Middle East Architect 2011-12 Sheva370 T

NEWS, DATA, ANALYSIS AND STRATEGIC INSIGHTS FOR ARCHITECTS IN THE GCC
DECEMBER 2011 / VOLUME 5 / ISSUE 12 An ITP Business Publication

The regions largest
architecture rms
25
P
o
w
e
r
CASE STUDY
Leigh & Oranges impressive
Equestrian Academy in Qatar
ANALYSIS
Adrian Smith delivers keynote
speech at Green Build Congress
INTERVIEW
dwps new design director on
working in danger markets
PLUS
DECEMBER | CONTENTS
www.designmena.com | 12.11 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT 1
2
FRONT
Top stories in the world
of architecture including
Kingdom Towers imminent
construction
6
10
THE BIG PICTURE
Capturing the spectacular
Sheikh Zayed Road skyline
at its best
14
ANALYSIS
Adrian Smith leads a stellar
line-up of speakers at the
Green Build Congress
16
OPINION
Georgina Chakar on how top
architects always look back
to nature for inspiration
20
INTERVIEW
Fariborz Hatam, dwps new
design director, on designing
for danger markets like
Afghanistan
26
COVER STORY
54
CULTURE
Cool products, clever ideas,
and some of the latest gadgets
in the design world
56
THE LAST WORD
Mario Seneviratne,
managing director of Green
Technologies and founder of
EGBC
40
CASE STUDIES
Leigh & Oranges Equestrian
Academy, Aedas Shanghai
showstopper and SOMs
Vertical Medina
52
Unveiling the largest 25
architecture rms in the
Gulf region based on staf
numbers
THE WORK
A detailed reference section
covering the projects MEA
has looked at in recent
months
PROJECTS
A round up of the latest
project news from MENA
and the rest of the world
DECEMBER 2011 VOLUME 5 ISSUE 12
MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 12.11 | www.designmena.com
FRONT | DECEMBER
2
KINGDOM TOWER GEARS
UP FOR CONSTRUCTION
Architect Adrian Smith conrms early start for 1km-tall Kingdom Tower in Jeddah
Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill, the ar-
chitecture rm behind the Kingdom
Tower, has revealed that construc-
tion is due to start on the 1km-high
skyscraper in Jeddah.
A story in UAE daily The National
claimed that construction on the
tower will start in January 2012.
However, in an exclusive interview
with Middle East Architect, Adrian
Smith said: It is probably wrong to
say that construction will start in
January. There is one more permit to
get. It could start in December, or it
could be delayed until
February.
The National report
revealed that most of the per-
mits are in place for the US$1.2 bil-
lion (AED4.40bn) tower by Kingdom
Holding, which would be the tallest
building in the world.
The project is moving rapidly. We
have actually advanced the design
to a high level of detail, Smith re-
marked to The National.
He continued: We know that all
the partners have agreed to get going.
The exact height
of the tower is
still a secret.
Number of luxury
apartments in SOMs
Everything is proceed-
ing as though its going to
happen.
Smith was also the lead de-
signer on the 828m-high Burj Khalifa
during his long stint at Chicago archi-
tecture giant Skidmore Owings and
Merrill (SOM).
In the same way that the nal
height of the Burj Khalifa was a
closely guarded secret by developer
Emaar, Kingdom Holding has not
revealed an exact height for the cloud-
piercing Kingdom Tower.
$1.2BN
VALUE OF KINGDOM
TOWER
FIFTY FIVE
Vertical Medina
in Riyadh
(Page 44)
DECEMBER | FRONT
This months top stories on the online home
of Middle East Architect
Foster + Partners sand dune UAE Pavilion
opens Abu Dhabi Art 2011
Mumbai project handed to Aedas
25 essential iPad apps for interior design
students
Worlds rst precious gemstone bath sells
for AED6.4m
Christian Lundwall Associates to redesign
record-breaking hotel in Kuwait
The London of ce of HOK has
revealed its design for Marina Mall,
a 60,000m
2
retail and leisure facility
in the Lusail development on the east
coast of Qatar.
The design is said to be inspired
by natural forms created when water
Large architecture rm Austin-
Smith:Lord (ASL) has decided to
close its Abu Dhabi of ce due to late
payments from a client in the emirate.
The company is owed millions of
dollars for its work on a huge cultural
quarter project in the heart of the city.
The client, Abu Dhabi Authority
for Culture and Heritage, recently
paid ASL US$3.6m. However, this is
only around a fth of what is owed to
the architecture rm, according to a
report on bdonline.co.uk.
The closure of the Abu Dhabi of ce
will result in 13 staf redundancies.
This moves follows 70 staf being laid
of in the UK of ces.
Austin Smith Lord to close
Abu Dhabi of ce
HOK unveils sleek design
for Marina Mall in Qatar
and land meet. Five interconnected
retail islands link the mall to a body
of water that runs through the centre
of the scheme.
Barry Hughes, vice president, HOK
London, said: The uid sculptural
exterior complements the surround-
ing area, whilst the ow from exterior
to interior draws people into the
internal oasis, providing welcome
protection from the desert sun.
The mall includes three levels,
with a 10,000m
2
hypermarket in the
basement. It will also house cinemas,
restaurants with terraces overlooking
the marina, and spa facilities.
WEIRD PROJECT OF THE MONTH
Studio 505 has designed a series of cultural
projects in Chinas Jiangsu Province, includ-
ing a conference centre that bears a striking
resemblance to a lotus ower.
Spectator capacity
of Qatars Al Shaqab
Equestrian Academy
(Page 40)
il l k d i
GCC staf at MZ
Architects, the rm
behind Aldar HQ in
Abu Dhabi
(Page 28)
DESIGNMENA.COM
DATASTREAM
KEO - GLOBAL STAFF NUMBERS
The mall is located in the Lusail scheme.
The closure leads to 13 redundancies.
KEO - GLOBAL STAFF NUMBERS
979
QATAR
645
ABU DHABI
416
KUWAIT
101
DUBAI
21
OMAN
20
AL AIN
8
KUALA
LUMPUR
5
SAUDI ARABIA
4
JORDAN
3
BAHRAIN
m
n
FRONT | DECEMBER
4
Qasim Mansoor has been appointed
general manager of dwps UAE of ce, to
realign and enhance business development
within the region for the group.
Mansoor added: It is with pride and
great enthusiasm that I take up the lead
position at dwps UAE of ce.
The dwp group has a network, strength,
resources, talent and unique qualities that
few can rival, putting us at the forefront of
the design industry.
I look forward to taking these essential
skills, along with this fantastic opportunity,
personally and professionally, to remodel
and build upon dwps reputation, as a world-
class architecture and interior design rm.
The appointment of Mansoor comes
amid signicant changes to dwps opera-
tions in the Middle East, to better support
its regional projects and clientele.
Steven Miller has joined international
design and architecture rm Perkins East-
man as regional manager for MENA.
As part of an international management
team, Miller will oversee the rms projects
and growth in the MENA region.
Miller joins with more than 48 years of
experience in architecture, design manage-
ment, and construction administration for
planning and infrastructure.
He served as the regional director and
managing director for both Kohn Pederson
Fox and FXFowle, as well as Planning and
Design Consultants, a rm he founded.
Miller is a founder of the AIAs Middle
East Chapter, a member of the MENA
Region Board of the Urban Land Institute,
and a past president of the AIA Continental
Europe Chapter.
PEOPLE
dwp appoints general
manager for UAE
New MENA regional
manager for Perkins
Eastman architects
Dubai Metro is a modern
day gem. It is a great success
as it represents a truly global
initiative. It is
also a project
with a unique
identity.
Alaa Mandour,
founder,
KMA Design
Consultants
We want to deliver the
best World Cup
ever, and while
that is a high
ambition,
it is one we
believe we
are able to
do.
Joachim Schares,
Albert Speers +
Partners
With developments such as
Masdar and Musheireb, we are
transforming the
desert to create
wonderful
living
conditions.
Ibrahim Al Jadar,
MD for Arab
Engineering
Bureau
60 SECOND INTERVIEW
ADRIAN SMITH, PARTNER
AS + GG
You also designed the 82-hig-
Did your work on Burj Khalifa
help with the design of King-
dom Tower?
Yes, its an evolution of the de-
sign of the Burj Khalifa. Its an
improvement on the buildings
ability to shed vortices and the
tapered shape allows us to cut
down on materials. It does
have its disadvantages
- every oor is dif-
ferent so it takes
longer to design
each oor.
Are you work-
ing on any
other
projects in the
Middle East?
We [Adrian Smith +
Gordon Gill Architec-
ture] are working on three
buildings in Riyadh that are
under construction. They range
from 20 to 30 storeys. We are
also doing the shopping mall
for Kingdom Tower.
So not all super-tall towers
then? We wrote an article
in Construction Week
called King of skyscrapers.
[Laughs] Yes, I guess that tall
buildings are considered to be
my thing.
als. It does d e
ntages g a
f-
h + +
itec- e
g on three o e
dh that are a a
Qasim Mansoor joins dwps UAE of ce.
Steven Miller has 48 years of experience in
the construction and design industry.
cess
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FRONT | DECEMBER
6
2
SAUDI ARABIA
High speed rail link
moves forward
A consortium of Spanish and
Saudi companies has been awarded
Phase II of the 444km Haramain
High Speed Rail Project (HHR).
The project links the holy cities of
Makkah and Madinah with Jeddah,
King Abdullah Economic City and
King Abulaziz International Airport.
Construction has now started on four
stations along the line designed by
Buro Happold, Foster + Partners and
local architect Dar Al Riyadh.
3
DUBAI
Marina tower surpasses
Eifel Tower height
Tameer Holdings Elite Residence
in Dubai Marina has reached its
nal height of 381m, almost 60m
taller than the Eifel Tower. The roof
structure and mast have recently
been completed, and the tower crane
has now been removed. The focus
for the site team will now be on the
completion of the internal nishes.
The AED1.7 bn tower includes a total
of 697 apartments over 91 storeys and
will house 1,500 residents.
1
ALGERIA
Foundation stone laid
on mega mosque
The foundation stone of the worlds
third largest mosque was laid at an
of cial ceremony in Algiers, Algeria.
The 400,000m
2
Mosque dAlgrie
ofers space for up to 120,000 visitors
daily, as well as a prayer hall for up
to 37,000 people and a 265m-high
minaret. Plans for the mosque have
been drawn up by a German consor-
tium consisting of KSP Jrgen Engel
Architekten and engineering rm
Krebs und Kiefer International.
3
MENA PROJECT SNAPSHOT
1 2
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.
FRONT | DECEMBER
8
6
GLOBAL PROJECT SNAPSHOT
5
HONG KONG
Aedas completes green
tower in Kowloon Bay
Aedas has delivered a 28-storey
mixed-use tower in Hong Kong which
features extensive planting in the
lower levels. The tower in Kowloon
Bay contains of ces, retail space and
car parking within a rational box.
The foliage in the car park oors is an
attempt to green the neighbourhood
and improve air quality. It is hoped
that Aedas building will encour-
age more ingenious ideas within the
dense cityscape.
4
UNITED KINGDOM
Broadway Malyans UK
college opens
Broadway Malyan, the architecture
rm behind seven new schools in
Abu Dhabi, has also celebrated the
opening of the US$106m Bournville
College campus in Birmingham,
UK. Built by national contractor
Shepherd Construction for developer
St Modwen, the 23,226m
2
school has
a capacity for 15,000 students and
consolidates three existing campuses.
The building is hinged around a
dramatic linear central spine.
6
INNER MONGOLIA
Landmark museum for
Gobi Desert city
A striking museum has been com-
pleted in the city of Ordos, Inner
Mongolia, designed by Chinese
architecture rm MAD. The Art and
City museum was commissioned by
the municipal government of Ordos
in 2005 and is envisaged to form an
integral part of a city that has quickly
emerged in the Gobi Desert. With its
polished metal facade and spherical
form, the museum pays homage to the
culture and history of the region.
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10
THE BIG PICTURE
SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD
This dusk shot, taken by ITP
staf photographer Lester Ali,
captures one of the most inter-
esting sections of the Sheikh
Zayed Road skyline. The focus
of the image is the award-win-
ning Rolex Tower by SOM, with
its subtle yet beguiling facade.
Combined with the metro sta-
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the recreation of Tokyos famous Ginza shopping street; a unique lighting
challenge that demanded the most breathtaking of solutions.
The Challenge
The Crocus Group wanted to recreate the pulsating, vibrant atmosphere
of one of the busiest districts in Tokyo and embed it harmoniously into
the rest of the shopping mall. To achieve this vision a lighting solution was
required that would create an exciting, dynamic ambience with changing
colours and light efects to enthral shoppers. At the same time it also had
to highlight the distinctive features and materials in each of the 32 separate
facades along the 130 metre street whilst maintaining the sense of a unied,
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The Solution
The ambitious concept was brought to life using a range of LED lighting
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Vegas Mall - Ginza
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A concept that has transformed the shopping mall into an exciting visitor
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MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 12.11 | www.designmena.com 14
NEWS ANALYSIS | GREEN BUILD CONGRESS
ANALYSIS
TIME FOR
ACTION
The Green Build Congress featured high
prole speakers including Adrian Smith
GREEN BUILD CONGRESS | NEWS ANALYSIS
R
unning alongside The
Big 5, last months
Green Build Congress in
Dubai gathered some of
the regions key players in the green
building movement.
One of the highlights, and cer-
tainly the best attended session, was a
keynote speech on November 22 from
skyscraper supremo Adrian Smith,
partner, AS + GG Architecture.
Speaking on the subject sustain-
able landmark buildings, Smith ran
through the sustainable elements in
his impressive portfolio, including
Burj Khalifa and the Kingdom Tower.
As a specialist in high rise design,
Smith noted that tall towers are now
a fact of life. 60 million people a year
are moving into urban areas - there
is a great deal of pressure on cities to
grow, and to grow vertically.
By 2050, it is estimated that 60%
of the global population will live in
cities. High density is a part of the
present and the future. I think it will
get even denser as we move into the
21st century.
Smith emphasised the need to
ensure that existing buildings are
energy ef cient. Our immediate aim
is to address the existing stock.
The following day was billed as an
Action Forum, with a series of speak-
ers and panel discussions, including a
six-person debate on the subject why
are buildings in the Middle East not
sustainable enough?
Panel moderator Dr Sadek
Owainati, co-founder and board
member, Emirates Green Building
Council, said: It is important that
there is a commitment to start in the
right direction, and a leadership.
I would ask the government to act
as a leader, by actually making the
buildings that belong to the authori-
ties become green. The bottom line
is to provide better environmental
conditions within the building to
improve the quality of the air.
Paul Bierman Lytle, director of
sustainability, IMCC Green, said:
The Gulf region can lead the world in
demonstrating that sustainability is
protable. We have got to change this
myth that to go green is a compromise
on culture and economy.
He continued: We have to nd
examples that demonstrate prot-
ability. There are very few sustainable
communities in the world that can
demonstrate this.
Lytle added that regional govern-
ments should give developers an
incentive to perform better, such as
a rebate.
Ben Piper, senior architect, Atkins,
remarked: One of the real problems
in Dubai is the slew of half-nished
buildings. They are essentially ruins.
There is an opportunity to reinterpret
these buildings in an alternative way.
I look forward to the time when there
are diferent layers to the city.
Piper suggested that a long-term
commitment to sustainability could
be achieved by encouraging perma-
nent stakeholders in the community.
He commented: Dubai and the
Gulf region is a fantastic marketplace
for business, for projects and activi-
ties. But ultimately many members
of that population dont have the long
term stakeholder status.
The United States had highly
multicultural origins where people
were given stakeholder status in the
country, and I think that is part of its
ultimate success.
Owainati concluded: This issue of
sustainability is so multifaceted, but
I would say that we have got to bring
in the human scale to our activities,
whether its in the design or the way
we operate these facilities.
The Green
Build Congress
ofered new
thoughts on
an oft-debated
subject.
60 million people a year are moving into urban areas - there is a
great deal of pressure on cities to grow, and to grow vertically.
Adrian Smith, Partner, AS + GG Architecture
COMMENT | EDITORS LETTER
16
T
his month the UAE cel-
ebrates its 40th birthday.
It goes without saying
that the past four decades
have produced reams of fantastic
architecture thats admired through-
out the world.
The icons started emerging soon
after independence, with the 1979
Dubai World Trade Centre springing
up on a then-barren Sheikh Zayed
Road. More celebrated landmarks
followed, with the National Bank of
Dubai headquarters on the creek and
Atkins much-photographed Burj Al
Arab in 1999.
Then came the 2000s and the
staggering building boom. Granted,
the period left the country with
Putting practicalities aside, and based on the architecture
alone, it must be said that Dubai Metro is a triumph.
EDITORS LETTER
many ill-conceived schemes. Howev-
er, Id argue that the decade provided
the highest number of world-class
buildings. This was partly due to the
sheer amount of construction but
also thanks to the involvement of
quality architects and clients.
In the last ten years or so, the UAE
has gained an array of jaw-dropping
projects such as Emirates Towers,
Burj Khalifa, the Yas Hotel, Ferrari
World and Dubai Metro.
I have a new-found appreciation
for the latter scheme since becoming
a regular user. Theres no doubt that
its a highly-ef cient, clean and or-
derly system. Yet, due to the location
of the stations - combined with the
regional attachment to the automo-
GOLDEN TICKET
bile - the metro remains unused by a
large part of the population.
Earlier this year, Middle East
Architect held a roundtable discus-
sion with a number of top architects,
and the subject eventually turned
to Dubai Metro. Richard Marshall,
joint CEO of Woods Bagot asserted
that the metro is a test programme
that doesnt capture any major
population centres and fails to full
a broad sustainability agenda.
Graeme Fisher, partner at GAJ,
added: If the metro works for
you its great, but at the moment it
doesnt work for everybody.
I completely agree with Fishers
statement. My previous apart-
ment was a 20 minute walk from
the nearest station. Now I live just
two minutes away from a station, as
demonstrated from this photograph
taken from my balcony (courtesy of
Lester Ali).
Putting practicalities aside, and
based on the architecture alone, it
must be said that Dubai Metro is a
triumph. Aedas and Atkins managed
to create a station architecture that
is far superior to any other metro
system I have seen in the world.
I love the shell-like forms, the airy
interior spaces and the use of tactile
materials. When Im not using the
system, I can spend many hours sit-
ting on my balcony and watching the
activity inside the futuristic hubs.
This month Im heading back to
London for Christmas. I think its
safe to say that next months column
wont be a tribute to the Tube.
Dubai Metro is one of the UAEs nest feats
GOT A
COMMENT?
If you have any
comments to
make on this
months issue,
please e-mail
oliver.
ephgrave
@itp.com
Dubai Metro deserves world-class status.
COMMENT | GEORGINA CHAKAR
18
A
t the beginning of the
last century, an avant-
garde and contempo-
rary group of designers
led by Le Corbusier, Rudolf Steiner
and Frank Lloyd Wright began a
movement which ofered a dialogue
with nature.
Wright famously stated: Nature
is my manifestation of God. I go to
nature every day for inspiration in the
days work. I follow in building the
principles which nature has used in
its domain.
In 1959, the architect completed
his rst public project - the Gug-
genheim Museum in New York. The
building is a revolutionary artwork
that keeps encouraging designers to
think outside the box, with an inge-
nious shell-like structure.
The Guggenheim is a revolutionary artwork that keeps
encouraging designers to think outside the box.
OPINION
Less than 20 years later, Malaysian
architect Dr Ken Yeang made a name
for himself as a green architect.
Supporting the idea of vertical
living, Yeang embraces tall buildings
as an urban necessity. Being diago-
nally diferent from the sculptural
architects who achieve their design
ideas through building masses, Yeang
strives for what he calls ecomimesis
in buildings; a way to copy and paste
nature into high rise designs. If people
are committed to vertical living then
vertical vegetation should reach them
no matter how high they are in the air.
Even though the old masters such
as Wright and Le Corbusier did not
work in the UAE, they inuenced
other architects, such as Zaha Hadid.
Hadids rich portfolio of UAE proj-
ects includes the Dancing Towers, the
Performing Art Centre on Saadiyat
Island, and the recently completed
Sheikh Zayed Bridge. The sculptural
masterpieces represent her inspira-
tion from the environment, with
features such as leaf-like windows.
The architect describes her
Performing Art Centre as a biologi-
cal analogy with primary compo-
nents that will be transformed from
abstract diagrams into architectonic
design. Although this kind of link
with nature leads to a sculptural
design, it will not necessarily be a
green design.
Close to the Performing Art Centre
on Saadiyat Island is the upcoming
Louvre Abu Dhabi by French archi-
tect Jean Nouvel. The building will be
an excellent example of a sculptural
building raised from the grounds of
the traditional components with an
integration with nature.
Similar to Ken Yeangs ecologi-
cal and sustainable buildings, comes
the lounge of the Eco Tower in Abu
Dhabi, developed by Connection Real
Estate. Being a residential building,
the provision of a large amount of
greenery to the tenants doorstep
proves that vertical living can keep
human in touch with nature and make
it enjoyable.
It appears that sculptural archi-
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20
THE INTERVIEW
I think that we have now truly passed the era of fantasy,
whereby unpractical form-driven architecture is over.
Iran-born architect Fariborz Hatam has just been appointed design director for dwp.
Oliver Ephgrave catches up with the outspoken MEA judge and contributor
L
ess than a week into his
new role as design director
of dwp, Fariborz Hatam
appears to be at home in
the rms sleek white-washed space
in Jumeirah Lakes Towers. Its a nice
of ce, isnt it, remarked the 34-year-
old, who featured on this years judg-
ing panel for the 2011 Middle East
Architect Awards.
For a young architect, Hatam has
amassed an impressive portfolio.
Born in Isfahan, Iran, and raised in
Australia, the former Aedas director
has worked on various projects across
the UAE, Qatar, Iran, Afghanistan,
Croatia and Australia.
Career highlights include a leading
role in two major Aedas schemes - a
plot in Masdar City in Abu Dhabi and
Aino Mina in Afghanistan. Hatam is
particularly proud of the latter, which
won both Residential and Sustainable
Project of Year at the Middle East
Architect Awards 2011.
Aino Mina is a project that gives
back to the Afghani people, a popula-
tion that has sufered considerably
in the past 30 years. It was very chal-
lenging as we were not able to travel
to the site. We had to build a physical
and digital model of the area, which is
called Khandagar, he remarks.
Another of Hatams signature
projects is Dubai Mosque, a con-
temporary place of worship that has
never been realised. The architect
adds: Dubai Mosque wasnt a built
project. The aim was to increase the
awareness of Islam in a country that
has an 80-85% expat population. I
think it has done the right thing in
that respect.
When asked the reasons for his
choice of career, he replies: Being an
architect is the job dreams are made
of. You see the lines you once drew
amazingly transformed into a living,
breathing space, which is used and
viewed by thousands, if not millions,
of people from all nations. Later still,
the structure you designed on that
simple piece of paper is a recognised
icon, recorded in history and re-
membered for all time. This is a very
powerful magnet.
After completing his architectural
studies in Australia and working in
the country, Hatam moved to the
Middle East to join Woods Bagots
Doha of ce where he worked on
the acclaimed Qatar Science and
Technology Park. He subsequently
switched to the rms Dubai of ce
prior to joining Aedas. Regarding his
relocation to the Middle East, he says:
It was a chance to be part of history.
There might not be another boom
like Dubais during my lifetime. It
intrigued me to come out here and
Ive now spent nearly eight years in
Dubai. Ive been very lucky as Ive
been exposed to many international
projects which you never would get in
the rest of the world.
Hatam asserts that the UAE has
learned from its mistakes and is
focusing more on infrastructure.
He comments: Lessons have been
learned from the past and Dubai is
pulling back from building projects -
its good to see the metros Green Line
up and running.
I think that Dubai is a place that
will never die. It is the Las Vegas
of the Middle East. It ofers a great
lifestyle with education and shopping
facilities - everything you can nd in
a Western country. Many companies
put their headquarters in Dubai but
work in other countries in the region.
When it comes to regional op-
portunities, he asserts: The Middle
PASTURES
NEW
MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 12.11 | www.constructionweekonline.com
INTERVIEW | FARIBORZ HATAM
21
FARIBORZ HATAM | INTERVIEW
www.constructionweekonline.com | 12.11 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
22 MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 12.11 | www.constructionweekonline.com
TWO
MEA AWARDS WON BY
AEDAS AINO MINA
East is going to be interesting in the
next two of three years. Given the
economic downturn of late, as well as
the recent instability in the Middle
East, which had a tremendous impact
on the construction industry here, I
think we have to remain both realistic
and optimistic.
If we compare this region with
the rest of the world, then I would say
that the outlook nevertheless remains
positive for 2012. The only way is up
and I am therefore excited about the
opportunities to come. I believe that
architects should shift their focus
towards public buildings, such as
educational institutions, schools, hos-
pitals and urban planning, to focus on
social architecture.
In terms of geographical hotspots,
Hatam states that danger locations
are worth exploring. Id say that
80% of companies ignore them. Iran,
WPC protects primeval forests. Our frst objective was to develop the
technology to create a composite wood superior to natural wood in order
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w w w. n a h a r . a e
Iraq, Afghanistan and even Pakistan
- these are places that have a lot of
potential as they have to develop. In
2013 Libya will come back up, as will
African regions.
Closer to home, he believes that
Qatar will get into gear
in mid-2012, once the
metro starts progress-
ing. Hatam continues:
I think that we have
now truly passed the
era of fantasy, whereby
unpractical form driven
architecture is over. Now
architects can refocus and
concentrate on standards, ef ciency
and practicality, in order to win work.
The projects have become smaller in
scale, but with a much more careful
planning and feasibility. Therefore,
this will be a challenge for architects
used to vast amounts of freedom and
only the best will survive.
Hatam has a strong belief that dwp
is on course to become one of those
elite rms.
He adds: Its clear that dwp is a
rm with big ideas. It has the right
tools and it is getting the right
people in. I hope to bring
a fresh, creative energy
and a driving force to
push the boundaries of
architectural design, as
well as expand projects
into new territories.
Ive moved from a
very large practice and Im
trying to bring in that experience - for
instance, what Aedas and Fosters +
Partners do to win competitions. A
rm is only successful based on lead-
ership. With the design values and en-
trepreneurship of Brenton Mauriello,
our CEO, we cant go wrong.

PORTFOLIO:
Fariborz Hatam
23
FARIBORZ HATAM | INTERVIEW
www.constructionweekonline.com | 12.11 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
DUBAI MOSQUE (Concept)
The conceptual Dubai mosque was Hatams solution for a
city that he believed to be moving away from true Islamic
architecture. Designed without a brief or a client, the architects
scheme was said to come from the heart. Hatam took a three-
month calligraphy course to fully understand how light would
lter through the Arabic words on the walls of his building.
AINO MINA, AFGHANISTAN (Design)
This 2 million m
2
community scheme by Aedas, which won both
the Residential Project and Sustainable Project of the Year
at the Middle East Architect Awards, will provide over 2000
homes for the rapidly expanding population of Afghanistan.
Situated in the province of Kandahar, the masterplan hinges on
a wide central park.
MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 12 .11 | www.designmena.com 24
SHEIKHS PALACE, Saudi Arabia
Positioned in a secluded beach location on the Red Sea, this
Aedas project aims to create a centrepiece in a tranquil oasis.
The design brief required a mix of residential and recreational
development, which includes a palace, villas, gardens, sports
elds, health spa, leisure attraction and lush gardens with an
understanding of water in Islamic gardens and the Quran.
MASDAR INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
NEIGHBOURHOOD, Abu Dhabi
At Aedas, Hatam was design director for a plot in a mixed-use
development situated in Masdar City, including commercial,
residential, retail, hospitality and community elements. The
project forms part of the rst phase of the US$22 billion
masterplan for the worlds rst carbon-neutral city.
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POWER 25 | FEATURE
POWER 25 | FEATURE
Top spot goes to Kuwait-
based rm KEO, with its
whopping team of 2,190
staf in the GCC.
The multi-disciplinary
practice boasts regional
of ces in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al
Ain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia,
Bahrain and Oman.
Key projects include the QP
District in Doha (pictured) and the
Kuwait Investment Authoritys new
headquarters in a 200m-tall tower
In Abu Dhabi, KEO is working on
Nation Towers on the Corniche,
and is also behind several school
projects for ADEC.
In addition, KEO provided full
design and supervision services
for 23 Marina in Dubai Marina,
which is now recognised as the
tallest residential tower in the
world at 395m.
1
2
3
KEO
2,190 STAFF IN THE GCC
WITH 240 ARCHITECTS
This years runner up is UK-based
Atkins, a company behind some of
the Gulfs most postcard-friendly
buildings such as the Burj
Al Arab (pictured) and
the spiky Bahrain World
Trade Centre.
The rm has been
working in the region for
more than 40 years and has
10 of ces in the UAE, KSA, Qatar,
Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain.
Atkins yearly revenue for the
Middle East, as of March 2011,
totalled US$218.5m.
ATKINS
1,770 STAFF IN THE GCC
WITH 200 ARCHITECTS
One of the surprise nds
this year is local rm
Eng Adnan Safarini
(EAS), which boasts 550
staf and an undisclosed
number of architects.
The company was formed in
1968 and has of ces in Abu Dhabi,
Sharjah, Ajman, Al Ain, Ras Al
Khaimah and Qatar.
A key project involves the
provision of two 400-bed General
Education Hospitals for the
Ministry of Health in Iraq. The
complex covers 10,000m
2
and
construction is underway.
EAS
550 STAFF IN THE GCC
FEATURE | POWER 25
4
Founded in 1966 as the rst
architectural and engineering
consulting rm in Qatar, Arab
Engineering Bureau (AEB) took of
in 1991 when it was acquired
by current managing
director Ibrahim
Mohamed Al Jaider.
The rm has regional
of ces in Doha and Abu
Dhabi with further bases in
Manila and Kuala Lumpur. Key
projects include the tallest hotel
in Qatar, the 62-level Kempinski
Residences and Suites, and Dohas
Al Sharq Village & Spa resort.
AEB
WITH 70 ARCHITECTS
With of ces in Dubai, KSA, Qatar,
Iraq, Libya and Egypt, Dewan
has taken major strides since its
formation in Baghdad in 1971.
The company has grown from a
two-man rm in 1984 to one of the
DEWAN
WITH 90 ARCHITECTS
regions largest practices
with 246 staf and 90
architects in the GCC.
Led by founder Mohamed
Al Assam and executive
director Ammar Al Assam,
the total consolidated revenue in
2010, in the Middle East, totalled
AED108.7m (US$29.6m).
The company was behind the
jaw-dropping Al Bateen School for
Aldar Academies, which recently
opened in Abu Dhabi and featured
as a Building Focus in MEAs
October issue.
Dewan also designed the 750-
key Fairmont Hotel and Resort
(pictured) for Breakwater Island
in Abu Dhabi. Elsewhere, it is
working on a 28-oor tower in Al
Khobar, KSA.
5
Headquartered in Lebanon, MZ
Architects has further of ces
in Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Libya, and
Morocco. The company has an
impressively large workforce in
MZ ARCHITECTS
WITH 70 ARCHITECTS
6
the GCC, with a total of 200 staf
comprising 70 architects.
The practices most famous
design is undoubtedly the
curvaceous Aldar Headquarters
building in Abu Dhabi, one of
the most quirky and distinctive
buildings in a country thats
known for audacious
developments.
Aldar HQ was voted the Best
Futuristic Design by The Building
Exchange (BEX) Conference held
in Spain.
The shape of this project
- the rst circular building of
its kind in the Middle East - is
achieved through the use
of a structural diagrid, a
diagonal grid of steel.
Another key scheme
for the company is
Eko Atlantic City in
Lagos, Nigeria, in which
MZ Architects provided the
masterplan.
The development consists of
business, residential, commercial
and leisure areas spread on
17,000m
2
of reclaimed land. The
scheme will be home to a quarter
of a million people.
As well as masterplanning, MZ
Architects will also be responsible
for architectural, engineering and
construction management of a
number of towers in the city.
FEATURE | POWER 25
Scotland-based rm RMJM
has long been a regional
stalwart, although its
GCC staf numbers have
shrunk since the downturn.
It is currently working on
two mixed-use towers in the King
Abdullah Financial District in
Riyadh, a luxury commercial of ce
in Manama, Bahrain, a shopping
mall in Abu Dhabi and a nancial
education facility in Bahrain.
Its Middle East of ces are located
in Abu Dhabi, Istanbul, Bahrain
and Muscat.
RMJM was presented with the
Overall Project of the Year and
Commercial/Mixed Use Built
Award at the 2011 Cityscape
Awards for Architecture in
Emerging Markets, for Capital
Gate in Abu Dhabi.
The much-anticipated project,
which is the worlds inclined tower,
is due to open this month.
RMJM
WITH 65 ARCHITECTS
7
Acquired by the Stantec Group in
December 2010, US-based Burt
Hill is another rm to have
cut GCC staf numbers in
recent years.
Nevertheless, the rm
still makes the top 10,
with 140 employees in the
UAE including 34 architects.
Burt Hills Dubai branch opened
in 2003 to tap into the emirates
emerging real estate market.
Among the rms UAE projects are
the multi-billion dirham Al Mafraq
BURT HILL
WITH 34 ARCHITECTS
8
Hospital, ADEC Headquarters,
and the masterplan for Union
Properties 3.5 million m
2
Motor
City in Dubai. Key components of
the project are Dubai Autodrome
and UpTown Motor City.
The Stantec Group ofers services
in planning, engineering,
architecture, surveying,
environmental sciences,
project management
and project economics
for infrastructure and
facilities projects, with
approximately 11,000 operating
out of 170 locations worldwide.
Its acquisition of Burt Hill is part
of its quest to become one of the
worlds leading design practices.
RW ARMSTRONG
WITH 30 ARCHITECTS
Founded in 1961 in Indianapolis,
RW Armstrong has 18 of ces in
the USA, UAE, Libya, Egypt, Guam
and Azerbaijan.
Its UAE of ces, in Abu
Dhabi and Dubai, were
established in 2006 and
now employ a total of 126
staf with 30 architects.
Key individuals in the regional
rm include vice president Mona
Salem, development sector
leader Jefrey Decker and Zaky
Abdulrahman, BD regional leader.
In addition to architecture,
the rm ofers planning,
design, interiors, programme
management, project
management and construction
management.
Its expertise includes building
services, infrastructure, aviation,
transportation and water services.
RW Armstrongs Sun and
Sky Towers (left) won the GCC
Residential Project of the Year at
the Construction Week Awards
2011. The project was acclaimed
for its innovative technical
strategies to solve complex
construction challenges.
9
POWER 25 | FEATURE
Winner of Large Architecture
Practice of the Year, at the Middle
East Architect Awards 2011,
Woods Bagot is behind some of
the GCCs most recognisable
landmarks such as the
stunning Qatar Science
and Technology Park in
Doha (right).
The rm was established
in Adelaide by former
architect-in-chief for the South
Australian Government, Edward
John Woods.
Since then the rm has grown
into a signicant multi-disciplinary
practice operating in Asia,
Australia, the Middle East and
North America.
WOODS BAGOT
WITH 100 ARCHITECTS
10
Established in 1938, Norr
has 900 professionals in
25 cities globally. In the
GCC it employs 110 staf
including 44 architects.
Over the past 20 years,
the group has worked on icons
such as Atlantis-The Palm, Burj
Khalifa, Emirates Towers and
the National Bank of Dubai
Headquarters.
Its signicant projects in Abu
Dhabi include Le Meridien Hotel,
Sir Baniyas Island Resort and the
expansion of the UAE Central
Bank. In Qatar, the practice
completed the striking Al Hitmi
complex, which has become a
symbol of the nation.
NORR GROUP
WITH 44 ARCHITECTS
11
Naga Architects was founded
by Dr Shams Naga in 2000 and
has experienced steady growth,
currently employing 110 staf
including 42 architects. This year
the practice claimed the inaugural
Building Information Modelling
Award at the Middle East Architect
Awards, for its exciting Sawari
Residences project in Al Khobar,
Saudi Arabia.
Elsewhere the company is
working on the Al Khobar Hotel
in Saudi Arabia, a 21-storey
residential scheme called
Octavian Tower in Dubai,
Ajman University Housing
and a blimp terminal
building in Dubai.
NAGA ARCHITECTS
WITH 42 ARCHITECTS
12
With a total of
107 staf in the
Gulf region,
dwp employs 59
professionals in its
Dubai of ce and 48 staf
in Bahrain.
It recently appointed Qasim
Mansoor as general manager and
Fariborz Hatam as design director
for its Dubai of ce.
Key projects include the FTV
Hotel in Dubai, the Maysan Towers
in Abu Dhabi and the Makkah
Cultural Gateway project.
Led by CEO Brenton Mauriello,
dwps Dubai of ce was formed in
2007 while the Bahrain base was
established in 2005.
DWP
WITH 24 ARCHITECTS
13
FEATURE | POWER 25
GAJ is one of the longest-
established UK practices in the
UAE. It is behind several of Dubais
modern gems, such as Dubai
Creek Golf Club, Bab Al Shams,
Arabia Court, Residence & Spa at
The One and Only Royal Mirage.
The rm is also working on
multi-million dollar projects in
GAJ
WITH 38 ARCHITECTS
14
Egypt, Tunisia and Oman
that are in various stages
of development.
With new of ces in Al
Barsha, the management
consists of six partners, ve
associate partners and eight
associates. Managing partner
Brian Johnson won Principal of the
Year at the Middle East Architect
Awards 2011 and was described
by the judging panel as an icon
of the Middle East architectural
landscape.
AEDAS
WITH 70 ARCHITECTS
15
Aedas Dubai of ce was
established in 2004 and
the company now has
of ces in Abu Dhabi,
Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi
Arabia. Its expanding
portfolio in Dubai includes the
82-storey Ocean Heights, the
twin of ce towers at Boulevard
Plaza (above) and the 123-storey
Pentominium in Dubai Marina.
It is also working on
New Doha International
Airport in Qatar. Middle
East turnover for 2010
totalled US$10m.
HOK
WITH 20 ARCHITECTS
HOK appears to have
expanded its presence in
the Middle East, with a
total of 100 staf in Dubai,
Abu Dhabi and Qatar.
Notable projects in the region
include the massive US$10bn King
Abdullah University for Science &
Technology (KAUST) in Thawul,
Saudi Arabia, which is being built
for Saudi Aramco.
The rm is also the design
architect for the US$2bn New
Doha International Airport, the
New Kuwait Central Bank (above)
and the ADNOC headquarters in
Abu Dhabi.
HOK was established in St.
Louis, Missouri in 1955. The name
derived from the surnames of its
three founders: George Hellmuth,
Gyo Obata and George Kasabaum.
The rst of ce in the GCC was
established in Dubai in 1999 and
annual turnover in the region is
estimated at US$20m.
16
FEATURE | POWER 25
Formed in 2002 in Dubai, DSA
has delivered several landmark
hospitality projects in the region.
Its key schemes include
Madinat Jumeirahs Mina
A Salam and Al Qasr,
Park Hyatt, The Palace,
Qamardeen and Al Manzil.
It is also behind Old Town
Residences, Fairmont Hotel
and Residences and Golden Mile
Residences on Jumeirah Palm,
as well as the One & Only Royal
Mirage and the new One & Only
The Palm. The of ce is led by
managing director Steve Kelshaw.
DSA
80 STAFF IN THE GCC
WITH 48 ARCHITECTS
17
BSBG
70 STAFF IN THE GCC
WITH 22 ARCHITECTS
Under the guidance of group
chairman John Mills, BSBG has
been operational in the Middle
East since 1976.
Having completed IKEA on
Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, BSBG was
awarded the design of the IKEA
store in Doha, which has recently
begun construction.
In addition to the IKEA
projects, BSBG is involved
in the City of Lights - a
mixed-use development
under construction in
Reem Island, Abu Dhabi - that
comprises a 60-storey commercial
tower, a 26-storey hotel and a
34-storey residential block.
It also worked on the
refurbishment of the previously
BSBG-designed Emirates Golf
Club (below), one of Dubais most
elegant leisure schemes.
18
P&T
54 STAFF IN THE GCC
WITH 11 ARCHITECTS
Based in Hong Kong, the
P&T Group has a history
stretching back 140
years. It has actively
been involved in the
Middle East since 1998 and
established an of ce in Dubai back
in September 2004.
Currently the rm employs 54
professionals in the GCC with a
total of 11 architects.
An Abu Dhabi of ce was
opened in January 2007, to
coincide with the awarding of a
major scheme in Reem Island. In
the same year it started work on
the Al-Dana project in Raha Beach
and two hotels in the Mina al-Arab
resort in Ras al-Khaimah.
Elsewhere in the GCC, P&T is
working on the 70-storey Burj
Rafal tower in Riyadh.
19
POWER 25 | FEATURE
In 2011 the UKs Broadway Malyan
celebrated the opening of seven
schools designed for the Abu
Dhabi Education Council (ADEC),
including the Abu Dhabi West
School (right).
This year, Broadway Malyan
also delivered the concept
masterplan for the 10x10
project in Baghdad, Iraq,
comprising a 17km
2
urban
regeneration and extension
of Sadr City.
The project is named after
its US$10bn value and 10-year
delivery timeframe.
Other projects include the
masterplan and design of the Al
Bandar residential project on Al
Raha Beach, and the Mina Zayed
masterplan, also in Abu Dhabi.
BROADWAY MALYAN
48 STAFF IN THE GCC
WITH 28 ARCHITECTS
Founded by Dr Mohamed
Alaa Mandour, KMA
established its Cairo
of ce in 1990, followed
by a UAE of ce in 1995.
The rm subsequently
opened of ces in KSA and Oman,
and has built up a total workforce
of 45 with 12 architects.
Key projects include the Makkah
Gate afordable housing scheme,
the Icon development in Al
Khobar, the urban development of
Barkah City in Oman, the Ras Al
Hamra development in Muscat and
a Seven Seas complex, also in the
Omani capital.
KMA
45 STAFF IN THE GCC
WITH 12 ARCHITECTS
Established by Canadian-Iranian
Amir V. Rahbar and UAE national
Dr Ahmed Abdul Rahman Al
Banna, Dubarch has three
architectural and interior design
of ces in the GCC.
The Dubai of ce was set up in
1986 while an Abu Dhabi practice
followed in 2007.
This year, Dubarch opened an
of ce in Qatar, bringing the total
number of staf to 43 with nine
architects.
One of the companys
key projects is Bayswater,
a commercial scheme in
Business Bay, Dubai.
DUBARCH
43 STAFF IN THE GCC
WITH 9 ARCHITECTS
This years
runner up for
the Boutique
rm of the
Year at the MEA
Awards, Drawlink
Group has a total of 40 staf in the
GCC, with 20 architects.
Recent projects in the Gulf
region include the Radisson Royal
and Hues boutique hotel, both
located in Dubai.
The company recently
celebrated the opening of
the convention centre for the
Radisson Royal, located on Sheikh
Zayed Road.
DRAWLINK GROUP
40 STAFF IN THE GCC
WITH 20 ARCHITECTS
20
23
22
21
FEATURE | POWER 25
Formed in January 2008,
Abu Dhabis Bead
Architects is led by
managing director/
partner Muhannad Assam
and comprises 35 staf with
26 architects.
In 2010 the rm recorded a
turnover of AED13.7m (US$3.73m).
Bead recently picked up a gong
at the 2011 Cityscape Awards
BEAD ARCHITECTS
35 STAFF IN THE GCC
WITH 26 ARCHITECTS
for Emerging Markets, for its
Mangrove Elite Residence in Reem
Island. The scheme was lauded in
the Residential-Future Category.
Another key project is
an under-construction
residential scheme in
Danet Abu Dhabi.
Bead has also designed
Al Nasser Tower, a Class A
of ce scheme in the Emirati
capital city.
The project is most notable
for its column-free oor space
spanning between vertical steel
support trusses.
Winner of the 2010 MEA
Award for Boutique Firm
of the Year, X-Architects
was founded in 2003 in
Dubai by Ahmed Al-Ali and
Farid Esmaeil.
The company currently employs
30 staf, including 16 architects,
which was just enough to make it
into the top 25.
Since its inauguration, the
company has won a further two
MEA Awards, for Best Mixed-use
Project in 2009 and Principal of
the Year in 2010.
Key scheme include the Mosque
for 2000 Prayers in Abu Dhabi
(below), which incorporates an
existing sculpture plaza to create
an attractive public space.
One of the rms most radical
projects is Xeritown, which is
currently on hold in Dubai. The
scheme for 7,000 residents looks
at the desert and local climate and
works with it rather than against it.
X-Architects has also carried out
the urban design masterplan for
Al Nasseem in Al Ain. The under
construction scheme has been
chosen by the UPCs Estidama as
one of its rst pilot projects.
X-ARCHITECTS
30 STAFF IN THE GCC
WITH 16 ARCHITECTS
24
25
39 www.designmena.com | 12.11 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
62
PRO
JECT U
PDATE | TH
E W
O
RK
THE
WORK
PROJECT UPDATE
MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 12.11 | www.designmena.com www.designmena.com| 12.11 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT 63
TH
E W
O
RK | PRO
JECT U
PDATE
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.
AINO MINA
Architect:
Aedas
Location:
Kandahar,
Afghanistan
This two million m2 commu-
nity scheme, which won both the
Residential Project and Sustainable
Project of the Year at the Middle
East Architect Awards, will provide
over 2,000 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 THE
SCHEME
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
EKO ATLANTIC
CITY
Architect:
MZ Architects
Location:
Lagos, Nigeria
This ambitious new city in Nigeria
responds to coastal erosion and aims
to relieve pressure on the congested
city of Lagos, which is currently
inhabited by 15.5 million people.
Estimates of urban use predict that
Eko Atlantic City will be home to
a quarter of a million people when
complete. MZArchitects is the
urban planner for the new city and
will also be responsible for a number
of towers in the scheme.
MIRDIF CITY
CENTRE
Architect:
Hyder
Consulting/
RTKL
Location:
Dubai
The rst LEED Gold accredited
retail outlet in the Middle East, the
AED3 billion Mirdif City Centre
opened in March 2010 and achieved
its green certication in May 2011.
At the peak of construction, 22
cranes and 10,000 workers were on
site. Developed by mall specialist
Majid Al Futtaim Properties, Mirdif
City Centre features a gross oor
area of 300,000m2, with 450 shops
and parking for over 7,000 cars.
10,000
PEAK NUMBER OF
WORKERS ON SITE
MAYSAN
RESIDENCES
Architect:
DWP
Location:
Abu Dhabi
Currently in the design development
phase, Maysan Residences is a pair of
striking residential tower buildings
in the Al Najmat district of Reem
Island, Abu Dhabi with an expected
completion date of 2013. Designed
by dwp, the project aims to achieve
a 2 Pearl Rating with Estidama. The
roof structure contains solar energy
technology while the tower forms are
devised to minimise the exposure to
excessive heat gain.
337
TOTAL NUMBER OF
APARTMENT UNITS
45
IN
STITUTE O
F D
IPLO
M
ATIC STU
D
IES | CA
SE STU
DY CA
SE STU
DY | VERTICA
L M
A
D
IN
A
VERTICA
L M
A
D
IN
A
| CA
SE STU
DY
THE VERTICAL MEDINA
Architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
Location: King Abdullah Financial District, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
CASE STUDY
www.designmena.com| 12.11 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
THE PROJECT
One of many Middle East projects
by Chicago-based titan SOM, the
Vertical Medina is a mixed-use
scheme in Saudi Arabia. It uses the
traditional Arab medina city form
with its interlocking alleyways and
THE CONCEPT
One of the dening characteristics
is the use of the traditional Ara-
bian courtyard which ofers both
privacy and respite from the heat.
Each apartment has its own private
courtyard, interspersed with open-
air gardens for all residents.
The shared spaces serve
as terraces for a tness
centre, event roomand
childrens play area.
No two apartments in
the Vertical Medina are
alike - each has a diferent
layout. The ofce oors are
more regular, with a linear plan.
courtyards to create a vertical
network with residential, ofce and
retail components.
Clad in limestone from local
sources, the project is slated for
completion in late 2012. The top six
oors contain 55 luxury residential
apartments, ranging from one to
three bedrooms, with a total area of
18,000m2. The lower seven oors
are dedicated to Class A ofce space
with a total area of 21,000m2.
55
NUMBER OF LUXURY
APARTMENTS
AINO MINA
Architect:
Aedas
Location:
Kandahar
Afghan
2M
METREES
2
TOTAL AREA OFF THE
SCHEME
esign development
sidences is a pair of
72/53
THE WORK
CU
LTU
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55
FURNITURE
LONDON CHAIR
BoConcept
The new London chair from
BoConcept, available in both
upholstered and pure shell versions,
has its roots in the Scandinavian design
style. The core of the London chair is
the seat which is produced in high-
quality FSC approved wood. Customers
can pick the slim steel legs for a light
minimalistic look or the solid oak for a
more natural Nordic feel.
APP
RLB GLOBAL CONSTRUCTION MARKET INTELLIGENCE
Global construction and property
advisor Rider Levett Bucknall launched
its free cost-based app for desktop PCs
and smartphones with insight into
global, regional and local construction
markets without any fees. It includes
global cost comparison, tender price
index data and worldwide construction
market analysis. The rm hopes it
will be useful for architects to check
benchmark costs when making design
decisions. RLBs location specic cost
data helps provide a range of current
expected building costs for specied
building types across the world.
BATHROOM
FUSION II BY WET
Jan Puylaert
Designed by Jan Puylaert and produced
by WET Italia, Fusion II is a freestanding
LED illuminated sink. Made with 100%
recyclable polyethylene, it can have an
AC5 rim-spout, either with a rim-mixer
or side faucets. A column in dark grey can
be tted with a range of nine colours with
optional RGB LED illumination.
CU
LTU
RE | LIKE W
A
N
T N
EED
LIKE
WANT
NEED
CULTURE
FURNITURE
BAN STOOLS
Esrawe
These stools created by Mexican
studio, Esrawe, are reminiscent of
furniture used in African cultures - and
in America during pre-Hispanic times -
as symbols of status, tradition, religion
and identity. They have been developed
from certied, solid walnut, tzalam,
and beech wood, produced through
a process of cutting, assembling and
lathing by craftsmen, and nished with
natural oils.
BOOK
TOWARDS A NEW INTERIOR
Lois Weinthal
Interior design, as a relatively young
discipline within the academic world of
design, has historically been seen as an
extension of other ne arts. Narratives
exist, but treat interior design as a function
of architecture or display. Professor
Lois Weinthal envisions a future where
interior design is treated as being equal
to architecture and industrial design.
Weinthal is associate professor of interior
design at the School of Architecture at The
University of Texas at Austin. She studied
at the Rhode Island School of Design and
Cranbrook Academy of Art.
LIKE W
A
N
T N
EED | CU
LTU
RE
LIKE W
A
N
T N
EED | CU
LTU
RE
www.designmena.com| 12.11 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT 54 MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 12.11 | www.designmen
FURNITURE
BAN STOOLS LS
Esrawe
natural oils.
MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 12.11 | www.desig 44
40/49
CASE
STUDIES
54/55
CULTURE
A
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M
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Q
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M
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|

C
A
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E

S
T
U
D
Y
AL SHAQAB
EQUESTRIAN ACADEMY
Architect: Leigh & Orange
Location: Education City, Qatar
CASE STUDY
THE PROJECT
One of the largest show horse
facilities in the world, this equestrian
complex in Qatar covers a total area
of 800,000m
2
. Centred around a
350m long performance arena with
a double facing grandstand, the
scheme also caters for the training
and breeding of Arabian horses.
The project was of cially com-
pleted in September 2011 but is
being continually expanded. Leigh
& Orange provided master planning,
architectural design, interior design
and led a team of 18 sub-consultants,
which divided the project into eight
packages of work.
41
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Q
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T
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I
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C
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www.designmena.com | 12.11 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
THE SITE
The scheme is situated at the heart
of Education City, an initiative by
the Qatar Foundation. Located on
the outskirts of Doha, it covers an
area of 14 km
2
and contains several
international universities and re-
search facilities.
L&Os equestrian acade-
my design contains refer-
ences to local heritage.
Stone-faced walls on
the performance arena
reect local forts while
the dramatic 400m roof
resembles a Bedouin tent
and visually links the complex.
800,000M
2
TOTAL AREA
OF THE SITE
P
h
o
t
o
g
r
a
p
h

b
y

J
o
h
n

N
y
e
E
Q
U
E
S
T
R
I
A
N

A
C
A
D
E
M
Y

|

C
A
S
E

S
T
U
D
Y
THE DETAILS
The roof has been designed to be
structurally ef cient while minimis-
ing the enclosed volume and provid-
ing difused natural light to the
indoor arena. Overhangs shade the
glazed faades while allowing ood-
lighting without unsightly masts.
THE CONCEPT
Designed in the shape of a horse-
shoe, the list of amenities includes a
riding academy and equestrian club,
veterinary clinic, hospital and re-
search facilities, endurance training
centre and a breeding centre.
The performance arena
required a space for all-
weather conditions with
facilities for 8,000 spec-
tators. L&Os response
was to propose separate
indoor and outdoor
competition arenas which
could both be viewed from
the same grandstand.
8,000
SPECTATOR CAPACITY
OF THE ARENA
While utilising modern materi-
als and technology, the Al Shaqab
Equestrian Academy incorporates
traditional desert methods of venti-
lation and shelter. Air-conditioning
is available for the stables and arenas
to provide optimum comfort.
Online News for Architecture, Interiors and Industrial Design Professionals
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s The latest case studies, market trends and developments for the Middle East market
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I
N
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U
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O
F

D
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A
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S

|

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V
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A
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M
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U
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Y
THE VERTICAL MEDINA
Architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
Location: King Abdullah Financial District, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
CASE STUDY
45
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S
T
U
D
Y

|

V
E
R
T
I
C
A
L

M
E
D
I
N
A
THE PROJECT
One of many Middle East projects
by Chicago-based titan SOM, the
Vertical Medina is a mixed-use
scheme in Saudi Arabia. It uses the
traditional Arab medina city form
with its interlocking alleyways and
THE CONCEPT
One of the dening characteristics
is the use of the traditional Ara-
bian courtyard which ofers both
privacy and respite from the heat.
Each apartment has its own private
courtyard, interspersed with open-
air gardens for all residents.
The shared spaces serve
as terraces for a tness
centre, event room and
childrens play area.
No two apartments in
the Vertical Medina are
alike - each has a diferent
layout. The of ce oors are
more regular, with a linear plan.
courtyards to create a vertical
network with residential, of ce and
retail components.
Clad in limestone from local
sources, the project is slated for
completion in late 2012. The top six
oors contain 55 luxury residential
apartments, ranging from one to
three bedrooms, with a total area of
18,000m
2
. The lower seven oors
are dedicated to Class A of ce space
with a total area of 21,000m
2
.
55
NUMBER OF LUXURY
APARTMENTS
V
E
R
T
I
C
A
L

M
E
D
I
N
A

|

C
A
S
E

S
T
U
D
Y
THE DETAILS
Primary exposures are shaded by
the deep recesses of each courtyard
in the Vertical Medina. The glass
faades of the residences are clad
with operable shading screens like
mashrabiyahs in traditional Arab
cities to provide further shading
21,000M
2
AREA OF CLASS A
OFFICE SPACE
from the sun and to enhance privacy.
It has separate entrances, lob-
bies, lifts and drop-of areas for the
residences and of ce tenants.
Basement lobbies are
treated as front-of-
house areas.
THE SITE
The Vertical Medina is located in
King Abdullah Financial District, a
large scale nancial centre un-
derway in Riyadh masterplanned
by Henning Larsen Architects.
A landscaped plaza and fountain
serves as the main arrival point for
SOMs scheme. Shops line the street
and plazas while a ve star hotel is
located across the street.
Partitions
Stainless steel, solid plastic, powder
coated steel, phenolic, color-thru
phenolic and plastic laminate partitions.
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WEEKLY NEWS
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Preducts and strategies are transferming the 6uIf market
A 5PECIAL kEP0kT Fk0H C0N5TPUCTI0N WEEK
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Jan-June 2011
B
M
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B
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S
H
O
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M
S

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C
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T
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E

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B
A
N

C
R
O
S
S
I
N
G

|

C
A
S
E

S
T
U
D
Y
THE URBAN
CROSSING
Architect: Aedas
Location: Shanghai, China
CASE STUDY
THE PROJECT
Aedas boutique urban project
in Shanghai provides of ce and
retail components, as well as a gal-
lery, conference centre and a water
promenade plaza. It is conceived
to be a landmark hub with a strong
civic presence and a
vibrant mix of com-
mercial and public
elements.
In addition to main-
taining daily commer-
cial and retail activi-
ties, the Urban Crossing
is capable of hosting
multiple major events.
35.5M
HIGHEST POINT ON
BUILDING
49
C
A
S
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S
T
U
D
Y

|

T
H
E

U
R
B
A
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C
R
O
S
S
I
N
G
24,678M
2
TOTAL AREA OF
THE SITE
THE SITE
With an area of 24,678m
2
, the site
will contain a canal meandering
through the northern edge.
Currently titled as the Ur-
ban Crossing: Linkong
Block 10-1 Develop-
ment, the project is
the focal point and
public destination for
the Linkong Business
Park. The scheme is also
the gateway of the Hongqiao
Airport Transportation Hub and
will anchor the terminus of the
proposed Hongqiao retail axial.
THE CONCEPT
In response to the functional re-
quirements and the constricted site,
the project stacks vertical stages
and runways using inter-connecting
layers of platforms.
These accessible platforms ofer
views of the park at various levels
and locations.
The design of the Urban Crossing
consists of two of ce towers linked
by two weaved platforms at upper
and lower oors.
The form, layering and circula-
tion pattern are said to reinforce the
crossing architectural concept.
52

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O
J
E
C
T

U
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A
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W
O
R
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THE
WORK
PROJECT UPDATE
EKO ATLANTIC
CITY
Architect:
MZ Architects
Location:
Lagos, Nigeria
This ambitious new city in Nigeria
responds to coastal erosion and aims
to relieve pressure on the congested
city of Lagos, which is currently
inhabited by 15.5 million people.
Estimates of urban use predict that
Eko Atlantic City will be home to
a quarter of a million people when
complete. MZ Architects is the
urban planner for the new city and
will also be responsible for a number
of towers in the scheme.
MIRDIF CITY
CENTRE
Architect:
Hyder
Consulting/
RTKL
Location:
Dubai
The rst LEED Gold accredited
retail outlet in the Middle East, the
AED3 billion Mirdif City Centre
opened in March 2010 and achieved
its green certication in May 2011.
At the peak of construction, 22
cranes and 10,000 workers were on
site. Developed by mall specialist
Majid Al Futtaim Properties, Mirdif
City Centre features a gross oor
area of 300,000m
2
, with 450 shops
and parking for over 7,000 cars.
10,000
PEAK NUMBER OF
WORKERS ON SITE
MAYSAN
RESIDENCES
Architect:
DWP
Location:
Abu Dhabi
Currently in the design development
phase, Maysan Residences is a pair of
striking residential tower buildings
in the Al Najmat district of Reem
Island, Abu Dhabi with an expected
completion date of 2013. Designed
by dwp, the project aims to achieve
a 2 Pearl Rating with Estidama. The
roof structure contains solar energy
technology while the tower forms are
devised to minimise the exposure to
excessive heat gain.
337
TOTAL NUMBER OF
APARTMENT UNITS
T
H
E

W
O
R
K

|

P
R
O
J
E
C
T

U
P
D
A
T
E
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.
AINO MINA
Architect:
Aedas
Location:
Kandahar,
Afghanistan
This two million m
2
commu-
nity scheme, which won both the
Residential Project and Sustainable
Project of the Year at the Middle
East Architect Awards, will provide
over 2,000 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 THE
SCHEME
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
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LIKE
WANT
NEED
CULTURE
FURNITURE
BAN STOOLS
Esrawe
natural oils.
BOOK
TOWARDS A NEW INTERIOR
Lois Weinthal
Interior design, as a relatively young
discipline within the academic world of
design, has historically been seen as an
extension of other ne arts. Narratives
exist, but treat interior design as a function
of architecture or display. Professor
Lois Weinthal envisions a future where
interior design is treated as being equal
to architecture and industrial design.
Weinthal is associate professor of interior
design at the School of Architecture at The
University of Texas at Austin. She studied
at the Rhode Island School of Design and
Cranbrook Academy of Art.
55
FURNITURE
LONDON CHAIR
BoConcept
The new London chair from
BoConcept, available in both
upholstered and pure shell versions,
has its roots in the Scandinavian design
style. The core of the London chair is
the seat which is produced in high-
quality FSC approved wood. Customers
can pick the slim steel legs for a light
minimalistic look or the solid oak for a
more natural Nordic feel.
APP
RLB GLOBAL CONSTRUCTION MARKET INTELLIGENCE
Global construction and property
advisor Rider Levett Bucknall launched
its free cost-based app for desktop PCs
and smartphones with insight into
global, regional and local construction
markets without any fees. It includes
global cost comparison, tender price
index data and worldwide construction
market analysis. The rm hopes it
will be useful for architects to check
benchmark costs when making design
decisions. RLBs location specic cost
data helps provide a range of current
expected building costs for specied
building types across the world.
BATHROOM
FUSION II BY WET
Jan Puylaert
Designed by Jan Puylaert and produced
by WET Italia, Fusion II is a freestanding
LED illuminated sink. Made with 100%
recyclable polyethylene, it can have an
AC5 rim-spout, either with a rim-mixer
or side faucets. A column in dark grey can
be tted with a range of nine colours with
optional RGB LED illumination.
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LAST WORD | MARIO SENEVIRATNE
Mario Seneviratne, MD of Green Technologies and
founder of the Emirates Green Building Council
THE LAST WORD
GREEN GURU
In 2008 we saw a decline in construction, and hence a decline in the number
of green buildings.
Now we are seeing a steady increase in the green building movement, with a number
of quality projects. There are now 44 LEED certied schemes in the UAE.

In Dubai, most of the commercial interior t-outs are going LEED.
Weve also seen that many new constructions are going LEED.
I think a higher percentage of buildings are going LEED than before.
LEED is a performance based rating system - it adds value to the building, and as a
result you can see that it improves. Green buildings are truly better buildings.
Previously people didnt care as the revenue was so high in the boom years.
Now the revenue has reduced so many are looking to build green.
Its important to have done the LEED work in the concept design stage.
If you construct a building and then try to make it green then it will cost lots thats
why people think green buildings are more costly.
Its almost impossible to do a Platinum-rated hotel as its very complicated.
Of ces are easier, and can be achieved with a little bit of efort.
The latest way of teaching is through case studies.
This is the way that LEED will be taught for years to come.
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NEWS, DATA, ANALYSIS AND STRATEGIC INSIGHTS FOR ARCHITECTS IN THE GCC

DECEMBER 2011 / VOLUME 5 / ISSUE 12 An ITP Business Publication

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