointed expert is rather different from what may be expected from a party-appointed expert in arbitration or litigation.

In the UAE, the court expert invites the parties for a first meeting to discuss the case, hear their positions and so on. The expert manages the meeting, which often exposes them to legal arguments and tactics which may present a real challenge for the court expert.

In contrast, the party-appointed expert’s interface is mainly with the lawyers who instructed him and he or she is therefore somewhat shielded from legal battles between the parties.

The Cabinet’s Decree No. 6 provides a list of the professions and specialisations which are recognised by the Ministry of Justice under which experts 12 Middle East Consultant January 2015

can register in the List of Experts. Surprisingly, the Ministry does not recognise the quantum or delay analysis categories within these specialisations1. This does not mean that there are no quantum or delay analysis experts qualified in the List of Experts, rather that these two specialisations are not distinguished – by their own rights – and therefore the court may not necessarily consider these specialisations when making an appointment.

For parties in construction disputes – who perhaps are used to referring their disputes to arbitration where they can select their own experts – enduring a situation where their dispute is referred to court may be very worrying. Clearly it represents serious risk and uncertainty for the parties, who have not only surrendered the control of arbitration but are also unlikely to know the capabilities of the court expert in the two areas of specialisation they need most.

Parties may, however, separately appoint experts at their own expense. A party’s own expert in this setting would not give opinion/evidence before the court; rather, their main role is to prepare a report for the consideration of the court’s appointed expert. This option is very practical, and vital in some instances. The party’s own expert can narrow the issues and ensure that the court’s expert has the relevant information, especially if they are able to conduct objective discussions.

This practice, of course, adds to the cost of litigation and can lead to procedural delays, which is precisely the opposite of the intention of the court-appointed expert. In my opinion, a more efficient and cost-effective solution would be for the courts to recognise these specialisations and allow quantum and delay analysis experts to register in the Ministry List.

Table of Expertise and Specialisations as appended to the Cabinet’s Decree No. 6 of 2014 in relation to the Executive Regulations for UAE Federal Law No. (7) of 2012 – Regulation of the Profession of Experts before Judicial Authorities

1

IN PRACTICE WOODS BAGOT

Interview

woods of

Julie Knight and Richard Fenne on the global outlook of

14 Middle East Consultant January 2015

IN PRACTICE WOODS BAGOT

ThE woRld Woods Bagot, now the planet’s seventh largest architecture firm

January 2015 Middle East Consultant 15

IN PRACTICE WOODS BAGOT

wITh oRIgINs IN AusTRAlIA, 137 yEARs Ago,

Woods Bagot has long been a familiar and respected name in the Middle East construction industry. Although the Dubai office contains a fair share of Australians, including principal Julie Knight, the practice’s outlook and modus operandi have become increasingly international in recent years. With the vision of a global exchange programme to move expertise around the world, the practice now generates over 50% of its revenue from its non-Australian offices. Middle East Consultant catches up with Knight and Richard Fenne, design director, to find out more. first of all, what are the latest goings-on at woods Bagot?

Richard Fenne: We have several notable projects at the

moment. We’re on site at Citywalk delivering 10 of the 20 residential buildings and a Marriott Hotel. It’s really going to be a vibrant new community in Dubai. We’re also about to embark on a significant mixed use project in Abu Dhabi for Aldar.

Down at Masdar, we’ve designed residential units that are currently being tendered and we’re waiting for the IRENA headquarters to be formally launched. It’s achieved a Four Pearl Rating [with Estidama] and has picked up a couple of awards from Big Project Middle East and BGreen.

We’re also working on the ground for Madinat Jumeirah Phase 4 – a huge 450-key resort – and the Kempinski in Oman. It’s been a very busy year. We calculated the number of bids we’ve done and it’s quite frightening. That’s really the level of the market. And we’re bid-discerning – these are good projects.

Julie Knight: This year has very much been about masterplanning for us. We have had a series of significant project wins – whether through competition or direct appointment – in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.

RF: Overwhelmingly we’ve really been busy in the UAE, whereas in previous years we’ve been more spread across the GCC. We’ve also seen a reawakening of projects that have been dormant – that’s probably a trend across Abu Dhabi and the region as a whole. We are doing continuous work for the likes of Masdar, Emaar, Dubai Properties, Wasl Properties and Meraas. We feel we have a strong core of solid clients which have an excellent pipeline.

As a multi-discipline firm, where does the majority of your revenue come from?

JK: Previously, the interiors really kept the architecture

afloat, but now we’ve seen a reversal. We have been working 16 Middle East Consultant January 2015

on one of the largest office fit-outs for Qatar Petroleum at 350,000sqm. It wasn’t just through our Dubai office – it was a global effort involving London, Melbourne and New York. While we were doing that, the architecture and masterplanning kicked back in again. We are nicely placed. how has your team evolved in recent months?

JK: Grant Blindel, our masterplanning leader, joined

recently. We also have a design director coming in January.

We can’t disclose his name yet – he is a headliner and we are really excited. It’s difficult to grow our team here – it’s a very inelastic labour market so we are focusing on quality people, rather than having a huge office. We will be growing in number but it’s about performance and quality, rather than having a battery farm. That’s not Woods Bagot – it’s quality, not quantity. how many people work for woods Bagot?

RF: We have 65 people in the Dubai office and 850+ globally.

We are led to believe we are the seventh biggest architectural practice in the world [according to this year’s WA100 by Building Design]. The company may be 147 years old, but it has a very young ethos that’s targeting new opportunities.

Our Asia business has grown significantly, while the youngest business – the USA – has grown, with offices in San Francisco and New York. The Middle East has a real role to play in terms of overall revenue and is clearly a hot market.

JK: Out of the top 20 architecture firms, we are the only one that gets over 50% of the revenue from outside our country of origin. We are really unique in that sense and we are proud of that. It is remarkable.

RF: We are a global studio. Case in point – we don’t have a head office. Our global MD is in Hong Kong, our chairman is in London, our technical leader is in New York and our finance people are in Melbourne.

JK: We’re spread out and we’re not in competition with the other studios. Of course we have to look after our own, revenue-wise, but we are all about sharing.

RF: It’s born out of being a private company and the spread of shareholders across the globe. I think that brings the collaborative nature.

Is it common for staff to move between studios?

RF: Absolutely. For Citywalk, we brought over guys from

London, Shanghai, Beijing and Perth. The client wanted the convenience of one architect but also a variety in the residential typologies. One way we can do that is by engaging with other studios. You get that melting pot and different

IN PRACTICE WOODS BAGOT

Julie Knight has been in the UAE for 18 years and joined Woods Bagot in 2006.

flavours of design. We also send people out from Dubai – one of our interior guys is in London working on an exciting design competition.

JK: One of the former principals in Dubai, Alf Seeling, has moved back to Perth. That’s exactly the way we work. As we grow, we are going to be developing a global exchange – we’ll trademark it, app it, whatever, but that is very unique. You could come in as a graduate and do a few years in Melbourne and then New York, for example. We want people who are with us to develop their careers. Not everyone is mobile all of the time, but we do encourage it – that cross-pollination is great.

RF: As a designer, getting exposure to different cultures is incredibly enriching. It’s fascinating just seeing how projects evolve in China. [The China studios] are designing – week in, week out – whole city blocks, just at concept stage. It’s phenomenal. Whereas our London office is much more involved in taking projects from inception to completion. It’s very interesting to get exposed to those different ways of working.

“We will be growing in number but it’s about performance and quality, rather than having a battery farm” Julie Knight how did you both get involved in woods Bagot?

JK: I’ve been in the Emirates for 18 years now. I trained as an

architect in Australia and moved to New York. After five years there, my husband-to-be was transferred to the UAE. When I first got here, there were hardly any other international practices. I was working for Leo A Daly, then I did the rounds through various local practices and joined Woods Bagot in 2006. It was during the time of the big hire [the 1km tall Nakheel Tower that was shelved during the financial crisis].

We were upwards of 300 people – they were crazy days.

January 2015 Middle East Consultant 17

IN PRACTICE WOODS BAGOT

“As a designer, getting exposure to different cultures is incredibly enriching. it’s fascinating just seeing how projects evolve in China” RiChARd Fenne

Richard Fenne worked in London before moving to the UAE.

In the years that followed we had a number of principals who have since been relocated around the world. I have been principal for a year and a half now.

RF: Compared to Julie, I am very much in my infancy. I came out to the UAE almost four years ago from London, to work for Austin-Smith:Lord on a significant cultural project in Abu Dhabi. We had 120 designers in London working on it and I was one of the handful that came out to help set up the Abu Dhabi office to put a team on-site. It wouldn’t take much searching online [to discover the financial issues related to the project]. I didn’t want to repatriate as it would have been less than a year, and I brought my family over. That’s when I got speaking to Woods Bagot.

JK: I was part of the interview team. We recognised how special you were. A rare bird!

RF: [Laughs] I’m still based in Abu Dhabi, although I spend most of my time in Dubai. It’s been tremendous.

Everything happens so quickly here – there is an intensity to it. Working for a year here is almost like working for three, four or five elsewhere, as things move so quickly. It’s a part of the world where you can flourish and get some good experience.

JK:Because we are a branch of Australia – Pty Ltd – we are constantly challenged by contract terms in the Middle East. We spend a lot of time making sure that everybody is comfortable with them. That has been a huge learning experience.

18 Middle East Consultant January 2015

RF: We know the topography, so we align ourselves with the best clients and the best consultants. which consultants have you partnered with?

RF: I’d be reluctant to name any because I think it would

be a long list.

JK: It would be like an Oscar acceptance speech – you wouldn’t want to leave anyone out!

RF: We look at their relationship with the client and the typology of the project – if it’s a tall tower we will know exactly which engineer to go to. We’ve also built up key relationships with, for example, fire and life safety consultants. You start to build an efficient way of working, with dependable partners, so you are not constantly reinventing the wheel. We also build strategic partnerships with other architectural firms that can help with certain aspects of projects. People are very open about the projects they are working on and their experiences. It is less adversarial [than other markets]. what else is on the horizon for 2015?

RF: Genuinely things are really positive. There has been

transition in the last couple of years – not just here – with a lot of movement of personnel. We’re in a strong position.

JK: We are. We’re very stable and solid, and right at the beginning of a three-year planning cycle. There are some very measured, but very achievable, growth plans and it’s terrific to be a part of that. We are staying around.

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IN PRACTICE Niche coNsultaNts

overview

ThE sPECIAlIsTs

Uncovering the niche consultants that have made a mark on GCC buildings

I

n the regional construction industry, the work undertaken by small specialist consultancies is often overlooked in favour of big-name firms with extensive marketing teams. Middle East Consultant shines a light on niche consultants that have left a lasting impression on the region’s built environment, in fields ranging from wayfinding to water feature creation and geotechnical engineering.

20 Middle east consultant January 2015

IN PRACTICE Niche coNsultaNts

Genius Loci WAyfINdINg ANd sIgNAgE dEsIgNER Genius Loci is a leisure and destination branding and design consultancy that specialises in wayfinding strategy and signage design for complex environments. It has 15 Dubai-based consultants and 10 international staff, with a presence in South Africa. Wayfinding projects involve planning the movement of residents, visitors, pedestrians and vehicles, and the development of relevant signage schemes and urban art to aid navigation.

Explaining the importance of wayfinding, Graeme Erens, CEO of Genius Loci, says: “Besides being informative, wayfinding and signage adds intrinsic value to the design and perception of public and private realms. Planned wayfinding within any development is key to ensuring users of the environment can navigate the space. This assists with creating an engaging, comfortable and enjoyable experience for all visitors, services and residents.

“Bespoke and relevant signage design ensures the design intent and planning of an environment is continued through key communication elements and further enhances the urban fabric and experience of any building, hotel or mixed-use environment.”

Genius Loci has worked on St Regis Saadiyat Island and Sir Bani Yas Island Resorts in Abu Dhabi, as well as Fairmont Palm Jumeirah, Skyview and Fountain Views in Downtown Dubai, and the upcoming Dubai Opera.

“Besides being informative, wayfinding and signage adds intrinsic value to the design and perception of public and private realms” Graeme erens, CeO, Genius LOCi

January 2015 Middle east consultant 21

IN PRACTICE Niche coNsultaNts

Aquatic Design & Engineering WATER fEATuRE CoNsulTANT Founded in 1987, Aquatic Design & Engineering (ADE) has completed nearly 2,000 projects worldwide, including five-star resort pools, themed water parks, choreographed show fountains and interactive water features and play areas. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, the company has 19 staff with branch offices in Dubai and Dallas, Texas.

Key projects in the Middle East include the newly-completed Four Seasons Dubai, an 11-acre

waterfront property featuring two infinity-edge pools overlooking the Gulf, an interactive water feature for children and two spas. ADE worked on the impressive Arabic-styled water features outside Yas Mall, including the large entry feature spanning 300 metres.

Elsewhere on Yas Island, the company provided services for the Welcome Pavilion Cascade Fountain outside Ferrari World. Featuring a patterned array of more than 750 nozzles and

2,000 LED lights, it is the largest choreographed water feature in Abu Dhabi, covering more than 8,000sqm (pictured).

An important upcoming project is the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi, containing 27 significant features that will be visible to dignitaries arriving via helicopter. ADE is also working on Doha Zoo, set for completion in 2017, which will include a variety of nozzle effects and sprays that reach 15 metres.

Langan International gEoTEChNICAl ENgINEER

Headquartered in New Jersey, Langan International is a geotechnical engineering firm with offices in 19 US locations as well as Athens, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha and Istanbul. Its seven staff in the Middle East are supported by 900 worldwide.

Langan International provides a mix of engineering and environmental consulting services in support of land development, corporate real estate and oil and gas projects. One of the company’s most high-profile schemes in the Middle East is the Kingdom Tower in Jeddah, set to become the world’s tallest building.

George Leventis, managing director of Langan International, reveals the common misconceptions about geotechnical engineering. “People realise they can’t take foundation design for high-rise buildings lightly. But often we are confronted with a situation where drilling companies are thought to be geotechnical engineers. Ultimately, an expert geotechnical engineer must be called in, if you want your project done correctly.”

The company’s KSA projects also include King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh and King Abdullah Foundation Complex in Jeddah. Elswehere in the GCC it has worked on Al Maryah Central/The Galleria in Abu Dhabi, Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain and Heart of Doha Phase I. 22 Middle east consultant January 2015

IN PRACTICE Niche coNsultaNts

Studio Lumen lIghTINg CoNsulTANT Dubai-based lighting consultant Studio Lumen has a team of eight people comprising architects, interior designers and electrical engineers. It provides lighting design services for hospitality, commercial and residential projects, including interior, exterior and landscape lighting design.

The firm also has a satellite office in India which helps coordinate its projects on the subcontinent. In addition, a strategic alliance

with CKR Consulting Engineers further boosts the available skillset. According to Studio Lumen’s design director Siddharth Mathur, staff numbers and projects grew by approximately 45% in 2014, with similar growth expected in 2015.

Notable projects in Dubai include Madinat Jumeirah, One&Only Royal Mirage, One&Only The Palm (below), Sanctuary Falls, Sheraton Mall of the Emirates, Fairmont The Palm, Oberoi Dubai

and Taj Downtown. Studio Lumen is also working on projects in Qatar, India, Mozambique and Oman.

Mathur comments: “We believe lighting should complement architecture and ambience rather than draw undue attention to itself, so our designs feature a seamless integration with the visual environment both in terms of the lit effect and the material substance of the light fixtures themselves, at night and during the day.”

“We believe lighting should complement architecture and ambience rather than draw undue attention to itself” siddharth mathur, desiGn direCtOr, studiO Lumen

January 2015 Middle east consultant 23

IN PRACTICE Niche coNsultaNts

“the amount of value that the curtain wall testing protects is amazing” thOmas BeLL-WriGht

Thomas Bell-Wright fAçAdE CoNsulTANT In 1995, Thomas Bell-Wright established an eponymous consulting firm in Dubai, offering a suite of services including façade consulting and testing. Now with 50 employees, the firm’s fully-fledged laboratory provides a structure for a curtain wall contractor to fix a specimen, which is then enclosed to form an air-tight chamber. The basic tests are for air infiltration, static water penetration and structural load.

Bell-Wright states that tests are crucial for preventing premature failure.

“A curtain wall protects a huge amount of investment – around 15% of the building. But if there’s a problem, it will extend throughout the whole system, as it is repetitive. You have to replace the entire curtain wall, and you have to get everybody out of the building."

Even if the façade is re-installed, there will be many additional expenses, as Bell-Wright points out. “You have to replace all of the interior finishes on all of the exterior rooms because of the interface with the curtain wall.

The amount of value that the curtain wall testing protects is amazing.”

More recently, in the wake of high-profile fires in the UAE, the company has expanded to become the only facility capable of testing fire-rated doors, walls and partitions.

Diales

ExPERT WITNEss PRovIdER Owned by UK-based Driver Group, Diales is a network of experts in the fields of arbitration, litigation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR). The group is in the process of rolling out Diales across the world, having already launched the brand in Europe and Asia-Pacific.

According to Mark Wheeler, head of Diales, the business has doubled as a group over the last four years through organic growth and acquisitions. All Diales projects are expert witness commissions, instructed by clients or their lawyers.

Around 60% of revenue relates to quantum, the calculation of sums due or not due by skilled quantity surveyors, while 35% relates to delay analysis work, often a forensic review of what happened and when. The final 5% is made up of technical work – defining why something has failed or does not perform to expectations, and identifying technical remedies in mechanical and electrical works.

Driver's Middle East team is now over 120 people, with four of the Diales team living in the Middle East. A further 10 people regularly work in the Middle East, but are based elsewhere. “Diales is also the only team I know that can provide technical experts in building and engineering, as well as quantum and delay analyst support,” adds Wheeler.

24 Middle east consultant January 2015

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IN PRACTICE Niche coNsultaNts

40NORTH lANdsCAPE dEsIgNER Founded in 2005 in Florida by John Galloway, 40NORTH has grown into an influential landscape design and planning practice. It is now based on a 35-acre farm north of Kansas City.

According to the company’s website, 2014 is proving to be a “transitional year” for the company, with high-profile projects in Tunisia, Istanbul, Dubai and the US.

“Refurbishment projects for historic and culturally significant properties continue to capture our imaginations, exploring new design directions within long-established architectural styles and patterns. Most of all, we're having fun and continuing to be creative.”

In the UAE, 40NORTH worked on One&Only The Palm, Dubai. “This is our best project completed

to date,” adds the website. “The end result speaks for itself. It is the gold standard for resort hotels in Dubai, and is the flagship of the One&Only brand.

We’ve never worked harder or had more fun on any of our projects.”

The company has also provided landscape designs for parks, palaces, luxury residences and private island resorts in the GCC.

will have some unique aspect acoustically. There’s always new challenges and new people to work with who have different ideas. Sometimes you work with people that are very experienced and know exactly what you’re talking about, while others have never worked with an acoustic consultant. It’s always varied and never repetitive.”

The company’s acoustic services include site noise and vibration surveys and assessments; building envelope sound insulation; airborne

and impact sound insulation; specifications for constructions, finishes and materials; assessments and reports for complying with different green building rating systems; and site acoustic testing, commissioning, investigation and troubleshooting.

“We find that architects generally understand the benefits of using an acoustic consultant right from the concept stage. Even the orientation of the building and the location of the site will have an influence on acoustics,” adds Bailess.

PMK International ACousTIC CoNsulTANT Specialising in acoustic, audiovisual and information technology systems design, PMK International has 50 staff across offices in Dubai, Brisbane and Louisiana. It is fronted by partners Edward Adamczyk, head of acoustics, and Andre Regnard, head of ELV. According to Thomas Bailess, acoustic consultant in the Dubai office, the company works on a wide variety of projects. “We probably work on over 100 projects a year – every building is different and

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Civil rights

Exploring the role and requirements of civil engineers in today’s global marketplace

28 Middle East Consultant January 2015

iN PrACtiCE CIVIL ENGINEERS

Insight

D

ue to a global skills shortage, experienced civil engineers are in high demand and have the world at their feet. Along with the requirement of mobility, civil engineers are expected to seamlessly adapt to their surroundings while mastering the complex technical knowledge specific to each locality. Middle East Consultant speaks to representatives from WSP, ICE and AUD to learn about the challenges of the role and the opportunities for professionals to develop their expertise.

With rECENt high-ProfilE tAkEovErs of

global engineering companies, such as WSP’s purchase of Parsons Brinckerhoff and Arcadis’ acquisition of Hyder Consulting, a large number of civil engineers will be drafted to work on projects in exciting and unfamiliar territories.

“The recent merger and acquisition activity is a great opportunity for civil engineers to work on bigger projects in more diverse locations. The acquisition of Parsons Brinckerhoff is a wonderful change, but it also brings challenges,” comments Greg Kane, Dubai-based director at WSP Global.

Kane states that working in “diverse locations” is not always an easy task for civil engineers, who must understand and comply with building codes which often differ between cities in the same country, such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, or Riyadh and Jeddah.

“If you talk about the civil engineering industry, one problem plaguing it is the mobility of engineers, not only in terms of their ability to geographically move, but also their ability to understand codes and regulations in the context of dealing with people from different cultures.”

Yet Kane believes that mergers and acquisitions will eventually lead to a standardisation of skills and practices, besides the transportability of international codes. The precise remit of civil engineers continues to spark industry

debate, primarily due to terminology. Kane continues: “It is sometimes debated whether buildings can be considered a part of the civil engineering field, based on the question of whether buildings are something the public benefits from.

“A civic building, such as a hospital, is something the public does or could benefit from, but areas like wastewater treatment, roads, bridges, highways and so on are definitely a civil engineer’s job.

“The debate doesn’t have any impactful ramifications; it’s more a topic that preoccupies the profession, and it’s something on the side that people engage in.”

Mark Jamieson, the UAE representative of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and project director Turner Construction International, agrees with Kane.

“The discussion whether building projects fall under civil engineering is inevitably one which will continue for a number of years. Civil engineers design and build bridges, roads, railways and tunnels, and civil engineering very much includes tall structures and large buildings as part of its remit in terms of the urban environment, whether it’s a villa or a tall tower such as the Burj Khalifa,” he says.

“All work associated with building structures, which could be anything from stadiums to hospitals or schools, is a part of the scope of activities undertaken by civil engineers. The level January 2015 Middle East Consultant 29

IN PRACTICE CIVIL ENGINEERS

UAE postgraduate programmes • Master of Science in Civil Engineering – American University of Sharjah

of involvement may differ; a civil engineer might work on the foundations or superstructure of the building, the utilities, the finishes or the façade, but they most definitely impact how a building looks and operates,” Jamieson adds.

Civil engineers need to be adaptable to new situations, according to Dr Alaa Ashmawy, professor of Civil Engineering and dean of the School of Engineering, American University in Dubai (AUD). “[The profession] is one of the most diverse industries there is, which means people from different countries and educational backgrounds tend to work together on large projects. This requires adaptability.”

The hurdle is not restricted to new or younger civil engineers; even those who have been in the industry for several decades have to contend with change across the construction sector. For instance, a veteran engineer may have to go back to school and update his or her knowledge of local codes, such as the Estidama Pearl Rating and Dubai Green Building Code in the UAE. “A lot of senior engineers manage some fairly large megaprojects in the region, so it is critical that they are up to date with the contemporary market trends. Even engineers in top positions today need to keep up with the changes so they can incorporate them in their decision-making operations,” says Dr Ashmawy.

The planning undertaken by a typical civil engineering firm is undergoing a transformation around the globe, owing largely to a skill shortage of civil engineers. In April 2014, a report commissioned by Dubai International Academic City, based on findings by the Workforce Planning Study, found that Dubai’s construction and real estate sectors face a combined manpower shortfall of up to 500,000 people heading into 2015. 54% of the respondent companies stated that mid-level professionals lack design engineering and civil engineering skills, while entry-level employees were found to lack health and safety skills.

“Finding quality people with the right skills and international experience is an ongoing challenge for the industry” GreG Kane, WSP More recently, an August 2014 report by UK daily the Guardian found local construction firms are paying “inflationbusting salary increases to architects and other professional staff because of competition for their services”. At the time, Alistair Cox, chief executive of Hays Recruitment, said: “They 30 Middle East Consultant January 2015

• Master of Science in Civil Engineering – Abu Dhabi University (available concentrations: Civil Engineering; Structural Engineering; Construction Engineering Management) • Master of Science in Civil Engineering – United Arab Emirates University

are paying a bit more to bring on an architect or to keep a quantity surveyor, because we are seeing counter-offers. If people are confident enough to change jobs, then employers are confident enough to pay more to keep them.”

ICE’s Jamieson says authorities in the UAE recognise this shortage. He claims up to a thousand civil engineers from all grades are registered with ICE in the UAE, but admits there is no immediate solution to plug the gap in the employment market.

Both HE Essa Al Maidoor, president of the UAE’s Society of Engineers, and Richard Coakley, past president of the ICE, share Jamieson’s concerns about the low numbers of graduating engineers. The challenge is not just about getting students to acquire an engineering degree from university, but also encouraging them to pursue an engineering career while still at school.

“You also need to retain them [engineers] in the industry, because many other professionals value civil engineering degrees for the qualifications and skills they enable a student with. So someone with a civil engineering qualification is likely to be hired in management roles by accounting or consulting firms, because they value the degree so much,” Jamieson explains.

It is equally important to provide postgraduate education, such as civil engineering master’s degrees, to those with either a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or relevant work experience in the field – ideally, both.

Jamieson adds: “One of the things ICE is trying to do in the UAE is increase the value of professionalism, and that marks the need for postgraduate qualifications rather than people rushing into MBA courses. We’ve seen a change in the markets in the last few years; for instance, increasingly senior positions on Qatari building and infrastructure projects can only be filled by an individual with chartered engineer status or equivalent.

“So there’s evidence that the recognition of quality civil engineers is increasing, but more needs to be done and that requires all stakeholders to work together. We cannot rely on the change occurring just through the efforts of an individual firm or government body.”

Kane believes that finding the right person for the job will continue to be one of the industry’s biggest obstacles.

“It’s a people-driven industry; it is people – and not machines – who produce the reports and drawings that a client uses,” he says.

IN PRACTICE CIVIL ENGINEERS

“even engineers in top positions today need to keep up with the changes so they can incorporate them in their decision-making operations” Dr alaa aShmaWy, aUD “Finding quality people with the right skills and international experience is an ongoing challenge for the industry. With a recession in many markets, fewer people have taken up engineering as a primary degree at university level, so many believe there’s likely to be an acute shortage of the right number of people over the coming years in the civil engineering field.”

Stunted engineer mobility means fewer engineers can partake in labour-sharing programmes. While countries like Saudi Arabia and Egypt have previously worked together to eliminate their shortages of construction workers, few labour-sharing programmes on the management level exist. Even if engineers consider migrating on their own terms, the lack of appropriate education regarding local codes is a significant deterrent.

In such a scenario, will a unified building code ease the situation? Unlikely, as Dr Ashmawy explains. “A unified building code is a good thing, but in terms of the GCC, the unified code would either have to be generic enough to accommodate different local environmental conditions, or be specific enough to spell out the details pertaining to each level in the local setup.

“So in theory it’s a great thing to aspire to, as it would certainly help with engineer mobility, but in practicality, it would require coordination from different governments and engineering professional societies and bodies to agree

on a unified code, which I don’t view as an easy thing to do.”

Jamieson, agreeing with Dr Ashmawy, admits the creation of a unified building code could add to the ever-expanding to-do list of authorities across the region, largely due to the use of international building codes in the region.

“Very few codes are now developed in isolation and for just the country they have been published in. So, for example, British codes are being adapted as a base for some European codes and, increasingly, ISO codes are being used as the standard for engineering and building projects. The problem in generating local codes, however, is that local research and development in the industry is still somewhat limited, so promotion of codes by the relatively young engineering societies in this region is a challenge.

“The UAE’s Society of Engineers is 35 years old and is doing a tremendous job in developing engineers across the UAE, besides working closely with fellow organisations like those in Qatar and the UK. But the ICE turns 200 years old in 2018, which means it has acquired and created one of the largest technical libraries in the world. So it’s difficult to see how any engineering body could quickly bring together a unified code specific to the GCC. “[However], investment in research and development will ultimately lead to better engineered projects and a higher use of local standards,” he points out.

Experts predict a shortage of engineers in the coming years.

January 2015 Middle East Consultant 31

32 Middle East Consultant January 2015

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With a specialist consultant team running into double digits, the delivery of Pacha kept EC Harris on its toes PrOudly flaNkINg ThE ENTraNcE TO SOuk

Madinat Jumeirah, it’s hard to miss Pacha Ibiza Dubai.

Housed in the same space as its predecessor Trilogy, the Madinat’s new superclub radiates glamour, confidence and more than a touch of quirkiness. With its glass panels, processional staircase, huge red curtains and eye-catching cherry logo, the entrance area offers a mere hint of the theatrics within.

An offshoot of a Balearic institution, hence the name, Pacha Ibiza Dubai is an established brand with an uncompromising vision. Stepping indoors, the sugary and space-age design is anything but subtle, yet somehow works.

With Middle East Consultant’s tour taking place at the sober hour of 9am, the interior finishing is laid open to scrutiny – a fact that project and cost manager EC Harris takes in its stride.

“This is impressive during the day while other nightclubs might look a bit tatty,” remarks Christopher Seymour, the ever-affable partner at the firm. “There’s so much attention to detail. People always say that about their own projects, but here it was beyond anything else.”

Developed by hospitality management company Utopia, the 1,500-capacity venue featured a legion of consultants, managed by EC Harris. This included Spain-based architect Estudio IN, Hidi Rae for MEP and WME for structures.

Further specialists were brought in for acoustics, rigging,

lighting, kitchen and fire and life safety consulting. Upon arrival, guests are faced with a lush wall sprouting artificial planting, procured from a specialist in Sweden. The required precision posed a challenge for the team, according to David Gray, senior commercial manager for EC Harris.

“There was so much attention to detail on this feature alone – we had a two-day workshop regarding the way the plants lie, the colours, the mixture of specimens, etc.”

The organic feature is complemented by a branch-like screen which runs up a monumental staircase, offsetting the predominantly pale interior. Yet the real showstopper is the main dance floor area, beyond the red curtains. Like a modern-day theatre, the entire space is oriented towards a towering DJ booth, guaranteed to make the humblest of deck spinners feel like David Guetta. “If you’re a DJ, this is the gig you want,” quips Seymour.

Another theatrical element is the circular stage facing the booth. “The stage is hydraulic so it can drop down and rotates,” says Sabrina Thomas, project manager for EC Harris.

She explains that it acts as a platform for professional dancers as well as the more extroverted paying customers.

“This venue would hold its own in somewhere like Las Vegas,” adds Gray.

Seymour continues: “In a way it’s like a theatre – it uses theatre gear – and there’s also a high-end restaurant and nightclub. It’s three projects in one.”

January 2015 Middle East Consultant 33

ON SITE PACHA IBIZA DUBAI

Pacha’s eclectic interior is as memorable as it is innovative.

As expected for a nightclub, audio quality and isolation were absolutely paramount. “There was an acoustic consultant, Acoustic Logic, to ensure sound quality and make sure the sound wasn’t transferred to the rest of Madinat Jumeirah. It involved months and months of layouts for audio and sound system testing to make sure the acoustics were right,” adds Thomas.

Sprawling overhead, the black stretch ceiling is another standout feature. Gray continues: “It’s a specialist system and comes with a significant cost. As a cost consultant you have

34 Middle East Consultant January 2015

to question how much value a product will bring. But having seen the way it fits with the interiors, it’s worth its weight in gold. It’s a visual treat that really brings something different.”

Supporting the ceiling are several columns, encased in a soft padding that resembles a skewer of giant marshmallows.

When asked about the logic behind the cladding, Seymour replies: “There is no rationale – it is pure design.

“They came over in a container from Spain. What the team had to do was design and deliver a completed facility into which things like this [the column cladding] had to fit. It was

ON SITE PACHA IBIZA DUBAI

quite challenging – you had to know the cuts and dimensions so when it arrived it went straight in.”

Thomas adds: “At certain stages throughout the project, we’d have the installation team come over from Barcelona and measure it up to make sure it all matched. That coordination was tricky at times but it worked out well. The designers have commented on the quality throughout.”

Another signature space is known as the Red Room, an intimate area that can be used for private events. It is reached via a striking glacier-like corridor with dramatic scarlet

lighting. Walking through the complex is rather labyrinthine – a design intention, according to Seymour. “When the place is in use, you get this feeling of being slightly lost – that is what they are trying to create.”

Yet the feel of the outdoor roof terrace – the third main space – is decidedly different from the rest of the venue.

While the internal areas are fluid and flamboyant, the external space is comparatively light and sedate. “They had to make sure the design was sensitive and in keeping with the rest of Madinat Jumeirah,” explains Thomas.

“Getting the approvals from Civil Defence was a challenge.

Staircases needed to be accessible and they actually created a separate entrance for the roof terrace. Another challenge up here was isolating the sound.”

According to Gray, the Spanish designers were guided towards appropriate responses to the desert sun. “They said, ‘It gets hot in Spain’ but they needed to be educated on the extreme temperatures over here. The items had to be adapted by contractors that have a local knowledge. For example, they had to use a fixing or a screw because the glue was melting.”

Thomas adds: “What they also didn’t think about was sandstorms. The team had to make sure everything that was built was well protected, by using covers, for example.”

She also draws attention to the continuous floor of the deck, which involved structural alterations. “Previously [when the venue was Trilogy], you were able to look down and see the club from the roof, but we closed it off and made the floor continuous. It was structurally infilled, which was also a challenge as we had to bring in huge steel beams,” says Thomas.

Another challenge was the sheer volume of consultants, many based overseas. Thomas continues: “Most of the engineers were Dubai-based, but the architect and some of the specialists were international. We held regular design workshops over here, which involved very late nights.

Coordination was also done through Skype.”

Getting the international consultants up to speed with the Dubai codes was also a headache at times. “Some of them would expect it to be the same as their building code in Spain or Germany – they needed to be educated or updated on the local codes and building requirements,” says Gray.

The team clIENT Utopia PrOJEcT aNd cOST MaNagEMENT EC Harris archITEcT Estudio IN archITEcT Of rEcOrd ADS MEP Hidi Rae STrucTurES WME acOuSTIcS Acoustic Logic

“As a cost consultant you have to question how much value a product will bring. But this ceiling is worth its weight in gold” DAviD GrAy, EC HArris January 2015 Middle East Consultant 35

ON SITE PACHA IBIZA DUBAI

“There’s so much attention to detail – people always say that – but here it was beyond anything else” CHrisTopHEr sEymour, EC HArris

The dark stretch ceiling involved substantial investment.

Thomas adds: “They would say, ‘We did it in Ibiza, so why can’t we do it here?’ We had to get specialists to convince them to adapt their design.”

Yet ultimately, working with such a diverse team proved to be a rewarding experience for the project managers. “I found it really enjoyable,” says Thomas.

“With the different specialisms that are involved, you are learning every day and it’s so fascinating. All that coordination and hard work pays off. To stand here and see it at the end is incredible.”

Seymour adds: “We’ve done some major hospitality projects, and staff always like working on them because you get that impact. When you see it finished, it makes it all worthwhile. Putting together multiple consultants is quite hard as well. You are usually trying to do something that

36 Middle East Consultant January 2015

hasn’t been done before, because most operators are trying to create that impact.”

Pacha proved to be an unusual addition to EC Harris’ extensive portfolio, according to Seymour. “A nightclub is a relatively small project for us – it is not something that comes up every day of the week. What does come up more often is high-end hospitality, whether it is a restaurant, F&B outlet or a performance space. This actually brings them all together.

“Unless you have the experience of doing those types of projects, you can’t really do this. Certainly we have never done a Pacha before – not many people have.”

The venue may have changed hands multiple times over recent years, yet EC Harris is adamant that the project is not a flash in the pan. Gray remarks: “Not only are we here to deliver a construction project, we are here to manage the asset. There were a number of acoustic, structural, MEP and drainage works that needed to be rectified as they were maybe not up to today’s building codes and regulations. The client will be able to hand over the property at the end of its tenancy in a better condition.”

Yet this handover is not likely to happen anytime soon, according to Seymour. “Pacha has been around for quite a while in different locations – it is a sustainable brand compared to other nightclubs that were maybe Dubai brands.

This is global brand so I think it has a lot of longevity.”

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ON SITE ONE CENTRAL PARK

Snapshot

38 Middle East Consultant January 2015

ON SITE ONE CENTRAL PARK

In detail lOcATION Sydney, Australia hEIGhT 116m STOrEyS 34 uSABlE ArEA 67,626sqm GrOSS flOOr ArEA 97,000sqm cOmplETION January 2014

One Central Park Picking up an award for Best Tall Building Worldwide, Sydney’s One Central Park offers an inspired vision for introducing vegetation into high-rise design

A

AcclAImEd fOr ITS uSE Of hydrOpONIcS and heliostats to grow plants, Sydney’s One Central Park was named Best Tall Building Worldwide at this year’s Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) awards. The project includes a 130m, 34-storey apartment building and a 12-storey serviced apartment tower on a retail podium.

The taller building serves as a landmark for the multibuilding Frasers Broadway project, located on a former brewery site near the city’s downtown area. Conceived as a vertical garden, the scheme features 23 green walls containing 35,000 wall plants and 85,000 façade plants. This vertical landscape, with design input from French botanist and artist Patrick Blanc, covers approximately 50% of the façade area and contains over 350 different species of plants, most native

to Australia. Michael Goldrick, project management director for developer Frasers Property, comments: “Every member of the team challenged us to deliver something that was out of the box."

Antony Wood, executive director for CTBUH and awards juror, adds: “Seeing this project for the first time stopped me dead. There have been major advances in the incorporation of greenery in high-rise buildings over the past few years – but nothing on the scale of this building has been attempted or achieved. One Central Park strongly points the way forward, not only for an essential naturalisation of our built environment, but for a new aesthetic for our cities – an aesthetic entirely appropriate to the environmental challenges of our age.”

January 2015 Middle East Consultant 39

ON SITE ONE CENTRAL PARK

Architecture

Sustainability

JEAN NOuvEl / pTW ArchITEcTS Concept design was provided by the practice of celebrity French architect Jean Nouvel, while PTW Architects was appointed architect of record. The tower and the adjacent park are linked with a series of cascading planted terraces which shield the apartments from direct sun during summer and admit maximum sunlight in winter. The units feature indoor / outdoor loggias that extend the living space outside to take full advantage of Sydney’s temperate climate. Loggias on the north and east façades extend inwards, to protect residents from noise, wind and sun; and south and west loggias extend outwards from the façade, to take maximum advantage of views toward the park.

Arup Multi-disciplinary consultant Arup provided building services, vertical transportation, fire engineering, specialist lighting design and detailed analysis to confirm the available daylight and performance of the green wall. The sustainability framework was developed in collaboration with WSP. Robert Saidman, Sydney building services team leader and principal at Arup, comments: “One Central Park has regenerated a key part of our city and created a new and important urban village. Its continued recognition demonstrates the value of a broad sustainability strategy that includes enhancements to public life – the result of designers, engineers and architects challenging one another.”

40 Middle East Consultant January 2015

ON SITE ONE CENTRAL PARK

Structures

Environmental

rOBErT BIrd GrOup Structural engineering services were provided by Robert Bird Group, a firm with offices in Australia, the UK, the UAE and Southeast Asia. Hydroponic walls and low-profile horizontal planters and cables are integrated into the façade to support the variety of climbing and spreading plants. A monumental cantilever houses a common room and panoramic terrace for apartments, and contains a motorised heliostat to capture and redirect sunlight. The project also features a huge membrane bioreactor recycled water facility called Central Park Water. This reduces residents’ consumption of drinking water by 40-50%, resulting in a low-impact energy and water supply.

KENNOvATIONS Sydney-based Kennovations provided technical feasibility assessments and conceptual design for the project’s architectural heliostats and light reflectors. The company was contracted to Watpac to design and construct the 42 x 6.25sqm sun tracking heliostats (on the rooftop) and the 320 x 1.5sqm reflector panels (suspended beneath the main cantilever), each with nine LED clusters within the surface. The heliostats incorporate a system of fixed and motorised mirrored panels to capture sunlight and redirect it into the retail atrium and the landscaped terraces.

At night, the heliostats’ integrated lighting displays video interpretations of landscapes in the city.

January 2015 Middle East Consultant 41

on site FLIR

Specify ME On a thermal image you can immediately scan an entire area for thermal hot or cold spots and see at once where the problem is located.

I

nspecting buildings using a thermal imaging camera is a powerful and non-invasive means of monitoring and diagnosing the condition of buildings. A thermal imaging camera can identify problems early, allowing them to be documented and corrected before becoming more serious and more costly to repair. A thermal image that includes accurate temperature data provides building experts with important information about the insulation conditions, moisture ingress, mould development, electrical faults, the presence of thermal bridges and the conditions of HVAC systems.

Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) systems need to be well maintained.

They need to deliver air at the correct humidity and temperature and filter any indoor pollutants.

Thermal imaging can help to determine whether HVAC systems are operating properly. When working incorrectly they can cause poor indoor air quality.

Case study: swedish hospital maintains hVaC system with thermal imaging

Sixth sense

How FLIR’s thermal imaging camera can detect problems with HVAC systems 42 Middle East Consultant January 2015

In hospitals, climate control is of critical importance, to ensure both hygiene and comfort for the patients and personnel. That is why the technical staff of a Swedish hospital have acquired a FLIR thermal imaging camera to inspect and maintain its HVAC system. The FLIR thermal imaging camera is an ideal tool for this, but it also has use in other areas such as building insulation inspections and electrical maintenance inspections.

“The camera provides us with the right information and allows us to make informed decisions with regard to maintenance of the HVAC system and troubleshooting all kinds of building issues,” says one of the hospital technicians. “The air temperature in the hospital should be 22°C and the air coming from ventilation ducts should be 18°C. There are thermometers installed in certain parts of the building and these provide feedback for the automated HVAC system we use. This gives us a general overview, but if we want more specific information about the airflows and temperature distribution in a room we need the FLIR thermal imaging camera.”

Some hospital rooms require even more detailed monitoring, with the operation room a prime

on site FLIR

example. “For different types of operations, different ambient temperatures are necessary. And a close control of air circulation is an obvious necessity to prevent contamination with airborne pathogens.

We therefore regularly check and closely monitor the HVAC systems of the operation rooms with the FLIR thermal imaging camera.”

Faults that the two technicians sometimes find in the hospital’s HVAC system are clogged radiators and blocked ventilation ducts. “But there is much more we can do with the camera, such as inspecting fuse cabinets and mechanical components in the ventilation system for faults, checking whether the district heating shunt group is cooling the warm water down to the right temperature and even the backup batteries in the server room.”

thermal imaging Vs spot pyrometers

According to the hospital's technicians, the camera has been a great addition to their assortment of tools.

“Before we had this thermal imaging camera, we had to base our maintenance inspections on contact measurements.

“We had to either touch warm components manually or use a spot pyrometer. In our experience none of these methods are as quick, effective and accurate as a thermal imaging camera.”

Thermal imaging cameras have important advantages compared to spot pyrometers. “The spot meter just gives you a value of a small area. Using it for inspections is very labour intensive and it lacks the overview that a thermal imaging camera gives.

On a thermal image you can immediately scan an

entire area for thermal hot or cold spots and see at once where the problem is located.”

The details may vary, but a spot pyrometer is basically similar to a thermal imaging camera with one pixel, as it tells you the temperature of one spot.

A FLIR thermal imaging camera provides the same accurate temperature readings, but it gives you not one, but thousands of temperature readings at the same time. With a spot pyrometer it is very easy to miss crucial information.

“The spot pyrometer gives you a number. The thermal imaging camera presents an image of the entire area – this makes a huge difference. You can immediately see the temperature distribution in the entire area and quickly spot problems that would otherwise remain undetected.”

About FLIR FLIR Systems, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, markets and distributes technologies that enhance perception and awareness. It brings innovative sensing solutions into daily life through thermal imaging systems, visible-light imaging systems, locator systems, measurement and

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diagnostic systems and advanced threat detection systems. Its products improve the way people interact with the world around them, enhance public safety and well-being, increase energy efficiency and enable healthy and entertained communities.

Pioneers in thermal imaging, the company was founded in 1978, originally providing infrared imaging systems that were installed on vehicles for use in conducting energy audits. Today its advanced systems and components are used for a wide variety of thermal imaging, situational awareness and

Thermal imaging can help to determine whether HVAC systems are operating properly. When working incorrectly they can cause poor indoor air quality.

security applications.

Its products are available via distributors in the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait.

For more information, go to www.flir.co.uk

January 2015 Middle East Consultant 43

on site roundup

Company update Aecom named world’s biggest architectural firm in uK survey Aecom has been named the world’s biggest architectural firm as part of the annual WA100 survey by Building Design. The survey ranks the world’s largest practices by the number of feeearning architects they employ.

With a large presence in the Middle East, Aecom has worked on projects such as the Siemens Headquarters in Masdar City (pictured).

The firm is also behind the masterplan for the Rio 2016

New OMA boss to oversee Doha office The Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) has appointed David Gianotten managing partnerarchitect to oversee the firm’s offices in Rotterdam, Hong Kong, Beijing, Doha and New York.

Following the recent expansion of OMA to 10 partners, Gianotten will be responsible for the daily operations, business growth and long-term strategy of the company.

Gianotten will remain actively involved in OMA’s creative and architectural work and will continue to oversee some of his ongoing projects in Asia and Australia.

In early 2015, Gianotten will relocate from Hong Kong to the Netherlands in order to work more closely with OMA’s partners and staff.

In his previous role as partner-incharge of OMA’s Hong Kong and Beijing offices, and director of OMA

44 Middle East Consultant January 2015

Asia, Gianotten led the firm’s large portfolio in the Asia-Pacific region.

His work includes the Taipei Performing Arts Centre, the Hanwha Galleria in Busan Korea, the Taiyuan Industrial Heritage masterplan and the Prince Plaza Building in Shenzhen.

Gianotten joined OMA in 2008, launching the company’s Hong Kong office the following year, and became partner in 2010.

He studied architecture and construction technology at Holland's Eindhoven University of Technology and was previously principal architect at SeARCH in the same country.

Olympics and now employs 2,100 architects, a quarter more than second-placed firm, Japanese practice Nikken Sekkei.

Gensler, another US-based firm, slipped to third from first in the previous year. It currently employs 1,614 architects, the survey found.

The number of architects employed by the WA Top 100 practices grew by more than 15%, with Aecom becoming the first company with more than 2,100 architects.

on site roundup

WSP snaps up Colombian engineer

Atkins leAder receives honorAry doctorAte Prof Dr Uwe Krueger, Atkins’ chief executive officer, has been awarded an honorary doctorate from Heriot-Watt University Dubai for his exemplary entrepreneurial leadership and contributions to the application of science, engineering and technology to business and industry across the globe.

The award was made following Krueger’s keynote address to 600 engineering students at the Heriot-Watt University campus.

In his speech, Krueger described how the world population is expected to increase from seven to nine billion people by 2050.

Krueger said: “We will need to find solutions to unprecedented challenges, some of which we don’t even know exist yet. Doing what we did before is no longer an option. Meeting the challenges of the 21st century requires a new kind of design and engineering.

“Globally, some 2.2 million more engineers are needed in the next decade and there is no more exciting time to be working in engineering.”

Canada-based consultant WSp Global has announced the acquisition of dessau CEI, the Colombian engineering subsidiary of dessau International Inc. Active in transportation and oil and gas, the firm has 415 employees based in the Colombian capital, Bogotá (pictured).

Ali Ettehadieh, managing director of South America and the Caribbean for WSp, said: "We are pleased with this acquisition, which is an integral part of our South American growth strategy.

“After having significantly grown in Colombia for the past two years, we believe this transaction will provide a perfect complement to the array of services we offer our clients, as dessau CEI's expertise will strengthen ours

in the transportation and oil & gas sectors. now that we have a strong presence in Colombia and a broader expertise, we would like to leverage that to pursue the next phase of our growth in South America," he added.

Luis E. Quintero, dessau CEI's general manager in Colombia, commented: "partnering with WSp is great news for us as it will give us access to a true global network of experts.

As part of a firm with such a global presence, we believe the strength of our expertise in highways supervision and design, energy projects as well as oil pipelines supervision, will create tremendous opportunities for both our clients and employees."

“Partnering with WSP is great news for us as it will give us access to a true global network of experts”

January 2015 Middle East Consultant 45

on site roundup

Project update Hyatt to launch Healthcare City hotel The Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights will be launched in March next year, developer wasl Hospitality has announced.

Operated by Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, the new 464-room hotel is located in Dubai Healthcare City and overlooks the Dubai Creek.

Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights will feature 76 luxury suites, a spa, gym and conferencing facilities, along with 405 residential apartments.

“Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights will provide a welcome place for

business travellers, convention-goers and vacationers alike. The property opening marks significant momentum in the expansion of our brand in the UAE, a market that is continuing to make its presence felt as a burgeoning business and leisure destination,” said Mathieu Greppo, general manager, Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights.

“As a group, we place the strongest emphasis on service and my vision is to redefine and raise the bar for the guest experience in Dubai,” Greppo added.

Tiger Woods to design Dubai golf course for Damac Champion golfer Tiger Woods will design a new 18-hole golf course in Dubai, to be built by Damac Properties and operated by the Trump Organization.

The course is located in Damac’s Akoya Oxygen project, part of the Trump World Golf Club Dubai, which will feature a clubhouse, restaurant and pro shop.

"Tiger Woods is one of the most famous and iconic sportsmen in the world who will bring his design expertise and worldwide playing experience to this amazing development,” said Ziad El Chaar, managing director, Damac Properties.

“We believe the Trump World Golf Club Dubai will be a market leader, judged against the best golf courses in the world,” El Chaar added.

Site work on the golf club is underway, and the course is scheduled to open by the end of 2017.

Tiger Woods said: “I can’t wait to see this stunning project come to life. Dubai is fast becoming one of the most influential golfing destinations in the world, both for the professional game and amateurs looking to enjoy the great weather, great courses and amazing lifestyle.”

Damac’s 500ha Akoya Oxygen development was launched in August this year. Situated in Dubailand, the project will include a five-star hotel, retail and entertainment offerings.

46 Middle East Consultant January 2015

on site roundup

arcadis wins makkah water contract Arcadis has been awarded a contract to develop a water, wastewater, treated sewage effluent and asset management masterplan for Makkah, KSA. The consultant will support the National Water Company in expanding and improving Makkah’s water supply and service under the 18-month contract.

Philip Bourne, water sector director – Middle East at Arcadis, said: “The water service coverage in Makkah is low – around 65% of the populated area – and the wastewater service coverage is less.

There is currently not sufficient capacity in the treatment plants to treat the additional flow and load.”

Arcadis will prepare a database study of Makkah’s water and wastewater infrastructure assets.

When complete, the study will provide a masterplan to enable future planning of water and wastewater services for the seven million people in the region, along with industrial clients, up until 2050. Emergency works will also be contemplated as part of the water study.

$272m Marina Gate contract awarded Developer Select Group has awarded a $272.2 million contract to ALEC for the construction of the first two phases of its Marina Gate development in Dubai Marina.

With both phases launched in April and October 2014 respectively, the project contains 881 residential apartments, 19 penthouses and 18 duplex villas, in addition to 9,290sqm of retail space.

Under the terms of the contract, ALEC will provide a clearly defined scope of construction management services.

The residences at Marina Gate are valued at $1.08 billion and have a builtup area of more than 353,000sqm.

881

Completion is scheduled for 2018.

“Awarding a contract of this quantum early on is not only a reflection of our confidence in Dubai’s real estate market, but is a culmination of our detailed financial and technical planning work over the last two years, which has been reinforced by the strong investor appetite for this project,” said Rahail Aslam, CEO of Select Group.

“Our decision to choose ALEC as our preferred partner complements our own philosophy of managing and executing projects to ensure delivery in a timely manner without any compromise on quality,” he added.

Number of residential apartments in Select Group’s Marina Gate project in Dubai January 2015 Middle East Consultant 47

THE BACK PAGE ANDY HEWITT

Thoughts “One of the reasons I enjoy doing what I do is that there are no typical days” I left the UK in 1992, after which I worked in Nigeria, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi. In 2003, I joined Knowles Middle

Why I chose my job Andy Hewitt, founder, Hewitt Construction Consultancy

W

hen I turned 18, I went to work for a building contractor as a quantity surveyor. I now have almost 40 years of experience in the construction industry, in the UK, West Africa and the Middle East.

I have held senior contracts, commercial and project management positions with contractors, sub-contractors and consultants, and now I operate my own practice, based in the UAE.

48 Middle East Consultant January 2015

East, a construction contracts consulting firm. It was a significant experience as it was during this time I realised what I wanted to do. I was working on my own with a small team, and I enjoyed working with my clients and resolving disputes.

I am a fellow of Quantity Surveyors International, a member of the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors, an associate of the Chartered Institute of Building and an associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

I am also a member of the Dispute Resolution Board Foundation and a corporate panel member of the Dispute Board Federation.

In 2006, I moved to Dubai for a new job. I worked as a project director with Morganti Project Management Consultants from 2007 to 2010. The following year I decided I didn’t want to be an employee anymore, as I didn’t enjoy the role. At 56 years old, I wanted to get back to what I enjoy doing.

One of the reasons I enjoy doing what I do is that there are no typical days. I like my work because it’s

challenging, and I’m still learning things. I enjoy reaching a fair and reasonable resolution to contractual matters. While the avoidance of contractual disputes is a priority, if disputes do occur I favour a structured and proactive approach to their management in order to protect the contractual entitlements of my clients.

Hewitt Consultancy also provides training and education via distance learning. Some of my time is spent

talking to and grading students on the course. My students come from probably 12 different countries, from Panama to Australia. I have been teaching the course for three years.

An inspirational figure for me would be Roger Knowles, who started the Knowles Group. Firstly, he virtually

invented the construction claims practitioner. Construction claims used to be handled by people who were non-specialists in the field. He created the specialty, built a large and successful business and remains a very practical, hands-on and overall very nice guy. He has always been a mentor to me.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed most of my time in the construction industry. It’s allowed me to live overseas in what

I consider a fantastic environment, the Middle East. I’m almost 60 now. I can’t think of anything else I’d rather be doing.

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