An ITP Business Publication
JUNE 2012 / VOLUME 06 / ISSUE 06
NEWS, DATA, ANALYSIS AND STRATEGIC INSIGHTS FOR ARCHITECTS IN THE GCC BUILDING FOCUS Discovering Goettsch Partners’ Sowwah Square in Abu Dhabi
INTERVIEW GAJ’s Graeme Fisher discusses his move to GEMS Education
MEA gets submerged in DOT’s audacious designs for an underwater hotel off the coast of Dubai
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JUNE | CONTENTS
JUNE 2012 VOLUME 6 ISSUE 06 4
FRONT
This month’s top stories including the unveiling of new leisure projects in Dubai
12 THE BIG PICTURE Lester Ali captures the overlooked entrance area of the Aldar HQ in Abu Dhabi
6 PROJECTS A round up of the latest project news from MENA and the rest of the world
14 ANALYSIS
18
INTERVIEW
GAJ partner Graeme Fisher on his client-side switch to GEMS Education
Experts at World EcoConstruct discuss Dubai’s eco credentials
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BUILDING FOCUS
34
FEATURE The recent trends and challenges in regional material specification
MEA visits Sowwah Square, the heart of Abu Dhabi’s new commercial business ditrict
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CASE STUDIES
52
THE WORK
A detailed reference section covering the projects MEA has featured recently
56 LAST WORD
Perkins Eastman’s Saadiyat hotel, Dubai’s underwater resort and the Titanic Belfast
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CULTURE Cool products, clever ideas, and some of the latest gadgets in the design world
Phil Dalglish, director for Buro Happold, on his fi rm’s regional experience
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FRONT | JUNE
1979 Inauguration n s of GAJ’s e Dubai College (page 18))
DUBAI UNVEILS NEW LEISURE SCHEMES Underwater hotel, Palm Jumeirah and JBR projects offer signs of positivity
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Two major leisure projects were announced for Dubai, while another will be completed this year, giving hope to the emirates architects and construction professionals. Nakheel announced a new waterside residential and leisure project for Palm Jumeirah called Palm Views, while an audacious underwater hotel was revealed. A statement released by Nakheel said its project Palm Views East and West will be a collection of 192 ‘pied-à-terre’ style contemporary
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Ocean View Hotel, JBR walk.
ROOMS IN OCEAN VIEW HOTEL
units and retail, dining and fitness facilities, all offering panoramic views of Palm Jumeirah and the Dubai skyline. Construction will begin by the end of 2012, with completion due by the end of Q1 2014. Meanwhile, the shipbuilding arm of Dubai World has announced plans to build a series of underwater hotels in the emirate. In a statement released, Drydocks World said it has signed an agreement
MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 06.12 | www.designmena.com
with a Swiss contractor to develop the World Discus Hotel. According to Drydocks World, BIG InvestConsult will provide the required technological expertise for the unusual concept. One of the emirates leisure projects to be completed this year is Jebel Ali International Hotels’ 4-star Ocean View Hotel on Dubai’s JBR Walk. It will be the only 4-star property on JBR Walk, containing 341 rooms and suites.
JUNE | FRONT
FOUR
3,000 Aluminium shards in Titanic Belfast (page 48)
Office towers in Sowwah Square (page 24)
DESIGNMENA.COM
Aedas named largest practice on the planet
• Winners of Middle East Design Competition announced • TDIC starts handover of Saadiyat
available in the two emirates as well as the wider Gulf region. The other top 10 firms in WA100 were Aecom, Gensler, IBI Group, Nikken Sekkei, Foster & Partners, DP Architects, P&T Architects & Engineers, Samoo Architects & Engineers and HDR Architecture.
design students • Breakfast club doubles in size • Dubai’s Princess Tower wins Guinness World Record
WEIRD PROJECT OF THE MONTH
DATASTREAM QATAR TOWERS
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(DATA FROM CTBUH)
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BUILDINGS OVER 300M
as well as IM Pei’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum (pictured) in Cleveland, Ohio, came in at second and tenth place respectively. A controversial scheme in Toronto, Canada - Sharp Centre for Design by Alsop Architects with Robbie, Young and Wright Architects - took third place in the list. Meanwhile, the distinctive Trump Tower in New York, developed by Donald Trump and designed by Studio 505, was judged to be the world’s eighth ugliest building. No buildings from the Middle East were deemed ugly enough to appear in the list.
A practice in Thailand has proposed a habitable ‘water’ city to help a flood-stricken town in the Asian country. Designed by Supermachine Studio, the city would be built on the sides of a 150m-high reservoir capable of managing 1,500 million m3 of water.
BUILDINGS OVER 200M
Image: Getty
IM Pei’s museum in Cleveland, Ohio.
• 25 essential iPad apps for interior
Aedas designed U-Bora Tower, Dubai.
Website chooses world’s top ten ugliest buildings Travel website Trippy.com published a list of the world’s ugliest buildings, according to its staff and users. The ‘winning’ building was the brutalist 1975 FBI headquarters in Washington DC by Charles F Murphy and Associates. Denys Lasdun’s Grade II* listed Royal National Theatre in London,
Beach Villas
BUILDINGS OVER 150M
Aedas won the accolade of World’s Largest Practice after three years in the number two spot in the WA 100 (World Architecture annual survey). The recognition comes as a result of strong growth in Asia for the company, where turnover increased by a quarter, surpassing the previous year’s 15% rise. Virtually all of the 364 architects who joined the practice this year are working in China, with a handful based in Singapore. While staff numbers have shrunk in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, chairmain Keith Griffiths said its continuing presence is a sign that work is still
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FRONT | JUNE
60 SECOND INTERVIEW PEOPLE
MENA boss hailed ‘Best Woman’
Tony Archibold becomes design director.
RMJM director joins Bluehaus Group Tony Archibold, former associate director, RMJM Architects, has moved to Bluehaus Group as design director. Archibold worked in his previous role for four-and-a-half years delivering projects such as Capital Gate Tower in Abu Dhabi, Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, Muscat, and Europe’s 450m tallest tower in Istanbul, which he designed and won as part of a competition team. In his new role, he will be expanding the interior design side of the business and developing its architectural services across the Middle East. He will also be working alongside the company’s new MEP division. Archibold will work with 30 people including eight engineers in the MEP division at the firm’s offices in Tecom, Dubai. The division recently moved from the Gold & Diamond Park.
We should be using the lessons learnt from Estidama to establish a consistent base level across the UAE that raises the minimum standards.” Dr Rob Cooke, associate, Buro Happold, discusses sustainability in the UAE
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RW Armstrong’s Mona Salem picked up the award for MENA Best Woman in the Corporate Sector from job site AmCham. The MENA Women Awards recognise individuals in the non-profit and corporate sectors, with the inaugural awards taking place on 10th May in Tunis. Salem, vice president and head of MENA operations, said: “I am truly honoured to receive this award and am very proud to be recognised among such an outstanding group of nominees. “The award belongs to my family and team and confirms RW Armstrong’s commitment to valuing its people and encouraging greatness in the workplace.” In 2011, Salem was ranked number 34 in Construction Week’s Power 100, a collection of the most influential people in the GCC construction industry.
MARK SCAIFE, ASSOCIATE, ACOUSTICS, WSP ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY (ME)
What are the common mistakes in acoustic design? Employing the acoustician too late or not for the entire design and construction, so that they are prevented from adding their true value. Misunderstanding the difference between common acoustic ratings (Rw and DnTw) for materials is also common and nsive can lead to expensive mistakes.
Are there any recent trends or innovations? Acoustics is becoming more important to e developers in the Middle East and ed d this is being picked ouss up in the numerous odes d Green Building codes c a as EstiE i around the Gulf such dama and QSAS.
What are the most problem atic building types in terms of acoustics? Schools are of particular interest because studies have shown that schools located in areas of high noise levels have students that suffer long term learning impairment. Therefore, without proper consideration to acoustics, we could be impacting future generations. Mona Salem wins corporate award.
Sharing knowledge with international companies and building up support is something that has to be done in a developing city.” Eng. Hani A.Kayal, COO HALJ
MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 06.12 | www.designmena.com
A vast knowledge of material specifi cification is a ge vital advantage to propose n alternatives in case of lack of ong availability, long lead times or value ” engineering.” Reza Kiamanesh,, Lecturer, IAU University, Dubaii
FRONT | JUNE
MENA PROJECT SNAPSHOT 1
3
2
1 DUBAI
2 ABU DHABI
3 QATAR
Princess Tower claims Guinness World Record
TDIC starts handover of Saadiyat Beach Villas
Crescent tower in Lusail inspired by Qatari swords
Guinness World Records has officially recognised Tameer’s 414m-high Princess Tower in Dubai Marina as the world’s tallest residential building. The 107-storey tower occupies 3,476m2, with 763 luxury apartments and eight retail stores.The dome and decorative mast, made of aluminium and steel, weight a total of 110 tonnes. It forms part of the tallest city block in the world, along with SOM’s Infinity Tower and the 90-storey 23 Marina.
Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), master developer of Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi, announced the start of handover of Saadiyat Beach Villas. The first phase of the development, which consists of 254 villas, was launched in 2009 and completely sold out. A second batch of 90 villas was released in November 2011 to meet demand, and handover of both phases is set to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2012.
Plans have been unveiled for a crescent-shaped building in Lusail, inspired by the two curved swords in the emblem of Qatar. The project ‘Lusail Marina Iconic Development’ was unveiled by Qatar-based Katara Hospitality, and will contain 800 units including hotel rooms, apartments, offices, boutique retail and restaurants. The five-star complex is aiming for completion by 2016, in time to serve the World Cup in 2022.
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MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 06.12 | www.designmena.com
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FRONT | JUNE
GLOBAL PROJECT SNAPSHOT 1
2
3
1 CHINA
2 USA
3 FRANCE
Beijing’s CCTV tower officially completed
One World Trade Center may not be USA’s tallest
Foster + Partners to design Roman museum
Beijing celebrated the official completion ceremony of its famous looped skyscraper, for China Central Television (CCTV). Designed by Rem Koolhaas’ Dutch firm OMA, construction began in 2004. Rising from a common platform, two towers lean towards each other and merge in a 75m cantilever. The façade reflects the structure: diagonals becomes dense in areas of greater stress, and looser in areas requiring less support.
A late change to the design of the One World Trade Center in New York may cost the tower its title as USA’s tallest tower. US media have reported that the 124m needle on the top will no longer be enclosed in a fibreglass and steel enclosure, due to maintenance issues. This means the needle may be deemed an antenna rather than a spire, and will not count towards the final height measurement – previously anticipated at 541m.
UK architecture giant Foster + Partners has revealed the first images of its museum for Roman artifacts in the city of Narbonne, southern France, a former Roman port with several archaeological sites. The fi rm is working with museum designer Adrien Gardere following success in an international competition. The centrepiece of the museum is a collection of more than 1,000 ancient funerary blocks excavated nearby.
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FRONT | JUNE
THE BIG PICTURE
Aldar Headquarters One of the most distinctive buildings in the region, the circular form of the Aldar Headquarters has been an Abu Dhabi landmark for several years. This image, by ITP staff photographer Lester Ali, focuses on the entrance details, with its looped canopy and landscaping. Designed by MZ Architects, it is the ďŹ rst circular building of its kind in the Middle East, achieved through the use of a structural diagrid.
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JUNE | FRONT
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NEWS ANALYSIS | SUSTAINABILITY
DIFC was hailed as one of the sustainable hubs in Dubai.
BALANCING ACT ANALYSIS
A panel discussion at the World EcoConstruct seminars discussed whether UAE has moved towards sustainable architecture. Devina Divecha reports
T
he word ‘sustainability’ has been bandied about in the world of architecture and construction to saturation point. In the worst of cases, it is merely used to sound relevant in today’s world; countless projects list reams of sustainability credentials in a hope to keep up with competitors.
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A panel discussion held at Cityscape Abu Dhabi 2012, as part of the World EcoConstruct seminars, discussed whether architecture can make a difference towards sustainable building practices. Its panelists also examined the role of design and architecture in delivering sustainable buildings, and using
MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 06.12 | www.designmena.com
design principles in the construction process to meet its challenges. Sherif Anis, regional director, CBT Architects, and secretary, AIA Middle East, said at this point in time, architecture is a function of the dayto-day design process. “We talk about sustainability and treat it as though it were a parallel discipline; but in
SUSTAINABILITY | NEWS ANALYSIS
fact, it’s now becoming a much more integral process, as it should be. If it’s not, then you’re probably approaching your project from the wrong way.” This sentiment was echoed by Kyle Krall, senior principal, Thornton Tomasetti, UAE, who said if architects don’t take advantage of sustainable building practices, then it’s simply bad architecture. He pointed out LEED raised the bar and posed questions on whether graded buildings are better for the environment. Drawing comparison with emission controls on cars in the USA in the 1960s-80s, Krall said a similar situation occurred with sustainable building: when LEED was created, it gradually became adopted by governments. “LEED and its adoption by governments are forcing buildings to
raise the bar; buildings are going to get better and better,” he added. Krall noted one of the problems in this process is an owner who doesn’t want to spend money for a better structure. He stressed, however, being sustainable doesn’t always mean one has to spend more money. Anis said LEED Gold and similar requirements should be the baseline, not the goal. “It’s only a starting point. We should be getting better, and we can get better. To demystify what sustainable practice in architecture is: it’s really just common and good building practice.” Anis believes that pre-crisis, many projects were not designed sustainably. “Back then, it’s almost as though many buildings were just designed for design competitions. Half the time I wondered whether a rendering won the project — there was no thought given to the building, its placement, its materials, height and width. And in the end, that creates a really bad scenario for our built environment, and it makes it harder and harder to really create sustainably.” Comparisons were drawn between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and both emirates’ commitment to the green cause. “I think it’s evident going around Dubai that it’s a wonderful city in a lot of respects, but in terms of being a sustainable city, it’s got a long, long way to go. It really needs patchwork to fi x a lot of mistakes,” added Anis. To focus on getting the project done correctly, Krall said owners should be encouraged to participate in the design process with the structural and mechanical engineers, architects and designers. While the design process will be longer, the resulting building
will ultimately be better due to the right questions being asked earlier on in the project rather than a few months into construction. Anis said he felt Abu Dhabi always had a different outlook from the start, and is building sustainably and responsibly. He said the capital is thinking more about the environment, culture and the economy “whereas Dubai didn’t really put those at the top of the list”. Krall stressed the rush to build has died down, and people are starting to realise it’s about educating the owner and the community about the responsibility to make buildings that are mindful of the environment. “There’s some fantastic architecture out there that’s sustainable, pushing the limits and educating others.” An important development in Abu Dhabi in recent years is Estidama and its Pearl rating system (PRS). Krall said construction professionals should be encouraged to go “aboveand-beyond” the minimum Estidama requirements. Focusing on Dubai, Krall added that while there was a building rush in
Sherif Anis and Kyle Krall at World EcoConstruct.
“LEED and its adoption by governments is forcing buildings to raise the bar; buildings are going to get better and better. Sherif Anis, CBT Architects
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NEWS ANALYSIS | SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainabilty should be an integral process of architecture.
Dubai, a positive turn is coming with moves to make it more sustainable, including concepts like retro-fitting. There are still some issues that need to be addressed, however. “The one thing that drives me crazy where I live is why aren’t we recycling all our trash? I live in Jumeirah Beach Residences, and there is no place for me to conveniently collect the trash. That should be the next focus for Dubai,” Krall said. In addition to this, cultural sensitivities and image are factors that have to be taken into consideration. “Obviously image sells. When you fly into Dubai on Emirates and they roll the film when you’re landing — that’s what they’re selling,” said Krall. A component related to image is ‘iconic’ architecture, a term which has been used generously in Dubai for over a decade. Anis said he steers away from using the term, as it has been overplayed and used in almost every contest in the earlier part of the century. “I don’t see it anymore, which is probably a good thing. But I think if we were to look at what’s dotting the skyline in terms of iconic
architecture, you’ll know what those buildings are,” he added. Krall said: “The word ‘iconic’ is not being used anymore because it doesn’t mean anything here. It just used to mean the craziest building that is recognised.”
DIFC is a hub; it becomes sustainable on its own. Abu Dhabi is starting to develop those type of places. I’m excited to see what will come out of Sowwah Square.” Kyle Krall, Thornton Tomasetti
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“I think a lot of successful projects that people consider iconic are really just a design to attract attention and done by an interesting architectural firm. However, it’s nice to see those kinds of things here, because it definitely puts Dubai on the map in terms of a world-class status,” said Anis. Iconic architecture doesn’t always translate into sustainability, or userfriendliness. Anis said while Dubai is not a very walkable city compared to Abu Dhabi, there are still some examples of sustainable and public spaces, which exude vibrancy.
COMMENT | EDITOR’S LETTER
THE LIFE AQUATIC EDITOR’S LETTER
An underwater hotel is planned but will the idea float?
GOT A COMMENT? If you have any comments to make on this month’s issue, please e-mail oliver. ephgrave @itp.com
F
or those of us that have lived in Dubai for a few years, this month’s unveiling of an underwater hotel in the emirate was accompanied by a strong sense of déjà vu. Back in 2006, a design was revealed for a hotel called Hydropolis, that would have been the world’s first underwater luxury resort. It was to be submerged 20m beneath the surface just off Jumeirah Beach and original costs for construction were around $435m. But like many grandiose schemes conceived in the boom, the Hydropolis project was washed away in the tide of the credit crunch. Now, several years later, the shipbuilding arm of Dubai World, Drydocks World, announced it has signed an agreement with a Swiss contractor to develop an underwater hotel in the emirate. While the Hydropolis felt like something from a comic book, the newly-unveiled Water Discus Hotel seems more appealing and architectural, with a modernist meets spaceage aesthetic. I would hazard a guess that the design influences include Oscar Niemeyer’s saucer-like art gallery in Rio de Janeiro and the Enterprise from Star Trek.
Dubai’s hotel under the sea.
Yet the question on most people’s lips will be: “is this a real project?” Certainly, the conviction of the press release would make you believe it’s not pie in the sky (or sea). Cynics should take note of the Maldives Rangali Island resort, which contains an underwater section built in 2010. Admittedly, this is just a single room - a luxurious honeymoon suite - but its existence shows that it is technically, and perhaps economically, feasible to ‘sleep with the fishes’, as a movie gangster might say. However, the backers of the scheme must surely realise that the crystal clear view of aquatic life, as depicted in the renderings, may be tough to replicate in Dubai waters. Anyone that has ever scuba dived
Possible design influences include Oscar Niemeyer’s saucerlike art gallery and the Enterprise from Star Trek.”
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in the emirate will know that the visibility can be decidedly poor, particularly in the areas that have been dredged. One of the big challenges will be fi nding a location that is suitable this was one of the key issues with Hydropolis, in addition to several other problems. In December 2008, Crescent Hydropolis CEO Uwe Hohmann told Construction Week that a new location must be found, as the original spot, to the west of the Palm Jumeirah, was deemed unsuitable due to new construction. “It was proven that the original location was not ideal. At the time that this location was discussed there was no Jumeirah Beach Residence in place. A project like Hydropolis needs to have the right location,” commented Hohmann. The backers of the latest underwater hotel in Dubai should be wary that a fish-view room might lose a lot of its appeal if you can’t see any fish.
INTERVIEW | GRAEME FISHER
NEW SCHOOL THE INTERVIEW
Oliver Ephgrave meets GAJ partner Graeme Fisher, who is set for a client-side switch with his recent appointment as head of design and infrastructure for GEMS Education
C
areer switches can be a daunting prospect but Graeme Fisher is relishing his forthcoming shift from designer to developer. Although Fisher’s new role as head of design and infrastructure for GEMS Education will see him move away from the drawing board, the 41-year-old GAJ partner believes his design skills will be put to good use. “Obviously I love design and architecture - that is still my first love. But having spent such a long time in practice there are certain things that an architect can bring to the development table,” he remarks while sitting in a glass-walled meeting room in GAJ’s Barsha office. He points out that a client-side switch has been on his mind since university. “I’d always had a desire to move into development at some point. I find it fascinating - I think it’s just as creative as design in many respects. Donald Trump calls it the art of the deal and I think it’s very much an art form. You’re identifying the opportunity. bringing in the consultants, the financial companies and ultimately delivering the building.”
As head of GAJ’s education group, Fisher grew into the position due to his specialist education experience. He explains: “When I first left university in 1995 I moved over to Brunei for a couple of years. The main project I did was the first international school in Jerudong. That really gave me an initial interest in education design. I moved back to London in 1997 and started working for Sheppard Robson where I spent nine years and my primary focus was on schools. “When I moved to GAJ in 2006, the company was more hospitality biased. However, GAJ already had a great education portfolio, including the sequential development of Dubai College. Last year we decided, with the new focus in the country on infrastructure projects, to really go for winning school work. Fisher reveals that GAJ is working on two GEMS schools in Qatar which are starting on site and due to open in 2013, as well as a school in Abu Dhabi. More recently, the firm picked up three school projects in Dubai. “This is a great Dubai story for me. The schools are being built because of market research - people need them
desperately. We are all gunning for Dubai,” Fisher remarks. He continues: “The growth and success of GAJ’s education team this year will definitely continue - there is a great team now. It will be headed by David Green and the school sub-sets will be led by Jason Burnside. If there is a good time to leave it is now. “I’ve got a huge amount to be thankful for, particularly to Brian Johnson who made me a partner within a year. The great thing is that GEMS is a client of the practice, and there is no reason to think that that relationship won’t continue.” Fisher explains more about his new role on the client side. “GEMS is already the world’s largest operator of schools and has very big global expansion plans. My role is head of design and infrastructure and that is based in Dubai at the HQ, but my remit is to help with the global growth. I’ll be the custodian of design and I’ll have to develop relations with consultants across the world. I will also be responsible for the successful delivery of GEM projects.” When asked about his school design ethos, he replies: “I tend to turn
I find development fascinating - I think it’s just as creative as design in many respects. Donald Trump calls it the art of the deal and I think it’s very much an art form.
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GRAEME FISHER | INTERVIEW
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INTERVIEW | GRAEME FISHER
Fisher has been actively involved in education design since 1997.
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to corporate headquarters to look at how they deal with staff attainment and staff performance. It’s about the quality of the space, the areas for interaction and facilities. They all have a massive impact on staff attainment. “If you are providing a similar space for a school, then you will see a reduction in absenteeism and the level of teaching is naturally going to be enhanced. It’s not going to provide everything but it is a backbone.” When it comes to the common design mistakes made in Middle East schools, he says: “There is sometimes too much emphasis on elements that are just gloss. They aren’t really going to affect the quality of teaching. “There’s no doubt that with fee paying schools you need to provide something that is going to entice the clients, i.e. parents, such as great sports facilities and a great auditorium. But if you’re spending all your money there and sacrificing the teaching spaces, then there is a bit of a question mark. “It will take a bit of time to get the balance right. However, it’s great to see organisations like GEMS, ADEC and others taking a leading role in looking at contemporary teaching and education spaces.” Fisher points out that schools are far from static projects. “Of course we don’t always get things right the fi rst time. It’s vital to have ‘lessons learnt’ workshops after a project has been operation for a year or so. Certainly in my experience, teachers have a lot of things to comment on - they are the people we need to listen to the most. “It’s important that we leave a certain amount of flexibility, for instance, to be able to double the size of classroom space efficiently and economically. We need to ensure there is an ability to expand either horizontally or vertically, unless it’s a tight site. A lot of schools are phased programmes anyway.” For Fisher, Dubai College, designed by GAJ, is still the benchmark
for regional schools. “I refer to it when I’m in meetings with GEMS. It’s not brand spanking new - some of the buildings are 20-years-old - but it has a lovely feel to it. There are clusters of classroom spaces and so many people feel at home there. It’s almost the antithesis of the commercial HQ. I think getting a mix of the two is the challenge. Also the auditorium is amazing - it is the best in the country.” Another reason for its success, according to Fisher, is its use of external circulation. He continues: “I am a big advocator of using external circulation space as much as possible to reduce air conditioning load. Yes, of course it gets hot, but this climate is far more appropriate for people being outside for longer periods of the year than it is in the UK. Plus schools don’t operate in the height of summer.” When it comes to other benchmark regional projects, Fisher highlights Education City in Qatar. “The work by the likes of Allies & Morrison and Henning Larsen in particular is phe-
MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 06.12 | www.designmena.com
nomenal. It is more higher education but it is very responsive and responsible education work - you know that it is part of this region. “At the same time it is producing fantastic levels of teaching and learning spaces. It is a brilliant focus for this region. I was blown away. We can learn a lot of lessons from it.” Fisher continually expresses his passion for education, and the twinkle in his eyes suggests he genuinely wants to make a positive impact in his new role at GEMS. “For me, education design, paticularly schools, is the most interesting type of design because it throws up such a range of possibilities. There’s a blend between different ages and cultures. It’s a really fascinating sector to be in. “We all want to make a difference. An architect is lucky enough to make a physical difference, but to apply that skill-set to something that makes a genuine difference is something I’ve always wanted to do.”
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PORTFOLIO GRAEME FISHER FISHER INTERVIEW || GRAEME
PORTFOLIO: Graeme Fisher
CENTRE FOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE, LONDON Fisher worked on this scheme when at the UK’s Sheppard Robson. Completed in 2003, CEME is a 12,000m2 hub of education, enterprise and manufacture for east London, a flagship project for the Heart of Thames Gateway regeneration scheme. It is the first purpose built
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND
campus in the country.
MANAGEMENT, SHARJAH This recently completed facility for the American University of Sharjah (AUS), designed by GAJ, houses lecture rooms, seminar rooms, faculty and public spaces facing onto three courtyards to provide natural daylight to the interior of the building. The external envelope has been designed to blend with the adjacent AUS buildings while the interiors are open and modern.
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MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 06.12 | www.designmena.com
GRAEME GRAEME FISHER FISHER || PORTFOLIO INTERVIEW
BRADENTON ACADEMY One of the first co-education schools approved by KHDA, Bradenton Academy provides a rigorous and comprehensive American university preparatory curriculum from pre-kindergarten to grade 12. Completed in 2009, GAJ’s design features vibrant colours and courtyards that draw inspiration from regional architecture.
JERUDONG INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, BRUNEI
DUBAI COLLEGE
As a 24-year old architect, Fisher’s first foray in education design was the
GAJ has been involved with the continuing growth of
International School built in Brunei in 1997. Located in Jerudong, it was
the college since its inauguration in 1979. The latest
conceived as a ‘through’ school, providing facilities from kindergarten
phase of development, completed in 2009, includes a
through to sixth form, with a total of 1,250 students.
hyper-modern 900-seat auditorium. SCHOOL IN QATAR
GAJ’s ongoing project in Qatar includes a multi-purpose indoor sports hall, library, art spaces and various specialist labs. It uses a conceptual street as the heart of the school where students interact and congregate, as well as circulate to various activities. The street opens onto the football pitch and outdoor spaces, enabling a strong link between indoors and outdoors.
www.designmena.com | 06.12 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
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SITE VISIT | SOWWAH SQUARE
The new HQ for the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange at Sowwah Square.
290,000M2 AREA OF
OFFICE SPACE
CROWN JEWEL Devina Divecha visits Sowwah Square, the heart of Abu Dhabi’s new commercial business district
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MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 06.12 | www.designmena.com
SITE VISIT | SOWWAH SQUARE
A
dusty morning does nothing to dampen the commanding nature of Sowwah Square, the quadruple-tower centrepiece of Abu Dhabi’s new commercial business district and headquarters for the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. Steven Nilles, partner, and Matthew Berglund, associate, of project architect Goettsch Partners sit in the ethereal atrium of Tower One, with Nilles sipping on a hot coffee as he dives into the particulars of the scheme in the UAE capital. With headquarters in Chicago, a branch office in Shanghai and now another in Sowwah Square, Goettsch Partners won the project in an international design competition in 2007, for client Mubadala Real Estate and Hospitality. “There was a requirement to deliver an iconic stock exchange building but also to surround that with very efficient and Class A international standard office buildings,” says Nilles. The scheme contains over 290,000m2 of office space and also incorporates two levels of retail and two parking structures to the north and south of the square. He comments on how the firm kept in mind the stock exchange, in terms of its programmatic requirement needed to be a four-storey building. “We decided to really create something very special at the plaza level,” adds Nilles. To do this, Nilles and his team looked at opportunities for core supportive buildings, a concept which has been emphasised in architecture over the last many years. He explains: “Everybody seems to be fascinated and focused on the tower at the top; we are also fascinated and focused on the base of the building. It’s the spaces in between the spaces that I think are very special on this project.” A landscaped plaza connects the four buildings, ranging from 31-37 storeys in height, and the exchange.
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SITE VISIT | SOWWAH SQUARE
Four offi ce buildings range from 31-37 storeys in height.
Glass-enclosed, with a roof the size of a football field, the stock exchange building rises 27m above a water 2 feature on four massive granite piers. The PVS ON ROOF piers house the stairs, mechanical risers and service elements. All the columns have been transferred to open up the entrances and the lobby, and also to elevate the exchange building on four legs. Nilles reflects that in projects Goettsch Partners designed recently, all focused in different ways on creating an urban environment, with no transition between the interior and exterior space. He proudly says the lobbies in the four office towers are dramatic, because of the glass non-reflective cable wall enclosure that functions like an exterior space. Due to the glass, visitors to the buildings cannot feel the division between outside and in, and the core supportive design lends to the lobbies feeling more open than they actually are. “These are not tall buildings; if you compare this to Dubai, they’re nothing. They’re background buildings in some respects. But yet this composition of office towers really creates a setting for the exchange building and Cantilevered glass screen walls that’s really the crown jewel of the have been installed that buffer the project,” says Nilles. building from the exposures. On Designing the stock exchange led the surrounding towers, motorised to various challenges. The building is shades follow the sun angle in the oriented in an East-West direction, form of active sunscreens. which is not ideal for solar exposure. A double-wall façade has been creThe team came up with ideas to design the building in a cross-orienta- ated in the buildings to create a form of thermal control. All structures tion that is solar-effective.
2,550M
Everybody seems to be fascinated and focused on the tower at the top; we are also fascinated and focused on the base of the building. It’s the spaces in between the spaces that I think are very special on this project. Steven Nilles, Goettsch Partners
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MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 06.12 | www.designmena.com
need to have a certain percentage of outside air entering inside for air pressure, and for every cubic foot of air coming in, a similar amount has to be thrown out. “Instead of throwing the air out like every other building in the world, we actually throw it into that cavity to create a thermal pillow and then extract the air. So you take the exhaust air, you create a thermal buffer within the cavity, which is all sealed and then you extract it. That picks up the heat, so it’s a thermal control. These walls are cool as a cucumber,” says Nilles enthusiastically. Another challenge was being selective about materials. “The environment in this region is incredibly
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SITE VISIT | SOWWAH SQUARE
Making the square pedestrianfriendly was a priority.
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corrosive. The humidity, the heat, the sun, the temperature and the dust and condensation that forms on the outside of the building will turn even normal stainless steel into mush,” Nilles says emphatically. He says there is no substitution for glass, and even with detailing stone architects need to be careful. He warns against curvilinear buildings as it’s easier to notice dust on such structures. “A prime example is the armadillo-shaped transit stations in Dubai. You’re better off going straight. Once you start curving, it’s almost like your eye just knows it’s dirty,” he says. Sustainability is high on the agenda; Sowwah Square is the first project in Abu Dhabi to be precertified LEED-CS Gold. In addition to the double-skin façade and the thermal controls, the roof of the exchange building contains 2,550m2 of photovoltaic panels to capture solar energy. The design also incorporates condensation collection from cooling coils to supply the water feature as well as providing irrigation. The project did not apply for LEED Platinum because of the “point of diminishing returns”, according to its
architects. “When you get to LEED Platinum in this instance, there’s a point of diminishing returns. You can keep dialling in things but it’s going to cost a lot of money,” explains Nilles. “Every project has got its potential. Every project that Goettsch Partners designs is not only environmentally sustainable, but is economically sustainable,” adds Nilles. He adds that the firm creates a “value-driven solution”, where the project turns out to make money as well. “At the end of the day, we figure out what’s best for our client and what’s best for the project, and what’s economically viable,” Nilles says. Berglund chimes in and says while architects can meet and exceed metrics on the LEED scorecard, there are some pointers such as occupant comfort that do not show up in the rating system, but will be reflected in the users' attitude to the space. Al Shamsi clarified the project also follows the Estidama Pearl Rating System for Abu Dhabi. Another eco-friendly feature of the buildings is what Nilles refers to as “tech-zone” lighting systems. All of the light fi xtures in the square can be controlled with a Building Management System (BMS). Possessing daylight sensors, they can dim down or light up automatically. As Nilles and Berglund walk around the development, the stock
MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 06.12 | www.designmena.com
exchange building stands in prominence despite being shorter than the surrounding office towers. Berglund comments: “One thing that came to mind is that it’s put in a context before there even was a context. It went first and everything was built around it.” Sowwah Square’s architecture is complemented by the creations of American landscape architect Martha Schwartz. This, added to the core supportive building style, lends to the square being more pedestrianfriendly. Berglund said in Dubai, the typical situation is that buildings have a podium with a tower on top, which is a complete block for pedestrians. “There’s no pedestrian experience whatsoever, but here you’re essentially on top of that podium since the island is on a raised level and the pedestrians have space. ” “Everything is engineered; it looks so simple but it’s not. It’s very involved,” says Nilles. A pool will soon appear under the stock exchange building, which Nilles refers to proudly as “a jewel box”. It will feature blue pearl granite and floating electronic lily pads. The latter are light fi xtures of 15 different sizes and are tethered to random spots around the pool. The ceiling is made of a textured, patterned, non-reflective laminated glass that will provide a soft glow at
SITE VISIT | SOWWAH SQUARE
It is the fi rst project in Abu Dhabi to be precertifi ed LEEDCS Gold.
We looked at a lot of different options, but really, if you just envision this thing as a big loaf of bread on four legs, it doesn’t look so good.” Steven Nilles, Goettsch Partners
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SITE VISIT | SOWWAH SQUARE
The sloped edges of the building create a sense of drama.
30
all times of the day. “I think it’s going to be quite dramatic,” says Nilles, looking over the ongoing construction of the pool. The construction is slated to finish in a couple of months. The journey from the lobby to the stock exchange area is made via a glass elevator. As the elevator goes up, the surrounding islands come into view. “A lot of financial districts shut down at 5pm, but that’s not what we’re doing in Abu Dhabi,” says Nilles as the floors whizz past. The interior of the stock exchange is luxurious yet functional, and it comes as a surprise to see the room is circular, bearing in mind the external shell is a rectangle. Gensler worked on the interior, with Goettsch Partners responsible for the core-and-shell. “The whole concept of a circle within a rectilinear form was something we all worked together on as the common point to the geometry of the grid.”
Nilles then compares the ceiling to a skylight. “The curve on the top is always fascinating to see. Again, you can build all the models and do all the renderings in the world but until you create a space like that, you don’t know what you’ve got.” The sloped floors seem more impressive from inside the building. Nilles says he prefers them to some of the views at the top, because it feels like one can have an interaction with the people in the plaza. “We looked at a lot of different options, but really,
MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 06.12 | www.designmena.com
if you just envision this thing as a big loaf of bread on four legs, it doesn’t look so good,” he adds. As a light drizzle falls from the skies, Nilles becomes nostalgic and talks about the first visit to the site five years ago. “When we started this it was just a strip of sand. There was absolutely nothing out here — all we saw was a desert fox and cat missing half its ear. We had to create our own context within the framework of the masterplan, and that’s what we did. It’s not going to feel like an island.”
SETTING THE BENCHMARK FOR THE REGION’S ARCHITECTURE INDUSTRY
TUESDAY 23RD OCTOBER, 2012 THE WESTIN, DUBAI
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SITE VISIT | SOWWAH SQUARE
SOWWAH SQUARE Technical drawings supplied by Goettsch Partners
FLOOR PLANS The solid building masses at the ground floor are limited to the elevator and stair enclosures and the structural centre core. As a result, the site is visually open, and both the open exterior space and glassenclosed lobbies are shaded by the offices floors above.
WEST ELEVATION The west elevation shows the Stock Exchange building raised five floors above the podium level and supported on four massive structural columns that contain the MEP risers, service elevators and the exit stairs. To make the Stock Exchange building even more monumental, the horizontal surface of the podium under the Exchange is lowered 11m to a reflecting pool at natural grade.
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MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 06.12 | www.designmena.com
SITE VISIT | SOWWAH SQUARE
SECTION This section cuts through the centre of the project at the east-west axis. Here the south elevation of Tower 4 shows the sloped structural transfer of the perimeter columns into the centre core, giving the building mass a simple elegance and recognisable form that would not have been achieved with a more conventional structural concept. The expression of the tower core is emphasised by the difference in the building enclosure. The core element is enclosed with a double glass wall utilising return air to temper the air between the glass walls and reduce the overall heat gain.
EAST ELEVATION The east and west exposures of the Tower 3 and 4 facades are shaded with horizontal glass louvers that respond to the sun’s rays by rotating and shading the direct rays as the sun moves around the buildings.
www.designmena.com | 06.12 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
33
FEATURE | SPECIFICATION
MATERIAL WORLD Oliver Ephgrave speaks to regional experts on the challenges and recent trends for material specification in the Middle East
T
he GCC's abundance of sunlight might be a blessing for barbecue lovers and beachcombers, but for the region's architects it is a constant challenge. One of the major considerations is the specification of appropriate materials that can withstand the extreme heat and humidity. Tarek Qaddumi, principal for UAE-based TNQ Architectural & Engineering Consultants, remarks: “Extreme heat is always top of mind for architects and engineers in the GCC. This translates into choosing high performing materials with strong heat insulation qualities, and heat resistant materials which will maintain their integrity throughout their intended lifetime. “Unfortunately sometimes we see a specification of natural materials with low tolerance to heat, humidity and strong sunlight.” Qaddumi suggests the industry should be more proactive in fi nding ways to beat the heat. He continues: “I think the weather has been a strong reason for a very conservative approach to the exploration of
34
alternative materials. I would highly encourage exploring the viability of different materials to expand the pool of tried and tested products. But equally, I would encourage such endeavours to proceed with caution, research and experimentation under actual conditions. “Most technological advancements in the field of construction have been geared to serve colder climates, while I think hotter climates have just as much need for research in the field. Over the next few years, we at TNQ intend to explore different systems as we've already started in several of our projects.” Another consideration for specifiers is the distance from building materials manufacturers. “Most materials are not manufactured locally,” he continues. “Shipping materials across large distances has its environmental impact. Availability of samples locally for physical inspection and readily available stock for delivery on site at short notice are also missed because of these distances.” For this reason Qaddumi states that regional specifiers are more inclined to work with “reputable traders who come prepared with samples and carry a fair amount of stock” rather than those that depend entirely on HIGHEST RECORDED orders to import material. TEMPERATURE IN He says his firm is not averse to specifying DUBAI local materials, adding: “I have no concerns over specifying locally - the products are fairly competitive in price and quality. The concern stems from products that are imported from less than dependable sources.”
MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 06.12 | www.designmena.com
49°C
The weather is one of the major concerns for specifiers in the Middle East.
FEATURE | SPECIFICATION
www.designmena.com | 06.12 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
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FEATURE | SPECIFICATION
Sumaya Dabbagh, principal, Dabbagh Architects.
Sumaya Dabbagh, principal at Dubai-based Dabbagh Architects, is not convinced by the quality of all local products but states they should be considered for sustainability. She says: “The quality of materials that are manufactured locally varies. Some adhere to international standards, whereas others do not.” When it comes to the common mistakes made by architects when specifying, Dabbagh points to a lack of research and thorough understanding of materials. She opines: “It is vital that the material is well understood and its performance is evaluated based on standards and tests done by the manufacturer in order to select the right material that would give the required performance. This study of materials before including them in specifications is sometimes lacking amongst
consultants due to time constraints during the design stage.” Dabbagh adds that sometimes materials are incorrectly applied. “Even good quality materials, if not used in the correct way, can be problematic. For instance, certain porous stone may be excellent as wall cladding but the same material can perform poorly when used as flooring. These oversights can easily be avoided through more careful study and trials through mock-ups, prior to using the material in a real project.” She continues: “Some external cladding materials rely on frequent rainfall for cleaning. Deposits of dust and oils from the atmosphere can cause certain materials to deteriorate. Most manufacturers test the materials before they launch the product and problems appear if materials are exposed to conditions different from those in which they were tested under. This is where architects must pay attention to the technical specification of each material.” Qaddumi states that Middle East architects have a watered down role in specification compared to other markets. “With a few exceptions, the reality is that architects are not generally paid to produce coordinated construction documents and to perform the QS and particular specification scope as required. In the Middle East, what is known as final design is the equivalent to the US design development stage.” He says that his own firm is pushing to change this trend but is encountering client resistance. “We've been advocates for changing this reality and often pushing our own design scope beyond our commission. How-
I think it would be very beneficial if consultants would share experiences or lessons learned with regards to material specifications." Sumaya Dabbagh, Dabbagh Architects
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MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 06.12 | www.designmena.com
ever we've noticed that most clients understand the status quo and accept that as a market standard. “Usually, the client is happy with the existing model, because they maintain a certain degree of flexibility as far as selection. It also allows them to involve the contractor - the common perception is that the contractor has a deeper physical engagement with the construction industry and, therefore, an inherent control over the schedule and final cost of a project.” Qaddumi continues: “The choice of materials then becomes a pseudodemocratic process where the architect argues performance, quality and
FEATURE | SPECIFICATION
advocate, and implement ourselves, is that the architect chooses every material and specifies every source, brand, make and model; produces FORMATION DATE OF coordinated construcTNQ tion documents based on these choices; prepares or supervises the preparation of accurate cost estimates on this basis; and follows the construction on site with much greater clarity.” He continues: “The architect can then be held more responsible for ensuring quality, schedule and cost. Should there be a reason for revisions or value engineering, these can be treated systematically as a standalone exercise.” Qaddumi states that clients are wary of over-specification. “Given UAE, we need to create more forums the importance of the economic for discussion amongst consultants viability and sustainability of such and suppliers.” large investments, a developer wants When asked whether there are to know that they are not overspendany recent trends in specification, ing on materials that a better design Qaddumi replies: “Besides a movecould have at least mitigated. They ment towards specifying more green also want to know that they are not materials, the only other trend I'm overspending on performance that is aware of in recent weeks is the aunot necessary, given the development thorities mandating non-flammable targets, or buying an overly resilient aluminium composite panels followmaterial that is several times more ing several fires in the UAE because expensive than an alternative that requires replacing once during the of non-fire rated counterparts that have been an industry standard in the lifetime of a building. GCC for years.” “Another client concern is overspending for the sake of installing Dabbagh also points to the move towards more sustainable products. a particular brand that is equal to a “I would say the recent trends are the generic alternative. Once a client is specifications of environmentallyassured of all of these things, other friendly products such as recycled costs can be appreciated as an investmaterials that contribute to a reduced ment in reducing future running carbon footprint; materials that costs and resources. The investment are free from VOCs and products in good materials should, therefore, that reduce energy consumption make as much sense to the investor as of buildings. Such materials are it would to the architect.” becoming more relevant in increasing Dabbagh calls for more collaborathe awareness about the benefits of tion and knowledge-sharing in the industry. “It would be very beneficial green buildings. This is the only way if consultants would share experiforward if our built environment in this region is to become sustainable,” ences or lessons learnt with regards she concludes. to material specifications. In the
2005
aesthetic (or doesn't), the contractor argues cost and delivery times and the client has the third vote. This is fine for as long as the contractor is responsible for the overall design and coordination from the moment they're on board, as is the case in the French delivery model. The situation in the Middle East, according to Qaddumi, is that the coordination is a grey area during the construction process, as the contractor is making choices and the architect is approving partial shop drawings and material submissions. Instead, he advocates the architect taking the leading role, as in the US market model. “The approach we
www.designmena.com | 06.12 05.12 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
Tarek Qaddumi, principal, TNQ.
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PARKHYATT HYATTABU ABUDHABI DHABI | CASE STUDY PARK
THE PROJECT The fi rst hotel project to be completed on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island, as well as the fi rst Park Hyatt-branded property in the UAE capital, the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Villas opened its doors in November 2011. Designed by Perkins Eastman, TOTAL NUMBER the 306-key 45,000m2 OF KEYS resort is oriented with views to the Arabian Sea, along with private villas that line a boardwalk and private beach. The energy-efficient design meets LEED Certified standards.
306
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MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 06.12 | www.designmena.com
CASE STUDY | PARK HYATT ABU DHABI
PARK HYATT ABU DHABI
Architect: Perkins Eastman Location: Abu Dhabi CASE STUDY
THE SITE Developed by Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH), the hotel is located on Saadiyat Beach, a five-mile stretch of protected white sand beach. The resort was designed to respond to its site, which includes a protected sea turtle habitat, sand dunes and coastline. Saadiyat Beach is located on the island’s northwest coast, and will feature several fivestar hotels including the now open St. Regis, as well as a pending Rotana resort and Shangri-La hotel. In the future, the resorts will support visitors to the high-profi le museums in the nearby Cultural District.
www.designmena.com | 06.12 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
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PARK HYATT ABU DHABI | CASE STUDY
THE CONCEPT According to Shawn Basler, principal in charge of the project at Perkins Eastman, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi “combines the pleasures of an urban resort with the ambience
of island living and luxury”. It tries to blur the indoors and the outdoors with large terraces, covered outdoor areas and views of the sea. The nature of the site was key to the design
THE DETAILS The resort was designed to achieved LEED Certi2 fied standards in order to adhere to the green TOTAL AREA OF requirements of the THE RESORT Saadiyat masterplan by developer Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC). One of the eco measures included the protection of the extensive sea turtle habitat and dunes. In addition, the project used local and recycled materials wherever possible, as well as solar panels for heating water, and grey water irrigation to help offset maintenance for the neighbouring golf course.
45,000M
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MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 06.12 | www.designmena.com
and the feeling of the resort, both in the architecture and the organisation of spaces. The architects tried to capture the essence of being in the desert, surrounded by the sea.
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WATER DISCUS HOTEL | CASE STUDY
THE CONCEPT This daring concept for an underwater hotel was conceived by Polish company Deep Ocean Technology (DOT). Last month, Drydocks World, the shipbuilding arm of Dubai World, signed a deal to become the exclusive main contractor for the hotel concept in the Middle East. Named Water Discus Hotel, the design envisages an 'ultimate leisure facility' with a structure that is partly above water and the rest submerged underneath.
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MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 06.12 | www.designmena.com
Concept designer: Deep Ocean Technology Location: Worldwide CASE STUDY
THE PROJECT The main disc and adjacent satellites on the upper section are located ďŹ ve to seven metres above the water surface. These discs include a restaurant, spa and a rooftop area with seawater swimming pools and training pools for divers. The underwater section is located up to 10m beneath the surface and each disc is composed of 21 hotel rooms. A wide shaft with a view of the sky gives a sense of spaciousness, and helps to counter a feeling of claustrophobia.
www.designmena.com | 06.12 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
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CASE STUDY | WATER DISCUS HOTEL
WATER DISCUS HOTEL
WATER DISCUS HOTEL | CASE STUDY
THE SITE
21
DOT claims the NUMBER OF Water Discus HOTEL ROOMS IN Hotel can be built EACH DISC anywhere in the world and tailored to suit the location. If any changes in environmental conditions occur, the various modules can be transferred to a different site. This mobility is said to enable straightforward changes to interior design, as any disc can be detached and replaced. The structure sits on three solid legs ďŹ xed to the seabed while the upper disc is suspended above the water surface. A vertical shaft contains a lift and stairway.
THE DETAILS A number of individual modules can be used to build a hotel complex of minimum 2000m2 which can be further extended with additional modules (1000 - 1500m2 each). According to DOT, the building remains safe even in the event of a tsunami due to its sturdy structural design. Safety measures include an earthquake and weather warning system and remotely operated underwater vehicles. The underwater disc automatically surfaces in the event of any danger. Even if ooded, each satellite disc has positive buoyancy and can be used as lifesaving vessels after detachment.
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MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 06.12 | www.designmena.com
TITANIC BELFAST | CASE STUDY
TITANIC BELFAST Concept design: CivicArts/Eric R Kuhne & Associates Lead consultant: Todd Architects Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland CASE STUDY
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MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 06.12 | www.designmena.com
CASE STUDY | TITANIC BELFAST
THE PROJECT
10,000
This $140m cultural PIECES IN THE REPLICA scheme is a strikingly STAIRCASE modern homage to the Titanic, located on the site where the ill-fated ship was designed and built. It is the world’s largest ever Titanic-themed visitor attraction and Northern Ireland’s largest tourism project. Its six-floors feature nine galleries documenting the Titanic, as well as the maritime history of the city. The building houses temporary exhibits, a 1,000seat banqueting suite, education and community facilities, catering and retail space and a basement car park.
THE SITE Titanic Belfast forms part of the $11bn Titanic Quarter development, one of Europe’s largest urban waterfront regeneration schemes, which is transforming a 75ha site on the banks of Belfast’s River Lagan into a new mixed use maritime quarter with a mile of water frontage. The museum is sandwiched between the site of the drawing office where Titanic was designed and the River Lagan where it fi rst set sail in 1912. The 14,000m2 building took three years to complete – the same length of time as Titanic itself.
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TITANIC BELFAST | CASE STUDY
THE CONCEPT Conceived as the centrepiece of the quarter, the distinctive form unites the site’s various heritage elements. Concept design was provided by CivicArts and Eric R Kuhne & Associates, while local Northern Irish Todd Architects worked as lead consultant. Sweett Group provided programme and cost management services. Having fi rst investigated options for recreating Titanic at various scales, it was decided to create an entirely original structure. With its jagged silhouette, inspired by the ship itself, the building was completed in March, in advance of the centenary of Titanic’s tragic voyage in April 2012.
THE DETAILS
3,000
The façade replicates four 27m-high hulls and is clad in 3,000 silver ALUMINIUM SHARDS anodised shards, using IN THE FACADE Novelis 3mm aluminium J57S. The shimmering effect is enhanced by reflective pools of water at the base of the structure. Its interior contains a glass atrium and a 1,000-seater banqueting centre, complete with a 10,000-piece near replica of Titanic’s Grand Staircase. The entrance level includes an 18m-high wall covered in sheet metal panels similar in size to those used on the ship's hull.
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PROJECT UPDATE | THE WORK
FEATURE | EDUCATION DESIGN
THE WORK PROJECT UPDATE
THE GALLERIES
18M
HEIGHT OF LOBBY SPACES
Architect: Burt Hill Location: Downtown Jebel Ali, Dubai
THE VERTICAL OASIS Architect: Aaron Marriott and Clarissa Wenborn, University of Nottingham Location: Abu Dhabi
AZERENERJI HQ
28
NUMBER OF STOREYS IN THE TOWER
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Location: Baku, Azerbaijan Architect: P&T Architects and Engineers
As the flagship project for UAE developer Limitless, the Galleries is a mixed-use scheme in Downtown Jebel Ali containing Grade-A office space, housing and retail space. Since last month, all four towers in the Galleries Offices Buildings are now open, with 70% of the 800,000m2 space already leased. Certified LEED Silver, it consists of two groups of four buildings, separated by a landscaped plaza.
This eco tower for Abu Dhabi was designed as part of a master’s course at the University of Nottingham’s architecture department. The project, called the Vertical Oasis, was created by students Aaron Marriott and Clarissa Wenborn. As suggested by the name, the project aimed to recreate the oasis in the sky, for a site on the Abu Dhabi Corniche, adjacent to the ADIA Tower.
This tower complex is the headquarters for AzerEnerji, the state provider of power for the whole of Azerbaijan. P&T was tasked with producing a building that is highly secure and functional, which also the advanced technology used in Azerbaijan’s new infrastructure grid. The 28-storey tower is capped with a triple-high lounge space for the company president, with views across Baku and the Caspian Sea.
EDUCATION DESIGN | FEATURE
5,193M2 GROSS FLOOR AREA
Architects: AK Design/ Adel Almojil Consulting Engineers Location: Dubai
MARINA MALL Architect: HOK Location: Lusail, Qatar
KUWAIT CULTURAL CENTRE
2,500 ESTIMATED
POPULATION OF SABAH AL-AHMAD CITY
Architect: BDP Location: Sabah Al-Ahmad City, Kuwait
ETIHAD TOWERS
US$1BN TOTAL VALUE OF PROJECT
Architect: Design by Innovation (DBI) Location: Abu Dhabi
Designed by UAE-based AK Design and Adel Almojil Consulting Engineers, this clean-lined complex serves as a showcase for the Xerox brand in the Middle East. It contains a customer showroom, offices, workshops, support centres and training facilities. The large open-plan areas encourage transparency and interaction between departments. The Xerox complex was completed in late 2011.
Designed by HOK, this futuristic retail complex for Qatar’s mammoth Lusail development contains five interconnected retail ‘islands’ with water running through the centre. Smaller outlying pods will house additional retail, exhibition and entertainment space, such as a skate park and children’s play area. It is aiming for the top ranking in Qatar’s green building index and was recently granted planning permission.
BDP has been appointed by the Public Authority of Housing Welfare to design a landmark cultural centre in Sabah Al Ahmad, a new city for 2,500 people in the Kuwaiti desert. According to the architect, the centre will offer an “inspirational home for a wide range of cultural activities” and includes a gallery, museum, theatre, screening room, conference centre and children’s theatre.
Completed in November 2011, this mixed-use project in Abu Dhabi comprises five towers, plus an interconnecting podium, developed by Sheikh Suroor Projects Department (SSPD). It includes the 585-key Jumeirah Etihad Towers Hotel. The project contains three residential buildings, housing 885 apartments, a commercial office tower, a shopping mall, restaurants and cafes and the UAE’s largest banqueting hall.
www.designmena.com | 06.12 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
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THE WORK | PROJECT UPDATE
XEROX EMIRATES HQ
CULTURE | LIKE WANT NEED
LIKE WANT NEED
CULTURE
LIGHTING ALVAR ALTO PENDANT LAMP Artek Created by Alvar Aalto in 1953, this pendant lamp is made with white painted aluminium, polished brass rings or chromed rings. The lamp was fi rst introduced in the interior design of the University of Jyväskylä. Decorative and sculptural even when unlit, this is a true design classic.
FURNISHING KUBE Ego Paris Ego Paris’s latest lounger is more than just a chaise - it’s an armchair, a pouf and a coffee table. It’s also elegant, comfortable, compact and mobile. Depending on their needs, customers can reconfigure Kube to be just about whatever they want. This means that, rather than opting for a selection of different outdoor furniture items, a few Kubes may do the job.
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LAST WORD | PHIL DALGLISH
Registered at Dubai Media City PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel: 00 971 4 444 3000 Fax: 00 971 4 444 3030 Web: www.itp.com Offices in Dubai & London ITP BUSINESS PUBLISHING CEO Walid Akawi Managing Director Neil Davies Managing Director ITP Business Karam Awad Deputy Managing Director Matthew Southwell Editorial Director David Ingham EDITORIAL Senior Group Editor Stuart Matthews Editor Oliver Ephgrave Tel: +971 4 444 3303 email: oliver.ephgrave@itp.com Reporter Devina Divecha Tel: +971 4 444 3502 email: devina.divecha@itp.com ADVERTISING Sales Director, Construction Group Yazan Rahman Tel: +971 4 444 3351 email: yazan.rahman@itp.com Business Development Manager, Saudi Arabia Rabih Naderi Tel: +966 1 2068697 email: rabih.naderi@itp.com STUDIO Group Art Editor Daniel Prescott PHOTOGRAPHY
BURO VISION THE LAST WORD
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Phil Dalglish, director at Buro Happold, on regional experience and renewable energy Buro Happold has 35 years of experience in the region. Saudi Arabia is the big market for us.
We have also been in Kuwait for many years. Abu Dhabi and Dubai are relatively new markets for us. Dubai is the place where everybody wants to live - it has the infrastructure and the capacity.
Try getting a fl ight on Thursday night from Doha, Riyadh or Bahrain. Working with a contractor is hard work - they need clarification.
Pressure on fees often means that some consultants, not all, will leave a lot of the design liability and requirements with the contractor. The Middle East is a developing market and you’ve got a fair amount of specialists that are coming in and trying to do more with less.
We are not in a mature market - we have subsidies on utilities, we have the whole idea that if we comply with LEED then we must be sustainable. That’s only the start. Renewable energy is not feasible to do in most parts of the world.
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Let alone in the subsidised economies of the Middle East. At the time of the crisis, we probably had 20% of work in the Middle East.
We quickly jumped up to 40% in global turnover after the slowdown.
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