Big Project ME August 2017

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AUGUST 2017 meconstructionnews.com

THE BUSINESS OF CONSTRUCTION

A sense of serenity

Big Project Me visits serenia residences to see how a contractor and a consultant are working in harmony

When technology helps people shape the future.

So they leave behind a lasting legacy.

That’s Ingenuity for life.

When reliable power generation and delivery makes everyone feel at home. And a nation’s most precious resource fuels the next generation of innovators. When smooth manufacturing processes help people live the life they want and smart mobility solutions ensure people are there for the moments that matter most. All across the region Siemens is helping put vision into action.

That’s Ingenuity for life.

Premier Partner for Intelligent Infrastructure & Operations

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The Big Project Me Awards has become an important annual event to attend. Over the years, we have witnessed the efforts from the organiser to promote the best projects in the region and recognise the efforts and achievements of the contractors. I wish that the event will become even more successful!

YU TAO

PRESIDENT & CEO

CHINA STATE CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING CORPORATION (MIDDLE EAST) (L.L.C.)

27 November 2017 19:00 - 23:00 Habtoor Grand Dubai Al Andalus Ballroom United Arab Emirates bigprojectmeawards.com

Contents

Issue 137 August 2017 09

16

20

26

34

42

16 Identify and Audit

42 Nurturing talent pays off

06 ME Construction News.com OnlIne

The biggest stories from Big Project Middle East’s home on the web

news AnAlysIs

Craig Ross says that the world can learn from the Grenfell Tower tragedy

cOMMenT

Marcus Taylor says that nurturing talent can result in dividends for companies

09 Ain Dubai hits halfway mark 20 Marcos Bish

44 Show Previews

12 Damac eyes Croatia investment 26 A Sense of Serenity

48 Top Tenders

14 Riyadh Retail Sector Q2 report 34 Facade Face-Off

52 Procurement Strategies

The bIg pIcTure

Five of eight sections of wheel rim installation have been completed, Meraas announces InTernATIOnAl news

Chairman discusses tourism investment opportunities with Croatia president MArkeT repOrT

JLL report finds that retailers are focusing on developing ‘shoppertainment’ sector of Riyadh retail market

In prOfIle

Gavin Davids speaks to Marcos Bish, managing director of Summertown Interiors sITe VIsIT

Big Project ME learns how having the right team can result in a stress-free project delivery fAcAdes

Big Project ME speaks to facade experts and suppliers to discuss the pressing issues facing the industry

IndusTry eVenTs

Windows, Doors & Facades and Building Healthcare return to the UAE Tenders

Big Project ME lists the Middle East’s biggest construction tenders for August 2017 lAsT wOrd

Matthew Board, associate director at F+G, outlines how to get the best out of your procurement strategy

August 2017 3

Introduction

Value Added Benefits

I

n all the kerfuffle about the introduction of VAT, what may have been overlooked are the ancillary benefits the tariff may have on the construction industry.

Although most of the attention has been focused on the impact the rise in prices will have on budgets and tenders, what has been mostly ignored in the media is how the introduction of VAT can help professionalise and improve the construction industry.

We here at Big Project ME have possibly been guilty of the same, but if that’s the case, then this month’s In Profile with Marcos Bish was certainly an eye-opener. As I discussed a range of issues with him, one thing that stood out was his belief that VAT will create a more efficient and effective contracting sector.

Of course, the big players in the market already follow best practices, so this probably won’t apply to them, but when we dig deeper and look at how smaller local contractors and construction firms operate, there’s certainly cause for concern.

What Bish hopes will happen is that this segment of the market will begin taking a serious look at their auditing and financial record-keeping, as the UAE government will be cracking down on them if they don’t. The knock-on effect of that will be that they’ll be in a position to streamline their business, cut superfluous costs and improve the overall performance, which can only be a good thing.

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Looking ahead, we’re shaping up for an extremely busy second half of the year.

November is looming and with it, two of Big Project ME’s biggest events – the BIM Summit and our annual awards.

Coming to the BIM Summit first, we’re working very hard to put together an insightful and thought-provoking agenda for our attendees. We had a tremendous response to the first edition last year, and of course, we’re looking to top that. If there’s something you think we should be addressing, do feel free to drop me a line!

With the Big Project ME Awards, as I’ve mentioned before, we’ve revamped our website and have made the nominations process a whole lot simpler.

Do check out www.bigprojectmeawards. com, and hopefully we’ll see a lot of nominations coming through soon!

FoUNDer DOMINIC DE SOUSA (1959-2015)

MAkSYM PORIECHkIN cIrcULAtIoN & ProDUctIoN DIStrIBUtIoN MANAGer SUNIL kUMAR sunil.kumar@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5476 ProDUctIoN MANAGer VIPIN V. VIJAY vipin.vijay@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5713

MArKetING MANAGer LISA JUStICE

WeB DeVeLoPMeNt

lisa.justice@cpimediagroup.com

MOHAMMAD AwAIS

+971 4 375 5498

SADIq SIDDIqUI

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READERS’ COMMENTS

CONSTRUCTION

TIME TO gET PROACTIvE OvER CLADDINg CONCERNS

Carillion to exit three ME markets as CEO steps down

It is commendable that the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) is reinstalling the exterior cladding panels on its under-construction CONSTRUCTION

headquarters building in

Arabtec to build $96m UAE Pavilion for Expo 2020

the UAE capital (‘ADIB

reinstalls cladding on new Abu Dhabi HQ’, July 18). As your article In pictures: Nakheel opens monorail station on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah

rightly points out, there has been a heightened scrutiny over the issue,

CONSTRUCTION

following the Grenfell

Arabtec wins contract for Dubai Creek Harbour project

Tower fire disaster in London and numerous high-rise blazes right here in the UAE. While it is the government’s role to set standards and regulations on such matters, there is a clear

CONSTRUCTION

responsibility for the

Western contractors in Qatar draw up contingency plans

construction sector here. The industry needs to be proactive in putting forward recommendations on best practices to make the built environment

CONSTRUCTION

Dubai plans $1.4bn business park complex 6 August 2017

video: Construction progress at Emaar’s Dubai Creek Harbour megaproject

a safer place.

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The Big Picture

Ain Dubai wheel rim install hits milestone Five of eight 107m sections of wheel rim have been installed, Meraas says Tallest in the world Ain Dubai stands more than 210m tall, eclipsing the 167m High Roller in Las Vegas.

Dubai real estate developer Meraas has announced that a significant milestone has been reached in the construction of Ain Dubai, the world’s largest and tallest observation wheel, following the successful installation of the fifth of eight 107m sections of its wheel rim.

Standing more than 210m tall, Ain Dubai eclipses the 167m High Roller in Las Vegas and the 190m New York Wheel planned for Staten Island.

The hub and spindle of the wheel were set in place last year, and the final structure will include more than 9,000 tonnes of steel, almost 25% more than the amount of iron used to construct the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Once completed, Ain Dubai will become a destination that will offer visitors and residents 360-degree views of the city of Dubai and its coastline.

All eight sections of the rim have been manufactured using the highest-grade German and Korean steel and individually shipped to Ain Dubai by barge.

They are manoeuvred into position in a complex operation by a team of engineers and

technicians using cranes with a lifting capacity of 3,000t.

The wheel rim sections are connected to the hub and spindle by a total of 192 heavy-duty cables, each comprising over a hundred separate wires pre-tensioned with up to 300t of force. These

AIN DUBAI

LONDON EYE

Due to open

2018

Opened

2000

Height

210m

Height

135m

Full rotation

48 minutes

Full rotation

30 minutes

Cost

£208 million

Cost

£70 million

Capacity

1,400 passengers at one time

Capacity

800 passengers at one time

cables will eventually support the combined 7,500t weight of the rim and its capsules.

“The assembly of the rim at Bluewaters is one of the most exciting phases in the construction of Ain Dubai, as it marks the arrival of the centrepiece of the island and another addition to Dubai’s impressive skyline,” said Omar Delawar, chief projects officer at Meraas.

“With the first five sections of the wheel rim already connected to the hub, two winch devices have been fitted to rotate the wheel in a way that will allow Ain Dubai to receive the sixth, and subsequent sections of the wheel rim.

“Each rim section weighs roughly the same as two Airbus A380 aircraft and must be rested on five temporary support structures connected to the hub, as well as two 115m spokes,” Delawar added.

August 2017 9

The Big Picture

Increasing costs has impact The cost of power and water utilities for expats was found to have an impact on rental decisions.

Bahrain facing shortfall of residential units CBRE finds residential sector experiencing shortfall of 75,000 units Bahrain’s residential sector is experiencing a shortfall of approximately 75,000 units in 2017, according to a report.

CBRE’s H1 2017 Bahrain MarketView report said that the country has been experiencing undersupply in its residential sector for over 25 years.

The report highlights that the demand for residential real estate in 2017 – based on population statistics and household sizes – is for 290,000 units, while only 216,000 completed units exist in the market. The report also stated that an intensive government-led strategy is already underway, and aims to close the supply/demand gap with 40,000 units scheduled to be introduced by 2020.

“One of the most active districts of Bahrain for new residential development is Juffair, where there are a number of large-scale residential tower projects under construction 10 August 2017

and planned for completion in 2017 and 2018,” said James Lynn, director at CBRE. “This is anticipated to lead to a significant increase in freehold supply for the next two years in this area of Bahrain [Juffair].”

With regard to rental rates, the CBRE report found that residential rents remain among the highest in the Seef District, including Reef Island, due to its proximity to shopping malls, offices and other services and entertainment options.

The cost of power and water utilities for expats was found to have an impact on rental decisions. “Consideration of home sizes, room layouts and

general energy efficiencies within properties are now key factors in the home selection process, more than before,” explained Lynn.

The residential sector – in terms of the number of properties – was found to have grown in early 2017. The report states that work was completed on several Faqeeh developments, including The Grand and The Tweet in Seef, as well as The Nest in Sanabis. Fontana Gardens

by Royal Ambassador also recently opened for business.

The quantity of villas on the market grew as well; the report noted that villas on Dilmunia Island were now being handed over, and beginning to appear

290,000

2017 demand for residential units in Bahrain

on the rental market. The Sharq was named as a key development due to opening later in the year, while completion of the entire project is expected in 2020.

“Current demand in 2017 based on population statistics and typical household sizes is for 290,000 units, while there are only 216,000 completed units across all property types in the market,” the report continued.

“An intensive government led strategy is underway to close the supply/demand gap, with 40,000 units scheduled to be introduced under the housing plan by 2020.”

Up to 85% of the real estate transactions completed in Bahrain last year were implemented by the country’s nationals, with 10% completed

by GCC nationals, prominently from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, CBRE’s report added, citing the kingdom’s Survey and Land Registration Bureau.

The Big Picture

Ribbon of Light passes 50% completion Two-tower residential project in Dubai Silicon Oasis is designed by ARACO Ribbon of Light, the twotower residential project being constructed in Dubai’s Silicon Oasis, is now more than 50% complete, the engineering consultant behind the project has said.

Designed by Abdul Rahim Architectural Consultants (ARACO), a UAE-based engineering consultant, the project covers a total construction area of 11,900sqm. The smaller of the towers features 238 studio apartments, three lifts and a lobby.

The larger tower offers a combination of 240 one-bedroom apartments, 16 two-bedroom apartments and 14 three-bedroom apartments. The upper storeys will feature 30 penthouse units, with the building serviced by six lifts across two lobbies. Across the entire development, 16 duplex apartments will be available.

Rahim Banizaman Lari, ARACO general manager. said that the ground floor units across both towers will provide seven large leasable retail units with community facilities including two large swimming pools, two kids’ pools, two Jacuzzis and two large gymnasiums. 708 parking spaces will also be available across the development.

With sustainability in mind, both buildings will be equipped with a chiller cooling system to reduce electricity consumption while maintaining optimum conditions for tenants and residents, compared to traditional air conditioning.

“Both towers have been designed in a cylindrical shape to offer unrivalled views across the city skyline,” Lari added.

In line with Dubai’s strict new fire safety codes, introduced

earlier this year, the towers will also be fitted with the latest Civil Defence requirements, as well as a security system that is connected directly to Dubai Police.

Italian façade specialist Zanetti has been appointed to complete all façade, glass and cladding work, maintaining a high level of quality throughout.

Working with project contractors Gulf Contracting

Company (GCC) and project owners Ribbon of Light Trading FZCO, ARACO has been appointed as project consultant leading design – including architectural engineering, structural engineering and MEP engineering, in addition to supervision and maintenance.

“Dubai Silicon Oasis is a sustainable and futuristic business community where

people can live, work and thrive.

This project adds another dimension to the real estate investments available in the area and will no doubt draw attention from international markets.

“The success of Dubai Silicon Oasis will be supported by the continued success of Dubai in the run up to 2020 and beyond and we are delighted that ARACO is a part of that story,” Lari concluded.

Landmark developments The two towers aim to be landmark developments for Dubai Silicon Oasis, bringing new investment to a developing district in the city.

August 2017 11

The Big Picture

3

1. EnErMEch, Khudairi Group JV to tarGEt iraqi oil sEctor British energy engineering services provider EnerMech and Iraqi business house Khudairi Group have launched a joint venture to target the re-emerging oil & gas and large infrastructure sectors in the Middle Eastern country, with a projection of generating more than $20m in business within five years.

Owned by prominent Iraqi trading families, the Khudairi Group has focused on the country’s growing oil sector since 2009, and serves both international petroleum companies and the stateowned oil sector. The group’s experience and expertise is in line with EnerMech’s main business objectives, said the UK company, which provides mechanical services and solutions to the international energy services sector.

“We share the same ethics and business values and believe that the joint venture can evolve into a $20m-plus per annum enterprise within three to five years. We are in the process of tendering for a significant number of work scopes and are already seeing substantial traction,” said John Guy, regional director for EnerMech Middle East, Asia and Caspian.

12 August 2017

$52m

Major writedowns at UK operations of Skanska Europe saw business unit run up a $52m loss in H1 2017

2. daMac chairMan EyEs croatia inVEstMEnt Hussain Sajwani, chairman of Dubai’s Damac International, has discussed tourism investment opportunities in Croatia with Kolinda GrabarKitarović, president of Croatia, during a visit to Zagreb.

The meeting followed a tour of the country by Sajwani, who visited a number of cities along Croatia’s Adriatic coast,

which receives large numbers of tourists every year.

The European country has become a major tourist destination, in part thanks to its scenic coastline along the Adriatic Sea. Travel and tourism are key contributors to its GDP, accounting for 10.1% in 2016, according to the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2017.

The developer has explored a number of expansion opportunities in gateway cities and travel destinations across Europe, following the success of its 50-storey Aykon London One residential development in the UK, which has already pre-sold more than 45% of its units, the statement added.

In June, Damac was chosen to redevelop the $1bn Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat.

The Big Picture

7

Crane collapse on construction site in Guangzhou, China kills seven and injures two 2

1 4

50,000 Mumbai government plans to build 50,000 homes for construction workers in city

3. carillion to Exit thrEE MiddlE East MarKEts UK contractor Carillion has said it is pulling out of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Qatar, as its CEO stepped down amid cash flow pressure.

The group also said it has sold its 50% stake in its business in Oman, Carillion Alawi, for an immediate cash consideration of $16.6 million.

“Deterioration in cash

flows on a select number of construction contracts led the Board to undertake an enhanced review of all of the Group’s material contracts,” Carillion said in a statement.

The London-listed company’s board announced a “comprehensive review”, and added that it will exit the three Middle East markets, as well as quit all construction PPP projects.

It will now only undertake

“future construction work on a highly selective basis and via lower-risk procurement routes”.

“Despite making progress against the strategic priorities we set out in our 2016 results announcement in March, average net borrowing has increased above the level we expected, which means that we will no longer be able to meet our target of reducing leverage for the full year,” said nonexecutive chairman Philip Green.

4. uKEF to support Brit contractors on uaE proJEcts UK Trade Secretary Liam Fox has said that the UK’s export credit agency, UKEF, will provide support to the construction companies Carillion and Kier, who have won contracts in the UAE. Fox’s announcement came as the British government launches a new initiative to bring together the UK’s leading infrastructure firms with government, in a new partnership that will help UK companies secure major international contracts.

Kier has won contracts for the construction of the Dubai Arena, a 17,000seat entertainment and sports venue, and two staff accommodation buildings.

UKEF will be guaranteeing $455 million for Kier to carry out the projects.

Meanwhile, Carillion has been contracted to design and build the latest phase of One Central, Dubai World Trade Centre’s new mixed-use development in the central business district area of the city. Carillion has already delivered the first and second phases of the project, and the new contract will see them construct two new office towers, with UKEF support of $180 million.

August 2017 13

Market Report

Riyadh RetaileRs to focus on ‘shoppeRtainment’

Jones Lang Lasalle’s second quarter report for 2017 finds that Riyadh’s retail sector continues with expansion plans, with the focus on ‘shoppertainment’ slight decline in the market The JLL report showed a slight decline in Q2 2017 for Riyadh’s retail market sector.

9,600sqm branch, Manoushah Street and Al Rajhi Group announced plans to open 25 fast food branches in Riyadh, while Jarir Bookstore is also expanding its footprint in the city.

Retail property owners remain focused on ‘shoppertainment’.

Some owners are supporting

tenants’ applications for licences to operate cinemas for children, while others are enhancing the common area and the main corridors within their malls.

More than a dozen malls have announced events to celebrate the 2017 Riyadh Shopping and Entertainment Festival in July.

Supply

Total mall-based retail stock in Riyadh stands at nearly 1.7 million sqm. Almost 238,000sqm was completed during the past three years (average of 79,000 pa). There are higher levels of proposed completions in the next three years, with proposals

“Retail property owners remain focused on shoppertainment. Some owners are supporting tenants’ applications for licences to operate cinemas for children, while others are enhancing the common area and the main corridors within their malls”

14 August 2017

Source: JLL

Boosted by the reinstatement of benefits to public sector workers in Q1, retailers have continued their expansion plans, with the Saudi Company for Hardware (SACO), Manoushah Street and Jarir Bookstore all announcing plans for additional stores in Riyadh. SACO opened a new

Market Report

“Vacancies have increased 2% over the past 12 months to 9%, with a further increase in market-wide vacancies expected over the next 12 months. Rents have remained largely unchanged over Q2, but have fallen by 1% in regional malls and 4% in community malls over the past year� exceeding 751,000sqm (average of 250,000 pa), although project delays are likely to affect at least one third of the proposed completions.

Riyadh Park (92,000sqm) and Rowaished Grand Mall (55,000sqm) were the most notable completions in Q2 2017, with other smaller scale completions including Veranda F&B (12,000sqm), Ar Rawabi plaza (8,000sqm), Al Badiah Plaza in Al Uraija

(8,700sqm) Levels (7,500sqm) and Ghirnata Square (3,500sqm).

Majid Al Futtaim (MAF) is expected to lease space in Riyadh Park for the first Magic Planet family entertainment centre in the Kingdom. Some of the notable projects scheduled to complete by the end of 2017 include the retail portion of the ITCC (50,000sqm) and Qurtoba Boulevard (72,000sqm).

Smaller scale completions by the end of 2017 could include

Current and Future Riyadh Retail Supply (2014-2019) Retail Supply

the Elegant Centre (13,500sqm), Elite on Dhabab Road (11,000sqm), Deyyafa (9,000sqm) and Turki Square (2,400sqm), with the Reef Commercial Centre (11,000sqm) scheduled to complete in Q1 2018.

Performance

The Riyadh retail market experienced a slight decline in Q2 2017. Vacancies have increased 2% over the past 12 months to 9%, with a further

increase in market-wide vacancies expected over the next 12 months. Rents have remained largely unchanged over Q2, but have fallen by 1% in regional malls and 4% in community malls over the past year. On a more positive note, the number of point of sale transactions surged 35% and the value of these transactions increased 7% in Riyadh during the year to April 2017 compared to the same period in 2016.

Vacancy Rate (Q2 2016-Q2 2017)

Under Construction

2.25

2.00

1.75

7%

9%

Q2 2016

Q2 2017

1.50

1.25

2014

2015

2016

Q2 2017

2017

2018

2019

Change in Regional Average Retail Rent (2016-2017)

0%

Quarter on Quarter

-1% Year on Year

Change in Community Average Retail Rent (2016-2017)

-1%

Quarter on Quarter

-4% Year on Year

August 2017 15

News Analysis

IdentIfy and audIt – Lessons from a tragedy In the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, Craig Ross of Cavendish Maxwell looks at how the UAE can identify and audit at-risk buildings

In response to the Tamweel Tower fire back in 2012, there was a revision of legislation in Dubai regarding the combustibility of cladding and provision of fire stops in voids, two major sources of fire spreading. Since the Tamweel fire, Dubai has seen further fires break out exposing similar cladding issues, including Torch and Salafa towers in Dubai Marina, and the Address Downtown.

The Grenfell Tower fire saw 24 storeys containing predominantly 129 one- and two-bedroom flats go up in flames on June 14, 2017 in west London. The external retrofit cladding the building has been blamed for the speed with which the fire spread up the facade.

If you have been in the UAE for some time, tower fires are unfortunately not a rarity. Although new builds will be safer due to stricter legislation, there is a very large proportion of buildings in Dubai built prior to the new fire rules. The extremity of the Grenfell Tower, which caused a staggering 80 deaths in a country 16 August 2017

Cladding to blame for tragedy?

It is believed that the external retrofit cladding on the Grenfell Tower was to blame for the speed with which the fire spread up the facade of the building.

News Analysis

“In the UAE, we must go through the municipality to gain a building permit and get Dubai Civil Defence (DCD) approvals for the fire and life safety design, whereas in England, there is the option for architects to use non-local authority ‘approved inspectors’” that has been developing its fire safety regulations since the Great Fire of London in 1666, has highlighted fire risk and fire safety across the globe.

Both issues of insulation type and voids behind the cladding contributed to the speed and ferocity of the Grenfell Tower blaze. The external cladding may not have been in accordance with regulations, either in detailing or in material specification, which is likely to have caused the fire to spread so quickly and engulf the building. The details of the incident are now being scrutinised as part of a high-profile enquiry.

Looking at the UAE since the previous fires, the local authority has been quick to act and we now have good regulations in place here to prevent new buildings being affected by such issues.

We must bear in mind, however, that stringent site quality control checks are also required to ensure the cladding is tested, approved and fitted correctly in accordance with approved details.

Cladding has been identified as the main contributor to recent fires, but there are plenty of other factors which must be considered. In the UAE, we must go through the municipality to gain a building permit and get Dubai Civil Defence (DCD) approvals for the fire and life safety design, whereas in England, there is the option for architects to use non-local authority ‘approved inspectors’ to obtain the permit.

These inspectors are commercial

entities; therefore they operate under pressure to win business and make a profit, leaving them more susceptible to pressures in time constraints in checking plans and detailing before a permit is issued.

The detailing behind the cladding, such as fixings and voids, can also be a major contributor to the speed at which fire spreads, in addition to the combustibility of the panels themselves. If the voids are not broken up with cavity barriers, then extreme heat can quickly spread upwards through convection in the ‘chimney effect’, spreading the fire upwards far faster than if the voids were separated with fire-rated material at specified intervals.

The question we pose now is: what should be done with existing buildings covered with highly flammable cladding? Firstly, we should identify which buildings are fitted with flammable cladding, to identify the extent of the risk.

Once identified, each building should be audited, to expose the risks unique to each building.

For older buildings, there may be limited records held on the fire rating of the cladding. In this case, thorough surveys are required and samples of the cladding should be tested to assess the materials used in construction. This will highlight the level of risk and allow the building manager to take the most appropriate course of action. A potentially huge and unnecessary cost would be to strip all buildings of non-fire rated panels and replace them. Alternatively,

a holistic approach could be applied rather than focusing on the cladding alone. A strategy can then be implemented for each building, as opposed to a general requirement for all buildings which may be unsuitable for some.

As a resident in a jointly owned property, there are certain safety functions you can expect from your building and building manager. Proper maintenance of fire safety systems and fire drills is a must, and don’t forget your personal fire safety: leaving a key in your locked door at night, and knowing the fire escape routes.

Grenfell did not have any sprinkler system. This alone would have slowed down the time it took for the blaze to spread and might have allowed more occupants to evacuate. Most tall residential buildings in the UAE, even if fitted with combustible cladding, have sprinkler systems fitted.

Whether they are fully operational or not is absolutely critical.

Existing buildings in this region often have many life-threatening issues including non-compliant or blocked fire escape routes and insufficient ratings to fire doors. All of these issues would be exposed during a thorough fire safety audit, which would allow risk mitigation to be prioritised and tailored to the building.

With new energy efficiency requirements and building regulations continually changing and developing in the region, it has never been more crucial to ensure buildings are safe and efficient.

August 2017 17

In Profile

“SuStainability iS fundamental to the buSineSS and we’re trying to embed it in all the proceSSeS and practiceS within our organiSation. we’re paSSionate about it, we’re good at it and it driveS our economic engine” Marcos Bish, managing director of Summertown Interiors, tells Big Project ME how he intends to keep the sun shining on the Dubai fit-out and interiors contractor

20 August 2017

In Profile

August 2017 21

In Profile

w hen people mention the term ‘contractor’, the mind is usually drawn to the massive organisations that conduct day-to-day on-site operations on a project – the main contractors who are tasked with overseeing the construction and handover of huge buildings or complexes. Alternatively, those of us who think more technically may consider a contractor to be a specialist in the MEP, groundworks or HVAC fields.

However, a crucial sector of the contracting industry is quite often overlooked, with specialist fit-out contractors considered something of an afterthought to the construction process.

While designers and architects may get all the plaudits when interiors make the jaw drop, it is the fit-out contractor that makes it all come together, from a materials and installation point of view through to performance and operational efficiency.

Therefore, it makes sense that they be considered a crucial part of the process. After all, if the finishing and fit-out isn’t up to the mark, even the most impressively engineered project will struggle to attract the attention it deserves. To that end, Big Project ME decided to meet Marcos Bish, managing director of Summertown Interiors, at the contractor’s offices in Jebel Ali Free Zone, to understand what it takes for a fit-out contractor to thrive in a market that demands best performance while also maintaining tight margins.

“We set up Summertown Interiors in 1997. This year is our 20th anniversary and things 22 August 2017

evolution of a contractor Summertown Interiors initally started as a joinery subcontractor, before becoming a turnkey solutions provider and then a fit-out contractor.

have changed a lot since we first started,” says Bish, who is also a founding partner of the company.

“We started initially as a joinery subcontractor and we had our own factory. Clients used to ask us if we could do a full project for them, but we resisted that for a while. But as a subcontractor you face different challenges, and eventually we decided to go ahead. We aligned ourselves with a business model and became a turnkey solutions provider.”

“Although we did well, the global financial crisis came in 2008 and that changed a lot of things. Because the market started to mature, we had to choose a colour, basically. We had to decide whether we were a design consultant, a fit-out contractor or a turnkey solutions provider.

We decided that we were most comfortable as a fit-out contractor, so we left turnkey solutions behind and started to engage

“When we talk about the economics of sustainability, we’re talking about reduced operational costs, which is one way to look at it. The other way is to look at where it generates revenue for the organisation”

more with project managers, architects and designers.”

Going back to 2014/2015, Bish says the last few years have been difficult, with falling oil prices and increased maturity in the market making operations a challenge for the industry.

However, he is quick to stress that he views these constraints as a good thing, pointing out that they will benefit the industry and economy in the long run.

“These have been difficult years, but we knew that 2014 and 2015 would be difficult. People then started to say that 2016 would be better, but the reality was that 2016 was not much different to 2015. Then they said that 2017 would be better… so we just keep pushing forwards!” he laughs.

“However, for us at Summertown Interiors, 2017 has been exceptionally good, and I don’t think that’s because the market or industry has been good. I think it’s because we were prepared for the jobs being offered and I think we got a bit lucky, maybe. Regardless, we’ve had a very good start to the year.”

Having signed major contracts with Smart Dubai, Dubai Smart Government, TECOM and ACWA Power among many others in the first half of the year, it’s hard to dispute that claim. Bish is also quick to add that these clients are all new business, which come on top of repeat work from regular clients.

“As an organisation, we’re very much about environmentally friendly fit-outs, and we also work hard to be a sustainable business. I think these things combined, positioned as well with projects that we’ve won and executed – or are in the process of executing – have helped us have a good first half of the year. I think if we continue on this path, we’ll probably grow year-on-year by 30%.”

In Profile

getting value for money Bish welcomes the fact that the UAE is a maturing market, pointing out that it will help sort the strong contractors from the weak.

One thing Bish says has changed, and he links this back to the market maturing, is that there has been a huge increase in demand for sustainability. He estimates that around 65% of the contractor’s business today comes from environmentally friendly fit-out.

“In 2008, we executed this office [the Summertown Interiors main office in JAFZA] as LEED Gold. We were the first office within our industry to execute and operate a LEED Gold office. Then we saw that there was increased interest in the sustainability model.

Today, we see that more and more of our clients are going down the route of sustainability. That can either be with certified interiors, meaning that they want green certification, or it could mean that while there’s no certification, they want to execute it in an environmentally friendly manner.”

With the UAE government embracing sustainability as part of its Vision 2020, 2030 and 2050 plans, he says it’s essential that contractors get on board with delivering sustainability.

“It’s all to do with Dubai wanting to become a top ten smart city in the world. By 2030, 50% of energy used should be from renewable energy. By 2050, it’ll be 75%. If you look at the vision of the UAE, it’s all

in line with sustainability.”

Quite often, the argument against sustainability is that it costs too much. Bish doesn’t hold much truck with that.

“We see it as a misconception that it costs extra. It may take extra effort and focus, but we believe that if you want to execute a project in a green market then it shouldn’t cost a dirham extra, other than the certification process itself, which costs between $1,000 and $2,000 per project.

“It’s about how you design the project, how you plan it, how you

execute it and how you document it. If you do all of that properly, from the front end and not as an afterthought, then it shouldn’t cost anything extra to do it,” he avows.

Working in a maturing market comes with its own distinct challenges, with clients focused on getting value for money.

While Bish does not see a need for Summertown Interiors to get involved at the design stage, leaving that for the architects and designers, he says the company is involved in other ways.

“I don’t think we necessarily

need to be involved in the design stage. We can leave that to the professionals, but of course we can assist designers when it comes to materials that we use, best practices and so on, if they want.

“What we do is run green workshops that people can attend for free. That way, we contribute towards the topic of sustainability.

We take a leadership position where we can educate and speak to like-minded organisations, and learn from them. I like to think that we have some impact, but we don’t want to overstate that – at the end of the day, it starts with the client!

“However, I don’t think it’s very difficult because there’s an economic driver here. If all we do is talk about the environment – that we need to leave it better for our children and grandchildren – then I don’t think that’s going to necessarily motivate businesses to take that step.

“But if we talk about it from an economics perspective, about how it makes sense for an organisation to go down that route, [then I think we’ll have more success]. When we talk about the economics of sustainability, we’re

delivering sustainability Bish says that Summertown Interiors is committed to providing clients with sustainable solutions to their fit-out needs.

August 2017 23

In Profile

talking about reduced operational costs, which is one way to look at it. The other way is to look at where it generates revenue for the organisation. Sustainable organisations are generally more productive and healthier [in terms of their employees],” he explains.

“If you’re a sustainable organisation, you tend to be able to attract younger and better talent.

People are even willing to rejoin your company if they’ve left. So I think that sustainable organisations have a competitive advantage – not just economically, but also

from an employee and marketing point of view,” Bish asserts.

Looking to the future, the introduction of VAT next year is likely to have a major impact on the construction industry, with the fit-out sector particularly affected, he predicts.

“In our opinion, VAT coming in next year will professionalise the industry. If you look at the UAE economy, then we know that 60% of the revenue generated is by SMEs. The majority of SMEs do not keep proper financial books, and even fewer

do proper financial audits.

“When you’re going for VAT, then you’re going to have to have proper financial audits, so I think that once companies start looking into their financials, then they will be surprised. They will either become more efficient and effective to optimise their business, or they’ll simply go out of business,” he states bluntly.

“You need to be well prepared.

Not just for VAT, but for the proper recording of transactions.

Otherwise, you’ll become even less efficient as an organisation if

you cannot process VAT claims.

You run the risk of fines and penalties with the government, if you don’t properly report your finances. We see the introduction of VAT as something that will professionalise the market.”

Professionalism is something Marcos Bish insists on. Not only has he honed and shaped his company over the years to follow best practices, he sees it as an issue that the industry is grappling with.

“We embrace a maturing market as a fit-out contractor, because it makes for a more

“We’re very much about environmentally friendly fit-outs, and we also work hard to be a sustainable business. I think these things combined, positioned as well with projects that we’ve won and executed – or are in the process of executing – have helped us have a good first half of the year” preparing for vat Marcos Bish has called on the contracting industry to prepare for the introduction of VAT, highlighting the efficiencies it can bring to the market.

24 August 2017

In Profile

professional industry. We’ve seen that companies have had to scale down their operations or go out of business completely.

Although we can argue about the quantity of business available, we see that we have less and less competition in the market – decent competition, that is!

“While there is competition in the market, when you have a serious client the competition suddenly thins out. [The maturity of the market] has professionalised the market and made sure that stronger, better and more efficient organisations survived. They are the ones that are here today.

“Although I will say that there are still too many contractors around. But I think that will change rapidly in the coming few years. I think we’re going to see, again, a cleaning of the market,” Bish asserts.

Summertown Interiors certainly intends to be there when this happens. Bish points out that the company has already begun investing in and focusing on key areas of the business to ensure that it is better positioned for the change that he thinks is coming.

“There are basically three things that we’re focusing on.

Last year, we brought out our first sustainability report, and we’ll be bringing out our second this year.

Sustainability is fundamental to the business and we’re trying to embed it in all the processes and practices within our organisation. We’re passionate about it, we’re good at it and it drives our economic engine. One of our goals is to be carbon neutral by 2020, which is a journey we started in 2009.

“The second thing that we’re focusing on, and it’s something we’ve identified as a growth sector for us, is the healthcare sector. If you look at the fit-out industry in general, we see that there are many projects in the retail, hospitality and education spaces. The industry

forming an alliance Bish hopes that by joining the United Workplace Group, Summertown Interiors will be able to tap into a global network of resources, leads and contacts.

remains flat at the moment, and we don’t expect it to pick up in the coming years. So, we’re looking at different sectors, one of which is the healthcare sector.”

Investment in that area is ongoing, Bish reveals, with Summertown employing people to map out a strategy for the company, allowing it to get a head start in gaining market intelligence and communicating with decision-makers in the healthcare industry. Although the company has some experience in the sector, he recognises that there is no clear leader in the healthcare fit-out market, and believes that the moment is right to seize the opportunity.

“This is an opportunity to become the leading specialist in the sector. We’re putting money, time, resources and effort behind it,” Bish asserts. “We chose healthcare rather than retail or hospitality because we think that the values

“You need to be well prepared.

Not just for VAT, but for the proper recording of transactions.

You run the risk of fines and penalties with the government, if you don’t properly report your finances”

we have as an organisation fit in well with the healthcare industry.

We’re all about sustainability, functionality and quality – we believe that it’s a good fit for us.”

The third thing Summertown is focusing on is a global alliance that Bish believes will propel it to an entirely new level of business and operational performance.

Similar to what airlines have done, the alliance – the United Workplace Group – will give participating companies a global footprint, he explains.

“We’re a UAE-based company, we’re not an international organisation. But by becoming part of a global alliance, we will be able to tap into the networks and organisations of other companies around the world. We can exchange leads, conduct referrals with each other and exchange ideas. We can share best practices with them, carry out employee exchange programmes and, in that way, we can become more global through collaboration,” he outlines, adding that the alliance will be launched officially in September this year.

Finally, Bish outlines his vision for Summertown Interiors, telling Big Project ME that while others may want to go bigger, his intention is to make sure the company he started back in 1997 always goes better.

“We’re not looking to be the biggest contractor in the UAE, but we’re definitely looking to be the best and most sustainable.

There are specific sectors where we want to be the specialist or go-to contractors – interior office fit-out and the healthcare sector.

“That’s generally it. We want to be a sustainable business, not just from a green point of view, but also one where we take good care of our employees, engage with the community at large, while also taking good care of our suppliers,” he concludes.

August 2017 25

Site Visit

26 August 2017

Site Visit

a sense of serenity

Big Project ME visits Serenia Residences on Palm Jumeirah with Godwin Austen Johnson, to hear how the lead consultant is working with the main contractor to deliver a challenging project with minimal fuss

August 2017 27

Site Visit

o

n the must-do list of any first-time visitor to Dubai is a drive down the Palm Jumeirah crescent, the strip of land that is home to some of the city’s most exclusive and extravagant hotels and resorts.

However, they aren’t what visitors come to see. Rather, it’s the views that catch the eye, with the towers of Dubai Marina and Sheikh Zayed Road stretching across the horizon on one side, while the Arabian Gulf gleams on the other.

It’s this view that prompted

Dubai developer Palma Holding to build its first residential project on the Palm. Situated on the furthest section of the eastern crescent, Serenia Residences overlooks the Marina on one side and the Burj Al Arab on the other. The development aims to provide residents with luxury homes that combine influences from the natural environment with high-end finishes and comforts.

Designed around a central space, the project consists of three buildings of nine floors each, plus basement and ground floor. In total, there are 250 apartments in the project, including three large penthouses on the rooftop of each building. When Big Project ME visited the project, structural work on the buildings was long finished, having been completed

Maximising the space After taking over the project from the concept stage, GAJ was tasked with maximising the space and improving the layout.

28 August 2017

FACTS AND FIGURES Project Name: Serenia Residences Developer: Palma Residences Owner: Serenia Residences Limited Main Contractor: Khansaheb Civil Engineering Lead Consultant: Godwin Austen Johnson Number of Units: 250 Total Built-up Area: 71,300sqm Gross Floor Area: 45,000sqm Plot Area: 21,108sqm Expected Completion: October 2017

in December 2016, while cladding and façade work was also well underway on the exteriors.

With main contractor Khansaheb leading the way, interior works such as MEP and HVAC are ongoing. Built on a plot area of 21,108sqm and bordered by ongoing construction work and a fully operational hotel, the Serenia Residences project presented several challenges to the project team, says Jason Burnside, partner at Godwin Austen Johnson (GAJ), the lead consultant for the project.

One of the first challenges faced was to work within the parameters set by the conceptual design laid out by architect Hazel Wong, he explains.

“We took the project over from the concept stage. The client came to us at the time, looking

Site Visit

range of apartments The project contains 250 apartments, including three rooftop penthouses. One building has half-floor penthouses all the way through.

“We looked to create spacious apartments with all the rooms working to a module that would then work with the façade system designed.

The client had no real requirements, other than that we gave him the best apartments possible, as per the skin that was already previously defined”

to improve the efficiency of the apartment layouts, change the number of apartments and so on.

The team started to get involved at that stage and we really looked to optimise the views, as it’s a fantastic site with views in both directions.

“The original architecture was set, in terms of the skin and shape of the building. What we needed to then do was decide where to put the best units, to maximise the returns for the client. We

then had to look at the details of the building,” he adds, pointing out that there are sliding screens, floor-to-ceiling windows and big balconies across the units, to maximise the views for residents.

‘We looked to create spacious apartments with all the rooms working to a module that would then work with the façade system designed. The client had no real requirements, other than that we gave him the best apartments

possible, as per the skin that was already previously defined.”

While the buildings have a total of 250 apartments, there are differences between them, adds Sunil Jasuja, senior associate at GAJ and the project leader of the GAJ Site Team. He reveals that one full building, known as the Penthouse Building, has half-floor penthouses all the way through.

“In that building – which we call Building B – more than half the floorplate is one apartment, stacked up through the seventh and eighth floors. The whole plot is divided by three towers, but the basement spans the entire plot.”

Although the buildings are separate entities, Burnside explains that the basement level covers the entire site, providing the development with underground parking and space for utilities and other necessities.

“The benefit of having everything connected to the basement is that it allowed us the maximum amount of podium space. The shape of the

Living in luxury The buildings’ apartments are larger than typical Dubai apartments, offering residents luxury living, with plenty of light and space.

August 2017 29

Site Visit

three buildings creates a central courtyard that is oriented towards the beach. There are apartments that will overlook the central landscaped area, while the pool is next to the beach and the water. It was crucial to get everything down into the basement if we possibly could, thus making sure that the ground floor was completely accessible to the owners, and that the central space was the anchor for all these buildings to face.”

However, the challenges around the project don’t end there. While the design of the project is certainly well thought-out and planned, the layout presented the project team with its most significant challenge.

“It’s a very tight fit,” says Burnside. “In terms of the permitted GFA that is available, trying to work that back to 250 apartments was a challenge.

I would say that taking that through to where we are now, which is construction, [was our biggest challenge]. There’s no spare space on the site, it’s been very well developed. The site

rooms with a view A key aspect of the project was the views on offer. All the apartments will have views of either Dubai Marina or the Arabian Gulf.

offices are right up against the boundary because the buildings themselves are pushing right to the envelope,” he explains, adding that the maximum GFA the team could create was 45,000sqm.

With the built-up area coming in at 71,300sqm, the size of the Serenia Residences project also created logistical challenges for the team. Both Jasuja and Burnside acknowledge that the hardest part of the project was

the initial excavation of the site.

Given the tightness of the site, with an operational hotel next door and another construction site on the other side, the contractor had little room to manoeuvre.

“We have a full basement, so it was a big logistical challenge for the contractor,” says Jasuja.

“The neighbouring plot, although it’s empty, wasn’t available. The contractor couldn’t broker a deal with the landlord over there.

Pool with a view The central courtyard of the project opens onto the pool area, which is turn overlooks the beach front.

30 August 2017

“The project had already been started in AutoCAD, so we just continued to work with that. We do use BIM when we have to, and it’s something that’s occurred naturally on this project. For a project like this, when the space is so tight, we needed to use BIM to make sure things fit within the available space”

Site Visit

“Furthermore, the site road is the main access point for the crescent. That was blocked by Nakheel for six months as they were doing roadworks on it.

Everything had to go through the front, so it was a real challenge.”

Therefore, in order to get the job finished in time, getting the right main contractor on board was crucial, both say.

As lead consultants, the first requirement they had was that a grade A contractor was needed to lead the project. With such an ambitious build and timeframe, they needed to make sure that the management structure and company they were dealing with were at the level required.

“Khansaheb won it because of a combination of their approach to the project and the confidence with

GAJ ON-SITE: Manikandan Muthumanickam (Senior Architect) Jason Burnside (Partner) Sunil Jasuja (Senior Associate and project leader for the Serenia Residences project)

which they dealt with the client during the tender and negotiation phase. Also, they were competitive pricewise,” Burnside says.

“It was a competitive tender.

We went to all the grade A contractors, like the client wished.

A couple of them were ruled out just on the timescale. One of the contractors said that they couldn’t do it in the timeframe we wanted, they wanted more time, and they were straight out of contention,” adds Jasuja, illustrating just how stringent the selection process was.

Burnside adds that it was essential to have a contractor with experience on projects of this nature and that had worked with the authorities previously.

“We rely on them heavily, on their ability to have the right management structure in place to

allow materials to come to site. It’s quite a trip to get here, so getting around to here and managing the concrete pours, for example, can be quite critical. To some extent, that’s beyond our expertise. Of course we can offer them assistance, but really we rely on them heavily to deliver that expertise.

“And they’re used to it, they’ve done it before. In fact, Khansaheb had just completed another project in the area, so they were very familiar with the authority procedures, the timeframes to get approvals and those kinds of things. For us and the client, it was a massive reassurance to be dealing with someone who had just come off a project in the area.”

In fact, Jasuja relays an example of how familiar the contractor is with the area, pointing out that Utilisation of space The plot coverage is only 22.5%, which leaves 77.5% of the plot available for landscape.

August 2017 31

Site Visit

although the site has a night permit that only allows operations until midnight, Khansaheb’s relationship with the neighbouring hotel management has allowed them to obtain a no objection letter from them to allow work to run until 2am, from a start of 6am.

On a smaller scale, Jasuja points out that the project team had to also deal with day-today challenges such as the groundwater. Given the location and nature of the soil, this was not an unexpected challenge, but he makes the point that constant planning and vigilance was required to keep it under control.

When it comes to sustainability, the project isn’t aiming for specific green certifications, the men from GAJ reveal, but add that they were told to make sure the buildings were compliant with Dubai Municipality and Nakheel’s green regulations.

Where Khansaheb has taken the lead has been with the collaboration and planning for the project, they say. While the project was a standard build, it has used BIM and programmes like AutoCAD in the design and engineering phases. This has helped immensely with the planning and clash-detection for the project, Burnside says.

“The project had already been started in AutoCAD, so we just continued to work with that.

However, we do use BIM when we have to, and it’s something that’s occurred naturally on this project. For a project like this, when the space is so tight, we needed to use BIM to coordinate and make sure things fit within the available space.

“Contractors are preferring to use BIM on projects now because they can do a lot more test fitting, laying out of pipework, ductwork and checking for clashes. On this project, given the timeframe and tightness of space, I’m sure it’s 32 August 2017

Keeping things simple The project team were careful not to include too many systems that would impede the pace of construction.

something Khansaheb considered using prior to coming on board.

Logistically, it’s needed, and ultimately it affects them and makes them more efficient overall.”

Other than that, he adds that GAJ was careful not to include too many systems that would impede the pace of the project.

“We needed to deliver systems that we knew would not add additional time. We don’t need to create an engineering marvel, when in fact it is slab decks and columns being used to create a very clear façade.”

Jasuja chimes in to add that PT slabs were used as floor slabs, with slip forms and precast staircases also incorporated into the build.

“Precast staircases weren’t in our design, but the contractor proposed them for speed. It was nothing out of the ordinary, but we did it to assist the contractor, so as to meet the timeframe. In the initial stages, we considered having

“There’s no spare space on the site, it’s been very well developed. The site offices are right up against the boundary because the buildings themselves are pushing right to the envelope”

all the columns as precast, but it didn’t work out, considering the finishes we had to have. Because of the quality that we’re trying to achieve, it wasn’t possible.”

This flexibility and communication is also part of the reason Khansaheb was brought on board, Burnside says.

Having worked on the Mall of the Emirates extension project, he says both GAJ and the client were confident that there would be a synergy between the tight site, the logistics and the management.

“If they’re not all working together with the consultant, it’s very difficult to achieve projects on time, especially on sites with tight timeframes. That was part of the decision-making process we had with the client.

We said that they’re showing the right attitude and the right approach for the project, and that’s why you should be working with grade A contractors on projects like this,” he asserts.

This was also extended to the management of the site’s workers, he says. At peak, the project had 2,100 workers onsite, while at present they’re still operating with 1,650 workers.

Despite these figures, GAJ says 4.5 million man hours have been achieved on the project, from August 2016 through to May 2017, without any lost time to injury.

“Khansaheb have been superb. They’re very conscious.

As a practice, we’re very tight on that and normally we’d be going to site and picking up on things. But they are there and ahead of us. They’re very tight on that front. It’s a restricted site and safety is very much front and centre,” Burnside praises.

“We have very high standards for safety at GAJ,” adds Jasuja. “But Khansaheb has not given us any chances of complaining. They’ve been very proactive, and they have very high standards for safety.”

Faรงades

34 August 2017

façade face-off

Façades

The regional façade industry is now under scrutiny like never before. Big Project ME speaks to consultants and suppliers in a bid to resolve pressing issues

t

he façade business sector in the Middle East is extremely important and one of the fastest growing, but industry professionals bemoan that it is largely unrecognised and is not given the eminence it deserves.

That scenario, however, is now changing as the industry is under pressure from building designers, architects, contractors, consultants and developers pushing for viable, practical solutions on all fronts.

As a result, new challenges are also coming to the fore.

“With 90% of our time spent in buildings, and buildings being

responsible for 40% of the energy requirements worldwide, buildings have to be comfortable, secure and energy-efficient. This is possible with smart façades that are aesthetically pleasing and functionally efficient,” says Alastair Common, technical manager, Schuco Middle East Windows and Façade Systems.

The consultants weigh in “Façade engineering is not required for every building. The Middle East is very elaborate and intricate in building construction and there are a larger number of projects that require specialist input by a certified façade engineer,” says Agnes Koltay, Façade consultant and director, Koltay Façades, which typically works on high-rise buildings, large span glazed roofs and structural glass enclosures.

Façade engineering consultants can work for

architects, developers or contractors. “The consultant gets involved with independent system concept selection, advises on materials, preengineers all elements and, most importantly, carries out an in-depth coordination with the structural engineer and others, to ensure smoother construction progress when it goes on-site,” she elaborates.

Koltay believes that a professional façade engineerconsultant has to get to grips with a host of functions including preparation of tender documents, drawings and specifications, and pricing aspects. “Developers, architects and contractors can benefit from the expertise and experience as well as the effective oversight and timely site inspections by façade consultants.”

Abdulmajid Karanouh is head of Innovation Design, Façades

& Sustainability at Ramboll, a multi-discipline, multinational provider of engineering and consultancy services including façade engineering across different industry verticals.

He has a different take on the role of the consultant.

“The Middle East is a region struggling to rediscover and redefine its identity at all levels, including the face of its cities and buildings, particularly in the field of façades,” he remarks.

In Karanouh’s estimation, four factors influence façade design styles in the region. These are image, reputation, the local identity and politics and the economy. Futuristic and iconic solutions, sustainability, local cultures and the geopolitical and economic conditions are considerations when deciding on building façades.

Karanouh is clear about the role of the façade consultant.

“With 90% of our time spent in buildings, and buildings being responsible for 40% of the energy requirements worldwide, buildings have to be comfortable, secure and energy-efficient. This is possible with smart façades that are aesthetically pleasing and functionally efficient” August 2017 35

Façades

Redefining the industry Agnes Koltay, façade consultant and director at Koltay Façades, says that emerging technologies are redefining the industry and making complex designs easier to implement.

demand for glass Alastair Common, technical manager at Schuco Middle East, says that clients now want more glass and less aluminium for their façades.

“The façade consultant assists the project team – the client, architect, the main contractor and the specialist façade contractor – in developing the aims and objectives for any building façade.

The consultant helps to formulate design and technical criteria.”

Challenges The prevalent market conditions for the façade industry in the GCC remain extremely challenging, according to Micha Pawelka, managing director of Priedemann Middle East, a German company that offers a range of building envelope-related services. In his opinion, each project has its own challenges in aspects of construction and manufacture, performance and costs.

“Prices are under tremendous pressure owing to stiff competition, oversupply, spending cuts, lack of liquidity, late payments and staffing challenges due to change of visa and labour rules,” he says.

For Schuco, these challenges are surmounted thanks to its long presence and familiarity 36 August 2017

with the region. ‘We are operational in the Middle East for over 30 years and are well regarded by the construction community,” affirms Common.

“Over this period, Schuco has developed many systems and adapted to market conditions.

We work closely with our clients to provide the competitive edge.”

For Common, the Middle East is an architect’s playground where there is considerable freedom to express ideas and implement them into reality. “The problems often are the intricacies of façade design and the demands of fastidious clients. The big test is often to convert designs into economical, workable, functional and practical solutions.”

Corrective measures The downturn is resulting in tighter budgets and shorter project delivery durations, notes Karanouh. “This is resulting in most cases in mismatching priorities between the major stakeholders on any given project, often resulting in responsibilities

“Façade engineering is not required for every building. The Middle East is very elaborate and intricate in building construction and there are a larger number of projects that require specialist input by a certified façade engineer”

gaps, resources misplacement and the widespread practice of false economy,” he adds.

He opines that the façade business is adapting to the current market circumstances by reducing the detailed design development scope of consultants to the bare minimum and by shifting more design responsibilities onto specialist façade contractors.

According to Karanouh, one of the greatest challenges that the façade industry faces in the market is identifying and eliminating malpractice. “It is the responsibility of competent consultants, contractors and specialist contractors who take pride in what they do and care about the quality of the products that they develop and deliver.”

Trends & technologies One of the current trends is for façade designs to be minimalistic, says Common. Consultants and clients are often looking for less aluminium and more glass.

“We recently developed the slimmest curtain wall system

Façades

friendly solutions. There is also more interest in integrating biological and adaptive systems into building façades as opposed to traditional static solutions, he adds.

Practitioner proficiencies

adaptation is needed Abdulmajid Karanouh, head of Innovation, Design, Facades and Sustainability at Ramboll, says that high-tech solutions need to be adapted to the Middle East if they are to succeed.

is the market with mullions only 35mm wide and a new sliding system specifically designed for the Middle East,” he says, highlighting one example of an increasing trend in the façades industry.

On the other hand, Priedemann’s Pawelka says the strongest trends are towards sustainability and adaptation. “When we talk about sustainability and practices that are in conformity with local culture and sentiments, we assume this is a new trend,” he counters.

Return on investment and resilience are also two of the top trending subjects in the façade business, Agnes Koltay adds.

“There is more awareness and emphasis on long-term durability, adaptability and lifecycle performance. Investors are looking at returns on investments,” she asserts.

Karanouh says the region is increasingly showing more interest in developing contextinspired solutions that offer more original, innovative and context-

“The region is showing more interest in developing context-inspired solutions that offer innovative and contextfriendly solutions, as well as integrating biological and adaptive systems into façades as opposed to traditional static solutions”

New and pioneering technologies are also making inroads into the region. The requirements and performance in the Middle East of façade systems in relation to air, water and wind penetration are equal and often exceed international standards and practices, notes Common.

“The primary area where there is less focus, compared to Europe for example, is the thermal performance.

The tests for systems used in Europe are often far more stringent than for the systems used in this region.

This is primarily because of climatic conditions and energy costs,” states Common.

For Pawelka, the Middle East is distinctive from the rest of the world, particularly Europe, where Priedemann has a strong base. “While Europe is concerned with the quality of materials and lifecycle cost considerations, the Middle East is pushing boundaries in terms of design and in view of the current economic situation, within specific budgets. The region is also moving towards new technologies and seeing increased demand of BIM modelling,” states Pawelka.

Schuco plans to expand across the GCC with a larger workforce. “The present outlook for Schuco is bright.

Despite the current tough financial conditions, we continue to perform well in the region thanks to our proactive measures taken. We continue to enjoy a sizable share of

the architectural aluminium supply market,” Common says.

Positive projection Pawelka is also buoyant and upbeat about the future. “We are looking forward to an improved market situation prior to Dubai’s Expo 2020 and Qatar’s World Cup 2022 and other economic initiatives taken by Saudi Arabia and other GCC states,” he states.

For Koltay, sophisticated new emerging technologies are redefining the industry but importantly making complex designs more implementable while slashing costs. Over the years, as computer-instructed parametric production methods have spread more widely in manufacturing, it has become easier to procure something at this level of complexity.

“Technology is rendering projects more affordable,” she remarks.

Locally developed solutions Karanouh states that hightech solutions that are often imported from abroad (North America, Europe and the Far East) are in most cases inefficient, unsuitable and nonsustainable when implemented forcefully with little adaptation in the Middle East region.

He advocates locally developed low-tech solutions because they are truly and genuinely inspired by local conditions and are more efficient than imported solutions in some ways.

Some local specialist contractors and suppliers are offering interesting opportunities in developing new solutions that are drawing interest from other regions and markets.

“These should be further invested in and developed, as it could improve profitability and quality of the products produced locally,” he concludes.

August 2017 37

Bottomline Matters

Helping you make the smartest decisions

Opus Tower - Arch. Zaha Hadid Unitised Facade using Technoform Insulating Glass Edge Profiles made in PA66 25%GF.

WINDOWS, DOORS AND FACADES THERMAL INSULATION AND BEYOND

With three global divisions, Technoform is the highly specialised development partner to the industry, manufacturing profiles for a wide range of applications – in particular for providing thermal insulation for products used in construction Teamwork and networked thinking are an important part of our corporate culture. Our teams are small and flexibly organised and focus directly on the requirements of our customers. They are set up like companies within a company. This has resulted in the development of a cross-border global network of competence and

38 August 2017

knowledge within which innovative ideas and top-class products are created on a daily basis.

Bautec innovates, develops and manufactures insulation solutions and special components for windows, doors and facades.

develops and manufactures durable thermally improved edge bond solutions and special components for its customers and markets.

Technoform Glass Insulation

Technoform Kunststoffprofile

The world leader in thermally optimised hybrid plastic spacers for insulating glass, Technoform Glass Insulation innovates,

Tailoring Plastic profiles solutions, it specializes in the development, tooling and production of highprecision plastic profiles. Globally

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networked engineering enables solutions to be perfectly tailored to the customer‘s needs.

Energy-efficient and sustainable building

A third of the energy consumed worldwide is used to heat up and cool down buildings. This huge figure harbours a major savings potential that in turn harbours amazing development opportunities for our industry.

Particularly in rapidly growing urban areas, the demand for efficient buildings is on the rise.

Saving energy will also be a major mid- and long-term issue in urban conurbations, as many people expect to have a high standard of living in extremely limited spaces.

The energy supply cannot be increased infinitely to guarantee this. The way it is used must meet the highest efficiency criteria.

All major urban development projects reflect this trend. Highenergy performance standards are expected of the buildings that are being constructed.

The ever stricter laws and regulations and the increasing importance of international certification systems also go in this direction.

Materials

We offer a major material variety to find the best tailored solutions for every project. No matter if it is about mechanical values, global warming potential or the best thermal performance, we will be delighted to advise you.

Market-customised solutions

Since 2009, a new trend has become popular in Dubai, where the glass edge profiles in Unitised Curtain Wall Systems are being

replaced from the traditional aluminium extrusion and PVC extrusion parts into polyamide parts made of PA66GF25. The reason for this is that in unitised curtain walls, the only visible and in fact open to the environment parts, besides the insulated double-glazing, are the glass edge profiles, vertically and horizontally in between the glass panels. They also hold the EPDM gaskets, which ensure the air and water tightness of the facade.

As the climate in the harsh environment of the Middle East is hot and humid, especially in summer when the temperatures reach over 50ÂşC, the heat build-up inside on the glazed facade surface and the inside of the facade mullions can easily reach over 85ÂşC. Here the heat resistant polyamide glass edge clips play some important roles.

As these parts directly link the outer environment to the inner aluminium mullions and transoms, they drastically reduce the Utj (U-value of the thermal joint), which insulates the energy flow from the outside of the facade to the inside, whereas these same parts in aluminium would directly conduct the heat through the facade.

Due to the high temperature, the heat resistance of the PA assures a straight line along the vertical and horizontal glass edges, whereas these same parts in PVC or other plastics would show a softened wavy line at the edge of the glass, which architects would reject due to aesthetics.

These glass edge polyamide profiles protect the fragile edges of the glass panels and at the same time hold the EPDM gaskets to ensure the air and water tightness of the facade.

August 2016 39

Comment

Marcus Taylor

NurturiNg taleNt Pays DiviDeNDs

Marcus Taylor, managing partner at Taylor Sterling, construction & engineering recruitment specialists, talks about the current state of construction industry talent At present, the biggest issue faced by the construction industry, from a hiring perspective, is getting the right people at the right price point.

The cost of living went up at the tail end of 2016 and has remained high, but salaries have in most cases remained constant.

Companies in need of strong hires are being forced to put this on hold as they experience industry-wide delays in projects being awarded, as developers are trying to reduce their own spending. What this has led to is mid-level companies with mid-level talent being awarded an increasing number of contracts, rather than the big players who have been able to invest in top-level talent.

42 August 2017

To get the best talent today, companies need to be offering very lucrative packages, or look outside the GCC to bring new top talent in. This of course comes with its own issues; these foreign hires lack local experience.

Right now, we recommend finding local, high-achieving, midmanagement talent and growing them, or importing talent from overseas. The market has gone from experience-dominated to a younger, more tech-savvy, driven workforce. What we saw up until a couple of years ago was those heavily experienced 45-60s driving the big companies; now what we are seeing more and more are the 3045s being hired and being incredibly successful for aspiring companies.

Continuing buzz words – Expo

Comment

taking advantage Construction firms in the GCC can take advantage of global events like Brexit to encourage talent from around the world to move to the region for work.

2020 and the 2022 World Cup – are simply the accelerators, post downturn. It’s so important to be ahead of the curve and to be looking at the long term.

Today the UAE, and most of the GCC, is evolving from being an emerging market to a mature one, so talented employees are now choosing to move to this region as a life choice, not just for the salaries. It’s getting easier to import talent from a recruitment perspective, and we are looking at this as an option more and more.

As of today, 70% of our time is spent placing senior construction professionals – from building to infrastructure roles. 78% of those we placed since the end of last year have not been actively looking for a move.

What this tells us is that this drive to create solid, long-term foundations has already seen its first wave. If construction companies who haven’t factored this into their development strategy don’t act quickly, they will not only face a serious talent shortage, but should expect to be overtaken by those early investors in talent.

We are often asked whether competition for skilled workers is growing as the construction sector recovers. In short, there are many mid-skilled workers, but the top end, where you get your highest quality and most experience, is not big enough to meet demand. That said, global issues like Brexit and the Donald Trump presidency have created a good opportunity for us across the GCC to encourage talent to move here. It’s for the construction industry to now capitalise on.

Every country has their own plan, whether it be for 2020, 2030 or 2050. Dubai has the most imminent plan for Expo 2020. I really can’t stress enough how important it is to have a relationship with a specialist in talent sourcing that can provide quality personnel and avoid panic hiring at the last minute.

August 2017 43

Show Preview

The FuTure oF FaÇades

Windows, Doors and Façades returns to the Dubai WTC in September 2017 Windows, Doors & Façades is a central meeting place for global manufacturers and distributors of window, door and façade products to network and do business in one place, at one time. WDF 2017 runs from 25 to 27 September at the Dubai World Trade Centre in Dubai.

Featuring over 300 exhibiting brands from 64 countries, projected to welcome 8,000 industry professionals from across the GCC and beyond, showcasing the latest innovative products for the Middle East building service

industry, the event features 15 CPD (Continued Professional Development) certified complimentary workshops delivered by industry experts, sharing the latest insights on the building services landscape.

In 2016, Windows, Doors & Façades welcomed an impressive 5,000 visitors, bringing together over 150 exhibitors and 300 summit delegates. Windows, Doors & Façades is co-located with FM Expo, Outdoor, the Design & Build Show and Gulf Glass.

Latest insights More than 8,000 industry professionals are expected to visit Windows, Doors & Facades 2017, with the event featuring industry experts sharing the latest insights from the building services landscape.

BuiLding heaLThcare

Event will feature strategic discussions for leading healthcare professionals a healthy market The 2017 edition of Building Healthcare will bring together more than 3,800 leading investors, healthcare CEOs, government representatives, architects and design consultants.

44 August 2017

The Building Healthcare Innovation & Design Show, organised by Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions, will take place 11- 13 September 2017, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The exhibition will bring together more than 3,800 leading investors, healthcare CEOs, government representatives, construction leaders, architects, design consultants and more, to discuss the challenges involved throughout the healthcare build lifecycle.

A recent report by investment banking advisory firm Alpen Capital suggests that the region’s healthcare market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.1%, from an estimated $40.3 billion in 2015 to $71.3 billion in 2020.

Meanwhile, the healthcare market in each GCC country

anticipated expanding by 11% to 13% between 2015 and 2020, in terms of annual average growth rates, with significant potential for growth in quality care over the next few years.

The Building Healthcare Conference will take on a new format this year, having been revised under the guidance of the Advisory Board, a group of esteemed experts from different verticals of the healthcare industry whose knowledge and expertise help shape the direction and content of the programmes. The three-day congress will provide integrated content addressing the challenges involved throughout the entire lifecycle of a healthcare facility – Vision, Invest, Design, Build, Equip and Manage – offering unparalleled access to the latest innovations, project opportunities and best practices.

w

7 November 2017 RIT Z CARLTON JBR / DUBAI / UAE

280 guests 6 judges / 18 awards 1 gala awards dinner MEConsultant Awards.com

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Information

Gavin Davids | +971 4 375 5480 gavin.davids@cpimediagroup.com

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Concrete Focus

Concrete Relationships Big Project ME speaks to Martin Ashfield, ANGE Capital Asset GM at Arcon, to find out how it intends to build on its growth in the UAE concrete market What does Arcon do, and what is its scope of operations in the UAE market?

Arcon, part of Al Naboodah Group Enterprises, is a well-known DM-accredited supplier in the UAE concrete market. It is one of the biggest in-house concrete suppliers in the region, supplying around 80% of its production to the Group’s own construction business. It supplies every one of Al Naboodah Construction Group’s projects, thus allowing the building giant total control over delivery and quality and removing the need to rely on any third parties.

The remaining 20% of Arcon’s production is shared between longstanding clients and small to medium SMEs who demand very high standards and who look for a supplier with quality plant and equipment. Al Naboodah has invested significantly in its concrete business in the past 12 months, with a fully-

46 August 2017

“We anticipate continued investment by the RTA and other utility providers.

Concrete suppliers will be looking to take advantage of value-based projects as well as work with tierone clients and major developers”

automated back-office system now installed, plus a new automated tracking system monitoring its 7,000 monthly truck movements using fully integrated GPS software.

Additionally, investment in plant has included the state-of-the-art 56m concrete pumps.

Al Naboodah’s concrete business employs 180 staff, operates 50 mixers and produces approximately 350,000m3 of concrete yearly, with plant infrastructure capacity to cope with double that volume.

How does Arcon work to develop green concrete and cater to the growing demand for environmentally friendly concrete?

The Al Naboodah concrete business is fully accredited

by Dubai Municipality for the production of green concrete. In line with sustainability goals, the production facility recycles 100% of its waste-generated water during the concrete

production process and is constantly looking for ways in which to reduce its carbon footprint and improve environmental performance.

In terms of research and development, we are investigating the use of cement replacement alternatives, such as Pozzolith-based materials that would take us over and above current compliance levels but could deliver lower environmental impact in terms of reduction of carbon footprint and increased durability of concrete, and high performance in terms of optimisation for UAE environmental conditions, and increased workability, pump ability and compaction and curing properties.

If this proves viable, Al Naboodah would be one of the first companies in the region to offer such an environmentallyfriendly product that goes beyond the current green concrete parameters.

How do you view the concrete market in 2017? What are your main objectives?

At Al Naboodah Group Enterprises, we believe the current market will see a period of stable growth and demand as the UAE works towards Expo 2020 and its UAE Vision 2021.

We anticipate continued investment by the RTA and other utility providers in infrastructure and continued development in aviation projects. Concrete suppliers will be looking to take advantage of valuebased projects as well as work with tier-one clients and major developers.

Our main objective is to build on existing relationships with suppliers and clients, and work on developing existing infrastructure and efficiency, to provide a value-based, highquality product which is cost-effective and adds value to the ever-evolving engineering, environmental and sustainability criteria applied to the industry.

Supported by

Co-located Event

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9 - 11 October 2017

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Tenders

Top tenders KempinsKi Hotel madinaH project

iKea retail store project – salmaBad

Budget $200,000,000 project number WPR1826-SA territory Saudi Arabia client Kempinski Hotels SA (Geneva) address 28 Boulevard du Pont d’Arve, Geneva 1205, Switzerland phone (+41-22) 809 8888 Fax (+41-22) 809 8800 Website www.kempinski.com description Construction of a 4-star hotel comprising 300 guestrooms, including 50 branded condominiums, a ballroom and a conference centre period 2019 status New Tender tender categories Construction & Contracting, Hotels tender products Hotel Construction

Budget $125,000,000 project number WPR1374-B territory Bahrain client Ghassan Ahmed Al Sulaiman Development Company Ltd (Saudi Arabia) address Bin Sulaiman Centre, 8th Floor, Intersection of Prince Sultan Road with Rawdah Street city Jeddah 21352 country Saudi Arabia phone (+966-12) 606 9033 email info@ghassanco.com Website www.ghassanco.com description Construction of a retail store comprising a 6,200sqm showroom, a 6,000sqm market hall for accessories,

5,000sqm of self-serve area and 4,000sqm of full-serve area period 2018 status Current Project tender categories Construction & Contracting, Leisure & Entertainment tender products Retail Developments

Villa complex project – al aqaH Budget $100,000,000 project number WPR1966-U territory Northern Emirates client name Dana Property Development (Dubai) address Dana Centre, Office # 101 phone (+971-4) 228 1818 Fax (+971-4) 228 2666 email info@dana.ae Website www.dana.ae description Construction of 1,500 villas, comprising a ground floor and one additional floor period 2020

status New Tender tender categories Construction & Contracting tender products Villas Construction

Hospital construction project – moHammed Bin Zayed city Budget $25,000,000 project number WPR2086-U territory Abu Dhabi client name Lifecare Hospital address M-24, Musffah phone (+971-2) 414 8200 Website www.lifecarehospital.ae description Hospital construction period 2019 status New Tender tender categories Construction & Contracting, Medical & Healthcare tender products Hospital Construction

residential Building project – jumeiraH Village circle Budget $17,000,000 project number WPR2162-U territory Dubai client Dubai Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation (Trakhees) address Dragon Mart – Zone 1, 1A, phone (+971-4) 363 6888 Fax (+971-4) 363 6858 email cld@trakhees.ae Website www.trakhees.ae description Construction of a residential building comprising a ground floor, 3 parking levels, 16 additional floors and a roof period 2019 status New Tender tender categories Prestige Buildings tender products Residential Buildings

INTEGRATED ESTIMATING, PROJECT CONTROL AND ERP SOLUTION FOR CONTRACTORS www.ccsgulf.com | Tel: +971 4 346 6456 | info@ccsgulf.com

48 August 2017

ME BIM Summit 2017

The future of BIM in the GCC 1 November 2017 HABTOOR GRAND HOTel DuBAi, uAe mebimsummit.com

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Tenders

Middle East tenders UAE FujairaH port deVelopment project project number MPP2927-U territory Northern Emirates client name Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) address Mina Zayed city Abu Dhabi phone (+971-2) 695 2000 Fax (+971-2) 695 2177 email info@adpc.ae Website www.adpc.ae description Carrying out development of a port status New Tender tender categories Construction & Contracting, Marine Eng Works & Seaports tender products Marina Development, Marine Civil Works, Seaports

tender categories Construction & Contracting tender products Commercial Buildings, Residential Buildings

Saudi Arabia ayar toWer – al naKHil Budget $10,000,000 project number WPR2161-SA territory Saudi Arabia client name Al Ayar Real Estate Office (Saudi Arabia) description Construction of a commercial and residential tower period 2019 status New Tender main consultant Abdel Elah Al Mohana for Consulting Engineer Office (Abdulelah AlMohanna) – Saudi Arabia

al jaBri mosque complex project project number WPR2084-SA territory Riyadh 11232, Saudi Arabia client name Ministry of Islamic Affairs – Endowment, Call & Guidance (Saudi Arabia) address King Abdul Aziz Street postal/Zip code 1182 country Saudi Arabia phone (+966-1) 473 0401/ 402 2200/12 Fax (+966-1) 477 2938 Website www.moia.gov.sa

description Construction of Al Jabri Mosque Complex period 2019 status New Tender tender categories Construction & Contracting tender products Public Buildings

Oman commercial/residential Building project – gHala HeigHts Budget $8,000,000 project number WPR2055-O territory Oman client name Oman Football Association address Seeb Sports Complex city RUWI 112

country Oman phone (+968) 24 533 000 Fax (+968) 24 543 023 email info@ofa.com Website www.ofa.com description Construction of a commercial/residential building comprising a ground floor plus 8 floors period 2018 status Current Project main consultant Razaz Engineering Consultancy (Oman) main contractor Al Amerat Trading – Industrial & Contracting Company (Oman) tender categories Construction & Contracting tender products Commercial Buildings, Residential Buildings

INTEGRATED ESTIMATING, PROJECT CONTROL AND ERP SOLUTION FOR CONTRACTORS www.ccsgulf.com | Tel: +971 4 346 6456 | info@ccsgulf.com

50 August 2017

Tenders

Kuwait al salam Hospital al aHmadi project project number WPR1655-K territory Dasman 35151, Kuwait client name Al Salam International Hospital (Kuwait) phonen (+965) 183 0003 Fax (+965) 2254 0167 email hr@sih-kw.com Website www.sih-kw.com description Construction of a new hospital comprising 120 beds providing in-patient and out-patient services, covering most of the diagnostic and medical treatment divisions period 2018 status Current Project main consultant Option One International WLL (Kuwait) main contractor Construction Management & Building Company (Kuwait) tender categories Construction & Contracting, Medical & Healthcare tender products Hospital Construction

status Current Project main contractor China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) tender categories Gas Processing & Distribution, Oilfields & Refineries tender products Oilfields Exploration & Development

us consulate complex project – erBil project number WPR2169-IQ territory Iraq client name Department of State (USA) address 1735 N. Lynn Street, Arlington, Virginia postal/Zip code 22209 country United States of America email doughertykg@state.gov Website www.state.gov description Construction of a new consulate complex comprising a chancery, marine residence, housing and support

facilities for the community status Current Project main contractor BL Harbert International (USA) tender categories Construction & Contracting tender products Commercial Buildings, Residential Buildings

Egypt nasr city – neW cairo monorail project project number MPP3132-E territory Egypt client name New Urban Communities Authority (Egypt) city Cairo phone (+20-93) 228 6870/1 description Construction of a monorail status New Tender tender categories Public Transportation Projects tender products Railways

Lebanon saint jacques plaZa project – Burj Hammoud city project number WPR1853-LE territory Beirut, Lebanon client name Municipality of Burj Hammoud (Lebanon) address Armenia Street, Burj Hammoud phone (+961-1) 260 155 Fax (+961-1) 260 156 email info@bourjhammoud.com Website www.burjhammoud.gov.lb description Construction of three residential buildings, shops and a multi-level parking facility period 2019 status Current Project main consultant Vazken Chekijian Architect (Lebanon) main contractor Kfoury Engineering & Contracting sarl (Lebanon) tender products Residential Buildings, Retail Developments

Iraq HuWaiZa oil Field deVelopment project project number WPR2155-IQ territory Awwashah, Iraq client name Missan Oil Company (Iraq) address Amarah City Centre phone (+964-4) 331 3472 Fax (+964-4) 331 3471 email moc_oil@moc.oil.gov.iq Website www.moc.oil.gov.iq description Development of an oil field with estimated reserves of more than 1 billion barrels of oil

INTEGRATED ESTIMATING, PROJECT CONTROL AND ERP SOLUTION FOR CONTRACTORS www.ccsgulf.com | Tel: +971 4 346 6456 | info@ccsgulf.com

August 2017 51

Last Word

Get the best from your procurement strategy Early supply chain engagement, coupled with a good understanding of contractor aspirations and capabilities, leads to success, says Matthew Board of F+G It’s widely acknowledged that you can get more from your procurement strategy if you take the time to carefully formulate a route that works for all stakeholders, especially those focusing on delivery. This cohesive approach has become the norm in more mature construction markets, but still needs embedding here in the Middle East.

The Middle East is a hub for growth in terms of construction capability.

However, there is room for improvement in the alignment of procurement strategies with current market capabilities, and there are considerable benefits from getting this right from the outset.

All too often, clients only use a traditional contracting approach, expecting contractors to provide tenders to build to a specified design and programme. The rationale is the apparent cost and programme certainty gained by tendering based on

52 August 2017

“Unless the right contractor is matched with the right scope, supported by discussion and debate of the appropriate strategy, potential quality issues and time/cost over-runs could arise”

detailed design. However, this certainty doesn’t always materialise during project execution, due to potential misalignment between the contractor, the scope and client objectives. Unless the right contractor is matched with the right scope, supported by discussion and debate of the appropriate strategy, potential quality issues and time/cost over-runs could arise.

There is a better way.

The Faithful+Gould team is working with clients throughout the region to focus and, where possible, improve their procurement strategies. We’re building on lessons learned in many procurement exercises throughout the world, guided by regional team members who have represented stakeholders within the industry.

This approach certainly adds value when applied to portfolio, programme and major development procurement strategies.

Success begins with an early and clear

understanding of the development aims, which consist of design direction, asset mix and cost plan data, as well as the programme constraints.

This allows considered decisions to be made on the proposed strategy, supply chain identification and process planning.

Market knowledge is a priority, enabling us to identify whether a contractor has the required aspirations and capabilities for the scheme. This also allows us to determine other critical feedback on any particular market challenges and opportunities facing the supply chain.

We use this market knowledge and contractor feedback to establish who are the correct contractors for further engagement during the tender process.

It is critical to build good relationships with contractors during this process as that helps with procurement success.

Contractors in the region are growing their

capabilities in terms of understanding and implementing new construction technologies.

Interaction with them is critical to obtain their views on the suitability of these methods. The supply chain also can provide beneficial pre-construction services (as applicable to the agreed strategy) at an early stage in the process.

These could include design and buildability reviews, category management support, programme interrogation and logistics management development. These are all key drivers of success, and areas where clients and consultants need support from the supply chain.

Our procurement services aim to facilitate a synergy between our clients and the supply chain. This early interaction, starting with a clear brief of client aims and objectives, forms the basis of procurement strategy and promotes project success.

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