Architect Nov 11 Volume 5

NEWS, DATA, ANALYSIS AND STRATEGIC INSIGHTS FOR ARCHITECTS IN THE GCC
NOVEMBER 2011 / VOLUME 5 / ISSUE 11 An ITP Business Publication

INSIGHT
Uncovering the latest
trends in regional
education
design
FEATURE
Exploring the many
benefits of Building
Information
Modelling
ROUGH
DIAMOND
Sheikh
Zayed
Desert
Learning
Centre takes
shape in Al Ain
The TWIN elevator system at ThyssenKrupps
headquarters building Dreischeibenhaus in Dusseldorf
(Germany):2 cabs, 1 shaft, 0 crowds. | Accept no Limits.
What keeps us
moving.
1
NOVEMBER | CONTENTS
www.designmena.com | 11.11 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
4
FRONT
Top stories in the world
of architecture including
Foster + Partners Kuwait
airport and a Dubai-esque
ski slope in Sweden
8
14
THE BIG PICTURE
Dubais Grosvenor House
towers are at their best when
the lights come on
16
ANALYSIS
Speakers at the World
Architecture Congress call
for site specic design
22
OPINION
Hisham Youssef asserts that
clients should understand
and support architects
24
COVER STORY
On site at the SZ Desert
Learning Centre, which is
taking shape in Al Ain
34
INTERVIEW
58
CASE STUDIES
Maysan Residences by dwp,
MZ Architects Lagos design
and LEED Gold-rated Mirdif
City Centre
76
CULTURE
Cool products, clever ideas,
and some of the latest gadgets
in the design world
80
THE LAST WORD
Muhannad Sh. Assam,
managing director for BEAD
Architects & Designers
40
INSIGHT
Discovering the ever-
expanding possibilities
of Building Information
Modelling software
48
Murat Tabanlioglu describes
the latest projects to emerge
from his Turkish rms
intrepid portfolio
FEATURE
MEA explores the latest
trends and challenges when
designing schools for the
Middle East region
PROJECTS
A round up of the latest
project news from MENA
and the rest of the world
NOVEMBER 2011 VOLUME 5 ISSUE 11
FSB is a global pioneer with its cross-range Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) to ISO 14025
for Public Project and electronic hardware and for barrier-free handle systems.
www.fsb.de/ISO14025
Lasting growth is a question of ongoing renewal
rather than the resources available.
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MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.11 | www.designmena.com
FRONT | NOVEMBER
4
FOSTER REVEALS DESIGN
FOR KUWAIT AIRPORT
UK architecture giant unveils designs for major airport redevelopment
Foster + Partners has unveiled its
design for Kuwait International
Airport, a major hub with a yearly
capacity of 13 million passengers.
The rms passenger terminal
design comprises three symmetri-
cal wings of departure gates, each
extending 1,200 metres from a
25-metre-high central space.
Sustainable measures, such as
roof-mounted photovoltaic panels,
will help the building
become the worlds
rst terminal to
achieve LEED Gold.
Mouzhan Majidi, chief
executive of Foster + Partners, com-
mented: The scale of the airport
shows Kuwaits great foresight in
recognising the benets of strategic
investment in future infrastruc-
ture. The environmental ambitions
The new terminal
will handle 13m
per year.
driving the project are
equally impressive.
The canopy extends to
shade a large entrance plaza
and is supported by tapering
concrete columns which are said to
be inspired by the traditional dhow
sailing boats.
The terminal is located to enable
future expansion to accommodate up
to 50 million passengers a year.
1,200M
LENGTH OF EACH
DEPARTURE
GATE WING
Pearls for the Sheikh
Zayed Desert Learning
Centre (page 24)
NOVEMBER | FRONT
www.designmena.com | 11.11 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT 5
This months top stories on the online home
of Middle East Architect
Winners for 2011 Commercial Interior De-
sign Awards announced
25 essential iPad apps for interior design
students
In Pictures: Commercial Interior Design
Awards winners
Only 10% of ME construction professionals
using BIM, says expert
Head for Heights
Plans have been revealed for a 700m
indoor ski slope in Sweden which will
surpass the 400m Ski Dubai.
Located outside Stockholm, the
70,000m
2
Skipark 360 has been
designed by Berg Arkitektkontor, the
local branch of CF Moller Architects.
A 21-storey residential tower in Istan-
bul, designed by Turkish architecture
rm Tabanlioglu, was among the 13
winners of the RIBA International
Awards 2011.
The project, called Loft Gardens,
was described by the RIBA judges
as an extreme demonstration of
elegance and restraint within a subtly
modied typology.
Another Middle East building to
be recognised was Foster + Partners
Masdar Institute in Abu Dhabi, a
centrepiece of the zero-carbon city.
Inaugurated in 2005, the RIBA In-
ternational Awards honour outstand-
ing buildings outside the UK.
Turkish tower lauded by RIBA
Sweden to trump Ski Dubai
with 700m indoor slope
The resort will also contain a
3.5km cross-country skiing tunnel,
a biathlon area, ice hockey and gure
skating rinks, and a snow park for
snowboarders.
Skipark 360 is a reaction to
reduced snowfall in Sweden, which is
threatening the skiing industry.
Construction is due to start in 2013
or 2014 and will be completed within
two years.
Although there are around 30
indoor slopes around the world, with
several in Europe, the most famous is
arguably Ski Dubai, located in Mall of
the Emirates.
WEIRD PROJECT OF THE MONTH
BNKR Arquitectura has designed an earth-
scraper to get around the height restriction
in the historic centre of Mexico City. The
inverted pyramid contains a central void to
feed light to the underground storeys.
Length of boulevard in
Nigerias Eko Atlantic
City (page 62)
Ski D b i
New schools
planned in Abu
Dhabis Future
Schools plan
(page 48)
DESIGNMENA.COM
DATASTREAM
AEDAS MIDDLE EAST - PROJECTS BY REGION
Sweden has experienced low snowfall.
47%
ABU DHABI
29%
DUBAI
18%
QATAR
6%
KSA
u
FRONT | NOVEMBER
6
The energy ef ciency of a
supertall building is
superior to the
equivalent
number of low-
rise buildings.
Adrian Smith, co-
founder of AS+GG,
justies his well-
known specialism in
cloud-piercing
structures
UK-based rm Broadway Malyan has ap-
pointed director Stuart Rough as chairman
and added new staf to its Shanghai of ce.
Rough has led award-winning retail and
workplace projects in China, Southeast
Asia and Europe, including the BASF, Sony
and Roche headquarter buildings.
He said: As part of the practices senior
management team I will focus on develop-
ing the global reach of our 15-strong net-
work of bases from So Paulo to Shanghai,
enhancing the unrivalled diversity of our
500+ sector experts, increasing our distinc-
tive client focus, with 80% of 2010 income
from repeat business, and widening our
portfolio of world-class projects.
The move will see director Melvin Davis,
who has come to the end of his tenure as
chairman, relocate to the practices Shang-
hai of ce from 2012.
PEOPLE
New chairman for
Broadway Malyan
Norman Foster pays
tribute to Steve Jobs
It has been an incredible
achievement to turn a small
desert city state
into a global
tourism brand.
We are going
to see Dubai
become more
mature.
Simon Crispe, Atkins
commercial
director
The competition
in Qatar is huge,
and that has driven
down some of the
actual commercial
attractiveness
of it.
Eamonn
Kerr, MD,
Sweett
Group
Stuart Rough takes the hot seat.
Foster designed the new Apple campus.
60 SECOND INTERVIEW
DR HANAN M. TALEB,
FACULTY MEMBER,
BRITISH UNIVERSITY IN
DUBAI (BUID)
Why is it important to have
enducation on sustainability?
Education for sustainability has
become an essential tool for
achieving sustainable develop-
ment and has been adopted in a
number of countries throughout
the world.
What role can universities play?
They need to equip higher
education graduates, who
are likely to occupy
future management
and leadership
roles, with knowl-
edge and skill
sets that help
them in making
informed-deci-
sions.
Which universities
ofer courses on
sustainable architecture?
I conducted a survey a few
months ago and it was shocking
to nd a lack of courses devoted
to sustainable architecture, with
the exception of the Masters
course on Sustainable Design
of Built Environment from BUiD.
However, other universities have
launched sustainability cur-
ricula, such as KAUST and King
Saud University in Saudi Arabia,
and the UAEs Masdar Institute
of Science and Technology,
United Arab Emirates University
and the University of Sharjah.
Norman Foster paid tribute to Apples
Steve Jobs, who died last month, citing him
as an inspiration and role model.
Foster + Partners is working for Apple
on its new campus in Cupertino, California
(pictured). Completion is slated for 2015.
In a statement, Foster said: We were
greatly privileged to know Steve as a per-
son, as a friend and in every way so much
more than a client. Steve was an inspiration
and a role model.
He encouraged us to develop new ways
of looking at design to reect his unique
ability to weave backwards and forwards
between brand strategy and the minutiae of
the tiniest of internal ttings.
For him no detail was small in its sig-
nicance and he would be simultaneously
questioning the headlines of our project
together whilst he delved into its ne print.
Foster continued: He was the ultimate
perfectionist and demanded of himself as
he demanded of others. We are better as in-
dividuals and certainly wiser as architects
through the experience of the last two years
and more of working for him...he was one of
the truly great designers and mentors.
Documentation
on request
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FRONT | NOVEMBER
8
3
DUBAI
Nature-focused Al Barari
completes phase one villas
Al Barari, a low-density development
in Dubai that embraces nature, has
announced the completion of its 189
phase one villas. Around 80% of Al
Bararis land is dedicated to open
green space, making it the regions
lowest density development. The
project contains 14 kilometres of
naturally ltered lakes, freshwater
streams, cascades and waterways and
six botanical themed gardens.
MENA PROJECT SNAPSHOT
2
QATAR
Construction starts on
$1.65bn Doha Festival City
Construction work has started on the
QR6bn ($1.65bn) Doha Festival City
retail destination which is slated for
completion in the fourth quarter of
2014. IKEA, part of the Al-Futtaim
Group, will be developed under the
rst phase of construction and the
32,000m
2
store is set for completion
in Q4 2012, with the remaining ele-
ments of Doha Festival City due for
delivery two years later.
1
ABU DHABI
UAE Pavilion on Saadiyat
nears completion
Abu Dhabis dune-like UAE Pavilion,
designed by Foster + Partners, will
be completed in time to host an art
event in mid November. The pavilion
has been relocated to Saadiyat island
after hosting the UAEs national
exhibition at the World Expo 2010 in
Shanghai. Reconstructed by TDIC
and commissioned by the National
Media Council, the structure will
now act as a cultural venue.
1
2 3
TECHNICAL MIDDLE EAST | ADVERTISMENT FEATURE
Technal Middle East (TME) reports strong
performance this year, having achieved good
results and on targets for the nancial year in the
rst half of 2011.
The Bahrain-based company, which is the
regional of ce for Technal, a leading international
architectural aluminium systems supplier,
continues to build on the strength of the French
brand that was created more than 50 years ago.
Over the past year, TME has redoubled eforts
to achieve its sales targets and despite the
global credit crunch, has continued to invest in
reinforcing its organisation, its logistics facilities,
and its support teams in the region.
Despite the global economic downturn over
the past couple of years, TME is enjoying another
good year in 2011, says Hesham Kameshki,
marketing and business development manager
of TME. This is thanks to our constant eforts
to provide the most suitable cost-efective
engineering solutions at competitive prices.
TMEs eforts in the region are backed by
the constant drive for innovation by its parent
company in France, which continues to develop
products that anticipate future market needs and
trends, to meet various architectural aluminium
requirements in both residential and commercial
buildings construction.
Technal has developed a range of high-tech
systems with cutting-edge designs for casement
windows and doors as well as a new concept
for sliders, both with thermal insulation options.
These include Lumal sliders and patio-doors;
Solal casement windows and entrance doors;
Notal, a versatile range of casement and
suspended sliding shutters used for the external
building envelope; and Sunal aluminium sun
shading systems.
These new concept products aim to
revolutionise the architectural aluminium
segment. They ofer global and ideal solutions
that are cost efective and ensure high
performance, Kameshki says.
In addition, at the end of 2010 and early this
year, TME successfully tested and acquired
Strong year for
Technal Middle East
certications for a number of its engineered
solutions, including a blast-proof aluminium
faade and window applications from a specialist
UK-based blast testing facility centre. One such
blast-proof application that was developed to
full security requirements has been supplied
and installed on a landmark institutional project
in Kuwait and will be followed by another such
project in Bahrain.
Also tested at and certied by one of the most
renowned test centres in the region is another
specialised development to its Gode MX system
for a re-rated aluminium faade application
designed to enhance safety in all commercial and
residential buildings. The system has already been
supplied to the housing complex project for male
and female students for Qatar Foundation.
Another major success for the company was
having its new-concept unitised faade system
supplied and installed in some landmarks across
the region, including the United Tower, which is
currently the tallest tower in Jeddah.
The United Tower is a striking project because
of its 100% glass elevations, where no aluminium
proles are externally visible. For the project,
we have developed a custom-designed unitised
faade system with a unique glass replacement
feature, he says.
Technals brand research and development
centre (R&D) is further enhancing this high-tech
product with additional innovative features and
versatile design concepts, according to Kameshki.
Technal brand entered the Gulf markets
some 33 years ago as the rst international
architectural aluminium system to be introduced
in the region. It has been active in the Gulf
since 1978 serving all GCC markets from the
Bahrain headquarters, with regional of ces in
Dubai (UAE) and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), a strong
network of metal builders commonly known
as aluminium fabricators, dedicated technical
and sales teams and a logistics team with central
distribution warehouse located in Bahrain. From
this central warehouse, TME delivers its products
to all the GCC countries (described as local
markets) and Yemen, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Iran,
Libya and Egypt (as export markets).
Kameshki concludes: We will continue to
capitalise on our achievements and sustain our
business growth.
We have a long-
term commitment
to our customers
and markets and
are condent that
our eforts will earn
rich dividends in all
markets.
Technal is a leading supplier of architectural aluminium.
FRONT | NOVEMBER
10
1
CHINA
SOM to redevelop 2km
Nanjing waterfront
SOM has won a competition for a
large scale redevelopment of Nan-
jings Yangtze riverfront, a forgotten
two-kilometre stretch in the historic
Chinese city. The development, by
Beijing-based MCC Real Estate
Co. LTD, is located between a river
levee and the old city wall. Phase One
will revitalise the Dama Road and
Tianbaoli area and establish a new
framework of urban blocks.
3
SOUTH KOREA
Cinema boasts worlds
largest cantilevered roof
A newly opened cinema complex in
Busan, South Korea, contains the
largest cantilevered roof in the world.
The roof of the building has a free
span of 85 metres and a surface of
60 x 120 metres. Designed by Coop
Himmelb(l)au and Wolf D. Prix, the
complex contains 60,000m2 of per-
formance, event, food and adminis-
trative spaces and has a capacity of up
to 6,800 visitors.
2
CHINA
Beijings tallest building
breaks ground
A groundbreaking ceremony took
place for Beijings tallest building, the
510m China Zun developed by CITIC
Group. The 108-story tower will
dwarf the nearby China World Trade
Center Tower 3, a 330-meter-tall
building that is currently the tallest in
Beijing. Inspired by Zun, an ancient
Chinese wine vessel, the tower will
serve as both an of ce building and a
tourist destination.
1
2
GLOBAL PROJECT SNAPSHOT
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FRONT | NOVEMBER
12
5
GLOBAL PROJECT SNAPSHOT
4
MALAYSIA
Broadway Malyan delivers
Media Village plan
The concept master plan for GCD
Media Village in Medini, Malaysia,
has been delivered by Broadway
Malyan. The scheme will support the
new Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia
Studios, a US$130 million lm and
television production facility project
which is expected to create over
3,000 jobs. The architect recently
completed the concept masterplan for
the wider Medini project.
6
CHINA
German rm bags China
nancial centre
German architecture rm Gerkan,
Marg and Partners (gmp) has been
commissioned to design a ten-tower
complex for a nancial centre in Nan-
jing, China. Located on a 80,000m2
site, the towers have an above ground
oor space of 500,000m2. The
masses are arranged in an outer ring
of seven 120 to 200 metre high towers
and an inner ring of three 130 to 150
metre high buildings.
5
UNITED KINGDOM
Southend pier develop-
ment receives green light
Planning permission has been grant-
ed for a striking cultural centre at the
end of the UKs historic Southend
Pier, the worlds longest pleasure pier
at 2,158m. The 364m2 centre was
designed by Scandinavian rm White
Arkitekter and UK-based Sprunt
and features a wave-shaped roof built
from triangular panels. The building
includes an artists studio and a caf
and dining area.
4
6
FRONT | NOVEMBER
MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.11 | www.designmena.com 14
NOVEMBER | FRONT
15 www.designmena.com | 11.11 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
THE BIG PICTURE
Grosvenor House, Dubai
This night shot in Dubai Marina,
taken by ITP staf photographer
Lester Ali, captures the Grosvenor
House towers at their very best. The
twin tower complex contains a hotel,
which was nished in 2005, and a
newly-completed residential build-
ing that opened earlier this year. Ali
remarked that architectural photog-
raphers should focus on the best or
most interesting feature of a building.
In the case of Grosvenor House, the
most intriguing facet is most certainly
the striking blue lights that sandwich
each tower.
NEWS ANALYSIS | ARCHITECTURE CONGRESS
ANALYSIS
GEARED TO
THE GULF
Speakers at World Architecture Congress call for site-specic design
ARCHITECTURE CONGRESS | NEWS ANALYSIS
T
his years Cityscape
Global in Dubai was no-
table for a markedly lower
attendance than previous
editions, and this was reected in the
conference hall. However, the two-
day forum still managed to attract a
small number of vociferous profes-
sionals that were keen to keep their
ngers on the pulse.
One of the events highlights was the
afternoon of the 28th September,
which featured presentations and
discussions led by experts on Dubai
and Qatar.
The rst speaker was Rashad
Bukhash, director of Architectural
Heritage Department, Dubai Munici-
pality, who talked about the emirates
architecture in a presentation entitled
Dubai: Evaluating the citys current
architectural situation.
Bukhash commented: I think
Dubai went a little bit too fast and
hundreds of towers went up on Sheikh
Zayed Road and in the Marina. From
2004 to 2008 I was director of the
Projects Department and I was going
crazy. At one point I remember we
had more than 300 projects, just for
the Municipality.
Some good buildings emerged
between 2000 and 2008, like the
Emirates Towers, but we also got a lot
of glass towers that dont have much
relation to the climate or the identity
of the area.
Bukhash added that the situation
has improved in the wake of the nan-
cial crisis. The economic problems
in 2008 slowed the process down and
I think that was a good thing for the
architecture of the whole Gulf.
He continued: Architects need
several months to study and analyse
the architecture rather than coming
up with the design in a week. Now ar-
chitects can sit down, think about the
project and come up with something
suitable to the place.
According to Bukhash, the Munici-
pality seeks buildings that preserves
the identity of Dubai and is in har-
mony with the climate of the region.
Bukhash believes that the Al Maha
Desert Resort and the Madinat
Jumeirah are quality contemporary
interpretations of the vernacular, but
added that the latter has too many
wind towers.
Following Bukhashs presentation,
Tim Makower, partner for architec-
ture rm Allies and Morrison, gave a
talk on Qatar: Escalating expansion
and beyond 2022. Makowers rm
is behind the upcoming US$5.5bn
Musheireb scheme. He stated:
Allies & Morrison
is working on the
35 ha Musheireb
project in Qatar
(bottom right).
Some good buildings emerged between 2000 and 2008, like the
Emirates Towers, but we also got a lot of glass towers that dont
have much relation to the climate or the identity of the area.
Rashad Bukhash, director of Architectural Heritage Department, Dubai Municipality
NEWS ANALYSIS | BUILDING TALL NEWS ANALYSIS | ARCHITECTURE CONGRESS
Qatar needs a sense of belonging. We
are speeding up history. It is a natural
process that happened in the 19th century.
But it is very dangerous if there is no acknowl-
edgment of human character.
Makower added: Qatar needs to create the appropriate infra-
structure for 2022. I think that the event is a great catalyst and
motivator, but its not what its all about.
Honestly I hope it isnt escalating expansion - I hope there is a
very measured expansion within the available resources.
According to Makower, the challenges include reducing pollu-
tion and the use of carbon fuels and water while acknowledging the
distinct facets of the country.
He continued: If our work is not rooted [in the locale] then it may
not stand the test of time, whether thats pre or post 2022.
Makower praised the ambition of the countrys upcoming metro
system. There is an extraordinary metro project underway in Qatar
which is most impressive. The Dubai Metro is a splendid achieve-
ment but the ambition of the Qatar system is at a wider level - it
involves linking the causeway to Bahrain.
The presentations by Makower and Bukhash were closed by con-
ference chairman Dr John Alexander Smith, Professor of Architec-
ture and Interior Design, American University in Dubai.
Which proposals are uniquely belonging to Qatar or Dubai? This
is a serious question. If you cannot nd the solution and persuade
your clients then youre actually failing, concluded Smith.
Many of Dubais
towers are not
tailored to the
regional climate.
225
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COMMENT | EDITORS LETTER
20
F
or me, the recent news
about the delays to the
museums on Saadiyat is-
land are disappointing to
say the least. Like many expats, one
of the things I miss about my home
country is the plethora of cultural in-
stitutions, and I am eagerly awaiting
the likes of Frank Gehrys Guggen-
heim and Jean Nouvels Louvre.
Although not cancelled, the ag-
ship projects will be delayed beyond
their 2013-14 completion dates,
according to a statement from the
developer Tourism Development and
Investment Company (TDIC).
The developer did not give a new
date for completion, but said this
necessary review will only have a
I have no doubt that the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning
centre will be one of the Emirates architectural treasures
when it opens next year.
EDITORS LETTER
moderate impact on the delivery
time line of the museums.
More positively, the UAE has two
landmark cultural projects that are
much closer to delivery.
The rst is Foster + Partners
UAE Pavilion, which is also located
on Saadiyat island. The glowing
sand dune-like building featured at
the 2010 Shanghai Expo has been
reconstructed in time to host this
months Abu Dhabi Art show.
Reconstructed under the instruc-
tion of TDIC, the building is the
developers rst project to achieve a
Two Pearl Rating for Estidama.
The second cultural project is
the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning
Centre in Al Ain, a scheme that I
CULTURE CLUB
visited as part of this months cover
story. While I was expecting a mod-
est pavilion in the sand, I was blown
away by the scale of the project and
its monumental concrete form.
Designed by Austrian rm
CAP, the building twists out of the
surrounding desert like a giant
mushroom, with a spiraling circula-
tion route thats not unlike Frank
Lloyd Wrights classic Guggenheim
museum in New York.
Not only is it a stunning piece of
architectural sculpture, it is a lesson
in sustainability. The complex is one
of the pilot projects for Estidama and
is the only building in the emirate
to achieve a Five Pearl rating in the
design stage.
This rating was attained through
its careful orientation, water saving
techniques, and use of solar heating
and photovoltaics.
I have no doubt that the building
will be one of the Emirates architec-
tural treasures when it opens next
year, and will be a major attraction
for the sleepy town of Al Ain.
However, the success of the
project as a cultural venue will rely
on the quality of its contents. As a
tribute to the late Sheikh Zayed, the
project is a cross between a museum
and a science centre and will contain
exhibits on the UAEs wildlife and
cultural life.
Yet the mere fact that a stunning
building is taking shape in the desert
means that its not all doom and
gloom for museums and cultural
projects in the UAE.
Its not all doom and gloom for UAE museums
GOT A
COMMENT?
If you have any
comments to
make on this
months issue,
please e-mail
oliver.
ephgrave
@itp.com
The Desert
Learning Centre
in Al Ain is due
for completion
in 2012.
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DUW
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COMMENT | HISHAM YOUSSEF
22
We all know that the best projects have
strong clients who understand the role of
an architect and provide support.
OPINION
Clients need to trust and support architects
HELPING
HAND
Hisham Youssef
AIA, is project
director at
Gensler and a
founding board
member of
the American
Institute of
Architects Middle
East Chapter.
Great buildings, such as SOMs Rolex
Tower, are driven by savvy clients.
A
rchitects are the ring
masters of the design
arena. They are profes-
sionally trained to make
a clients vision a reality.
They listen, they lead, they create,
coordinate and ultimately ensure a
dream is realised. And eventually, a
projects success is evaluated based
on the architects ability to deliver
a well executed project that reects
the clients primary vision.
An architects ability to execute,
however, is dependent on several fac-
tors. We all know that architects are
expected to deliver on time and on
budget, so I will not dwell on these
obvious basics.
However, there are other factors
that are often overlooked, or not
given suf cient importance, which
are equally crucial for a successful
project execution.
The rst of these is a clear client
brief. Often a client is not clear on
what they want and hence the archi-
tect does not have a clear direction
for its work. This leads to misun-
derstandings, dissatisfaction and in
some circumstances, legal action.
Another crucial factor is the tight
coordination of consultant deliver-
ables. Coordination is about bringing
together the diferent trades and
pieces of the project. This can fail
with a change in project direction
by the client at advanced stages, or
unreasonably tight deadlines.
The less sophisticated the market,
the more this is likely to happen. Its
worth noting that the Middle East
region is slowly maturing in this re-
gard, by comparison to other emerg-
ing and rapidly developing regions,
most notably China and India.
Thirdly, Id like to highlight the
need for architect control. Where
work is being executed away from
the design architects base of prac-
tice, an associate design team is often
brought on board.
This team may not share the same
understanding or vision of the design
architect, which may often lead to
compromises in the realisation of
the design. However, an educated
client, who believes in the mission
of the design architect, can set the
project direction by ensuring that the
architect remains the leader of the
project execution.
Last but not least is the manner
of project execution. Contractors,
driven primarily by cost, may not
have the best interest of the project
at heart.
A smart client who heeds his
architects advice would go a long
way to stay the course of the design
and vision of the project. With larger
and more complex projects being
executed, this is often not such an
easy and clear cut task.
So where do we go from here?
Theres no simple answer. As the
leaders and professional advisers, we
must remain true to our oath and the
mission we set out on.
We all know that the best projects
have strong clients who understand
the role of an architect, and provide
the necessary support and leadership
to ensure the successful realisation
of their vision. This is not only the
case in the Middle East; this is uni-
versal throught the world.
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24
COVER STORY | DESERT LEARNING CENTRE
The twisting form of the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning
Centre has started to take shape in the Al Ain Wildlife Park &
Resort. Oliver Ephgrave visits the site
w
i
l
d
s
i
d
e
WALK ON THE
25
DESERT LEARNING CENTRE | COVER STORY
C
urrently best known for
its abundance of round-
abouts, the sleepy UAE
town of Al Ain will soon
be synonymous with a stunning piece
of sustainable architecture. As well
as being the rst building to achieve a
ve pearl rating at the design phase of
Estidama, the monumental structure
certainly exudes the elusive wow fac-
tor, even as a construction site.
Located in the middle of the vast Al
Ain Wildlife Park & Resort (AWPR),
the building seems to grow out of the
ground like a giant mushroom. This
efect will be accentuated further
once the grey concrete is fully con-
cealed by the sand-coloured cladding,
which is made up of diamond-shaped
marble panels. The structure in now
complete, although delivery is not
expected until August 2012.
A cross between a museum and a
science centre, the scheme is a tribute
to the late Sheikh Zayed and will
contain interactive displays about the
UAEs wildlife and culture. While
some the digital renderings suggest a
modest pavilion in the sand, the proj-
ect is truly grand in scale with a huge
29.4m cantilever over the entrance
and a vast centrepiece volume.
Concept and detailed design was
provided by Austrian rm Chalabi
Architect & Partners. The architects
circulation strategy features
a shallow ramp spiralling
around a central space
akin to Frank Lloyd
Wrights Guggen-
heim in New York.
The route wont
feel like a slope - its a
continuous journey full
of exhibits. The journey
culminated in a great view of the
upcoming safari park and the Jebel
Hafeet mountain, adds Bassam Al
Otaibi, director project management
at AWPR.
The visitor route also spirals
down around a funnel-like inverted
courtyard space which will be lled
236MWH
ENERGY GENERATED
BY THE PVS
PER YEAR
The structure
of the Sheikh
Zayed Desert
Centre is now
complete.
27
with water to evoke the tradition falaj
irrigation. This system is used exten-
sively in Al Ain. The water will also
reect of the walls, says Al Otaibi.
Structurally, the cantilever proved
to be a one of the projects biggest
challenges, according to Al Otaibi.
Its a triangular cantilever - we call it
a mushroom type. It takes the weight
of three storeys above, and this was a
challenge, he says.
Despite its heavyweight con-
struction, the building is lled
with light thanks to large openings
and diamond-shaped windows. Al
Obtaibi adds: One of the Estidama
requirements is lots of windows to
maximise on daylight. They also give
the building its architectural shape.
We will use double glazing to reduce
heat loss.
Acquiring ve pearls with Esti-
dama is no mean feat. The centre is
one of the pilot projects for Estidama
and its one of the most sustainable
projects in the whole country, says
Humaid Al-Hammadi, associate
planner for the Abu Dhabi Urban
Planning Council (UPC), who was
also present on the site tour.
Accordingly the building will
contain a wealth of energy saving
DESERT LEARNING CENTRE | COVER STORY
measures to cut consumption by
40%. The roof is covered in photovol-
taics which will generate 236MWh
a year and shave 17% of the energy
usage. A 1100m
2
solar farm generates
hot water for a Korean-built absorp-
tion chiller - a rst for the UAE - that
requires no additional power.
Photovoltaics
are mounted on
the roof of the
centre.
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include vacuum
toilets - as used in
aeroplanes - as well as
high ef ciency appli-
ances. Rainwater is collected in
underground tanks while grey water
recycling will save 12m
3
per day.
Trees and plants are irrigated using
treated seawater.
Materials were chosen in line with
Estidama, such as renewable wood,
Al Obtaibi explains that LED lights
are used for their energy ef ciency
while all lights are controlled by a
BMS system. Other measures include
an earth heat exchanger that reduces
the ground air temperature by 10 de-
grees and cold water cooling coils that
are embedded in the concrete slabs.
Water savings are also a crucial
consideration for Estidama and
several techniques are utilised. These
The centre is one of the pilot projects for Estidama and its
one of the most sustainable projects in the whole country
Humaid Al-Hammadi, associate planner Abu Dhabi UPC
1,100M
2
TOTAL AREA OF THE
SOLAR FARM
The design,
by CAP, is
notable for its
diamond-shaped
openings.
and local materials
were used wherever
possible, such as marble
from Oman. Sea transpor-
tation is used for all non-UAE
materials. A sophisticated waste
management system requires that all
waste is segregated.
The buildings impressive list
of features includes a 200-seat
auditorium, an educational library,
and a cafeteria with an open terrace
overlooking the safari park. From
this view you cant see any signs of the
the city. It is surrounded by the local
ghaf trees - we are manually watering
them so they appear as green and lush
as possible. The roof steps down to
an area that can be used for special
Highest durability and ecology provides best sustainablilty.
Web: www.foamglas.ae Email: info@foamglas.ae Dubai ofce Tel: +9714 434 7140 Doha ofce Tel: +974 465 5360
Just a few yards from the national soccer stadium, the Arzanah Sports Medical Center is prominently
located within a new mixed-use community in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The project set out to design
a sustainable building which responded to this very public site while balancing the need for a
calming, healing environment and a facility organized to provide an integrated multi-disciplinary
healthcare facility to serve the community and region. The new LEED Gold designed, 78-bed medical
centre will form part of the US$6 billion Arzanah development near Zayed Stadium on Abu Dhabi
Island. As thermal insulation the consultant came to the decision to use FOAMGLAS cellular glass
insulation for the roof and some wall application. FOAMGLAS is produced by Pittsburgh Corning
and is free of any harmful blowing agent. Its well known for its extreme durability and highest
resistance to any kind of moisture. Due to the 66 % recycling content and use of only renewable
energy in its production FOAMGLAS gets the highest credits in all environmental ratings and is
supported with LEED and Estidama credits. The high compressive strength without creeping and
deforming makes it the perfect solution especially in roof areas with garden and terraces.
Tapered roof (for all at roofs and terraces)
FOAMGLAS Insulation
Arzanah Medical Complex, Abu Dhabi
Client Mubadala Development Company
Consultant HDP Overseas Limited, HDR
Location Abu Dhabi, UAE
Under construction nishing December 2011
Build-up
1 Concrete roof deck
2 Primer coat
3 FOAMGLAS TAPERED slabs
(160 ~ 240 mm), laid in hot
bitumen
4 Two layers of bituminous
waterproong membranes
5 Separating / protective layer
6 Gravel
7 Paving
1
2
4 5
6
7
3
One of the Estidama
requirements is lots of
windows to maximise
on daylight. They also
give the building its
architectural shape.
Bassam Al Otaibi, director
project management at
AWPR.
FEATURE | DESERT LEARNING CENTRE
events. All in all, Im convinced that
this project will be one of the UAEs
landmark buildings when complet-
ed, added Al Obtaibi.
UPCs Humaid Al-Hammadi
agrees: Many people are waiting
for this project to be nished. Its the
subject of national pride. The UPC
Estidama team is very proud of the
building and we always refer to it in
our presentations. Its a crucial part
of the 2030 plan to make Abu Dhabi a
sustainable city.
Al-Hammadi adds that the UPC
Estidama team has
been intimately
involved with the
design soon after
the pilot programme
was initiated. He
continues: We were
regularly consulted
and held workshop ses-
sions with key members
of the design team to ensure
a seamless design rating applica-
tion and assessment process. The
involvement of the Estidama team
from the conceptual development re-
view process proved to be invaluable
in agreeing sustainable pathways.
By achieving the highest Pearl
Rating, Al-Hammadi believes that
200
NUMBER OF SEATS IN
THE CENTRES
AUDITORIUM
The lower levels
will contain
pools of water
(right).
FEATURE | DESERT LEARNING CENTRE
Client Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort
Architect Chalabi Architect & Partners
Main contractor ED Zublin AG
MEP works IC Consulenten
Architectural Energy
Corporation (AEC)
Commissioning and Estidama review
services
AldrichPears Associates
Concept, detailed design and construction
administration (interpretive elements)
BUILDING CREDITS
A terrace
(below) boasts
a sweeping view
of Jebel Hafeet.
the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learn-
ing Centre will be the catalyst
for all upcoming sustainability-
driven projects.
It will prove incredibly rel-
evant to our region given that the
Estidama Pearl Rating System
is a programme tailor-made to
tackle the needs of the region
from the environmental, eco-
nomic, cultural and social
perspectives, he concludes.
INTERVIEW | MURAT TABANLIOGLU
MURAT TABANLIOGLU | INTERVIEW
When we built the project in Tripoli I saw a very organised
system that wasnt there many years ago. Libya had very
good planning of ces that have similarities to Europe.
T
he portfolio of Tabanlio-
glu is perhaps atypical
for a Middle East rm.
Instead of the usual
splattering of schemes in the oil rich
Gulf states, the projects are primarily
located in the rms native country
of Turkey and a handful of unusual -
and perhaps daunting - destinations
such as Tripoli, Astana and Malabo,
Equatorial Guinea.
Despite the lack of built projects in
the Gulf, the rm has not been short
of attention due to a very successful
year in the regional awards. In 2010,
Tabanlioglu won Architect of the Year
at the Middle East Architect Awards,
while its Tripoli Congress Centre was
lauded at the Cityscape Awards.
At this years Cityscape Awards in
September, the rm was shortlisted
for the Asmacati Shopping & Meeting
Point in Izmir, Turkey and the Sipopo
Congress Center in Malabo, Equato-
rial Guinea.
Middle East Architect caught up
with Murat Tabanlioglu the day after
the awards were announced, and
it seemed that the co-founder and
partner was disappointed not to have
picked up a prize. He started by pas-
sionately describing the merits of the
Izmir project.
Its an open air retail scheme thats
not in a typical shopping box. It has
the same shops as you nd in many
places, but the environment is difer-
ent. The roof protects against the sun
and rain, but it allows in breezes and
you can see the sea and the moun-
tains. This is a project for the site - it
merges the inside with the outside.
The second project that was up
for a Cityscape award was a conven-
tion centre for the African country
of Equatorial Guinea. Located in the
capital city of Malabo, the conference
centre was completed in time for the
African Union Summit in June 2011
a meeting of 53 leaders from across
the continent.
The design features a glass box
clad with a tactile aluminium shad-
ing system that is inspired by the
surrounding woodland. Tabanlioglu
comments that constructing in Equa-
torial Guinea was not easy. We had
to bring all the necessary materials
from Turkey by ship or plane. It was
a diferent experience and we had to
work closely with the contractors.
According to Tabanlioglu, the
challenges were compounded by the
clients short timeframe of seven
months in order to host the sum-
mit. He continues: The president of
Equatorial Guinea liked our Tripoli
Congress Centre and wanted some-
thing similar. We decided to make it
more African. Its very important to
relate a building to the site.
The rms Tripoli project has so
far remained unscathed during the
recent turmoil in Libya. Perhaps
surprisingly, Tabanlioglu observed
the emergence of a structured plan-
ning system under Gaddis regime.
When we built the project in Tripoli
I saw a very organised system that
wasnt there many years ago. Libya
had very good planning of ces that
DESIGN
THE INTERVIEW
With new projects in Libya, Kazakhstan and Equatorial Guinea, Tabanlioglu is a
Middle East firm that likes to work outside of its comfort zone
36
have similarities to Europe. I hope
they stay with the same system.
Another unusual market that Ta-
banlioglu has tapped into is Kazakh-
stan. In conjunction with Foster +
Partners, the rm worked on the 77m
high pyramid, the Palace of Peace
and Reconciliation in Astana. More
recently, in June 2011, the practice
completed the Astana Arena.
Tabanlioglu comments: The client
requested a football stadium. How-
ever, Kazakhstan does not have many
big football games so we suggested
to make the stadium into a multipur-
pose arena that can be used for other
functions such as large gatherings,
concerts and other sporting events.
Its not a typical football stadium. We
added a roof because the citys climate
is extreme - it can be plus 40 in the
summer and minus 40 in winter. In
one night it can change 15 degrees.
In addition to those projects
penned by the Turkish rm, As-
tana contains many other grandiose
schemes such as BIGs National Li-
brary of Astana and the deconstruc-
tivist Kazakhstan Central Concert
Hall. Tabanlioglu compares the citys
penchant for showcase projects to
Dubai, and adds: Astana is a very
modern city, but like Dubai, its not a
typical city. The population of Astana
is around one million. Its the capital,
but its not on the sea. If you dont
have business, theres no reason to be
in Astana.
When it comes to Dubai itself, the
company is working on the concept
for a new project, although Tabanlio-
glu is unable to disclose the details.
He refers back to North Africa:
Egypt and Libya are very diferent
markets to Dubai and Qatar. The Gulf
has more showcase projects.
The countries in North Africa
have had their problems but they are
now more democratic. This will be
reected in the architecture - there
will be more projects for the people.
Tabanlioglu also believes that his
home country is buoyant and adds:
Turkey is a good market - it is plays
the role of a bridge between Europe
and Asia. Istanbul and other cities
remain very stable.
He pointed out that the country is
in the running for the 2020 Olympics.
It could be good for the city, he says.
Barcelona is an example of how city
can change for the better. The plan-
ning didnt stop after the Olympics.
Yet he also notes the danger of
white elephant buildings. Often the
stadia and facilities are used for a few
weeks and then left empty as they do
not think about the future. The same
is in London - they are making this
huge Olympics Village.
Regarding Qatars hosting of the
2022 World Cup, he remarks: Every
architect and construction rm wants
to be in Qatar right now. Qatar has
many stadium plans for the World
Cup, but these projects are for the
moment, not for the future.
Cairo has 15 million people and
there is more of a need for better
buildings. In Qatar you can build a
very nice, shiny building but what will
happen afterwards? I think it is more
important to build in the countries
that need real architecture.
For the African project we had to bring all the materials
from Turkey by ship or plane. It was a diferent experience
and we had to work closely with the contractors.
Murat
Tabanlioglu is
co-founder and
partner of the
Turkish rm.
ASTANA ARENA
Astana, Kazakhstan (completed)
Intended to be a symbol of the new capital of Kazakhstan, the
Astana Arenas retractable roof can be closed in the harsh
winter to protect the players and spectators.
TRIPOLI CONGRESS CENTER
Tripoli, Libya (completed)
Surrounded by woodland, the rectangular two-storey block
is nested in a metal envelope that opens up to the external
landscape with a wide portico that denes the main entrance.
www.constructionweekonline.com | 11.11 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT 37
MURAT TABANLIOGLU | INTERVIEW
I
a
n

L
a
w
s
o
n
PORTFOLIO:
Murat Tabanilioglu
MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11 .11 | www.designmena.com 38
ASMAATI SHOPPING AND MEETING POINT
Izmir, Turkey (completed)
Located in the largest city of the Aegean Coast of Turkey, the
semi-open shopping facility is designed to t the al fresco
lifestyle of Izmir. The roof features a semi-covered space
created by a metal mesh that is inspired by leaves and ivy.
SIPOPO CONGRESS CENTER
Malabo, Equatorial Guinea (completed)
Situated next to the ocean and surrounded by trees, the
Sipopo Congress Center is nested in a semi-transparent metal
envelope which protects from the interiors from the harsh rays
yet allows in the optimum amount of daylight.
FEATURE | BIM
MEA discovers the ever-expanding possibilities of Building Information Modelling
MODEL OF PROGRESS
BIM | FEATURE
I
n the age of pods, pads and
tweets, its hardly surprising
that the technology boom has
spread to the world of architec-
ture. The addition of a Building In-
formation Modelling (BIM) category
to this years Middle East Architect
Awards is indicative of the impact
of Revit by Autodesk, Graphisofts
ArchiCAD and other BIM software.
The award went to NAGA Architects
and Engineers, whose Dubai of ce
fully embraced BIM in 2008.
NAGA was lauded for its work
on the Sawari Residences project, a
large-scale housing scheme on the
shores of Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia,
close to Bahrain. The judges noted
that the project demonstrated a fully
integrated use of BIM throughout all
design phases and disciplines.
Dr Ahmed Elkady, associate direc-
tor, adds: Weve been using software
for a long time but three years ago we
decided to switch to Revit. There are
so many advantages.
Diyane Koseoglu, Middle East
sales manager for specialist con-
sultant BIMES, elaborates on the
fundamental benets of the software.
The manufacturing industry has a
waste factor of 26% while the ratio in
the construction industry is 57%, ac-
cording to McGraw Hill. BIM allows
users to follow the automotive indus-
try by creating a prototype on your
computer before doing it for real on
the site - you can see all the problem-
atic areas in advance and solve them
earlier, before they incur a cost.
She added that there is a common
misconception on the role of BIM.
Most people think that you just
use BIM to understand your design
better and make 3D drawings for pre-
sentations, but this is not true. Your
model should be smart and contain
construction information. Previously,
architects used to create 3D models
for presentation purposes. With BIM,
you can dene the materials you are
using, such as brick and glass, as well
as the U-values for energy analysis
and project management information
such as completion dates. All of this
information can be extracted from
the model.
We see a lot of people that have BIM tools but they are not
actually using them extensively and extracting information.
BIM goes a lot further than just doing a 3D building.
Daniel Pinheiro, general manager BIMES ME
FEATURE | BIM
Once you have
created the model, all
of the drawings will be
generated automatically and
you can create sections and eleva-
tions. It really minimises the amount
of manual drafting work. And if you
make a design change, it will be up-
dated on all the documentation.
Koseoglu states that BIM aids
the coordination between diferent
disciplines, such as architecture,
structures and MEP. In many
companies, the diferent departments
have their own sets of drawings for
the same project, and its quite likely
that they dont match. In BIM you
can have all the parts on the same
model, with diferent lters to view
the diferent disciplines. You can ask
the software to detect collisions - if
a pipe is going through a structural
wall then it will notify you. Its very
easy for a human eye to miss details,
and a typical project may have 3,000
clashes. If you discover these clashes
on site then you will sufer extra costs
and project delays.
She adds that the technology is
constantly being improved, with
many recent innovations. Now there
is a shell tool to create freeform
designs - it can be used for modelling
a building in which its dif cult to
dene what is a wall, a slab or a roof.
Another recent improvement is a
system called a BIM server, which
helps to counter the issue of large
les sizes. Koseoglu continues: With
the old technology , the synchronisa-
tion of the les involved carrying the
whole project from one computer
to the main server, then back to the
computer. The problem with BIM
is that the le sizes are huge. When
consultants are busy then they will
not synchronise every day - it will
be a weekly process. This means the
design changes were not be seen by
the other team members.
Graphisoft recently developed
Delta Server to overcome this prob-
lem. This server is intelligent enough
to see a project by element, not as a
le. When you make a change - for
instance you add new chairs - it only
carries the relevant information, so
it reduces the data transfer size from
100MB to 10-20KB. The whole pro-
cess has become much faster.
Koseoglu also points out the recent
development of a free app which al-
BIM was used
throughout all
design stages of
NAGAs Sawari
Residences,
KSA.
25%
RATIO OF MIDDLE
EAST INDUSTRY
THAT USES BIM
The switch to BIM is
very hard - companies
have to be committed.
Most engineers and
architects are not
trained in BIM and it
is a challenge to train
everyone.
Dr Ahmed Elkady, associate
director, NAGA Architects
and Engineers
FEATURE | BIM
lows users to import a simplied BIM
model onto an iPad or iPhone. There
was a huge demand for such a device
and everybody is blown away. Now
people are going round the site check-
ing everything with their phones.
According to a 2010 Middle East
BIM Report, by buildingSMART, the
percentage of construction profes-
sionals using BIM was found to be
49% in the USA, 36% in Western
Europe and 25% in the Middle East.
Yet Daniel Pinheiro, general manager
BIMES ME, believes that 10% is a
more realistic gure for the region.
He adds that even fewer are properly
utilising the 3D software.
We see a lot of people that
have BIM tools, such as Revit and
ArchiCAD, but they are not actually
using them extensively and extracting
information. They might use them for
the conceptual design and then carry
on with the traditional 2D process.
BIM goes a lot further than just doing
a 3D building, he comments.
The UAE is the most advanced
GCC nation in terms of BIM aware-
ness, according to Koseoglu. In the
UAE, there arent many people that
NAGA Architects
made the switch
to BIM in 2008.
Advantages
of BIM include
improved
coordination
between
disciplines.
ADVERT
BIM | FEATURE
are unaware of BIM, but when you
go to places like Kuwait, Qatar and
Oman its still a secret, she says.
When asked about the reason for
the slow uptake of BIM in the region,
Pinheiro replies: In the Middle East,
the lack of BIM skills is an issue, as
is the large scale of the projects. The
software is not really conducive to
big project les and people become
frustrated with the tools.
Koseoglu agrees: In this region,
the main issue is the availability of
skilled users. For instance, if youre
searching for an engineer with BIM
knowledge then you wont receive
many CVs, and you will struggle to
nd any experts.
A big obstacle for Gulf companies
is the investment in BIM training.
Koseoglu explains: Many individu-
als come from regions where BIM is
not common. Companies that want to
implement BIM have to train people.
Many companies want to
avoid this - they dont
know if the engineer
will continue working
with them for the
next ve years. They
cant feel the return in
investment.
NAGAs Elkady concedes
that the migration is not plain sail-
ing. The switch to BIM is very hard
- companies have to be committed.
Most engineers and architects are not
trained in BIM and it is a challenge
to train everyone. The norm is Auto-
CAD - people dont want to change.
Yet he insists that the move was the
correct decision and adds: We use
BIM throughout the whole design
process. We are trying to push it to
the limit and were discovering new
things all the time.
Majid Hamid Saleh, senior struc-
tural engineer, NAGA, agrees: It was
a great decision to go for BIM. It was
dif cult, due to the lack of expertise,
but it was an investment. Our man-
agement felt that the future is BIM
and I believe thats the case. We had
to put the obstacles aside. We now
consider ourselves to be a pioneer of
BIM in this region.
49%
PERCENTAGE OF USA
INDUSTRY THAT
USES BIM
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46
Aramex, Dubai Logistics City, Dubai
Customized TMX204 with occupancy sensor,
Smartform TBS460 with LuxSense, Fugato Compact with PLR lamp
Location
Philips Lighting
Case study
Aramex, Dubai
Background
Aramex is a leading global provider of
comprehensive logistics and transport
solutions, with over 29 years of experience
delivering customized solution across more
than 54 countries and 307 locations. Apart
from investing in education and youth
empowerment, entrepreneurship, community
develop ment, sports and emergency
relief, Aramex continuously focuses on the
environment. Therefore Aramex has adopted
sustainable business practices as an integral
part of its business model. Because logistics
and transportation has a huge environmental
impact, the company is com mitted to
decreasing its carbon footprint, optimizing
power consumption, and raising awareness
among other activities. LEED certication has
played an important role in helping them to
achieve this, especially in warehouses. Aramex
understands the importance of warehousing
within the wider supply chain, and the
environmental footprint of those facilities. So
the company has invested in cutting-edge green
technology to ensure that customers storage
requirements and inventory management needs
are met while at the same time ensuring that its
carbon footprint is minimized.
The challenge
Driven by the desire to achieve the above
objectives, Aramex wanted to make its key
Dubai Logistics City facility more energy
ef cient in order to meet the LEED criteria.
Lighting therefore became a key element in
the process. As a company renowned for its
energy-ef cient solutions, Philips emerged
as the ideal partner to provide the lighting
solutions for thisproject, entitled A LEED Gold
Certied. The challenge was to provide a simple
yet smart lighting solution that would meet
the application requirements and consume
40% less energy than that stipulated by the
ASHRAE standards. The project also required
luminaire-based stand-alone lighting controls for
occupancy detection in the warehouse area and
daylight optimization in the of ces.
The solution
The key to the solution lay in an intelligent
selection and customization of standard
luminaires, which would not only match the
projects stringent energy requirements but
also satisfy the application parameters. For the
lighting controls Philips customized the standard
TMX204 luminaire with an occupancy sensor
in the warehouse area to provide the ideal
scenario: light when and where it is needed. The
Smartform TBS460 luminaires in
the of ce spaces were factory tted with
Luxsense controllers, which save energy
by automatically regulating the luminaire in
accordance with the level of daylight available.
Benefits
Hussein Wehbe, Country Manager for Dubai &
Northern Emirates of Aramex, is delighted with
this energy-ef cient lighting solution supplied
by Philips, which included smart integration of
daylight and occupancy control. Sustainable
business practices form an integral part of
Aramexs business model and daily operations.
With its pedigree in developing energy-ef cient
products, Philips was the natural choice to
supply the lighting solution for our key Dubai
Logistics City facility.
PHILIPS | ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
Help your city save costs
and the environment.
(City of Lyon, France)
By simply refurbishing the Guillotires bridge with Philips CitySoul
luminaires including CosmoPolis lamps and gear, the city of Lyon saved
more than 50% energy and reduced their CO
2
emissions. So, choosing
responsible lighting has never been easier. Its a simple switch.
FEATURE | EDUCATION DESIGN
With a number of big budget
facilities springing up across
the Gulf, MEA explores the
latest trends in school design
BUILT FOR
A sustainable city will increasingly use a few well-chosen landmarks to
represent the city view. Lighting such icons is an integral responsibility, so that they
compete in terms of design and not brightness in the urban nocturnal scene. Discover
more scenarios for sustainable city lighting at: www.we-ef.com/en/liveablecities

SCIENTECHNIC
Abu Dhabi (UAE)
Tel + 971 2 650 78 35
Fax +971 2 671 89 87
www.scientechnic.com

SCIENTECHNIC
Dubai (UAE)
Tel + 971 4 266 60 00
Fax +971 4 266 61 76
www.scientechnic.com

FLC280 Projector
Sky Tower
Auckland (NZ)
Architect: Craig Craig Moller Architects
Light
for Liveable
Cities
as well as Doha College, which has
shortlisted ve top UK based rms
including Broadway Malyan. Mean-
while Saudi Arabia, with its huge and
growing population, has pledged to
build a whopping 10,000 schools.
According to the CEO of Sam-
mon Group, a specialist education
consultant and contractor behind
ve ADEC schools, the quality of the
UAEs education buildings have taken
a huge leap forward.
Micael Sammon comments: The
vision of ADEC is world class and
its Future Schools programme is
fantastic. It is producing phenomenal
buildings designed by the likes of
Broadway Malyan and Dewan Archi-
tects & Engineers.
Sammon reels of an enviable list
of features in the Abu Dhabi West
School. The facility is designed by
Broadway Malyan and I think its
quite astonishing.
It contains 45 classrooms, four
art rooms, four science labs, a library
and a 500-seat auditorium. It also has
300 solar panels that help to power
the school. The project has achieved
a Three Pearl Rating with Estidama
and its a real success story for the
Middle East region.
Broadway Malyan has designed
a further six ADEC schools that are
due to open this academic year. The
schools account for a total of 7,000
student places and 120,000m
2
of new
oor space.
Director Ian Apsley remarks: The
completion of the schools marks a key
milestone for education in the region.
They create a new breed of spatial
Schools can be operational challenges, but this the case in a
lot of buildings with diferent uses, such as hospitals.
Ammar Al Assam, executive director, Dewan
The oasis in Al
Bateen School.
Take the opportunity to show something new at
The Ofce Exhibition . Youll nd thousands of
architects, designers and project managers visiting
the show to nd the latest in design, innovation
and best practice.
Book your stand now
Contact Tim Wilson, Project Manager
t: +971 4 438 0355
e: timwilson@dmgevents.com
r e n t r a p e g d e l w o n K h t i w d e t a c o l - o C y b d e s i n a g r O
15 - 17 May 2012
Dubai World Trade Centre
theofceexhibition.com
The Ofce Exhibition
Show something new
52
and learning environments in Abu
Dhabis schools and blend inter-
national best design practice with
contemporary sustainable principles,
and the result is testament to the
practices successful approach to
integrated place-making in the wider
Middle East region.
Breakout spaces are a key consid-
eration in a school project, according
to Sammon. Children have to be
stimulated and people in the West
dont always realise that. In this
climate, outdoor spaces can prove to
be a challenge.
Sammon describes how Abu
Dhabi West School contains an eco
court with an inventive living wall
- essentially a vertical garden that is
attached to the structure. Children
can also help in the upkeep of plants
in a meshed cone in the centre
of the courtyard space.
Al Bateen Secondary
School, designed by
Dewan for Aldar Acad-
emies, also contains a
stunning al-fresco break-
out area which is dubbed
the oasis.
Ammar Al Assam, executive direc-
tor, Dewan, says: The oasis is an
educational courtyard that is meant
to be the source of rejuvenation for
the school in a desert. Its internal fea-
tures help to make the learning area
more interactive and experimental.
It has low benches, bean bags as
well as IT wireless and multimedia.
Its not a classroom environment,
but a place where you can learn. The
teaching environment is important.
The breakout area has bean bags and
is used for storytelling.
Sammon notes that the climate can
limit the type of outdoor space that is
provided. Its challenging to provide
the outdoor classroom environment
in a hot climate like GCC. Its even
harder for those schools that dont
have government funding.
For those without huge budgets,
CLASSROOMS
IN ABU DHABI
WEST SCHOOL
EDUCATION DESIGN | FEATURE
Abu Dhabi West
School (far left
and bottom); Al
Bateen School
(left).
54
Sammon Group has devised an
afordable smart school that can
be built anywhere in the world.Sam-
mon adds: Not everyone can spend
AED150m on a school so we have de-
veloped the Sammon Smart School,
which is IT compatible and low cost.
We can provide a 16 classroom school
in 18 weeks, anywhere in the world.
He cites Saudi Arabia
as one market in need
of low-cost options.
We have started to
build three proto-
type schools in Saudi
Arabia. Its following
Abu Dhabis lead and has
moved education to the front
of its priorities, but it needs expertise.
The country has committed to build
10,0000 schools.
According to Sammon, one of the
key challenges in school design is
allowing the right amount of daylight-
ing. In the West, there is a drive for
an extensive use of light, and in places
like the UK you need solar gain. Over
here, we have to protect against it.
You cant have kids sitting in the sun.
Dewans Al Assam adds that colour
choice is extremely important and
that a tremendous amount of work
and studies have gone into explor-
ing the impact of colour in
schools. Sammon adds
that the trend in the
West is to use bright
colours.
Al Assam states
that security needs
attention, especially
when younger children
are involved, and Al
Bateen School contains barriers and
systems to determine the adults that
are admitted.
He also points out that traf c is a
challenge in any school project dur-
ing opening and closing time. In the
case of Al Bateen School, there are
multiple entrances for the diferent
age groups so that the streets are not
overloaded with cars.
He adds that the segregation
between the diferent age groups can
present dif culties. Schools can be
operational challenges, but this the
case in a lot of buildings with diferent
uses, such as hospitals.
Sammon notes that segregation
is more extreme in the Middle East,
particularly Saudi Arabia, with the
required separation of genders.
Globally, there is now an appetite
for architects to design school proj-
ects, according to Sammon. Theres
a real opportunity for architects,
he comments. Nobody will ask an
architect to build a school project and
then not pay them. Schools are com-
missioned by good clients which are
often visionary.
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STUDENT SPACES BY
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EDUCATION DESIGN | FEATURE
Aside from the nancial draw,
Sammon states that school design is
no longer viewed as boring by archi-
tecture rms and that he is no longer
a closet school builder.
We now have some of the best
architects in the world designing
schools. It wasnt the case at all
before. Previously they might have a
school or two hidden in their portfo-
lio. Now architects are proud to show
their achievements in education.
A recent example of quality school
design is the UKs Evelyn Grace
Academy, by Iraq-born Zaha Hadid.
Last month, the Brixton school won
the 2011 RIBA Stirling Prize.
Sammon cites the GEMs World
Academy in Dubai as a great example
of school design in the region. It has a
very futuristic approach and its a fan-
tastic efort for future generations.
He concludes that, when it comes
to education design, function is far
more important than form.
Creating a spaceship-like building
is one thing but its better to build
one that ts the function. We need
to focus on that rather than just the
architecture, and also make sure it is
future proofed.
Al Bateen
School (top);
Abu Dhabi West
School (left and
bottom).
Theres a real
opportunity for
architects. Nobody
will ask an architect to
build a school project
and then not pay them.
They are commissioned
by good clients which
are often visionary.
Micael Sammon, CEO of
Sammon Group
A
l
l
e
g
r
o

L
a
r
v
i
k

p
h
o
t
o
:

M
o
r
t
e
n

R
a
k
k
e
LUNDHS Middle East Branch
Att: Hani Hankir
Project Development Manager
Middle East
Airport Free Zone
Building: 4 EA
Offce: 530
DUBA I, UAE
MOB ILE NO.: 00971 50 4574281
IDCEC Education Seminar
Natural Stone: Marble & Granite
We would like to get your attention for our Education Seminar Natural
Stone: Marble & Granite which will be organized and leaded through our
LUNDHS Middle East, Dubai Branch Offce and which is an approved
Education course through the Marble Institute of America.
Because of the big interest we have decided to arrange the seminar
during the same time of the Cityscape Global 2011 in Dubai.
For this exclusive Seminar, there are only selected Architects &
Companies invited which are working on main and targeted projects in
the GCC-Region.
The participation for these companies is free of cost.
The Seminar will be held in the Dubai International Convention and
Exhibition Centre, Dubai, UAE. Participants to this seminar will receive a
registration confrmation and a location map.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for any kind of reason under the
below shown contact details. We are looking forward to welcome you to
our Exclusive Education Seminar.
Topics for the Seminar:
Introduction Stone I
What is Stone?, Natural Stone types, Quarrying, Fabrication and Finishes
Introduction Stone II
Testing & Properties, Applications, Introduction Stone, Reference Materials
Introduction LUNDHS
About the Company, Production, Areas of use fro Granite, Reference
GCC Material Variation, Types of Surface
The presentation is certied through the MARBLE INSTITUTE
of America and is certied for an APPROVED COURSE for
ARCHITECT CONTINUING EDUCATION.
The Seminar will be held through trained and certied speakers.
To Register please fax to 00971 4 3256259
Day: [ ] Wednesday, 28. September 2011, Dubai, UAE
[ ] Thursday, 29. September 2011, Dubai, UAE

Time: [ ] 11:00 a.m. till 1:00 p.m.
[ ] 3:00 p.m. till 5:00 p.m.
[ ] we are interested to have the ofered Education Seminar
Natural Stone: Marble & Granite for our Employees in our
Offce. Please contact our offce under the attached letter
showing our contact details to fx date and timing:
Company:

Phone:
Homepage:
Certicate
After successful participation on the Seminar part:
Introduction Stone I, from Marble Institute of America
Introduction Stone II, from Marble Institute of America
you will receive a certifcate for
continuing your education.
FAX NO.: 00971 4 3256259
57 www.designmena.com | 11.11 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
PRO
JECT UPDATE | THE W
O
RK
SOWWAH
SQUARE
Architect:
Goettsch
Partners
Location:
Abu Dhabi
Pitching for LEED Silver status,
Sowwah Square will provide the
new headquarters for the Abu Dhabi
Securities Exchange and comprises
four ofce towers overlooking
water. The complex contains over
290,000m2 of ofce space and in-
tegrates two levels of retail and two
parking structures. The centerpiece
of the developments rst phase is
the business centre, which includes a
22,670m2 stock exchange building.
290,000
METRES
2
TOTAL AREA OF
OFFICE SPACE
DUBIOTECH
RESEARCH
LABORATORY
Architect:
HDR
Location:
Dubai
This US$25mcomplex was the
rst research facility to be com-
pleted in DuBiotech, a huge freezone
dedicated to the life science industry.
Architect HDR was also responsible
for the masterplan, as well as a head-
quarters building which is under
construction. A common require-
ment for DuBiotech facilities is the
achievement of LEED certication;
the research laboratory received
Silver status at the end of 2010.
RENAISSANCE
TOWER
Architect:
FXFOWLE
Location:
Istanbul, Turkey
Designed by New York-based archi-
tecture rm FXFOWLE, Renais-
sance Tower is the headquarters
for a construction and development
company in Istanbul. With sustain-
ability well and truly on the agenda,
the tower has an ambitious target of
LEED Platinum - the highest rank
in the international rating system.
Standing at 185 metres, Renaissance
Tower will be the tallest building on
the Asian side of Istanbul.
185
METRES
EXPECTED HEIGHT OF
THE RENAISSANCE
TOWER
DOHA TWIN
TOWERS
Architect:
GHD Global Pty
Ltd
Location:
Lusail, Qatar
This billowing twin tower project in
Qatar was designed by GHD Global
and is designed to meet the clients
target net oor area ratio of 398%.
Overall water consumption will be
reduced by 40% though the use of
native plantation, water reducing
xtures, storm water re-use and
grey water treatment strategies. The
building also aims to produce 5% of
its energy from renewable sources,
such as photovoltaics.
398%
TARGET NET FLOOR
AREA RATIO
70
PRO
JECT U
PDATE | TH
E W
O
RK
THE
WORK
PROJECT UPDATE
INSTITUTE OF
DIPLOMATIC
STUDIES
Architect:
Henning
Larsen/ Buro
Happold
Location:
Riyadh, KSA
Winner of Institutional & Cultural
Project of the Year, this scheme
will provide Saudis Ministry of
Foreign Afairs (MOFA) with a
new46,000m2 building to house
facilities for the Institute of Diplo-
matic Studies and Consular Afairs
Department. Located in Riyadh the
building contains an auditorium,
lecture halls, library, classrooms,
ofces, a large hall for visa applicants
and ofce space.
FERRARI
WORLD ABU
DHABI
Architect:
Benoy
Location: Yas
Island, Abu
Dhabi
Winner of the Hospitality & Leisure
Project of the Year, Ferrari World
Abu Dhabi is the worlds largest in-
door theme park. Designed by Benoy
for Aldar Properties, the project fea-
tures over 20 rides and attractions
including the worlds fastest roll-
ercoaster. The total surface area of
the colossal red roof is 200,000m2,
while the perimeter of the building
is 2,200m2. The highest point of the
structure is 45 metres.
200,000
METRES
2
TOTAL SURFACE AREA
OF THE ROOF
AINO MINA
Architect:
Aedas
Location:
Kandahar,
Afghanistan
This two million m2 commu-
nity scheme, which won both the
Residential Project and Sustain-
able Project of the Year at the
Middle East Architect Awards, will
provide over 2000 homes. Situated
in Kandahar, the site gently slopes
and has a backdrop of mountains. A
wide central park runs through the
masterplan and links the retail area
at the southern end with the Friday
mosque at the northern end.
2M
METRES
2
TOTAL AREA OF
AEDAS SCHEME
MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.11 | www.designmena.com 58 59
IN
STITUTE O
F D
IPLO
M
ATIC STU
D
IES | CA
SE STU
DYCA
SE STU
DY | M
AYSA
N
RESID
EN
CES M
AYSA
N
RESID
EN
CES | CA
SE STU
DY
MAYSAN
RESIDENCES
Architect: dwp
Location: Abu Dhabi
CASE STUDY
www.designmena.com| 10.11 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
THE PROJECT
Currently in the design develop-
ment phase, Maysan Residences is
a pair of striking residential tower
buildings in the Al Najmat district
of Reem Island, Abu Dhabi. The
towers contain a total of 337 units
and have an expected completion
date of 2013. Designed by dwp
for developed Aabar, the
project aims to achieve
a 2 Pearl Rating with
Estidama. The roof
structure contains solar
technology while the
tower forms are devised to
minimise heat gain.
THE SITE
Occupying a total area of 152m by
50m between the Reem and Canal
Boulevards, the two towers are
located next to a large public park.
The orientation from southeast to
northwest provided the architects
with an opportunity to create an
attractive street frontage towards
the marina.
The upper tower levels overlook
the canal and Marina Bay, while the
lower levels look towards the public
parkland and proposed waterway.
Each unit ofers a diferent viewdue
to the amorphous and irregular form
of the towers.
337
TOTAL NUMBER
OF APARTMENT
UNITS
PRO
JECT UPDATE
|THE W
O
RK
DOHA TWIN
TOWERS
Archite
GHD
Ltd
398%%
TARGET NET FLOOOR
AREA RATIOO
m2 commu-
h won both the
70/74
THE WORK
CU
LTU
RE | LIKE W
A
N
T N
EED
77
LIGHTING
QUADA CHAIR
Jeremy Cole
The classical beauty of the ower
from the orchid family, the Cymbidium,
is captured in a contemporary style
that pushes the capabilities of bone
china to its limits. In the latest Jeremy
Cole collection, the artisan explored
the relationship between ceramics
and light, and started to understand
and work with bone china. designs are
inspired by the ora of New Zealand.
APP
PRODUCT SELECTOR
InterfaceFLOR
Carpet tile rm InterfaceFLOR has
released an iPad app specically for the
EMEAI region, where users can search
its entire product portfolio of carpet
tiles or browse by colour, category or
latest products. Users can view high
quality tile images, product details, and
visualise room sets through the gallery
and oor designer tool. Additional
features include a media function to
access videos, the ability to download
related documents, while tiles can be
added to the favourites tab to easily
order samples.
BATHROOM
KOHLER NUMI
Kohler
This space-age toilet, which is
WaterSense and CALGreen-certied,
will up the ante for sophisticated living
with its minimalist, futuristic design.
Its impressive list of high-tech features
include an interactive LCD touch screen
interface, intuitive auto-open and -close
lid, music system, heated seat, foot
warmer, deoderiser, bidet, as well as dual
ush technology.
76 MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.11 | www.designmena.com
CU
LTU
RE | LIKE W
A
N
T N
EED
LIKE
WANT
NEED
CULTURE
FURNITURE
BACHAG CHAIR
Joongho Choi
In an explosion of colours, Korean
designer Joongho Choi has designed
the Bachag Chair made from wood
and aluminum, which can be carried
over ones shoulder like a handbag.
According to Choi, it was meant
to create a mix and match style of
furniture and fashion. He said he
wanted to show contrasting images of
diferent expressions. It was designed
to be structurally sound, user-friendly
and be comfortable.
BOOK
AFTER TASTE
Kent Kleinman, Joanna Merwood-Salisbury
and Lois Weinthal
While taste is subjective in
architecture and interior design, the book
by Kleinman, Merwood-Salisbury and
Weinthal brings together new theories
and emerging critical practices in the eld
of interior design. It investigates taste, a
concept that was important during the
formation of the discipline of design in the
eighteenth century, that was rejected by
architects in the early twentieth century.
LIKE W
A
N
T N
EED | CU
LTU
RE
LIKE W
A
N
T N
EED | CU
LTU
RE
www.designmena.com| 11.11 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT 76 MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.11 | www.designmena.com
FURNITURE
BACHAG CHAIR CHAIR
Joongho Choi
In an explosion o ooooff colo ff colo colou lours, Korean lours Korean f colours, Korean ff colo colou
designer Joongho Choi has de hhas desi has desig ddesigned has de esig s d
the Bachag Chair made from wood ood ood ood odd
and aluminum, whi and a ch can be carried
over ones shou ver ones shoulder like a handbag.
According to Choi ding to Choi, it was meant , it was
to create a mix and match style of match style of
diferent expressi difer ons. It was designed
to be structura to be structurally sound, user-friendly
and be comfortabl be comfortable. e.
MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.11 | www.desig 58
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MAYSAN
RESIDENCES
Architect: dwp
Location: Abu Dhabi
CASE STUDY
THE PROJECT
Currently in the design develop-
ment phase, Maysan Residences is
a pair of striking residential tower
buildings in the Al Najmat district
of Reem Island, Abu Dhabi. The
towers contain a total of 337 units
and have an expected completion
date of 2013. Designed by dwp
for developed Aabar, the
project aims to achieve
a 2 Pearl Rating with
Estidama. The roof
structure contains solar
technology while the
tower forms are devised to
minimise heat gain.
337
TOTAL NUMBER
OF APARTMENT
UNITS
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THE SITE
Occupying a total area of 152m by
50m between the Reem and Canal
Boulevards, the two towers are
located next to a large public park.
The orientation from southeast to
northwest provided the architects
with an opportunity to create an
attractive street frontage towards
the marina.
The upper tower levels overlook
the canal and Marina Bay, while the
lower levels look towards the public
parkland and proposed waterway.
Each unit ofers a diferent view due
to the amorphous and irregular form
of the towers.
THE CONCEPT
The scheme - with its shaded roof
gardens sheltered by deep over-
hangs - draws inspiration from the
landscape of nearby Al Ain, which
contains green oases, dramatic rock
overhangs and mountain plateaus.
Floor plates are designed in two
typical congurations for each tower,
with ve slab prole variations gen-
erating the desired facade efect. The
intermediate duplex oors contain
larger outdoor spaces to provide a
lush green efect.
66,000M
2
THE DETAILS
By curving the cantilevered slab
edges and louver system, prevailing
breezes are guided past the building
volume. These features will assist
in reducing glare and solar heat gain
into the interior spaces and reduce
overall energy consumption.
Ancillary spaces are arranged
around the central core. The allow
the building services to run ef-
ciently throughout the tower while
maximising lighting and views in the
living rooms and bedrooms.
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GROSS FLOOR
AREA OF MAYSAN
RESIDENCES
Door Technology | Automatic Door Systems | RWA and Ventilation Systems | Safety Technology | Glass Systems
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EKO ATLANTIC CITY
Architect: MZ Architects
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
CASE STUDY
THE PROJECT
This ambitious new city in Nigeria
responds to coastal erosion and
aims to relieve pressure on the con-
gested city of Lagos, with a popula-
tion of 15.5 million. Estimates of
urban use predict that Eko Atlantic
City will be home to a quarter of a
million people. Eko Atlantic De-
velopers appointed MZ Architects
as the urban planner for the new
city. The Lebanon headquartered
rm - with of ces in Abu Dhabi and
Qatar - will also be responsible for
architectural, engineering and con-
struction management of a number
of towers in the scheme.
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15.5M
CURRENT
POPULATION
OF LAGOS
THE SITE
Eko Atlantic City is being con-
structed on reclaimed land just
ofshore from Victoria Island.
The wall will protect the
coastline of Lagos,
particularly the areas
of Bar Beach on Vic-
toria Island, which
was prone to ooding.
In August 2011, the
wall had reached around
2.5km in length and will
extend 8.5km when complete.
Sand is being dredged from the
ocean in order to raise the land level
of the lagoon.
THE CONCEPT
The urban developers wanted to
move away from the overcrowded
African city. Accordingly the
scheme envisions clean open spaces,
congestion-free roads and a modern
waterfront development. Each
district has been designed with dis-
tinct features, but all will contain
a mixture of residential, business,
commercial and leisure to avoid
neighbourhoods becoming lifeless
and empty at night.
THE DETAILS
A major feature of the Busi-
ness District - the rst phase to be
developed - will be a central
boulevard stretching two
kilometres in length
with a width of around
60 metres. The
boulevard is inspired
by the worlds grand
streets such as New
Yorks Fifth Avenue
and the Champs lyses in
Paris, France. Extensive transport
links from Lagos and Victoria
Island will bring around 150,000
people into work each day.
2KM
LENGTH OF
CENTRAL
BOULEVARD
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A problem in many African cities is
the unreliability of power. In con-
trast, the new city will have its own
integrated power system, which is
not reliant on erratic generators.
Each district will also be served by
modern drainage, sewage treatment
and water supply facilities.
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THE PROJECT
Runner up in the sustainable de-
sign category at last months Middle
East Architect Awards, Mirdif City
Centre is the rst LEED Gold mall
in the Middle East. The AED3bn
complex opened in March 2010 and
achieved its green certication in
May 2011. At the peak of construc-
tion, 22 cranes and 10,000 workers
were on site. Developed byMajid
Al Futtaim Properties, the project
features a GFA of 300,000m
2
, with
450 shops and parking for over 7,000
cars. Hyder was the lead consultant
and engineer of record, taking over
the concept design by RTKL.
67
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MIRDIF CITY
CENTRE
Location: Dubai
Architect: Hyder Consulting/ RTKL
CASE STUDY
THE SITE
As the mall is designed to
engage with the commu-
nity, the main elevation
faces Mirdif rather
than Emirates Road.
A landscape piazza
acts as a meeting point,
and entrances are well lit
with energy ef cient lighting
to improve security. Environmental
management aspects of the site were
controlled by the contractors as part
of the LEED certication. Sand bags
were used to control dust, roads were
cleaned every day and netting was
put on excess sand.
AED3BN
VALUE OF MIRDIF
CITY CENTRE
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THE DETAILS
Solar ef cient glass was specied
to minimise heat gain while the roof
features the use of high albedo paints
to reect sunlight. The project also
utilises non-potable water for irriga-
tion, from Dubai Municipality, and
water ef cient xtures.
THE CONCEPT
RTKLs design specied a strong
use of natural light and sustainable
materials and around 20% of the
total energy consumption was saved
through design initiatives. Arabic
wind towers were used as feature
points at all corners of the building.
We selected materials with a
high recyclable content, sourced
from sustainable sources, and have
championed a market-leading 50%
of the construction waste not go-
ing to landll, said Majid Al
Futtaim vice-president,
project management,
Jonathan Emery.
According to Hyder, one of the
main challenges was the addition
of an extra storey to the building
halfway through construction, while
continuing with ongoing works. This
alteration was needed to accom-
modate a Fitness First gym and a
community centre.
10,000
PEAK NUMBER
OF WORKERS
ON SITE
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WORK
PROJECT UPDATE
INSTITUTE OF
DIPLOMATIC
STUDIES
Architect:
Henning
Larsen/ Buro
Happold
Location:
Riyadh, KSA
Winner of Institutional & Cultural
Project of the Year, this scheme
will provide Saudis Ministry of
Foreign Afairs (MOFA) with a
new 46,000m
2
building to house
facilities for the Institute of Diplo-
matic Studies and Consular Afairs
Department. Located in Riyadh the
building contains an auditorium,
lecture halls, library, classrooms,
of ces, a large hall for visa applicants
and of ce space.
FERRARI
WORLD ABU
DHABI
Architect:
Benoy
Location: Yas
Island, Abu
Dhabi
Winner of the Hospitality & Leisure
Project of the Year, Ferrari World
Abu Dhabi is the worlds largest in-
door theme park. Designed by Benoy
for Aldar Properties, the project fea-
tures over 20 rides and attractions
including the worlds fastest roll-
ercoaster. The total surface area of
the colossal red roof is 200,000m
2
,
while the perimeter of the building
is 2,200m
2
. The highest point of the
structure is 45 metres.
200,000
METRES
2
TOTAL SURFACE AREA
OF THE ROOF
AINO MINA
Architect:
Aedas
Location:
Kandahar,
Afghanistan
This two million m
2
commu-
nity scheme, which won both the
Residential Project and Sustain-
able Project of the Year at the
Middle East Architect Awards, will
provide over 2000 homes. Situated
in Kandahar, the site gently slopes
and has a backdrop of mountains. A
wide central park runs through the
masterplan and links the retail area
at the southern end with the Friday
mosque at the northern end.
2M
METRES
2
TOTAL AREA OF
AEDAS SCHEME
The largest and most comprehensive
exhibition and conference for security
and safety in the Middle East
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SOWWAH
SQUARE
Architect:
Goettsch
Partners
Location:
Abu Dhabi
Pitching for LEED Silver status,
Sowwah Square will provide the
new headquarters for the Abu Dhabi
Securities Exchange and comprises
four of ce towers overlooking
water. The complex contains over
290,000m
2
of of ce space and in-
tegrates two levels of retail and two
parking structures. The centerpiece
of the developments rst phase is
the business centre, which includes a
22,670m
2
stock exchange building.
290,000
METRES
2
TOTAL AREA OF
OFFICE SPACE
DUBIOTECH
RESEARCH
LABORATORY
Architect:
HDR
Location:
Dubai
This US$25m complex was the
rst research facility to be com-
pleted in DuBiotech, a huge freezone
dedicated to the life science industry.
Architect HDR was also responsible
for the masterplan, as well as a head-
quarters building which is under
construction. A common require-
ment for DuBiotech facilities is the
achievement of LEED certication;
the research laboratory received
Silver status at the end of 2010.
RENAISSANCE
TOWER
Architect:
FXFOWLE
Location:
Istanbul, Turkey
Designed by New York-based archi-
tecture rm FXFOWLE, Renais-
sance Tower is the headquarters
for a construction and development
company in Istanbul. With sustain-
ability well and truly on the agenda,
the tower has an ambitious target of
LEED Platinum - the highest rank
in the international rating system.
Standing at 185 metres, Renaissance
Tower will be the tallest building on
the Asian side of Istanbul.
185
METRES
EXPECTED HEIGHT OF
THE RENAISSANCE
TOWER
DOHA TWIN
TOWERS
Architect:
GHD Global Pty
Ltd
Location:
Lusail, Qatar
This billowing twin tower project in
Qatar was designed by GHD Global
and is designed to meet the clients
target net oor area ratio of 398%.
Overall water consumption will be
reduced by 40% though the use of
native plantation, water reducing
xtures, storm water re-use and
grey water treatment strategies. The
building also aims to produce 5% of
its energy from renewable sources,
such as photovoltaics.
398%
TARGET NET FLOOR
AREA RATIO
21 24 November 2011
Dubai International Exhibition
& Convention Centre
www.middleeastconcrete.com/arc1
THE MIDDLE EASTS ONLY COMPLETE EVENT
DEDICATED TO THE CONCRETE INDUSTRY
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THE PALM
Architect: DSA
International
Location:
Dubai
This ve star hotel on the furthest
frond of Dubais Palm Jumeirah was
picked up by DSA International in
2006, which opted to change most
of the original design. The hotel was
nally completed in 2010, and has
been operating at 85% capacity since
opening. The project has 100 rooms,
split between individual villas,
mansions and a manor house, and
overlooks the Royal Mirages other
beachfront hotel.
MUSEUM
OF BUILT
ENVIRONMENT
Architect:
FXFowle
Location:
King Abdullah
Financial
District,
Saudi Arabia
One of the stand-out buildings in the
King Abdullah Financial District,
the glistening Museum of Built Envi-
ronment has been designed by New
York-based rm FXFowle. Due to
the fast-track construction schedule,
the architects are currently working
on detailed design, while site excava-
tion is underway and completion
is slated for November 2012. The
museum will focus on education with
four sub-categories.
AL FATTAN
HOUSE
Architect:
DSA Architects
International
Location:
Dubai
Al Fattan House is the third building
by developer Al Fattan Properties in
Dubai Marina. The client wanted to
complement the existing Al Fattan
residential and hotel towers develop-
ment with a commercial building
and chose architects DSA to design
the scheme. The striking project is a
prominent landmark, despite being
dwarfed by the glassy Al Fattan
towers and the soaring concrete
cityscape of Dubai Marina.
31,000
METRES
2
TOTAL FLOOR AREA
OF THE COMPLEX
TRA
HEADQUARTERS
Architect:
HDR
Location:
Dubai
In December 2007, the UAEs
Telecommunications Regulatory
Authority (TRA) commissioned ar-
chitect HDR to design its headquar-
ters for both Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The Dubai project is located in a
neighbourhood of low rise residential
and cultural buildings and is looking
to attain LEED Silver Rating. The
facility will be of cially opened in
October 2011 while the Abu Dhabi
project will be completed next year.
Register free of charge online at www.thebig5.ae/arc4
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EXPECT BIG
THINGS THIS YEAR
AT THE BIG 5
21 24 November 2011
Dubai International Exhibition &
Convention Centre
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Not only will the 2011 event be the largest construction event ever staged
in the Middle East, it will also include:

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Showcase more than 30,000 new, sustainable and innovative products
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Dedicated sustainable products zone & world-class Green Build Congress
Commissioned report on New Technologies Utilised in the GCC Market
(Research value: $20,000)
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LIKE
WANT
NEED
CULTURE
FURNITURE
BACHAG CHAIR
Joongho Choi
In an explosion of colours, Korean
designer Joongho Choi has designed
the Bachag Chair made from wood
and aluminum, which can be carried
over ones shoulder like a handbag.
According to Choi, it was meant
to create a mix and match style of
diferent expressions. It was designed
to be structurally sound, user-friendly
and be comfortable.
BOOK
AFTER TASTE
Kent Kleinman, Joanna Merwood-Salisbury
and Lois Weinthal
While taste is subjective in
architecture and interior design, the book
by Kleinman, Merwood-Salisbury and
Weinthal brings together new theories
and emerging critical practices in the eld
of interior design. It investigates taste, a
concept that was important during the
formation of the discipline of design in the
eighteenth century, that was rejected by
architects in the early twentieth century.
77
LIGHTING
CYMBIDIUM CHANDELIER
Jeremy Cole
The classical beauty of the ower
from the orchid family, the Cymbidium,
is captured in a contemporary style
that pushes the capabilities of bone
china to its limits. In the latest Jeremy
Cole collection, the artisan explored
the relationship between ceramics and
light, and started to understand and
work with bone china. His designs are
inspired by the ora of New Zealand.
APP
PRODUCT SELECTOR
InterfaceFLOR
Carpet tile rm InterfaceFLOR has
released an iPad app specically for the
EMEAI region, where users can search
its entire product portfolio of carpet
tiles or browse by colour, category or
latest products. Users can view high
quality tile images, product details, and
visualise room sets through the gallery
and oor designer tool. Additional
features include a media function to
access videos, the ability to download
related documents, while tiles can be
added to the favourites tab to easily
order samples.
BATHROOM
KOHLER NUMI
Kohler
This space-age toilet, which is
WaterSense and CALGreen-certied,
will up the ante for sophisticated living
with its minimalist, futuristic design.
Its impressive list of high-tech features
include an interactive LCD touch screen
interface, intuitive auto-open and -close
lid, music system, heated seat, foot
warmer, deoderiser, bidet, as well as dual
ush technology.
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DDRIVINNG AN INNDUSTRRY
221-24 NNovembber 2011
DDubai Inteernational Exhibitionn &
CConventioon Centre
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THE MOST INTERACTIVE, HANDS-ON SHOWCASE OF
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PMV Live is the brand new event concept which offers a unique mix of products,
technology, machinery, live demonstrations for anyone involved in the Plant,
Machinery and Vehicles sector.
The outdoor arena will allow exhibitors to demonstrate the full capabilities
of their machinery and vehicles and give potential buyers the opportunity to
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The Big 5, the Middle Easts largest international building and construction show.

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about event of the year. To enquire further please contact:
Nathan Waugh on +971 (0) 4 438 0355 or nathanwaugh@dmgevents.com
ScantheQRcodewith
your smart phone&register
Silver Sponsors
LAST WORD | MUHANNAD SH. ASSAM
Muhannad Sh. Assam, managing director for Abu Dhabi
based BEAD Architects & Designers, discusses the
many opportunities in the Middle East
THE LAST WORD
DESERT DESIGNS
Registered at Dubai Media City
PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE
Tel: 00 971 4 444 3000
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Web: www.itp.com
Offices in Dubai & London
ITP BUSINESS PUBLISHING
CEO Walid Akawi
Managing Director Neil Davies
Managing Director ITP Business Karam Awad
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EDITORIAL
Senior Group Editor Stuart Matthews
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Tel: +966 1 2068697 email: rabih.naderi@itp.com
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Group Art Editor Daniel Prescott
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PHOTOGRAPHY
Chief Photographer Jovana Obradovic
Senior Photographers Isidora Bojovic, Efraim Evidor
Staff Photographers Lester Ali, George Dipin,
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BEAD is working on three very interesting projects at this time -
these include a ve-star hotel located in central Doha, a VVIP palace complex in
Saudi Arabia and a big hospitality and cultural district in Baghdad.
In Abu Dhabi, the project I wish to see completed is Kaleidoscope Towers
within the Danet Abu Dhabi development. I am sure this project, once nished, will
be a landmark within the urban setting of East Abu Dhabi.
The most enjoyable aspect of working in the UAE
is the fact that we practice in a free and professional environment which enables
unlimited information sharing and wide exposure to the global world of design.
One of the biggest challenges in the Middle East is a moral obligation.
We need to respect the architecture as a profession, design with a conscience, and
realise projects which satisfy basic living requirements.
The other main challenge is commercial and related to the economic crises.
I think that the lack of sustainable ow of assignments has consequently forced
architects to commercialise the profession.
A building I admire is Bab Al Shams Resort in Dubai.
I believe the designer, GAJ, has demonstrated a great responsibility and respect for
the local architecture and environment.

Architect Nov 11 Volume 5

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Architect Nov 11 Volume 5

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

NOVEMBER 2011 / VOLUME 5 / ISSUE 11 An ITP Business Publication

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