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EDITOR’S PAGE 05 FOLLOW US ON
MANAGING DIRECTOR Eddie Rayner e.rayner@tpg-media.com
EDITOR
EDITORIAL EDITOR IN CHIEF Rod Millington r.millington@tpg-media.com
ADVERTISING PUBLISHING DIRECTOR Laura Wojciechowski laura@tpg-media.com BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Jane Muff jane@tpg-media.com SALES MANAGER Laura Collinder l.collinder@tpg-media.com MEDIA SALES EXECUTIVE Adam Benjamin adam@tpg-media.com
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SWITCHBOARD: +971 4 349 4925 www.tpg-media.com www.emiratesprojectsmagazine.com This magazine is published by TPG Publishing LLC. All material is the copyright of TPG Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. This magazine is the property of TPG Publishing LLC. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form whole or part without written permission of the Managing Director of TPG Publishing LLC. While every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, the publishers cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the information herein, or any consequence arising from it. In the case of company or product reviews or comments, these have been based upon the true and honest opinion of the Editor at the time of going to press.
ROYAL VISIT UNDERLINES AMBITIONS AND DREAMS Recently visiting the prestigious Bluewaters Island project, the new man-made island developed by Meraas off the coast of the Jumeirah Beach Residence, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, said, "We want our country to be known as a land of happiness and hope for both people and visitors, and for all those who have ambitions and dreams. The projects we see around us today reflect this vision as well as our determination to achieve the highest levels of excellence." "Creating an agreeable environment for tourism and investment is key to the diversification of our economy. Equally important is having clear business plans and strategies to efficiently deal with changes taking place around us." His Highness went on to say that current projects in Dubai will help to create thousands of jobs, particularly for young people who want to contribute towards the future of the UAE. "Encouraging innovators and offering them opportunities are among our top priorities," he explained. Quality workmanship and a ‘point-of-difference’ are the hallmarks of many Dubai projects, and Bluewaters is no different, with the centrepiece being ‘Ain Dubai’, the tallest observation wheel in the world. In actual fact, at over 210 metres, it surpasses not only all existing structures of its type, but all planned structure, too. When completed, it will provide breathtaking and, up to this time, unseen 360-degree views of Dubai’s magnificent coastline. What's more, the ‘Ain Dubai’ wheel rim, which has now been finished, has already turned into a prominent feature of the city’s skyline.
The developer of this blue-chip project, Meraas, has also announced that it is creating new attractions on Bluewaters Island that will add significantly to the tourist offer. One of the legs of ‘Ain Dubai’, for instance, will showcase the world’s highest rope climbing platform, with a height in excess of 150 metres. This will no doubt become a one-of-a-kind attraction for adventure seekers. Bluewaters Island offers a premium lifestyle for the entire family, with 10 apartment buildings that comprise a total of 700 units, offering absolutely stunning views. Residential amenities take in state-of-the-art gymnasiums, swimming pools, landscaped gardens, basketball courts, children’s play areas, and much more. The island will also feature distinctive retail, residential, hospitality and entertainment zones, and will be linked to the mainland via a direct roadway from the Sheikh Zayed Road. In addition, it will operate a mono rail system to transport visitors to the entertainment zone from the metro station. Developed over the past four years, Bluewaters Island has provided employment for over 16,000 people, with Meraas working with more than 1,500 local and international companies in order to bring this spectacular tourist destination to completion.
Rod Millington Editor
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06 CONTENTS
COVER STORY EMIRATES FIRE AND RESCUE COMPANY
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FEATURES IN THIS ISSUE
COUNCIL ON TALL BUILDINGS & URBAN HABITAT
APID P32 A non-profit body, the Association of Professional Interior Designers (APID) was registered with the Department of Economic Development, Government of Dubai, in 2005, with its aim being to promote excellence in interior design practice, education, and the industry in general. Today, this vision continues to be at the heart of the organisation.
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P37
EMIRATES BUSINESS GROUP P43 First opening its doors for business in 2001, Emirates Business Group (EBG) has expanded and diversified extensively over the years, creating growth with a social mindset by launching new initiatives, building long-term relationships with clients, and offering realtime value.
Skyscrapers have been around since the so-called ‘Chicago-style’ architecture arose in the 1880s, but the explosion of urbanisation around the world today, fuelled by developing economies asserting themselves in high profile ways, means that the stage is set for a global skyscraper boom of unprecedented levels. So whilst it is true that the financial crash of 2008 dented high-rise construction, by the end of 2018 the construction of 200-plus-metre buildings will likely a new stratum, with around one-third of these towers being all-residential. Construction has been unrelenting in the UAE for decades, and a great deal of that development has been vertically-oriented. In the present day, Dubai is home to almost 1,000 high-rise buildings. What’s more, there are another 14 projects currently under construction that will reach or surpass the 300m mark. It will come as no surprise, therefore, that the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), the world’s leading resource for professionals focused on the inception, design, construction, and operation of tall buildings and future cities, has a great interest in Dubai, as well as many members located in the Emirate.
WME P45 A multi-disciplined company that provides integrated engineering services throughout the Middle East, WME is client-focused and committed to the very highest levels of customer service. Indeed, its structural, building services, AV-IT, and infrastructure engineers have an unrivalled understanding of conditions and practices.
CONTENTS 07
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CONTENTS
SUSTAINABILITY P08 The UAE’s strongest advocates of green schools met in Dubai to discuss the ‘State of Our Schools’ with the goal of creating a national vision of healthy, high performance schools that are conducive to learning while saving energy, resources and money. The ‘State of Our Schools’ roundtable, held at the Sheraton Mall of The Emirates Hotel, was hosted by the Emirates Coalition for Green Schools, part of the Global Coalition for Green Schools, comprising green building councils and like-minded organisations that aim to equip communities with resources and support to achieve the UAE vision of ‘ensuring that every child in the UAE has the opportunity to learn in a green school within this generation.’
WORLDWIDE NEWS P10 Network Rail has published a Strategic Business Plan (SBP) to invest more than £2 billion in the Anglia route to enable more trains, faster services and better connections in five years from 2019-2024. The plan also includes measures to maintain the performance, resilience and reliability of the rail network across the region. The publication of the SBP is a major step in the process to determine funding requirements of Network Rail for five years to 2024, called Control Period 6 (CP6). The SBP represents the initial view of Network Rail after the publication of governments’ (England, Scotland and Wales) high-level output specifications (HLOS) and statements of funds available (SoFA).
REGIONAL NEWS P12 Italian construction services firm, Salini Impregilo, has secured an order worth about $1.3 billion to construct villas and associated infrastructure for the Saudi Arabia National Guard. Under the contract, Salini Impregilo will be responsible for housing and urban planning on a large scale with the construction of 6,000 villas in an area of seven million m2 to the east of Riyadh. The scope of the project will also include the construction of over 160km of main roads and secondary routes and related services.
LOCAL NEWS P14 S&T Interiors and Contracting in Dubai has won two contracts for the prestigious The Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences project located on The Palm Dubai. This project speaks volumes about the company’s brand promise to provide turnkey solutions with a difference. The contracts include packages F3 for complete interior fit-out of the 219 super luxury apartments and F9 for all back of house areas. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2019.
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SUSTAINABILITY EmiratesGBC EMIRATES GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL HOSTS ROUNDTABLE ON THE ‘STATE OF OUR SCHOOLS’ TO PROMOTE GREEN SCHOOLS IN THE UAE The UAE’s strongest advocates of green schools met in Dubai to discuss the ‘State of Our Schools’, with the goal of creating a national vision of healthy, high performance schools that are conducive to learning while saving energy, resources and money. The ‘State of Our Schools’ roundtable, held at the Sheraton Mall of the Emirates Hotel, was hosted by the Emirates Coalition for Green Schools, part of the Global Coalition for Green Schools, comprising green building councils and like-minded organisations that aim to equip communities with resources and support to achieve the UAE vision of ‘ensuring that every child in the UAE has the opportunity to learn in a green school within this generation.’ Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC), an independent forum aimed at conserving the environment by strengthening and promoting green building practices, is a founding member of the Global Coalition, and will present a white paper on the deliberations of the roundtable in December. Aref Abouzahr, Executive Director of TAQATI Dubai Energy Efficiency Program and member of the Emirates Coalition for Green Schools, said: “The first roundtable on the ‘State of Schools’ presented an opportunity to bring together diverse stakeholders from government, private and educational institutions, to discuss how schools can contribute to the UAE’s sustainability vision and to its energy efficiency goals. We believe that it is important to engage students and schools in our collective mission to achieve a greener future. The roundtable served as the first step to forging constructive dialogue for tangible action.” Saeed Al Abbar, Chairman of EmiratesGBC, said: “Schools play a defining role in promoting the sustainability agenda of our nation. The participation of our educational institutions and its leaders has a ripple effect in our concerted initiatives to promote a more sustainable built environment. The first roundtable on the ‘State of Our Schools’ presented a first of its kind platform to engage diverse stakeholders including members of the academic, government and private sector to plan, design, implement, innovate and sustain green initiatives in our schools. The whitepaper that we shall present in December will articulate the findings of the roundtable, and also put forth a national vision for green schools.” The roundtable discussed the history of the Global Coalition for Green Schools programme, and elaborated on the first roundtable session’s objectives including building a case for green schools and stakeholder mapping. Experts who participated in the session helped define a consensus on green schools, as healthy, sustainable environments committed to resource use efficiency and instilling the value of environmental sustainability in students. Anisa Heming, Director, and Carolyn Yi, Project Manager, Centre for Green Schools at US Green Building Council, delivered a video address on green schools, and set the template for the discussion. Establishing the difference between green buildings and green schools, with a focus on how schools can serve as champions in promoting a greener environment, the roundtable debated on why green schools are important, asserting that they lead to enhanced productivity, decreased absenteeism, improved value of buildings, and reduced liability for building designers and owners. 08 WWW.TPG-MEDIA.COM
The roundtable also set the local context identifying the number of schools in the public and private sector, and focused on identifying the local advocates of sustainability for schools, and in establishing the missing stakeholder links and ways to engage them better. All the details of the discussions will be presented in the white paper being prepared by EmiratesGBC. The roundtable was moderated by Charles Blashke, Managing Director, Taka Solutions, an ESCO that works with building owners, facility managers, designers and operators to deliver comprehensive energy solutions that improve energy and water efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and save clients money.
The event was supported by Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Taqati and Etihad Energy Services. Those interested can sponsor the White Paper being developed by EmiratesGBC. For details, contact: engagement@emiratesgbc.org. EmiratesGBC regularly hosts and participates in multinational events, conferences and forums. It has also developed a suite of activities, inclusive of networking events, technical workshops, focus days and facilitated training based around specific issues related to the built-environment that meet the needs of its members, of the UAE community and the wider Middle East.
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10 WORLDWIDE NEWS
NETWORK RAIL TO IMPROVE NETWORK IN THE ANGLIA REGION Network Rail has published a Strategic Business Plan (SBP) to invest more than £2 billion n in the Anglia route to enable more trains, faster services and better connections in the five years from 2019–2024. The plan also includes measures to maintain the performance, resilience and reliability of the rail network across the region. The publication of the SBP is a major step in the process to determine funding requirements of Network Rail for the five years to 2024, called Control Period 6 (CP6). The SBP represents the initial view of Network Rail after the publication of governments’ (England, Scotland and Wales) high-level output specifications (HLOS) and statements of funds available (SoFA). The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) will review the plan and make a draft determination of Network Rail’s funding needs in June, and a final determination in the autumn. The proposals aim to deliver additional services while maintaining a safe and efficient railway for the millions of people who rely on it.
The plan includes more than £2 billion for operating, maintaining and renewing the railway during this period. This includes more than £400 million to improve the condition of the track; over £70 million to refurbish the overhead line equipment on the lines out of Fenchurch Street; and key re-signalling projects at Cambridge and Clacton. According to the plan, Network Rail will work with Greater Anglia to help introduce 1,000 new carriages and reduce travel times between London and Colchester, Ipswich and Norwich. In CP6, Network Rail will complete important enhancements, including the Lee Valley Rail Programme, Thameslink, and supporting the introduction of the Elizabeth Line. Network Rail also aims to further improve passenger safety through better inspection techniques and better asset management. Network Rail route managing director for Anglia Meliha Duymaz said: “Investment in rail is critical to powering economic growth with more trains, faster services and better
connections which is a key part of our Railway Upgrade Plan. “This also means greater demand on the network as we address the challenge of
running more services while maintaining performance and reliability, which we know is what is most important to passengers.”
SOLUM SECURES APPROVAL FOR GUILDFORD STATION TRANSFORMATION Solum, a partnership between Network Rail and Kier, has received approval from the Planning Inspectorate to go ahead with a £150 million regeneration scheme to redevelop the area around Guildford station in England. Under the project, the Guildford’s station car park will be transformed into a new Station Quarter. The scheme will deliver a new station building and 438 new homes. It will include 412 car parking spaces for rail users, 536 cycle spaces for station users, 3,427m2 of retail provision, 1,877m2 of new offices, and 456 cycle spaces for the new residents. The Guildford Council had identified the Guildford Station site for mixed-use development to include residential and commercial uses. The £25 million improvements to Guildford Station will include a new station building with a larger, double height ticket hall with a wider gate-line to accommodate more passengers; and a multi-storey car park with improved, safer pedestrian access and reduced average walk time from car to platform.
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The improvements also include separate pick-up and drop-off arrangements; improved taxi rank with shelter and canopies; additional secure station bicycle storage spaces; a station quarter with additional space for shops and restaurants; and new bus replacement arrangements. The scheme is expected to create more than 300 new jobs. Alan Jones from Solum said: “We are very pleased that this exciting brownfield regeneration project has been given the green light. This is a scheme that will transform the area around Guildford Station and provide a new Gateway to the town. “Solum has been working with Guildford Council and the community for seven years. The scheme has undergone significant change through the planning process and we look forward now to working with the council to deliver the scheme.” Network Rail Property managing director David Biggs said: “We at Network Rail are extremely pleased that the planning approval of this fantastic scheme has been achieved. It will deliver significant benefits
to station users and the local community, by releasing land for much needed housing,
attracting new businesses, creating jobs, and providing a significantly improved station.”
WORLDWIDE NEWS 11
REALITY MODELING COMES OF AGE HELPING TO STREAMLINE BROWNFIELD PROJECTS FOR THE PROCESS INDUSTRY Over 95 percent of projects in the process industry are retrofits or expansions of existing plants that seek to increase capacity, comply with regulations, or introduce new technology to improve performance. Moreover, often the building of a new plant is done on the brownfield site of an existing facility. For all these projects, capturing and modeling the existing context is critical to decision making and both conceptual and detailed engineering design. Bentley’s reality modeling technology is increasingly being leveraged to support these critical workflows. In this year’s submissions for the Be Inspired Awards, there are five excellent examples using reality modeling technology in the process industry, demonstrating how this technology has now become an essential part of any brownfield or greenfield plant design project. UCB, a global biopharmaceutical company, is using reality modeling for its iconic manufacturing plant in Belgium (which was established in 1928) to assess options and communicate ideas to help this complex and established site become carbon neutral by the year 2030. ContextCapture was used to create an engineering-ready 3D model of the entire complex, including all the buildings, production facilities, roads, and parking areas, using both drone and terrestrial photography. This context enabled the engineering team to quickly produce a 3D model to convey ideas and determine options. Point-cloud data from laser scans was then added to the model to enable accurate quantities to be calculated and precise measurements to be given to contractors for the priority work packages. ABS Steel needed to modernise the fume extraction system for its large steel complex in Udine, Italy to meet new regulations. It did not have a survey of the entire site since the complex was the result of a merger of two plants in 1988. ABS Steel awarded the contract to BM Engineering to survey the site. It used laser scanning for inside the plant and photography for outside the plant, creating a combined engineering-ready model in MicroStation using ContextCapture and Bentley Pointools, which was read into AECOsim Building Designer and used to design the new fume extraction system. The model was then used to test the structural integrity of the aging parts of the factory. By using a drone to capture photos of the roofs of the industrial buildings, and using ContextCapture to accurately create the 3D model, the project avoided the need to construct at least 70,000 temporary
structures (guardrails, walkways, ladders, PPE, etc.) to conduct the survey work. Flightline Geographics LLC (FlightlineGeo) solved a problem for an owner of an ethanol plant in Kansas, United States whose plant expansion was impeded by a lack of a drainage plan that would satisfy the local municipality. Traditional alternative methods, such as ground surveying and either ground or aerial LiDAR, were eliminated as possible solutions due to the short time frame and limited project budget involved. It was decided to use a drone (UAV) and, once survey ground control was placed, the UAV capture of the 200-acre site was completed in a single one-hour flight. The team used ContextCapture to produce the 3D model that engineers needed to quickly calculate the results for the drainage and construction study, which was presented to municipal authorities a few days later. Moreover, the team leveraged the same work to create a 3MX reality mesh that could then be used for visualisation within the Acute 3D viewer. It took just one week to conceive, capture, process, and deliver the project, and gain approval. Technical Solutions International (RBI) is a world-class engineering inspection company headquartered in Durban, South Africa. RBI has deployed a solution that combines the use of unmanned autonomous vehicles (UAVs or drones), 3D reality modeling software (ContextCapture), a geographical information system (Bentley MAP), and engineering documentation management (ProjectWise) to manage the entire inspection process. Its clients include petrochemical, pulp and paper, power generation, and telecommunications firms. The new process enables RBI to deliver more competitive services to its clients that speed survey time considerably and increase the value and visibility of its inspection survey data. “UCB SA is driving a ‘smart factories’ initiative, leveraging Industry 4.0 and Bentley technology. Our objective is to reorganise production so that we are more adaptable and effective in the allocation of resources. We store our engineering data in ProjectWise for better collaboration among colleagues. Using ContextCapture for 3D modeling of our site provides geo-referencing and allocates geographical coordinates to our data. Analysing the 3D model together with the orthophoto drawings provides the official record of our land registry data, waterways, and buildings. We can also bring this 3D model into AECOsim Building Designer
to support any building design changes. For proposed modifications to our production facilities, we use OpenPlant Modeler and OpenPlant Isometrics to provide precise 3D data for contractors and to automate the detection of clashes between pipes, structures, and equipment.” said Joseph Ciarmoli, Head of CAD engineering, UCB SA. “The interoperability of Bentley products has made it possible to optimise and significantly reduce the survey and reality modeling time, while also allowing a BIM model to be created that can easily be used by all stakeholders (structural and plant designers), who have decidedly and significantly improved the efficiency of their integrated design, allowing the implementation of the first revamping phase to be reached just three months after delivery of the BIM model.” Said Marco Barberini -BM Engineering s.r.l.
“Reality modeling using ContextCapture from Bentley enabled FlightlineGeo to process a large amount of data into information for the client in near real time. The project was completed ahead of time and under budget, allowing the company to acquire its expansion permit and move on with production of renewable energy.” Commented Devon Humphrey, CEO, FlightlineGeo. “Bentley’s range of products and integration between their products and our automated UAV systems gives us and our clients an added advantage against an ever-improving competitive market. The future we live in today.” Said Stanley du Toit, Technical and Solution Director, RBI Technical Solutions International.
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12 REGIONAL NEWS
SALINI IMPREGILO WINS $1.3 BILLION CONTRACT TO BUILD VILLA COMPLEX IN SAUDI ARABIA Italian construction services firm Salini Impregilo has secured an order worth about $1.3 billion to construct villas and associated infrastructure for the Saudi Arabia National Guard. Under the contract, Salini Impregilo will be responsible for housing and urban planning on a large scale with the construction of 6,000 villas in an area of seven million m2 to the east of Riyadh The scope of the project will also include the construction of over 160km of main roads and secondary routes and related services, as well as a sewage treatment plant and several water tanks above and below ground. Works under the contract will be completed in five years. Salini Impregilo believes that the new order boosts its role in the building and transport sectors of Saudi Arabia, which is seen investing $88 billion in infrastructure in the next five years. The company, which operates in over 50 countries, is involves in the construction of
Line 3, or Orange Line, of the Riyadh metro system. At 41.58km, the line will be the longest in the system. In April 2017, the firm secured a $300 million contract to construct the Al Faisaliah District Redevelopment for the Al Khozama Management Company, which is engaged in the development and management of commercial, luxury and hotel real estate. Salini Impregilo also won a $255 million contract from ACWA Power to build a desalination plant in the Shuaiba region in Oman. In the UAE, the company is constructing the Meydan One Mall for $435 million, a shopping complex at the urban development plan between Meydan and Al Khail Road in Dubai. Furthermore, it has a $200 million contract in Abu Dhabi to design and build a 5km section of a transit way that will cross two islands to connect the Capital District with the Central Business District in the capital of the UAE under its 2030 development plan.
PERKINS+WILL DUBAI STUDIO APPOINTS NEW HEALTHCARE DIRECTOR Interdisciplinary and award-winning architecture firm, Perkins+Will Dubai, announced the appointment of Elmutaz Elrabaa as its Healthcare Director for Middle East operations. As a registered architect, a LEED and EDAC accredited professional, Elrabaa has more than 18 years of extensive, global experience with a primary focus on institutional and healthcare architecture. Perkins+Will has been working with a number of health centres globally for over 65 years. The firm’s healthcare practice in the Middle East has worked on recent projects such as King’s College Hospital and King’s College clinics and has a healthy pipeline for 2018. Elrabaa has led global and multidisciplinary teams across Canada, Middle East and Asia to deliver large-scale projects from inception through to client handover. Some of his recent projects include the CAD $550 million Niagara Health System Hospital in St. Cathrines, Ontario, Canada, the 510 bed Singapore General Hospital in Singapore and the 500 bed Columbia Jiaxing Hospital, China. Elrabaa said: “I am a firm believer in design excellence and collaborating with
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concerned stakeholders of each project to achieve optimum results. Globally, healthcare design is undergoing an exciting evolution and the trend is reflected across Asia and the Middle East. I am thrilled to embark on this exciting journey with a globally acclaimed firm like Perkins+Will.” Elrabaa is an advocate of healthcare design research and has been a speaker in a number of international conferences across Asia. Recently Elrabaa was a keynote speaker in the 4th ArchXpo in Singapore where he spoke about the future trends for healthcare development in the ASEAN countries. Before joining Perkins+Will, Elrabaa, a Canadian citizen, was Director of Healthcare at B+H Architects, a global Canadian firm based in Toronto, Canada. Elrabaa was responsible for delivering healthcare projects across Asia and Ontario, for seven years. Prior to this, Elrabaa delivered projects across the GCC during his tenure in Kuwait as Senior Architect at KEO International Consultants and at The Associated Engineering Partnership before that. Notable projects delivered by Elmutaz in the region include: Barwa Financial District,Al Ain University, Kuwait National
Library and Kuwait National Cancer Centre. Elrabaa graduated from Cairo University and has a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Waterloo, and is a registered architect at Egyptian Engineers Syndicate (EEA) as well as Kuwait Society of Engineers. He has been honoured as an Accredited Professional Engineer by Kuwait Society of Engineers.
“At Perkins+Will we strive to create healthcare facilities that are innovative, smart and sustainably aesthetic, to schedule and budget. We are excited to have a seasoned professional like Elmutaz on board to lead the healthcare practice here in the Middle East where the design requirements of the sector are undergoing revolutionary and exciting changes,” said Perkins+Will’s Managing Director, Roger Wilson.
REGIONAL NEWS 13
TECNICAS SIGNS CONTRACT WITH DRPIC FOR PROCESS UNITS OF OMAN REFINERY
Tecnicas Reunidas (TR) has signed a contract with Duqm Refinery and Petrochemical Industries Company (DRPIC) for the execution of the process units for the new refinery of Duqm in Oman. The company has already received the letter of intent for the EPC contract award
in August 2017. The project is part of the plans of the Omani government for the industrial development of the Special Economic Zone of Duqm. The plan includes the new grassroots refinery, with an overall investment of $15,000 million in the coming 15 years and
COMMITTED TO A GREEN UAE
already includes a dry dockyard, harbour and related infrastructure such as roads and utilities. The refinery is a key project of the area. The contract, valued at $2,750 million, has been awarded on a lump sum turnkey (LSTK) basis to the international joint venture led by Tecnicas Reunidas of
Spain and Daewoo Engineering and Construction of South Korea. The duration of the contract is 47 months. This contract is the largest of the three packages awarded for the refinery and includes all the process units. The project will be developed at Tecnicas Reunidas’ offices in Madrid. Tecnicas Reunidas is the majority partner of the joint venture with a participation of 65%. Tecnicas Reunidas said that the project will enhance the experience and expand the activity of TR in the Middle East, following the recent awards of other important oil and gas projects in the region. Duqm Refinery and Petrochemical Industries Company is a joint venture between the state-owned Oman Oil Company (OOC) and Kuwait Petroleum International (KPI), the international subsidiary of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC). Tecnicas Reunidas is an international engineering and construction company in the production of oil and gas, petrochemical and power generation for a wide range of clients worldwide. Since 1960, it has designed and built more than 1,000 industrial plants in over 50 countries.
ELAF OPENS NEW FIVE-STAR CITY HOTEL IN JEDDAH The Elaf Group, a SEDCO Holding Group company and a leading provider of travel, tourism and hospitality services, recently opened a new five-star city hotel in Jeddah. The soft opening of Elaf Galleria is part of the Group’s strategic expansion plans aimed at further solidifying its leading presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s flourishing tourism and hospitality sector. The initiative complements the goals and objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to support the national economy by promoting tourism. The Hotel Galleria by Elaf is a landmark inspired by the famed Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, Italy, designed in 1861 and built by Giuseppe Mengoni. The hotel has 364 rooms spread across 7 floors on two separate wings enclosed by a vaulted glass and metal roof. The property also features banquet and luxurious events facilities, an Executive Lounge and other recreational facilities including a health club and spa. Restaurants providing fine dining inside the
hotel include The Kitchen, El-Vaquero, The Birdcage, Milano and Aqua. Ziyad bin Mahfouz, CEO, Elaf Group said: “The opening of Hotel Galleria by Elaf in Jeddah is in line with ongoing efforts to strengthen our leading presence in the KSA and the rest of the GCC. The country's booming tourism industry, as reflected by its continuous year-on-year growth, allows room for such developments. We remain committed to our goal of supporting Saudi Vision 2030’s objective of reinforcing the national economy with non-oil revenue sources by providing the highest quality of hospitality services to our guests.” Established in 1981, Elaf Group is widely considered as a leading travel and tourism brand within the region. It is a pioneering and innovative market leader that greatly continues to provide premier regional travel and tourism services in collaboration with major airlines.
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S&T DUBAI WINS INTERIOR FIT-OUT PROJECT FOR THE ROYAL ATLANTIS RESORTS & RESIDENCES S&T Interiors and Contracting in Dubai has won two contracts for the prestigious The Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences project located on The Palm Dubai. This project speaks volumes about the company’s brand promise to provide turnkey solutions with a difference. The contracts include packages F3 for complete interior fit-out of the 219 super luxury apartments and F9 for all back of
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house areas. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2019. The Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences is the newest icon of Dubai and the next modern wonder. It is a contemporary interpretation of classic architectural design masterpieces, creating a destination perfect for living. Rising above the crystal-clear waters of the Arabian Gulf, it is amongst the most exclusive residences in Dubai.
K.S. Ravikumar, Executive Director of International Operations at S&T said, “We are delighted to be working on the next modern wonder of Dubai and showcase our capabilities as a leading turnkey fit-out partner for luxury bespoke solutions in the GCC region. With our solid track-record of over 150 high-end projects worldwide, and an excellent team on the job, I am confident we will deliver the project beyond client
expectations and exhibit our continued commitment to international quality.” Ali Malas, CEO of S&T Dubai said, "Being awarded this contract is a testament to what S&T can deliver in terms of quality, finesse, expertise and global skill set. It is indeed an iconic project that we are proud to be part of and we intend to provide service, par excellence."
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EARTH COURSE AT JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES VOTED ONE OF THE WORLD’S BEST COURSES The Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates, the world-class residential golf destination offering luxury homes and leisure facilities among two internationallyacclaimed championship golf courses, was voted the 82nd best course in the world in leading global golf publication Golf Digest’s ‘World’s Top 100 Golf Courses’. It was also voted sixth place on Golf Digest Middle East’s ‘Top 10 Courses: 2018 Readers’ Choice’. The Golf Digest Awards are widely recognised in the golf community to highlight the very best golf destinations worldwide. Yousuf Kazim, CEO of Jumeirah Golf Estates, said: “These awards firmly position Jumeirah Golf Estates as a leading international golf destination catering to a global audience of golfers.We are committed to offering one of the world’s finest golf destinations for both Dubai residents and international visitors. We are extremely proud to receive this recognition from such a highly-regarded publication as Golf Digest, confirming Jumeriah Golf Estates Earth Course’s position as one of the best courses in the region, and the world.” The Earth Course is one of Jumeriah Golf Estates’ two championship golf courses designed by the professional golf legend Greg Norman. Measuring 7,706 yards from the championship tees, the Earth Course boasts 18 holes with spectacular views of white, graceful-through-deep bunkers. Each hole is designed to blend into the surrounding landscape, with the challenging 18th hole split up its entire length by a stunning creek.
On a global level, Jumeirah Golf Estates is the host venue of the European Tour’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, until 2020. Held at the award-winning Earth Course, Jumeriah Golf Estate has welcomed the world’s top 60 golfers every year for the past nine years, attracting over 65,000 visitors from across the globe. Across both the Earth & Fire Courses, golfers can opt to improve their technique by training at Jumeirah Golf Estates’ European Tour Performance Institute (ETPI), one of only two in the world, and the only one in the Middle East. With over 950 members, Jumeriah Golf Estates is a paradise for golfers, optimising performance and the pleasure of the game in a stunning environment.
NINE IF DESIGN AWARDS FOR AXOR AND HANSGROHE PRODUCTS A total of nine products by the AXOR and hansgrohe brands of the Hansgrohe Group have been distinguished with the iF Award 2018. The Black Forest bathroom and kitchen specialist currently holds sixth place in the iF ranking, making it the highest-ranking company in the sanitation industry. The Hansgrohe Group outperformed some 2,000 listed companies, ahead of prominent brand names such as Audi, BMW and Apple. An international jury of 63 experts evaluated 6,400 product entries from 54 countries in categories including
quality of design, workmanship, degree of innovation, environmental compatibility and functionality. “We are very pleased at having again been distinguished with a shower of iF DESIGN awards, and view this as a validation of our design philosophy. In collaboration with prestigious designers, we focus on delivering products of the highest quality, on successful product design and above all, on creating optimal customer value,” said Jan Heisterhagen, Vice President Product Management, Hansgrohe SE.
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CITY PROPERTIES INTRODUCES CITYFLEX HOME OWNERSHIP PLAN TO UAE HOUSING MARKET In an effort to make home-ownership easily accessible to both investors and end users, City Properties, the property development arm of City Tower Real Estate, hosted leading real estate agencies in the UAE for an exclusive event yesterday. The event introduced the innovative Cityflex Ownership Plan, a first-of-itskind, ultra-flexible payment plan. With a phenomenal turnout of over 600 agents, City Properties also showcased its maiden real estate project, Al Haseen Residences, which offers buyers the opportunity to invest with the Cityflex Ownership Plan. The plan will offer investors and end-users customisable payment plans to match their funding capabilities including a developer-funded 10 Year Interest-Free payment plan and a property management instalment guarantee plan. The Cityflex Ownership Plan requires a down payment of only 10 per cent to book
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the apartment followed by just five per cent of the property value every quarter until handover. Amounting to only 40 per cent of the total property value till handover, Cityflex offers investors and end-users a variety of ultra-flexible ownership options for the balance 60% payment including: • Post-handover, interest-free payments for up to 10 years via 120 instalments or • Property management option wherein City Properties guarantees payment of the remaining 60% including service charges over a period of 10 years. This unique and innovative option allows investors to own a property by only investing 40% of the purchase price. Commenting on the importance of the brokers’ community in achieving home ownership for all, Tauseef Khan, Chairman at City Properties said, “We believe the launch of the Cityflex Ownership Plan is a landmark moment in the evolution
of the affordable housing segment. We are extremely pleased to receive overwhelmingly positive feedback on our innovative payment plan, and feel confident that the revolutionary Cityflex Ownership Plan will make home ownership easy and affordable.” Commending City Properties’ efforts, Lazar Jakovljevic from Better Homes stated: “The Cityflex Ownership Plan is a huge breakthrough in the UAE real estate market. In fact, it is the first time a developer has tried to cater to every member of the community seeking to own a home or invest in real estate in Dubai.” Akram Skaik from Noble Empire said: “We are confident that the Cityflex Ownership Plan will boost real estate sales in the UAE as it offers various payment options. Undoubtedly, it will attract a lot of investors and end-users who are looking to find affordable housing ownership solutions.”
Adding to this, Khurram Ahmed from Al Burooj Real Estate said: “Offering a lowrisk investment opportunity can be very appealing for people who have always been delaying the possibility of owning property in Dubai. In fact, a lot of people who have a stable job in Dubai feel that they cannot handle the financial responsibility that comes with home ownership.This is where we see the Cityflex Ownership Plan as a desirable solution to change the mindset of the salaried expatriate community in the country.” Al Haseen Residences, which is located near Dubai South has 138 units including studio, one BHK and two BHK apartments, incorporating all modern amenities such as a swimming pool, separate gymnasiums for men and women, covered parking, central AC and a beautiful waterfall lobby entrance. Project completion is expected to be in the first quarter of 2019.
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AL SHIRAWI INTERIORS AWARDED FIT-OUT CONTRACT OF CITYLAND MALL Al Shirawi Interiors, the premier specialist in interior fit-out, partitioning, suspended ceilings and carpentry works, was awarded the contract for the complete interior fitout of the Cityland Mall, the world’s first natured-inspired shopping destination taking shape in Dubai. Al Shirawi Interiors will fit-out 450,000 sq.ft. of space including all entrances, pavilions, hypermarket and washrooms. Construction of Cityland Mall is being monitored by HILL International as the Project Managers with the project scheduled for completion in Q4 2018. The USD 330 million retail project is the brainchild of Cityland Group, the creator and operator of world renowned Dubai Miracle Garden and Dubai Butterfly Garden. The circular-shaped mall will have over 350 stores spread across 1.2 million sq.ft. It will also feature a 200,000 sq.ft. open-air garden that will serve as the epicentre of the
mall in terms of both architecture and its anchoring role. According to Fahimuddin Sharfuddin, Chief Executive Officer and Board Member, Cityland Group, “We are pleased to have Al Shirawi Interiors as our partner in completing the interior fit-out of Cityland Mall. Their expertise and track record will be a great asset in adding value to Cityland Mall which promises to be a unique retail destination in UAE with its nature inspired theme and superlative design features.” Ani Chacko, General Manager, Al Shirawi Interiors, added: “The interior design of this project features some striking elements, the execution of which requires excellent craftsmanship and superior quality finishes. As a fit-out specialist with a proven track record, our client and consultant can be assured that we will deliver on both the counts.” Navin Valrani, CEO of Al Shirawi
Interiors, said: “2018 is shaping up to be a good year. Our team of experienced project managers, talented designers, sizeable labour force and a state-of-the-art joinery that creates some of the finest wood products on the market, will give us a decisive advantage over our competitors in the future as well.” Al Shirawi Interiors has executed fit-out
scope for several retail projects in the past, including Deira City Centre, Ibn Battuta Mall, Bloomingdales and BurJuman Centre to name a few. In recent years, the company has built a solid reputation as the most reliable company for cinema projects having executed a number of works for operators such as Novo,Vox, Cine Royal and Reel.
SHARJAH’S EAST COAST LOCATIONS DECORATED WITH CAPTIVATING DISPLAYS THAT TRANSFER AUDIENCE TO A FANTASTIC WORLD His Excellency (H.E.) Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), emphasised on SCTDA’s keenness to shed light on the features of the East coast and the central region in Sharjah, especially its historical, heritage and tourism importance, and attract more tourists to those areas to showcase the unique and diverse tourism products the emirate has. This came during Al Midfa’s visit to the East coast locations of the Festival, accompanied by a delegation from the Authority, where he followed up the shows that will be held in the Khorfakkan Municipal Council Building, the Directorate of Town Planning and Survey, the Sheikh Rashid Bin Ahmed Al Qassimi Mosque in Dibba Al Hisn, Kalba City Municipality Council, and the Directorate of human resources in Kalba. Al Midfa added: “The Authority is keen to expand the geographical areas of the Sharjah Light Festival by adding new sites, as well as using new innovative technologies every year, to promote Sharjah as an ideal tourist destination for big events and festivals which enhance its position on the global tourism map.
The Khorfakkan Municipality and Directorate of Town Planning and Survey are host to a distinctive canvas titled ‘Glowing Culture,’ designed by the famous artist Alice Haldenwang, which transforms the building walls into an interactive video presentation through a wide range of digital technologies. The projections of stunning abstract designs, fanciful curlicues and precise angular geometric drawings - all move over the two buildings as part of carefully curated shows highlighting the culture and growth of the Emirate. The light projection ‘breaks down’ the building and re-invents it with new domes and pillars in one set while another show’s more poetic scenes that elicit imaginative responses from the beholders. The Festival will also deck the Directorate of Human Resources in Kalba with a show titled ‘Magic Wonder.’ This show combines space, sound, art, architecture, images and music in stunning combinations which pay tribute to the emirate’s dedication to culture and cultural pursuits. Masjid Ammar bin Yasser at Al Dhaid showcases a special show under the name ‘Chromatic Lights’ by Pierre-Julien-Fieux, which mimics the natural light displays of
the world. This dramatic show emphasises the brilliance and importance of light. Slow movements of light in a myriad of colors highlight the beauty of the Mosque and its architectural details while recreating the atmosphere of the Aurora Borealis with fanciful, abstract designs, pulling the viewer into a dreamy world of illumination and magnetic fascination. The Municipality Building at Al Hamriyah Town is host to a legendary visual display under the theme ‘Stellar
Falcons’ by Esther Megard, celebrating the grace and prestige of the symbolic bird of the Emirates with metamorphosing projections of patterns and forms as well as images of falcons and their trainers. The show focuses on the iconic bird, which is also a prized and beloved pet nowadays. An integral part of the emirate’s culture, falcons were also valuable resources during olden days. Evocative images of the falcon and its skilled trainers are brought to the fore in this enigmatic show.
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BEAUTY AND STRENGTH – IDEAL STANDARD’S NEW IPALYSS VESSEL RANGE COMBINES ULTRATHIN, HIGH-END DESIGN AESTHETICS WITH EXTREME DURABILITY Ideal Standard, one of the leading providers of innovative bathroom solutions operating across Europe, Middle East and Africa, is proudly introducing Ipalyss – an exceptional range of vessels. The high-end, ultra-thin design product range was made possible through the creation of an extremely durable ceramic material, Diamatec. Drawing on over 100 years of ceramic expertise, combined with an unsurpassed quality in craftsmanship, inspired by Bernard de Palissy, the famous 16th Century French ceramicist who relentlessly pursued the secrets of very fine ceramics, designers at Ideal Standard investigated. The result of their research and development was a new material, Diamatec, whose exceptional robustness allows designers to achieve the near impossible: Extremely thin, straight edges that are extremely robust and durable a highly challenging and complex combination. Diamatec was developed using a unique
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blend of specially refined materials. Thorough research and development was conducted to reach the ideal combination of finely ground alumina a versatile ceramic material known for its strength pre-fired clays, and the perfect blend of sodium and potassium. The result: Unprecedented strength and durability, even in the most thin and precise designs. A new glazing system was developed to complement this innovation, ensuring its tight radius was maintained. Diamatec was born. The Ipalyss range of vessels is supplied in three configurations: a vessel without overflow, which maximises internal volume; a vessel with overflow, and one with overflow and a deck. The overflow in these vessels has been thoughtfully integrated into the design. The result is a discreet, slotted design that does not compromise the clean lines and minimalism of the piece. ‘Light design’ is an important influence in fields as varied as architecture,
manufacturing, and fashion. Products in the Ipalyss range are especially well suited for demanding environments, such as hotels, where an effective combination of aesthetics and durability is of paramount importance. The design maximises available vessel space
resulting in an enhanced user experience. The striking aesthetics of our Ipalyss range were developed in collaboration with the award-winning British designer, Robin Levien and his design studio, who have been designing for Ideal Standard for 30 years.
INTERVIEW WITH - ENG. HADI IRSHEID 19 04 INTERVIEW WITH - ENG. HADI IRSHEID
BE SAFE, PREVENT FIRE THE EFFECTS OF A FIRE IN REAL LIFE CAN BE FAR MORE SEVERE THAN WHAT IS SHOWN ON TV AND IN THE MOVIES, IMPACTING PEOPLE, PROPERTY AND THE ENVIRONMENT. AND WHEN A FIRE OCCURS, IT CAN SPREAD IN SECONDS, FILLING THE AREA WITH HEAT AND TOXIC THICK SMOKE. WE SPEAK TO ENG. HADI IRSHEID, HEAD OF MARKETING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AT THE EMIRATES FIRE & RESCUE COMPANY (EFRC), WHO EXPLAINS MORE ABOUT THE COMPANY AND WHY IT SHOULD BE EVERYONE’S FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE AGAINST FIRE.
Emirates Projects: Can you briefly describe EFRC’s operation? Hadi Irsheid: EFRC is a semigovernmental company that operates Quick Interventions Units for the Civil Defence in the United Arab Emirates. We are owned by the Ministry of Interior, and our aim is to provide international level services in the fields of fire safety to keep the UAE a safe place for all of its residents and visitors. Emirates Projects: How long has EFRC been operational? Hadi Irsheid: Based on the directives of Lieutenant General His Highness Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Interior, EFRC was established in 2010 as a pioneering local company within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
branches within the UAE, and in order to continue to offer our customers the very highest quality service, at the beginning of 2018 we opened our fifth branch in Dubai. Emirates Projects: What is the objective of EFRC in the years ahead? Hadi Irsheid: Our vision is to be the leading fire safety service provider in the UAE. Emirates Projects: Can you sum up EFRC raison d’etre in just a few words? Hadi Irsheid: We are one of the most reliable and trusted companies in the
country, providing a wide range of training courses and Fire Consultancy. Moreover, EFRC is proud to be part of the prosperous journey of the United Arab Emirates and is very confident in its ability to fulfil, serve and protect lives and properties. Emirates Projects: Are you willing to be part of any upcoming event related to fire and life safety or construction? Hadi Irsheid: Yes, we will be in the upcoming Cityscape in Abu Dhabi and willing to be a part of next safety events in order to raise awareness and to show our services. We have to participate in keeping UAE a safer place to live.
Emirates Projects: What kind of services do you provide? Hadi Irsheid: We offer a wide range of services, such as integrated solutions in the field of fire safety, civil protection and civil prevention, training courses, engineering services, and technical consultancy. EFRC is ISO 9001: 2015, ISO 1400: 2015 and OHSAS 1800: 2007 certified. Emirates Projects: Do you operate throughout the UAE? Hadi Irsheid: EFRC is headquartered in Abu Dhabi and has four additional
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ENG. HADI IRSHEID, HEAD OF MARKETING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AT EFRC
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YOUR SAFETY PARTNER TRUE EXPERTISE EMIRATES FIRE & RESCUE COMPANY IS A SEMI-GOVERNMENTAL FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY CONSULTANT AND HOUSE OF EXPERTISE / THIRD PARTY THAT IS LICENSED BY THE CIVIL DEFENCE IN THE UAE. THE COMPANY PROVIDES FULL ENGINEERING SERVICES AND OPERATES THE QUICK INTERVENTION UNITS OF CIVIL DEFENCE IN THE UAE, (NORTHERN EMIRATES).
EMIRATES FIRE & RESCUE COMPANY P.O. BOX 93133 ABU DHABI UAE T: +971 2 4443900 E: SALES@EMIRATESFIRE.AE W: WWW.EMIRATESFIRE.AE
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1. Provision of Engineering Services EFRC is licensed (through Civil Defence) as ‘House of Expertise for Fire Safety Consultancy’ EFRC’s House of Expertise is the Fire and Life Safety Consultancy Engineering section of EFRC. The House of Expertise acts as the required third-party reviewer, accredited by Civil Defence, to ensure that a proposed design complies with the fire and life safety federal and local codes and regulations. EFRC House of Expertise complements the provided firefighting operational services with fire safety consultancy services, holding Civil Defence licensing as House of Expertise for Fire Safety and Consultancy, which allows EFRC to offer numerous services to the highest-approved standards, fully licensed, and with exceptional quality. EFRC’s House of Expertise covers fire safety consultancy services as listed below: • Initial Plan Review • Shop Drawings Plan Review • Building Fire Safety Inspections • Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) • Fire and Life Safety Signage Consultancy • Escape and Rescue Plan (ERP) • Emergency Action Plan (EAP)
Revision of the initial and shop drawing plans for all kinds of facilities As defined in the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence’s initial and shop drawing plan review manual, a plan review is the activity that Civil Defence performs to ensure the fire and life safety features and design of a new project are in compliance with the local codes and standards. This type of activity is completed by an approved House of Expertise, which reviews the drawings for compliance with the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice (UFC) and NFPA requirements. Also, the House of Expertise verifies that the submittal complies with Civil Defence submittal requirements such as: • The number of drawings is sufficient to comply with the submission requirement. • The level of contents and
format of the drawings are in line with Civil Defence guidelines. • The design complies with the enforced code requirements. For shop drawing reviews, EFRC covers all the systems that are usually included in the submission, which are as follows: • Fire Detection and Alarm • Fire Protection Systems • Smoke Control Systems. In the event that any issues are found, the House of Expertise communicates with the client via report or marked up drawings, to show the deficiencies that were found. The client should address those deficiencies in the drawing submission and submit it again to the House of Expertise. The House of Expertise then proceeds to submit the drawings to Civil Defence for approval.
EMIRATES FIRE & RESCUE COMPANY 21 03 Organisation and Execution of Fire Inspections in New and Existing Buildings Despite obtaining Civil Defence’s drawing approval, a building still might not be constructed in accordance with the approved drawings and construction techniques or materials. It may still be possible that the specified systems are not installed or improperly installed. Deviations from the approved design or code non-compliances may occur during construction, or even operation, use and/or occupancy of the building. As a result of such deviations, the building could be exposed to an unacceptable high risk of fire. Civil Defence relies on the House of Expertise for new and existing buildings inspection to ensure that the actual construction, fire and life safety systems installation and the inspections testing maintenance and commissioning in new buildings match the approved fire and life safety design and corresponding fire protection systems inspection, testing and maintenance requirements. EFRC has the expertise and approval from Civil Defence to conduct the above-mentioned services. Provision of Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) A Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) is a process that characterises the risks associated with fire that addresses the fire scenario or fire concern, their probability and their potential consequences. The result of a FRA will serve to evaluate potential fire-related issues and provide guidance for resolving or mitigating them. A FRA involves reviewing the existing design gathering of the approval design information to understand the facility's fire strategy, as well as other information such as the Emergency Action Plan and the Fire Protection Maintenance Record. A site survey for the facility is also included to understand the type of operations, practices and fire protection systems impairments that might pose a fire risk.The above information is analysed and provides an overall picture of the potential fire risk of the facility. The FRA provides insight for the building owner, facilities manager or the entity responsible for the fire safety of the building and what to do to mitigate the identified potential fire risks. The FRA offered by EFRC ensures that the client is a stakeholder of the FRA, not only as responsible party tasked with implementing the mitigating measures, but also as an active participant in the FRA of their facility under the guidance of the fire consultant. Provision of Escape and Rescue Plan (ERP) An Escape and Rescue Plan (ERP) is required by the UFC and Civil Defence to
indicate exit locations corridors, hose reels, fire extinguishers, and other relevant objects and places needed in the event of a fire. EFRC provides ERPs that are in compliance with the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice, 2017 Edition (UFC), and in accordance with the standards of: • Civil Defence • Ministry of Interior UAE HSE Standards • NFPA Codes • ISO Standards The ERP service usually involves the following activities: • Review of approved drawings to verify that the architectural features, as well as signage and location of firefighting equipment, are located in the building. • Complete a field survey to verify where an ERP is needed. • Mark up the drawings to indicate where the plans should be. • Discussion of the location with the client to coordinate the proper installation. • Install the ERP frames, if required by the client. Provision of Signage Consultancy Fire and Life Safety Signage Consultancy services usually involves the following activities: • Review of approved drawings to verify that the exit signage and location of the fire protection equipment matches the locations. • Complete a field survey of the visible signage or the need for additional signage to verify that they are in accordance with the approved drawings or floor plans. • Mark up the drawings in the field to verify if the conditions match the approved drawings and address any potential noncompliance. • Discuss the location with the client to coordinate the proper installation. • Install the additional signage, if required by the client. EFRC has extensive experience in this service in multiple types of occupancies, and is fully capable of providing the required consultancy services and required signs.
• Consideration of the different types of emergencies that could happen in the facility. • Preparation of EAP and the design of fire drills. • Provision of training employees and managers in the execution of the EAP and fire drills. • Execution of fire drills and/or simulation with table top exercises. EFRC has considerable experience in the design and execution of emergency plans for a variety of clients in the UAE. Development of Customised IT Solutions With EFRC’s extensive knowledge and experience in all aspects of emergency preparedness and firefighting operations, coupled with its deep understanding of current and future IT technologies allows for the design and implementation of clean, simple, and integrated IT solutions to support daily emergency forces and critical operations. 2. Integrated Outsourcing Solution in the field of Fire, Safety • Provision of manpower for firefighting, rescue, medical and Hazmat missions. • Provision and maintenance of equipment and vehicles. • Provision of technical consultancy. • Provision of full operational fire and rescue station solutions. • Special event coverage (fire safety staff, rescue staff, medical staff), equipment and vehicles. 3. Provision of Training in the field of Fire Safety, Civil Protection and Civil Prevention • EFRC is licensed (through Civil
Defence) as ‘House of Expertise for Fire Safety Training’. • Provision of the civilian training course ‘Basic Firefighting and Safety’, which is a legal requirement to renew the company license according to UAE Ministerial Resolution No. 505 of 2012 and Cabinet Resolution No. 24 of 2012. • Provision of basic and customised training courses (e.g. fire and evacuation drills, NFPA courses and specialised training with reputable national and international fire bridges and academies). • Provision of training at UAE Civil Defence stations Some Basic and Customised Training Course are as follows: Fire Awareness Course: This course aims to make employees more aware of how fires start, spread and are controlled. The course aims to instill a general respect for fire and cause them to be more aware of Fire Risk Assessment (FRA), how to reduce fire risks and escape safely in the event of fire. Fire Warden Course: This course gives the delegates a required knowledge on how to prevent a fire from occurring, a clear understanding of their responsibilities, duties and role as a Fire Warden and what to do in the event of a fire, as well as covering theoretical, behavioral and practical implications which will enable the delegates to undertake an efficient and orderly evacuation of their building in an emergency situation. The course presents an understanding of fire regulations and general fire precautions. It aims to provide you with the knowledge needed to be become a Fire Warden.
Provision of Emergency Action Plan (EAP) The EAP service usually involves the following activities: • Identification of the existing Emergency Action Plan information, if any, or gathering of information for the development of a new plan.
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22 02INTERVIEW INTERVIEWWITH WITH--MOHAMMED MOHAMMEDKAMAL KAMALAL ALSHURAFA SHURAFA
LESS IS MORE A LEADING PROFESSIONAL DESIGN PRACTICE, MIMAR EMIRATES ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS OPENED ITS UAE OPERATION IN 2002, QUICKLY BECOMING ONE OF NATION’S MOST SOUGHT-AFTER AND RESPECTED COMPANIES IN THE FIELDS OF MASTER-PLANNING, ARCHITECTURAL AND INTERIOR DESIGN, STRUCTURAL AND ELECTRICALMECHANICAL ENGINEERING, PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND SITE SUPERVISION.
MIMAR - M.E ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS P.O. BOX 119487 DUBAI UAE T: +971 4 2827711 E: ME@MIMAR-GROUP.COM W: WWW.MIMAR-GROUP.COM
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Mohammed Kamal al Shurafa BSc. Arch., Managing Director at Mimar, tells us more about the company’s projects and its reach throughout the MENA region. Emirates Projects: In which geographical territories does Mimar operate in? Mohammed Kamal al Shurafa: In the UAE we have offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman, whilst region-wide we have a presence in Cairo, Tripoli and Baghdad. Emirates Projects: What are you working on, or have recently completed, in the education sector? Mohammed Kamal al Shurafa: We are currently in the construction stage for Fatima College of Health Science, which should be completed in the summer of 2018, as well as two mega-schools in Dubai and Sharjah, one of which is due for completion in August 2018 and the second one in the spring of 2019. In addition, Mohammed V University for Islamic Study in Ajman is also under construction and completion is expected by the end of this year.
MOHAMMED KAMAL AL SHURAFA, MANAGING DIRECTOR AT MIMAR
Emirates Projects: Is there any one project that you are particularly proud of, and if so why? Mohammed Kamal al Shurafa: I think my answer would be the new College of Engineering project at Qatar University, a competition that we won back in 2011.We completed the full architectural and engineering service by the end of 2012, and construction is expected to be completed within the next few months. The estimated final cost of construction has reached 700 million dirhams.The team has spent over a year carrying out continuous design activities, including over 10 different design specialists working on this prestigious project; it’s the project that I’m really proud of. Emirates Projects: How many people does the practice employ, and how have you managed to attract and retain such a talented team? Mohammed Kamal al Shurafa: We are currently over 220 employees and this number is expected to reach 250 within the next 12 months. We manage to attract and retain such a talented team by having good and reliable leadership in different
disciplines, all of whom have worked hard to build their teams. Furthermore, the ‘one family’ policy has also had a very positive effect when attracting people to seek employment within the Mimar Group. Emirates Projects: How do you see things progressing for the practice over the next five years? Mohammed Kamal al Shurafa: I can see a positive future for this region; it has all the potential to keep developing. So I believe that we have many years ahead of us of where we will continue to evolve and expand. Emirates Projects: Finally, can you name your favourite building in the Gulf region? Why have you chosen this one? Mohammed Kamal al Shurafa: I will choose the Emirates NBD headquarters tower in Bani Yas street, overlooking Dubai Creek. It is one of the favourite buildings and has a very strong architectural language simple but strong. It represents my philosophy on architecture and life: ‘less is more’.
RUBIK SQUARE
AL KHAN TOWER
SEENEXUS INNOVATION INSTITUTE
w w w . m i m a r - g r o u p . c o m ABU DHABI .
DUBAI
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AJMAN
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DOHA
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CAIRO
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SHAPING HORIZONS DRAGON CITY HOTEL
PROVIDING SUPERIOR QUALITY GENERAL ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION SERVICES THAT ARE CONTRACTED, SCHEDULED, ENGINEERED, AND MANAGED TO CREATE MAXIMUM VALUE, AL GHURAIR CONTRACTING AND ENGINEERING WORKS (AGCEW) TAKES THE PRESSURE AND STRESS OF UNDERTAKING A PROJECT OFF ITS CLIENTS’ SHOULDERS.
AL GHURAIR CONTRACTING & ENGINEERING WORKS LLC P.O. BOX 76477 DUBAI UAE T: +971 4 4504220 E: INFO@AGCEW.AE W: WWW.AGCEW.COM
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It achieves this by utilising unique, innovative standard operating procedures in order to ensure that its projects are carried out correctly, on time and to budget. Through strategic alliances and expanded ownership, AGCEW Group has grown into a full service engineering powerhouse offering services in all relevant fields, including structural, geotechnical, transportation, water, sewage, power, and materials engineering. Roger Abi Saab, General Manager and Partner, AGCEW Group, talks about AGCEW as an A & H Investment Group (Abdullah & Hamad Al Ghurair) company, which has a turnover in excess of AED 900 million and employees more than 2500 personnel, has the knowledge, experience and resources to be able to tackle even the most challenging of projects. Its brief is wide, too, taking in everything from hotels, villa complexes and luxury residences through to warehouses, mosques and retail, as well as specialised work that includes the Discovery Channel Shark Week Aquarium in Dubai Mall and the Microscope Undercroft Laboratory in Masdar City. Hasan Hamadeh, Director of Operations and Partner, AGCEW Group trusts that this level of diversity is only possible due to the company’s varied in-house expertise and a team that is made
up of some of the most motivated and professional people in the industry, including, Laudy Salem Abi Chahine, Estimation and Procurement Manager, AGCEW and Manoj Kumar Bhatt, Accounts Manager, AGCEW Group.
Created to Meet Any Challenge Mohammed Morshed Chowdhury, MEP Manager, Al Ghurair MEP, leads Al Ghurair MEP the Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) company which offers full and complete solutions for the built environment, resulting in environmentally sustainable and energy efficient buildings. The major area of its operation includes Supply, Installation, Testing, Commissioning and Maintenance for all systems related to Electrical, Plumbing, and HVAC works Including Low Current system Fire Alarm and Fire Fighting Systems to BMS and Structural Cabling Systems to Gas systems. The Extra Low Voltage (ELV) systems company, overseen by Manager Mohamed Asif Mohideen, helps clients to integrate both existing and new building systems, economically and efficiently. Its custom-made solutions simplify facility management and help clients achieve control over energy costs. ELV includes all the systems in a building that operate on low voltages, such as telephone, data
transmission, LAN, CCTV, fire alarms, and public address systems. Farid Wakim, Interiors Manager, Al Ghurair Interiors, leads a highly skilled team that makes interior space fit for occupation. Al Ghurair Interiors specialises in full fit-out and refurbishment works for all types of interiors, offering a diverse range of services for a variety of projects. This company works with a wide range of clients, from big blue-chip names through to smaller independent companies and private individuals. But whatever their size,
ROGER ABI SAAB, GENERAL MANAGER AND PARTNER, AGCEW GROUP
AL GHURAIR CONTRACTING & ENGINEERING WORKS LLC 25 03 • Jumeirah Group Office Dubai Outsource Zone – Fit out Works • MAD Club Yas Island – Fit out Works • Matto Folia Restaurant Oberoi Hotel Business Bay – Fit out Works
Putting Quality First
all of its clients choose it for the same reasons: its passion for perfection and its friendly, nononsense approach. AGCEW offers high quality interior fit-out services that meet the exacting needs of its clients by using inhouse resources, and in doing so guarantee high quality, efficiency and delivery.
Performance-Plus AGCEW’s client list is genuinely prestigious, including such prominent names as Nakheel, MAF, Meraas, Emaar and Al Khayat Investments Group, with the company’s projects being no less notable. These include Dragon City Hotel at Dragon City, which lies to the north side of the existing Dragon Mart 1, and is conceived as a 3-star hotel with 304 rooms. Meanwhile, the Dragon Mart Furniture Showroom, another important project, includes 18 showrooms on the ground floor and a multi-storey parking for around 900 cars on the upper floors (three levels). On the Palm Jumeirah, AGCEW completed Club Vista Mare complex that covers almost 5000m2 at ground level, with an additional 2740m2 of residential space on the first floor and Golden Mile 2 outdoor
Galleria which consists of retail & F&B Units along 4 buildings. Palm Jumeirah Hotel Apartments which is currently in progress, is a 3B+G+11 hotel with 163 rooms (one bed room and studio apartments). Other projects include: • Luxury Villas at Umm Suqeim Third, Emirates Hills, Ras Al Khaimah and Al Khawaneej. • Kanoo Group Luxury Villa Compound 1, 2, and 3 on Jumeirah Beach Road. • Hor Al Anz Mosque for Majid Al Futtaim Properties. • Al Rabiah Food Industries’ warehouse, office building and workshop at DIP Second in Dubai. • Office building and warehouse at Mussafah, Abu Dhabi, for the National Marine Dredging Company (NMDC). • Fat Burger Restaurant at Umm Suquim First on Jumeirah Beach Road in Dubai. • Oberoi Hotel External Package at Business Bay.
CLUB VISTA MARE
AGCEW’s vision is to be one of the best performing company in its chosen markets by delivering exceptional customer service and unrivalled quality workmanship. The company’s values, built around honesty, integrity and professionalism, are fundamental to its continued profitable growth and are embedded in its culture, business strategies and behaviour. With utter confidence, the company can offer a wide range of solutions to its evergrowing client-base. This is adeptly achieved as the works are carried out with AGCEW’s own highly trained and experienced workforce, who are supported by its extensive range of modern and well-maintained equipment and machinery.
AGCEW enjoys working closely with its clients and their representatives to achieve cost-effective and innovative solutions to a wide range of challenging contracting and engineering problems. And of course, none of this would be possible without the company’s greatest asset – its workforce. AGCEW people treat others with respect and thoughtfulness. In turn, the company views its people as individuals, not simply a means to achieve corporate performance. As people are at the centre of what the company strives to be, it takes genuine care in their development, making their cultivation a top long-term priority. Looking to the future, AGCEW will continue to build a sustainable and growing business through good leadership, effective communication, and a skilled and motivated workforce. Moreover, it will continue to listen closely to its personnel in order to provide a great place to work and a superior learning environment, enabling its people, and therefore the company, to achieve their full potential.
HOR AL ANZ MOSQUE
DRAGON MART FURNITURE SHOWROOM
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26 01S&T S&TINTERIORS INTERIORSAND ANDCONTRACTING CONTRACTING
ANANTARA AL JABAL AL AKHDAR, OMAN
DUBAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
TURNKEY SOLUTIONS WITH A DIFFERENCE THE LALIT, LONDON
A MAINSTAY OF TURNKEY CONTRACTING SINCE 1977, S&T BRINGS UNPARALLELED CONSTRUCTION AND CONTRACTING STANDARDS BUILT ON THE PILLARS OF EXCELLENCE AND QUALITY.
S&T INTERIORS AND CONTRACTING P.O. BOX 117045 DUBAI UAE T: +971 45638200 E: STCDUBAI@STCGROUPS.COM W: WWW.STCGROUPS.COM
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S&T Interiors and Contracting is one of the leading contracting and interior fit-out companies in the GCC region. In the last four decades, S&T has perfected the art of skilled craftsmanship with a dedicated team of experts and in-house manufacturing capabilities to become a one-stop solution for construction, MEP, interior fit-out and global procurement. S&T has grown beyond its origin of Oman to compete on the world stage, with operations in 10 countries across the Middle East, UK, Europe & Asia. S&T works with a strong belief that customers are their partners and actively work and collaborate with them to develop longterm relationships. Over 150 landmark projects have been executed by S&T in the luxury hospitality sector and high-end residential and commercial projects. Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar, Muscat (a JV project with ALEC); Ritz Carlton Al Bustan Palace Hotel, Muscat; Luxury Residential Complex, Oman; 5Star Hotel & Luxury Clubhouse, Oman; Permanent accommodation for Contractors, Oman; Strategic Facilities, Oman; Anantara Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort, UAE; Dubai International Airport Project Concourse 3A, UAE; Kempinski Hotel, UAE; The LaLiT, UK; Langham Hotel, UK; Sheraton Hotel, Belgium;
THE WATER-FRONT, OMAN
Premier Inn Matrix, Heathrow; St. James’ Court, A Taj Hotel, UK; InterContinental London – The O2, UK; Hotel Taj Mahal Palace, India; JW Marriott, India; The Grand Hyatt, India; Mövenpick City Hotel, Sri Lanka; Hirdramani Group Office, Sri Lanka; are among the prestigious projects of S&T. K.S. Ravikumar, Executive DirectorInternational Operations, S&T said, “S&T has executed superior high-end contracting projects that demand different approaches to delivering on time and quality. The distinct advantage S&T brings is high quality, customised turnkey solutions, scalability, high-profile project experience, price and timely turnaround. Our projects are proof of our commitment to our clients and long-term partnerships we have built over the years.” With its global presence and local foothold, the company has several projects in the pipeline across Oman, UAE, the UK, India and Sri Lanka. These are The Water-front, Oman; Muscat International Airport; JW Marriott, Oman; W (City) Hotel, Oman; Kempinski Hotel, Oman; Hotel Hilton Garden Inn, Oman; Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Oman; Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences, UAE; Crowne Plaza, UAE Lancaster Hotel, UK; Russell Hotel, UK;
The Heathers, UK; West Park, UK; Dhirubhai Ambani International Convention and Exhibition Centre’ (DAICEC), India; IREO Corridor, India; and Brigade Exotica, India; TATA Sales Gallery, Sri Lanka; and Westin Hotel, Miriandhoo, Maldives. S&T Interiors and Contracting was named the Global Omani Company at the Dossier Construction Infrastructure Awards 2017; the Best Construction Contractor award, second year in a row; and Best Engineer award to Mr. R.P. Ranganatha, Executive Director – General Contracting. S&T also won the Contractor of the Year award and the Hospitality Project of the Year for Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar, Oman (a JV project with ALEC) at Construction Week Oman Awards 2017. S&T Interiors and Contracting is part of S&T Investment Holding, a leading multinational and multiproduct conglomerate with operations in 15 countries. In nearly four decades, S&T has diversified into several businesses over and above its core activities of Interiors & Contracting into Real Estate, Oil & Gas, Mining, Information Technology, Healthcare, Trading, FMCG & Procurement for Hospitality industry along with other nonoperating investments.
THE BIGGEST AND THE MOST EXCLUSIVE GATHERING OF MIDDLE EAST’S A-LISTERS IN THE FIELD OF ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN. A MAGICAL EVENING The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH Dubai) recently hosted an exclusive social event in collaboration with the American Institute of Architects (AIA Middle East), focusing on the 2018 Top Architects and Interior Designers in the Middle East. In an event that strengthened the sense of camaraderie and community amongst leading architects and interior designers in the region, senior representatives from the top firms arrived at the venue to be ‘greeted’ by an astonishing street magician, instinctively illustrating the fact that creative folk are in many ways like magicians – logic only gives man what he needs, magic gives him what he dreams of. There is, of course, a real magic in enthusiasm – it spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment – and you could actually feel this enthusiasm in the air when Christian Vasquez, UAE representative of CTBUH and board director of AIA Middle East, did his thankyou speech and introduced Antony Wood, executive director of CTBUH, who delivered a video greeting to the attendees. With everyone ‘officially’ welcomed to the occasion, which was strictly by invitation only, the warm and relaxed atmosphere, fuelled by music and an overabundance of delicious ‘nibbles’, allowed everyone to enjoy an evening that gave those present the opportunity to reconnect with fellow associates and communicate with their peers. Past accomplishments were discussed and plans for the future considered, for by socialising with each other and discussing their individual visions the evening turned into an opportunity to envisage these future outcomes in even more imaginative detail.
Attendees also got the chance to have a sneak preview of the 2018 CTBUH International Conference, which will embrace every discipline, from urban planning to cost consulting, architectural design to vertical transportation, real estate development to curtain wall design. It will also look at some of the greatest challenges of our time: unprecedented population growth; mass urbanisation; climate change; environmental degradation; social, political and economic change; and the rapid advance of countless technical innovations. As you would expect, therefore, feedback from the event was hugely positive, with new sponsors coming forward to collaborate on future events, and myriad calls for a follow-up networking event from attendees. And best of all, apart from the fact that everyone was presented with three of CTBUH’s most popular and informative books, was the fact that a percentage of the fund from the sponsors was donated to an ‘Architects Gives Back’ project, which will see a number of less fortunate children taking part in a three-month feeding programme. This social event represented a unique coming together of the industry’s finest, honouring their contributions in shaping and interpreting our built environment. And this is, as we have already alluded to, really an act of ‘magic’, for as Sir Christopher Wren, one of the most highly acclaimed English architects in history once said: “The secret of architectural excellence is to translate the proportions of a dachshund into bricks, mortar and marble.” This magical evening will not be possible without the generous support from our friends in the industry; Emirates Project Magazine, Cosentino, OFIS, Technal, JT+Partners and National Engineering Bureau.
“The 2018 TOP Architects and Interior Designers Social Event was an absolute highlight of this year’s industry events and sets a great benchmark for 2018. It was well organized and the turnup of leaders of architecture and design speaks for itself.” – Ralf Steinhauer | Director of RSP “A great night with like-minded professionals in a class setting at the Intercontinental Hotel on Dubai Marina waterfront.” - Martin Baerschmidt | Founding Partner | Managing Director of EDGE “What a fantastic evening. Great food, great company and I loved the street magician!” - Benjamin Piper | Partner, Design Principal of KILLA DESIGN This is my third AIA Middle East meet, and they just keep getting better! It was great to rub shoulders with such a talented bunch of people. – Duncan Denly | Managing Director of Desert Ink The room was field of talented and most respected people who are bending history right now. It was a great event! – Jamil Jadallah | CEO of National Engineering Bureau Magic tricks, interesting people, gracious hosts… boy all the boxes were certainly ticked. Thank you for a most enjoyable and interesting evening. - Kurt Peter Hanzlik | Senior Architect at KILLA DESIGN "It was positive for the architects in Dubai as there is almost no opportunities where we all get together. Hopefully with the success of this one with photos etc to the people who didn't make it, they would try to make the second one." - SHAUN KILLA | Design Partner at Killa Design
"It was a lovely event – I look forward to attending new ones in the future." - TARIQ KHAYYAT | Head of Region - Middle East at Zaha Hadid Architects "It was really fun and good to see everyone in one place!" ABDULMAJID KARANOUH (Ramboll Middle East) " I enjoyed the evening and was pleased to see so many colleagues and friends in the industry." - ROBERT SHAKESPEARE (Cracknell) “2018 TOP Architects and Interior Designers social event is a great way to stay connected with your peers, enjoy a beautiful atmosphere while also hearing about what new and exciting projects are happening in the market. Events like this remind us that together as a design community we can all achieve great things within the industry and continue to inspire and be inspired.” – Darcy L. Lawrence of Wilson Associates “The CTBUH and AIA Middle East 2018 TOP Architects and Interior Designers social event last Feb. 7 afforded me the tremendous privilege and enjoyable opportunity to connect with fellow design professionals as well as past, present, and future collaborators. It was evident that the Architects and Interior Designers who attended the event represented the very best of the Dubai design community. I have long admired many of these talented individuals, either through direct interactions, or from afar. The event provided an informal and sociable forum for friendly as well as thought provoking exchanges and dialogue. I salute CTBUH and AIA Middle East for an impeccably arranged venue and event.” – Alex Yoo Director, Design & Project Management, globaldesignmiddleeastafrica of Marriott International
ATTENDEE LIST: 10 Design
Benoy
Desertink
ITP
North 25
360 decoro
BIA design
DP Architect
JT+Partners
Pascall + Watson
Aedas
Binchy and Binchy Architecture
Dubai Properties
Killa Design
RAW NYC
Al Ghurair University
Bishop Design
Edge
Lacasa
RSP
American University of Sharjah
Bluehaus Group
FHSI Architect
LXA Design
U+A
Anarchitect
BSBG
HBA
Manipal University
Wilson Associates
Architectem
D&A Consult
Intercontinental Hotel Group
Marriot International
WSP
Atkins
Dar Al-handasah
Interior Motives
National Engineering Bureau
A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS PARTNERS:
32 ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL INTERIOR DESIGNERS
HAPPY, INNOVATIVE, ACTIVE HERMAN MILLER STUDENT COMPETITION WITH DR. DOLLY DAOU, APID DIRECTOR AS THE STUDENT MENTOR
A NON-PROFIT BODY, THE ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL INTERIOR DESIGNERS (APID) WAS REGISTERED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, GOVERNMENT OF DUBAI, IN 2005, WITH ITS AIM BEING TO PROMOTE EXCELLENCE IN INTERIOR DESIGN PRACTICE, EDUCATION, AND THE INDUSTRY IN GENERAL.
ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL INTERIOR DESIGNERS (APID) P.O. BOX 408 DUBAI UAE T: +971 54 325 2053 E: UAE.APID@GMAIL.COM W: WWW.APID.AE
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Today, this vision continues to be at the heart of the organisation, which works hard on representing the interior design industry community across the Gulf region. APID was formed by thirteen cofounders, who collectively recognised the need for an association in the Emirates that could act as a networking and advocacy platform for the interior design community, as well as all of its constituents, and would allow them to work together on a common vision. These initial co-founders were Cinmar Design; Kenneth Laidler Design; American University in Dubai; Design Design LLC; Gulf Interiors; Hirsch Bedner Associates; Hamilton Design International; WA International; Intarch International; Espacio Design; KCA International; Hospitality & Leisure Associates; and Le Meridien. Kenneth Laidler, the owner Kenneth Laidler Design, was elected as APID’s first President. Currently, APID’s President is Mrs Farida Abdullah Kamber Al-Alwadhi, the owner of Cinmar Design.
Design, Beijing; (CIID88) Philippines Council of Interior Design (PIID); and the British Council of Interior Design (BIID). APID offers membership across five different categories: Professional (sole traders), Companies (design firms), Industry (suppliers, manufacturers and distributors), Institutions (universities), and Students and Student Chapters.
Happy, Smart and Active As a member of the International Federation of Interior Designers/Architects (IFI), APID is committed to advocating for the global advancement, best practices, and the highest standards within the interior
design community. Through its online presence and professional and educational events, APID aims to provide a networking platform between practitioners, industry, academia, government bodies, and the media. Within this sphere, APID has hosted many international events, including the IFI Bi-annual Congress in 2009 and the IFI General Assembly in 2016. In November 2017, APID won the bid to host IFI’s 13th Bi-annual Congress in Dubai in November 2019. This event is proudly sponsored by Dubai Tourism, Emirates Airlines, Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Airports.
A Growing Influence APID is an international association with its members deriving from different parts of the world, but primarly from Dubai. It also has a dual membership agreement with the China Council of International Interior
APID PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR MRS. FARIDA AL AWADHI AND DR. DOLLY DAOU AT CIID88 ANNUAL AWARD, BEIJING
ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL INTERIOR DESIGNERS 33 The Congress is a prestigious event that is hosted in a different city every two years and attracts the international interior design community. As a result, APID is now the Congress Ambassador for Dubai Toursim and continues to initiate international events that benefit the community and align with its vision and the vision of Dubai as an innovative city of happiness. Furthermore, in November 2017, APID developed and sponsored Infocomm’s APID Smart Interiors seminar. This was the first time in the UAE that the interior design community came together with the Audio Visual (AV) technology community in order to discuss ‘smart interiors’ and the effect of AV technology on interior spaces. In 2016, Dubai signed the adoption of the IFI Interior Design Declaration, which states the purpose and significance of interior design/architecture to urbanity and to society. Dubai was the first city to translate and sign this declaration in Arabic.
interior design community and affiliated associations and organisations. Moreover, thanks to a rigorous membership application process, APID has established its own Resource Centre. This process requires all members to submit validation
business and education documents in order to establish a trustworthy and a credible interior design database that it can refer the general community to. APID’s professional members must provide evidence of their interior design education, and all companies
and enterprises must provide a valid trade license for their membership application. Once the membership is approved by APID, members receive an annual certficate and an APID logo to certify that they are an APID member.
Making a Difference APID’s history and breadth of expertise allows it to collaborate with a variety of associations and stakeholders, with its role being summed up in the phrase: ‘working together we can make a difference’. This places APID in a strong position in the
APID PRESIDENT MRS. FARIDA AL AWADHI IN LAGOS, PRESENTING IFI 13TH BIANNUAL CONGRESS TO BE HOSTED IN DUBAI IN NOVEMBER 2019
PROFESSIONALISM | RELIABILITY| OUTSTANDING COMMITMENT | FUNCTIONALITY | INTEGRITY | LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP | EFFICIENCY
SERVICES… • Interior Design Services • Interior Fit-Out Contracting • Project Management
• Exhibition Stand Design & Build • Office Furniture Supply • Graphic Design
MULTILINE INTERIORS L.L.C. CONSULTANTS & CONTRACTORS
P.O. Box 26581, Dubai U.A.E. Tel: +971 4 340 4287 | Fax: +971 4 340 4286 E-mail: info@multiline-interiors.com Web: www.multiline-interiors.com
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34 ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL INTERIOR DESIGNERS APID also initiates and supports competitions that link interior designers with industry and universities. For example, in Sepetmber 2016, Insight Programme Manager at Herman Miller MEA & Africa, Oliver Baxter, initiated a student competition where young people from different universities were invited to participate in designing future learning spaces.The initiative was supported by Rachel Roberts, the Marketing Manager at Herman Miller MEA & Africa, and Dr. Dolly Daou, Director of APID, who acted as a mentor to the students. Oliver and Dolly delivered presentations and workshops to the students for the duration
of the competition. The winning students then received three internships from interior design practices, a very successful outcome that aligned perfectly with APID’s aims and objectives.
Transforming Lives APID continues to expand, with its experienced, passionate and innovative team providing wonderful support for its members. With the creativity of the interior design community, and with Dubai being the hub of design in the region, it is envisaged that the industry will continue to thrive and prosper over the coming years.
Indeed, APID predicts plenty of growth ahead particularly for the interior design community and constantly receives interest in its membership and in hosting and sponsoring international and local events due to the very obvious benefits of being part of APID. In addition, its affiliation with other associations opens many opportunities for designers, especially with APID’s Resource Centre initiative attracting a growing number of trustworthy and credible connections and enterprises. The future looks genuinely bright for APID, with plans already in place, through the affiliation with international associations,
to continue along a pathway of growth and expansion. Indeed, a media partner with major design events organisations, APID is expanding to become the ‘go-to’ association in the Middle East for any issues relating to interior design. It is committed to continue to be an advocacy body that delivers educational and networking platforms to benefit the community and help elevate and maintain the standard of interior design. Since design is about improving the quality of life, APID and its members will continue to transform spaces and in doing so, transforming.
APID PRESIDENT MRS. FARIDA AL AWADHI AND HIS EXCELLENCY JAN THESLEFF, FORMER SWEDISH AMBASSADOR, 2017
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INTERVIEW WITH - ADIB SAMAHA 35
COMBINING EXTRAORDINARY TALENT AND VAST EXPERIENCE Emirates Projects: Can you give a little detail of your career to date and when/ how you came to join UDI? Adib Samaha: My experience and passion have always been in interior design. I have spent the last 15 years of my professional life working in several countries, starting in Canada where I graduated and landed my first role as a design consultant for IKEA while finishing my degree, before landing my first interior designer role for an engineering firm in Lebanon. Subsequently, I moved to Saudi Arabia and worked for Saudi Oger, where I spent over eight years ascending the ranks and became the Head of interior Design Department for Saudi Oger. In 2017 I arrived in the UAE where I made a conscious decision to explore all my options before deciding on my next career move. This is where I met with the DAS Holding Group management team. We immediately hit it off and I knew that the opportunity of leading UDI was exactly the role that I was looking for. Emirates Projects: How would you describe UDI’s design philosophy? Adib Samaha: UDI prides itself on listening closely to clients’ needs and objectives and responding with imaginative designs that are both functionally and aesthetically inspiring, with the ability to provide a variation of design styles and solutions to tight deadlines to meet and exceed any client expectations and budgets, while opening their eyes to new and progressive design ideas and solutions.
Emirates Projects: Can you tell us about one or two of UDI’s recent successfully completed projects, and why you have singled these out? Adib Samaha: One of UDI’s most symbolic projects was the design for the fit-out of 14 floors in the ADNOC Headquarters building in Abu Dhabi. The design scope consisted of high-tech and executive corporate office spaces, business centre and breakout accommodation, with high-end furniture and finishes. Emirates Projects:What is UDI working on at the present time? Adib Samaha: UDI operate in dual sectors of both design consultancy and design & build. Currently our teams are busy working and delivering several projects, including high net worth private client villas and facilities, VVIP private residences, numerous schools and kindergartens in the educational sector, teachers training projects, and educational infrastructure facilities. We are delivering a fashionable Asian restaurant for a five-star hotel, the Dusit Thani in Abu Dhabi, and a long-term health facility for YAS Healthcare. UDI has made some recent design proposals for media, commercial mixed-use, transport and high-end hospitality sectors. After winning the interior design and build competition for a large scale prestigious mosque development, we are motivated in delivering what I believe is one of our most iconic and distinguished design & build projects to date currently under construction.
Emirates Projects: People are every company’s greatest asset; how has UDI managed to attract and retain such a creative team? Adib Samaha: While UDI has been an established design company since 2002, we maintain an entrepreneurial drive and efficiency throughout our various departments; this in turn has helped create an open and honest environment that our employees cherish above all.With our varied portfolio of clients and projects, each member of the team has had the opportunity to work on a multitude of challenging projects while at the same time growing and honing new skills. In addition, our parent group DAS Holding, works hard in delivering specialised training and coaching, and most importantly it strives to acknowledge and reward talent.
Emirates Projects: How do you see UDI evolving and expanding over the next 10 years? Adib Samaha: With a great history and accomplishments under its belt, UDI will always strive to remain true to its founding vision, delivering the best in its creative discipline and staying true to its clients’ needs. And while the interior design field in general offers a lot of challenges in terms of trends that are ever changing, there are new technologies that are being adopted across all aspects of our daily lives in the spaces we work and live in; it is something that we need to constantly adapt to, master and excel in, while always being open to new influences. All of this in a relatively short time.Therefore, at UDI we will evolve, adapt and expand to always stay relevant.
ADIB SAMAHA, GENERAL MANAGER, UNITED DESIGN INTERNATIONAL LLC
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COUNCIL ON TALL BUILDINGS AND URBAN HABITAT 37
BUILDING TOMORROW SKYSCRAPERS HAVE BEEN AROUND SINCE THE SO-CALLED ‘CHICAGOSTYLE’ ARCHITECTURE AROSE IN THE 1880'S, BUT THE EXPLOSION OF URBANISATION AROUND THE WORLD TODAY, FUELLED BY DEVELOPING ECONOMIES ASSERTING THEMSELVES IN HIGH PROFILE WAYS, MEANS THAT THE STAGE IS SET FOR A GLOBAL SKYSCRAPER BOOM OF UNPRECEDENTED LEVELS.
COUNCIL ON TALL BUILDINGS AND URBAN HABITAT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60603 USA T: +1 (312) 2835631 E: MEMBERSHIP@CTBUH.ORG W: WWW.CTBUH.ORG W: WWW.REGIONS.CTBUH.ORG
ZEITZ MOCAA, PHOTO BY IWAN BAAN EXTERIOR
So whilst it is true that the financial crash of 2008 dented high-rise construction, by the end of 2018 the construction of 200-plus-metre buildings will likely a new stratum, with around one-third of these towers being all-residential. Construction has been unrelenting in the UAE for decades, and a great deal of that development has been verticallyoriented. In the present day, Dubai is home to almost 1000 high-rise buildings. What’s more, there are another 14 projects currently under construction that will reach or surpass the 300m mark. It will come as no surprise, therefore, that the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), the world’s leading resource for professionals focused on the inception, design, construction, and operation of tall buildings and future cities, has a great interest in Dubai, as well as many members located in the emirate.
research department is spearheading the investigation of the next generation of tall buildings by aiding original research on sustainability and key development issues. The CTBUH also developed the international standards for measuring tall building height and is recognised as the arbiter for bestowing such designations as ‘The World’s Tallest Building’. The Council provides a large number of significant tall building resources to its members and the general public, including, but not limited to:
The Interactive CTBUH Skyscraper Centre This unique interactive facility contains project and statistical information on over 10,000 buildings, including downloadable images. This information is searchable by a number of parameters, including year, location, type and more. The Database also allows user-defined lists to be generated and downloaded.
Extensive Resources CTBUH, a not-for-profit organisation, facilitates the exchange of the latest knowledge available on tall buildings around the world through publications, research, events, working groups, web resources, and its extensive network of international representatives. Moreover, its
BEIRUT TERRACES, PHOTO BY BENCHMARK DEVELOPMENT
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38 COUNCIL ON TALL BUILDINGS AND URBAN HABITAT The Research Papers Library Here you will find hundreds of papers published by architects, engineers and academics on a wide range of multidisciplinary subjects. The papers cover every facet of tall building design, construction and occupation, and are searchable by author, topic and category.
The CTBUH Research Division Providing support and advocacy for building research that promotes resilient and sustainable building development, the CTBUH Research Division also assists researchers in their efforts to locate funding, information, technical expertise and objective review.
The CTBUH Video Library Hosting a collection of presentations from Council events and initiatives, the Video Library covers conference presentations, interviews with tall building professionals, design research videos, media interviews, and much more besides. In addition, the CTBUH is connected
with numerous higher-education institutes around the world, and a selection of the tall building-related work completed at these institutions is freely available, including architectural design studios, student dissertations and PhDs.
Award-Winning Tall Buildings The CTBUH presents annual awards to projects and individuals that have made extraordinary contributions to the advancement of tall buildings and the urban environment, and that achieve sustainability at the highest and broadest level. The objective of these awards is to deliver a comprehensive and sophisticated view of these important buildings, while advocating for improvements in every aspect of their performance, especially those that have the greatest effect on the people who use these buildings each day. This often means that the buildings highlighted are often not the tallest in a given year, but represent the best qualities and innovations. In 2018, the finalists include, in the Middle East and Africa section, Beirut Terraces
(Beirut, Lebanon) and Zeitz Mocaa (Cape Town, South African). Looking more globally, nominations include 150 North Riverside (Chicago, USA), Lotte World Tower (Seoul, South Korea), International Towers (Sydney, Australia), The Silo (Copenhagen, Denmark), Tribunal De Paris (Paris, France), and Chaoyang Park Plaza (Beijing, China).
Over One Million Members The work of the CTBUH is made possible through the support of its members, which include most of the world’s leading developers, architects, engineers, contractors, and others connected with tall buildings and sustainable cities. In fact, in 2017 its member network included over one million individuals working in more than 7300 offices around the world. There are a number of membership levels, taking in Supporting Contributor, Patron, Donor, Contributor, Participant, Academic Institute, and Individual levels (of which there are four; Individual, Academic, Retired and Student memberships).
150 N. RIVERSIDE, PHOTO BY TOM ROSSITER PHOTOGRAPHY
INTERNATIONAL TOWERS SYDNEY, PHOTO BY BRETT BOARDMAN PHOTOGRAPHY
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40 BU HALEEBA CONTRACTING
BUILDING YOUR VISIONS MADINAT JUMIERAH
A MEMBER OF THE BU HALEEBA GROUP WHICH, ESTABLISHED IN 1984, IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE UAE’S LEADING BUSINESS HOUSES, BU HALEEBA CONTRACTING HAS EARNED AN UNRIVALLED REPUTATION FOR CREATING HIGH QUALITY AND PRESTIGIOUS ENGINEERING PROJECTS, TAKING IN EVERYTHING FROM MULTISTOREY TOWERS AND LEADING HOTELS THROUGH TO ELEGANT COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL COMPLEXES.
These projects include such blue-chip developments as Creek Park, Le Meridien, Royal Mirage, Mankhool Tower, and Gulf Towers, with the company having carved a niche for itself within a local marketplace that demands quality workmanship, precision, innovation, and the last word in customer service. Clients go to Bu Haleeba Contracting when they need to depend on a reliable partner to see things through on schedule and to a pre-agreed budget. And whatever the project, the company explores every opportunity with extreme due diligence, integrity and passion, for this is a business that thrives on a challenge.
the great. And in order to achieve this level of excellence, Bu Haleeba Contracting has gone out of its way to attract and retain a carefully selected project management and engineering team that has extensive experience and unparalleled creativity in order to not only meet but also to exceed client expectations. This is accomplished by creating a working environment that comes to life because of the way the company treats its people and customers, and how it endeavours to give back to the community.
Success is something that is not simply taken for granted; it must be earned – every single day. This attitude is consistent with Bu Haleeba Contracting’s general business philosophy, ensuring that it provides the enriching experience that its clients expect. Bu Haleeba Contracting prides itself on building personal relationships and acting ethically in its efforts to provide an incredible experience. This approach is at the very core of what the company is all about.
A Commitment to Quality
BU HALEEBA CONTRACTING P.O. BOX 10874 DUBAI UAE T: +971 4 337 0000 E: INFO@BHC.AE W: WWW.BHC.AE
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Operating out of headquarters in Dubai, Bu Haleeba Contracting undertakes large turnkey engineering projects, constructing some of the most prestigious and important structures in the entire UAE. In fact, since it first opened its doors for business, the company has left its mark at a wide variety of geographical locations across the country, providing indisputable evidence of its commitment to quality and leadership. There are no shortcuts to excellence. It’s the small details that make the difference in construction; details separate the good from
ROYAL MIRAGE
BU HALEEBA CONTRACTING 41 Superior Safety, Service and Sustainability Bu Haleeba Contracting provides high quality services and carries out all kinds of projects, all of which are executed by skilled technical and professional staff operating under strict regulations, thereby, maintaining high standards and superior quality in all aspects of its work. Integrated work plans are put in place from the initial inspection of the project right the way through to handing over the key to the client.This helps to ensure completion of the project within the agreed contract period. The highest calibre of employee and stateof-the-art technologies are only part of the Bu Haleeba Contracting story though; in order to meet the highest expectations of its distinguished clients, the company is also focused upon achieving zero accidents and a high level of sustainability. Requiring safe worksites and safe behaviour by its employees are crucial to the company’s success. Its industry-leading safety record is the result of training, continued application and accountability. Thinking safety and acting safely are a requirement for everyone at Bu Haleeba Contracting. Furthermore, the entire team works handin-hand with clients to build the desired level of sustainability into each project. Bu Haleeba Contracting’s knowledge of materials and
building technologies is extensive, and it actively enjoys helping clients find multiple avenues through which their project can be both sustainable and affordable.
"The Best Supplier of Concrete in the Dubai and the UAE"
The company’s rigorous approach to the construction process is vital to the success of its clients’ projects. Unequalled oversight, smooth transitions, and proactive
communication are all bywords. With Bu Haleeba Contracting running your project, you’ll experience how, in an ideal world, all construction projects should function.
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Specialised in Manufacturing of READY MIX CONCRETE
Dubai Readymix Concrete L.L.C. P.O. Box 50570, Jebel Ali Industrial 3 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel: +971 4 880 1141 Fax: +971 4 880 1142 E-mail: drmco@emirates.net.ae drmco2@emirates.net.ae Website: www.drm-demix.com
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KH A L I D I YA INTERSYSTEMS FACTORY L.L.C
QUALITY - “THE SERVICE YOU DESERVE”
Since 1976
OUR VISION STATEMENT To understand the unique requirements of our clients and leverage our extensive resources, experience and strengths to provide them a custom made comprehensive solutions. We assist in making technology integration a reality to the Client by expanding our product range. DOORS Fire
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Tel: +971 2 555 3223 Fax: +971 2 555 3224 Email: khalint@emirates.net.ae Web: www.kisf.ae
EMIRATES BUSINESS GROUP 43
ALWAYS A STEP AHEAD FIRST OPENING ITS DOORS FOR BUSINESS IN 2001, EMIRATES BUSINESS GROUP (EBG) HAS EXPANDED AND DIVERSIFIED EXTENSIVELY OVER THE YEARS, CREATING GROWTH WITH A SOCIAL MINDSET BY LAUNCHING NEW INITIATIVES, BUILDING LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS WITH CLIENTS, AND OFFERING REAL-TIME VALUE.
EMIRATES BUSINESS GROUP P.O. BOX 45662 ABU DHABI UAE T: +971 2 6663442 E: INFO@EBGUAE.COM W: WWW.EBGUAE.COM
Put simply, EBG is driven by the incentive to establish opportunites that generate postive outcomes that reflect upon the local economy, environment and society. One of the leading holding companies in the UAE, with around 18,000 employees, EBG operates across a broad spectrum of industries, including, but not limited, to agriculture, industry and real estate. It has established businesses that support development and growth of up-andcoming industries throughout the country, with its aim being to achieve better business and innovation through strategic investments and by supporting emerging sectors. The ethos of EBG is built on trust and integrity and, as the business environment has become increasingly complex thanks to globalisation and the openness of the local market to various ventures, it has become more evident that business sustainability relies partially on well-developed partnerships where values are shared and mutually beneficial relationships are shaped. With this in mind, EBG offers a value proposition that encompasses: • Years of experience in setting up and managing strong companies and teams across diverse industries
• Relationships built upon mutual trust and collaboration • No competing interests within the group • Value creation through combined resources and capabilities • A belief in shared control over the course of the partnership evolution • Leveraging an extensive network of partners in both public and private sectors within the local, regional and international markets
Exercising transparency and ownership in all business dealings and transactions.
A Diverse Portfolio Mourouj Hotels & Resorts Mourouj Hotel Apartments are centrally located in Abu Dhabi, on Muroor Road, just a short stroll from several shopping centres, including Al Falah Plaza, Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre, Gold Souk and Al Wahda Mall. The apartments are complemented by a buffet restaurant on the ground floor, as well as a health club, sauna, steam room and an Ayurvedic Massage Centre on the roof.
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44 EMIRATES BUSINESS GROUP Umniah Real Estate Development & Management
Khalidia International Shipping L.L.C.
Umniah Real Estate Development & Management provides high quality rental units across the UAE, with all apartments and villas being ideally located with luxurious amenities and superior quality workmanship.
Khalidia International Shipping offers a combination of a shipping agency and forwarding services and is a recognised specialist in dealing with all modes of cargo transportation.
Umniah Facilities Management
Magenta Gulf Real Estate Management
Umniah Facility Management prides itself on being able to provide customers with excellence in both service and affordable pricing, something that makes it stand out in a fiercely competitive industry.
Khalidia Intersystems Khalidia Intersystems offers a full range of services related to all types of wooden doors, kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, vanity units, joinery works, suspended false ceilings, industrial cladding, and interior fit-out work.
Fence International Fence International specialises in providing complete fence solutions, manufacturing all fence components, incoporating everything from galvanised wire, PVC coated wire, fencing posts and fence accessories through to chain link mesh, barbed wire, gates, animal grids, and agricultural scaffolding nets.
Stone Wings Stone Wings has achieved steady growth over the years to become a major source in the Gulf region for fodder and other plant species for the livestock sector.
Magenta Gulf Real Estate Management accommodates expat workers from all over the world. Furthermore, it has entered into a long-term lease agreement with Zones Corps to provide the finest facilities for up to 10,000 residents. Magenta Gulf ’s vision is to create a first-rate and safe environment for all occupants.
United Business Systems United Business Systems, an Information, Communication and Technology solutions supplier with deep local market knowledge and industry expertise, provides innovative solutions customised to suit clients’ specific business requirements, and operates across the public sector and small, medium and large-sized private businesses.
Emirates International Group Al Bustan Farms and Al Bustan Poultry Farms, both located in Sharjah, are, respectively, amongst the largest quail production and egg producing farms in the UAE.
Safeer Integrated Systems Co. Safeer Integrated Systems is one of the
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UAE’s leading providers of systems, consultancy and turnkey system solutions in the fields of radio communications, telecommunications, security, and other professional high-tech based systems.
Pure Health Pure Health is a healthcare services and information technology company dedicated to ‘Empowering Healthcare’ and making the business of healthcare run better.
On-going Expansion EBG is looking to the future with genuine confidence, and will continue to grow on the back of the success of its many businesses. Major projects at the present time include Magenta Gulf Real Estate Management
developing a brand new labour camp which will sustain 15,000 beds over two cities, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In addition, the construction of a new logistics centre for Khalidiyeh Shipping is under way, whilst a centralised factory is also being built for Lebanon Flower. Furthermore, Pure Health, one of the nation’s most respected health establishments, has entered into a public partnership worth a billion. EBG measures its success by looking into the future and carving out new niches within the markets that it serves. The UAE is a progressive nation that provides a strong platform to nurture and develop thriving businesses. Having this vision in mind, EBG will continue to harness opportunities and strive towards fulfilling the national agenda.
WME 45
INTERNATIONAL CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE SPECIALISING IN BUILDINGS THAT MAXIMISE PERFORMANCE, ECONOMICS AND SUSTAINABILITY, WME FIRST OPENED ITS DOORS IN DUBAI IN 2011, WITH ITS MISSION BEING TO ENGINEER, SUPERVISE AND ENHANCE BUILDINGS FROM THE INSIDE OUT IN SUPPORT OF A DIVERSITY OF ASSETS. IN DOING SO, THE FIRM GIVES LIFE TO BUILDINGS WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.
WME P.O. BOX 26739 DUBAI UAE T: +971 4 3881616 E: INFO@WME-AE.COM W: WWW.WME-AE.COM
It was founder Peyman Mohajer’s vision to create a Dubai-based centre of excellence from which products could be benchmarked. This service would then expand throughout the Middle East and into the wider international arena. He achieved this through hand-picking the finest talent in the region, calling upon his vast experience of more than 30 years of working for leading global companies.
project’s development … and in the most demanding of climates. The firm’s success is evident in the fact that many of its clients return again and again, knowing that WME is sympathetic to its requirements, with a unique approach to design challenges that allow it to provide solutions that are efficient and cost-effective. This is supported by WME’s BIM LOD
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300, which is now implementing schedules, clash detection and engineering modelling. Furthermore, he firm runs a paperless office with 3600 integration.
The UAE Pavilion At the present time, WME is working on several prestigious projects, one of the most notable being the UAE Pavilion for
A Unique Approach A multi-disciplined company that provides integrated engineering services throughout the Middle East, WME is client-focused and committed to the highest levels of customer service. Its structural, building services, AV-IT, and infrastructure engineers have an unrivalled understanding of conditions and practices, both regionally and globally, as well as a wealth of experience in the international construction industry. WME’s engineers are passionate about creative buildability, delivering practical, cost-effective design solutions that are developed through an in-depth knowledge of best practice and an openness to innovation at all stages of a
UAE PAVILION
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46 WME Dubai World Expo 2020, which was designed by Architect Santiago Calatrava. A LEED Platinum project with 45 located facing the Al Wasl Plaza, which lies at the centre of the 200 hectare exhibition zone. The UAE Pavilion - the design of which is inspired by a falcon in flight - will represent the UAE to around 25 million visitors and participants from over 180 countries who are expected to visit the Expo between October 2020 and April 2021. The project is a very complex structure with hydraulically controlled movable wings sitting over an array of photovoltaic panels, which are exposed during peak daylight hours. It has been delivered in Revit LOD 300 by WME’s in-house team, thus ensuring a fully integrated design. WME is providing full engineering delivery, including sustainable design.
The firm is also acting as architects and engineers of record, with the pavilion also the first to receive a full Building Permit in July 2017. Arabtec Contracting LLC has been appointed as the main contractor and, working simultaneously with WME’s supervision team, has been on-site since September 1st 2017, where once again the pavilion was the first to break ground.
A Passion for Quality Workmanship WME employs approximately 280 highly skilled and motivated people in its offices in India, the UK and Singapore. In Dubai, the firm’s hub, a further 220 personnel are located, with around 140 of those servicing projects everywhere from Saudi Arabia to Indonesia. With an annual turnover of more or less AED 85 million in 2017,WME has a growing
client-base in Asia and London, although the majority of its clients are UAE-based, with Emaar and Aldar being two of its biggest repeat customers. The firm continues to be busy in 2018 too, thanks to its versatility and low overheads, which translate into a number of important benefits for clients, ensuring repeat business. By servicing its current clients well and keeping its fees competitive, WME looks to retain the size of its business in Dubai, but does not envisage continued expansion. Instead, growth will come from its other offices, which will help to fuel diversification going forwards. Of course, the firm will still exert a pull on new clients in the UAE, with most being attracted by its amazing portfolio of projects. WME uses current clients as references, and in some instances asks clients for permission to carry out a review of
a project for both value engineering and technical compliance in order to showcase what it can do. Over the next five years WME intends to win its market share not only in the Middle East, but also in India, the UK and Asia. By 2020, it is looking for representation in five continents and, retaining an annual net profit of 10%, is committed to becoming one of the top 100 global employers. With a genuine passion for integrated engineering services and unparalleled customer satisfaction, WME’s skilled teams are committed to delivering to their clients faster, with greater value, and with enhanced quality. The firm’s collaborative approach allows it to work in partnership with all stakeholders to ensure the best outcome for clients and their projects.
FOUNTAIN VIEWS TOWERS
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Delivered over 100 projects for 45 clients all over the UAE. AGCEW is revolutionizing the construction industry with constructive solution, commitment to superior quality and delivery.
AL GHURAIR CONTRACTING & ENGINEERING WORKS LLC P.O. BOX 76477, Dubai, United Arab Emirates | T: +971 4 4504220 | F: +971 4 4504221 | info@agcew.ae | www.agcew.com ISO 9001:2015 ISO 14001:2015 OHSAS 18001:2007