DUBAI DESIGN WINS TERRAFORCE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE

So far, two projects have received this award, namely the Salamanca Hospital in Spain for 2021, and the Dubai Silicon Oasis mixedused development for 2022. Both demonstrate the advantages of using Terraforce’s proprietary precast concrete systems to create distinctive engineered structures that make profound architectural statements that enhance the built environment.

Dubai market

Since its entry into the market in 1984, Terraforce – headquartered in Cape Town – has expanded its international network to most corners of the world, including the Middle East, with Dubai being a focal point from the 1990s onwards. Since then, Terraforce systems have continued to form part of landmark projects that include the Palm Island developments, completed around 2007, as well as more recent examples like the Dubai Silicon Oasis technology, commercial, retail and residential hub.

Dubai Silicon Oasis’ landscape architectural design incorporates up to 6 m high Terraforce L16 rock-face retaining walls that were skilfully installed by Al Aamal Construction. The retaining walls were necessary due to the

DUBAI SILICON OASIS, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Client: Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority

Engineering consultant: KCE Consulting Engineers

Main contractor: Water in Motion

Subcontractor: Al Aamal Construction

Terraforce-licensed manufacturer, Dubai: Consent Concrete Products substantial differences in levels on-site, and to provide access to a leisure area on ground level, with access stairs and ramps leading to the residences at top level. In total, 41 100 Terraforce L16 and 2 000 Terraforce 4x4 Step Blocks were installed.

Comments Sinan Awad from Al Aamal Construction: “The site consists of set-back and vertical walls, as well as 90-degree corners that were achieved

90-degree corners were achieved by carefully cutting the Terraforce L16 rock-face blocks by carefully cutting the Terraforce L16 rock-face blocks. For additional stability, the blocks were concrete-filled and reinforced with rebar, and we used double block rows with the rock-face finish facing outwards on either side for some of the vertical walls adjoining the two grand staircases and ramps. Where the walls joined other structures, dowels were used to secure the connections.”

SALAMANCA HOSPITAL, SPAIN

Client: Salamanca City Council, Spain

Project manager: Excelentísimo Ayuntamiento de Salamanca

Main contractor: Ferrovial Construcción

Subcontractor: Obre Tecnicas Y Medioambiente Terraforce-licensed manufacturer, Spain: Prensagra Prefabricados

Salamanca Hospital

For the Salamanca project, four Terraforce L16 rock-face finish walls were installed by Obre Tecnicas Y Medioambiente, a Spanish environmental engineering company specialising in the construction of reinforced soil structures. Featuring a distinctive wave design, they cover a surface area of some 2 300 m² and reach a maximum height of 7.86 m in places.

Miguel Seller, civil engineer at Obre Tecnicas Y Medioambiente, expands on the key elements, which were designed using Terraforce’s Maxiwall Pro software. “The main wall supports a new access road to the hospital, and in some sections special consideration had to be given to the placement of geogrids due to the presence of a large drainage pipe (2.5 m in diameter) near the visible face of the wall,” he explains.

Another unique challenge was that the contractor had to adapt the slope of the wall to meet another vertical wall. As Seller explains, it was very complex from a topographical point of view. Since part of the wall was also located in a floodplain, permeable soil was used as the reinforced soil to achieve improved geotechnical characteristics.

The final results are exceptional, with the additional coping blocks, the steel fencing along the top, as well as the large rock strip lining the foot of the retaining wall adding eye-catching visual elements.

Designed to last

“The durability and functionality of our precast systems are legendary, as is the ability of landscape architects and design engineers to create urban masterpieces. It’s not easy to choose a winner when the standard is so high, so those who won in 2021 and 2022 are truly deserving of recognition, as will be the 2023 project as the year unfolds,” Rust concludes.

Overall, the fantastic multilevel corner details, inset planter boxes, ramps with rails and grand 4x4 Step Block staircases make a notable visual statement and create effective breaks in what could have been a sheer and vast grey surface. “It’s a prime example of engineering excellence and design innovation,” says Holger Rust, founder and head of Terraforce.