ME Consultant March 2020

Avoiding the need to reduce operational costs to offset CAPEX

ON TOPIC

MEC visits the Finnish Pavilion at the Expo 2020 site

ON SITE

Women in Construction: Edge’s Milica Jevtovic

ON SITE MARCH 2020

068

FOR THE CONSTRUCTION SPECIALIST

A Proactive Approach

Johan Hesselsøe on Faithful+Gould’s growth strategy in key GCC markets

Licensed by Dubai Development Authority

Contents | 01

22

March 2020 Issue 068

Cover Story

A Proactive Approach

Jason Saundalkar speaks to Faithful+Gould’s Johan Hesselsøe about the firm’s strategy for business growth, its growing operations and the challenges of the Saudi market

28

Interview

Just the Beginning MEC talks to Casa Milano’s Mohammed Azhar Sajan about the concept behind the firm’s flagship showroom and Expo 2020’s potential impact on the residential market

Site Visit

34 meconstructionnews.com

Envisioning the Future

Angitha Pradeep attends the Finnish pavilion’s topping-out ceremony at the Expo 2020 site and learns how sustainability and wellness are an integral part of the country’s approach to design, execution and dismantling March 2020

02 | Contents

42

Analysis

Dubai Q4 Snapshot

JLL reviews Dubai’s economy and the supply and performance of home and office stock in 2019

14 Profile

Milica Jevtovic

Jason Saundalkar talks to Milica Jevtovic, senior interior designer at Edge Architects, about her influences, career and gender diversity in the construction industry Opinion

The Right Approach Palladium Alpha’s Craig Adams discusses how investors and developers can avoid the need to reduce operational costs to offset capital expenditure on projects

8

18

Update

News

UAE completes work on $517m Mohamed Bin Zayed Residential City; Drees & Sommer says digital innovation is key driver for ME construction industry growth; AECOM appoints Urban Design director March 2020

meconstructionnews.com

04 | Welcome

Group MANAGING DIRECTOR RAZ ISLAM raz.islam@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5471 MANAGING PARTNER VIJAYA CHERIAN vijaya.cherian@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5713

Editorial EDITOR JASON SAUNDALKAR jason.s@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5475 SUB EDITOR AELRED DOYLE aelred.doyle@cpitrademedia.com

Advertising

The Show Must Go On The world’s attention seems to be fixated on the dreaded Coronavirus outbreak. At the time of going to press, website Johns Hopkins Medicine (JHM) states that there are a little over 86,000 reported cases.

Breaking that number down, JHM states that there have been 2,871 deaths but, on the positive side, 36,687 people have recovered, while the rest are active cases.

My thoughts are with the victims and their families, and I wish everyone fighting for their health a full and speedy recovery.

Since the World Health Organisation declared the Coronavirus outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 30 January, efforts to stem the spread of the virus have increased substantially. The downside of this is that global industries and markets have taken an absolute beating - the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) market seems to be the worst affected by far.

Every other day it seems like a staple event in the MICE calendar has been cancelled, as a result of the Coronavirus (now officially known as COVID-19) outbreak. I applaud event organisers for doing the responsible thing but the virus couldn’t have come at a worse time for that market.

March 2020

The MICE market has been under significant pressure for several years, as digital tools have made it possible for companies to open and maintain communications with partners and customers at a lower cost.

However, while digital tools make it possible to achieve a lot of what meetings, conferences and exhibitions offer, I reckon digital tools are not a replacement for live events. Being able to speak to brand representatives and experience products firsthand is something technology can’t replicate.

At least not yet.

Apart from creating thousands of jobs, the MICE market has also driven the development of some of the world’s most iconic structures.

The Eiffel Tower (Paris), the Palace of Fine Arts (St. Louis), the Atomium (Brussels), the Space Needle (Seattle), the Biosphere (Montreal) and Canada Place (Vancouver) are just some of the structures built for perhaps the biggest MICE event - the World’s Fair (better known as World Expo or Expo).

I’m sure Dubai will have a contribution or two to make to that list when Expo 2020 officially opens later in the year, and I hope other countries have the chance to add to this prestigious list far into the future.

Jason Saundalkar Editor, Middle East Consultant

HEAD OF KEY PROJECTS ANDY PITOIS andy.pitois@cpitrademedia.com +44 7816 843 610 COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR JUDE SLANN jude.slann@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5714

Design ART DIRECTOR SIMON COBON GRAPHIC DESIGNER PERCIVAL MANALAYSAY

Marketing MARKETING AND EVENTS EXECUTIVE AYSHA SULTAN aysha.sultan@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5498

Production PRODUCTION MANAGER VIPIN V. VIJAY vipin.vijay@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5713 DISTRIBUTION MANAGER PHINSON MATHEW GEORGE phinson.george@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5476

Web Development ABDUL BAEIS SADIQ SIDDIQUI FOUNDER DOMINIC DE SOUSA (1959-2015) Published by

The publisher of this magazine has made every effort to ensure the content is accurate on the date of publication. The opinions and views expressed in the articles do not necessarily reflect the publisher and editor. The published material, adverts, editorials and all other content are published in good faith. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publisher in writing. Publication licensed by Dubai Development Authority to CPI Trade Publishing FZ LLC. Printed by Al Salam Printing Press LLC. CPI Trade Media. PO Box 13700, Dubai, UAE. +971 4 375 5470 cpitrademedia.com © Copyright 2020. All rights reserved.

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Project: Mercure Hotel, Kaliningrad, Russia Solution: Sierra OP Board, RAL 5013 Š Egor Sachko

CREATE MORE VIBRANT SPACES Choose a colour ceiling system from Armstrong Ceiling Solutions to help define the ambience of a room, playing an essential role in stimulating mood and changing people’s entire experience of a space. www.knaufarmstrong.com

06 | On Topic

MOST POPULAR

FEATURED

CONSTRUCTION

EXPERT OPINION: COMPLEX EPC ENVIRONMENTS GETTING A REBOOT WITH AI

5,300 active construction projects currently ongoing in KSA

CONSTRUCTION

Besix Group wins infrastructure development contract in Dubai

Feature: SNC-Lavalin – The importance of evolving

CONSULTANT

Drees & Sommer says digital innovation is key driver for ME construction industry growth

CONSULTANT

Latvia inks deal for country pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai

CONSTRUCTION

Abu Dhabi to develop $735m residential project on the coast of Al Dhafra region

March 2020

READERS’ COMMENTS

Interview: Speeding forwards – Interview with Virgin Hyperloop One’s Harj Dhaliwal

I really enjoyed the opinion piece ‘Complex EPC environments getting a reboot with AI’ by AspenTech’s Paul Donnelly but I do think it raises age-old questions in the industry. I think we are all aware that artificial intelligence – aka AI – is already in our lives to varying degrees. For one, I can’t go on my phone without recommendations to me based on what I’ve said and not what I’ve searched (I find it quite useful but I can understand why it perturbs some people!). I still think the industry is very much the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’ situation when it comes to technology such as augmented design and the such like – and nor is it useful to the small contracts and projects that make up the bulk of work in the market (beyond the complex EPC jobsites referred to in the title). Furthermore, while we work in an age of off the shelf freeware and relatively cheap solutions, it’s just a shame that we haven’t yet got machine that tells us which one to pick.

Name withheld by request

meconstructionnews.com

www.studiolumen.com

Siddharth Mathur PARTNER

p: +971 4 3385806 e: sm@studiolumen.ae

06 | On Topic

MOST POPULAR

FEATURED

CONSTRUCTION

EXPERT OPINION: COMPLEX EPC ENVIRONMENTS GETTING A REBOOT WITH AI

5,300 active construction projects currently ongoing in KSA

CONSTRUCTION

Besix Group wins infrastructure development contract in Dubai

Feature: SNC-Lavalin – The importance of evolving

CONSULTANT

Drees & Sommer says digital innovation is key driver for ME construction industry growth

CONSULTANT

Latvia inks deal for country pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai

CONSTRUCTION

Abu Dhabi to develop $735m residential project on the coast of Al Dhafra region

March 2020

READERS’ COMMENTS

Interview: Speeding forwards – Interview with Virgin Hyperloop One’s Harj Dhaliwal

I really enjoyed the opinion piece ‘Complex EPC environments getting a reboot with AI’ by AspenTech’s Paul Donnelly but I do think it raises age-old questions in the industry. I think we are all aware that artificial intelligence – aka AI – is already in our lives to varying degrees. For one, I can’t go on my phone without recommendations to me based on what I’ve said and not what I’ve searched (I find it quite useful but I can understand why it perturbs some people!). I still think the industry is very much the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’ situation when it comes to technology such as augmented design and the such like – and nor is it useful to the small contracts and projects that make up the bulk of work in the market (beyond the complex EPC jobsites referred to in the title). Furthermore, while we work in an age of off the shelf freeware and relatively cheap solutions, it’s just a shame that we haven’t yet got machine that tells us which one to pick.

Name withheld by request

meconstructionnews.com

www.studiolumen.com

Siddharth Mathur PARTNER

p: +971 4 3385806 e: sm@studiolumen.ae

8 | On Topic

Housing Programme

Hospitality

UAE completes work on $517m Mohamed Bin Zayed Residential City project

Hotel construction contracts worth $23bn to be awarded across MENA by 2023

01

UAE authorities have completed construction of the $517m Mohamed bin Zayed Residential City project in Fujairah, designed to be a modern and sustainable housing system for mid-income Emiratis.

It is spread over a 2.2sqkm area and boasts 1,100 residential villas equipped with advanced facilities. The project will provide housing for about 7,000 citizens, the statement said.

Located in the Al Hail area, the development is said to feature 20 public parks and plots of land designated for public services. It will eventually also include schools, mosques and commercial stores, in addition to a community cultural centre and a men’s council.

On completion of the project, President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan stressed that Emiratis represent the true wealth of the country and are the focus of its policies and future. He said, “We will continue to carry out projects that ensure a high quality of life and standard of living for Emirati families. The Mohamed bin Zayed City in Fujairah is another example to the ability to excel in planning and implementing top construction projects,” he said, adding that important projects would continue to be rolled out throughout the country for the welfare of citizens and to enhance development and social achievements.

02 Saudi Arabia is billed as the leading future hotel market with just under $9bn in projects planned between now and 2023.

March 2020

01 The city project is spread over 2.2sqkm and boasts 1,100 residential villas.

It will eventually provide housing for 7,000 citizens.

Over $23bn worth of hotel construction contracts are scheduled to be awarded in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) between now and 2023, the third annual AHIC Hotel Investment Forecast stated.

According to research conducted in Q4 2019, the hotel development sector will be most active in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman and Egypt.

Saudi Arabia is billed as the leading future market, with just under $9bn worth of projects planned to be awarded over the

02

meconstructionnews.com

On Topic | 9

03

next four years. The demand stems from the Kingdom’s push into tourism and the opening of its cultural heritage and Red Sea coastline, key components of its 2030 Vision.

The UAE is in second place, with $7.6bn worth of hotel construction contracts to be awarded, while Oman has developments worth over $2bn in the pipeline. Egypt is forecast to have $1.9bn worth of projects awarded by 2023.

The levels of investment revealed by the AHIC Hotel Investment Forecast over the next four years are said to be a testament to an incredibly buoyant market.

“The AHIC Hotel Investment Forecast is an incredibly valuable piece of research that clearly demonstrates that the Middle East still has so much to offer when it comes to future hotel expansion and investment. We’re especially excited to see markets such as Oman and Egypt, which offer incredibly rich and diverse tourism landscapes, return to the forefront of development in the region,” said Jonathan Worsley, chairman of Bench Events and founder of AHIC. meconstructionnews.com

03 The infrastructure project will see the construction of new bridges and upgrades of existing bridges and is said to be 75% complete.

Infrastructure

RTA says Deira Island bridges works 75% complete

linked with another bridge that crosses the water canal.

RTA director-general and chairman Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer said that the project is part of the RTA’s initiative for the completion of works related to the larger Shindagha Corridor project.

The construction work is likely to be completed in June this year, he added.

“The first of the three bridges is a two-lane bridge offering free-flowing traffic from Deira Islands to Al Khaleej Street northward, while the second is a three-lane bridge providing free traffic from Deira Islands to Al Khaleej Street southward,” explained Al Tayer.

The third is a two-lane bridge offering free traffic from Al Khaleej Street southward to Deira Islands. The design of the Al Khaleej Street flyover allows the construction of two future bridges in the direction of Abu Baker Al Siddique Street, he stated.

The scope of the construction work includes the construction of bridges extending 1.6km, in addition to a six-lane bridge extending 140m together with a slip road on Deira Island’s side.

The existing bridge will also undergo renovations covering re-pavement, rails, traffic signs, utility lines and street lighting, the statement from the RTA said. The infrastructure project aims to improve the entry and exit points of Deira Islands at the intersection of Al Khaleej and Abu Baker Al Siddique streets.

Deira Islands is being developed by Nakheel and consists of four man-made islands reclaimed from the Arabian Gulf along the coast of Deira, spanning 17m sqm. The development project is the largest in Deira, noted the developer.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) says construction of the bridges leading to Deira Island is 75% complete. The scope of works includes the construction of three bridges of six lanes in each direction, March 2020

10 | On Topic

Residential

Multaqa Avenue in Mirdif Hills on track for Q2 launch, says developer The Dubai Investments Real Estate Company (DIRC) has announced that work is moving at a steady pace on Multaqa Avenue, the third cluster within its first freehold gated community in Mirdif Hills, Dubai. 80% of the construction has already been completed, DIRC said.

04

According to a statement, work on the second cluster, Nasayem Avenue, is complete and residents are expected to move in shortly.

Multaqa Avenue is set to be ready by the second quarter of 2020, the DIRC stated.

Residents are also said to have started moving into their new two-, three- and fourbedroom apartments in Janayen Avenue. The avenue is the first cluster within the group’s freehold gated community.

04 Mirdif Hills spreads over 3.9m sqft and, once complete, will feature 1,500 apartments, a four-star hotel and a 230-bed hospital.

05

Digital Innovation

Drees & Sommer says digital innovation is key driver for ME construction industry growth Drees & Sommer has stated that the future of real estate development is digital. The demand for cost-effective, innovative and sustainable buildings will inspire dataled business models, which will help fuel the continued growth of the Middle East construction industry, the firm states. “Innovation and sustainability in construction, specifically in connection with new digital solutions, are driving the future of real estate in the Middle East. A gentle slowdown in some regional markets, coupled

March 2020

meconstructionnews.com

On Topic | 11

05 The KPMG Global Construction Survey forecasts 6-10% growth in the UAE construction sector in 2020.

with the emergence of new technology and business models, will pave the way for forward-thinking companies to capitalise on these shifts. From 2020, the increasingly competitive environment will result in more demand for quality products, leading to a longer-term focus on investment in sustainable business models. After all, future business models, products and services will be measured not only by their economic success, but by their impact on our environment,” said Dierk Mutschler, CEO, Drees & Sommer.

He cited the findings of the KPMG Global Construction Survey, which forecasts 6-10% growth in the UAE construction sector in 2020. Global Construction 2020, a report sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers and carried out by Global Construction Perspectives and Oxford Economics, which forecasts spending of $4.3tn on construction in the MENA region over the next decade, was also cited as a marker of a positive outlook for the sector.

With regard to the UAE, Stephan Degenhart, associate partner and MD of Drees & Sommer Middle East, said the current focus lies in the delivery and completion of ongoing projects in anticipation of Expo Dubai 2020.

He also predicted that development would focus on delivering the ambitious roadmap of Smart Dubai 2021, which aims to make Dubai the happiest city on earth by embracing technology innovation for a seamless, efficient, safe and personalised city experience.

Degenhart also said that while there are plenty of smart technology solutions already available, the challenges lie in achieving the successful integration or networking of multiple systems from different technology providers and realising a change in mindset. meconstructionnews.com

Expansion

Union Properties to award $54.4m Dubai Autodrome expansion contract Union Properties is to sign an agreement with China National Chemical Engineering Company for the expansion of its flagship project in Dubai. The $54.4m contract is aimed at supporting the growth of the Dubai Autodrome and the developer’s presence on the local, regional and international level, a statement from the developer said.

The decision to expand the Dubai Autodrome comes in the context of expectations for the growth of the tourism sector in the state, supported by Expo 2020

and tourism promotion efforts, said Union Properties CEO Khalifa Al Hammadi.

He added that these efforts come in the context of the vision of the rational leadership of the UAE, in promoting the flexible and favourable economic environment for the development and growth of companies.

The developer says the Dubai Autodrome is an ideal destination for racing and car enthusiasts and includes several racetracks with international specifications that are the only ones of their kind in the emirate.

Additionally, Union Properties stated that its executive management team has prepared a plan to convert the following three subsidiaries into private joint stock companies: ServeU, The FITOUT and Dubai Autodrome.

06 The Dubai Autodrome was completed in 2004 and was the UAE’s first fully integrated multi-purpose motorsport and entertainment facility.

06

March 2020

12 | On Topic

07 Tanwani held several roles during his 12-year tenure with Atkins.

Tourism

07

New Appointment

AECOM appoints director of Urban Design for MEA region AECOM’s Design, Planning and Economics Studio has appointed Sanjay Tanwani director and lead of the Abu Dhabi Studio.

He will be responsible for strengthening Design, Planning and Economics, and the AECOM team, in an effort to expand its presence and meet the growing scale of master planning and city-scale work in the Middle East and Africa.

Speaking about his appointment, Tanwani said, “I’m thrilled to join the fantastic team at AECOM and look forward to bringing a new level of innovation and design excellence to the firm. Working with a range of multidisciplinary experts, together we will no doubt put AECOM at the forefront of regional urban development and infrastructure projects.”

AECOM says his knowledge and expertise will help build high-level relationships with clients ranging from developers and private equity venture capitalists to sovereign wealth funds, to drive business growth.

March 2020

Abu Dhabi Ports to build new cruise jetty Abu Dhabi Ports plans to design and construct a new cruise jetty at Sir Bani Yas Cruise Beach, off the coast of Abu Dhabi. The $27.2m project is expected to be completed in Q4 2020, in time for the 2021 cruise season. The project is billed as the Gulf’s first and only dedicated cruise beach stopover and the gateway to some of the most spectacular wildlife and historical treasures in the region, the statement said.

At present, cruise ships set anchor about 1km offshore and visitors are ferried to and from the cruise beach via tender craft. As per the statement from Abu Dhabi Ports, the jetty will allow two vessels to dock and provide up to 5,000 passengers with direct access to embark and disembark at an accelerated rate on the southeast beach of Sir Bani Yas Island.

“Today’s announcement heralds an exciting new phase in the spectacular success of Abu Dhabi’s cruise business at Sir Bani Yas Cruise Beach. Our commitment to its ongoing development will help us significantly increase the total number of visitors to the island and reduce the time it takes to move them to and from a vessel,” said Cruise Terminal director Noura Rashed Al Dhaheri.

Abu Dhabi Ports said the cruise jetty comprises an open-access trestle (350m length x 6m width) extending to a piled berth platform (105m length x 15m width), together with eight mooring dolphins, firefighting equipment, solar lighting and a hand railing, with an option to construct ten beach-control structures.

BAM International chairman Eric van Zuthem added, “The awarding of this contract to the group is a testament to our unparalleled performance in delivering the highest quality marine construction. The new cruise jetty at Sir Bani Yas Cruise Beach is our first project with Abu Dhabi Ports, and we look forward to commencing a long and successful relationship between our organisations.”

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M

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CM

MY

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08 The jetty will allow two vessels to dock and provide up to 5,000 passengers with direct access to embark and disembark.

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14 | On Topic

Dubai Q4 Snapshot JLL reviews Dubai’s economy and the supply and performance of home and office stock in 2019 UAE GDP grew at around 1.9% in 2019, higher than the 1.7% in 2018, and is expected to grow to 2.2% in 2020, according to Oxford Economics. Pro-growth government initiatives, rising investment ahead of Expo 2020 and expansionary fiscal stances by the federal and local governments should further improve the broad economic backdrop. Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which comprise the lion’s share of UAE GDP, are embarking on stimulus plans to facilitate doing business, attract FDI, retain human capital and improve the overall business environment.

While most sectors across the real estate market remained challenged during 2019, the government is seeking to stimulate more rapid growth through a range of initiatives expected to boost sentiment and drive demand over the coming months. In the year ahead, market performance will heavily depend on how quickly these initiatives take effect.

Following the various initiatives announced over the past year to boost demand, the Dubai government has also taken steps to limit future supply, with the formation of a new Real Estate Planning Committee in Q3 2019. Developers are also launching fewer new projects and focusing on March 2020

meconstructionnews.com

On Topic | 15

meconstructionnews.com

March 2020

16 | On Topic

Dubai prime rental clock Q4 2018

Dubai residential supply, 2017-2021 (thousand units) Current supply

Rental growth slowing

Rents falling

Rental growth accelerating

Rents bottoming out

Dubai apartment prices

Future supply

700

-8%

-5%

Rent Y-o-Y

Sales Y-o-Y

600 12-month outlook

500

Dubai prime rental clock Q4 2019

400 Dubai villa prices

300

Rental growth slowing

Rents falling

Rental growth accelerating

Rents bottoming out

the sale of existing inventories. Despite these trends, the market is still expected to see a high level of deliveries in the short term.

Abu Dhabi’s real estate market also witnessed various government initiatives that are designed to boost demand, focused primarily on attracting foreign investors and enhancing resident security. The freehold law launched in April 2019 allowing foreigners to own land and property in Abu Dhabi’s investment areas is expected to have a positive impact on the residential market and attract foreign investors.

Over the past year, corporations have continued to consolidate operations and space requirements, resulting in a gradual decline in rental rates. Demand for office space remains limited to small fitted units and serviced space. In turn, the residential market registered subdued performance levels as apartment and villa sale prices and rents continued to decline.

March 2020

2021

2020

Retail

2019

Hotel

2018

Office

-8%

-10%

Rent Y-o-Y

Sales Y-o-Y

100

2017

Residential

200

Residential Supply and Performance

More than 35,000 residential units were handed over in 2019, the most ever delivered in a year. Major completions in Q4 included three residential buildings in Silicon Park, townhouses in Maple 1 and 2, and a residential complex in Al Qusais, bringing total residential stock to 555,000 units.

In preparation for Expo 2020, residential supply is expected to reach 637,000 units by the end of 2020, an average annual increase of 15%. While more than 80,000 units are expected to be delivered in 2020, actual completions are likely to be far fewer (with the average materialisation rate over the past five years being less than 50%). Major projects scheduled for delivery in 2020 include Azizi Riviera in Meydan and Al Habtoor City.

Dubai’s residential market recorded minimal declines of around 2% in both apartment and villa rent prices over the quarter. Sale prices decreased by 1% and 3% for apartment and villas respectively,

12-month outlook

compared to Q3 2019. Higher declines were recorded on an annual level, with apartment rents and sale prices declining by 8% and 5% respectively. Similarly, villa rents and sale prices declined by around 8% and 10% respectively compared to the same period last year.

The residential market remains tenantfriendly overall, with landlords offering flexible payment options in order to attract new tenants. In addition to the various initiatives launched by the government to boost residential demand from potential foreign investors and residents, developers are also trying to enhance the residential market by providing various initiatives such as waiving the 4% registration fees, and offering monthly payment schemes and posthandover plans.

meconstructionnews.com

On Topic | 17

Abu Dhabi prime rental clock Q4 2018

Dubai office supply, 2017-2021 (million sqm of GLA) Current supply

Rental growth slowing

Rents falling

Rental growth accelerating

Rents bottoming out

Dubai office vacancy rate

Future supply

10.0

11%

14%

Q4 2018

Q4 2019

8.0 12-month outlook

6.0 Abu Dhabi rental clock Q4 2019 Dubai office rents (AED sqm/annum)

Office

Hotel

Retail

2021

Residential

Tourism Performance

Office Supply and Performance

Large-scale projects, new visa rules and Expo 2020 are expected to boost tourist arrivals, helping Dubai maintain its status as a major global tourist and FDI destination. Around 25m visitors are expected to visit Dubai from across 192 countries during Expo 2020.

Abu Dhabi has also been a hub for hosting various types of events in 2019, attracting tourists and boosting the hospitality sector in the city. The annual Formula 1 weekend event that took place over the past quarter contributed greatly to the strong performance levels in the hospitality sector in Abu Dhabi. The demand for hospitality in Abu Dhabi is expected to keep on growing with the new events and festivals scheduled for the year 2020.

There was approximately 182,000sqm of office space delivered throughout 2019, the most since 2015. An office complex in Silicon Park was the only completion in the last quarter, bringing total office stock to around 8.7m sqm.

Looking ahead, office supply is expected to increase to 9.1m sqm by the end of 2020.

Notable projects include ICD Brookfield Place in DIFC and Dubai Hills Square in Dubai Hills Estate. We remain cautious on the timely delivery of both of these projects.

Although demand for office space remained weak in 2019, several initiatives have been launched by the government to boost demand and increase business activity in Dubai. Major initiatives include One Free Zone Passport, dual licensing, full ownership of onshore companies and reduction of market fees imposed on businesses by Dubai Municipality.

These initiatives are expected to bring in more investments, generate employment and positively influence office space demand in the medium to long term.

meconstructionnews.com

1,553

1,358

Q4 2018

Q4 2019

2.0

2020

Rents bottoming out

2019

Rental growth accelerating

4.0

2018

Rents falling

2017

Rental growth slowing

12-month outlook

In the last quarter of 2019, average grade A rent in the Central Business District (CBD) declined by 13% compared to the same period last year, to $370, with select buildings performing better. Average vacancy in the CBD increased to 14%, up 300 basis points compared to the same period last year.

Demand for traditional office space remained weak in 2019, and the market remains in favour of tenants. Landlords continue to offer attractive terms in order to retain existing and attract new tenants.

The office market is expected to remain under pressure due to market conditions.

However, the government has launched initiatives to target businesses. It is trying to attract new entrants and entrepreneurs by setting up funds and incubators, and is also making business conditions favourable for existing businesses by reducing costs, easing the process and reducing restrictions on ownership. These new changes can be expected to improve demand in the long run.

March 2020

18 | On Topic

Craig Adams “While BIM is used far better today during construction, we still see many clients who don’t see the full benefit of it during their FM stage”

01

01 Craig Adams is managing director at Palladium Alpha.

March 2020

So many projects, in any industry, fail at investment level because the initial financial planning stage lacks a fully integrated approach. Once the design phase is complete and a project is on-site, there is a risk of inflated costs due to so many scope gaps, and as a result the asset is at risk of underperforming financially.

When the asset is at risk, the client’s next focus is reducing operational facilities management costs to offset CAPEX, which is not a solution to the problem. It simply creates a new and ongoing one.

We work in the facilities management and project management spaces, and have strategically set up our services to offer clients a complete offering in order to avoid issues such as the one we discuss here.

Looking after each element of a building’s lifecycle, we see time and time again the issue stakeholders face when they find themselves faced with the need to offset a large, unforeseen CAPEX. Operational costs should be between 7580% of total cost over a building’s lifetime; reducing this outside of a sensible value engineering system means a reduced lifespan of your building. What makes the most sense every time is to reduce both CAPEX and operational costs, from the start.

The answer to this seemingly inevitable issue is: the more integration at the start, the less inflation later. Get all your stakeholders

together – operators, investors, banks, consultants, developers, architects, facilities management company – and develop an action plan detailing the entire process from start to finish. It’s important to leverage the expertise around the table and the foresight of each critical element, knowing what’s to come.

Consider key items such as: • Feasibility study • Design of all stages • Operational costs and budgets, recommended as an ongoing weekly process for the duration of the project • Revenues Palladium Alpha is currently employed on an education project in Dubai, working directly for the investment group. We were asked to manage the project end-to-end on time and within budget. The project was set to complete on time and under budget from the off. The project is high-risk and high-value at $64m, with over 700,000sqft across seven buildings of five floors. Our role was to manage the developer, consultants and contractors.

The timely procurement was dealt with by our taking over a number of the elements and driving through appropriate offers that met, or in a lot of cases beat, forecast budgets, could be delivered in time and met the correct commercial terms. We took control of provisional sum items to ensure the materials being offered genuinely met the specifications meconstructionnews.com

On Topic | 19

and, where required, ensured the supply chain provided independent third-party tests to prove the materials met the specifications.

The overall CAPEX hard cost saving was approximately $6m, with operations savings of 30% upfront, at proposal stage.

Another recent project where we were able to save on both CAPEX and operation costs, due to thorough procurement and the fact that we were brought on early enough, was a commercial failed asset. In this case, we managed to complete 8% under budget and deliver the project on time. The asset managers brought us in before deciding to acquire the property, so we naturally started with an evaluation. The project consisted of two floors and three buildings.

Working directly for the asset management group considering acquiring the property, we were requested to look at the feasibility of the project, to restart the construction and to meet the new budget. We had a short timescale to complete the feasibility study on costs and suggest with a great level of comfort which contractors could engage with this project to deliver it within the time scales given.

We engaged two contractors and ran a two-stage tender, while engaging a structural consultant to ensure the current structure would have no issues under the new proposed design. We also involved some key supply chain companies to ensure we kept control of cost, which greatly helped us meet the budget. The CAPEX hard cost saving was approximately $1.9m, with operations savings of 18% up front, at proposal stage.

The way we approach each of our projects is to always have the FM company involved at schematic design stage and have the MEP company do the value engineering, to keep CAPEX low and have zero operational increases from MEP and FM down the line.

It also controls the quality of the finished asset, having less need for additional access hatches added or equipment relocated due to poor coordination at the construction phase, for example.

While BIM is used far better today during construction, we still see many clients who don’t see the full benefit of it during their FM stage. We see companies focused on the lowest meconstructionnews.com

Operational costs should be between 75-80% of total cost over a building’s lifetime; reducing this outside of a sensible value engineering system means a reduced lifespan of your building”

cost fail, because they don’t appreciate how using the correct software throughout greatly improves not only transparency but also efficiency. Too many times, a specification will call for LOD 400 and in so many cases the data turns out to be not fully LOD 400-compliant.

We have seen projects that are midway through when client changes are made to the design, affecting the MEP, then the contractor and consultants all move away from the BIM modelling and start to just use marked-up drawings on-site with engineer approval.

This doesn’t capture the as-built status, and the knock-on effect is that the FM team can be using an LOD400 model, looking for something in the wrong place, or the wrong machine, totally unaware that it’s been moved.

Much of this stems from overly tight programmes which are ultimately clientdriven. Even though Dubai Municipality became the first public authority in the Middle East to mandate the use of BIM for most large-scale projects, we are still seeing this not implemented, at the cost of the project.

March 2020

20 | On Topic

01 Steve Cockerell is industry marketing director – Rail at Bentley Systems.

01

Steve Cockerell “Digital twins are taking centre stage because of their promise to leverage innovation to improve design, and increase asset reliability and performance” While the nomenclature may be different to that used by Bentley Systems, his words about organisations “going digital” with strategies that build digital competencies and capabilities to accelerate project delivery and improve asset performance resonated with me.

They made me recall my last visit to Dubai back in September, when I was fortunate enough to speak at an event that focused on “realising the digital potential of the rail industry supply chain”. While I touched on the standards and processes driving BIM mandates around the world, I took the opportunity to discuss what is fast becoming the most talked-about topic among rail owner operators, consultants and contractors: digital twins.

Realising the Potential for Digital Twins in Rail

I read with interest the January edition of Big Project Middle East, which featured an interview with Ahmed AbouAlfa, founder of the UAE BIM Association. In an article titled ‘Creating a BIM Mandate’, AbouAlfa spoke of how organisations are working to “empower digitisation of construction and assets in the UAE and the Middle East”.

March 2020

Digital twins are taking centre stage because of their promise to leverage innovation to improve design, visually enhance collaboration, and increase asset reliability and performance.

However, rail is a very traditional and safetysensitive industry, and with the backdrop of owner-operators and project delivery firms needing to work within tighter budgets and shorter deadlines, and with increased legislation, change can be slow and challenging.

While the risks associated with changing a tried-and-true formula weigh heavily on the minds of those responsible, the upside is that the highly complex nature of rail networks and

systems allows the opportunity to innovate and leverage technology to change the way rail networks do business.

Many owner-operators around the world have recognised the potential for digital twins in their work and have begun to explore the opportunities for applying big data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) throughout the design, construction, operation and maintenance of rail and transit networks around the globe.

What Is a Digital Twin?

A digital twin is a digital representation of a physical asset, process or system, as well as the engineering information that allows us to understand and model its performance. Plainly stated, a digital twin is a highly detailed digital model that is the counterpart (or twin) of a physical asset. That asset might be anything from a ticket machine or escalator in a station, through track and the switches and crossings within it, to related infrastructure such as overpasses or overhead line structures, right up to and including an entire city.

Connected devices and sensors on the physical asset collect data that might relate to condition or performance that can be mapped onto the digital twin, to understand not only how the physical asset is performing in the real world, but also, through analysis or simulation, how it might perform in the future or with a different set of parameters. meconstructionnews.com

On Topic | 21

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Digital twin technology has existed in industries such as manufacturing for many years, driving lean processes, improving performance, and predicting and highlighting components at risk of failure. Additionally, digital twin technology ensures that the lessons learned contribute to design enhancement and are applied to future products and systems. The relevance and influence of digital twins, which span the entire asset lifecycle, are significant when applied to rail infrastructure.

During the planning, design and construction of a new railway or major upgrade, project digital twins can enable the optimisation of design in line with operational requirements and reduce the risk of delayed or non-conforming construction through simulation. Project digital twins can also improve logistics and communication within the supply chain, which can help maintain the schedule and budget.

During operations, performance digital twins become the most valuable. Owner-operators gain insight when inputs from Internet of Things (IoT) connected devices, including drones that deliver continuous surveys to provide real-time tracking of asset changes in real-world conditions, add to the digital representation. This transparency helps owneroperators prioritise and improve maintenance or upgrades.

Consequently, the most significant value a rail or transit system can achieve is through the successful implementation of digital twin technology. By using digital twins to plan, design and build the network, and using the digital twin during operations, a rail or transit owner-operator can improve the performance and reliability of the system.

With the application of AI and ML, analytics visibility gained from big data can provide insights and immersive digital operations to enhance the effectiveness of operations and maintenance. In this instance, access to performance digital twins might enable staff to anticipate and avoid issues before they arise, or improve reaction times to system failures, for reduced downtime.

With the application of drones, robots and AI-based computer vision, automating inspection tasks via a digital twin expert – along with leveraging the value of specialists – enables remote inspections, increases productivity and reduces the risk of exposing team members to dangerous environments.

It is clear that digital twins are gaining momentum across worldwide markets, particularly within organisations with IoT initiatives. The emergent nature of digital twins will require an approach with clear business objectives and an agile approach to experimenting and learning from experience.

We at Bentley fully expect to see the use and adoption of digital twins become common within rail owners and their supply chains.

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March 2020

22 | In Practice

A Proactive Approach Jason Saundalkar speaks to Faithful+Gould’s Johan Hesselsøe about the firm’s strategy for business growth, its growing operations and the challenges of the Saudi market

01 Johan Hesselsøe, managing director, Middle East & Africa at Faithful+Gould, a member of the SNCLavalin Group.

March 2020

In Q3 2019, Johan Hesselsøe took the reins as Faithful+Gould’s managing director (MD) for the Middle East and Africa. He was previously MD of Atkins Acuity, the advisory arm of Atkins, which along with Faithful+Gould is part of the SNC-Lavalin Group.

Hesselsøe has over 12 years of Middle East experience and is responsible for developing the company’s business in the Middle East and Africa regions. According to a statement announcing his appointment, he’s also tasked with positioning the firm to make the most of strategic opportunities in key markets such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Qatar and Africa.

Discussing how the firm fared in 2019 in broad strokes, Hesselsøe states, “2019 was a successful year for Faithful+Gould, top line we grew more than 10%. That’s really good for us as a business in the context of the overall SNC-Lavalin Group. The second thing worth highlighting is our Saudi business. We enjoyed significant uptick there, particularly in terms of getting people on the ground in the Kingdom – 40% growth on our staff in Saudi, and it’s about us building critical mass around the people we have on the ground. The Saudi market is important, we’ve had a couple of important wins in the PMO space, supporting the wider transformation in Saudi around Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Programme. That meconstructionnews.com

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24 | In Practice

has fuelled a significant part of our growth in the Kingdom.”

“We also had some other noteworthy events, we won the Project Management Company of the Year award at the Middle East Consultant awards for the fourth year in 2019. That’s a highlight and testament to the great work that the people of the business are doing in this space, and our ability to be at the forefront of the wider project and cost management market in the region. We value our relationships with our clients, and putting the client at the heart of everything we do is paramount to our 80% repeat business success.”

Hesselsøe notes that the success of 2019 helped the firm move into 2020 with a positive outlook. He says the firm ended the year focusing on its strategy as a business and points out that the company has a strategic plan to fuel business growth in 2020.

2020 and Beyond

Explaining the company’s strategy, Hesselsøe says business is centred around three core areas, seen as building blocks for business growth.

02 Working on the King Abdulaziz International Airport, the firm delivered cost and programme management services.

03 Miral Asset Management appointed the firm to provide integrated project and programme management services for Yas Bay.

We are a people business, our people are the ones that are delivering value to our clients, and we have a clear focus around being able to enable our people to grow professionally and personally”

“The aim is to continue growth and expanding our activities across the region. If I quickly go through those three core areas: the first is about us being close to our clients and adopting a key account management approach to how we get to know our clients, get to know their needs and our ability to serve them based on a deep understanding of those needs. This is as opposed to a reactive approach, waiting for RFPs, etc – we want to be proactive in our engagement with our clients.”

He adds, “The second part of our strategy is around our core services and is about being clear about the Faithful+Gould way of delivering projects. It’s also about pushing boundaries for driving innovation and change in the industry. I think there’s a lot of opportunity for us to rethink how we go about delivering our services, how we use technology, how we collaborate and create partnerships in the industry.”

“Our third pillar is our people. We are a people business, our people are the ones that are delivering value to our clients, and we have a focus around enabling our people to grow professionally and personally.”

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“Our primary focus is around three geographies in the GCC – the UAE and Saudi and we also are very active in Oman. This is where we are primarily focusing our attention. We are looking at opportunities across the region as they transpire, but our core focus is around the UAE, Saudi and Oman.”

Flourishing in Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom is increasingly seen as the land of new business opportunities within the GCC, driven by the transformational Saudi Vision 2030 programme and its 13 Vision Realisation programmes. The latter has seen the announcement and initiation of several multibillion-dollar mega projects across the country’s vast and varied landscape.

Speaking about Faithful+Gould’s approach to identifying clients it wishes to work with on mega projects, given that some of these companies may not have a track record of delivering projects of a similar size, Hesselsøe remarks, “It goes back to what I had articulated around the first part of our strategy – being clear about the clients that you are serving and that you aspire to serve.”

He elaborates, “We’re putting a lot of emphasis around building relationships with key players in the market – this is directly with the clients but it’s also about keeping your ear meconstructionnews.com

close to the ground. Speaking to competitors, potential partners, sharing intelligence on what is happening in the market, specifically in terms of the roll-out of our strategy for 2020. We’ve created a dedicated part of our business that has a focus on that ‘Win Work’ strategy and engagement with clients, to effectively understand the individual plans of each, and explore what is the intelligence in the marketplace we can use as a business. For us in terms of the growth going forward for the business, it’s about being cognisant of that and having much more focus on that in a proactive manner, as opposed to a reactive manner, responding to separate opportunities.”

Speaking about the scale of projects in the Kingdom and how technology can play a part in keeping them on track, Hesselsøe points out that the volume of projects provides a significant opportunity for not just Faithful+Gould but the broader industry.

“There’s a real need to drive efficiencies to be able to deliver as much as possible, and also to be able to effectively tap into the supply chain. From my perspective, using technology and core data in a smart manner is essential in order for us to enable our clients to deliver these programmes. Without that, I think there’s a real risk that the scale of these projects is going to make it difficult to deliver, and therefore it’s an

essential ingredient for us in the region to be able to deliver against some of the aspirations and commitments that are made.”

“On the other hand, we see this as a key trend in our industry, and we as Faithful+Gould are keen on being at the forefront of driving that change. We’ll see the implications of technology being widely applied across our industry to drive real transformation and change for us as a player in the industry, but probably more importantly for our clients, and for the ability to deliver large projects at speed and at the right cost. I think it’s a very exciting change, we’re keen to drive this and I also believe that the industry needs that change and the push for the use of these solutions and capabilities.”

The firm has been a proponent of developing and integrating technology to enhance its interactions with clients and deliver projects.

Discussing technology in the context of the firm and the industry, Hesselsøe remarks, “The use of technology and digital capabilities is a core focus of our strategy. It falls within our service focus and pushing boundaries around how we deliver our services and what services or value the services bring to our clients. We have a specific push around a set of digital solutions combined with our project management expertise that allows us to, when we serve a client, quickly get a baseline in place, in terms of the overall schedule March 2020

04

and the overall cost. So you effectively create transparency around the overall programme in a quick and concise manner.”

“Secondly, it’s about how you use those solutions and capabilities to drive insights that can inform decision-making for clients. So we’re currently working a lot around analytical capabilities to drive different scenarios, to come up with a different analysis and views around what certain changes and decisions mean for clients. All of this is with an aim to push the boundaries with clients, to make sure that we are adding value and that you can actually get to a point where you have transparency at speed, and to reinforce decision-making and progress on the programmes.”

A People Business

Shifting focus to talent within the Kingdom, Faithful+Gould has a significant pool of resources and Hesselsøe is eager to note that recruiting Saudi nationals is an ongoing focus for the company.

“It’s an essential pillar for us for the existing position in Saudi, but also to continue our growth. Right now 16% of our staff in KSA are Saudi nationals – this is a talented group of individuals that are a core part of our business, both in terms of the activities that we’re doing in the market to identify new opportunities but also in the core delivery of services.”

The firm is keen to expand its workforce of Saudi nationals and ensure they can advance in March 2020

their careers, so the business becomes an even stronger part of the Saudi community. “We have a solid platform with that 16% of Saudi nationals, but we continue to push. We’re doing it through different channels – we have a successful twoyear graduate programme that allows us to take in talent when they graduate from university.

The programme enables them to experience different parts of the group and get exposed to different disciplines but also to different client situations, thus getting broad instruction into the business.”

Asked about the firm’s goals for employing Saudi nationals, Hesselsøe explains, “We have a plan in line with the growth of the business, there are also certain criteria set by the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) and the Ministry of Labour, and we aspire to get the highest possible status for us as a group.

We’re doing this in close collaboration with our colleagues. As the SNC-Lavalin Group, we have more than 7,000 colleagues in Saudi, so we are a significant employer in the Kingdom.”

While Saudi is certainly rich with opportunities, there are also issues that companies must navigate. Several organisations with staff on the ground in the Kingdom have told Middle East Consultant that retaining staff can be a challenge, as attractive positions and offers from clients have seen a number of construction professionals change roles.

Speaking about how Faithful+Gould is tackling this in line with its focus on people as a

pillar, Hesselsøe says, “Our ability to attract and retain talent is clearly one of those areas that are essential to cracking the market. Historically, the business has been successful in mobilising people at scale in Saudi, so right now more than half of the Faithful+Gould team is based in KSA, out of which 16% are Saudi nationals. That’s a testament to the great effort to create exciting project opportunities, to have a really good environment in terms of a nucleus for people to act within, but it’s also a testament to some of the initiatives we’re doing widely as a group.”

“We have a strong Diversity and Inclusion programme, this is something we are focusing on and it’s part of our wider value proposition to our staff. Our primary driver to retain staff and to keep them excited about the company is around making sure that they are an integrated part of delivering our strategy and growing our business.

I’m a firm believer that if you’re involved in building something that’s above and beyond your specific projects, there’s a lot of professional and personal opportunities for people.”

“So the strategy process I described with the people building block – a key aspect of that is the involvement of all of our staff in terms of how we are engaging with our clients and the delivery of core services. It’s also about how we are driving that innovation in our services. So that’s the key vehicle for us to create an opportunity for staff above and beyond a specific project they’re on.”

Elaborating on key projects in the Kingdom, Hesselsøe comments, “As I mentioned earlier, meconstructionnews.com

In Practice | 27

a couple of big PMO wins and this is related to 2030 Vision and the whole transformation that’s happening in Saudi. We’re doing a lot of interesting work in and around Riyadh, focusing on the delivery of significant master plans of significant housing communities that are directly linked to Vision 2030.”

“In the UAE, we’ve had good traction around the Emirati housing programme driven out of Abu Dhabi. We see significant opportunities there in terms of supporting that, which is a core pillar of the push for additional infrastructure spending in the UAE and Abu Dhabi specifically.

I think these projects in Saudi and in the UAE are sort of good examples of where we focus as a business now and where we are working very closely with clients to meet aspirational goals.”

04 The firm provided several services working on the Jumeirah Bay project, which includes the first Bvlgari Resort in the Middle East.

There’s a real need to drive efficiencies to be able to deliver as much as possible, and also to be able to effectively tap into the supply chain”

supply chain – you need to first build the process before you can get to the stage where you can start delivering and tapping into the supply chain.

With our 50-year presence and comprehensive knowledge of the region, we’ve helped several clients establish that, to make sure that you effectively get the core processes up and running as a company.”

Summarising the firm’s agenda for the future, Hesselsøe concludes, “It’s all about growing our business, doing that through client centricity, the core service delivery around the Faithful+Gould way of doing this, and pushing the boundary using digital solutions and capabilities. All of that is underpinned by a strong people focus to take the business forward.”

Potential Issues

Although Hesselsøe is optimistic about business prospects across the GCC and the wider Middle East region, he reckons there are a couple of challenges that warrant attention.

Asked to go into detail about this, he states, “I’d like to highlight one internal challenge and one external one. We touched on the internal, which is around the ability to mobilise people at scale to meet the demand and opportunities in a market like Saudi. For us as a business, what gives me comfort is the fact that we started that journey already in terms of building a significant presence in Saudi, and also the fact that we’re tapping into 55,000 colleagues within the SNCLavalin group, so we have real global reach to do that. We also have established dedicated capabilities to mobilise people – we’ve created what we call a rapid response team that acts upon a new opportunity when it arises, engages with a client directly and then helps tap into the wider organisation and the recruitment teams to mobilise a full team.”

The second challenge he sees as more of a market issue. “When you have a fundamentally exciting transformation agenda like in Saudi, you also have to go through a phase where new institutions are being established. As these are being built, the core processes are also being built as you’re effectively executing and delivering on projects. We’ve seen some challenges, for instance, around ensuring there’s a proper payment process, so you can pay your meconstructionnews.com

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On Site | 29

Envisioning the Future Angitha Pradeep attends the Finnish pavilion’s toppingout ceremony at the Expo 2020 site and learns how sustainability and wellness are an integral part of the country’s approach to design, execution and dismantling

On February 11, Finland became one of the first countries to have an official ceremony to top out its Expo 2020 Dubai pavilion. The ceremony was attended by several delegates, including Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä, Commissioner General of Finland at Expo 2020 Dubai Severi Keinälä, and Ambassador to the UAE Marianne Nissilä.

Commemorated as one of the first countries to break ground in August 2019, Finland’s pavilion is in the Mobility District at the underconstruction 4,382sqkm Expo 2020 Dubai site.

The ceremony saw the delegates signing the final steel beam for the 1,867sqm pavilion, and meconstructionnews.com

March 2020

30 | On Site

“Lumi – Snow Cape – is the name with which Finland is going to present itself at Expo 2020 and the structure will resemble a white tent made of snow. We designed a simple yet functional structure, ensuring accessibility, openness and simple people flow remain at the core of the architectural concept, while reflecting the tradition of Finnish architecture.

“Since the snow cape looks like a tent, it connects to the UAE culture of gathering at a majlis, and that’s how the design of the pavilion came to fruition. In designing the pavilion in this manner, we sought to bring together Finland’s icy landscapes with the culture of the UAE; moreover, everybody understands that a tent is a place to meet people – it’s comfortable, relaxed and a temporary structure,” says Kurkela.

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Visual Principles

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a detailed update of the construction progress, which stood at 40% at the time of the visit.

Business Finland, a public funding agency in Finland, commissioned the design and construction of the project to a consortium consisting of five international organisations.

The concept, design, planning and execution of the pavilion are being undertaken by Helsinkibased JKMM Architects and Swiss construction specialist Expomobilia. The other partners are Finnish event management firm Factor Nova; Beyond Limits, an expo consulting company based in the UAE; and leading US live content creator Five Currents. The three partners also have an advisory and support role across all phases of the project from design to delivery.

March 2020

At the Expo site office, Middle East Consultant sat down with Teemu Kurkela, founder and creative partner at JKMM Architects, which was also responsible for Finland’s pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai Expo. In China, it won first price in the design competition for its pavilion – named Kirnu, meaning ‘giant’s kettle’, to demonstrate Finland’s ‘warm heart’ towards China.

Kurkela remarks, “For Expo 2020 Dubai, we wanted to find the best way to tell the story of Finland, to which there are many aspects. If we wanted to showcase the Finnish landscape, there are many variables such as forests or lakes, but we wanted to focus on one simple thing – the first blanket of snow which covers the Finnish landscape during winter.

Kurkela says the pavilion will appear as a cubic volume with its entrance facing the front plaza, while visitors will have access to the pavilion through a tent-like opening into a gorge, a ‘kuru’ in Finnish. The main entrance was designed to elicit thoughts of a traditional Arabic tent, seamlessly integrating features from both cultures, he adds.

“The gorge will be a central void that opens to the sky, allowing visitors to experience the serene Nordic atmosphere inside that space.

It will be a dynamic wooden space carved into the building, which will behave like a multifunctional area for events and activities and the key location to meet and greet visitors.

It will be kept void of other display features.

Visitors can enter through the side and take the elevator to reach the second floor of the pavilion to the VIP area, which will be used as a meeting space between business partners.”

The gorge also relates to the unique Finnish history of innovation, often signified by thinking outside the box, an element of surprise. Here, the surprise is the wooden heart and the exhibition space. The pavilion will be a metal structure built by Cimolai Rimond Middle East, clad in white fabric and insulated with sandwich panels. The pavilion’s main sign will be placed as a separate sail-like element at the front plaza, and will also function as a sun canopy.

Kurkela adds that Finnish components and materials play a significant role. “Soft and light meconstructionnews.com

On Site | 31

façade fabrics will be strongly contrasted by the hard brushed concrete of the entrance deck.

Inside the gorge, there will be water in dark lakes and shallow water pools, resembling lakes in Finland, which will create gentle sounds and cool the air around them.”

Finland’s Expo organisers said during the site tour that of the 100 Finnish companies participating in the Expo, 40 partner companies, including Business Finland, KONE and Halton Group, are actively involved in the construction of the pavilion.

Behind the scenes, Kurkela notes that the firm started the project after winning the competition in 2018, and the entire project was worked on a BIM model.

“In the beginning, we made sure that everybody was developing the main concept together, and then we refined it for a couple of months and then moved into the construction

phase. We had different models: the architect’s model that covers all the elements, the structural model, the HVAC model for the technical side and the electrical model. While these three models are within the architect’s model, the idea was that before the structure takes shape, all the partners are aware of the different elements and everyone had access to all the models and are acquainted with any changes.

“In terms of communication with our suppliers, for instance, the steel company would bring their 3D model with any changes and we would accordingly update our model, so the collaboration wasn’t accomplished in one step, there was a lot of back and forth communication which had to happen.”

01 100 Finnish companies are participating in the Expo, 40 of which are actively involved in the construction of the pavilion. (Image credit JKMM Architects.)

02 The pavilion has been funded 50/50 by the Finnish government and partner companies.

(Image credit JKMM Architects.)

03 With construction work on the pavilion standing at 40%, the contractor has recorded 26,606 safe man-hours.

(Image credit JKMM Architects.)

Sustainable Dismantling

On that note, Dietmar Kautschitz, chief customer officer at Expomobilia (the main

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32 | On Site

contractor), says he appreciates the work done by the architects. Expomobilia is also part of the consortium selected to design and construct the Dutch pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Kautschitz says, “Finland was the first country in the world to create a national road map to a circular economy, and its presence at Expo 2020 has tried to follow these principles.

Snow Cape is being built using materials from the local market, with only a limited number of Finnish materials imported. We have also tried to reduce the overall impact on the environment due to unwanted logistics and transportation.”

He adds that there is a strong relationship with the architects. “We met with the architects to discuss about the design and any changes to it, since we are also experienced in building Expo structures. Sometimes the architect will have an idea, but if we are not satisfied, we then redesign it for the purpose of a temporary structure. If the design is made complicated, then there are chances that there will be complications during its dismantling phase as well.”

We want visitors to immerse themselves in our deep connection to nature and sustainability. Our values of happiness, circular economy and innovation are being showcased throughout the pavilion” 04 Contractor Expomobilia says 80% of the materials used to build the pavilion will be reused after the event in the local market.

“We place a lot of emphasis on sustainability. For us, sustainability is not just a word, we live sustainability. Before we decide on our suppliers, we discuss with them the kind of materials and how it will be used during and after the construction of a project – it’s an important target for us. Prior to constructing anything, we make it a point to know what will happen with the material afterwards, because if we think later on, then it becomes difficult to repurpose it.

“So our idea is to judge how the materials will be reused after the event, and not just during the construction phase, since there is a big difference between the two. However, we have found the right partners here to construct the pavilion, and in the end up to 80% of the materials used to build the pavilion will be reused after the event in the local market.”

Kautschitz says 28% of the pavilion will be made from steel which will be returned to its supplier, German Steel, for repurposing, while the MEP equipment used on-site, for which the

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contract was awarded to OxyPro Technical Service, will also be repurposed. The fabric used for the façade of the pavilion will be recycled to make handbags.

Asked about the challenges of the Dubai market, Kautschitz points out that regulations and laws are quite different in Europe, and the process to get approval from authorities was at times tough. However, he observes that the firm has completely followed and is aligned with the Expo regulations, and all authorities connected with the Expo have been very supportive.

“Not only that, companies and suppliers in Dubai were wary of the concept of temporary structures. In the beginning, it was a challenge to explain to them that this is a fast-track temporary project, which means the right materials, experts and labourers are very important for the project to finish on time. In the end, however, they have been very receptive and have understood the idea behind a fast-track project, and we are absolutely on track to finishing the structure on time.”

With Finland twice having been ranked the world’s happiest country in the UN Happiness Report, Kautschitz says that the firm places great importance on the health and safety of the labourers on-site. “We have the right supervisors on-site who care about our staff, and I also make weekly visits to enquire about their welfare, and we are proud to say that so far we have not had any accidents. To date, we have deployed 35 full-time team members and have recorded 26,606 safe man-hours, while almost 40% of the construction work has been completed. We are excited to deliver the pavilion, which we’re sure will make a big impression during Expo 2020 Dubai.”

This echoes the Commissioner General of Finland’s words: “The main theme of Snow Cape and Finland’s participation in Expo 2020 Dubai is ‘Finland – Sharing Future Happiness’.

Finnish happiness is based on the symbiosis of people, nature and technology. This deep connection is the origin of the quality of everyday Finnish life, and the Finland pavilion communicates this happiness by taking visitors on a journey through Finland’s key strengths, which are nature and sustainability, education and know-how, and functionality and well-being.

“We want visitors to immerse themselves in our deep connection to nature and sustainability. Our values of happiness, circular economy and innovation are being showcased throughout the pavilion, and exhibition design and sustainability has been a guiding theme throughout the design and construction process.

Even the simple design of the Snow Cape minimises unnecessary additional claddings, enabling us to reduce the use of materials.”

Keinälä adds that of the 173 days the Expo 2020 Dubai will run, over 130 days have already been booked by partner companies for various topics at the Finland pavilion.

He concludes, “I’m looking forward to having a very extensive programme during the course of the Expo, and I believe our partner companies will use this platform to form a strong connection with Dubai and the wider region.”

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On Site | 33

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March 2020

34 | On Site

Just the Beginning Angitha Pradeep talks to Mohammed Azhar Sajan, director at Casa Milano, about the concept behind the firm’s flagship showroom in Dubai and Expo 2020’s potential impact on the residential market

01 Mohammed Azhar Sajan is director at Dubai-based Casa Milano.

March 2020

01

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Casa Milano was established in the second half of 2019 and offers a variety of luxury products. The flagship store located on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, houses over 40 international brands, including but not limited to Versace, Tonino Lamborghini, Roberto Cavalli, Novellini, Mia Italia, Villeroy & Boch and Disegno Ceramica.

Established as a one-of-a-kind concept store, each touchpoint in the 2,787sqm showroom is designed with various display setups such as hotel rooms, kitchens and even bedrooms.

Asked about the idea behind the space, Mohammed Azhar Sajan, director at Casa Milano tells Middle East Consultant that the showroom embodies a touch and feel concept, and is designed to enable customers to explore the showroom, and understand the story behind the individual offerings.

Sajan states, “My father had the vision to open something luxurious during the summer of 2018; we discussed it for a while and that’s how Casa Milano’s concept came to be. To me, it sounded very interesting and I was excited to take that vision forward, so, we talked more about the concept and how to execute this vision of Casa Milano in the UAE.” “We initially started with understanding who is in the market, what is selling and what are people’s requirements. Once we had a better understanding of these elements, we travelled to Europe and researched more on sanitaryware and tiles. We looked at the best available products in the market and what gives them the luxury quotient, as well as what attracts customers.”

The move was well timed as a report published by Faithful+Gould forecasted that the UAE fit-out market is expected to reach $973m by 2022. Additionally, the report highlighted that the renovations and refurbishment market in the country is on the rise, as owners look to extract more value or sell older assets. Industry experts estimate that renovations/upgrades can add between 10 to 15% to the selling price of older assets.

Speaking about his responsibility and focus in the UAE market, Sajan says he’s keen to provide unique products through Casa Milano, namely a variety of luxury wares that are not meconstructionnews.com

March 2020

36 | On Site

02 The firm’s flagship showroom was designed to give industry professionals and end customers hands-on experience with the products.

03 Casa Milano stocks a variety of quality sanitary ware and tiles from European brands.

04 Sajan says the firm is still in the start-up phase, though it has already experienced success within the Dubai market.

02

03

March 2020

available anywhere else in the country. He also emphasises that Casa Milano is committed to offering quality service to its customers and partners in the market.

“Even if we don’t sell anything, a person should walk out of the showroom thinking that he was very well treated here, so when the need arises, he or she will come back. I have taken a lot of feedback from my sales team and have even met with a lot of walk-in customers, and the responses I have received about the products and the showroom have been generally positive.”

He adds, “To all my prospects, the one thing I tell them is to take a walk around the showroom as well as look at the three mock-ups

we have built using our products and give us their feedback. I believe we have a lot of end-users coming into our showroom - this was a pleasant surprise as I was expecting interior designers and architects.”

Sound Strategy

Discussing his plans for Casa Milano going forward, Sajan is clear about establishing solid footing within the local market.

“Currently, I have only one store to work with, so I want to plant my feet here and see where this takes us. My strategy is to interact with a lot of interior designers and architects, as well as focus on our clientele and understand their needs. We have products ranging from entry-level to customised one-of-a-kind pieces, so it’s important to understand market requirements and accordingly provide our services,” he says to Middle East Consultant.

He adds, “To be honest – our clientele is very diverse – we’ve had customers ranging from professionals who would like to build their houses from scratch to new building projects. Overall, the feedback has generally been positive across all sectors, including contractors and consultants - they are my bread and butter.”

Summarising his vision for the future of his business, Sajan notes that he is looking forward to Expo 2020 Dubai and the upcoming Design Week – which Casa Milano is likely to participate in this year.

He adds, “My plans also include expanding the business to other GCC countries and even Europe in the future.”

Commenting on the products his firm represents, he notes, “Most of my brands are from Italy but we also carry products from other countries in Europe like Spain, Portugal and Turkey. With certain brands, we have the provision to provide customisation as well. For instance, we have Corian technique infused solid surfaces, which can be customised to create any product – table, sink or bathtub – it’s from the US and comes with a 10-year warranty. Additionally, all of our products are manufactured in their respective countries.”

Expanding on its approach to customers and how it intends to succeed within the meconstructionnews.com

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market, Sajan says that Casa Milano’s priority is to first understand their customer’s needs.

“We offer all our end-clients the opportunity to design their house internally here; we sit down with them and understand their requirements. Most of the times, they come with their designer/architect and have an idea of what they want. We then take them around the showroom and depending on the products we have, we help them create a design, and the kind of products that are required for that design, be it any space. Once everything is finalised, we give them a delivery date.”

When asked if Casa Milano engages with clients right from the beginning of a project, Sajan says, “Since our clients are different,

Since we entered the market, we’ve made some noise and our competitors have also taken notice. The challenge is to provide the best products at competitive prices”

the way we work with them is also different.

A villa-project’s delivery will be at-odds with a 30-storey building. So, we have to see which is the right time to approach them, and then we engage them and apply our expertise.”

He notes that the products are backed by a warranty. Additionally, Sajan points out that most of their suppliers provide authenticity certificates with their products.

Asked about the sustainability aspect of the products Casa Milano carries, he says, “Most of our products have technology incorporated in them to save water but we don’t have any products that boast energy savings, yet.

But, we are fully aware of the sustainability conversation, it’s even one of the main themes

04

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March 2020

05

of Expo 2020 Dubai, and our next step will be to see how sustainability can be implemented better through our products.”

05 Sajan says the products the firm stocks caters to different customers and verticals.

sign and with Expo 2020 Dubai approaching as well, I’m looking forward to this year being very good to us.”

Propsects on the Horizon

Expo Effect

Weighing in on where Casa Milano is in its journey, Sajan reckons the firm is still a startup. “It has not even been six months since we inaugurated the showroom, we are still a baby, but since we entered the market, we’ve made some noise and our competitors have also taken notice. The challenge is to provide the best products at competitive prices.”

Asked about Q4, 2019 Sajan says that the firm has received positive responses from the market. “The plan for 2020 is to work on those responses; I have a target in my head and if I hit that target, I will know that this market is very much open to this type of luxury business,” he observes.

“Since October 2019 we have received a decent amount of business, which we weren’t expecting. We are extremely pleased that the market is responding very well to us; in fact, a lot of stores have opened up in this area due to the market improving. So, this is a positive

Expo 2020 Dubai is scheduled to run from October 20 to April 10 and the Dubai government expects some 25m visitors.

Sajan notes that this will have an impact on the city’s real estate sector.

“While Expo 2020 will run for a limited amount of time, there will be an influx of people coming into the country, some of who will opt to stay and rent or develop their own homes. I’m anticipating a lot of fresh residential projects, all of which will need quality materials, which we can provide.”

He says that there are also new residential developments that are in the pipeline, which will provide growth opportunities.”

He concludes, “If you look at previous Expos, which took place in countries such as Italy and China, during and following the event’s conclusion, the economy improved after the event. I’m expecting the same for the UAE and for Casa Milano as well.”

March 2020

We have products ranging from entrylevel to customised one-of-a-kind pieces, so it’s important to understand market requirements and accordingly provide our services”

meconstructionnews.com

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Threat & Risk Assessment Gap Analysis Security System Design IT/AV Design Master Planning & Development Operational Requirements

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Testing & Commissioning Control Room Design System Integration Policies & Procedures Site Surveys & Audits Crisis Management

40 | On Site

02

Five Things to Know About Omnium International Omnium International is an independent chartered quantity surveyor firm that has worked with developers across the Middle East on iconic projects including Downtown Dubai, the Jeddah Gate master plan and Dubai’s Expo 2020 pavilions. The firm has also been the recipient of Middle East Consultant’s (MEC) Cost Consulting Company of the Year award on four occasions. Here, MEC catches up with the firm for an update on recent achievements.

01

Project completion

Having been the sole QS firm on numerous landmark developments in the region, including the Burj Khalifa and the Tower at Dubai Creek Harbour, One Za’abeel and the Dubai Mall, Omnium says it prides itself on its unique understanding of the specialist requirements in delivering one-off developments.

The firm says it is regularly consulted by its clients at the concept stage of a project, who value learned lessons from time spent on unique developments, many of which enter uncharted waters for the construction industry.

Omnium notes it was excited to guide another development through to completion in recent months, saying it is proud to add The Address Sky View to its portfolio of delivered projects. The project was launched in 2013 and Omnium was appointed by developer Emaar Properties to provide a full suite of cost consultancy and QS services to Sky View – from concept to design, through to completion of this large-scale construction project.

01

New office opening in the UK

After 25 years in the Middle East, Omnium announced a return to its hometown, launching its new London office late in 2019. Located in the St Paul’s area and managed by Phil Branson, who previously led Omnium’s services on the Expo Mobility and Sustainability pavilions, the new office is said to provide a gateway for Omnium to bring its experience to a new, postBrexit UK market.

The new office will leverage Omnium’s extensive experience, working with prestigious clients in the GCC region. It will enable the company to provide support to both existing and new clients in one of the world’s most desirable property locations.

March 2020

02

01 The Address Sky View boasts 169 rooms and 551 apartments, as well as a 70m infinity pool.

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04

03 Nicholas Harris was appointed managing director of Omnium International in February 2019.

Milestone

02 The UAE Pavilion will have four storeys totalling 15,000sqm and, as part of its programme, will host exhibitions showcasing Emirati culture and achievements.

03 First graduate from its FUTURE programme

Omnium International introduced its FUTURE Programme in early 2019. The FUTURE (Furthering and Unleashing Talent Utilising Resources and Education) Programme’s objectives encompass supporting, encouraging and facilitating career development, professional coaching and skill enhancement not only for current staff, but also the younger generation.

As part of the programme, Omnium offers its non-technical staff the opportunity to embark on a post-graduate Quantity Surveying programme in partnership with Heriot-Watt University.

In February 2020, Omnium celebrated its first success of the programme when document controller Mark Baltazar successfully completed the two-year course in only one year. Mark has now assumed a new role as a QS assistant and will continue his career development within the firm. meconstructionnews.com

Omnium says its story dates back to 1962 and to DG Jones & Partners. That is the firm Peter Westeng, Omnium’s current chairman, joined in 1981, based in Richmond, London, before moving to Dubai in 1995. Along with managing director Bob Cawkwell, Westeng agreed to what he thought was to be a two-week business trip to Dubai, to discuss an expansion project at DUBAL. This project got the go-ahead and soon he became recognised as a reliable, honest name in the industry, the firm states.

Since those days, Westeng has worked on several of the most iconic projects in the world, including the Burj Khalifa and many other Emaar major development projects in the region.

He celebrated the 25th anniversary of his arrival in Dubai in February 2020. Although he has handed over the role of managing director to Nicholas Harris, the firm says he and the values that he holds, and his strong belief in the importance of reputation and relationships, continue to be a cornerstone of the company and the Omnium team.

04 Ithra’s One Za’abeel features the world’s largest cantilevered structure and boasts LEED accreditation.

04

05 Roll-out of Omnium Resolve

03

With over 25 years’ experience in the Gulf, Omnium has provided claims, dispute resolution and expert witness services on some of the region’s highest-profile projects.

In February 2020, Omnium announced that following several years of strong, consistent growth of its Dispute Services team, the decision was made to create a business division of the company, a ‘company within a company’.

Omnium Resolve is billed as a fully comprehensive, forward-thinking and highly skilled claims and dispute resolution entity.

Its team is said to have extensive multidisciplinary experience, supporting significant clients across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

The launch of Omnium Resolve reaffirms the firm’s commitment to providing a uniquely personal level of care and service excellence with proactive, tailored claims services, dispute solutions and expert witness services throughout the lifecycle of a project, the firm says.

March 2020

42 | On Site

March 2020

meconstructionnews.com

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Milica Jevtovic “Successful women are crucial in being role models for younger colleagues – women who are constantly encouraging and empowering other woman to become better” Following our special edition dedicated to women in the construction industry, Middle East Consultant continues to share the inspiration and experiences of women working in the male-dominated industry across the GCC. Here, we catch up with Milica Jevtovic, senior interior designer at Edge Architects.

What drove you to get into construction and your very first role in the industry?

What were some of the influences that set

Iraq, building highways that helped people travel from city to city. I was always inspired to create a connection like that between people and their surroundings, and this led me to complete my masters in Interior Design.

I was influenced a lot by my mentors at university. Two that stood out the most were renowned Serbian architects Jelena Ivanovic Vojvodic and Zorica Savicic, both women. To see them succeed in this industry, and guide me, provided me with the inspiration and experience I needed.

you on your path?

Growing up in a diverse city like London, I was surrounded by fascinating buildings that told their own stories and somehow connected to their surroundings. Buildings are seen as landmarks that shelter people and various facilities, and from a young age I wanted to build my own shelter that would tell a story.

My father was a civil engineer and worked in meconstructionnews.com

Share

a

brief

about

your

career,

mentioning key achievements with regard to your role.

After university, I was offered an internship at Zaha Hadid Architects. As a first job, it was a dream come true, to be surrounded by great architects and designers. From theory at university to being exposed to the practice March 2020

44 | On Site

only made me dream higher. It was then I realised what my master’s thesis would be based on: the interrelations of the city and architecture, how architecture communicates to the city and vice versa.

While working on my thesis, I was honoured to work as an assistant professor at the university and become part of the Belgrade Association of Architecture. I helped organise the Belgrade International Week of Architecture which is held every year.

Since a young age, I was taught that no barriers exist and anything is possible if you work hard. So after receiving my master’s degree, I was breaking my own barriers and was working two jobs, in an architectural firm and in an interior design studio.

As my ambitions grew, construction in Serbia at the time was not at full speed, so it was a natural choice to move to the UAE and be inspired by some of the biggest mega projects the world has ever seen. My career in the GCC started with EDGE Architects.

Probably my stand-out achievement is being responsible for establishing and growing the interior department at EDGE – setting its standards and finding our design language.

The Expo in Dubai beautifully plays out the UAE’s vision to empower women. It promotes gender equality at all levels, from those involved in the design, development and delivery of the event, to the programmes it runs as part of the journey to 2020”

Besides fairness and being the right thing to do, diversity in the construction industry is important because of the value women can bring to employers, clients and customers. How have you made your mark in the industry and what is your proudest moment with regard to projects?

Every project is unique, with fresh ideas and concepts. I’m always excited about the work I do here, however small or large it may be. I have been incredibly fortunate to work and lead three Hilton hotels in the Middle East and Africa, and every project has been different and challenging in its own way.

That said, the one project closest to my heart is the Embassy Suites by Hilton in Business Bay. This 104-room urban hotel is a perfect example of a truly integrated design, wherein the core design idea is carried through from the building exterior to the interior spaces, all the way to furniture design and even wayfinding. Having nurtured it through its various stages – from concept to design March 2020

development – it is always highly rewarding to see your ideas come to realisation.

What are some of the barriers to women entering the construction industry? What was your personal experience?

Barriers in the construction industry do exist, but not necessarily for women. When I started working in this industry, I always felt it was my age rather than my gender that was the disadvantage. I think the barriers for women in construction come later in their career, towards leadership roles. The knock-on effect of these issues is that women thinking about entering the industry don’t have many role models to look up to and emulate.

Worryingly, it appears many women who decide to follow a career in construction

only do so because they want to follow in the footsteps of a family member. My experience differed somewhat because I had two fantastic female architects who encouraged me during my academic years, and thereafter, as an intern at Zaha Hadid Architects, I had one of the most prolific architects to look up to as my inspiration.

The GCC construction sector is still maledominated, but diversity is beginning to increase. If you agree, comment on what is driving this and how you see the GCC markets changing in the coming years.

If you do not agree, please share your thoughts/views of the market.

Over the past few years, women have become more interested in construction. We have seen more females graduate from various meconstructionnews.com

On Site | 45

The lack of women in the industry not only contributes to the gender pay gap, but also deprives us of a considerable pool of talent. The difficult workplace culture and stereotyping still exist and undermine women in the workplace.

Authorities need to continue putting equality at the heart of long-term economic strategies. Recognising the economic benefits of a more inclusive workforce, it is crucial to have a far-sighted approach in introducing employment quotas and other mechanisms, which will encourage young females to make that step into the world of construction.

Besides authorities and construction firms, who else can play a part in increasing diversity and balancing pay scales?

Universities could do a great deal with encouraging women into the field, particularly by breaking the stereotype early on. Young females are not encouraged to enter into subjects relating to construction from an early age, and universities could be that first stepping stone where they are embraced and encouraged.

Likewise, successful women are crucial in being role models for younger colleagues – women who are constantly encouraging and empowering other woman to become entrepreneurs, who provide training, help and insights into a role, and make them comfortable in applying and becoming better.

As a woman in the industry, what has

construction and engineering disciplines. I believe more females have been encouraged either by family or mentors to take up these disciplines at universities. Work-life balance is changing and is giving the opportunity for women to stay in this industry. Women are now leading workshops and speaking at conferences, and female executives are on the rise. Expo 2020 has certainly played a factor here.

The Expo in Dubai beautifully plays out the UAE’s vision to empower women. It promotes gender equality at all levels, from those involved in the design, development and delivery of the event, to the programmes it runs as part of the journey to 2020. Today, half of Expo’s workforce are women. Moreover, 65% of all UAE nationals hired at Expo 2020 are women.

The UAE has always believed that empowering meconstructionnews.com

women has a multiplier effect, helping drive economic growth and development, and benefiting societies and humanity at large. So when the responsibility of the delivery of Expo 2020 Dubai was taken up by a woman, it was no surprise. Today, Reem Al Hashemi is a hugely inspiring role model for young women who aspire to give back to this nation.

Magazines, publishers, news, social media, interviews like this one which explore issues such as women’s equality, are key in raising awareness and have a huge impact on empowering women.

your experience been working in the GCC construction sector? If you have worked in markets outside the GCC, how does your experience here compare with what you’ve experienced and observed elsewhere?

My experience was not that different from working outside of the GCC. EDGE Architects was already a diverse company before I joined – my opinions and actions were taken seriously and I was fortunate to have a great team that motivated me to push further.

In your opinion, what is the biggest

Everyone has a part to play in diversity

challenge women in the construction

and equal pay. What would you like to see

sector face in GCC countries? How can

government authorities and construction

these challenges be addressed?

firms do to increase diversity and make pay

Again, the issue of diversity in the construction sector is not exclusive to the GCC or MENA

a level playing field?

March 2020

46 | On Site

regions. Across the world, construction is seen as a male-dominated industry due to the physical intensity historically associated with the job. But this has drastically changed in recent decades, and step by step women are playing a more integral role in the sector. The biggest challenge is therefore to accelerate this process and dismantle the age-old stereotypes that exist, at times subconsciously and subtly, in our collective mindsets.

In doing your job, what sort of discrimination (if any) have you faced and how did you/ your company address it?

I have sat in on male-dominant meetings on occasions and felt like I was not being taken seriously. Particularly working with external partners, it would take a while to make my presence known and respected, which is unfortunate. Nonetheless, my seniors would always ensure to empower me in every way possible, if they felt somebody was being dismissive of my contributions.

Do you feel there’s a limit to how far you can progress within Edge?

No. I am delighted to be working with a great team that appreciates me for who I am and has pushed me towards developing my skills every step of the way.

How does Edge approach diversity in the workplace? What more can your firm do to increase diversity?

I was fortunate to join EDGE Architects and, to my surprise, adapting to a male-dominant industry was not an issue. EDGE operate by a philosophy that we are our work and we are a family no matter the gender or age.

Having a gender-diverse team is important, noting that it creates more diverse communication with the clients and stakeholders. It makes for a more interesting group of people to work with and the outcomes are improved. It allows a greater range of perspectives, as women bring a range of positive attributes to the workplace, including empathy, sensitivity and a strong teamwork focus. However, some woman feel the need to play down their feminine identity to try and fit in to the industry.

March 2020

Having a genderdiverse team is important.It makes for a more interesting group of people to work with and the outcomes are improved�

What advice would you give to a woman entering the Middle East construction industry today?

Without sounding clichĂŠd, honestly, just follow your dreams. Bricks and mortar, and beautiful glass skyscrapers for that matter, should in no way be less of an inspiration to you than to your male colleagues.

The opportunities for women entering the industry in the Middle East and globally are plentiful. Firms are now increasingly recognising their diversity misbalance and are likely on the lookout for aspiring female engineers, architects, designers. For many reasons, I expect the coming decade will be a real boom for women in construction, so this really is a great time to get involved and make your mark. meconstructionnews.com

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48 | On Site

01 Marcos Bish is managing director at Summertown Interiors.

01

Marcos Bish “Investing in the workspace is no longer considered an extra cost, but a productivity investment that enhances an organisation’s overall success” focuses on protecting the environment by using green building materials, managing resource consumption and reducing harmful emissions. In the UAE, it is promising to see the continuous increase in companies investing in more sustainable interiors, guided by certifications such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), the most widely used green building rating system in the world.

of space in real time. By providing accurate data on how people are interacting with each other and with the space, fit-out contractors and designers can increase spatial efficiency at the same time as employee comfort and satisfaction. For example, automatic sensors can control lighting and air conditioning for a more comfortable environment and provide information on water and energy consumption.

Human Wellness, Well-being and Health

Smart Spaces: Dynamic, Scalable and Flexible

In a more complex and digitally connected world, companies are being forced to listen to the needs of their employees and adapt their workspaces to remain competitive.

Smarter, sustainable environments, efficient technology and wellness measures have fast become critical components of growth – all of which are majorly influencing today’s workplace fit-outs.

Sustainability

The most popular and industry-dominating trend this year is sustainability. Being more sustainable has become a major issue for our society, and the fit-out industry has experienced increased pressure to implement environmentally responsible practices. We define a sustainable office fit-out as one that March 2020

Work environments are shifting towards building a space that offers the perfect balance between collaboration and privacy. Designers, architects and workspace experts have started to introduce these principles into their projects, to increase user satisfaction and productivity.

Employees want to have more control over the space they occupy, which is why different types of spaces continue to evolve – communal, co-working open areas, private offices, privacy cubicles, meeting rooms, areas for rest and so on.

Technology and Innovation

Technology is a vital component of a productive workplace, but it is more than just providing constant online connectivity to business software, files and the internet. Cleverly integrating the latest technologies into an office fit-out can make employees feel more creative, productive and engaged.

Technology can make a fit-out more efficient by assessing how teams make use

Investing in the workspace is no longer considered an extra cost, but a productivity investment that enhances an organisation’s overall success. Companies both small and large are starting to understand the importance of investing in creating healthier and sustainable working environments that focus on improving employees’ physical health and mental well-being. We truly believe that sustainable fit-out has a direct, immediate and measurable impact on employees. By paying more attention to the quality of lighting, indoor air, sound level and visual design in the office, companies are now understanding the role that the physical environment plays in promoting well-being at work.

At Summertown Interiors, we believe that making spaces which foster employee health and wellness should always be a priority – and that by creating more sustainable workplaces, we in turn contribute to the bigger, global environment conversation. We look forward to undertaking an array of interesting projects that we have in the pipeline for 2020. meconstructionnews.com

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