Construction Business News ME January 2019

January 2019

THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO THE REGION'S CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS

Insight Why Do Dubai Residents Move?

Building the future

Farhad Azizi and his thoughts about the company's bright future

Site Visit

Meydan One Mega Mall set for 2020 Launch

Preferred Bank partner

P38 - Industry leaders in Design and architecture

Own Your Dream Home In Dubai & Move In Today

Aed 80,000* 30 months

50% DLD

1,2,3,4

Post-Handover Payment Plan

Fee Waiver

Bedroom Apartment

MOTOR CITY

Call: 800 UPSALE | up.ae *Terms and conditions apply

Expertise to build your success When building a business, you need a partner that is equally

committed to your success. With more than 30 years of project financing experience, National Bank of Fujairah plays a vital role in this industry, earning the trust of the construction

community. Our experienced and dedicated team works with leading contractors in the UAE, offering tailored solutions across the board.

Talk to us and find out how we can build a successful partnership to support your business.

CONTRACTING FINANCE

CORPORATE AND INSTITUTIONAL BANKING

Call 8008NBF(623) to start our partnership nbf.ae

CEO Wissam Younane wissam@bncpublishing.net

// contents January 2019 // Issue #47

Director Rabih Najm rabih@bncpublishing.net Group Sales Director Joaquim D'Costa jo@bncpublishing.net +971 50 440 2706

Sales Manager Vishvanath Shetty vish@bncpublishing.net +971 52 119 3077

Business Development Director Rabih Naderi rabih.naderi@bncpublishing.net +966 50 328 9818

8 Ed Note 18 NEWS 20 ASU

Deputy Editor Kasun Illankoon kasun@bncpublishing.net

26 COVER

Marketing Executive Mark Anthony Monzon mark@bncpublishing.net

UNITED TOGETHER BUILDING THE FUTURE

30 INSIGHT

WHY DO DUBAI RESIDENTS MOVE?

32 SITE VISIT

MEYDAN ONE TAKES SHAPE

36 Project

DISTRICT ONE LAUNCHES THE TALLEST TOWER

38 SPECIAL FEATURE LEADING designers & ARCHITECTS

58 INTERVIEW

AUTODESK FUTURES FORUM

62 SECURE PARKING TECH SAVY CAR PARK

66 DiaRY www.cbnme.com

Art Director Aaron Sutton aaron@bncpublishing.net

Photography Ignacio Soto Conde

SUBSCRIBE subscriptions@bncpublishing.net PO Box 502511 Dubai, United Arab Emirates P +971 4 4200 506 | F +971 4 4200 196 For all commercial enquiries related to Construction Business News ME contact sales@bncpublishing.net T +971 50 440 2706 All rights reserved © 2015.

Opinions expressed are solely those of the contributors.

Construction Business News ME and all subsidiary publications in the MENA region are officially licensed exclusively to BNC Publishing in the MENA region by Construction Business News ME. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the publisher.

Images used in Construction Business News ME are credited when necessary. Attributed use of copyrighted images with permission. All images not credited courtesy Shutterstock.

Printed by UPP

construction business news me // January 2019 //

5

Great starts, make great stories.

Complete business solutions.

Our business is trust.

www.cbnme.com

// Editor's note

editor’s note

Happy New Year

As another year rolls around we are surrounded by the hype of what the New Year will bring us. The truth is every year we are in a transitional period to something major. To, what exactly? 2019 could be the year where we could be ‘Building the Future’.

The construction market is set for a major boost as the road to Expo 2020 Dubai continues. The analysis, based on recent data from the Dubai Statistics Center and Haver Analytics, found that the residential segment accounts for 43% of total projects in the pipeline in Dubai over the 2014-2022 period.

According to the findings, Dubai’s construction sector contributed an estimated 6.3% to the emirate’s GDP in 2017, as work on several government-led projects commenced during the year, including expansions to public transport and logistics infrastructure, in addition to building works for the Expo site in Dubai South. UAE’s commitment to Vision 2021 and diversification are key factors which

are expected to maintain strong growth in the construction market over the next few years.

While there are encouraging signs in the market the prices of properties are expected to drop. Property prices are expected to continue to decline in 2019 as we are most likely to see the materialisation of residential supply double, if not triple, the number of units from past years But, Farhad Azizi, CEO of Azizi Developments, is more pragmatic about the markets prospect. The multiple time winner of the ‘Developer of the Year’ award has grandiose plans in store. Farhad goes into great length about the company’s success and how their prospects will only get better.

This edition also includes a special feature that showcases the Top 30 leading Architects in the industry. They are the creative force behind the towering skyscrapers, incredible designs, and inspiring buildings that you see now in Dubai.

On the web Keep up to date with all the latest news, features and much more on our website. www.cbnme.com

8

// construction business news me // January 2019

Kasun Illankoon Deputy Editor kasun@bncpublishing.net

THE SWISS KNIFE OF ELEVATION GREEN, LIGHTWEIGHT & VERSATILE

Low noise and emission levels

Energy efficient power flow in/out

Energy under continuous control

TO LEARN MORE VISIT GENIELIFT.ME © 2018 Terex Corporation. Terex and Genie are trademarks of Terex Corporations or its subsidiaries.

A PRIVILEGED LIFE

HEART OF DUBAI NOW HAS A SOUL The heart of Dubai is coming to life, with an 8 million sq. ft. canal-front, freehold gated community – Sobha Hartland, now ready to welcome its first residents. Envisioned to be the anti-thesis to urban life, this marquee development by Sobha Realty in Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City is located at the very epicentre of Dubai, minutes away from iconic landmarks and business districts.

Visit us at Cityscape Global 2018 to avail exclusive privileges.

Dubai World Trade Centre | 02 - 04 October

Rera 1544 / 1949

LOCATED AT MBR CITY

ON THE DUBAI WATER CANAL

30% GREEN & OPEN SPACES

2 INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS

HIGH-END HOSPITALITY & RETAIL OPTIONS

1.8KM CANAL BOARDWALK

Sobha Brand Studio Umm Al Sheif Sheikh Zayed Road Dubai

Sobha Hartland Sales Gallery Sobha Hartland Mohammed Bin Rashid City Dubai

800 999 999 sobhahartland.com @ sobhahartland Terms and conditions apply

COVER THE CITY

Unlocking the Power of Digital Signage Advertising

WITH YOUR ADS

Visit www.lifeonscreen.com

// Update An update from around the region

For News, features and more, Visit www.CBNme.com Follow us on twitter for breaking news: @cbn_ME Follow us on Facebook for up-to-the-minute breaking news

Construction

Arada announces three construction contracts to build almost 800 homes in Sharjah Arada has announced the award of three main construction contracts at its two record-breaking projects in Sharjah, Aljada and Nasma Residences. Together the three contracts will involve the construction of almost 800 new homes, all of which are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2019.

At Aljada, the 24 million square foot megaproject that is set to transform Sharjah, the contract to build three Areej Apartments blocks was won by Modern Building Contracting Company (MBCC), a major contractor with extensive experience in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Based within Phase 1, these buildings will together include 366 units. Mobilisation is currently taking place onsite, and construction work will begin by the end of the year. The firm is already working on the first four Areej Apartment blocks, where construction began at the end of July.

The contract to build the first three Rehan Apartments blocks, also based within Phase 1 of Aljada, was won

by Intermass Engineering & Contracting Company (Intermass). Construction on these three buildings, which will include 234 units, is expected to begin this month.

Intermass has also won the main construction con18

tract for Phase 3 of Nasma Residences, which consists of 192 villas and townhouses, and is due to start work onsite by the end of 2019.

Intermass has 40 years of experience in the Middle East market. Arada is also currently preparing to hand over its first ever homes, as construction nears completion on Phase 1 of Nasma Residences. The developer is on track to deliver keys to the first set of homeowners by the end of this year.

HE Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed

// construction business news me // January 2019

Al Qasimi, Chairman of Arada, said: “We are pleased to be confirming the construction of 800 well-designed and expertly built homes for Sharjah, a market where demand for the types of communities Arada is building remains exceptional. These three new contract awards show the rapid pace of progress at both of our projects.”

The contracts announcement follows the recent award of the first Aljada infrastructure contract, to BICC Contracting, in September, as well as the unveiling of

the final masterplan design of the Central Hub, a new leisure and entertainment destination for the UAE, which has been designed by Zaha Hadid Architects.

Launched in September 2017 by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, Aljada is the Emirate’s largest mixed-use community. Delivered in phases starting in 2019, the entire project is expected to be completed by 2025.

Investment

Raimondi appoints ZLT Tower Cranes as official agent of eight African countries ZLT Tower Cranes Pty Ltd (ZLT Cranes), founded by Rob Cook and Mark Bates, has been appointed as the official agent representing Raimondi Cranes across eight African countries from its base in Midrand, part of the Johannesburg municipality in South Africa. Effective immediately, ZLT Cranes will act as the sole Raimondi dealer across South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Namibia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, presenting the manufacturer’s luffing and topless tower cranes as well as its crane accessories.

“ZLT Cranes is dynamic company with considerable market knowledge. This is paired with experience in selling lifting products to a wide range of clients for a variety of purposes, from residential developments to infrastructure projects to the mining industry,” said Eng. Mauro Masetti, Chief Commercial Officer, Raimondi Cranes.

“ZLT is proud to inaugurate our agency appointment with our first sale of a Raimondi MRT159 topless tower crane to one of South Africa’s most notable gold producers. Harmony Gold will be utilizing the MRT159 at the Great Noligwa Gold Mine at Vaal Reef, situated in the northwestern region of South Africa,” said Rob Cook, Director, ZLT Tower Cranes.

“Since 2006, I have been involved in the sale of over 290 mobile and crawler cranes in South Africa and other African countries. Based on my

years in the regional marketplace, I anticipate that Raimondi will be very warmly welcomed due the quality and durability of its machinery range.” ZLT Cranes, part of a collective of companies that draws on more than 35 years of experience in the heavy machinery segment and various other construction sectors including mining, will also be providing after sales care and service and maintenance programs.

Cook added that African market demands, varying from country to country, are unified by the fact that the

lifecycles of existing heavy lifting machinery are coming to a close, prompting fleet upgrades and allowing for the positioning of new machines across some of the biggest mining operations regionally.

“We expect that the Raimondi MRT159s in eight and 10 tonne options will be the star of the show across our territories. A combination of factors including the competitive pricing strategy and the varied tower and jib configurations make this machine extremely suitable for many of the region’s biggest

HUECK Middle East unveils new office set-up in Dubai as it continues to enhance its profitability prospects, and strengthen its brand

Arthur Mackenzy Properties Group (AMPG), recently announced 60 per cent sales closure for the allocated units in Plazzo Residence in Jumeirah Village Triangle

// Bitesize news

Shapoorji Pallonji announced that the $408mn ‘Imperial Avenue’ tower is 40% completed & schedule for handover in Q4 2019 www.cbnme.com

Netherlands reveal pavilion for Expo 2020 Dubai under the theme: “Uniting Water, Energy and Food”

construction business news me // January 2019 //

19

// Interview

United T ASU’s managing director Mr. Ashraf Samy Botros and general manager Mr. Khaled Sharbatly give us an insight about why they are the number one MEP contractors in Dubai

E

stablished in 1989, ASGC is a vertically integrated construction group that is best known for delivering turnkey special projects in the UAE. The company owns the majority of its supply chain and utilizes mostly in-house resources, giving it a high degree of control over project quality and timely delivery. ASGC has grown progressively over the last three decades

with a clear vision for the future.

Al Shafar United for Electro-mechanical Engineering LLC (ASU) is a certified Electro-mechanical Flagship Company of ASGC Group. ASU was established as an electro-mechanical department in ASGC. In the year of 1989, taking part in development projects being carried out in the emirate of Dubai.

Mr. Ashraf Samy Botros, Managing Director of ASU and the man spearheading the company forward said, “At the beginning we were only supporting ASGC for electrical and plumbing.

In the year of 2007 ASU was launched as an independent Electro-mechanical LLC under the umbrella of ASGC responsible to look after electro-mechanical contracts.”

We have projects with RTA (metro), two projects with Expo 2020, projects with Dubai Mall extension, and Dubai Arena. All these projects have helped us grow our revenue and made us very unique when it comes to doing multiple projects.”

Khaled Sharbatly 20

// construction business news me // January 2019

ogether ASU is a leading established company in UAE since 2007, and dealing in wide range of MEP services. With a vast and prestigious portfolio of projects in such fields as residential, commercial, mixed-used, villas, industrial, hospitality, healthcare, educational, social infrastructure for both the public and private sectors.

“We are the best MEP contractors in Dubai. Our goal now is to look for jobs/projects where nobody in Dubai can perform,” remarked Mr. Ashraf.

Mr. Khaled Sharbatly, General

Manager of ASU, echoed this sentiment especially about ASU aiming to move away from projects that are not profitable: “We have projects with RTA (metro), two projects with Expo 2020, projects with Dubai Mall extension, and Dubai Arena. All these projects have helped us grow our revenue and made us very unique when it comes to doing multiple projects.”

The company has challenged itself to think outside the box and do more projects that were not originally in line with their scope of work which was

residential and commercial buildings.

“Take projects like the Dubai Arena or the Mohammed Bin Rashid library, you don’t see a lot of these projects in the country. So when you take these projects on it is all new and on technical grounds it can be very challenging indeed. But we learn and developed ways to make sure we provided the right tools to make these projects successful,” added Mr. Khaled.

By the end of 2018, ASU has a total of AED2.3 billion projects in their portfolio.

At the beginning we were only supporting ASGC for electrical and plumbing. In the year of 2007 ASU was launched as an independent Electro-mechanical LLC under the umbrella of ASGC responsible to look after electromechanical contracts.”

Ashraf Samy Botros www.cbnme.com

construction business news me // January 2019 //

21

// Interview

ASU is reinforcing its presence in the Electro-mechanical construction industry and providing itself with every single project as the perfect option whenever high quality, standard and performance is required with high care of safety measures.

Mr. Ashraf pointed out the company has already achieved its objectives in 2018: “We had a target turnover of AED900 million, which we achieved.

We also are now involved in several projects with the RTA. In fact we are the only UAE company that is involved these projects while the other are international companies.”

22

“The reason why we are being chosen for so many projects is because we always aim to provide quality. Cost does not bother us. If we can get a superior product to improve the quality of the project then we are willing to pay it. We have qualified engineers and technicians and they add to that quality,” added Mr. Ashraf.

In order to maintain this quality of having the best team in the country ASU’s parent company ASGC opened up an Employee Academy in 2017.

The aim is to provide young, talented construction professionals across each of the company’s depart-

// construction business news me // January 2019

ments with the education needed to help them progress more rapidly.

Selected individuals participating in the academy program adopt their own ‘passion projects’ which include the development of ideas, innovations and technologies that enhance ASGC’s operations, processes and procedures, steering the organisation towards boosting efficiency and growth.

In addition, the company has recently launched an ASGC Labor Academy, which is an independent facility owned by ASGC and is fully equipped for all kind of trade & HSE trainings. The academy is now opera-

WWW.futurebuildexhibition.ae Phone: +971 4 357 2666 | Email: marketing@futurebuildexhibition.ae Address: The Pavilion Al Zorah, Al Ittihad Road, Ajman - UAE

// Interview

tional and is upskilling more than 200 workers per month covering various trades with a target to reach the full capacity of 400 plus trained workers per month by the end of 2018. It also hosts various HSE trainings in line with the projects requirements.

“Health and safety training sessions that flag the dangers and benefits of non-compliance and compliance respectively are an important part of our agenda,” said Mr. Ashraf Another notable achievement by ASU is there implementation of building information modeling (BIM) in 2014, becoming one of the first MEP contractor in the UAE to do it. ASU team has been trained to use the most known BIM software in the construction industry; Autodesk Revit and Bentley AECOsim.

ASU is also exploring the potential use of 4D modeling for phase planning to visualize project milestones and construction plans, & 5D Modeling linked to construction cost estimation and purchasing generated from the data within the model, which could assist in the decision making to speed up the construction process.

“We have our own in-house team who are well trained in using BIM. In addition to this we have our own modeling system which allows us to manufacture our own MEP services in a prefab setting and take it to the site. The controlled environment and schedule time savings of prefab allows us to create the assemblies and products in a more productive way, which in turn shortens the installation time in the field,” remarked Mr. Khaled.

As both Mr. Ashraf and Mr. Khaled confidently point out the company aspirations to be number one have already been achieved and believe that teamwork is the key to their success. “Our strength is our team and this is very important in any construction company. We treat everybody here like a family and this is us helped us immensely.”

24

// construction business news me // January 2019

// Cover story

Building the Future Mr. Farhad Azizi talks about the company's bright future and how they’ve solidified themselves as one of the leading players in an increasingly competitive market.

A

lthough the foundation stones of the present-day Azizi Group were laid in 1989, it was in the last decade when the towering presence of Azizi Developments first began to take shape. Azizi Developments reflects the aspirations of a wide spectrum of lifestyle seekers.

This means a permanent dedication to understanding and meeting clients' aspirations, developing distinctive homes that set the standard in contemporary building design and offering an unparalleled level of customer service.

It's about unlocking a new lifestyle for the curious and ambitious, setting the ideal platform to live, work and play – and building communities that bring people closer.

The person in charge of building the 26

future is Mr. Farhad Azizi, CEO of Azizi Developments. As the CEO, Mr. Farhad is responsible for the overall operation and management and has been an inspirational force in providing strategic leadership, guidance, and direction to the top management of the company.

“We consider ourselves to be beyond a real-estate developer. We don’t merely develop buildings, we develop lifestyles. Our masterplanned communities offer carefully-thought-out amenities that enrich the lives of those who live in them.

Beyond our contemporary worldclass interior design elements, which comprise some of the world’s finest brands, we strive to exceed customer expectations by implementing smart technologies and quality

// construction business news me // January 2019

materials that are built to last,” said Mr. Farhad.

“Azizi Developments has seen substantial growth in its sales figures and projects launched in the past few years. In the coming period, the company’s primary focus will be on delivering its large number of developments in Dubai and maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction while providing more signature projects with distinct identities. Construction is moving ahead swiftly, and we are proud to soon commence the delivery of a lot of outstanding projects. I personally visit our construction sites on a regular basis to ensure that progress is made in line with our expectations and am always amazed by how rapidly entire buildings can emerge in this fast-paced

www.cbnme.com

construction business news me // January 2019 //

27

// Cover Story

city,” added Mr. Farhad.

In 2018, the company announced that there were 200 projects at different stages of development with seven projects set to be delivered by the end of 2019. The company currently boasts an estimated AED45 billion worth of projects across Dubai.

“We will continue to meet expectations in developing residential real estate in Dubai that offers the best possible community living experience for our customers. Our focus will remain on completing our planned construction work and delivering our projects on time, ensuring the satisfaction of buyers and investors.”

The mass amount of projects shows a bullish approach by the company and Mr. Farhad who quells any doubts people may have about the construction sector in Dubai.

“We do have grand plans indeed, all of which are based on our research and positive outlook on the market. Dubai is one of the fastestgrowing cities in the world, increasing at an impressive rate, and is ranked among some of the safest cities. It is a hub for countless industries and situated in a highly strategic location.

Moreover, its stable currency and world-class infrastructure make it a very attractive investment destination for home buyers and investors. The impact that the continuous launches of smart and innovative initiatives by the Dubai government have on the market is astonishing. Based on these factors, and many more, developers remain magnetized to Dubai’s real estate market, effectively increasing the drive and competitive force among real estate developers in delivering the very best.”

Azizi Developments has prided itself on ensuring that all of its projects are completed on time.

“We always strive to deliver projects on time and are continuously working towards ensuring that our customers’ expectations are met without compromising on the quality of our properties. We work closely with our contrac28

Azizi Aliyah

tors to ensure that we adhere to our planned delivery times and that all processes are completed according to our initial schedule. Moreover, we do our very best to foresee and announce completion dates as realistically as possible,” said Mr. Farhad.

Residential and infrastructure projects are driving the growth of Dubai’s construction sector and this trend is expected to gain momentum.

Based on recent data from the Dubai Statistics Center and Haver Analytics, the residential segment accounts for 43% of total projects in the pipeline in

// construction business news me // January 2019

Dubai over the 2014-2022 period.

According to the findings, Dubai’s construction sector contributed an estimated 6.3% to the emirate’s GDP in 2017, as work on several governmentled projects commenced during the year, including expansions to public transport and logistics infrastructure.

These results reflect what Mr. Farhad already knows; with Dubai’s population increasing, world-class infrastructure, and strategic location the competition in the market will intensify thus creating an interesting challenge for Azizi Developments in the future.

Azizi Farishta

Azizi Mina

“We believe the best approach any developer can take is to continuously review and improve processes and to be more innovative in their products and offerings to keep ahead of the competition and deliver the very best.”

These attributes have led to Azizi Developments being named ‘Real Estate Developer of the Year’ for the third time in a row at the Construction Innovation Awards 2018. They were also awarded the ‘Developer of the Year’ at the Design Middle East Awards 2018 and concluded 2018 by winning ‘Developer of the Year’ at the Enterwww.cbnme.com

prise Agility Awards 2018.

“Our primary focus is on creating exceptional value for our customers. This means ensuring that we deliver projects to world-class standards in every aspect – from design to construction and efficient service through the entire course of the customer journey. The Developer of the Year Award further highlights the track-record we have consistently maintained in raising industry standards. We are inspired by the recognition and will continue to uphold our credentials as one of the UAE’s leading developers, ensuring unbeatable lifestyle experi-

ences for our customers”, commented Mr. Farhad.

In 2019, the company will commence the delivery of seven projects in prestigious locations, including Healthcare City, Al Furjan and Palm Jumeirah.

“Phase one of our Meydan One flagship project, Azizi Riviera, will be delivered in 2019 as well. Once completed, Azizi Riviera will have a total of 71 mid-rise buildings, encompassing over 16,000 units of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom apartments.”

This master-planned luxury community is equipped with modern, mixed-use facilities and will be host to a gigantic retail district that comprises high-street brands and various leisure and entertainment options. It provides a vibrant atmosphere as it is positioned in close proximity to many notable business centers and attractions in Dubai, including the future Meydan One Mall and Meydan Racecourse which hosts the Dubai World Cup — the world's richest horse day.

“We try to go beyond mere construction by finding as many ways as possible to enhance the lifestyles of our future residents. Moreover, we have numerous other projects in our pipeline that we are eager to reveal more about in due course,” said Mr. Farhad.

“Every single one of our projects is unique. Azizi Mina, which is also close to completion, is our second luxury development on the iconic Palm Jumeirah. It offers private beach access and fantastic panoramic views of the city’s skyline. The project comprises 178 lavish residences, divided into one- to three-bedroom apartments and penthouses across 11,244 square meters.”

Leadership is all about seeing and creating a better future and for Azizi Developments there are plans to go further beyond Dubai: “We are also planning on using our international expertise to establish ourselves in other markets, such as France and England, and to develop more in Germany, where we already have a strong presence.”

construction business news me // January 2019 //

29

// Insight

Why do Dubai Residents Move?

Dubai residents leveraging declining rent to upsize homes With residential rental rates in Dubai on the decline, the moving market has been reshaped by a large degree over the last couple of years. ServiceMarket, the UAE’s largest marketplace for moving services, estimates that tenants move every 2-3 years, and recently conducted a survey to find out why Dubai residents moved during the last six months. The study revealed several major shifts in moving trends in Dubai.

Here are some of the interesting and surprising findings to help you understand the main reasons for why Dubai residents decided to move.

Contrary to what you might expect, most Dubai residents who moved rented bigger homes in 2018. Previously, when rental rates were going up, we saw a trend where people were moving to the newly developed suburbs of Dubai to get better value for money. But the emerging trend is to leverage the declining market by staying within the property for longer and renegotiating rates, or moving to a larger property for the same rate.

With rental rates declining, 61.4% of Dubai residents who moved upsized their homes, 16.2% downsized, and 23.4% moved into a house with the same size. Rental rates have been decreasing due to increased supply of new units, enabling an increasing number of Dubai residents to move to bigger and better homes. It has also become easier for growing families to find bigger homes that fit within their existing budget. Over 80% of those who moved during the last six months lived with their families.

30

Tenants are getting better rent deals In general, Dubai residents who moved are paying lower or same rent even though most of them moved to larger units. Only 35.5% of them are paying higher rents. With such economic trends, it’s hardly surprising that only 29.9% of Dubai residents moved to cut down the cost of rent in 2018. Many tenants are now “right sizing”, which means that they can move to apartments that were out of their reach earlier due to budgetary constraints.

Compared to the previous years, Dubai residents are getting much better value for money for their rent in terms of the size and quality of their homes.

What drives people to move?

• Bigger and better homes: For 40.6% of the respondents, moving to a larger house was the primary reason for their move, while 27.9% wanted to live in a house that’s better in terms of quality, and 20.8% moved to live in a better neighbourhood.

Decrease in rents is the primary driving factor behind most of these moves because now more people can afford bigger, higher-quality homes in upscale communities.

• To live closer to their workplace or children’s school: A lot of people moved to reduce the time spent on daily commutes. This was the case for 32.0% of the respondents, out of which 20.3% moved to live near their workplace and 11.7% moved to a home that was closer to their children’s school.

• To cut down the cost of rent: Since

// construction business news me // August 2018

residential rental rates are on the decline, only 29.9% of Dubai residents who moved did so to cut down the cost of rent in 2018. Instead, most of them used their existing budget to upsize their home.

• Maintenance issues are a major concern: It might not seem like a big reason for moving to a new home, but 12.7% of Dubai residents who moved were so distressed by maintenance issues they were facing in their current home that they chose to move to a new home. It’s recommended that you should thoroughly inspect a home for maintenance issues before moving in to avoid such hassles which can cost you thousands of dirhams. You should also consider signing up for an annual maintenance contract to keep your home in good condition.

Other driving factors: • 2% said they moved because they were not happy with their landlord • 5% moved because they had bought their own house • 5% has to move because their landlord was selling the house Here are some interesting facts about moving in Dubai: • Saturday is the most popular day for moving, which makes sense because most people prefer to move on the weekend when they have more free time. Movers and packers in Dubai charge higher rates on Fridays because it is a non-working day, so Saturday is the most popular choice. On the other hand, the lowest frequency of moves is in the middle of the week.

• Most popular moving sizes in www.cbnme.com

Dubai: The largest number of moving requests in 2018 were for 1 bedroom apartments, followed by studios apartments.

• How much do people pay on average? The average cost of moving ranges from AED 1000-2000 for 1 bedroom apartments, given that most people live in smaller homes.

Of course, the exact cost of your move would depend on the type of moving service in Dubai you choose and the amount of furniture in your home.

If you’ve been planning to upsize or move to an upscale community, then now is the right time to do so.

Be sure to hire reliable movers and packers through ServiceMarket, which only features vetted and licensed moving companies in Dubai. You can

also read reviews and compare moving companies on ServiceMarket to make an informed decision.

construction business news me // January 2019 //

31

// Site Visit

Meydan One Mega Mall Set For 2020 Launch CBNME visited the site on which upon completion will host 580 retail stores including 30 anchor stores and 80 flagship luxury stores, 190 dining outlets and a 13,200-square meter hypermarket.

M

eydan One, which is currently under development as part of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City in Dubai, has announced that the project is on track for its launch in early 2020 with 60 percent of structural work already completed.

The Meydan One project is Dubai’s latest centerpiece development aimed at enhancing the emirate’s mall landscape through a wholly reimagined approach that combines retail, hospitality, and entertainment and leisure experiences.

Strategically located at a 20-minute drive from the Dubai International Airport, Meydan One is a sprawling, next-generation destination that offers immersive lifestyle experiences, world-class design, entrepreneurship, and technologies, reaffirming Dubai’s 32

vision to become the preferred global hub for tourism and shopping.

Meydan One will integrate indoor and outdoor spaces featuring key attractions such a 1-kilometer ski slope, a heritage village, white sandy beach and water park, hotels, and hotel apartments, as well as the largest dancing water fountain in the world.

Speaking on the progress of the project, Fahad Kazim, Vice President – Meydan Malls, Meydan Group, said: “We are changing the way the Middle East thinks of mall concepts today.

Meydan One has been envisioned as a ‘place for everyone’, which means it seeks to accommodate varied needs and expectations. We are doing this by collaborating with the community to create a highly-integrated multifunctional hub for all nationalities and segments of the population. In addition,

// construction business news me // October 2018

we are aiming to ensure that space has a significant layer of digitization to allow us to connect with consumer needs in a wholly unique way.”

Upon completion, Meydan One will host 580 retail stores including 30 anchor stores and 80 flagship luxury stores, 190 dining outlets and a 13,200-square meter hypermarket.

These will be located across indoor and outdoor spaces oriented by an iconic retractable sky lit atrium space named the “Canyon” measuring 160 meters by 100 meters, featuring flexible areas for events and entertainment as well as unique al fresco dining experiences.

Azmi Abuhantash, Project Director, Turner International Middle East, commented on the efficiency at which the construction is progressing, “By establishing a concrete batching plant

facility early on site and the use of locally based pre-fabrication facilities, the logistics for the structural works have been simplified to optimise the time, energy and expenses involved in the construction, while also ensuring that the work is carried out in seamless shifts round-the-clock. The development incorporates some unique elements, such as the Canyon Roof structure which is supported by structural steel columns which are built to be completely non-intrusive to the open space of the atrium. There is a phenomenal amount of planning and attention to detail with regards to construction logistics, sequencing of activities, access, and safety of this special construction being invested in the construction to meet the timelines of the this challenging Project.�

Erik Hokanson, Design Director, www.cbnme.com

AE7, the full-service architectural firm behind the development of Meydan One, said: “Meydan One is being purpose-built to offer an exceptional community and retail experience. As the destination materializes, we are seeing its unique elements coming to-

gether to deliver an all-encompassing lifestyle hub. Right from the planning to its construction, Meydan One incorporates progressive and sustainable design to align with Dubai’s iconic infrastructure and vision to be at the center of the global tourism and busi-

construction business news me // January 2019 //

33

// Site Visit

Azmi Abuhantash, Project Director, Turner International Middle East

Erik Hokanson Design Director AE7

Fahad Kazim Vice President Meydan Malls

ness landscape. This is certainly slated to become an integral part of Dubai’s entertainment and retail experience.�

With the aim of encouraging community interaction and providing a platform for local and international talent, Meydan One will house a multipurpose civic plaza with a capacity to host 30,000 people at any given point of time to facilitate a diverse range of cultural and entertainment activities for visitors of all ages.

A key attraction within the development, the dancing water fountain will span a phenomenal 380 meters in length enhanced by a choreographed three-dimensional water field and digital color array.

In addition, an 8.2-kilometer Crystal Lagoon within Meydan One will feature over 500-meters of white sandy beaches, an exclusive beach club with 34

// construction business news me // January 2019

a lounge area, as well as activities such as sea kayaking, paddle boats and water park facilities for adults and kids.

Adding to this is the development’s ‘Experience Zone’, which spans 28,000 square meters, and features carefully programmed innovative entertainment, traditional and extreme sports, edutainment and e-gaming experiences. The Experience Zone will also feature a multi-purpose sports arena with regulation size courts and designated versatile multi-sports areas.

Erik Hokanson remarked, “Meydan One is strategically designed to be surrounded by water elements on all sides, including the Dubai Water Canal, the natural water canal system called the Crystal Lagoon, and the incredible dancing fountains, making this a highly unique and exceptional entertainment and lifestyle destination. The retractable sky-lit atrium called the Canyon – a unique architectural undertaking - will function as an aesthetic versatile feature to facilitate the year-round enjoyment www.cbnme.com

of the entertainment, dining, community and retail spaces of the destination.”

Another unique element of the Meydan One is the way in which the infrastructure has been laid out to be easily accessible, with ample parking, from any of the multiple entry points of the destination. This is an extremely well-planned project which we are very happy to be associated with.

Meydan One aims to integrate a new approach to leasing contracts by moving away from a traditional approach to tenant-landlord relationships. “The dynamics of the tenant-landlord relationship used to be quite different and is changing for the better. Critical insights need to be exchanged between the tenant as well as the landlord, while educating each other, building a robust, successful and trustworthy relationship,” says Fahad Kazim.

Meydan One also seeks to disrupt the traditional retail experience through reinventing convenience and ease of movement with advanced way-

finding solutions. This disruption will also be embodied in Meydan One’s virtual platform to ensure seamless accessibility and customer service.

Seeking to drive startup innovation in the region, Meydan One will also feature an incubation district as a fullyenabled plug-and-play facility for upand-coming entrepreneurs in fashion, beauty, and F&B, among others. These dedicated startup spaces will offer tenants competitive leasing incentives and positioning through careful curation, mentorship, and support to take new businesses from emerging brands to global ones - born in Dubai and proudly nurtured in Meydan One. The destination differentiates itself through its progressive leasing mix that will allocate nearly 50 percent of its leasable area to F&B and entertainment including a 21-screen cinema with a deconstructed food court hosting an additional 20 outlets. The development will be serviced by car parking facilities with more than 12,000 spaces.

construction business news me // January 2019 //

35

// Project

36

// construction business news me // January 2019

District One launches t h e Ta l l e s t T ow e r Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City, District One – part of the master development Meydan – announced the launch of the tallest tower of its prestigious D1 Residences.

The 16-storey tower was launched alongside the launch of the 1, 2 and 3 bedroom show apartments held on 11th December 2018 at District One Sales Centre. The event was attended

by Senior Management of Meydan Group, dignitaries and Senior Management of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City, District One, media representatives, expert market influencers and other prominent guests.

They were treated to a tour of the show apartments as well as a special boat tour of the iconic Crystal Lagoon.

The newly launched tower located in the luxurious Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City, District One is the Tallest Tower of “D1 Residences” comprises 16 floors with 1, 2 and 3 bedroom contemporary waterfront apartments catering to various family sizes. These cutting-edge homes are bathed in natural light streaming through the ceiling to floor windows, offering a stunning panoramic view of the greenery surroundings and the world’s largest manmade 7-km Crystal Lagoon.

This mesmerising crystal lagoon is set on a pristine private beach marvel, surrounded by acres of lush greenery.

Created with a patent technology that keeps the water looking crystal blue all year long. The Crystal Lagoon at District One offers residents exclusive access to swimming, paddle boarding, and other non-motorised aquatic leisure activities.

Mohammad Abdul Nasser Al Khayat, Vice President Commercial and Freezone, Meydan Group LLC who delivered the welcome speech said, “We are particularly proud of this tower launch as it is the Tallest Tower of “D1 www.cbnme.com

Terrace-view, D1 Residences

Residences” that is overlooking the phenomenal world’s largest man-made 7 km Crystal Lagoon. Since the launch of “D1 Residences”, it has received positive interest from buyers and investors across the world and the interest is definitely growing as we continue to provide extraordinary features, and exquisite surrounding facilities for this prestigious community.”

Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City, District One is an exclusive residential destination comprising opulent Mansions, luxurious villas, and the waterfront apartments. Furthermore to the community’s unique lifestyle features of 7-km crystal lagoon, 14-km

boardwalk, over 8.4-km cycling and running track, and 26 million sq-ft of green open spaces, residents will enjoy a premium destination in the heart of Dubai, minutes away from many of Dubai’s world-class attractions, landmarks, airports and metro links.

The luxurious community is located minutes away from the upcoming Meydan One, Dubai’s iconic new shopping and recreational destination.

In addition, the community provides mosques, schools, premium retail brands, F&B outlets and supermarkets across the premises for an all-rounded experience for the families residing at District One. Mohammad Abdul Nasser Al Khayat, Vice President Commercial and Freezone, Meydan Group LLC

construction business news me // January 2019 //

37

// Special Feature

I n d u s t ry l e a d e r s In design & Architecture

They’re the creative force behind the towering skyscrapers, incredible designs, and inspiring buildings. Construction Business News Middle East presents the most influential designers and architects who’re changing the designs we see and shaping the structures in the most groundbreaking manner.

38

// construction business news me // January 2019

// Special Feature

Diane Thorsen Principal and Design Director Perkins+Will Diane Thorsen is one of the founding members of the Perkins+Will's Dubai studio. With extensive experience of spanning over 20 years, Thorsen is focussed on creating quality and sustainable designs. A graduate of the Faculty of Art Design and Architecture from University of Johannesburg, South Africa, Thorsen’s international work brought her to the Middle East in 2008 where she embraced the region's nuances and responded with sensitivity to appropriate design solutions. Most notably her designs for international workplace, hospitality, and mixed-use developments display attention to detail, a love of local art, and quality of craftsmanship. Her award-winning work and design approach is informed by sustainability, holistic, innovative project delivery, and user-centric design and research. Some of her notable designs include Adidas office at Dubai Design District and LinkedIn office in Dubai.

Current projects

Thorsen is handling various prominent projects in the region like BLVD Heights, a premium twin-tower complex presiding over the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard; Chedi Ras al Hadd, Oman which is a remote beach resort that draws inspiration from Omani Heritage and culture; and Movenpick Resort Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah, which is a prime beachfront location, offering guests unrivalled views of the Arabian Gulf and the picturesque Ras Al Khaimah coastline.

The project will feature world-class entertainment attractions, restaurants, cafes, and fitness facilities.

40

// construction business news me // January 2019

Jason Burnside Partner Godwin Austen Johnson Jason Burnside graduated from the University of Dundee in 1996 and spent five years with a small urban design practice in London before moving to Dubai to join Godwin Austen Johnson (GAJ) in 2001. Burnside is one of the longest-serving architects in the firm and has designed and delivered some of GAJ’s highprofile collaborations including Gate Village at DIFC with Sir Michael Hopkins Architects and the competition-winning scheme for the UAE Parliament with Ehrlich Architects.

He specialises in the education sector and has led the design of more than 20 schools in the region and his most recent works in Dubai includes GEMS International School, GEMS Metropole School, Dubai, Ladybird Early Learning Centre, Dubai, Emirates International School, Sunmarke School, and others. While he may be renowned for his school projects but Burnside has also led the design of a number of internationally branded hotels across the Middle East like Mysk Al Mouj in Muscat and Vida Hotel and Service Apartment Tower in Dubai.

Current projects

Some of his key projects include Arcadia Secondary School Dubai, Al Furjan School Dubai, Dubai College Centre of Sporting Excellence, two British curriculum schools in Saudi Arabia, and a British school in Dubai.

www.cbnme.com

construction business news me // January 2019 //

41

// Special Feature

Isabel Pintado Senior Vice president, Middle East & Africa, Managing Director Wilson Associates With more than 20 years in the industry, Isabel Pintado has spent 17 years in the Middle East and is an integral part of the design industry here. Pintado has worked previously at LW Design and Godwin Austen Johnson and her familiarity with the region’s culture and business landscape work in favour of her. Pintado currently leads the design studio of Wilson Associates with her business acumen, leadership qualities, and oversees the design direction for each project. Some of her successful projects include Address Marassi Beach Hotel in Egypt, Chill Sky Bar in Vietnam, Taj Hotel in JLT, and Golf Apartments at Dubai Hills.

Current projects Pintado’s plate is full of exciting projects in the pipeline like The Address Dubai Hills Golf Club & Maisonettes in Dubai, Marriott Taghazout in Morocco, and Anantara Eco Hotel & Resort in Ras Al Khaimah.

42

// construction business news me // January 2019

Paul Bishop Owner and Founder Bishop Design Paul Bishop is one of the most admirable and creative designers in this region. Bishop founded the award-winning design firm‑Bishop Design in 2004.

Bishop’s nonpareil influence on the commercial and hospitality industry stems from a successful list of projects consisting of recently-completed Caramel Restaurant & Lounge in London, Larte, Scalini, Toro + KO, The Meeting Room, Bazxar, and Waka. He is also doing some international projects spanning France and Bahamas. Some of his retail projects from the region include Lotus Arts de Virve, Fauchon Paris Café & Retail in Kuwait, and Sprungli. Utilising state-of-theart materials and products, incorporating bespoke custom-made pieces, and with innovative ideas, Bishop is pushing the boundaries well beyond the familiar realms of design.

Current projects

Bishop is doing some exciting projects like the highly anticipated dining venue – Dolce Sky as well as the Torno Subito for world-renowned chef Massimo Bottura.

www.cbnme.com

construction business news me // January 2019 //

43

// Special Feature

Pallavi Dean Founder and Creative Director Roar Pallavi Dean is the founder and creative force behind design firm, 'Roar'. The firm has an international portfolio spanning across three continents; her flagship projects include the Delano Dubai, Paramount Residences, Edelman HQ, and many more.

An architect and sustainability specialist, Dean was born in India, raised in Dubai, and spent early years of her career in London. Her designs reflect the eclectic influences of these places, which helps her in understanding various cultures and hence delivering a various range of projects.

Dean is also a professor of design theory at the American University of Sharjah.

Her recent project — Sherra Entrepreneurship Centre in Sharjah is worth all the attention. Sheraa means ‘sail’ in Arabic, Dean wanted to develop a space around the idea of the entrepreneur’s journey. The requirement was to create a functional space that is flexible, accommodates a broad range of work scenarios, and can host a vast spectrum of meetings, from large ‘town hall’ presentations for a hundred people, to private negotiations on contracts with lawyers and bankers.

Here are some very interesting design highlights of this space like a green wall in the reception area, which sets the tone for biophilia. The blue reflective circular discs suspended from the ceiling were used as a simple trick to conceal the ugly AC units, but they’ve become so much more than that.

The reflective film on the discs frames vignettes of the open plan space and gives users snapshots on what is happening in other areas of the hub. They are also angled to catch the daylight at different times and bring some colour into space.

The Bene PIXEL boxes are used in the premises that truly epitomise the flexibility of Sheraa. These ingenious little boxes can be combined to create different pieces of furniture - storage containers, seating, and tables. One can even sometimes stack them to create a mini amphitheatre.

Dean deliberately went for a bold variety of seating: they’re comfortable and practical, but most importantly they add layers of personality and character with their different textures, forms, and colours. Tarkett flooring is used across the area as it’s acoustic and durable, which is a must for a high-traffic space with an exposed ceiling.

44

// construction business news me // January 2019

Current projectS Dean is working on some of the prominent projects such as luxury residences in Kuwait and London, large commercial towers in Sharjah, a jazz bar in Dubai, a boutique store in Abu Dhabi, and a few F&B outlets in Saudi Arabia.

Ben Corrigan CEO and Founder Bluehaus Group Born in Tehran and raised in Singapore, Ben Corrigan established the Bluehaus Group in 2002 as a team of four. Bluehaus Group has evolved and innovated over the past 16 years and Corrigan continues to drive his passion for combining thoughtful and considered creativity with robust coordination.

Bluehaus Group in 2018 is a team of 45 including architects, interior designers, and MEP engineers.

Corrigan is a believer in driving a culture of innovation and collaboration amongst the people and teams that make up the Bluehaus Group for a greater and collective good. Bluehaus group’s impressive portfolio includes projects such as Jetex Dubai World Central VIP Lounge, Credi Suisse in Bahrain, Orbi Dubai in Mirdif City Centre, and more. Corrigan credits the power of technology in enhancing the building spaces and invested in technologies like Revit and Virtual Reality (VR).

Current projects Bluehaus Group is currently engaged in a number of exciting projects – The Founders Office, H Hotel, G20 HQ Riyadh, Sharjah Media Zone base-build, a Reel Cinema project, Youth Hubb Abu Dhabi, and an airport terminal building in Sharjah.

www.cbnme.com

construction business news me // January 2019 //

45

// Special Feature

Tariq Khayyat Head of Region – Middle East, Zaha Hadid Architects An Architect, designer, and lecturer, Tariq Khayyat has more than a decade of experience in delivering international architectural projects across all stages from design concept through to completion. Khayyat joined Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) in 2006 and in November 2016 ZHA established the Middle East office at Dubai Design District under his leadership. Khayyat’s current role involves embracing new markets as well as providing ongoing business development support. He was awarded Master of Architecture with Honors from the Architectural Association’s Design Research Laboratory (AA DRL) in London in 2005. He has since lectured and stood on graduation juries in the UK, UAE, and across the Middle East. Khayyat was also involved as a project architect for a number of other remarkable projects like of King Abdullah II House of Culture and Art in Amman, Changsha Meishihu International Cultural Centre in China, Signature Towers in Dubai, Refugee School in Turkey, and Beethoven Concert Hall in Germany.

Current projects Khayyat is looking after the Aljada Central Hub, which is a new leisure and entertainment destination in Sharjah. Another interesting project that khayyat is part of is Bee’ah Headquarters in Sharjah. It’s a futuristic and unique building and an embodiment of Bee’ah’s spirit and commitment towards environment-friendly practices.

Sotiris Tsoulos Design Director, RMJM Dubai After founding and leading RMJM Istanbul for six years, Sotiris Tsoulos joined RMJM Dubai as design director in early 2018. While managing RMJM Istanbul, Sotiris worked on multitude of high profile projects and he simultaneously collaborated with RMJM Dubai on some other very significant large-scale, mixed-use projects including the major redevelopment in the Holy City of Makkah, alongside a 7-star hospitality project and the 1mnsqm Rua Al Haram residential development. Sotiris’ most remarkable achievements includes Ancient Olympia, the venue for the 2004 Athens Olympics shot put competition, the Grand Hotel de Pera project in Istanbul, and the G Tower, a 28-storey residential building that broke the logic of the podium by introducing the concept of a village at the base.

Current projects

Sotiris is presently looking after some of the prominent projects like largescale mixed-use masterplanning of a project in Egypt and a residential masterplan project in Romania.

46

// construction business news me // January 2019

Justin Wells Director dwp | design worldwide partnership

Justin Wells has over 25 years of experience in the design industry and is leading the projects throughout Australasia and the Middle East region.

He is one of the most celebrated speakers from the industry and shares his views on design and structures. Wells’ understanding of crafting longterm relationships with owners and operators is critical in the creative collaboration process. With a penchant for hospitality, his reinvention of space and regular planning paradigms are explored to promote uniqueness of design for the client and operator.

www.cbnme.com

Current projects

Wells is working on some remarkable projects in this region like W Hotel in Abu Dhabi to be completed by November 2019, Gran Melia in Jeddah to be completed in 2020, and Crown Plaza in Business Bay, Dubai.

construction business news me // January 2019 //

47

// Special Feature

David G Daniels Director of Architecture SSH

Current projects Daniels is working at Al Marjan in Ras Al Khaimah, where he is currently engaged in the design process of three major hospitality projects.

David G Daniels is the director of architecture at SSH. Daniels' career started in the UK with Glenn Howells Architects and Hopkins Architects. His early commissions were in the field of sporting venues and stadia, which culminated in the design of the Athletes Village at the London 2012 Olympics. A move to Dubai followed with Hopkins’ appointment to design the Meraas and

48

Engineers Office campus, where Daniels took a leading role within the team. While at Hopkins Dubai, he played a key role in the design of several other significant commissions including One Central for Dubai World Trade Centre. In 2015, Daniels joined the SSH and has been instrumental in building the SSH Dubai team to more than 120 highly skilled and motivated personnel covering both

// construction business news me // January 2019

architecture and engineering professions.

Daniels and the SSH team’s portfolio includes many spectacular projects within the UAE. Internationally, SSH has worked for several top-tier clients and built long-lasting partnerships. These commissions include Emaar’s Grande, which stands next to the Dubai Opera and several towers within the Dubai Creek Harbour development.

Lama Harb Associate Director, JT+ Partners Lama Harb graduated from the Faculty of Architecture in Lebanon and moved to UAE in 2006. She worked with an international firm where she developed many projects in the Middle East region and beyond. In 2016, Harb joined JT+Partners and since then, she is working on impressive projects located in international destinations from Middle East to North and Central Africa, and India. With over 20 years of extensive professional experience in the field of architecture in the Middle East, this year she bagged the prestigious title of ‘Architect of the Year’ at the Design Middle East Awards 2018.

Harb has an extensive knowledge of hospitality projects with special attention to design and construction excellence.

Current projects

Harb is currently working on two prestigious 5-star luxury resorts. First, it’s The Ritz Carlton Resort Saadiyat, which features Arabic, Mediterranean, and contemporary styles in terms of architecture. The project provides a unique and eco-friendly environment by weaving together the interior and exterior spaces.

Another exciting project is the Waldorf Astoria Resort Island, this development is to promote the exceptional coastal experience in the UAE.

Sneha Divias Founder, Sneha Divias Atelier Born and raised in Portugal, Sneha Divias received her master's degree in architecture from the Lusiada University of Porto and completed a series of architectural courses at the Delft University of Technology and Istanbul Technical University. Later on, she attended New York University to specialise in interior design. Divias also worked at Dubai-based LW Design prior to establishing her own firm in Dubai.

From luxurious villas to hospitality projects, boutique hotels and other creative spaces, Divias has done it all. Some of her prestigious projects include OliOli, Orchid Boutique at Sharjah Ladies Club, Dubai Holding Executive Office, Villa Bar Al Jissah, etc. Divias has also completed some notable developments in Porto, Nairobi, Muscat, and Los Angeles.

Current projects Divias is busy working on a variety of projects, one of such is White & the Bear, it’s a two-storey store with a cafe for youngsters.

www.cbnme.com

construction business news me // January 2019 //

49

// Special Feature

Pierre Martin Dufresne Design Principal, U+A Pierre Martin Dufresne is a Canadian architect with over 25 years of experience in Asia and the Middle East. Upon graduating from the acclaimed Azrieli School of Architecture and Urbanism in Ottawa, Canada, Dufresne relocated in 1996 to Southeast Asia where he started his career on large-scale projects with HOK in Hong Kong. Dufresne then moved to Singapore where he worked for three years as a senior design architect with award-winning Kerry Hill Architects. After his stint in Singapore, Dufresne moved to Dubai to work for the global firm RMJM, he took on the challenging role of a lead architect for the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre including the commission to conceptualise Capital Gate. He left RMJM not long after initiating the realisation of Capital Gate to start his own firm with fellow architect and partner Pedram Rad in 2006.

Emad Jaber Founder and Managing Partner LACASA Emad Jaber is the founder and managing partner at LACASA. Jaber possesses over 34 years of experience in the region and has widely contributed to shaping of the design and construction industry across the Middle East and North Africa. In addition to his work within the design industry, Jaber is also a prominent property developer in the West Bank and in Jordan, working on transferring design and construction expertise to the emerging markets. Some of the noteworthy projects from LACASA include Ajman Free Zone Tower, School of Research Science in Dubai, Mimosa Residence, etc.

Current projects

His most recent project is the Mall of Palestine, the country’s largest shopping destination extending over 60,000sqm, which is set to open its doors in early 2019.

50

// construction business news me // January 2019

Current projects Dufresne is working on projects like Swiss International School— Middle High-School, Dubai (SISD), Floating Homes by Dubai Properties in Business Bay, Deyaar Millenium Hotel in Al Barsha, Emaar Wasl Experience Centre on Sheikh Zayed Road, and others.

Elie Mrad Head of Architecture and Design, Arada Elie Mrad is a qualified architect with more than 20 years of experience working in markets as diverse as Australia, UAE, and South Sudan. As a head of architecture and design at Arada, Mrad has been instrumental in the creation of the masterplan and villa design for the developer’s record-breaking first project, Nasma Residences. More recently, he has been responsible for the design of key residential blocks in Phases 1 and 2 of Aljada. Mrad previously served as the head of architecture at Arcadia Middle East, and as a senior architect at Dewan Architects & Engineers. Mrad’s other roles have included managing director of Venture International and senior architect at Kann Finch. The projects he has worked on include Reem Mall in Abu Dhabi, Dubai Festival City, and the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Yas Island. Mrad holds a BSc in Architectural Engineering from Beirut Arab University and an MSc in Architecture and Urban Design from the University of Sydney.

Current projects Mrad is working closely with Zaha Hadid Architects on the delivery of the Aljada’s Central Hub, a bold new leisure and entertainment district for the UAE.

www.cbnme.com

construction business news me // January 2019 //

51

// Special Feature

Janus Rostock Regional Director, Lead Design + Planning & Economics, Head of Concept Architecture, AECOM Janus Rostock joined AECOM in June 2018, after having worked for almost 12 years with Atkins in both Middle East and Europe. Rostock is an awardwinning RIBA chartered architect, urban designer, and masterplanner with over 20 years of experience. He received his M. Arch from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts School of Architecture, Copenhagen, after having spent a year at l’Ecole d’Architecture de Paris Belleville in Paris. Rostock has been a vital part of some of the challenging and prominent projects in the region like Dubai Opera, Baku Waterfront, Dubai Creek Harbour, and many more.

Rostock is also a member of The Danish Management Society (VL-94) MENA and was a founding board member of the Danish Green Building Council.

Current projects

Rostock is working on the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh, Saudi Rail Organisation (SRO), KSA which includes strategic planning for optimisation of SRO land and property assets, and he is also managing the Dubai Harbour Ancillary buildings which feature the design of three buildings—parking structure, civil defense, and FM division.

Medy Navani CEO, Design Haus Medy Medy Navani is an interior designer and architect and founded Design Haus Medy in 2006. Navani has more than 230 bespoke projects as a part of his impressive portfolio. His design studio offers a full range of services including architectural design, master planning, historic restoration, landscape design, interior design and programming. Navani specialises in residential, commercial, multifamily, retail, hospitality, and community projects. Emaar, Emirates, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Tourism, and Government of Dubai are a few of the esteemed commercial clients, with noteworthy public commissions including Dubai Financial Market (DFM), Ras Al Khaimah Hospital, and Skyview Tower in Dubai Marina.

Current projects

Navani is currently engaged in multiple distinguished projects for the Royal family of Umm Al Quwain, a German WWII bunker restoration of a residential project, and the soon-to-be-revealed ‘Desert Igloo’.

52

// construction business news me // January 2019

Firas Alsahin Managing Partner and Design Director, 4SPACE Design Firas Alsahin started his career as a managing partner and an interior architect in 1999. In 2012, he established his own design studio, 4SPACE Design with partner Amjad Hourieh. Alsahin is a fully accredited Society of British and International Design (SBID) professional. Alsahin’s passion for design resonates with all his projects in the field of F&B, retail, and hospitality sector. Some of his note-worthy projects include Atmosfire, Khofo Dubai, and Karamna London. Alsahin along with his team is working on exciting projects like Kava & Chai outlets at various locations, a fashion retail store in Nakheel Mall, a residential villa in Saudi Arabia, and more.

Joseph Fakhry Area Manager, Arcadia Engineering Middle East Joseph Fakhry has nearly two decades of experience in various architectural disciplines.

His current role includes the management of Arcadia’s entire Middle East operations and team members and liaising with the company’s European headquarters on several fronts together with the GCC client relations. After completing a bachelor degree in architecture, Fakhry began his career in design with ERGA Group. He later joined MZ Architects as one of the founding team members when it commenced its operations in Abu Dhabi. During his 15 years as a part of the management team of MZ Architects across various GCC offices, Fakhry accumulated extensive design and executive experience by overseeing projects from initial stages of ideation through to design and final project completion and delivery.

Also responsible for business development, client relations, and financial strategic planning, Fakhry’s multifaceted approach has positioned him as a leader in the architectural space with significant commercial skills.

Jamil Jadallah Naji Managing Director, National Engineering Bureau Jamil Jadallah Naji came from Amman, Jordan to Dubai over 27 years ago for taking up a job at the Dubai Municipality. With his broad knowledge of the industry and the region, he then joined National Engineering Bureau (NEB) in 2002. A consistent mentor and inspirational leader at the firm, Naji believes in investing in his staff, nurturing new talent, and continuous innovation. NEB now employs more than 450 talented architects and engineers, and boasts of a large portfolio of projects spanning across the Gulf countries, India, Tanzania, and Turkmenistan. Having built large sections of some of Dubai’s most sought-after areas such as Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Lake Towers, and Business Bay, Naji has taken NEB to another level of success. NEB is working on Marina 106, located in the dense Dubai Marina district, referred to as the “tallest block in the world”. www.cbnme.com

construction business news me // January 2019 //

53

// Special Feature

Shaun Killa Design Partner, Killa Design Shaun Killa is a known face in the world of architecture and design. Killa studied architecture at the University of Cape Town and worked with several award-winning architectural firms in Cape Town. In 1998, he moved to Dubai and joined Atkins working on the Burj Al Arab project. In 2000, he became design director and lead Atkins Dubai by winning multiple international competitions such as 21st Century Tower, Chelsea Tower, Millennium Tower, and Al Mas Tower (370m).

Over the years, Killa focussed his design philosophy on innovative low-carbon buildings and challenged the norms to create timeless projects, such as Lighthouse Tower (400m), Address Boulevard (350m), Habtoor Towers, and Dubai Opera House. In 2015, Killa left Atkins and founded Killa Design.

The design firm developed the world’s first fully functional and permanently occupied 3D-printed office in Dubai called Office of the Future.

Killa is currently working on various projects such as ‘Museum of the Future’, it’s a unique incubator for futuristic innovation and design, currently under construction in Dubai, alongside Address Jumeriah Gate JBR, Vida Hotel & Service Apartments in Dubai Marina, SRG Tower SZR, and Qattara masterplan Abu Dhabi.

Christian Merieau Founding Partner, MMAC Design Associates With over 30 years of experience in interior design, Christian Merieau is the founding partner at MMAC Design Associates. After an early education in hotel administration, he obtained a degree in interior design in 1989 and later qualified as an interior architect in Geneva, Switzerland.

Merieau relocated to Dubai in 2005 and served as a managing director of one of the leading design firms in the region. After working for nearly 20 years with this firm and designing projects for international hotel operators such as Hyatt, Hilton, IHG, Rezidor, Rosewood, Marriott, Starwood and Accor, Merieau decided to move on.

Merieau launched MMAC Design Associates in 2013 with his partner Anil Mangalat. Merieau is working on various exciting projects including Hyatt Place Kathmandu, Rove City Walk, Rotana Ras Al Khaimah, and many others.

54

// construction business news me // January 2019

Richard Fenne Principal, Woods Bagot Richard Fenne is the studio chair and principal of Woods Bagot Middle East studio with over 17 years of experience. Fenne joined Woods Bagot Middle East studios in early 2011 and had led some significant and notable projects including the multi award-winning IRENA HQ building and Etihad Eco Residences in Masdar City. His current projects include Shams Meera, an innovative mid-market residential development in Abu Dhabi and the significant CoEx Campus for Expo 2020. Fenne is an active member of the RIBA and is the RIBA gulf representative for Abu Dhabi with a focus on growing membership in the region, linking with educators and practitioners.

David Padoa CEO, Design International David Padoa completed his architectural studies at the Polytechnic University of Milan and at the Pomona Polytechnic University in Los Angeles in 1994. He started his career in Indonesia and at the age of 25, Padoa gained international recognition for the design of PSP Bank headquarters - one of the tallest skyscrapers in Jakarta. In 1998, he moved to London and joined Design International and rose rapidly within the company, becoming a partner in 2002 and CEO in 2006. Padoa shuffles between London and Dubai offices and is leading the teams with notable projects across the globe. Committed to constantly setting new benchmark designs that are both financially sustainable and aesthetically strong, Padoa has been part of projects such as Al Araimi Azaiba Place in Oman and Al Araimi Boulevard, Oman and is currently working on interesting projects such as Khalifa City Mall in Abu Dhabi and Lulu Avenues Mall in Sharjah. The firm recently opened an office at Dubai Design District.

Ellen Søhoel Founder, XBD Collective Ellen Søhoel is a Norwegian designer and a founding member of XBD Collective. Søhoel started her career in the UAE back in 2003 and went on to become the co-founder of Bishop Design in 2005. In March 2018, Søhoel decided to branch out further and launched the new ‘XBD Collective’ brand. In a very short period of time, XBD Collective catapulted to success resulting in a further expansion of XBD Collective internationally, opening an office in Kensington High Street, London, to allow further access to foreign markets outside of Africa and Middle East region. Søhoel has worked on some of the most prominent names within the hospitality, residential and commercial sectors across the MENA region such as Emaar, W Hotel, The Fairmont Hotel, and Dubai Properties. www.cbnme.com

construction business news me // January 2019 //

55

// Special Feature

Emma Stinson

Chris Johnson

Creative Director, Studio EM

Regional Managing Principal Gensler Middle East

A UK native and born in Sharjah, Emma Stinson is a qualified interior architect with over 14 years of experience in the design industry. In 2011, Stinson founded Studio EM and has delivered multi-million dollar projects in the Middle East, East Africa, Indian, Europe, and North America. As the creative director of Studio EM, Emma has been at the helm of over 300 projects since the studio’s inception.

Some of the projects with a unique design approach include Namshi Head Office, One Life at Dubai Design District, Wagamama in Dubai Marina Mall, Alchemy Café on Al Wasl Road, etc.

Chris Johnson holds a BA (Hons) in Architecture and a Diploma in Architecture from Birmingham School of Architecture, UK. As a managing principal and creative director for Gensler’s Middle East region, Johnson combines his international business insight with exceptional design talent. The range of projects goes from retail to hospitality, masterplans to exterior skin for Johnson. He is involved in various projects such as Burj Alshaya-Four Seasons and Office Tower in Kuwait, Wasl Kifaf Development in Dubai, and The Avenues in Kuwait and Bahrain.

Sumaya Dabbagh Founder, Dabbagh Architects Sumaya Dabbagh is a Saudi architect with over 20 years of experience in interior design and project management. Following an education at Bath University, Dabbagh began her career in London and Paris in the early 90’s. Her return to the Gulf region in 1993 was part of a quest to gain a deeper understanding of her own identity, a unique mix of influences and sensitivity towards both Western and Middle Eastern cultures.

In 2008, Dabbagh started her own firm and has completed a diverse range of projects, which include commercial offices, retail, residential, educational, as well as cultural projects. She was an instrumental part of the team that set up the RIBA Gulf chapter in 2009 and is passionate about bringing more awareness to the region on the value of good design. She is currently the elected Chair of the RIBA Gulf Chapter.

56

// construction business news me // January 2019

Ralf Steinhauer Director, RSP Dubai Ralf Steinhauer came to Dubai in 2006 and worked in design and architectural firms such as RMJM, Woods Bagot before joining RSP in 2012 as a project director. As a keen sustainability practitioner, Steinhauer frequently advocates new ideas to the table, constantly dedicated to implementing sustainability goals throughout the lifetime of his projects. His vision for the future is equally as simple as his leadership philosophy - keep learning and keep mentoring. Steinhauer has been part of some of the prominent projects such as Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, Kempinski Hotel Muscat, Pullman Hotel, Dubai, and others. His continued dedication to ongoing knowledge, research, and challenge of design methodologies is channelled via his commitment to lecturing at the departments of architecture at Canadian University in Dubai.

Jamie Webb Head of EMEA, Benoy Jamie Webb has a diverse experience that spans over 20 years in the UK, Asia, and the Middle East. Webb specialises in the residential sector and utilises his design knowledge and creativity at every stage in the development process. Benoy’s built projects in the region include The Beach, City Walk in Dubai, and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. Schemes on the drawing board include Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Park, Abu Dhabi; Bahrain International Airport Terminal and Bahrain Marina, Kingdom of Bahrain; and Ajdan Walk and Global Business School, Saudi Arabia.

www.cbnme.com

construction business news me // January 2019 //

57

// Forum

F u t u r e t e c h n o l o g i e s ta k e c e n t e r s ta g e at f i r s t Au t o d e s k F u t u r e s F o r u m in Abu Dhabi At the forum, CBNME caught up with Mr. Naji Attallah, Head of AEC and Manufacturing at Autodesk to discuss his views about the construction industry and how Autodesk can help them to be more innovative.

Tell us more about Autodesk and what they do?

Creating a better world is our purpose because it is our opportunity to demonstrate responsibility and to contribute, to give back, in a way that is aligned with Autodesk’s business and our values. As a company, we encourage the empower58

ment of people and that is why we have unleashed creativity on a massive scale by putting cuttingedge technologies in the hands of millions of people to share their innovative ideas and turn them into reality. From students and amateur makers to professionals and designers, Autodesk is genuinely focused

// construction business news me // January 2019

on making a better world, rather than just selling products.

For more than 35 years, Autodesk software has helped designers, architects, engineers, visual artists, students, and makers to create everything from buildings and bridges to cars and other physical products to movies and video games.

the world will need to invest in building new infrastructure. The world’s existing infrastructure needs constant revamping and restoring.

Another huge challenge we are currently facing with construction is that the sector itself generates nearly a third of global waste, with predictions to double by 2025. While the manufacturing process is maturing and becoming increasingly efficient, the supply chain is conversely wasteful. Roughly 70 percent of the spare parts manufactured today aren’t even used. In the pursuit of more, people waste warehouse space, materials, and money.

Naji Attallah

What are the current challenges you see when it comes to the construction industry?

Generally speaking, the construction industry has traditionally been slow to innovate, unsuccessful at boosting productivity and quite late to embrace digital transformation. In fact, it is among the least digitized www.cbnme.com

sectors throughout the world only ahead of agriculture.

According to research firm Statista, as the global population continues to grow and urbanize, the construction industry will need to build an average of 13,000 buildings in major cities every day through the year 2050. This is just a fraction of the trillions of dollars

Tell us more about Building Information Modelling (BIM)?

What are the benefits of using it?

Building information modelling (BIM) is basically a process which generates and manages digital representations of buildings, in terms of both physical and functional characteristics. BIM software allows engineers and designers to essentially create buildings on a computer with rich details, clean layers and references before construction take place on-site.

Architects constantly face challenges of limited manpower, tight budgets, conflicting requests, and accelerated schedules. BIM helps all professionals involved in the process detect issues in the early stages and identify exact discrepancies. BIM is also used to bridge the information loss gap between the design team, construction team, and building owner, allowing all parties to be aligned in real time throughout the project.

Another huge benefit of BIM is that it significantly reduces material costs.

Tell us how Autodesk is helping to address these challenges?

New technologies are transforming all stages of the designing and building process. Autodesk is adamant on providing solutions given how construction projects are becoming increasingly expensive, complicated and are forcing managers to explore innovative solutions that improve

construction business news me // January 2019 //

59

// Forum

costs, timelines and overall efficiency.

Autodesk is helping digitize and automate the construction process through creating software that connects teams with a common data environment which will improve collaboration and facilitate efficient decision-making. In fact, we’ve been in the automation business for over 35 years, since the first introduction of AutoCAD back in 1982. Since then we have been leading construction paradigm shifts, the move from 2D to 3D design with the introduction of BIM portfolio. Through these tools, we are helping revolutionize the world is being built for future generations to come, while also trying to be as sustainable as possible.

As stated in the forum, construction industry lags behind when it comes to adopting software 60

technology when it comes to their construction projects.

Can you tell us why construction firms are reluctant to adopt it?

The adoption process is always the most challenging part of implementing a new system because of the training, costs involved and as mentioned the construction industry has stayed relatively traditional and slow to streamline and digitize various processes.

The adoption of technologies such as BIM requires a shift in thinking because the software is interactive and is a total industry game-changer.

However, because of UAE’s ultimate ambition and vision to be at the forefront of the global technological revolution, the adoption process is becoming smoother and faster than most other places around the world. When such initiatives are man-

// construction business news me // January 2019

dated from the top, implementation takes less time. In recent years, we have seen Dubai already implement BIM mandates in parallel to the launch of the Dubai Printing Strategy (2016-2025) where 20% of Dubai’s buildings will be 3D printed by 2025. We are now looking forward to helping support Abu Dhabi as they work towards their first mandate as well.

Tell us what you hope to achieve in 2019 and beyond?

In line with the UAE Vision 2021 that calls for innovation and technology and the UAE Vision 2030 that calls for promoting the status of the country as a leading hub of 3D printing technology, the construction industry has taken great steps forward with the adoption of new technology, the future is dynamic with endless opportunities for those organizations embracing a non-traditional approach.

// Secure parking

Tech Savvy Car Park We caught up with Pamela Chikhani, General Manager of Secure Parking UAE who discussed why the car park is moving towards a more technological front like never before.

S

ecure Parking, founded in Australia in 1979, is revolutionising the way we see a car park. General Manager of Secure Parking UAE, Pamela Chikhani is leading the charge in ensuring that car parks around the country are operated effectively and efficiently for both users and owners alike.

Secure Parking in the UAE is owned

by Al Shirawi Group of Companies, one of the largest private business conglomerates in the UAE. The Al Shirawi Group has 34 companies in diverse business sectors, with over 10,000 employees and an annual turnover in excess of USD 1billion.

“A car park is no longer just about the machine, it is all about the software and artificial intelligence that goes along with it,” Pamela told us.

The smart parking industry continues to evolve as an increasing number of cities struggle inadequate parking availability. While the deployment of sensor technologies continues to be core to the development of smart parking, a wide variety of other technology innovations are also enabling more adaptable systems—including cameras, wireless communications, data analytics, smart parking meters, and advanced algorithms.

In Secure Parking’s bid to make these transformational changes they acquired the agency of the largest parking manufacturing suppliers in the world, Amano.

Its Xparc range is one of the most reputed and reliable parking management systems available in the market.

“It has all the functionalities that you can think of when it comes to smart mobility. It has Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras, online booking and payment through mobile apps, ticketless solutions, barrier less 62

solution, RFID solutions, all of which are the latest buzz in the car parking industry,” remarked Pamela.

With a clear focus on adaptability, daily operations, and end-user experience, Xparc strongly contributes to the convenience of both drivers and operators. It is highly user-friendly, is equipped with the most recent electronic payment facilities, allows for unlimited configuration, through its open platform that connects and integrates with any software used by the client and provides superior control and reporting facilities..

Xparc field devices have a contemporary look which strongly contributes to the customer’s positive perception of your parking garage. Moreover, the high degree of modularity allows for limitlessness in every aspect, whether it

// construction business news me // January 2019

concerns the number of devices, users or administrators. By replacing paper tickets with mobile app solutions and by integrating credit card, apple pay and mobile payments methods, Xparc solution can be completely paperless and eco-friendly.

“This has been installed in various parts of the UAE. We installed it for The Beach project by Meeras. AWR Multiplex

by AW Rostomani in Bur Dubai, and also in Reem Island Abu Dhabi for Aldar project The Gate and The Arc, with many more installations in the pipeline.”

“To stay ahead of the competition, we recently launched Secure Vision, our central command center solution. This is a unique offering that provides remote access to hundreds of car parks within a single network from a centralised room.”

“It is a cost effective solution to clients that reduces the need to have more people working at the car parks and allows for more automation to control your car parks. We have more than 185 car parks connected in Australia and car parks in the UAE are following as well,” remarked Pamela.

For people who park their cars, this new command center helps ease any inconvenience that can occur while at a car park and it is available 24/7.

“If you lose your ticket, you can just get a new ticket issued to you remotely.

If the gate is not working we can also assist you with that too from the center.”

By doing these things remotely it would help clients of Secure Parking to optimise their revenue by reducing the operations costs of a car park. www.cbnme.com

In this sense, Secure Parking is moving towards a more technological front like never before.

“Just like your mobile, your car park systems will get automatic updates sent to it so that you don’t have to change your machines. All these upgrades will just make your car park even smarter due to the latest technology,” said Pamela.

In addition to managing and providing the technology required to operate a car park Secure Parking also provides advisory services such as parking demand and capacity Analysis, parking design review, parking strategy, design of parking management system, signage and way finding design and general traffic improvement plan.

Engaging with a car park consultant

early on in the design phase can have a profound impact on the end outcome.

Functionality and operational issues need to be resolved early, so get the right solution from the start and your development can benefit from greater car park efficiencies and increased usability.

Pamela said, “We conduct feasibility studies which include looking at the design, the flow of the car park, what type of equipment you need, the type of control you need to manage the car park, and the size of the car park. We also study the supply and demand of parking in the area, the type of project and its visitors among other things to determine the right parking fee for your facility. It is also very important to understand what exactly your clients want to achieve for their car park.”

construction business news me // January 2019 //

63

// Machinery

Liebherr to launch i t s B -v e r s i o n s o f t h e R -91 0 0 a n d R -915 0 i n 2019 Liebherr Mining Equipment Colmar SAS will launch its B-versions of the R 9100 and R 9150 in January 2019

W

ith the newest upgrades, these hydraulic excavators take a step forward to clearly exceed the performance and reliability compared to other players in this class while lowering the cost per ton.

The Liebherr R 9100 (first launched in 2010) and R 9150 (first launched in 2012) are based on 60 years of Liebherr experience in the development

64

and construction of hydraulic excavators. Innovative technologies from the manufacturer’s large hydraulic excavator program, together with well-proven Liebherr components, make these updated models ideal for the mining and construction industry’s needs.

Real productivity increase The R 9100 B and R 9150 B are equipped with the long-lasting and

// construction business news me // January 2019

proven Liebherr V12 diesel engine specifically designed to withstand extreme outside temperatures and high altitudes with low atmospheric pressure. Integrating the latest engine management system, these machines are built for extreme conditions.

The Liebherr D9512 diesel engine is the latest generation of Liebherr diesel engines and is now USA/EPA Tier 4f compliant. It has been upgraded on

platform equipped with slip resistant surfaces. This new arrangement with wide catwalks facilitates maintenance and ensures comfort during all the operations. These excavators are fitted with ergonomic access for fast and safe maintenance. All service points are within reach from one side and at machine level.

The modern and large cab provides ideal working conditions and optimal operator’s comfort. Mounted on silent blocks, the optimized cab design reduces vibrations. The new headliner limits noise pollution to provide a quiet working environment: decrease of 2 dB in the cab compared to previous version.

Connectivity Kit for data transmission The new B-versions are serially equipped with GSM data transmission functionalities to collect operating parameters, error codes and machine faults. The data is accessible through the Liebherr-Mining Data platform (LMD) on which the user can generate customized reports to track and analyze machine data.

The accurate information collected through the Connectivity Kit is recorded in a worldwide database and enters a systematic assessment and resolution process to continuously improve existing and new products and components.

many levels with an increased engine lifetime (SMU target of 15,000 hours) and new features that facilitate and improve the engine maintenance.

Furthermore, the new B-versions come with the exclusive EVO Bucket Solution with patented Liebherr design to maximize the loading capacity and ensure optimal penetration efficiency.

Thanks to the contoured sidewalls and the augmented depth, the EVO Bucket backhoe bucket has now a capacity* of 7.5 m³ (9.8 yd³) for the R 9100 B and 8.8 m³ - 9.6 m³ (11.5 - 12.6 www.cbnme.com

yd³) for the R 9150 B (*for a material density of 1.8 t/m³). The new buckets also make both excavators the perfect working partners in terms of shovel match for the Liebherr T 236 truck and all other articulated and rigid trucks in the 50 t to 100 t class.

Safe service access and superior operator comfort The R 9100 B’s and R 9150 B’s upper structure is accessible via a robust fixed ladder or 45° access stair in option and integrates one large central

Liebherr Vertical Integration Liebherr's vertical integration practice means Liebherr designs and builds components that meet the specific operational requirements of both the customer and mine site. Genuine Liebherr components ensure the best interaction within the machine to encourage optimal performance. Most effective machine operation with the lowest costs.

During the development of the B-series, several of those genuine Liebherr components like the swing pump, went through an upgrade to provide optimal reliability, superior productivity and a longer service life.

construction business news me // January 2019 //

65

// Save the date

Save the date Mark your calendar

January

7-10

January

14-19

66

Building Innovation Conference Washington DC, USA The Building Innovation Conference will provide a platform to participate in examining processes, communities, workforces, structures, resources, practices, communications and collaboration. Be there where Science meets Design for a compelling program intended to engage the entire team of building professionals in creating innovative solutions for the built environment.

Event Name: BAU Munich Munich, Germany BAU Munich is the World's Leading Trade Fair for Architecture, Materials, and Systems in the construction industry.

It is where future-oriented manufacturers come together with an audience of interested professionals. Their primary interests include the latest techniques, materials, and applications that can be put to use in actual practice. This is where visitors experience the future of building in person.

// construction business news me // January 2019

Kuwait Construction Week

January

17-20

January

23-26

Kuwait City, Kuwait Kuwait Construction Week is the largest construction event in Kuwait and the most important event in Kuwait for manufacturers, distributors and service providers to increase their presence and meet with key decision makers in the GCC’s building and construction sectors.

Klimahouse Expo Bolzano, Italy Klimahouse Expo is a 4-day event being held from 23rd January to 26th January 2019 at the Messe Bozen in Bolzano, Italy. This event is for the sector of remediation and energy efficiency in construction and is, therefore, the ideal platform to promote your products and services. It gives an opportunity not to be missed to learn new trends and innovations in the sector.

For your connectivity, we climb mountains.

Our business is trust.

www.cbnme.com