THE VEIL REDUCES GLARE AND DIFFUSES SUNLIGHT LANDSCAPED ROOFS
AND TERRACES CREATE A MICROCLIMATE THAT ENHANCE DAILY INTERACTION WITH NATURE
WATER CONSERVATION
GREY WATER RECYCLED FOR NON-POTABLE USE
OPENINGS IN BUILDING MASS ALLOW BREEZE TO PERMEATE INTO COURTYARDS
FRESH AIR IS PASSED BELOW GROUND, COOLED USING THE EARTH’S SUBTERRANEAN TEMPERATURE AND SUPPLIED INTO THE CENTRAL COURT RESULTING IN A COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT
VENTILLATION: WARM AIR INLET
INCIDENT DAYLIGHT
PV CELLS INCLINED FOR OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE HARVEST SUNLIGHT TO GENERATE ELECTRIC POWER
VENTILATION: WARM AIR INLET
GROUND COUPLED AIR HEAT EXCHANGE
VENTILATION: COOL AIR OUTLETS
An ITP Business Publication
NOVEMBER 2009 | VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 11
An ITP Business Publication
NEW
S, DATA
, AN
ALYSIS A
ND
STRATEGIC
INSIG
HTS FO
R ARC
HITEC
TS IN TH
E GC
C
NO
VE
MB
ER
2009 | VO
LU
ME
3 | ISSUE
11A
n ITP Business Publication
NEWS, DATA, ANALYSIS AND STRATEGIC INSIGHTS FOR ARCHITECTS IN THE GCC
CHANGING THE GAMENorr Group’s new design could revolutionise architecture in the Middle East
INTERVIEW DSA Architects’ Floris Smith FEATURE Green communities are more than just green buildings SUPPLIERS YOU SHOULD KNOW GEZE, Mapei, VE Solutions, AHEC & Architectural hardware POST-SHOW REPORT Cityscape 2009
001 www.constructionweekonline.com | 11.09 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
CONTENTS NOVEMBER
November 2009 ISSUE 11 VOLUME 321
02
16
07
27
32
47
12
21
41
16
07 12
27
WHAT’S ON THE WEB MEA keeps you in touch with the latest news from the industry with a synopsis of Construction Week online
INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHTS A roundup of some of the industry’s biggest stories and product launches from October ‘09
SHOW REPORT: CITYSCAPE POST SHOWMEA brings you feedback from architects, engineers, developers and organisers from Cityscape Dubai ‘09 FEATURE: GREEN COMMUNITIESExploring how best to build green communities rather than focusing simply on green buildings
COVER STORY: THE HABITATNorr Group’s Yahya Jan presented a new typology at Cityscape. It may end up revolutionising architecture
Q&A: FLORIS SMITH DSA Architects’ newest director of architecture goes on the record with MEA editor Jeff Roberts
SUPPLIERS YOU SHOULD KNOW MEA finds out why architects need to pay attention to suppliers GEZE, Mapei, AHEC and VE Solutions FEATURE: ARCH HARDWARE Selina Denman catches up with six of the industry’s architectural hardware suppliers
SKETCHBOOK: ALL SAINTS ACADEMY Abu Dhabi newcomer Stride Treglown gives readers a preview of the types of projects Gulf clients can expect
SKETCHBOOK 2: D17Qatar’s Focus Design Partners gives MEA exclusive access to sketches for Energy City
47
48
002 MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.09 | www.constructionweekonline.com
ONLINE
COLUMNS & FEATURES
ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX CIRCUIT
US $2.65bn UPTOWN BAHRAIN SHELVEDThe US $2.65 billion Uptown Bahrain devel-opment has been shelved indefi nitely and may never be built accord-ing to a senior source at Fortune Investment House (FIH).
ARE YOU LEEDing THE INDUSTRY ON?The preservation of our environment is quickly climbing up many people’s agendas and green building products can contribute, in a big way. Construction Week delves into the issue.
the online home of:
IN PICTURES
For more columns & features, go to: www.constructionweekonline.com/comments
For more galleries, check out: www.constructionweekonline.com/in_pictures/
• UK asks UAE to pay construction firms• High rise fire in Sharjah• In the budget• Sustainability still mostly ‘green wash’ • New project director for Tiger Woods Dubai
• Contractor detained over deadly roof collapse • Single business tower due four months early • US $2.65bn Uptown Bahrain shelved• Green buildings are ‘sensible’ and ‘logical’• The culling of transparency
37.5% A government official. I want to know what leaders think.
37.5% A contractor. I want to know what’s happening on the ground.
25.0% A developer. I want to hear about upcoming projects.
To vote in spot polls, go to:www.constructionweekonline.com
For breaking news, go to:www.constructionweekonline.com/news/Stories selected October 25-31, 2009
5 MOST POPULAR
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Stories selected October 25-31, 2009
POLL: Who do you want to see interviewed next?
GLASS TOWERS WILL ALWAYS BE ICONICThe move to sustainability will not sound the death knell for iconic buildings in the region, according to VE Solutions founder Arkady Siterman and director of development Eugene Siterman.
CAN THE GCC REALLY GO GREENRepresentatives from the UAE Ministry of En-vironment & Water, UN University, Arab Media Group and LG Electron-ics Middle East signed the Greenomics Confer-ence 2009 Protocol.
The fi rst F1 track in UAE history. In a word, it is amazing. The hotel is state-of-the-art. The venue is pristine. The
stands, snack bars, restrooms and relaxation space are all integrated seamlessly within the seating structure.
And the track...ah the track...it is at once a testament to engineering pre-eminence and aesthetic brilliance.
T 00 971 7 244 74 64 F 00 971 7 244 74 62 P 34132 R A K , U A E
EDITOR’SLETTER
004 MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.09 | www.constructionweekonline.com
Last month I had the opportunity to visit Abu Dhabi for the fi rst F1 race in UAE history. In a word, it is amazing. The hotel is state-of-the-art. The venue is pristine. The stands, snack bars, restrooms and relaxation space are all integrated seamlessly within the seating struc-ture. And the track...ah the track...it is at once a testament to engineering pre-eminence and aesthetic brilliance. Even before the fi nal race, as I write this article, drivers and pundits around the world are singing the praises of its design and sporting genius.
Like me, you’ll probably recall hearing about this particular piece of architecture about 18 months ago. The fi rst F1 track interwoven with a hotel, they said. The longest straightaway on the F1 circuit, they boasted. The fi rst F1 track to feature underground pit lanes, they extolled. All of this is true and, from a spectator’s point of view, it lived up to its original bill-ing. But, in a few short hours, the F1 will have come and gone and all that excitement will have given way to an important question: Now what?
After an 18-month build up to an event that, I suspect, has been both musically and fi nancially successful, what happens now? Sure, the F1 will come back in 12 months but until then, what happens? For anyone who’s traversed the new Sheikh Khalifa Bridge or had the chance to visit the F1 race, you know Yas Island is unfi nished. Big time.
I mean no disrespect to Hani Rashid, designer of the Yas Island Hotel, but after this event, who is going to want to stay in a hotel on the middle of an island that is itself one big construction site? This week would have been fun with the races and the concerts but, believe me, Yas Island will be a much different place after the drivers and divas have gone home.
Furthermore, I have nothing but respect for renowned circuit designer, Hermann Tilke, who accepted the challenge 1001 days from the fi rst green light and created a racetrack under ridiculous pressure, which now has the entire industry talking. But, again, you can’t run people, motorcycles, camels, horses or dogs on this track, so did Mubadala seriously invest £15 billion to have it sit dormant for 361 days of the year?
Kyalami Grand Prix in Gauteng, South Africa, doubles as a business park, featuring commercial, hospitality, conference and public meet-ing space. The Singapore Grand Prix weaves through a mix of modern, historic, public and government buildings. Casinos, hotels, marinas and restaurants bespeckle both the Monaco and Montreal F1 locations. But what is to become of the Abu Dhabi site?
The Grand Prix track in Bahrain and the Aspire Tower complex in Doha (which was also built amidst great fanfare for the 2006 Asian Games) are two regional examples of smallish markets that took on big events before their time and sit largely vacant for most of the year. Like many projects in the Gulf, form has supplanted function as the primary concern in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Circuit and it’s a shame. It’s often said that with the gar-gantuan budgets and tiny chances for success, one of the most fi nancially futile investments one can make is to run an F1 team. Perhaps the same can be said for building an F1 track in the middle of a construction site.
FORM SWALLOWS FUNCTION
Receive Middle East Architect every month! To subscribe to the magazine, please visit: www.itp.com/subscription
THE VEIL REDUCES
GLARE AND DIFFUSES
SUNLIGHT LANDSCAPED ROOFS
AND TERRACES CREATE A
MICROCLIMATE THAT ENHANCE
DAILY INTERACTION WITH NATURE
WATER CONSERVATION
GREY WATER RECYCLED FOR
NON-POTABLE USE
OPENINGS IN BUILDING
MASS ALLOW BREEZE TO
PERMEATE INTO COURTYARDS
FRESH AIR IS PASSED BELOW
GROUND, COOLED USING THE EARTH’S
SUBTERRANEAN TEMPERATURE
AND SUPPLIED INTO THE CENTRAL
COURT RESULTING IN A COMFORTABLE
ENVIRONMENT
VENTILLATION:
WARM AIR INLET
INCIDENTDAYLIGHT
PV CELLS INCLINED FOR
OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE
HARVEST SUNLIGHT TO
GENERATE ELECTRIC
POWER
VENTILATION:
WARM AIR INLET
GROUND COUPLED
AIR HEAT EXCHANGE
VENTILATION:
COOL AIR OUTLETS
An ITP Business Publication
NOVEMBER 2009 | VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 11
An ITP Business Publication
NEW
S, DATA
, AN
ALYSIS A
ND
STRATEGIC
INSIG
HTS FO
R ARC
HITEC
TS IN TH
E GC
C
NO
VE
MB
ER
2009 | VO
LU
ME
3 | ISSUE
11
An ITP Business Publication
NEWS, DATA, ANALYSIS AND STRATEGIC INSIGHTS FOR ARCHITECTS IN THE GCC
CHANGING THE GAMENorr Group’s new design could revolutionise architecture in the Middle East
INTERVIEW DSA Architects’ Floris Smith FEATURE Green communities are more than just green buildings SUPPLIERS YOU
SHOULD KNOW GEZE, Mapei, VE Solutions, AHEC & Architectural hardware POST-SHOW REPORT Cityscape 2009 Cover image: The Habitat courtesy of Norr Group Consultants
Cover Design: Lucy McMurray/ITP
Jeff Roberts, Group Editor
Registered at Dubai Media CityPO Box 500024, Dubai, UAETel: 00 971 4 210 8000 Fax: 00 971 4 210 8080Web: www.itp.comOffices in Dubai & London
ITP Business PublishingCEO Walid AkawiManaging Director Neil DaviesDeputy Managing Director Matthew SouthwellEditorial Director David InghamVP Sales Wayne LoweryPublishing Director Jason Bowman
EDITORIAL
Senior Group Editor Stuart Matthews Group Editor Jeff RobertsTel: +971 4 435 6269 email: [email protected]
ADVERTISING
Commercial Director Raz IslamTel: +971 4 435 6371 email: [email protected] Manager Carolyn LewisTel: +971 4 435 6184 email: [email protected]
STUDIO
Group Art Editor Daniel PrescottDesigner Lucy McMurray
PHOTOGRAPHY
Director of Photography Sevag DavidianChief Photographer Nemanja SeslijaSenior Photographers Efraim Evidor, Khatuna KhutsishviliStaff Photographers Khaled Termanini, Thanos Lazopoulos, Jovana Obradovic, Rajesh Raghav, Ruel Pableo, Lyubov Galushko
PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION
Group Production Manager Kyle Smith Production Manager Eleanor ZwanepoelProduction Coordinator Louise SchreiberDistribution Manager Karima AshwellDistribution Executive Nada Al Alami
CIRCULATION
Head of Database & Circulation Gaurav Gulati
MARKETING
Head of Marketing Daniel Fewtrell
ITP DIGITAL
Director Peter Conmy Internet Applications Manager Mohammed Affan Internet Design Manager Hitesh Uchil Web Designer Meghna Rao
ITP GROUP
Chairman Andrew NeilManaging Director Robert SerafinFinance Director Toby Jay Spencer-DaviesBoard of Directors K M Jamieson, Mike Bayman,Walid Akawi, Neil Davies, Rob Corder, Mary Serafin
Circulation Customer Service Tel: +971 4 435 6000
Certain images in this issue are available for purchase. Please contact [email protected] for further details or visit www.itpimages.com
Printed by Emirates Printing Press L.L.C. Dubai
Subscribe online at www.itp.com/subscriptions
The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the reader’s particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publishers in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts used for the purpose of fair review.
Published by and © 2009 ITP Business Publishing, a division of the ITP Publishing Group Ltd. Registered in the B.V.I. under Company number 1402846.
BPA Average Qualified Circulation 6,114 (Jan - June 2009)
Reem Emirates Aluminum provides superior solutions for
Architectural Curtain Walls and Metal Works through Research and Development, Innovative
Production Technology, State-of-the-Art equipment and highly motivated and skilled employees
having a facility of more than 80,000 sqm fitted with the most advanced state of art CNC machines
The Next Generation curtain wall designers & builders
Tel.: +971 2 599 4200 Fax: +971 2 550 1812 P.O.Box 36863 Abu Dhabi, UAE
www.reemalum.com
DOHA, QATAR // Three years
after it was awarded the proj-
ect, KEO International Con-
sultants is fi nally allowed to
release its design for Barwa’s
Financial District Project in
Doha, Qatar. The jaw-drop-
ping 700,000m² mixed use
development aims to create
a new business community
for Qatari professionals and
a prestigious landmark for
Doha proper.
KEO GIVEN GO AHEAD TO RELEASE DESIGNS FOR DOHA’S NEW FINANCIAL DISTRICT
According to KEO, the
project features an outer ring
of six offi ce towers ascending
in a clockwise direction from
20 to 35 storeys in height
as well as an inner ring of
towers, comprisingw three
offi ce towers and a hotel
tower ascending in a counter-
clockwise direction from 31
to 50 storeys in height. The
placement of the nine offi ce
towers and their opposing
The Financial District was designed to capture both tradition and modernity
movement of heights help
maintain maximum views
as well as ensuring that all
the buildings have access to
natural light.
Raj Patel, principal de-
signer at KEO, describes the
design concept: “It represents
two nautilus forms spiraling
in opposing directions which
create a dynamic fl ow of mass
and space. The opposing
spiraling geometry builds up
the movement of the towers
to create the pinnacle at the
southwest corner of the site
creating a landmark tower
visible from the West Bay
Area as well as the road arter-
ies west of the site.”
The offi ce towers are
connected by a two storey en-
closed atrium lined on either
side with retail space on both
the ground and fi rst fl oor to
create an intimate and lively
boutique mall.
In an effort to capture both
tradition and modernisation,
the glass and terracotta tow-
ers emerge from a solid plinth
clad in travertine. The glass
curtain walls are protected
from direct sunlight by a
metal screen inspired by the
mashrabiya of traditional
Arabian architecture.
INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHTS
www.constructionweekonline.com | 11.09 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT 007 Image © KEO Int’l Consultants
INDUSTRYHIGHLIGHTS
008 MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.09 | www.constructionweekonline.com
ABU DHABI, UAE // In an effort
to expand its global presence
and offer Middle East clients
state-of-the-art education
and healthcare facilities,
multidisciplinary UK fi rm
Stride Treglown, established
an offi ce in Abu Dhabi in
early October.
In the UK, the London-
based fi rm is recognised for
its portfolio of public sector
buildings, its reputation for
safety and its burgeoning
design excellence—all attri-
butes it hopes to transfer to a
Middle Eastern context.
Utilising its 270-person
design team in the UK as
well as its documentation
STRIDE TREGLOWN TO BRING HOSPITALS, UNIVERSITIES TO UAE CAPITAL
specialists in Vietnam, Stride
Treglown aims to add “fi ve
or six” architecture practitio-
ners on the ground in its Abu
Dhabi branch offi ce.
Led by UK-based director
Richard Philipson and UAE
general manager, Nathan
Hones, Stride Treglown is
focusing on building connec-
tions in the UAE and forming
joint venture arrangements
throughout the region.
While the Stride Treglown
announcement for expansion
was unexpected—given that
the fi rm has never held an of-
fi ce outside the UK—Philip-
son was quick to point out
that the move was strategic.
“We reviewed a number of
global locations for our fi rst
step into the international
market, and after a couple of
adventures in the Caribbean
and Europe, we determined
that the UAE provided the
greatest opportunity for us,”
explained Philipson.
“The inspirational vi-
sion of the Plan Abu Dhabi
2030…presented to us the
kind of market in which
Stride Treglown likes to do
business,” he added.
Industry response to
adding one of the UK’s
most reputable fi rms to
Abu Dhabi’s growing pool
of architectural talent has
been positive and appoint-
ing Hones, an architectural
veteran of the Middle East,
to manage the offi ce was a
crucial step for Philipson.
“We’ve had a really
positive response from other
consultants and potential
clients,” said Philipson.
“Nathan’s knowledge of the
region and experience is
proving invaluable…. We
also just liked the look and
feel of Abu Dhabi today – it
has heart and soul.”
Despite the timeliness
of its expansion, Stride
Treglown isn’t just another
international fi rm looking
to capitalise on Abu Dhabi’s
veritable gold rush of devel-
opment. The fi rm’s regional
focus will be on designing
and building facilities for
education and healthcare—
something sorely lacking in
Abu Dhabi’s largely commer-
cial/retail skyline.
“We are focusing on our
strengths in education from
early years through universi-
ties to lifelong learning and
healthcare,” said Philipson.
“Our capabilities in master
planning, commercial, offi ce
and hotel design will also be
available,” he added.
(Check out this month’s Sketchbook for examples of work from Stride Treglown)
DUBAI, UAE // In her presenta-
tion to Cityscape’s World Ar-
chitecture Congress, Melkan
Gürsel Tabanlioğlu, second
generation leader of decorat-
ed Turkish architecture fi rm
Tabanlioğlu, urged architects
throughout the region to try
to focus more on the ‘people’
aspect of projects.
“You’ve got to know the
end-user,” said Tabanlioğlu.
“If a building is sellable, as
an architect, you are success-
ful, but the ‘people’ function
is crucial,” she added.
Her recommendation for
the future of Gulf architec-
ture consisted largely of
the same message.
“Open
‘PEOPLE FUNCTION IS CRUCIAL’, SAYS TABANLIOGLU PARTNER
communication between
developers, end users and
architects is the only way to
achieve a truly successful
building,” said Tabanlioğlu.
“If you don’t know anything
about the people or culture
you’re building for, how can
the project be considered a
success?” she asked.
Three of the fi rm’s most
anticipated projects are
the Turkish Chancellery in
Berlin, the Baku Crystal in
Azerbaijan and
Kazakhstan’s
Abay Business
Centre.
The University of Reading’s Carrington Building illustrates ST’s core skill set
“If you don’t under-stand the people or
culture, how can the project be a success?“
Imag
e ©
Stri
de T
regl
own
ABU DHABI, UAE // Abu Dhabi’s
Mosque Development
Committee (MDC) recently
announced that it will issue
a new set of guidelines for
the planning and design of
mosques in early 2010.
The guidelines will
cover the development and
management of all new and
existing mosques undergoing
renovation throughout the
MOSQUE DESIGN GUIDELINES TO BE ISSUED IN 2010emirate of Abu Dhabi. All
mosques that fall into these
categories will be expected
to adhere to the soon to
be unveiled planning and
design guidelines specifi ed
by the MDC.
“Mosques are important
public facilities that play a
crucial role in everyday life
in Abu Dhabi. The adherence
to the MDC guidelines will
not only defi ne the urban
character of the city, but will
also preserve Abu Dhabi’s
Emirati, Arab and Islamic
identity,” said MDC chair-
man Falah Al Ahbabi in a
prepared statement.
Al Ahbabi continued:
“Owing to the population
growth and urban expansion
witnessed by the emirate
recently, the importance of
planning, locating and de-
veloping mosques based on
community needs has gained
paramount importance and
the MDC guidelines are a
step in that direction.”
Not surprisingly, the MDC
guidelines will closely follow
Abu Dhabi’s Estidama sus-
tainable building principles.
Urban planning, build-
ing, construction, safety and
security will be considered in
the guidelines, according to
the statement from the MDC.
INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHTS
www.constructionweekonline.com | 11.09 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT 009
The MDC’s guidelines will closely follow Abu Dhabi’s Estidama
INDUSTRYHIGHLIGHTS
010 MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.09 | www.constructionweekonline.com
ABU DHABI, UAE // Multidis-
ciplinary architecture and
interior design fi rm, design
world partners (dwp), re-
cently announced a contract
from aabar Investments to
provide the architecture,
environmental and inte-
rior design services for a
41-storey luxury residential
tower in the Saraya district
of Abu Dhabi.
The Saraya 1 project
site—located within Sorouh
Real Estate’s 120,000m²
dwp LOOKS FOR LEED GOLD IN ABU DHABI
master plan—overlooks the
Abu Dhabi Corniche and lies
adjacent to the Lagoon Pre-
cinct. The project presented
dwp with an opportunity to
design for a highly distin-
guished living experience
that promises “uninterrupted
vistas of the waterfront and
foreshore districts.”
In its design, dwp’s UAE-
based design team, led by
Toufi c Zaidan, aimed to
reduce operational energy
demands and carbone emis-
sions on the building as well
as ensure maximum comfort
for investors and end users.
“The smooth and slim
undulating tower echoes the
water it faces. Its curvilinear
facade will vary in colours
and shades according to the
sun’s location and intensity,”
said Zaidan. “This intensity
of climate has also made us
look at energy effi ciency and
sustainability in its design.”
In order to maximise
energy effi ciency, dwp used
DUBAI, UAE // Yahya Jan, direc-
tor of design for Norr Group
Consultants, urged archi-
tects, students and govern-
ment offi cials to “question
conventional wisdom” in his
speech at Cityscape’s World
Architecture Congress.
The crux of Jan’s argu-
ment was how the rapid
transformation of urban
centres, which began in the
early 20th centrury, brought
tremendous socioeconomic
change to both developed
and developing cities.
While the urban centres of
the West experienced unpar-
alleled growth and prosper-
ity, according to Jan, urban
‘QUESTION CONVENTIONAL WISDOM’, URGES NORR DIRECTOR
centres in the developing
world experienced scarcity of
resources, poverty, squalor
and low-rise urban sprawl.
“While some cities have ex-
perienced a boom as a result
of rapid population growth,
most have only succeeded
in creating a huge chasm
between the haves and have-
nots,” said Jan.
The point that was
reiterated several times
throughout his presentation
was clear: Urban centres,
whether developed or devel-
oping, are in grave danger
unless design profession-
als and governments make
density a priority.
“Any project that calls
itself ‘sustainable’ includes
planned density,” said Jan.
In an impassioned plea
to the industry, Jan pointed
to the vast slums of Rio
and Karachi as examples of
what can happen when the
environmental, economic
and social need for density in
urban centres is ignored.
“Population growth will
place ever-increasing de-
mands on scare resources. If
we don’t start thinking about
these issues creatively, the
world we leave our children
will be much worse than this
one,” he said. “In my opin-
ion, it’s going to get worse
before it gets better.”
Jan’s fi nal message was an
encouraging one. While he
acknowledged that govern-
ment offi cials are gener-
ally positioned to make
these ideas a reality,
he also tried to en-
courage the ar-
chitects in the
room. “Early
simple design
decisions can have
an enormous impact,”
he said. “Start smart and
spend the necessary time
at the front of the design.”
(For an illustration of, check out this month’s case study on pp. 29-32)
state-of-the art glass curtain
walls with thermal insulation
and low-VOC building mate-
rials. It also used the location
of the site to determine a de-
sign context that considered
orientation and boundary
and, ultimately, defi ne the
building’s shape.
Adopting an environmen-
tal and ecological balance
was important for the
developer. dwp’s own brand
of sustainable consciousness
has developed a design that
will aim for a Gold-rated
LEED certifi cation.
Indoor air quality im-
provement with air fi ltra-
tion systems and natural
ventilation, waste reduction
and recycling strategies; the
design of the structure and
use of materials are all incor-
porated into the architectural
DNA of the building.
The Saraya Abu Dhabi dis-
trict will ultimately consist of
30 towers and is aiming for
completion in 2013.
Saraya Abu Dhabi is aiming for completion in 2013
Poverty, squalor and urban sprawl are by-products of unplanned density, says Jan
Imag
e ©
dw
p
Reacting to the outdoor climate to create indoor harmony:the bioclimatic façades challenge
Somfy’s automated solutions power a building’s openings and sun protection devices, playing a key role in the
creation of bioclimatic façades. These solutions create a constant state of harmony between the indoors and the
outdoors. By optimizing the management of air, light, sun and shade in buildings, Somfy solutions actively
improve the health and well-being of the occupants, while also reducing energy consumption.
Natural light management, Dynamic Insulation™ and natural ventilation are three areas of expertise that are
unique to Somfy and make an effective contribution to a building’s economical performance.
Our solutions are simple and suitable for all types of buildings. Somfy works with others in the building sector
to create environmentally-friendly solutions. Each day, our network of 5,400 employees offers ongoing help and
assistance to businesses in more than 50 countries.
Somfy Gulf, Jebel Ali Free Zone - PO Box 61456 - Dubai - UAE
T +971 4 88 32 808 - F +971 4 88 32 809 - E [email protected]
012 MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.09 | www.constructionweekonline.com
CITYSCAPE 2009 POST-SHOW REPORT
012
CITYSCAPE POST-SHOW REPORTGetting some perspective
As Day Three of Cityscape Dubai
kicked off, I published an editorial
piece suggesting that Cityscape
Dubai might reclaim its place among the
largest and most infl uential trade shows in
the industry. (http://www.construction-weekonline.com/article-6555-cityscape-is-back-if-only-for-a-day/) I waxed optimis-
tic about the potential for it to be the spark
that would ignite the fl ame of creativity
throughout the industry and the region.
In that article, I pointed to the buzz that
had returned to Dubai’s International Ex-
hibition and Convention Centre along with
the queues of curious visitors and savvy
businesspeople looking to steal glances of
the latest project launches.
A month later, as I wait patiently for the
offi cial post-show report to be released, it
is clear to me that Cityscape is not back.
It wasn’t a failure, but it’s certainly not
back. In fact, I’m not sure if this particu-
lar show in this particular city will ever
experience the circus-like atmosphere it
achieved in 2006 and 2007. I’m not sure if
this exhibition will ever garner the gaudy
numbers—81,162 in 2008—that have come
to defi ne it since its inception. Despite how
that sounds, it’s a good thing.
Regardless of where they are positioned
in the building cycle, few in the industry
would ever agree that the pace and fervour
of pre-credit-crunch Dubai was either
healthy or sustainable. In fact, despite the
overfl owing coffers of the boom years, I
never met one architect or engineer that
honestly enjoyed working at that break-
neck pace. If the 2009 Cityscape did noth-
ing else, it reaffi rmed that the industry is
regrouping and preparing to traverse the
largely unfamiliar path of stability and
achievability in its projects.
Unoffi cial reports claim visitor numbers
for 2009 were down 50% (38,000) from
2008 and exhibitors were down from 340
to 218 over the same period. If those num-
bers are accurate—and I suspect they’re
not far off the mark—pundits and jounal-
ists across the land will be looking to stick
their proverbial forks in Dubai because, as
the saying goes, “it’s done”.
Call me overly-optimistic or even naïve
but I’m not so sure that’s the case. “We
saw a shift back to market fundamentals
at Cityscape Dubai this year,” explained
Rohan Marwaha, managing director of
Cityscape Dubai. “The speculators and
other amateur investors were conspicu-
ous by their absence as were any hint of
unrealistic or dazzling developments. The
mood was sober and professional.”
Well said Mr. Marwaha. What he didn’t
have a chance to explain was that interna-
tional participation actually increased as a
year-on-year percentage, with stands from
Sudan, Angola, Paris, and companies from
Canada and Australia, complemented by a
healthy regional presence which extended
across the GCC and Iraq.
Feedback from the industry has been
similarly positive. Even in Cityscape’s very
obvious move away from an architecture
50%Fewer visitors at Cityscape 2009 than in 2008
Cityscape 2009 was about showcasing fi nished or ongoing projects
CITYSCAPE 2009 POST-SHOW REPORT
013 013 www.constructionweekonline.com | 11.09 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
THE SPECULATORS AND OTHER AMATEUR INVESTORS WERE CONSPICUOUS BY THEIR ABSENCE AS WERE ANY HINT OF UNREALISTIC OR DAZZLING DEVELOPMENTS. THE MOOD WAS SOBER AND PROFESSIONAL. ROHAN MARWA
and design focus, some of Dubai’s big play-
ers were pleasantly surprised by the show.
Floris Smith, director of architecture
at DSA Architects—also profi led in this
month’s Q&A—found Cityscape “quite
amazing”. He said: “The number of enqui-
ries we got from around the UAE was actu-
ally quite stunning. We also got four or fi ve
enquiries from developers in Syria.”
Matthew Becker, director of operations
for Perkins Eastman UAE, was also sur-
prised. “We expected something similar to
that encountered at Cityscape Abu Dhabi
– an absence of clients and an abundance
of job-hungry consultants poaching off
each other. Cityscape Dubai surprised us
by evidencing a very decent quantity of
clients, representing a broad geographic
area, including Africa and Asia, who dis-
cussed real projects.”
Rami Nasser, director of sales and com-
mercial leasing for Aldar Properties, was
similarly impressed with what he consid-
ers the “preeminent real estate show in the
region”. Like many of the region’s large
developers, the Aldar strategy focused on
showcasing nearly fi nished projects and
delivery and maitenance of existing ones.
“This year’s event was a good opportu-
nity for us to showcase…the fi rst Formula
1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix,”
said Nasser. “We also featured Al Raha
Beach, our major waterfront development
where delivery of the fi rst districts (Al
Bandar, Al Muneera and Al Zeina) will
Donald Trump Jr gave the keynote address at Cityscape ‘09. In it, he urged patience and persistence
Visitors were down at this year’s event, especially on Day 1
Cityscape never fails to attract high profi le visitors and local heads of state
014 MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.09 | www.constructionweekonline.com
CITYSCAPE 2009 POST-SHOW REPORT
begin in 2010 and Trust Tower, a Grade A
commercial offi ce building in the heart of
our Central Market re-development in the
heart of Abu Dhabi.”
Perennial big player Nakheel also put
its efforts into showcasing its handover
and management capabilities as Palm
Jumeirah, Al Furjan and 33 islands on The
World made up the lion’s share of what
was on offer on its stand.
“Nakheel demonstrated its role as an
industry leader in the fi eld of master-
planned communities this year at
Cityscape 2009. We focused on exhibiting
our prime communities that are close to
completion…,” said a spokesperson from
the Dubai-based developer.
Despite a tumultuous 2009, Nakheel
left Cityscape quite optimistic about what
the rest of the year will bring and where its
main efforts will be focused. “We have an
extremely active fourth quarter ahead of us
and our attendance highlighted our com-
mitment to delivering units and services to
existing investors and residents.”
Egyptian developer SODIC was pleas-
antly surprised by what it considered
a clear lack of “fl uff” and enjoyed the
attention it received as the only Egyptian
contingent at Cityscape. “As a company
we feel our expectations were met,” said
SODIC PR professional Esmat Elnahas.
“We felt a marked interest in our projects
and received a lot of media attention.”
Mohamed Fahmy, vice president of
EHAF Consulting Engineers, approached
Cityscape Dubai with a healthy dose of
clarity and perspective. “Cityscape is not
only a real estate show. It is a gathering
place for professionals who are interested
in real estate products,” said Fahmy. “We
use it to meet people, friends and clients
from the GCC. It expands the business
network and reveals potential projects. For
us, this is important.”
While Fahmy seemed very clear about
what Cityscape is, perhaps more impor-
tantly, he understands what it is not. “We
don’t expect to sign deals in such shows,
unless it is planned ahead. We expect to
expand our business network and explore
new opportunities with developers.”
Despite reports of 472 cancelled or
shelved projects in the UAE and a lack of
‘high-profi le’ project launches at Cityscape,
Marwa remains unfazed. He is bolstered
by the Cityscape Intelligence study that
reported US$ 900 billion worth of ongoing
projects in the country.
In fact, Marwa insists that the Cityscape
strategy for the foreseeable future will be
driven by principles that were prevalent
this year: realism and transparency. “We
will continue to tailor this event to meet
the requirements of real estate profession-
als, whether locally, regionally or interna-
tionally,” he said.
1352Number of ongoing projects—residential, hospitality, commercial, retail—in the UAE
(source: Proleads)
[CITYSCAPE] IS A GATHERING PLACE FOR PROFESSIONALS INTERESTED IN REAL ESTATE PRODUCTS. WE MEET PEOPLE, FRIENDS AND CLIENTS FROM THE GCC. IT EXPANDS THE BUSINESS NETWORK AND REVEALS POTENTIAL PROJECTS. FOR US, THIS IS IMPORTANT. MOHAMED FAHMY
Large-scale urban planning seems to be
the focus for future Gulf cities
FEATURE GREEN COMMUNITIES
MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.09 | www.constructionweekonline.com016
FEATUREGREEN COMMUNITIES
017
GREEN COMMUNITIES IN THE UAE: FACT OR FICTION?By Jeff Roberts
Day Three of last month’s World
Architecture Congress—which ran
alongside Cityscape Dubai—was
coined ‘Green Day’ and it witnessed a bevy
of architects, developers, engineers and
sustainability pundits waxing intellectual
about everything related to the region’s
growing green building conundrum.
Throughout the day, professionals and
practitioners from every corner of the
industry addressed ‘community’, con-
struction best practices, energy saving,
As green credentials and bizarre acro-
nyms fl ittered and fl uttered throughout
the conference, one particularly interesting
session—Delivering Green Communi-ties, Not Just Green Buildings—brought
together designers and developers to talk
about how to actually deliver the level of
greenness being touted for the region.
CONCEPT OF COMMUNITYGeoff Sanderson, Dubai veteran and
principal of Green Concepts Landscape
“It’s diffi cult to establish a community
[in the UAE] because of the transient na-
ture of society here. If we’re depending on
a stable community, we’re struggling,” said
Sanderson. “End users [tend to be] largely
self interested persons with no concern
whatsoever for the UAE’s sustainability
beyond their own contract period. Sadly,
there are too few people like Habiba Al
Marashi to make a big enough difference
in the UAE’s green debate.”
DECISIONS FROM THE TOPMike Lewis, senior associate director at
Benoy, is of the opinion that change needs
to come in the form of clear and universal
green legislation. Rather than fi ght the
good fi ght from the bottom, he sees little
point in expending the effort unless the
true decision makers are on board.
“My particular concern is the fi ght dur-
ing the project brief. We need a large-scale
change in attitude at the decision maker
level,” says Lewis. “It’s sad but true. It
takes someone to stand up with a torch
and say ‘enough’,” says Lewis.
“Decision makers need to make it hap-
pen. We have a responsibility to clients to
educate them and make recommendations
but that’s from the bottom up. I’d love to
walk into a briefi ng and be told ‘We will be
doing a LEED Gold building’,” adds Lewis.
Never one to buy in to altruism within
the building industry, Sanderson suggests
change will only come when legislation
dictates that material gain is available
for those willing to implement green
strategies. “We should devise a system to
combine regulation with reward,” says
Sanderson. “If rewards were very attrac-
tive fi nancially for developers and users,
THERE IS SIMPLY AN ABUNDANCE OF THEORY WITHOUT A SERIOUS UNDERSTANDING OF THE COMMUNITIES THAT SUPPOSEDLY EXIST HERE.
GEOFF SANDERSON
fi nancing, green legislation and regulation,
facilities management, life-cycle costs and
new ‘green’ materials and products.
Habiba Al Marashi, chairperson of the
Emirates Environmental Group and board
member of the UN Global Compact, began
the day with a sobering—albeit refresh-
ingly honest—sentiment.
“A 100% mindset change will be neces-
sary to reduce carbon emissions and
encourage best practices industry wide,”
said Al Marashi. “Right now, it’s not just
political will that is necessary. Leader-
ship should be taken by the private sector,
which is one sector [ in the UAE] that is
currently lagging far behind.”
Architects (GCLA), began by directing
the discussion toward the fundamental
concept of community. “Without defi ning
‘community’,” said Sanderson, “it is im-
possible to really get to the heart of what
constitutes a ‘green community’.”
Sanderson rightly pointed out that many
of the speakers, and in fact visitors to
Green Day, ply their skills and specify their
products in regions other than the Middle
East. He criticized the conference’s will-
ingness to apply external experiences in
the UAE without truly understanding the
nature of the professional design commu-
nity, the contractor community or the end
users that acutally live and work here.
www.constructionweekonline.com | 11.09 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT 017
FEATURE GREEN COMMUNITIES
A 100% MINDSET CHANGE WILL BE NECESSARY TO REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS AND ENCOURAGE BEST PRACTICES INDUSTRY WIDE. IT’S NOT JUST POLITICAL WILL THAT IS NECESSARY. LEADERSHIP SHOULD BE TAKEN BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR, WHICH IS ONE SECTOR THAT IS CURRENTLY LAGGING FAR BEHIND. HABIBA AL MARASHI
it would create some impetus. Unless
that happens soon, I don’t think we’ll see
anywhere near the amount of change [in
the UAE] that we’re expecting.”
VALUE OF MASTERPLANNINGMark Grundy, sustainability & environ-
ment manager for Abu Dhabi-based
Aldar Properties PJSC, suggests that
sustainability at the community level will
only come when master plans are designed
with the health of the individual in mind.
“In Mexico City,” explains Grundy, “the
average person spends 2.5 hours per day
in their car. It stands to reason, then, that
the city also has the highest rate of obesity
and diabetes in the world. That’s just one
illustration of how smart master planning
can actually be the frontline of healthcare.”
Sanderson, on the other hand, rejects
the idea that the mere presence of build-
ings begets communities. He uses a Mum-
bai example to illustrate a strong, vibrant
community that thrives without a collec-
tive reliance on the build environment.
“In the modern Middle East, there is too
much emphasis on buildings, structures
and planning,” says Sanderson. “Some of
the closest communities in the world are
located in the slums of Mumbai. Devising
a common interest or shared experience
throughout the community is what brings
it together and creates a bond.”
WHAT COST SUSTAINABILITY?As it often does during discussions of
sustainability, the session moved into
an analysis of the fi nancial benefi ts and
detriments of green technology in build-
try to really push the envelope; when you
try to build something that is really cutting
edge or ground-breaking, that’s when the
big [technology] costs come in.”
LOOKING AHEADAccording to Jimmy Grewel, co-founder
of UAE-based Pulse Technologies, there
is no time like to present to innovate and
set new eco-friendly building standards
for the region. “If there’s ever a time to do
this, it’s now,” he says. “Everyone around
the world is looking at what [the region]
has done, what has been fi nished and what
types of projects are going to come next.”
While it’s encouraging that the debate
about building green communities is hap-
pening, Sanderson is pessimistic about the
amount of talk surrounding the issue. Ex-
perience tells him that this level of airplay
generally sees little or no follow through
in the region. “I have attended so many
sustainable conferences that I doubt I can
cope with another,” he says.
For Sanderson, the issue remains one of
fundamental misunderstanding. “There is
simply an abundance of theory without a
serious understanding of the communities
that supposedly exist here.”
Sanderson concludes: “There will always
be individuals in any residential area—I
avoid the term ‘community’—who express
a keenness to support sustainable endeav-
ors. However, unless there is a history and
serious community depth and commit-
ment as exists in Europe, Japan, North
America and Australia, such sustainable
communities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are
no more than fi ction.”
ings. One point on which everyone—both
speakers and audience alike—agreed is
that green technology is generally more
expensive initially but when taken over a
building’s entire lifecycle, it ends up saving
signifi cantly in terms of energy consump-
tion and, therefore, outright cash.
The fi nancial discussion only got
interesting when a woman from the audi-
ence asked—given the fi nancial state of
the building industry—what methods or
techniques could be employed to achieve
sustainability free of charge.
Echoing the popular sentiment that ar-
chitects alone can single-handedly achieve
LEED Silver just through smart design,
Lewis pointed out the importance of con-
tinuing professional development.
“There are things designers can do that
are free but that’s down to education,” says
Lewis. “We’ve got to make sure the older
architects are using the new tools as well.”
From the perspective of landscaping and
public realm space, Sanderson doubts the
idea that the onus of education lies solely
on architects. “Amongst the design com-
munity, very few architects, fewer engi-
neers and even fewer clients, recognise the
role of landscape architecture or other site
design issues in the sustainable equation.
For Sanderson and landscape architects,
the formula is quite simple: “In terms of
landscaping, we can reduce the cost of
buildings by up to half, just through smart-
er and more effi cient maintenance.”
Grundy quickly brought the conversa-
tion back to earth when he reminded
everyone that there is a limit to what can
be achieved through design. “When you
MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.09 | www.constructionweekonline.com018
019www.constructionweekonline.com | 11.09 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
Organised by
11.00 - 22.00 daily23-26 November 2009
Dubai World Trade Centre,Dubai, United Arab Emirates www.thebig5exhibition.com/visit
11.00 - 20.00 daily
AN EXPERIENCE WHICH IS TRULY...‘BEYOND EXCEPTIONAL’
021
THE HABITAT
The ‘Habitat’ project is a theoretical attempt at ad-
dressing the challenge of high-density development
within the contemporary urban condition.
Located somewhere in the Middle East, this model for
urban living challenges the all-too-familiar and conven-
tional typology for multi-use development: point towers,
segregated by use, rising from a shared support podium.
The Habitat idea is predicated on a somewhat dif-
ferent premise: Inside, a variety of uses are massed as
interlocking and interconnected elements that allow for
accidental relationships and celebrate shared land-
scaped public realm spaces.
This model for density addresses critical questions
and opens doors for further study in the reinterpretation
of traditional urban structures. It responds to its social
and environmental context and it proposes an alterna-
tive matrix for sustainable development.
REGIONAL CASE STUDY THE HABITAT by NORR GROUP
The Habitat challenges the conventional typol-ogy for mixed-use developments
By Yahya Jan & Norr GroupA theoretical model for dense living
URBAN SPRAWL, TYPICALLY SQUALID AND LOW IN DENSITY, PRESENTS A CHALLENGE TO INFRASTRUCTURE GROWTH THAT IS NOT SUSTAINABLE IN THE LONGER TERM.
www.constructionweekonline.com | 11.09 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT 021
REGIONAL CASE STUDY THE HABITAT by NORR GROUP
THE NEED FOR A NEW TYPOLOGYThe impetus behind the research and
development of the Habitat model is the
observation of the less than satisfactory
trends in urbanism over the past century.
The tremendous strains faced by rapidly
urbanizing societies, especially in the de-
veloping world, necessitate an integrated
MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.09 | www.constructionweekonline.com022
Norr Group has addressed the need for landscaped spaces by
creating ‘parks in the sky’.
response that addresses the needs of the
population and those of the changing
natural environment.
Throughout the 20th century, the
great urban centers of the Western world
witnessed an unprecedented transforma-
tion in the form and density of their built
environment. During this period, social,
economic and political forces aligned to
create high density city centers that, over
time, have come to symbolize the achieve-
ments of the developed world.
In contrast to these historic develop-
ments, the urban centers of the developing
world witnessed a somewhat different
transformation of their own: Mass migra-
REGIONAL CASE STUDY THE HABITAT by NORR GROUP
023
tion and high population growth. Scarcity
of resources within developing countries
also resulted in the emergence of ‘mega
cities’, or expansive urban centres featur-
ing populations of 10,000,000 or more.
The physical form of these cities is often
comprised of low-rise buildings spread
over vast areas, which is evidenced by the
sprawl that has come to typify cities such
as Cairo, Calcutta, and Sao Paolo.
In a timeline analysis of urban growth,
perhaps the most disconcerting of all
trends is the inability of society to ad-
equately address the need for infrastruc-
ture and support services for a rapidly
growing population. Urban sprawl, typi-
cally squalid and low in density, presents a
challenge to infrastructure growth that is
not sustainable in the longer term.
A NEW MODEL FOR DENSITYWe believe the more recent emergence of
higher density communities within Asia
and the Middle East presents a unique
opportunity to reconcile the best of urban
design thinking from the past century
while improving on aspects that have been
less than successful.
Perhaps the most obvious areas for
improvement are the need to develop a
new model for dense living and the need to
create a sense of community centered on
shared public and landscaped spaces.
The Habitat model, seen within this
framework, proposes a unifi ed and
integrated approach to urban planning,
architecture, engineering and landscape
design. This model includes residential,
offi ce, hotel, and retail spaces that chal-
lenge conventional or traditional developer
solutions for these types of projects.
As a response to the dire need for
landscaped public and private spaces
within cities of the Middle East, we have
proposed ‘neighborhood parks in the sky.’
These shared spaces have the potential to
act as catalysts; creating identity for the
building while also helping to establish
small group or community identity within
a larger living space as a whole.
LOOKING FORWARDWe believe the challenge for public and
private enterprise is to question conven-
tional wisdom and the currently formulaic
approach to high density development.
This belief is based upon a collection of
accepted realities. First, high-density verti-
cal communities are the most sustainable
living solution for the future. One need
023
A variety of uses are massed as interconnected and interlocking elements
Energy consumption inside the matrix is shown to be signifi cantly less than an average tower complex
www.constructionweekonline.com | 11.09 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
024 MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.09 | www.constructionweekonline.com
AS A RESPONSE TO THE DIRE NEED FOR LANDSCAPED PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SPACES WITHIN THE CITY, WE HAVE PROPOSED ‘NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS IN THE SKY’.
only to look to certain sections of New
York City, Tokyo, Chicago or London to
see real-world examples of sustainable
density in action.
Second, throughout the developing
world, rapid population growth will inevi-
tably place increasing demands on scarce
resources including food, clean air, water
and land. If left unmet, these demands
for basic human needs will lead to death,
disease and destruction on a much larger
scale than current fi gures suggest.
Third, societies and governments will
need to fi nd innovative ways to provide
acceptable living standards and eco-
nomic opportunities for their citizens if
they want to move their countries from
‘developing’ to ‘developed’. This shift will
become increasingly diffi cult as popula-
tions continue to increase faster than
infrastructure can support.
THE CHALLENGE FOR GOVERN-MENTS, DEVELOPERS, DESIGNERSIt is incumbent upon governments, devel-
opers and design professionals to question
conventional wisdom and the formulaic
approach to high-density development.
This group must work together to identify
creative ways to respond to environmental,
economic and social forces of change.
Decision makers need to be open to
the development of new archetypes in the
form of buildings, cities and master plans.
It is absolutely essential that they encour-
REGIONAL CASE STUDY THE HABITAT by NORR GROUP
NORR Design Team on the HabitatBruno CantaleChris PalChristina YesudhasJafar OwainatiRobert El HabreRowena SamsonSofia RodriguesYahya Jan
age the exploration of new and appropriate
technologies that have the potential to give
birth to these new archetypes.
Put simply, if this response does not
happen on a large scale government level,
and we as design professionals don’t start
thinking creatively about these issues, the
world we leave our children will be much
worse than this one. This is an issue that
promises to get worse before it gets better.
Without the screen
PV panels will be integrated throughout the exterior screen
The screen protects from glare and direct sunlight
The Habitat is a fully integrated community
This pattern is the inspi-ration for the PV panels on The Habitat
Norr’s design chal-lenges the conventional
defi nition of density
027
Smith knew he wanted to be an architect since he
was 15 yrs old
FLORIS SMITHExamining the differences between streets and roads & the similarities between a city and a home
Even as a young boy on his grandfather’s
Johannesburg farm, DSA Architects’ newest
director of architecture, Floris Smith, knew he
wanted to be an architect. A fascination with
practical pieces of machinery and a talent for freehand
drawing combined to show him the architectural light at
the tender age of 15. Mentored by people like Aldo van
Eyck and Edmund Bacon at the University of Pennsyl-
vania, where he attained his Masters degree, Smith re-
turned to South Africa to become a young partner—and
eventual chairman—of the prominent South African firm
of Meyer Pienaar & Partners.
That was in the 1980s, when contextualism in archi-
tecture was a relatively new discovery for South Africa.
Smith admits to us that that was when he realised build-
ings were part of a larger urban fabric and that built
space and public space required thoughtful integration.
The lessons he learned under the careful tutelage of
Penn’s architectural greats were invaluable then and
continue to serve him in his work today. He gave Middle East Architect an hour of his time.
Q&AFLORIS SMITH
www.constructionweekonline.com | 11.09 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT 027
028 MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.09 | www.constructionweekonline.com
may be defined by the client, the archi-
tect or the public. All those things have
to come together. Really good architec-
ture satisfies all three of those parts of
the equation: client needs, public needs
and architect needs.
Critics say contemporary Ara-bian architecture is an exercise in kitsch. Your thoughts on that? FS: I think its fair criticism and I think
it would apply to many projects in the
region. We’re involved in a number of
private villa projects where the cli-
ents want to express them in a sort of
Andalusian or Moorish style. We accept
that as a directive but before designing
anything, we study the principles in that
architecture very carefully.
It’s too easy to just take a building and
slap a style onto it. That’s like wallpaper
architecture. At DSA we go beyond that.
Because of our research-based approach,
we consider ourselves like a radio: You
can put us on any station and we’ll play.
A colleague of mine once told me,
‘There’s no such thing as bad architec-
ture, there’s only bad architects’. In the
hands of a good architect, a building can
achieve any style. Just by giving it the
right proportions, balance and composi-
tion, you can elevate it to a much higher
level. It all depends on the talent of that
particular designer.
What do you see in the archi-tecture of the Middle East? FS: Well, from an urban design or
‘macro’ level, there seems to be a consid-
erable lack of care for the public realm. I
read a good analysis recently that talked
about the difference between ‘roads’ and
‘streets’. Dubai is very much a city of
roads. The street is the traditional public
Who inspired you? FS: Louis Kahn. He played a massive
role in the development of South African
architecture. During the late 1950s and
early 1960s a number of South African
students did their Masters degrees at
the University of Pennsylvania in Louis
Kahn’s studio. Two of them happened to
be my erstwhile partners: Willie Meyer
& Francois Pienaar.
Kahn was a great architect. I really
admire his work. He built fantastic
buildings. So he was a great inspiration.
That was also the reason why I followed
in their footsteps and went to Penn.
There was a tradition in the firm.
Aldo van Eyck, the Dutch architect,
came from a different direction but he
espoused similar values in architecture,
which had to do not with the form, but
with the underlying principles. If I de-
sign an office building, it’s not merely an
office building; it’s a place of work. The
design of any building is simply the final
expression of a fundamental realisation
about what that building is really about.
When you sit down to design a new project, what are the fi rst issues you consider? FS: First, it’s to realise what you’re
actually working with in an archetypal
sense. If you do a school or university,
you’ve got to understand, in a spiritual
sense, what that’s all about.
Then you’ve got to consider the site.
You’ve got to relate the building to
where it is on the planet so you’ve got to
consider climatic and ecological issues
as well. Then, you’ve got to understand
the client’s objectives. I see design as
a process through which you achieve
clearly stated objectives. The objectives
Q&A FLORIS SMITH
Designs for the Al Qasr Hotel in Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah
Johannesburg art gallery
Nelson Mandela Square South African Reserve Bank
029
Q&AFLORIS SMITH
0029
realm of most cities, with squares and
piazzas et cetera, and you simply don’t
find that here. There seems to be a lack
of concern about what happens at street
level at the foot of all these towers.
Very often, it’s almost a standard pat-
tern here where you’ve got a podium en-
closing four or five levels of parking and
the tower sitting on top of them. The
interface of that podium at street level
is completely dead; completely blank.
It’s a pattern that is being repeated all
the time and, unfortunately, the result of
that, once all the buildings are finished,
is that the street level will remain com-
pletely dead. To me, that is an aspect
that is neglected here.
In Dubai in particular, I find an
incredible lack of walkability. Although,
when I bring that up in discussions, peo-
ple tell me ‘Dubai is an extreme climate.
You have to internalize everything’. I
don’t agree with that. From October to
April, it is very pleasant outside. I think
the buildings, particularly at street level,
could provide more shaded colonnades,
arcades and pedestrian-friendly edges.
Architecture-wise, I’m shocked to
see how glass buildings are still being
perpetrated all over the place. First of
all, every client wants his building to
be an ‘icon’. So you’ve got a place that’s
bristling with icons to such an extent
that nothing stands out anymore. Now, a
building stands out if it’s not an icon.
It’s a bit of a pity. Architects and
clients don’t seem to want to learn from
the lessons of the region. The traditional
architecture of the region had limited
openings on external walls; any glass
is inset to keep the sun off of it;
the walls are generally thick
and well-insulated; courtyard
solutions are used extensively.
This emphasis on high-rise buildings
in itself is a question I have. I’m not
sure why we don’t build more medium-
rise courtyard fabric throughout the
city. There’s certainly no shortage of
land around here. Everything is pushed
upwards. I guess, in a desert landscape,
if you build high, it’s seen easier. A
tall building makes a visual statement.
Personally, I tend to concentrate more
on making environments than making
objects. To me, it’s more about the space
and the experience than the object.
What’s your take on the re-cent focus on ‘green’ architecture? FS: I started practicing in 1977, which
was shortly after the oil crisis in 1975. In
South Africa, energy was very expensive
so from the outset I was always forced to
limit the amount of glass in the external
wall. Early on, we applied early prin-
ciples of orientation and protecting the
glass from direct sunlight.
Sustainability seems to be the flavour
of the month in the region. But for me,
sustainability is like having good morals.
I’ve practiced it for 30 years. It’s not a
new thing; it is orientation, aspect, light,
ventilation and other basic principles.
There are two parts to sustainability:
There’s sustainability in a biological or
scientific sense, but also in a psychologi-
cal sense too. I think sometimes we push
one at the expense of the other.
What I mean is, as an architect, I’m
interested in what makes people react
positively to the environment as well
as ecological sustainability. I think the
psychological aspect is often neglected.
One of my professors at Penn once
said: ‘there are certain things that cost
nothing per square foot: light, air, pro-
portion. They’re free. Use them’.
What are some examples of your favourite projects? FS: One of my favourites was the South
African Reserve Bank in Johannesburg.
That was almost the pinnacle of my work
in South Africa. We were selected from a
shortlist of 50 architects and we landed
this very prestigious project.
Another one is Nelson Mandela
Square. There was a large shopping
centre in a particularly affluent part of
the city, but it had no heart. So, the local
authority appointed us to come up
with a heart for the district. It’s
almost the size of St. Mark’s
Square in Venice.
The square itself is
underpinned by 2,000
car park spaces below;
it contains a bridge into
the shopping centre
and a lot of retail and
F&B at square level. It
has the 5-star Michelangelo
Hotel at one end and at the
other is the Council Cham-
ber and Library Building.
It’s become a very popular
meeting place.
FROM AN URBAN DESIGN OR ‘MACRO’ LEVEL, THERE SEEMS TO BE A CONSIDERABLE LACK OF CARE FOR THE PUBLIC REALM... THERE SEEMS TO BE A LACK OF CONCERN FOR WHAT HAPPENS AT THE STREET LEVEL OF ALL THESE TOWERS
FLORIS SMITH
www.constructionweekonline.com | 11.09 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT 029
Smith’s biggest inspirations were Louis Kahn, Aldo van
Eyck and Edmund Bacon
In Australia, I was a partner in a
smaller firm and worked on several
harbour-front mansions, commercial
headquarters and industrial buildings.
That taught me a lot of very good les-
sons because the work was much more
commercial in nature. I came from the
luxury of designing public buildings and
had to learn very quickly how to design
buildings that could actually make
money for clients.
You’ve taught at universities in South Africa and Australia. What lessons can you teach MEA?FS: When you think about designing cit-
ies or smaller scale buildings, you’ve got
to remember that a house is a tiny city
and a city is a large house. You’ve got to
think about what that implies for city
and residential planning.
Like a house, a city has to have a clear
definition of public/private space. It has
to have a living room, which is like a
public square; it has to have a kitchen,
which is the industrial component; it
has to have suburbs, which is like the
bedrooms where the kids stay. There is
a fascinating relationship between large
and small in both types of projects.
What inspires you? FS: Travel. I’ve got to always be go-
ing somewhere. In my spare time, I’m
studying for my PhD at the University of
Sydney. I’m looking at the philosophi-
cal climate around Louis Kahn and Aldo
van Eyck and why, at one stage, their
buildings were very similar. That’s just
a hobby of mine. When I’m not doing all
this other stuff, I’m busy with my thesis,
which should be completed in another
three or four years.
Favourite building? FS: I’ll give you two—both by Louis
Kahn. One is the Salk Institute in La
Jolla, California. The other is the Kim-
bell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas.
They’re fantastic buildings. They’re new
and old at the same time.
My favourite urban space in the world
is the Piazza del Campidoglio in Rome,
which was designed by Michelangelo.
Rockefeller Center is another wonderful
example of integrated urban design.
What do you love? FS: My family.
What do you despise? FS: Hypocrisy. Double standards. Also,
I don’t like any sort of fanaticism.
What three words describe you best as an architect? FS: Passionate. Committed. Hard-work-
ing. And, I think, reasonably humble.
Q&A FLORIS SMITH
MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.09 | www.constructionweekonline.com030
In Australia, Smith learned how to design commercial spaces that needed to make money for the clients
*
A D D S A N I T A R Y A N D U T I L I T Y F A C I L I T I E S W H E R E Y O U W A N T - E A S I L Y
• 50 YEARS OF KNOW-HOW
• PRACTICAL
• SILENT RANGE
• EASY TO INSTALL
• PROFESSIONAL AND DOMESTIC RANGE
• CONFORM TO EUROPEAN STANDARDS
MACERATORS PUMPS
Benefits:
SANIPRO
SANICOMPACT
SANITOP
SANICOMPACT Star®
SANISHOWER SANISPEED®
SANICONDENS® SANICUBIC®
SANISHOWERSANITOP
SANICOMPACT
SANIPROSANISPEED
SANICOMPACTStar
SANICONDENS
SANICUBIC
WC with washbasin option
WC + washbasin + shower + bidet
WC + washbasin Shower + washbasin
boilers and air conditioner
lift station for a complete house
dishwasher + washingmachine + sink
SFA
E X T R A F A C I L I T I E S A N Y W H E R E
Y O U C H O O S E
“Sole Agent in the UAE” Abu Dhabi: +971 2 642 4008Al Ain: +971 3 721 2161Dubai: +971 4 339 2771
w w w. s f a . b i z
PRODUCT SUPPLIER YOU SHOULD KNOW
032 MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.09 | www.constructionweekonline.com
032
MALLY CLARKEa pedestrian has passed through the door.
By their very nature, doors prevent the in-
gress of hot air or the escape of cooled air.
4. How does GEZE reconcile the lack of building standards in the UAE and around the Gulf? MC: Building standards in the region are,
in most cases, up to international stan-
dards. International architects, designers
and contractors are active here and import
the standards from their home country
into designs and concepts.
However, approvals are needed on
a case by case basis which is very time
consuming. I would like to see the Gulf
countries giving a blanket acceptance of
one set of standards, whether this would
be European on British standards.
1. What is the GEZE vision? MC: The GEZE vision is to be the supplier
of choice to all high quality developers,
architects and engineers active in world
construction markets.
We value recommendations from
satisfi ed clients as the goal whenever we
partner with construction leaders. We are
a family business with almost 150 years of
history to support us. Our clients can take
comfort from this experience.
2. How comprehensive is the range of GEZE products and solutions? MC: GEZE has one of the widest portfolios
of window and door control solutions in
the industry. One hundred forty six years
in business has given us an unrivalled
depth of knowledge to assist engineers,
architects and design professionals.
3. When energy-use is in question, people often turn to windows and doors as the culprits. How do GEZE products deal with this? MC: The usual culprit in excessive energy
usage and or waste is often attributed to
the high levels of glass used in modern
buildings. Door and window controls, by
their very nature, are designed to minimize
the time doors and windows are open.
From the simple door closer to the so-
phisticated revolving door, all are designed
to close doors as quickly as possible after
CREATING A MODERN BUILDING IS LIKE A TOP CHEF MAKING A WORLD CLASS MEAL. HE USES THE VERY BEST INGREDIENTS AVAILABLE TO MAKE HIS MASTERPIECE. ONE INFERIOR INGREDIENT CAN SPOIL THE WHOLE MEAL. IT IS THE SAME FOR THE ARCHITECT AND ENGINEER.
marketing manager, GEZE
5. How closely do GEZE personnel work with architects and engineers to meet design specifi cations? MC: GEZE staff work with architects from
the concept stage through to installation
and commissioning of our products. We
work with contractors throughout the
building phase to either train his techni-
cians how to professionally install our
products or, agree a suitable time for
GEZE technicians to install our products.
Architects and designers provide solu-
tions to access needs. This creates the
demand for our products. Design profes-
sionals are central to our core business.
6. If I’m an architect or engineer, why would I specify GEZE? MC: Architects and engineers are trained
to exceptionally high standards. They want
GEZE products are fi t throughout London’s
Wembley Stadium
“The client doing a small project today could be executing next year’s largest”
PRODUCT SUPPLIERYOU SHOULD KNOW
033 033 www.constructionweekonline.com | 11.09 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
7. What is the biggest/smallest installation GEZE can handle? MC: GEZE has been the supplier of choice
on some of the largest projects in most of
the markets of the world. The list of proj-
ects where our products are used is long
and distinguished.
Some of the more recognizable projects
for Gulf consumers are the Emirates
Stadium in London; Heathrow Terminal
5; Wembley Stadium; Madinat Jumeirah;
Down Town Burj Dubai – Souq Al Bahr;
Business Bay Park; Limitless HQ and
the F1 circuit on YAS Island.
We are able to handle any size of
project and treat each with the same
respect. The client doing a small
project today could be executing
the next year’s largest project. Cus-
tomer satisfaction is what drives
our business.
8. What GEZE innovations can architects, engineers and de-
signers expect to see in 2010? MC: At GEZE, innovation is
constantly occurring.
From design
improvements
to existing
products to
the launch
of com-
pletely new
products, scarcely a day goes by without
news of a new technical advancement or
state-of-the-art product launch.
Recently GEZE was awarded the reddot
design 2009. The reddot award, as you
know, is one of the largest and most re-
nowned design competitions in the world,
which was founded in Germany in 1955.
9. What is the GEZE strategy post-credit crunch and for the future? MC: Like most companies GEZE needs to
see the end to the credit crunch. Market
conditions in the construction industry are
still very diffi cult. Liquidity remains the
greatest problem. No matter what product
or service is supplied to the construction
industry, getting paid is what keeps every-
one in business.
Getting paid allows us to keep innovat-
ing, never mind paying our staff and our
material suppliers. We are very fortunate
to work with industry leading clients who
share the same business ethics that we do.
10. Bottom line: How can GEZE help architects do their jobs better? MC: GEZE ensures that architects are
presented with the latest designs and
solutions available internationally. We also
provide continued professional develop-
ment programs and seminars to architects
to ensure they remain fully appraised of
product innovations.
to create buildings to the highest interna-
tional standards. This can only be achieved
if ALL of the products used in the building
are of the highest international standards.
Creating a modern building is like a top
chef making a world class meal. He uses
the very best ingredients available to make
his masterpiece. One inferior ingredient
can spoil the whole meal. It is the same for
the architect and engineer.
They too need the very
best materials to
create their mas-
terpiece. GEZE
have been in
business for
146 years. Our
customers
rely on our
experience and
innovation to
keep them at the
very top of their
profession.
GEZE also fi t out Abu Dhabi’s F1 circuit
GEZE was awarded 2009’s reddot award
PRODUCT SUPPLIER YOU SHOULD KNOW
034 MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.09 | www.constructionweekonline.com
034
TARANA DAROOGAR
those required under most of the world’s
sustainable building assessment tools or
environmentally friendly programmes.
4. How does Mapei deal with the region’s lack of building standards? TD: One of the biggest challenges has al-
ways been the mixed use of standards and
specifi cations in this region particularly
with architects and engineers designing to
codes and standards they are more famil-
iar with from their own countries.
Obviously, these standards and speci-
fi cations are sometimes not the most ap-
propriate for this part of the world.
However, one recent and very positive
development has been the adoption by the
Gulf Standards Organization (GSO) of the
ISO 13007 standard for tile adhesives and
grouts. To our knowledge this step rep-
resents the fi rst unifi ed building standard
in this region and will go a long way in
eliminating some of the confusion associ-
ated with this type of activity.
Mapei’s adhesive products and grouts
are already manufactured to comply with
ISO 13007, therefore we are in a good
position to help the market in both under-
standing the new standard and to ensure
that products supplied locally are compli-
ant with those supplied internationally.
5. How closely does Mapei work with architects and engineers to meet design guidelines? TD: Mapei typically has very strong rela-
tionships with architects and engineers.
We have been requested by a number of
practices to run workshops where we ex-
plain how to specify the most appropriate
technical services manager, Mapei
1. What is the Mapei vision? TD: Put simply, the Mapei vision is to be
the leading supplier of adhesive and build-
ing solutions in the region, mirroring that
which has been achieved by our parent
company throughout the world.
2. Tell our readers about Mapei’s ‘total building solution’...TD: Products are usually selected from
different sources with the consequence be-
ing that liability in the case of any disputes
is diffi cult to resolve. Mapei’s philosophy
is to provide a system based approach
where all products are compatible and the
client has only one source of liability.
With the exception of the actual fi nish-
ing item i.e. the ceramic tile, wooden fl oor,
marble and natural stone, Mapei is able
to provide a full installation system which
includes the appropriate substrate primer,
a screed or self leveler—which could be
rapid setting/rapid hydrating where re-
quired—and the most compatible adhesive
and colour matched grouts and sealant.
3. How can Mapei products help architects or developers gain LEED, BREEAM or Estidama points? TD: Mapei invests more than 70% of its
R&D budget (approximately 90 mil-
lion Euros for FY 2008) in the
development and production
of products which are envi-
ronmentally responsible.
As a result, we have over
120 products in our range
which are considered
‘green’. Where projects
require certifi cation such as
LEED, Mapei’s products
can help to contribute
in a number of different
ways for example local
production which en-
ables sourcing within
800km of the jobsite
(LEED MR Credits
5.1 and 5.2) and also
the GEV Emicode
certifi cation,
which ensures
VOC emissions
are lower than
systems in particular adhesives comply-
ing to the new GSO ISO 13007. We are
also involved in detailing work located in
particularly diffi cult site situations such
as wet/marine areas and fi nishes which
incorporate the use of sound insulation.
6. If I’m an architect, engineer or designer, why would I use Mapei?
TD: Apart from being a world renowned
leader, Mapei’s local team is made up of
professionals who are experts in the fi eld
of adhesives, and the other associated
building activities.
Our aim is to resolve design issues on
the drawing board rather than leaving
them to be issues at site. This helps both
the designer and the owner and enhances
the durability of the installation.
We also provide a lot of aesthetic value
through our range of ‘Ultracolor Plus’
coloured grouts and ‘Mapecil AC’ matching
sealants (26 standard colours) and some of
our more innovative products such as ‘Ker-
apoxy Design’ and ‘Mapeglitter’.
These products have proven to be very
popular with designers as they give the
opportunity to compliment or contrast the
colour of the grout and sealant with the
selected tile in a unique way.
7. What is the biggest/smallest installation Mapei can handle? TD: There really is no restriction for Ma-
pei. We supply and service jobs as small
as a bathroom in a villa to whole shopping
malls and major mixed-use developments.
Part of our service includes on-site
technical support where we advise on such
aspects as substrate preparation, correct
OUR AIM IS TO RESOLVE DESIGN ISSUES ON THE DRAWING BOARD RATHER THAN LEAVING THEM TO BE ISSUES AT SITE. THIS HELPS BOTH THE DESIGNER AND THE OWNER AND ENHANCES THE DURABILITY OF THE INSTALLATION.
PRODUCT SUPPLIERYOU SHOULD KNOW
035 035 www.constructionweekonline.com | 11.09 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
material selection, mixing and applica-
tion to ensure that the fi nal fi nish is to the
highest standard it can be.
8. What Mapei innovations can the industry expect to see in 2010? TD: Mapei will continue to innovate in
2010 and introduce products which save
time without compromising quality.
We will be introducing our ‘Ultraplan’
range of self leveling compounds which are
able to provide sound and level substrates
with thicknesses ranging from 1-30mm
in a single application, with compressive
strengths in excess of 30N/mm2 and on to
which can be applied most type of fi nishes
including parquet after only 24 hours.
This range is completely unique in the
UAE market but will go a long way to
minimizing some of the substrate prepara-
tion issues often associated with such
applications.
9. What is the Mapei strategy mov-ing forward, post-credit crunch? TD: The feedback we have received from
the market post-credit crunch is that
developers are now improving quality of
fi nishes on many projects as the end user
client base has become more discerning.
Additionally installers are now taking
more time to study the material and ap-
plication techniques to minimize snagging
activities which are both profi t and time
consuming. Therefore, Mapei’s strategy
is basically to continue doing what we do
best which is providing the best product
and support for each project with which
we are associated and/or specifi ed.
10. Bottom line: How can Mapei help architects do their jobs better?TD: By providing a system based solution
for whatever type of fi nish is being speci-
fi ed. This is particularly relevant as many
fi nishes have evolved e.g. increased use
of resin agglomerate stone, ever thinning
tiles or different substrates such as build-
ing boards, plywood and composites.
Mapei provides peace of mind by offer-
ing a range of products which keep up with
the changes in fi nishes and substrates and
backing this up with the highest level of
technical support in the industry.
Mapei has heard that end users have become much more discerning post-credit cruch
One of Mapei’s specialties is fi nding solutions for diffi cult
or marine projects
The adoption of GSO ISO 13007 for adhesives and
grouts is a step in the right direction for Mapei
PRODUCT SUPPLIER YOU SHOULD KNOW
036 MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.09 | www.constructionweekonline.com
036
RODERICK WILESThe ‘green building’ concept is generating
waves of interest and action around the
world and as the call for sustainability—
the primary tenet of the ‘green’ con-
cept—continues to become the watchword
for natural materials, wood is the solution
to which builders can turn to for a more
sustainable built environment.
There are many sources of non-certifi ed
wood around the world – from well man-
aged forests and many countries. There are
also several forest certifi cation schemes,
recognised internationally by professionals
and by governments, which provide as-
surances to users that wood is grown and
harvested sustainably.
Two of the more widely accepted
schemes include Forest Stewardship
Council (FSC); an independent, non-
governmental, not-for-profi t organisation
established to promote the responsible
management of the world’s forests. Estab-
lished in 1993, FSC is regarded as one of
the most important initiatives of the last
Simple fact: wood is the only con-
struction material on the planet
that is naturally renewable and
recyclable. It leaves a lighter footprint than
any other building product and has been
found to save energy from its production
stages up to construction—regardless of
whether the project is a multibillion dollar
development or simple home furniture.
These results are due to the fact that
wood’s embodied energy is equivalent to
only a fraction of the energy required to
produce almost any other building mate-
rial. Wood is also carbon negative, and
takes only 1.47 kilograms of carbon dioxide
on average and gives off 1.07 kilograms of
oxygen to grow a kilo of this material.
Furthermore, the thermal insulation
properties of wood save energy in heating
and coooling and thus save carbon emis-
sions throughout the life of a building.
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY HARD-WOOD & THE ‘GREEN’ MOVEMENT
Consultant for international markets, American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC)decade in promoting responsible forest
management throughout the world.
The other is the Programme for the En-
dorsement of Forest Certifi cation schemes
(PEFC); an independent, non-profi t,
non-governmental organisation founded
in 1999 to promote sustainably managed
forests through independent third party
certifi cation.
AMERICAN HARDWOODThe American hardwood industry has a
wealth of experience in processing the na-
tive hardwoods of North America. Growing
more temperate hardwood species than
any other region of the world, the USA is
among the few countries that can boast of
high level success in sustainably managing
its hardwood forests.
Due to the intensive application of Best
Management Practices (BMP), the hard-
wood forests of America represent thriving
ecosystems. They support a vibrant and
healthy standard of timber, a diverse
The European Union’s Veterinary & Food Of-fi ce in Dublin, Ireland
The restoration of a 17th century barn in Herefordshire, UK
PRODUCT SUPPLIERYOU SHOULD KNOW
037 037 www.constructionweekonline.com | 11.09 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
design professionals and manufacturers
of furniture, fl ooring, cabinets, interior
mouldings, panelling and joinery.
WOOD FOR DESIGN & INTERIORSHardwoods offer specifi ers, manufacturers
and end-users around the world a great
variety of colour, grain and character; from
the warm, darker tones of walnut, red al-
der, elm, cherry and red oak to the lighter
hues of white oak, maple and ash.
Many of these species also have interest-
ing colour contrasts between the sapwood
THE ‘GREEN BUILDING’ CONCEPT IS GENERATING WAVES OF INTEREST AND ACTION AROUND THE WORLD AND AS THE CALL FOR SUSTAINABILITY…CONTINUES TO BECOME THE WATCHWORD FOR NATURAL MATERIALS, WOOD IS THE SOLUTION TO WHICH BUILDERS CAN TURN TO FOR A MORE SUSTAINABLE BUILT ENVIRONMENT.
and heartwood, with species such as
hickory, sapgum and tulipwood display-
ing exciting colour variation within their
heartwood as well. The physical properties
of some species—oak, hard maple, ash,
walnut and hickory—make them ideal for
fl ooring and myriad other applications.
AHEC STUDY Responding to increasing demands for in-
dependent assurances that US hardwoods
derive from legal and sustainable sources,
the American Hardwood Export Council
(AHEC) commissioned a report titled
Assessment of Lawful Harvesting and
Sustainability of U.S. Hardwood Exports.
The report, which was commissioned
by AHEC but prepared by independent
consultants, provides confi rmation of the
legal and sustainable status of American
hardwood forest management. To review
report and for more information, check
out: www.americanhardwood.org.
population of wildlife, clean rivers and
streams and various forms of recreation.
As the world faces up to environmental
change, the net volume of hardwood grow-
ing stock in the USA has increased from
184,090 million ft³ in 1953 to just under
400,000 million ft³ in 2007 (Source: Plan-ning Act Assessment 2007).
Generally speaking, American hardwood
lumber is sold from the United States to
importers around the world, who then
distribute the wood to manufacturers and
specifi ers. The majority of users include
The ribbon will guide visitors down to bed-
rock level
American volume of hardwood growing stock has reached 400,000 million ft³ in 2007Castellon Auditorium, Spain
SERVICE PROVIDERYOU SHOULD KNOW
037 www.constructionweekonline.com | 11.09 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
VE SOLUTIONS
positive impact. We are not here to criti-
cise and say you did it wrong. We are not
trying to supplant the professional team.
We complete the circle....”
Eugene emphasises that “cost manage-
ment is not cost cutting.” Therefore it
is crucial to integrate value engineering
consultants right from the beginning of the
process, so it becomes more ‘harmonious’.
“It is a mindset change. Designers spend a
lot of time on a design, and then we come
to the table and tell them to do something
different. It is human nature to reject this.
However, it is still easy to change when it
is pencil and paper. When the job is done
and you have to redesign, that is when
people start to resist the process.
SIGNIFICANT IMPACT“The impact of value engineering, if
brought to bear at the end, is still signifi -
cant, but not as maximised if it had been
introduced upfront. Nonetheless, with
most of our jobs we are brought in towards
the end. We hope this will change as value
engineering becomes more acceptable, and
when developers start to appreciate the
value it adds. The reality is that at the end
of the day the designer simply cannot do
everything,” says Eugene.
Arkady says there are two main issues
VE Solutions founder Arkady
Siterman and director of develop-
ment Eugene Siterman attended
Cityscape 2009, and Middle East Architect caught up with them during their whistle-
stop visit. The New York-based company
was established in UAE in 2008, during
which one of its high-profi le projects was
the 62-storey Trump International Hotel
& Tower. Ironically, Donald Trump Jr.
recently revealed that the project could be
resurrected “within two years”.
Eugene says that one of the company’s
aims is to correct the general misunder-
standing around the concept of ‘value en-
gineering’. “We feel that the defi nition has
been misunderstood in the marketplace.
The fi rst thing one thinks of is a cost-
cutting exercise, but this is exactly what it
is not. Our defi nition is the art of applying
engineering principles to achieve utmost
value with the least possible resources.”
Arkady comments that the total project
savings achievable through such a process
are signifi cant: “Basically what we have
seen on all projects is that a 10% to 15%
cost saving and a 20 % to 25% energy
reduction can be effected in terms of value
engineering.” The biggest scope for savings
lies in oversized systems, which present
problems in terms of consolidation of
equipment and ineffi cient layout of engi-
neering communications. Such systems
have often not been designed in accor-
dance with the prevailing local climatic
and market conditions.
OVERSIZED SYSTEMS“Some people think oversized systems are
better in a hot and humid climate. Actu-
ally the opposite is true: when a system is
oversized, you cannot control the humidity
effectively,” explains Arkady. This not only
impacts on MEP, but on architectural and
structural aspects as well. “Oversized sys-
tems require more space for equipment,
and more space in the ceiling for ductwork
and piping. It impacts everything.”
Eugene acknowledges that, “in a perfect
world, there would be no need for value
engineers. But having us as part of the
team helps keep them on their toes. It is a
Optimising MEP systems reduces cost by up to 15%, energy consumption by up to 25% and plays a critical role in getting developers to revisit shelved projectsBy Gerhard Hope
associated with value engineering: design
functionality and design constructabil-
ity. “Basically we coordinate both. We
analyse the design and introduce systems
that are easily installed and operated, so
it improves the fi nal quality. The simpler
a system is, the easier it is to install and
operate. We cannot control the installation
quality itself, but reducing complexity goes
a long way to mitigate this.”
The company also recommends suppli-
ers and manufacturers with a reputation
for reliability and quality. “This is a big
plus for those people who have to maintain
the equipment after the construction has
been completed,” says Arkady. Another
corollary of value engineering is that it
allows developers to be creative and con-
tinue to tackle iconic projects, even in the
current market constraints.
“We are of the opinion that the glass
tower, and iconic buildings in general, will
always be there, as these bring character to
a city. The point is not to avoid glass totally
to reduce energy consumption, but to re-
spond to the engineering challenges posed.
Working with architects and developers
can help overcome the potential negative
impacts. That is how a lot of technology
evolves, through human desire to go be-
yond and achieve something more.”
Eugene and Arkady Siterman of VE Solutions of New York.
040 MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.09 | www.constructionweekonline.com
BMT Fluid Mechanics is internationally recognised as a leading independent specialist in the ?eld of wind engineering and building physics.
KEY SERVICES
• Wind Climate Analysis
• Structural Load Analysis
• Building Motion/Dynamic Response Analysis
• Auxiliary Damping System Con?guration
• Pedestrian Wind ComfortAnalysis/ EnvironmentalImpact Assessment
• Aerodynamic Performance of Building IntegratedWind Turbines
• Building Physics
• Blast Analysis for Façade Systems
• Wind tunnel testing
KEY BENEFITS
• Cost effective structural design
• Cost effective façade design
• Optimised occupant comfort
• External microclimate control
• Environmental design solution development
• Interactive solution development
• Design for terrorist threat
• Iterative design optimisation
BMT Fluid Mechanics operates a highly specialised tall building group with key skills in ?uid dynamics, physical modelling and numerical modelling which aid designers and operators to optimise design, minimise commercial risk and maximise safety.
Wind engineering & architectural aerodynamics
For further information contact: DR. VOLKER BUTTGEREITTel: +44 20 8614 4400 Fax: +44 20 8943 3224Email: [email protected] Website: www.bmtfm.com
BMT Fluid Mechanics Limited, 67 Stanton Avenue, Teddington Middlesex, TW11 0JY, UK
London | Hong Kong | Kuala Lumpur | Abu Dhabi | Dubai
For quality, style and value
TRIED AND TRUSTED ARCHITECTURAL HARDWAREQuality engineered ironmongery, successfully type-tested to BS EN Standards, Warrington Certifi re and now by you. Now available from stock in the Middle East.
For a perfect fi nish
www.eurospec.co.uk
TM
FEATURE ARCHITECTURAL HARDWARE
041 041 www.constructionweekonline.com | 11.09 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
Good design is judged in the detail.
Often, it is the smallest, least-
conspicuous components of a
space that speak of its true calibre. The
difference between a remarkable project
and something mundane, banal, or even
pastiche, one can sometimes lie in the least
obvious of places – in door controls, locks,
lever handles and hinges, to name a few.
This month, Middle East Architect is
looking at the architectural hardware
industry, inviting key players to introduce
themselves and highlight recent develop-
ments at their company. Architectural
hardware is the ‘nuts and bolts’ of a space,
the bits that hold it together and that you
can’t do without. But the industry is be-
coming increasingly design-orientated too.
More and more companies are coming up
with solutions that are functional, durable
and technically-advanced, but aesthetically
appealing as well.
Häfele, for example, is on the verge of
launching a new range of luxury handles
called The Platinum Series, which was de-
signed by Paolo Pedrizzetti and enhanced
with Swarovski crystals. The designs are
highly contemporary and are available
in a range of fi nishes, as well as different
coloured crystals.
The technology behind the products
is also evolving rapidly. Dorma recently
launched the latest version of its automatic
sliding door operator, the CS80 Mag-
neo, which features ‘SoftMotion’ safety
features. Meanwhile, Häfele has created a
new ‘economy’ version of its Dialock Hotel
Locking Range, which features touchless
card reading and has been used in many of
the region’s fi ve-star hotels. The new line
offers features created specifi cally to suit
three- or four-star hotels.
Find out more about new launches, lat-
est technologies and enhanced aesthetics
over the next few pages.
ARCHITECTURAL HARDWARE THE NUTS & BOLTS OF DESIGN
by Selina Denman
FEATURE ARCHITECTURAL HARDWARE
042 MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.09 | www.constructionweekonline.com
Company background: ASSA ABLOY is
a global leader in door opening solutions,
dedicated to satisfying end-user needs
for security, safety and convenience. Yale
is the brand name behind locks of every
design and function in over 125 countries,
and is a part of the ASSA ABLOY Group.
At ASSA ABLOY, we believe that freedom
enriches people and that fear makes us
poorer. To realise freedom, we must fi rst
feel safe and secure. That’s why the ASSA
ABLOY Group is committed to creat-
ing high-quality door opening solutions.
Abdul Aziz & Saad Mohammed Al-Moajil
is a KSA-based company with 70 years of
trading history in this region. It is the sole
distributer of Yale products in the GCC.
Locations: Yale Security Point, Alkara-
ma, Dubai, Tel: +971 (0)4 3355587.
Who to talk to: Younis Ali, business
development manager.
USPs: All over the world, people are
actively securing all that they care about
– their home, their family, their personal
belongings or their businesses – with the
name they trust the most, Yale.
Best sellers: Among the wide range of Yale
products, door solution items like handles,
door cylinders and closers are a favourite
with our dealers and solution providers.
The quality, service and professionalism
that we offer are the main reasons behind
our continued success.
News: We are proud to announce the
launch of our digital door lock, Yale Gate-
man. Yale Gateman is a unique hybrid
of digital technology, cost-effi ciency and
luxurious fi nishings. Being integratable,
smart and fl exible, Yale Gateman has
no limitations. You can integrate it with
any automation system and then control,
communicate and automate it easily. To
keep our business integrity and meet client
needs, we are providing a free-of-charge
installation, a toll-free based service and
an expandable one-year guarantee for our
new product. Please visit our security cen-
tre in Dubai or visit www.yalegateman.ae.
ASSA ABLOY
Company background: A fascinating
journey of 100 years of history, start-
ing from a humble factory in Germany
in 1908, to a current 71 wholly-owned
companies in 47 different countries, 6,600
employees and a turnover of EUR882 mil-
lion (fi scal 2008/2009, June 30). Dorma
products are grouped under fi ve divisions:
Door Controls, Automatic, Glass Fittings
& Accessories, STA (Security, Time and
Access) and Moveable Walls, backed by a
service and maintenance team.
Location: The Middle East operations
are controlled from DORMA Gulf FZE, the
regional headquarters in Dubai’s JAFZA,
with a purpose-built showroom displaying
the latest products. In addition, there are
branch offi ces in Abu Dhabi and Al Quoz.
Offi ces in KSA, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan
ensure effi cient service at a local level.
Who to talk to: Ahmed Sameer in the
marketing department.
USPs: DORMA provides solutions for
literally every opening in a building, with
the right balance of aesthetics, functional-
ity, convenience, safety and security.
Best sellers: The slide channel cam-
action door closers in the Contur design;
the KTV Atrium Glass revolving doors; the
Moveo sliding and folding acoustic parti-
tions; and the Beyond swing and sliding
door fi ttings for frameles doors.
News: Dorma provided the new Dual
Drive FST automatic sliding doors for all
the Metro stations in Dubai, the security
and access control products for Dubai’s
Terminal 3, the Tornado Glass atrium
feature and transparent facades for Mall
of Arabia in Jeddah, and the huge Varifl ex
acoustic sliding folding partitions for the
exhibition halls in ADNEC Abu Dhabi.
Our latest product is the CS80 Magneo,
the automatic sliding door operator, with
‘SoftMotion’ safety.
DORMA
FEATURE ARCHITECTURAL HARDWARE
043 043 www.constructionweekonline.com | 11.09 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
Company background: Häfele is a
privately-owned company that has been
in existence since 1923. It has subsidiaries
in over 30 countries, as well as 40 sales
offi ces linked to its headquarters
in Germany.
Locations: Häfele Middle East has been
operational in the UAE for 25 years and,
more recently, has opened direct sales
offi ces in Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Who you should talk to: Adam Taylor,
general manager.
USPs: One of Häfele’s greatest assets is its
staff. The company employs a number of
highly-qualifi ed and experienced employ-
ees who are experts in the joinery fi eld and
are able to support the designers of large
construction projects. Häfele is a member
of the Door and Hardware Institute (DHI)
of the USA, as well as the Guild of Archi-
tectural Ironmongery in the UK.
Best seller: The Dialock Hotel Lock-
ing Range, which features touchless card
reading and has been used in many of the
region’s fi ve-star hotels. A new economical
line was recently introduced with fewer
features, to suit three- or four-star hotels.
The Startec brand of hardware for doors is
also popular among specifi ers.
News: Häfele will be returning to Big 5
in November, where it will be launching a
new luxury range of lever handle designs
called The Platinum Series.
Häfele GCC is also pleased to introduce,
as part of its Luxury Collection, a range of
products enhanced by Swarovski crystals.
Designed by Paolo Pedrizzetti for the
Italian manufacturer Manital, the designs
are practical and contemporary, and are
available in different fi nishes as well as
different coloured crystals.
In a separate development, Häfele Bah-
rain is to supply the architectural hard-
ware for the new Sofi tel Zallaq Resort and
Spa in Bahrain. The handle design selected
for the project is called Barocco, which is
also manufactured by Manital.
HAFELE
Company background: Eurospec was
established in the UK in 1997 to meet the
demands of the specifi cation and commer-
cial ironmongery sectors, where proven
performance and certifi cation are essen-
tial. Eurospec Middle East was launched to
support the growing number of direct sales
in the GCC, with a region-specifi c product
range available from stock, and techni-
cally-experienced staff on hand to offer
expert advice. As a designer, manufacturer
and distributor, we ensure that behind the
aesthetics lies a functional and durable
product that will keep performing for the
next 25 years or more.
Locations: We have representatives all
over the GCC, as well as head offi ces and
warehouses in Dubai and the UK.
Who to talk to: Angus Grant, general man-
ager ([email protected])
USPs: With our ‘contract’ and ‘architec-
tural’ ranges we have products to meet
differing specifi cations without compro-
mising on quality or performance. We
are proud members of the UK’s Guild of
Architectural Ironmongers and Master
Locksmiths Association and we invest
heavily in BS EN and Warrington Certifi re
product testing so that you know you are
specifying a product you can trust. We also
understand the urgency of sample and
project mock-up requirements and are
fully equipped to satisfy these specifi ca-
tions with next-day delivery.
Best sellers: The ‘Easi-T’ lock range, with
its patented latch reversal system, and the
‘Enduro’ hinge range are the best sellers
in the region. We’re also very proud of
our ‘Steelworx’ range of high performance
levers which have been specifi ed on some
of the region’s most prestigious projects.
News: The new Middle East range bro-
chure is now available. Request your copy
by visiting www.eurospec.co.uk.
EUROSPEC
FEATURE ARCHITECTURAL HARDWARE
044 MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.09 | www.constructionweekonline.com
Company background: Sliding hard-
ware systems from Hawa have been at
home all over the globe for more than 40
years. The company from Mettmenstetten,
which is near Zurich, is renowned interna-
tionally as a specialist in sliding systems
and a leading manufacturer of state-of-
the-art sliding hardware.
The Swiss company offers a high-quality
solution for virtually any requirement,
any material and any door weight. From
sliding doors for furniture and buildings to
sliding shutters and highly complex sliding
wall systems, Hawa has an answer.
Locations: Hawa AG has had a subsid-
iary in Dubai since 2005: Hawa Middle
East FZE, Jebel Ali Free Zone.
Who to talk to: Adeeb Ghazal, regional
sales director.
USPs: Designers and installers alike
appreciate our simple design ability,
convenient installation, high functionality
and quality. Over 60 international patents
show just how resourceful Hawa techni-
cians are when it comes to developing new
sliding hardware solutions.
Best seller: The HAWA-Junior sliding
hardware with plastic rollers and sliding
bearings today belongs amongst the best-
selling sliding hardware systems, thanks to
continuous development and additions to
the programme.
News: Hawa has launched the HAWA-
Purolino 80, a puristic designer hardware
system for all-glass sliding doors, with
concealed suspension for surface-mount-
ing onto walls or ceilings, or integrated
ceiling installation.
Hawa will shortly introduce another
two innovations as part of its furniture
programme: HAWA-Concepta 25/30/50,
the sophisticated hardware for effortlessly
pivoting and sliding in doors made of
wood and glass; and HAWA-Antea 50-80/
VF, hardware for glass and wood sliding
doors running in front of the cabinet body.
HAWA
Company background: has been ac-
tive in the Middle East since 1996 as a
regional offi ce in Amman, Jordan. For
more than seven years, GEZE Middle East
has established a solid network of business
partners, distributors and dealers.
In January 2003, GEZE Middle East
moved to Jebel Ali Free Zone Area in
Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The move
has helped it to improve its customer ser-
vice ability of providing shorter delivery
time & better technical support.
Its offi ces are well equipped and well
staffed to meet market demands. GEZE’s
warehouse maintains adequate stock of
all its products to meet the immediate re-
quirements of our client. GEZE exports to
every country throughout the Middle East.
Its staff are trained to offer technical sup-
port and have conducted several in-house
seminars and training sessions to the great
satisfaction of its clients.
Who to talk to: Mally Clarke, sales man-
ager ([email protected])
USPs: GEZE’s quality management
system constantly optimises the satisfac-
tion of our customers and product quality.
The fulfi lment of ISO 9001 is a matter of
course for us. The TÜV SÜD Management
Service GmbH confi rmed our extremely
effi cient management system and awarded
us an internationally recognised certifi cate.
News: GEZE launches the new Perlan
140 design sliding door system with the
SoftStop entry damping system. The new
automatic sliding door system Slimdrive
SL NT from GEZE is, with a construction
height of just seven centimetres, ideally
suited for glass facades in which large and
heavy door leaves are moved with force
and all of the construction elements need
to appear slim and subtle. GEZE GmbH
was voted one of the 100 most innovative
small/medium enterprises in Germany.
GEZE Middle East
THEARTOF BEING A
MAN
M I D D L E E A S T
UNBELIEVABLE CONFESSIONS
AED
15
Q
AR
20
B
HD
2
OM
R 2
K
WD
2
SAR
20
NOVEMBER 2009
WOMAN WE LOVE
DRESS YOUR
AGE
Page64
THE HOFF
Sound Advice OnOIL INVESTMENTS
AND
PLUS
MAN AT HIS BEST
101 RULES
FOR MEN
Page69
Page45
OUT
NOW
047 www.constructionweekonline.com | 11.09 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
THE SKETCHBOOKSTRIDE TREGLOWN
004747 www wwwww.cw.cw.cw.w. onsonsonsonstrutrutrut ctictiticc onwonwonwonwon eekeekeekkonlonlonlonln ineineinene.co.co.com |m m | 1111.11.11 090909 | | | MIDMIDMIDMIDDLEDLEDLEDD EA EA EAST ST ST ARCARCARCCHITHITHITECTECTE
THETHETHEEE SK SK SKSKSKETCETCETCETCCHBOHBOHBOOHBOOKOKOKKOSTRSTRST IDEIDEDEE T TR TRTREGLGLEGLLOWNOWNOWNOWN
ALL SAINTS ACADEMYClient: National Academies FrameworkLocation: Cheltenham, UKArchitect: Stride Treglown Ltd.Website: www.stridetreglown.co.uk
THE SKETCHBOOKFOCUS DESIGN PARTNERS
048 MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 11.09 | www.constructionweekonline.com
THETHE SK SKKETCETCHBOHBOOKOKOFOCFOCUS DESDESIGNG PAPARTNT ERSRS
000004848484848 MIDMIDMIDDDDLEDLEDLEDLE E EAEAEA E ST STTST T ARCARCARCCA HITHITTTTECTECTECTECTE | | | |TTT 11.11.11.11 090909099 | | | wwwwwwwwwwww.co.co.cocconstnstnnstrucruccr tiotiotionwenwnweekoekoeekokonlinlinlin ne.ne.ne.nene comcomcomm
D17Client: Qatar Finance HouseLocation: Energy City, Lusail, QatarArchitect: Wissam Mansour & Velina Mirincheva (Focus Design Partners)Website: www.focusdp.com
*