DSA Digest Q2 2019 | DSA DIGEST | ISSUE 13
Madinat Jumeirah Living
DSA are very proud to announce our appointment by Dubai Holding as the lead consultant for the prestigious Madinat Jumeirah Living project, which is an exclusive freehold residential development located in a prime location in Jumeirah, neighbouring the iconic Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. DSA’s role encompasses full design and site supervision services: multi-disciplinary design and construction site supervision. The existing Madinat Jumeirah Resort, also a DSA project, has set the gold standard for leisure lifestyle in Dubai and is recognised internationally as a benchmark for hospitality and retail design. The new Madinat Jumeirah Living development adds a luxury residential component to the overall Madinat Jumeriah development and understandably generated unprecedented demand at the launch of the first phase at Cityscape 2018. Situated within the sought-after Jumeirah district with its beautiful beaches and well-known landmarks, Jumeirah is firmly established as a quintessential Dubai statement and a must-see destination for tourists. Walking through the residential districts will offer a labyrinthine experience, where surprise awaits around every corner. Facilities such as day-care centres, play areas, gyms, swimming pools and pocket parks are evenly distributed and available to all residents. A connecting elevated pedestrian bridge will connect the Madinat Living community to the Madinat Jumeirah and beyond. The inspiration for its powerful design language derives from the Bastakiya, the ancient heart of the city. The warm colours and textured surfaces of the thick walls contribute to an environment which offers a sense of enclosure and scale seldom achieved in more contemporary buildings. The element of surprise is injected by means of delightful architectural elements such as wind towers, rusticated balconies and pergolas, supported by landscape design which stimulates all the senses.
In this issue: • Welcome from the MD • Onwards & Upwards • The Wavehouse • One to One with Wellington • Souk Madinat Jumeirah • South Africa Relay Event
• Hemingways Nairobi • Dubai Marathon • Project Update • Hotel Architecture Award Winners • Young Achiever Award Winner
WELCOME TO DSA DIGEST A very warm welcome to the latest edition of DSA Digest.
DSA’s current portfolio consists of a healthy mix of both pre-existing projects and more recent awards in the early stages of design. We are particularly proud of the various high-profile projects DSA are currently designing and delivering, including our cover story, the prestigious Madinat Jumeirah Living project for Dubai Properties. This project represents a major new commission in Dubai, building upon DSA’s internationally acclaimed Madinat Jumeirah Resort. The project is a prized and exclusive freehold residential development neighbouring the iconic Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, and unsurprisingly demand from investors at the project launch at Cityscape 2018 was unprecedented. In respect of projects already underway, the Al Zahia Residential project in Sharjah is a great example of the architectural design talent that DSA offers and how that translates into long-term customer relationships and repeat project awards for DSA. The latest phase continues DSA’s involvement for a further two years. DSA’s leading international status was recently underlined at the 2018-2019 International Property Awards with Nikki Beach winning the award for Hotel Architecture. Reflecting on the projects we have successfully delivered is important, as they have been instrumental in strengthening and further building DSA’s experience and unrivalled international reputation. In this issue we feature the wonderful Hemingways Nairobi 5-Star hotel.
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DSA DIGEST | ISSUE 13 | Q2 2019
I often refer to the strength in depth of talent at DSA and this is underpinned with the unique longevity of service we enjoy. This is illustrated in the interview with our site architect Wellington Kambarami who this year celebrates his thirteenth anniversary with DSA.
Onwards & Upwards
On the occasion of his retirement, I would like to thank Floris Smith, Design Principal, DSA, for the wonderfully unique designs and architecture he has created over the years, which has provided the foundation for our success and the inspiration for our next generation of architects. I wish both Floris and his wife Wilma, the very best of health, happiness and success in their next chapter.
A BIG DSA WELCOME TO OUR NEW TEAM MEMBERS: WILME MULLER Architect
SHAISTHA BEGUM Looking to the future, I am delighted that Kajal Budhia, an architect from DSA Africa, received the Young Achiever award at the recent South African Women Property Awards. Elsewhere in this issue, it gives me immense pleasure to congratulate those members of staff whose talent and dedication has been recognised with promotion and to offer a big welcome to new members of the DSA family. In parallel to this professional success, DSA remain focused on community projects that we believe reflect our core values. It is fantastic that in every edition of DSA Digest, I am able to read of the personal commitment and achievements of members of the DSA team, often involving many weeks of personal sacrifice. DSA are committed to the continuous participation in raising funds and awareness for worthy local and international causes, and it was a great effort from both the DSA Africa team and the DSA Dubai team who participated in the CESA Relay event and 2019 Dubai Marathon events respectively. Special mention goes to Manoj Kumar who finished the full 42km Dubai Marathon in just over 4 hours. Wishing a peaceful and happy Ramadan to the DSA family and all our friends and colleagues – Ramadan Kareem.
Senior Architect
FARAH BLAL Junior Architect
UMANG SHANDILYA Project Coordinator
NIKHIL SHANMUKHAN Architect
SHIHAB MOIDEENKUTTY Architectural Draughtsman
MINAL UKABHAI Accountant
SREERAJ SUKUMARAN Architectural Draughtsman
GIJO JOHNNY Architectural Draughtsman
Recent Promotions DSA are delighted to announce that Saher Shah and Katherine Chambers have both been promoted to Associate in our Middle East Studio.
SAHER SHAH Steve Kelshaw, Managing Director Middle East
K ATHERINE CHAMBERS
PROJECT Opening THE WAVEHOUSE, ATLANTIS THE PALM, DUBAI We are proud to announce the grand opening of the ‘The Wavehouse’, an exciting new state-of-the-art family entertainment and F&B facility located at the iconic Atlantis The Palm Resort, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai. The venue blends together the concept of an industrial gastro-pub with that of an indoor adventure park providing a one-of-a-kind family venue. Wavehouse occupies 25,000 sqft and is defined by a number of distinctive areas. The ‘Gaming Room’ will be situated at the entrance to the venue and features attractions such as climbing walls, adventure nets and slides. Once inside you can experience classic old-school arcade games, video games, televisions, pool tables, boxing bags, ball pits and a cinema zone. There is also a sleek bowling alley which is one of only two licensed bowling alleys in Dubai.
Customers will be able to relax in the vibrant, rustic bar and watch their favourite sports whilst enjoying a cold beverage. Alternatively, the roof top garden terrace offers sunken trampolines, gazebos for extra privacy, glittering hanging lighting and comfortable seating for all occasions adding an extra dimension to Wavehouse. With this project, Atlantis have introduced an entirely new level of entertainment to their internationally popular Aquaventure Water Park.
FAREWELL IN RETIREMENT TO FLORIS SMITH DSA Middle East Design Principal, Floris Smith, has retired and is heading back to Australia to be with his family after 10 fantastic years with the company.
Floris and his wife Wilma with DSA ME staff
Floris made a huge contribution to DSA’s success, leading our design efforts on the many conceptual and master plan developments we have delivered since 2008, Floris will be missed greatly, both as a talented and experienced professional and as a charismatic, gracious and captivating man. From all of us at DSA we wish Floris and his wife Wilma, the very best of luck, health and happiness for the future!
A farewell dinner with DSA ME directors & associates
www.dsa-arch.com
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One to One with ... WELLINGTON KAMBARAMI Site Architect, DSA Middle East It was travelling as a 15-year-old with his school rugby team on tours of Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique and Malawi that fired Wellington’s imagination for a career in architecture. On finishing school, Wellington embarked on a Diploma in Architectural Technology from Harare Technical College. This coincided with Wellington joining John Winter Architects in Harare, Zimbabwe which ran a work experience programme allowing him to split college work equally with practical experience. This balanced method of training afforded Wellington the chance to gain practical knowledge in construction technology from an early stage. In 1998 Wellington graduated and joined the company as a full-time junior architect. He was 26 and on his way. The projects he worked on at this time included holiday resorts and game reserve lodges. Over the next four years, Wellington steadily progressed through the company, and by the time he was 30 he had been promoted to senior architect. The wider world now beckoned, and Wellington seized the opportunity to move to Blantyre in Malawi, as a senior architect for ASCAS Consultants. After four years running this office and gaining further valuable experience, he was again guided by his early mentor, John Winter who recommended Wellington set out to develop his career in The Gulf. The sheer scale of the projects undertaken and underway in the Middle East promised an exciting future for Wellington and his determination led to his appointment with DSA in June 2006. By 2008, two years after joining DSA, Wellington had completed his first major project, the Palace Hotel in Downtown, Dubai. He cites Nikki Beach as another iconic development in his growing portfolio. Wellington believes his current project, the Al Zahia Residential project in Sharjah, illustrates superbly the unique skill of DSA in providing architectural design and then seamlessly realising this design with first-class site supervision. Wellington has led the DSA site team in delivering this gated community, which has culminated in further phases including the construction of the latest phase over the next two years.
Wellington is justifiably proud of the growth of Al Zahia Residential and feels that this success is a result of DSA’s strong culture of allowing architects to freely express themselves and fulfil their potential. He says,
“ It is about the space we are afforded to be creative.” Wellington has ambitions for his future career development and as one of five professional siblings, there is the additional element of family competition to drive him on. Outside work, Wellington’s life is centred around his family. His wife is an accountant and they have three daughters, two are in school in Dubai and his eldest has graduated from university in the UK. Maintaining his childhood passion for rugby, Wellington officiates as a rugby referee and touch judge for local school teams and enjoys working out and running to keep in shape – for the job as well as the rugby.
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DSA DIGEST | ISSUE 13 | Q2 2019
NEW PROJECT AWARD Souk MADINAT JUMEIRAH Enhancements DSA were delighted to be commissioned for enhancement works to the the Madinat Jumeirah Souk. The project entails a range of improvements to the Madinat Jumeirah Souk and car parking. This involves the provision of tensile structure shade to the central open corridor open plaza, as well as associated interior treatment and modifications to minimise duplicate circulation. The new spaces will be fully air-conditioned. The main entrance redesign will create a single grand entrance to the Souk. This includes verification of a number of toilets and the relocation of existing restrooms. It is proposed that a dedicated pedestrian access from the bus drop off to the souk will be created, including a new bridge and viewing platform.
GREAT TEAMWORK IN AFRICA Congratulations to the DSA Africa Team who participated in the annual CESA (Consulting Engineers South Africa) Walk, Run and Cycle Relay event held at Riversands Farm, Midrand, South Africa. The CESA has staged this annual fun event for 30 years, with teams from many of the 500 member firms competing against each other. Competitors cover 5km in a walk/run format and cycle 8km, whilst also competing in a tug-of-war and volleyball. DSA’s team featured, Pierre Roux, Bill Laburn, Michael Thomas Janine Strachan, Harriet Mkhonza, Colleen Clinton, Carla Hadfield, Ian Kullin, Debbie Kullin, Collin Fletcher, Lee-Anne Fletcher and Liam Patterson. The excitement and enthusiasm generated by this popular event has seen a steady increase in attendance attracting more than 400 teams and 3,000 competitors.
www.dsa-arch.com
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Reflection of Excellence Best Hotel in Kenya Hemingways Nairobi is a jewel in the DSA project portfolio and it is exciting to report that in the 2019 Trip Advisor ‘Traveller’s Choice Awards’, the boutique hotel which opened in 2014, was ranked first in Kenya in three categories: Top 10 Hotels, Top 10 Luxury Hotels and Top 10 Hotels for Service. Materials used have been carefully selected, with imported Italian marble, as well as hardwoods sourced from sustainable forests. Both the public areas as well as the suites, have a spacious feeling of generous space which is enhanced by using generous vertical volumes.
Set in the exclusive Nairobi residential suburb of Karen, between Nairobi National Park and the foot of the Ngong Hills, Hemingways Nairobi is an exclusive 5 star hotel, far from the bustle of central Nairobi. The architectural theme is that of a Southern States, Plantation Style Luxury Residence, and in keeping with the residential nature of the suburb in which is situated, the buildings have consciously been kept to two stories. The central public areas and Porte Cochere are reminiscent of a Plantation Style Manor house, with the bedroom suites located on the North West boundary maximising each unit’s view over the manicured gardens, to the Ngong Hills in the distance. 6
DSA DIGEST | ISSUE 13 | Q2 2019
Hemingways Nairobi has a sophisticated and tranquil ambiance. Each of the 45 suites, ranging in size from 80 m² to 160 m², all with walk-in dressing rooms and a terrace with magnificent views of the Ngong Hills.
The State-Of-The-Art Spa and Wellness Centre features a gymnasium, hairdresser, pedicure and manicure facilities, specialist spa treatment rooms, relaxation areas, saunas and steam rooms.
DSA IN THE RUNNING The Standard Chartered Marathon, Dubai, was held January 2019 and the DSA Middle East team joined the event and completed the 4km, 10km and 42km races.
PROJECT UPDATE Al ZAHIA RESIDENTIAL, SHARJAH
We applaud our colleagues who took part and performed superbly in their respective races.
Special congratulations go to Manoj Kumar on finishing the 42km marathon in an impressive time of 4 hours 3 minutes.
We are delighted to announce that the Al Lilac Residential project, part of the wider Al Zahia development by Majid Al Futtaim Properties in Sharjah has broken ground and construction is now progressing at pace. An idyllic community, fully designed by DSA, comprising 3, 4 and 5 bedroom townhouses and villas, these luxurious homes are scheduled for handover in Q1 2021.
Manoj Kumar www.dsa-arch.com
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DSA TAKES TOP AWARD FOR NIKKI BEACH RESORT & SPA We are thrilled that our entry for the International Property Awards 2018, for Nikki Beach Resort & Spa was an award winner for Hotel Architecture in the Dubai category. Nikki Beach Resort & Spa is a unique hotel property offering exclusivity, privacy and a beach club experience. The development delivers on our client’s vision to create a location for Glamour, a party lifestyle and the coolest place to be seen. After receiving the award, on behalf of DSA, Director Tim Goodall commented: “This award is fantastic recognition for DSA and testimony to the efforts and dedication of the whole team!”
Tim Goodall, DSA ME Director
Congratulations to DSA Africa’s ‘Young Achiever’ Kajal Budhia, (pictured centre) an architect from DSA Africa received the Young Achiever Award in the South African Women Property Awards 2018. The Awards were held at the Sanlam Art Gallery and recognise those who continue to influence and change the landscape of the property industry. This not only recognises the achievements of the individuals but also the contribution they have made to the broader industry.
DSA Architects International (Middle East) address: tel: fax: mail: web:
Office 204, Convention Tower, Zabeel, Dubai, UAE +971 4 329 2288 +971 4 329 2289 dsa.dubai@dsa-arch.com www.dsa-arch.com @DSAarchitects DSA Architects International @dsaarchitectsintl
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