MEINHARDT FACADE TECHNOLOGY

MEINHARDT FAÇADE TECHNOLOGY

The face of EME’s skylines

M E I N H A R D T

FA Ç A D E

T E C H N O LO G Y

SHAPING FAÇADES

ACROSS TWO CONTINENTS

Paul Grove of Meinhardt Façade Technology explains how the Company is leveraging innovative techniques and an adaptive culture to produce unrivalled results Writer: Jonathan Dyble | Project Manager: Tom Cullum

2

WWW.EMEOUTLOOKMAG.COM

C

O

N

S

T

R

T

he construction industry comprises a range of sectors, with façade services considered to be one of the most specialist and technical niches within this.

Often depicting the character and spirit of a building, the design, fabrication and installation of building façades are pivotal to the representation of a brand or company.

Naturally, façade engineers are often dubbed as the artists of construction, with engineers required to analyse a range of factors from aesthetic appearance and structural behaviour to safety and serviceability.

Such services are expected to see rising demand in the years ahead, with research suggesting that the global façades industry will rise from the $179.7 billion recorded in 2016 to more than $337 billion by 2025, and one company readily positioned to capitalise on this rising demand is Meinhardt Façade Technology (MFT).

Having discussed the firm’s ambitions across the Asian continent in the latest issue of Asia Outlook, Paul Grove, Managing Director of Middle East, Southeast Asia, UK and Australia at Meinhardt Façade Technology, provides insight into the Company’s equally expansive portfolio across the EME region.

Recognising the opportunity

With Meinhardt Façade Technology having been established in 1988, the firm’s Hong Kong office initially dealt with business in the EME region. However, having gradually established the brand in the years since its inception, Meinhardt began to recognise the opportunity of working more locally with EME by the turn of the millennium, particularly through Meinhardt Façade Technology.

“In 2000 we recognised that there was an opportunity for our façade consultancy services in this region that we had previously been serving

U

C

T

I

O

N

remotely,” Grove reveals.

“Due to growing demand, a local MFT office was established in Dubai, where we worked on a number of our first major projects in the city. As of today, we cover the whole of the Middle East and surrounding countries from this office that is nearing its 11th birthday in the UAE.” A similar pattern followed in MFT’s approach to the European continent, namely with the UK, as the Company once again recognised the advantages of working directly within the local market.

“A number of the major architects had left the Middle East during the global financial crisis and established themselves back in the UK. As a result, in 2012 we recognised that they were starting to work remotely and saw the opportunity to set up an office in London to work closely with them in the early design stages and provide an advantage to the Dubai office for these projects,” Grove explains.

“The office was set up under the already established Meinhardt UK office, and it soon became apparent the demand for UK projects was high.

In the six years since, our European workload has largely been based within the UK. However, we have projects scattered across the region, from Manchester to Cyprus.”

Further, off the back of its regional success, MFT is now looking to expand across Europe to better capitalise on the emerging opportunities in other markets and continue to expand in line with the market’s overall growth.

“We will also be opening another office in Europe by the end of this year,” Grove says. “We are very excited as this is a strategic move in this region, and it will be interesting to see how this develops over time.”

Shaping the mould

EME aspect that the firm truly takes pride in. Leveraging the latest techniques and technologies, each and every one of its projects are unique and exemplary.

“We have undertaken a range of high-profile projects in the Middle East, all with very different challenges,” Grove states.

Meinhardt Façade Technology in the Middle East Some of the key projects that MFT has worked on in the Middle East include: • Opera Grand, Dubai • The Scenic, Dubai • Emaar Plot C1/C2 Towers, Dubai • Durar Residential Development, Dubai • DAMAC Akyon – Plot 2, Dubai • Plot 5JJ, Dubai Marina, Dubai • Rafal Centre Development, Riyadh • Harbour Views Towers, Dubai • ADNOC Headquarters, Abu Dhabi • Rosewood Hotel, Abu Dhabi • CMA Headquarters, Riyadh • Damac by Paramount, Dubai • Nation Towers, Abu Dhabi • Shams Gateway Towers, Abu Dhabi • Sama Tower, Dubai • Vision Tower at Business Bay, Dubai

With such expansion a reflection of MFT’s success to date, fundamental to this have been its projects – a crucial

WWW.EMEOUTLOOKMAG.COM

3

M E I N H A R D T

F A Ç A D E

“Some of the projects we are particularly proud of include, but are not limited to, the New Doha International Airport and Rosewood Hotel developments in Abu Dhabi, as well as our work on the Burj Rafal and CMA Tower situated in Riyadh, and of course the monumental projects, Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall.”

Meanwhile, in the UK, MFT is continuing to play a major role in the innovative development of London’s expansive skyline, namely through its 145 City Road project, IQL S9 development and TIQ S5 and S6 project.

Meinhardt in London 145 City Road Client: Rocket Investments Project: A 39-storey residential tower and 10-storey office Role: To design the façades for installation on a tight city site Completion: 2019

IQL S9, Stratford Client: Lendlease Project: 279,000 square foot building with 11 storeys of office space Role: Provide façade and ESD engineering solutions Completion: 2019

TIQ S5 and S6, Stratford Client: Lendlease Project: 515,000 square foot building with 20 floors of open plan office space Role: Provide façade and ESD engineering solutions Completion: 2017

4

WWW.EMEOUTLOOKMAG.COM

T E C H N O L O G Y

The variation of these projects across a range of different countries, industries and environments speaks volumes, and truly reflect the extensive capabilities of Meinhardt Façade Technology.

Commitment to the brand

Key to Meinhardt’s ability to secure such substantial contracts has been its commitment to consistently providing leading services to the best of its ability, a culture that has been crucial in bolstering the firm’s regional reputation.

“In the Middle East, it is vital to further our name and cement our brand in the industry,” Grove explains.

“Reputation is everything in such a competitive market, particularly considering the high amount of construction. We value our clients and we value repeat business, so high quality service is something we have to maintain.”

In pursuit of this, Meinhardt Façade Technology actively ensures it is readily positioned to progress, evident in its openness when it comes to collaborating with complementary firms.

“We need to ensure that we are able to access and implement the latest materials and techniques, and we always look to find economic constructions methods,” says Grove.

“For example, a lightweight external wall solution build-up is quite common in the UK and has some key industry benefits. To this end we have recently been working with Voestalpine Metsec on some specific façade solutions.

ZAK WORLD OF FAÇADES

Z

ak World of Façades is an International conference series on façade design & engineering, having attracted more than 12,000 delegates across its 39 completed editions.

The conference is currently being organised in 20 countries in the Middle East (UAE, Qatar, Kuwait & Saudi Arabia), South Asia (India & Sri Lanka), South East Asia (Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines & Indonesia), Africa (Kenya, Morocco & South Africa), Greater China (Hong Kong), Europe (United Kingdom & France) & Australasia (Australia & New Zealand) and the United States of America. The event attracts senior architects, developers, façade consultants, PMCs, façade contractors along with key consultants & decision makers.

The event comprises keynote presentations and Pecha-Kucha sessions from premier speakers from the façade industry, engaging panel discussions and power networking, which offers opportunities to the delegates attending this conference to share and learn the latest trends and advancements in the façade industry, as we extensively believe in enhancing the power of knowledge for every attending delegate and organisation at our conference.

The forum also pushes the creativity and challenges the solution providers to innovate and bring out the best services and products in line with the expectation of the designers.

Our experience in organising events for the façade and fenestration industry for more than two decades makes us strongly believe that customer satisfaction is key to our success of our conferences, as we strive to deliver high quality, engaging and well attended events for the future.

T +91 44 42959595 E info@zakgroup.com www.zakworldoffacades.com

M E I N H A R D T

F A Ç A D E

T E C H N O L O G Y

MERINT

IQL S9, Stratford

M

erint, whose mission statement is ‘Bringing Smiles’, has been in business for over four decades and has maintained its position as a partner of choice.

It has developed a unique consultative process providing the most advanced products developed by the manufacturers’ it represents.

Over the years Merint has diversified into several verticals: furniture, interior fit outs and property development.

Merint glass has partnered with Saint Gobain since its inception, bridging the ambitious aspirations of the architects/ façade consultants like Meinhardt Façade Technology and the client’s/ fabricator’s requirements through innovative and value engineered solutions.

T +971 4 883 3131

www.merint.com “Similarly, the other key material we use in façade is performance-coated glass, a key barrier to preventing the entry of solar energy to interior of buildings. We collaborate very closely with Merint Saint Gobain, Guardian and China Southern Glass to this end, as well as many others, working on various double and triple silver performance coated glass.”

Further, in the aim of not only maintaining such high standards but surpassing them, MFT readily sets targets with the expectation that growth will be achieved across all areas of the business, driven by a focus on flexibility and diversification.

“If we see a change in the market we need to be ready to react quickly, so we ensure that we remain diverse, recognise opportunities and are ready to establish new offices and services to suit the demand,” Grove continues.

A prime example of this is the Group’s establishment of BMU Consultancy – a division that has

6

WWW.EMEOUTLOOKMAG.COM

TIQ S5, Stratford

flourished in the EME region, particularly in the UAE. Upon completion and handover of its sophisticated designs, Meinhardt recognises that it is imperative to its clients to ensure that the buildings remain in optimal condition, something that BMU Consultancy can guarantee, providing customers with leading façade access consultancy services.

“This has become an integral component of our Company,” Groves states.

“The emphasis on external facade maintenance is quite high in the UAE, more so than any other region, so it is key we have this service in house, training other staff and promoting our values internationally.”

Epitomised by its ambitious culture and backed up by a willingness to adapt, diversify and remain ahead of the industry curve, Meinhardt Façade Technology will undoubtedly continue to prosper across the EME region and beyond moving forward.

C

O

N

S

T

R

U

C

T

I

O

EME

N

SINCE 1977

Outlook Creative Services

Outlook Publishing’s awardwinning in-house team is now utilising its extensive production skills to offer a full and bespoke range of editorial, design and marketing services via its new Outlook Creative Services division.

PURLINS

MAXIMISE YOUR DESIGN POTENTIAL WITH METSEC

Rob.Marsh@voestalpine.com

F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N V I S I T:

metsec.com/middle-east

www.outlookpublishing.com/creative-services

+971 (0) 48870704 ext. 226

WWW.EMEOUTLOOKMAG.COM

7

DUBAI PO Box 38349 Gold & Diamond Park Building 4 Unit 130 Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE T +971 4 341 6686 E info.ae@meinhardtgroup.com www.meinhardtgroup.com

www.outlookpublishing.com