Architect Dec 11 Volume 5

DECEMBER 2011 / VOLUME 5 / ISSUE 12
An ITP Business Publication
NEWS, DATA, ANALYSIS AND STRATEGIC INSIGHTS FOR ARCHITECTS IN THE GCC
r
e
Pow
25
The regions largest
architecture rms
PLUS
ANALYSIS
CASE STUDY
INTERVIEW
Adrian Smith delivers keynote

speech at Green Build Congress
Leigh & Oranges impressive

Equestrian Academy in Qatar
dwps new design director on

working in danger markets
DECEMBER | CONTENTS
DECEMBER 2011 VOLUME 5 ISSUE 12

2
FRONT
Top stories in the world

of architecture including
Kingdom Towers imminent
construction
10
THE BIG PICTURE
Capturing the spectacular

Sheikh Zayed Road skyline
at its best
16
OPINION
Georgina Chakar on how top
architects always look back
to nature for inspiration
26
COVER STORY
Unveiling the largest 25
architecture rms in the
Gulf region based on staff
numbers
52
THE WORK
A detailed reference section

covering the projects MEA
has looked at in recent
months
56
THE LAST WORD
6
PROJECTS
A round up of the latest
project news from MENA
and the rest of the world
14
ANALYSIS
Adrian Smith leads a stellar
line-up of speakers at the
Green Build Congress
20
INTERVIEW
Fariborz Hatam, dwps new
design director, on designing
for danger markets like
Afghanistan
40
CASE STUDIES
Leigh & Oranges Equestrian
Academy, Aedas Shanghai
showstopper and SOMs
Vertical Medina
54
CULTURE
Cool products, clever ideas,
and some of the latest gadgets
in the design world
Mario Seneviratne,
managing director of Green
Technologies and founder of
EGBC
www.designmena.com | 12.11 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
FRONT | DECEMBER
FIFTY FIVE
Number of luxury
apartments in SOMs
Vertical Medina
in Riyadh
(Page 44)
KINGDOM TOWER GEARS

UP FOR CONSTRUCTION
Architect Adrian Smith conrms early start for 1km-tall Kingdom Tower in Jeddah
$1.2BN
Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill, the architecture rm behind the Kingdom

Tower, has revealed that construction is due to start on the 1km-high
skyscraper in Jeddah.
A story in UAE daily The National
claimed that construction on the
tower will start in January 2012.
However, in an exclusive interview
with Middle East Architect, Adrian
Smith said: It is probably wrong to
say that construction will start in
January. There is one more permit to
get. It could start in December, or it
The exact height

of the tower is
still a secret.
VALUE OF KINGDOM
TOWER
could be delayed until

February.
The National report
revealed that most of the permits are in place for the US$1.2 billion (AED4.40bn) tower by Kingdom
Holding, which would be the tallest
building in the world.
The project is moving rapidly. We
have actually advanced the design
to a high level of detail, Smith remarked to The National.
He continued: We know that all
the partners have agreed to get going.
MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 12.11 | www.designmena.com
Everything is proceeding as though its going to

happen.
Smith was also the lead designer on the 828m-high Burj Khalifa
during his long stint at Chicago architecture giant Skidmore Owings and
Merrill (SOM).
In the same way that the nal
height of the Burj Khalifa was a
closely guarded secret by developer
Emaar, Kingdom Holding has not
revealed an exact height for the cloudpiercing Kingdom Tower.
DECEMBER | FRONT
GCC staff at MZ
Architects, the rm
m
behind Aldar HQ in
n
Abu Dhabi
Spectator capacity
of Qatars Al Shaqab
Equestrian Academy
(Page 28)
(Page 40)
HOK unveils
il sleek
l k design
d i
for Marina Mall in Qatar
DESIGNMENA.COM
This months top stories on the online home
of Middle East Architect
Foster + Partners sand dune UAE Pavilion
The London office of HOK has

revealed its design for Marina Mall,
a 60,000m2 retail and leisure facility
in the Lusail development on the east
coast of Qatar.
The design is said to be inspired
by natural forms created when water
The mall is located in the Lusail scheme.
and land meet. Five interconnected

retail islands link the mall to a body
of water that runs through the centre
of the scheme.
Barry Hughes, vice president, HOK
London, said: The uid sculptural
exterior complements the surrounding area, whilst the ow from exterior
to interior draws people into the
internal oasis, providing welcome
protection from the desert sun.
The mall includes three levels,
with a 10,000m2 hypermarket in the
basement. It will also house cinemas,
restaurants with terraces overlooking
the marina, and spa facilities.
Austin Smith Lord to close

Abu Dhabi office
Large architecture rm AustinSmith:Lord (ASL) has decided to
close its Abu Dhabi office due to late
payments from a client in the emirate.
The company is owed millions of
dollars for its work on a huge cultural
quarter project in the heart of the city.
The client, Abu Dhabi Authority
for Culture and Heritage, recently
paid ASL US$3.6m. However, this is
only around a fth of what is owed to
the architecture rm, according to a
report on bdonline.co.uk.
The closure of the Abu Dhabi office
will result in 13 staff redundancies.
This moves follows 70 staff being laid
off in the UK offices.
opens Abu Dhabi Art 2011

Mumbai project handed to Aedas
25 essential iPad apps for interior design
students
Worlds rst precious gemstone bath sells
for AED6.4m
Christian Lundwall Associates to redesign
record-breaking hotel in Kuwait
WEIRD PROJECT OF THE MONTH
Studio 505 has designed a series of cultural

projects in Chinas Jiangsu Province, including a conference centre that bears a striking
resemblance to a lotus ower.
DATASTREAM
KEO - GLOBAL STAFF NUMBERS
645
979
ABU DHABI
QATAR
416
KUALA
LUMPUR
KUWAIT
101
DUBAI
21
SAUDI ARABIA
The closure leads to 13 redundancies.
JORDAN
BAHRAIN
20
OMAN
AL AIN
FRONT | DECEMBER
PEOPLE
New MENA regional

manager for Perkins
Eastman architects
Qasim Mansoor joins dwps UAE office.
dwp appoints general

manager for UAE
Qasim Mansoor has been appointed
general manager of dwps UAE office, to
realign and enhance business development
within the region for the group.
Mansoor added: It is with pride and
great enthusiasm that I take up the lead
position at dwps UAE office.
The dwp group has a network, strength,
resources, talent and unique qualities that
few can rival, putting us at the forefront of
the design industry.
I look forward to taking these essential
skills, along with this fantastic opportunity,
personally and professionally, to remodel
and build upon dwps reputation, as a worldclass architecture and interior design rm.
The appointment of Mansoor comes
amid signicant changes to dwps operations in the Middle East, to better support
its regional projects and clientele.
We want to deliver the

best World Cup
ever, and while
that is a high
ambition,
it is one we
believe we
are able to
do.
Joachim Schares,
Albert Speers +
Partners
Steven Miller has joined international

design and architecture rm Perkins Eastman as regional manager for MENA.
As part of an international management
team, Miller will oversee the rms projects
and growth in the MENA region.
Miller joins with more than 48 years of
experience in architecture, design management, and construction administration for
planning and infrastructure.
He served as the regional director and
managing director for both Kohn Pederson
Fox and FXFowle, as well as Planning and
Design Consultants, a rm he founded.
Miller is a founder of the AIAs Middle
East Chapter, a member of the MENA
Region Board of the Urban Land Institute,
and a past president of the AIA Continental
Europe Chapter.
60 SECOND INTERVIEW
ADRIAN SMITH, PARTNER
AS + GG
You also designed the 82-higDid your work on Burj Khalifa
help with the design of Kingdom Tower?
Yes, its an evolution of the design of the Burj Khalifa. Its an
improvement on the buildings
ability to shed vortices and the
tapered shape allows us to cut
als. It does
d e
down on materials.
ntages
ag
have its disadvantages
f- every oor is different so it takes
longer to design
each oor.
Are you working on any

other
projects in the
Middle East?
We [Adrian Smith
h+
itece
Gordon Gill Architecg on
o three
e
ture] are working
dh that
a a
buildings in Riyadh
are
under construction. They range
from 20 to 30 storeys. We are
also doing the shopping mall
for Kingdom Tower.
So not all super-tall towers

then? We wrote an article
in Construction Week
called King of skyscrapers.
[Laughs] Yes, I guess that tall
buildings are considered to be
my thing.
Steven Miller has 48 years of experience in
the construction and design industry.
With developments such as

Masdar and Musheireb, we are
transforming
g the
desert to create
eate
wonderful
living
conditions.
Ibrahim Al Jadar,
r,
MD for Arab
Engineering
Bureau
Dubai Metro is a modern

day gem. It is a great success
cess
as it represents
nts a truly global
initiative. It is
also a projectt
with a unique
identity.
Alaa Mandour,
founder,
KMA Design
Consultants
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FRONT | DECEMBER
MENA PROJECT SNAPSHOT

1
1
ALGERIA
2
SAUDI ARABIA
3
DUBAI
Foundation stone laid

on mega mosque
High speed rail link

moves forward
Marina tower surpasses

Eiffel Tower height
The foundation stone of the worlds

third largest mosque was laid at an
official ceremony in Algiers, Algeria.
The 400,000m2 Mosque dAlgrie
offers space for up to 120,000 visitors
daily, as well as a prayer hall for up
to 37,000 people and a 265m-high
minaret. Plans for the mosque have
been drawn up by a German consortium consisting of KSP Jrgen Engel
Architekten and engineering rm
Krebs und Kiefer International.
A consortium of Spanish and

Saudi companies has been awarded
Phase II of the 444km Haramain
High Speed Rail Project (HHR).
The project links the holy cities of
Makkah and Madinah with Jeddah,
King Abdullah Economic City and
King Abulaziz International Airport.
Construction has now started on four
stations along the line designed by
Buro Happold, Foster + Partners and
local architect Dar Al Riyadh.
Tameer Holdings Elite Residence

in Dubai Marina has reached its
nal height of 381m, almost 60m
taller than the Eiffel Tower. The roof
structure and mast have recently
been completed, and the tower crane
has now been removed. The focus
for the site team will now be on the
completion of the internal nishes.
The AED1.7 bn tower includes a total
of 697 apartments over 91 storeys and
will house 1,500 residents.
What keeps us
moving.
The TWIN elevator system at ThyssenKrupps
headquarters building Dreischeibenhaus in Dusseldorf
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FRONT | DECEMBER
GLOBAL PROJECT SNAPSHOT

4
4
UNITED KINGDOM
5
HONG KONG
6
INNER MONGOLIA
Broadway Malyans UK
college opens
Aedas completes green

tower in Kowloon Bay
Landmark museum for

Gobi Desert city
Broadway Malyan, the architecture

rm behind seven new schools in
Abu Dhabi, has also celebrated the
opening of the US$106m Bournville
College campus in Birmingham,
UK. Built by national contractor
Shepherd Construction for developer
St Modwen, the 23,226m2 school has
a capacity for 15,000 students and
consolidates three existing campuses.
The building is hinged around a
dramatic linear central spine.
Aedas has delivered a 28-storey

mixed-use tower in Hong Kong which
features extensive planting in the
lower levels. The tower in Kowloon
Bay contains offices, retail space and
car parking within a rational box.
The foliage in the car park oors is an
attempt to green the neighbourhood
and improve air quality. It is hoped
that Aedas building will encourage more ingenious ideas within the
dense cityscape.
A striking museum has been completed in the city of Ordos, Inner

Mongolia, designed by Chinese
architecture rm MAD. The Art and
City museum was commissioned by
the municipal government of Ordos
in 2005 and is envisaged to form an
integral part of a city that has quickly
emerged in the Gobi Desert. With its
polished metal facade and spherical
form, the museum pays homage to the
culture and history of the region.
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FRONT | DECEMBER
THE BIG PICTURE
SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD

This dusk shot, taken by ITP
staff photographer Lester Ali,
captures one of the most interesting sections of the Sheikh
Zayed Road skyline. The focus
of the image is the award-winning Rolex Tower by SOM, with
its subtle yet beguiling facade.
Combined with the metro station, this photograph paints a
futuristic picture of Dubai.
10
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12
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13
NEWS ANALYSIS | GREEN BUILD CONGRESS
TIME FOR
ACTION
ANALYSIS
The Green Build Congress featured high

prole speakers including Adrian Smith
14
GREEN BUILD CONGRESS | NEWS ANALYSIS
unning alongside The

Big 5, last months
Green Build Congress in
Dubai gathered some of
the regions key players in the green
building movement.
One of the highlights, and certainly the best attended session, was a
keynote speech on November 22 from
skyscraper supremo Adrian Smith,
partner, AS + GG Architecture.
Speaking on the subject sustainable landmark buildings, Smith ran
through the sustainable elements in
his impressive portfolio, including
Burj Khalifa and the Kingdom Tower.
As a specialist in high rise design,
Smith noted that tall towers are now
a fact of life. 60 million people a year
are moving into urban areas - there
is a great deal of pressure on cities to
grow, and to grow vertically.
By 2050, it is estimated that 60%
of the global population will live in
cities. High density is a part of the
present and the future. I think it will
get even denser as we move into the
21st century.
Smith emphasised the need to
ensure that existing buildings are
energy efficient. Our immediate aim
is to address the existing stock.
The following day was billed as an
Action Forum, with a series of speakers and panel discussions, including a
six-person debate on the subject why
are buildings in the Middle East not
sustainable enough?
Panel moderator Dr Sadek
Owainati, co-founder and board
member, Emirates Green Building
Council, said: It is important that
there is a commitment to start in the
right direction, and a leadership.
I would ask the government to act
as a leader, by actually making the
buildings that belong to the authorities become green. The bottom line
is to provide better environmental
conditions within the building to
improve the quality of the air.
Paul Bierman Lytle, director of
sustainability, IMCC Green, said:
The Gulf region can lead the world in
demonstrating that sustainability is
protable. We have got to change this
myth that to go green is a compromise
on culture and economy.
He continued: We have to nd
examples that demonstrate protability. There are very few sustainable
communities in the world that can
demonstrate this.
Lytle added that regional governments should give developers an
incentive to perform better, such as
a rebate.
Ben Piper, senior architect, Atkins,
remarked: One of the real problems
in Dubai is the slew of half-nished
buildings. They are essentially ruins.
There is an opportunity to reinterpret

these buildings in an alternative way.
I look forward to the time when there
are different layers to the city.
Piper suggested that a long-term
commitment to sustainability could
be achieved by encouraging permanent stakeholders in the community.
He commented: Dubai and the
Gulf region is a fantastic marketplace
for business, for projects and activities. But ultimately many members
of that population dont have the long
term stakeholder status.
The United States had highly
multicultural origins where people
were given stakeholder status in the
country, and I think that is part of its
ultimate success.
Owainati concluded: This issue of
sustainability is so multifaceted, but
I would say that we have got to bring
in the human scale to our activities,
whether its in the design or the way
we operate these facilities.
The Green
Build Congress
offered new
thoughts on
an oft-debated
subject.
60 million people a year are moving into urban areas - there is a

great deal of pressure on cities to grow, and to grow vertically.
Adrian Smith, Partner, AS + GG Architecture
15
COMMENT | EDITORS LETTER
GOLDEN TICKET
EDITORS LETTER
Dubai Metro is one of the UAEs nest feats
GOT A
COMMENT?
If you have any
comments to
make on this
months issue,
please e-mail
oliver.
ephgrave
@itp.com
his month the UAE celebrates its 40th birthday.

It goes without saying
that the past four decades
have produced reams of fantastic
architecture thats admired throughout the world.
The icons started emerging soon
after independence, with the 1979
Dubai World Trade Centre springing
up on a then-barren Sheikh Zayed
Road. More celebrated landmarks
followed, with the National Bank of
Dubai headquarters on the creek and
Atkins much-photographed Burj Al
Arab in 1999.
Then came the 2000s and the
staggering building boom. Granted,
the period left the country with
many ill-conceived schemes. However, Id argue that the decade provided

the highest number of world-class
buildings. This was partly due to the
sheer amount of construction but
also thanks to the involvement of
quality architects and clients.
In the last ten years or so, the UAE
has gained an array of jaw-dropping
projects such as Emirates Towers,
Burj Khalifa, the Yas Hotel, Ferrari
World and Dubai Metro.
I have a new-found appreciation
for the latter scheme since becoming
a regular user. Theres no doubt that
its a highly-efficient, clean and orderly system. Yet, due to the location
of the stations - combined with the
regional attachment to the automo-
Dubai Metro deserves world-class status.
Putting practicalities aside, and based on the architecture

alone, it must be said that Dubai Metro is a triumph.
16
bile - the metro remains unused by a

large part of the population.
Earlier this year, Middle East
Architect held a roundtable discussion with a number of top architects,
and the subject eventually turned
to Dubai Metro. Richard Marshall,
joint CEO of Woods Bagot asserted
that the metro is a test programme
that doesnt capture any major
population centres and fails to full
a broad sustainability agenda.
Graeme Fisher, partner at GAJ,
added: If the metro works for
you its great, but at the moment it
doesnt work for everybody.
I completely agree with Fishers
statement. My previous apartment was a 20 minute walk from
the nearest station. Now I live just
two minutes away from a station, as
demonstrated from this photograph
taken from my balcony (courtesy of
Lester Ali).
Putting practicalities aside, and
based on the architecture alone, it
must be said that Dubai Metro is a
triumph. Aedas and Atkins managed
to create a station architecture that
is far superior to any other metro
system I have seen in the world.
I love the shell-like forms, the airy
interior spaces and the use of tactile
materials. When Im not using the
system, I can spend many hours sitting on my balcony and watching the
activity inside the futuristic hubs.
This month Im heading back to
London for Christmas. I think its
safe to say that next months column
wont be a tribute to the Tube.
COMMENT | GEORGINA CHAKAR
NATURAL ORDER
OPINION
Architects keep coming back to

nature for inspiration
Georgina
Chakar is an
Australian
architect and a
Master of Urban
Planning. She
works in Abu
Dhabi.
t the beginning of the

last century, an avantgarde and contemporary group of designers
led by Le Corbusier, Rudolf Steiner
and Frank Lloyd Wright began a
movement which offered a dialogue
with nature.
Wright famously stated: Nature
is my manifestation of God. I go to
nature every day for inspiration in the
days work. I follow in building the
principles which nature has used in
its domain.
In 1959, the architect completed
his rst public project - the Guggenheim Museum in New York. The
building is a revolutionary artwork
that keeps encouraging designers to
think outside the box, with an ingenious shell-like structure.
Less than 20 years later, Malaysian

architect Dr Ken Yeang made a name
for himself as a green architect.
Supporting the idea of vertical
living, Yeang embraces tall buildings
as an urban necessity. Being diagonally different from the sculptural
architects who achieve their design
ideas through building masses, Yeang
strives for what he calls ecomimesis
in buildings; a way to copy and paste
nature into high rise designs. If people
are committed to vertical living then
vertical vegetation should reach them
no matter how high they are in the air.
Even though the old masters such
as Wright and Le Corbusier did not
work in the UAE, they inuenced
other architects, such as Zaha Hadid.
Hadids rich portfolio of UAE projects includes the Dancing Towers, the
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York.
The Guggenheim is a revolutionary artwork that keeps

encouraging designers to think outside the box.
18
Performing Art Centre on Saadiyat

Island, and the recently completed
Sheikh Zayed Bridge. The sculptural
masterpieces represent her inspiration from the environment, with
features such as leaf-like windows.
The architect describes her
Performing Art Centre as a biological analogy with primary components that will be transformed from
abstract diagrams into architectonic
design. Although this kind of link
with nature leads to a sculptural
design, it will not necessarily be a
green design.
Close to the Performing Art Centre
on Saadiyat Island is the upcoming
Louvre Abu Dhabi by French architect Jean Nouvel. The building will be
an excellent example of a sculptural
building raised from the grounds of
the traditional components with an
integration with nature.
Similar to Ken Yeangs ecological and sustainable buildings, comes
the lounge of the Eco Tower in Abu
Dhabi, developed by Connection Real
Estate. Being a residential building,
the provision of a large amount of
greenery to the tenants doorstep
proves that vertical living can keep
human in touch with nature and make
it enjoyable.
It appears that sculptural architecture is made with a strong design
to please the public, beautify the environment and provide functionality
for the end users. To create a building
with vertical urban planning and
sculptural components is a challenge
for all disciplines involved.
Cultural center - Nouma (New Caledonia - Pacific Ocean) Architect : Renzo Piano
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INTERVIEW | FARIBORZ HATAM
PASTURES
NEW
THE INTERVIEW
Iran-born architect Fariborz Hatam has just been appointed design director for dwp.
Oliver Ephgrave catches up with the outspoken MEA judge and contributor
ess than a week into his

new role as design director
of dwp, Fariborz Hatam
appears to be at home in
the rms sleek white-washed space
in Jumeirah Lakes Towers. Its a nice
office, isnt it, remarked the 34-yearold, who featured on this years judging panel for the 2011 Middle East
Architect Awards.
For a young architect, Hatam has
amassed an impressive portfolio.
Born in Isfahan, Iran, and raised in
Australia, the former Aedas director
has worked on various projects across
the UAE, Qatar, Iran, Afghanistan,
Croatia and Australia.
Career highlights include a leading
role in two major Aedas schemes - a
plot in Masdar City in Abu Dhabi and
Aino Mina in Afghanistan. Hatam is
particularly proud of the latter, which
won both Residential and Sustainable
Project of Year at the Middle East
Architect Awards 2011.
Aino Mina is a project that gives
back to the Afghani people, a population that has suffered considerably
in the past 30 years. It was very challenging as we were not able to travel
to the site. We had to build a physical
and digital model of the area, which is

called Khandagar, he remarks.
Another of Hatams signature
projects is Dubai Mosque, a contemporary place of worship that has
never been realised. The architect
adds: Dubai Mosque wasnt a built
project. The aim was to increase the
awareness of Islam in a country that
has an 80-85% expat population. I
think it has done the right thing in
that respect.
When asked the reasons for his
choice of career, he replies: Being an
architect is the job dreams are made
of. You see the lines you once drew
amazingly transformed into a living,
breathing space, which is used and
viewed by thousands, if not millions,
of people from all nations. Later still,
the structure you designed on that
simple piece of paper is a recognised
icon, recorded in history and remembered for all time. This is a very
powerful magnet.
After completing his architectural
studies in Australia and working in
the country, Hatam moved to the
Middle East to join Woods Bagots
Doha office where he worked on
the acclaimed Qatar Science and
Technology Park. He subsequently

switched to the rms Dubai office
prior to joining Aedas. Regarding his
relocation to the Middle East, he says:
It was a chance to be part of history.
There might not be another boom
like Dubais during my lifetime. It
intrigued me to come out here and
Ive now spent nearly eight years in
Dubai. Ive been very lucky as Ive
been exposed to many international
projects which you never would get in
the rest of the world.
Hatam asserts that the UAE has
learned from its mistakes and is
focusing more on infrastructure.
He comments: Lessons have been
learned from the past and Dubai is
pulling back from building projects its good to see the metros Green Line
up and running.
I think that Dubai is a place that
will never die. It is the Las Vegas
of the Middle East. It offers a great
lifestyle with education and shopping
facilities - everything you can nd in
a Western country. Many companies
put their headquarters in Dubai but
work in other countries in the region.
When it comes to regional opportunities, he asserts: The Middle
I think that we have now truly passed the era of fantasy,

whereby unpractical form-driven architecture is over.
20
MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 12.11 | www.constructionweekonline.com
FARIBORZ HATAM | INTERVIEW
www.constructionweekonline.com | 12.11 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
21
East is going to be interesting in the

next two of three years. Given the
economic downturn of late, as well as
the recent instability in the Middle
East, which had a tremendous impact
on the construction industry here, I
think we have to remain both realistic
and optimistic.
If we compare this region with
the rest of the world, then I would say
that the outlook nevertheless remains
positive for 2012. The only way is up
and I am therefore excited about the
opportunities to come. I believe that
architects should shift their focus
towards public buildings, such as
educational institutions, schools, hospitals and urban planning, to focus on
social architecture.
In terms of geographical hotspots,
Hatam states that danger locations
are worth exploring. Id say that
80% of companies ignore them. Iran,
Iraq, Afghanistan and even Pakistan

only the best will survive.
- these are places that have a lot of
Hatam has a strong belief that dwp
potential as they have to develop. In
is on course to become one of those
2013 Libya will come back up, as will
elite rms.
African regions.
He adds: Its clear that dwp is a
Closer to home, he believes that
rm with big ideas. It has the right
Qatar will get into gear
tools and it is getting the right
in mid-2012, once the
people in. I hope to bring
metro starts progressa fresh, creative energy
ing. Hatam continues:
and a driving force to
I think that we have
push the boundaries of
MEA AWARDS WON BY architectural design, as
now truly passed the
AEDAS AINO MINA
era of fantasy, whereby
well as expand projects
unpractical form driven
into new territories.
architecture is over. Now
Ive moved from a
architects can refocus and
very large practice and Im
concentrate on standards, efficiency
trying to bring in that experience - for
and practicality, in order to win work.
instance, what Aedas and Fosters +
The projects have become smaller in
Partners do to win competitions. A
scale, but with a much more careful
rm is only successful based on leadplanning and feasibility. Therefore,
ership. With the design values and enthis will be a challenge for architects
trepreneurship of Brenton Mauriello,
used to vast amounts of freedom and
our CEO, we cant go wrong.
TWO
WPC protects primeval forests. Our first objective was to develop the
technology to create a composite wood superior to natural wood in order
to combat the thoughtless lumbering of forest trees.
www.einwood.com
22
MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 12.11 | www.constructionweekonline.com
www.nahar.ae
FARIBORZ HATAM | INTERVIEW
PORTFOLIO:
Fariborz Hatam
DUBAI MOSQUE (Concept)
AINO MINA, AFGHANISTAN (Design)
The conceptual Dubai mosque was Hatams solution for a
This 2 million m2 community scheme by Aedas, which won both
city that he believed to be moving away from true Islamic
the Residential Project and Sustainable Project of the Year
architecture. Designed without a brief or a client, the architects
at the Middle East Architect Awards, will provide over 2000
scheme was said to come from the heart. Hatam took a three-
homes for the rapidly expanding population of Afghanistan.
month calligraphy course to fully understand how light would
Situated in the province of Kandahar, the masterplan hinges on
lter through the Arabic words on the walls of his building.
a wide central park.
www.constructionweekonline.com | 12.11 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT
23
SHEIKHS PALACE, Saudi Arabia
MASDAR INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Positioned in a secluded beach location on the Red Sea, this
NEIGHBOURHOOD, Abu Dhabi
Aedas project aims to create a centrepiece in a tranquil oasis.
At Aedas, Hatam was design director for a plot in a mixed-use
The design brief required a mix of residential and recreational
development situated in Masdar City, including commercial,
development, which includes a palace, villas, gardens, sports
residential, retail, hospitality and community elements. The
elds, health spa, leisure attraction and lush gardens with an
project forms part of the rst phase of the US$22 billion
understanding of water in Islamic gardens and the Quran.
masterplan for the worlds rst carbon-neutral city.
24
MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 12 .11 | www.designmena.com
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POWER 25 | FEATURE
KEO
2,190 STAFF IN THE GCC

WITH 240 ARCHITECTS
Top spot goes to Kuwait-
based rm KEO, with its

whopping team of 2,190
staff in the GCC.
The multi-disciplinary
practice boasts regional
offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al
Ain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia,
Bahrain and Oman.
Key projects include the QP
District in Doha (pictured) and the
Kuwait Investment Authoritys new

headquarters in a 200m-tall tower
In Abu Dhabi, KEO is working on
Nation Towers on the Corniche,
and is also behind several school
projects for ADEC.
In addition, KEO provided full
design and supervision services
for 23 Marina in Dubai Marina,
which is now recognised as the
tallest residential tower in the
world at 395m.
EAS
ATKINS
550 STAFF IN THE GCC
1,770 STAFF IN THE GCC

WITH 200 ARCHITECTS
One of the surprise nds

This years runner up is UK-based
Atkins, a company behind some of
the Gulfs most postcard-friendly
buildings such as the Burj
Al Arab (pictured) and
the spiky Bahrain World
Trade Centre.
The rm has been
working in the region for
more than 40 years and has
this year is local rm

Eng Adnan Saff arini
(EAS), which boasts 550
staff and an undisclosed
number of architects.
The company was formed in
1968 and has offices in Abu Dhabi,

Sharjah, Ajman, Al Ain, Ras Al
Khaimah and Qatar.
A key project involves the
10 offices in the UAE, KSA, Qatar,
provision of two 400-bed General
Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain.
Education Hospitals for the
Atkins yearly revenue for the
Ministry of Health in Iraq. The
Middle East, as of March 2011,
complex covers 10,000m 2 and
totalled US$218.5m.
construction is underway.
27
FEATURE | POWER 25
AEB
regions largest practices

WITH 70 ARCHITECTS
with 246 staff and 90

architects in the GCC.
Led by founder Mohamed
Al Assam and executive
director Ammar Al Assam,
Founded in 1966 as the rst

architectural and engineering
the total consolidated revenue in
consulting rm in Qatar, Arab
2010, in the Middle East, totalled
Engineering Bureau (AEB) took off
AED108.7m (US$29.6m).
in 1991 when it was acquired

by current managing
director Ibrahim
Mohamed Al Jaider.
The rm has regional
The company was behind the
DEWAN
jaw-dropping Al Bateen School for

Aldar Academies, which recently

WITH 90 ARCHITECTS
opened in Abu Dhabi and featured

as a Building Focus in MEAs
October issue.
offices in Doha and Abu
Dewan also designed the 750-
Dhabi with further bases in
With offices in Dubai, KSA, Qatar,
Manila and Kuala Lumpur. Key
Iraq, Libya and Egypt, Dewan
key Fairmont Hotel and Resort
projects include the tallest hotel
has taken major strides since its
(pictured) for Breakwater Island
in Qatar, the 62-level Kempinski
formation in Baghdad in 1971.
in Abu Dhabi. Elsewhere, it is
Residences and Suites, and Dohas
The company has grown from a
working on a 28-oor tower in Al
Al Sharq Village & Spa resort.
two-man rm in 1984 to one of the
Khobar, KSA.
MZ ARCHITECTS
the GCC, with a total of 200 staff

WITH 70 ARCHITECTS
comprising 70 architects.
The practices most famous
design is undoubtedly the
Aldar HQ was voted the Best

Futuristic Design by The Building
Exchange (BEX) Conference held
in Spain.
curvaceous Aldar Headquarters
The shape of this project
Headquartered in Lebanon, MZ
building in Abu Dhabi, one of
- the rst circular building of
Architects has further offices
the most quirky and distinctive
its kind in the Middle East - is
in Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Libya, and
buildings in a country thats
Morocco. The company has an
known for audacious
impressively large workforce in
developments.
achieved through the use
of a structural diagrid, a
diagonal grid of steel.
Another key scheme
for the company is
Eko Atlantic City in
Lagos, Nigeria, in which
MZ Architects provided the

masterplan.
The development consists of
business, residential, commercial
and leisure areas spread on
17,000m 2 of reclaimed land. The
scheme will be home to a quarter
of a million people.
As well as masterplanning, MZ
Architects will also be responsible
for architectural, engineering and
construction management of a
number of towers in the city.
28
FEATURE | POWER 25
RMJM

WITH 65 ARCHITECTS
Scotland-based rm RMJM
has long been a regional
stalwart, although its
GCC staff numbers have
shrunk since the downturn.
It is currently working on
two mixed-use towers in the King
Abdullah Financial District in
Riyadh, a luxury commercial office
in Manama, Bahrain, a shopping
BURT HILL
Hospital, ADEC Headquarters,

and the masterplan for Union

WITH 34 ARCHITECTS
Properties 3.5 million m 2 Motor

City in Dubai. Key components of
mall in Abu Dhabi and a nancial
the project are Dubai Autodrome
education facility in Bahrain.
Acquired by the Stantec Group in
and UpTown Motor City.
Its Middle East offices are located
December 2010, US-based Burt
The Stantec Group offers services
in Abu Dhabi, Istanbul, Bahrain
Hill is another rm to have
and Muscat.
cut GCC staff numbers in
RMJM was presented with the
recent years.
Nevertheless, the rm
Overall Project of the Year and
in planning, engineering,
architecture, surveying,
environmental sciences,
project management
Commercial/Mixed Use Built
still makes the top 10,
Award at the 2011 Cityscape
with 140 employees in the
Awards for Architecture in
UAE including 34 architects.
Emerging Markets, for Capital
Burt Hills Dubai branch opened
approximately 11,000 operating
Gate in Abu Dhabi.
in 2003 to tap into the emirates
out of 170 locations worldwide.
emerging real estate market.
Its acquisition of Burt Hill is part
which is the worlds inclined tower,
Among the rms UAE projects are
of its quest to become one of the
is due to open this month.
the multi-billion dirham Al Mafraq
worlds leading design practices.
RW ARMSTRONG
Abdulrahman, BD regional leader.
The much-anticipated project,

WITH 30 ARCHITECTS
and project economics

for infrastructure and
facilities projects, with
In addition to architecture,
the rm offers planning,
design, interiors, programme
management, project
Founded in 1961 in Indianapolis,
management and construction
RW Armstrong has 18 offices in
management.
the USA, UAE, Libya, Egypt, Guam

and Azerbaijan.
30
Its UAE offices, in Abu

Dhabi and Dubai, were
Its expertise includes building

services, infrastructure, aviation,
transportation and water services.
RW Armstrongs Sun and
established in 2006 and
Sky Towers (left) won the GCC
now employ a total of 126
Residential Project of the Year at
staff with 30 architects.
the Construction Week Awards
Key individuals in the regional
2011. The project was acclaimed
rm include vice president Mona
for its innovative technical
Salem, development sector
strategies to solve complex
leader Jeff rey Decker and Zaky
construction challenges.
POWER 25 | FEATURE
WOODS BAGOT
WITH 100 ARCHITECTS
Winner of Large Architecture

Practice of the Year, at the Middle
East Architect Awards 2011,
Woods Bagot is behind some of
the GCCs most recognisable
landmarks such as the
stunning Qatar Science
and Technology Park in
Doha (right).
The rm was established
10
in Adelaide by former
architect-in-chief for the South
Australian Government, Edward
John Woods.
Since then the rm has grown
into a signicant multi-disciplinary
practice operating in Asia,
Australia, the Middle East and
North America.
NORR GROUP
NAGA ARCHITECTS
DWP
Established in 1938, Norr
Naga Architects was founded
With a total of
by Dr Shams Naga in 2000 and
107 staff in the
has experienced steady growth,
Gulf region,
currently employing 110 staff
dwp employs 59
including 42 architects. This year
professionals in its
the practice claimed the inaugural
Dubai office and 48 staff
the group has worked on icons
Building Information Modelling
in Bahrain.
such as Atlantis-The Palm, Burj
Award at the Middle East Architect
Khalifa, Emirates Towers and
Awards, for its exciting Sawari
Mansoor as general manager and
the National Bank of Dubai
Residences project in Al Khobar,
Fariborz Hatam as design director
Headquarters.
Saudi Arabia.
for its Dubai office.

WITH 44 ARCHITECTS
has 900 professionals in
25 cities globally. In the
GCC it employs 110 staff
including 44 architects.

WITH 42 ARCHITECTS
11
Over the past 20 years,
Its signicant projects in Abu

WITH 24 ARCHITECTS
13
It recently appointed Qasim
Elsewhere the company is
Key projects include the FTV
Dhabi include Le Meridien Hotel,
working on the Al Khobar Hotel
Hotel in Dubai, the Maysan Towers
Sir Baniyas Island Resort and the
in Saudi Arabia, a 21-storey
in Abu Dhabi and the Makkah
expansion of the UAE Central

Bank. In Qatar, the practice
completed the striking Al Hitmi
complex, which has become a
symbol of the nation.
residential scheme called
12
Octavian Tower in Dubai,
Cultural Gateway project.

Led by CEO Brenton Mauriello,
Ajman University Housing
dwps Dubai office was formed in
and a blimp terminal
2007 while the Bahrain base was
building in Dubai.
established in 2005.
31
FEATURE | POWER 25
GAJ

WITH 38 ARCHITECTS
14
Egypt, Tunisia and Oman

that are in various stages
of development.
With new offices in Al
Barsha, the management
consists of six partners, ve
GAJ is one of the longestestablished UK practices in the
associate partners and eight
UAE. It is behind several of Dubais
associates. Managing partner
modern gems, such as Dubai
Brian Johnson won Principal of the
Creek Golf Club, Bab Al Shams,
Year at the Middle East Architect
Arabia Court, Residence & Spa at
Awards 2011 and was described
The One and Only Royal Mirage.
by the judging panel as an icon
The rm is also working on
of the Middle East architectural
multi-million dollar projects in
landscape.
HOK

WITH 20 ARCHITECTS
16
HOK appears to have

expanded its presence in
the Middle East, with a
total of 100 staff in Dubai,
Abu Dhabi and Qatar.
Notable projects in the region
include the massive US$10bn King

Abdullah University for Science &
Technology (KAUST) in Thawul,
Saudi Arabia, which is being built
for Saudi Aramco.
The rm is also the design
architect for the US$2bn New
Doha International Airport, the
New Kuwait Central Bank (above)
and the ADNOC headquarters in
AEDAS
Abu Dhabi.

WITH 70 ARCHITECTS
portfolio in Dubai includes the
Louis, Missouri in 1955. The name
twin office towers at Boulevard
derived from the surnames of its
Plaza (above) and the 123-storey
three founders: George Hellmuth,
Pentominium in Dubai Marina.
Aedas Dubai office was

established in 2004 and
the company now has
offices in Abu Dhabi,
Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi
Arabia. Its expanding
32
HOK was established in St.
82-storey Ocean Heights, the
15
It is also working on
Gyo Obata and George Kasabaum.

The rst office in the GCC was
New Doha International
established in Dubai in 1999 and
Airport in Qatar. Middle
annual turnover in the region is
East turnover for 2010
estimated at US$20m.
totalled US$10m.
FEATURE | POWER 25
DSA
80 STAFF IN THE GCC

WITH 48 ARCHITECTS
Formed in 2002 in Dubai, DSA
has delivered several landmark
hospitality projects in the region.
Its key schemes include
Madinat Jumeirahs Mina
17
A Salam and Al Qasr,

Park Hyatt, The Palace,
Qamardeen and Al Manzil.
It is also behind Old Town
Residences, Fairmont Hotel
and Residences and Golden Mile

Residences on Jumeirah Palm,
as well as the One & Only Royal
Mirage and the new One & Only
The Palm. The office is led by
managing director Steve Kelshaw.
BSBG
70 STAFF IN THE GCC

WITH 22 ARCHITECTS
18
Under the guidance of group
In addition to the IKEA

projects, BSBG is involved
in the City of Lights - a
mixed-use development
54 STAFF IN THE GCC

WITH 11 ARCHITECTS
under construction in
Reem Island, Abu Dhabi - that
chairman John Mills, BSBG has
comprises a 60-storey commercial
been operational in the Middle
tower, a 26-storey hotel and a
East since 1976.
34-storey residential block.
Having completed IKEA on
P&T
It also worked on the
Based in Hong Kong, the
19
P&T Group has a history

stretching back 140
years. It has actively
been involved in the
Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, BSBG was
refurbishment of the previously
Middle East since 1998 and
awarded the design of the IKEA
BSBG-designed Emirates Golf
established an office in Dubai back
store in Doha, which has recently
Club (below), one of Dubais most
in September 2004.
begun construction.
elegant leisure schemes.
Currently the rm employs 54

professionals in the GCC with a
total of 11 architects.
An Abu Dhabi office was
opened in January 2007, to
coincide with the awarding of a
major scheme in Reem Island. In
the same year it started work on
the Al-Dana project in Raha Beach
and two hotels in the Mina al-Arab
resort in Ras al-Khaimah.
Elsewhere in the GCC, P&T is
working on the 70-storey Burj
Rafal tower in Riyadh.
34
POWER 25 | FEATURE
BROADWAY MALYAN
48 STAFF IN THE GCC
WITH 28 ARCHITECTS
In 2011 the UKs Broadway Malyan

celebrated the opening of seven
schools designed for the Abu
Dhabi Education Council (ADEC),
including the Abu Dhabi West
School (right).
This year, Broadway Malyan
also delivered the concept
masterplan for the 10x10
project in Baghdad, Iraq,
comprising a 17km 2 urban
regeneration and extension
20
of Sadr City.
The project is named after
its US$10bn value and 10-year
delivery timeframe.
Other projects include the
masterplan and design of the Al
Bandar residential project on Al
Raha Beach, and the Mina Zayed
masterplan, also in Abu Dhabi.
KMA
DUBARCH
DRAWLINK GROUP
Founded by Dr Mohamed
Established by Canadian-Iranian
This years
Amir V. Rahbar and UAE national
runner up for
Dr Ahmed Abdul Rahman Al
the Boutique
Banna, Dubarch has three
rm of the
architectural and interior design
Year at the MEA
offices in the GCC.
Awards, Drawlink
45 STAFF IN THE GCC

WITH 12 ARCHITECTS
Alaa Mandour, KMA
established its Cairo
office in 1990, followed
by a UAE office in 1995.
43 STAFF IN THE GCC

WITH 9 ARCHITECTS
21
The rm subsequently
opened offices in KSA and Oman,
The Dubai office was set up in
and has built up a total workforce
1986 while an Abu Dhabi practice
of 45 with 12 architects.
followed in 2007.
Key projects include the Makkah
This year, Dubarch opened an
40 STAFF IN THE GCC

WITH 20 ARCHITECTS
23
Group has a total of 40 staff in the

GCC, with 20 architects.
Recent projects in the Gulf
region include the Radisson Royal
Gate affordable housing scheme,
office in Qatar, bringing the total
and Hues boutique hotel, both
the Icon development in Al
number of staff to 43 with nine
located in Dubai.
Khobar, the urban development of

Barkah City in Oman, the Ras Al
Hamra development in Muscat and
a Seven Seas complex, also in the
Omani capital.
architects.
22
One of the companys
The company recently

celebrated the opening of
key projects is Bayswater,
the convention centre for the
a commercial scheme in
Radisson Royal, located on Sheikh
Business Bay, Dubai.
Zayed Road.
35
FEATURE | POWER 25
X-ARCHITECTS
30 STAFF IN THE GCC
WITH 16 ARCHITECTS
25
Winner of the 2010 MEA

Award for Boutique Firm
of the Year, X-Architects
was founded in 2003 in
Dubai by Ahmed Al-Ali and
Farid Esmaeil.
The company currently employs
30 staff, including 16 architects,
which was just enough to make it
into the top 25.
Since its inauguration, the
company has won a further two
MEA Awards, for Best Mixed-use
Project in 2009 and Principal of
the Year in 2010.
Key scheme include the Mosque
for 2000 Prayers in Abu Dhabi
(below), which incorporates an
existing sculpture plaza to create
an attractive public space.
One of the rms most radical
projects is Xeritown, which is
currently on hold in Dubai. The
scheme for 7,000 residents looks
at the desert and local climate and
works with it rather than against it.
X-Architects has also carried out
the urban design masterplan for
Al Nasseem in Al Ain. The under
construction scheme has been
chosen by the UPCs Estidama as
BEAD ARCHITECTS
for Emerging Markets, for its

Mangrove Elite Residence in Reem
35 STAFF IN THE GCC

WITH 26 ARCHITECTS
Island. The scheme was lauded in

the Residential-Future Category.
Another key project is
Formed in January 2008,

Abu Dhabis Bead
Architects is led by
managing director/
partner Muhannad Assam
an under-construction
24
and comprises 35 staff with

26 architects.
Danet Abu Dhabi.

Bead has also designed
Al Nasser Tower, a Class A
office scheme in the Emirati
capital city.
In 2010 the rm recorded a

turnover of AED13.7m (US$3.73m).
Bead recently picked up a gong
at the 2011 Cityscape Awards
36
residential scheme in
The project is most notable

for its column-free oor space
spanning between vertical steel
support trusses.
one of its rst pilot projects.
INSTITUTE OF DIPLOMATIC
VERTICAL STUDIES
MADINA | CASE STUDY
Architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Location: King Abdullah Financial District, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
CASE STUDY | VERTICAL MADINA
THE VERTICAL MEDINA
THE PROJECT
One of many Middle East projects
by Chicago-based titan SOM, the
Vertical Medina is a mixed-use
scheme in Saudi Arabia. It uses the
traditional Arab medina city form
with its interlocking alleyways and
courtyards to create a vertical

network with residential, office and
retail components.
Clad in limestone from local
sources, the project is slated for
completion in late 2012. The top six
oors contain 55 luxury residential

apartments, ranging from one to
three bedrooms, with a total area of
18,000m2. The lower seven oors
are dedicated to Class A office space
with a total area of 21,000m2.
CASE STUDY
THE CONCEPT
One of the dening characteristics
is the use of the traditional Arabian courtyard which offers both
privacy and respite from the heat.
Each apartment has its own private
courtyard, interspersed with openair gardens for all residents.
The shared spaces serve
as terraces for a tness
centre, event room and
childrens play area.
No two apartments in
NUMBER OF LUXURY
APARTMENTS
the Vertical Medina are
alike - each has a different
layout. The office oors are
more regular, with a linear plan.
55
40/49
44

www.desig
45
72/53
2M
METRES
METRE
ES2
AINO MINA
Architect:
Aedas
Location:
Kandahar
Kandahar,
Afghanistan
Afghan
TOTAL AREA OF
F THE
SCHEME
PROJECT UPDATE
MAYSAN
RESIDENCES
337
Architect:
DWP
Location:
Abu Dhabi
TOTAL NUMBER OF
APARTMENT UNITS
EKO ATLANTIC
CITY
Architect:
MZ Architects
Location:
Lagos, Nigeria
MIRDIF CITY
CENTRE
10,000
PEAK NUMBER OF
WORKERS ON SITE
62
Architect:
Hyder
Consulting/
RTKL
Location:
Dubai
Currently in the design

esign development
phase, Maysan Residences
sidences is a pair of
striking residential tower buildings
in the Al Najmat district of Reem
Island, Abu Dhabi with an expected
completion date of 2013. Designed
by dwp, the project aims to achieve
a 2 Pearl Rating with Estidama. The
roof structure contains solar energy
technology while the tower forms are
devised to minimise the exposure to
excessive heat gain.
INSTITUTE OF
DIPLOMATIC
STUDIES
Architect:
Henning
Larsen/ Buro
Happold
Location:
Riyadh, KSA
This ambitious new city in Nigeria

responds to coastal erosion and aims
to relieve pressure on the congested
city of Lagos, which is currently
inhabited by 15.5 million people.
Estimates of urban use predict that
Eko Atlantic City will be home to
a quarter of a million people when
complete. MZ Architects is the
urban planner for the new city and
will also be responsible for a number
of towers in the scheme.
The rst LEED Gold accredited

retail outlet in the Middle East, the
AED3 billion Mirdif City Centre
opened in March 2010 and achieved
its green certication in May 2011.
At the peak of construction, 22
cranes and 10,000 workers were on
site. Developed by mall specialist
Majid Al Futtaim Properties, Mirdif
City Centre features a gross oor
area of 300,000m2 , with 450 shops
and parking for over 7,000 cars.
FERRARI
WORLD ABU
DHABI
Architect:
Benoy
Location: Yas
Island, Abu
Dhabi
DOHA TWIN
TOWERS
398%
TARGET NET FLOOR

AREA RATIO
Architect:
GHD Global Pty
Ltd
Location:
Lusail, Qatar
This two million m2 community scheme, which won both the

Residential Project and Sustainable
Project of the Year at the Middle
East Architect Awards, will provide
over 2,000 homes. Situated in
Kandahar, the site gently slopes
and has a backdrop of mountains. A
wide central park runs through the
masterplan and links the retail area
at the southern end with the Friday
mosque at the northern end.
Winner of Institutional & Cultural

Project of the Year, this scheme
will provide Saudis Ministry of
Foreign Affairs (MOFA) with a
new 46,000m2 building to house
facilities for the Institute of Diplomatic Studies and Consular Affairs
Department. Located in Riyadh the
building contains an auditorium,
lecture halls, library, classrooms,
offices, a large hall for visa applicants
and office space.
Winner of the Hospitality & Leisure

Project of the Year, Ferrari World
Abu Dhabi is the worlds largest indoor theme park. Designed by Benoy
for Aldar Properties, the project features over 20 rides and attractions
including the worlds fastest rollercoaster. The total surface area of
the colossal red roof is 200,000m2,
while the perimeter of the building
is 2,200m2. The highest point of the
structure is 45 metres.
This billowing twin tower project in
Qatar was designed by GHD Global
and is designed to meet the clients
target net oor area ratio of 398%.
Overall water consumption will be
reduced by 40% though the use of
native plantation, water reducing
xtures, storm water re-use and
grey water treatment strategies. The
building also aims to produce 5% of
its energy from renewable sources,
such as photovoltaics.
63
LIKE
WANT
NEED
LIKE WANT NEED | CULTURE
CULTURE | LIKE WANT NEED
THE WORK
THE
WORK
THE WORK | PROJECT UPDATE
PROJECT UPDATE | THE WORK
CASE
STUDIES
FURNITURE
LONDON CHAIR
BoConcept
The new London chair from
BoConcept, available in both
upholstered and pure shell versions,
has its roots in the Scandinavian design
style. The core of the London chair is
the seat which is produced in highquality FSC approved wood. Customers
can pick the slim steel legs for a light
minimalistic look or the solid oak for a
more natural Nordic feel.
CULTURE
BATHROOM
FUSION II BY WET
Jan Puylaert
Designed by Jan Puylaert and produced
by WET Italia, Fusion II is a freestanding
LED illuminated sink. Made with 100%
recyclable polyethylene, it can have an
AC5 rim-spout, either with a rim-mixer
or side faucets. A column in dark grey can
be tted with a range of nine colours with
optional RGB LED illumination.
BOOK
TOWARDS A NEW INTERIOR
Lois Weinthal
FURNITURE
BAN STOOLS
LS
Esrawe
These stools created by Mexican
studio, Esrawe, are reminiscent of
furniture used in African cultures - and
in America during pre-Hispanic times as symbols of status, tradition, religion
and identity. They have been developed
from certied, solid walnut, tzalam,
and beech wood, produced through
a process of cutting, assembling and
lathing by craftsmen, and nished with
natural oils.
54/55
54
Interior design, as a relatively young

discipline within the academic world of
design, has historically been seen as an
extension of other ne arts. Narratives
exist, but treat interior design as a function
of architecture or display. Professor
Lois Weinthal envisions a future where
interior design is treated as being equal
to architecture and industrial design.
Weinthal is associate professor of interior
design at the School of Architecture at The
University of Texas at Austin. She studied
at the Rhode Island School of Design and
Cranbrook Academy of Art.
MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 12.11 | www.designmen

www.designmena.com
APP
RLB GLOBAL CONSTRUCTION MARKET INTELLIGENCE
Global construction and property
advisor Rider Levett Bucknall launched
its free cost-based app for desktop PCs
and smartphones with insight into
global, regional and local construction
markets without any fees. It includes
global cost comparison, tender price
index data and worldwide construction
market analysis. The rm hopes it
will be useful for architects to check
benchmark costs when making design
decisions. RLBs location specic cost
data helps provide a range of current
expected building costs for specied
building types across the world.
55
CULTURE
39
MINA | CASE STUDY

EQUESTRIANAINO
ACADEMY
AL SHAQAB
EQUESTRIAN ACADEMY
Architect: Leigh & Orange
Location: Education City, Qatar
CASE STUDY
THE PROJECT
One of the largest show horse
facilities in the world, this equestrian
complex in Qatar covers a total area
of 800,000m2. Centred around a
350m long performance arena with
a double facing grandstand, the
scheme also caters for the training
and breeding of Arabian horses.
The project was officially completed in September 2011 but is
being continually expanded. Leigh
& Orange provided master planning,
architectural design, interior design
and led a team of 18 sub-consultants,
which divided the project into eight
packages of work.
40
The scheme is situated at the heart

of Education City, an initiative by
the Qatar Foundation. Located on
the outskirts of Doha, it covers an
area of 14 km2 and contains several
international universities and research facilities.
L&Os equestrian academy design contains references to local heritage.
Stone-faced walls on
TOTAL AREA
the performance arena
OF THE SITE
reect local forts while
the dramatic 400m roof
resembles a Bedouin tent
and visually links the complex.
800,000M2
41
CASE STUDY | EQUESTRIAN ACADEMY
Photograph by John Nye
THE SITE
EQUESTRIAN ACADEMY | CASE STUDY
THE CONCEPT
Designed in the shape of a horseshoe, the list of amenities includes a
riding academy and equestrian club,
veterinary clinic, hospital and research facilities, endurance training
centre and a breeding centre.
The performance arena
required a space for allweather conditions with
facilities for 8,000 spectators. L&Os response
was to propose separate
SPECTATOR CAPACITY
indoor and outdoor
OF THE ARENA
competition arenas which
could both be viewed from
the same grandstand.
8,000
THE DETAILS
The roof has been designed to be
structurally efficient while minimising the enclosed volume and providing diff used natural light to the
indoor arena. Overhangs shade the
glazed faades while allowing oodlighting without unsightly masts.
While utilising modern materials and technology, the Al Shaqab

Equestrian Academy incorporates
traditional desert methods of ventilation and shelter. Air-conditioning
is available for the stables and arenas
to provide optimum comfort.
42
Online News for Architecture, Interiors and Industrial Design Professionals
s Up to the minute reports on the latest industry news and events

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s The latest case studies, market trends and developments for the Middle East market
Visit www.designmena.com today

and sign up for the twice weekly eNewsletter
to stay up to date with your industry
For information on advertising please contact:
YAZAN RAHMAN, Sales Director - Tel: +971 4 444 3351 - GSM: +971 56 778 3824 - Email: yazan.rahman@itp.com
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INSTITUTE OF DIPLOMATIC
VERTICALSTUDIES
MEDINA | CASE STUDY
THE VERTICAL MEDINA
Architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Location: King Abdullah Financial District, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
CASE STUDY
44
CASE STUDY | VERTICAL MEDINA
THE PROJECT
One of many Middle East projects
by Chicago-based titan SOM, the
Vertical Medina is a mixed-use
scheme in Saudi Arabia. It uses the
traditional Arab medina city form
with its interlocking alleyways and
courtyards to create a vertical

network with residential, office and
retail components.
Clad in limestone from local
sources, the project is slated for
completion in late 2012. The top six
oors contain 55 luxury residential

apartments, ranging from one to
three bedrooms, with a total area of
18,000m2. The lower seven oors
are dedicated to Class A office space
with a total area of 21,000m2.
THE CONCEPT
One of the de ning characteristics
is the use of the traditional Arabian courtyard which offers both
privacy and respite from the heat.
Each apartment has its own private
courtyard, interspersed with openair gardens for all residents.
The shared spaces serve
as terraces for a tness
centre, event room and
childrens play area.
No two apartments in
NUMBER OF LUXURY
APARTMENTS
the Vertical Medina are
alike - each has a different
layout. The office oors are
more regular, with a linear plan.
55
45
VERTICAL MEDINA | CASE STUDY
THE DETAILS
Primary exposures are shaded by
the deep recesses of each courtyard
in the Vertical Medina. The glass
faades of the residences are clad
with operable shading screens like
mashrabiyahs in traditional Arab
cities to provide further shading
from the sun and to enhance privacy.

It has separate entrances, lobbies, lifts and drop-off areas for the
residences and office tenants.
Basement lobbies are
treated as front-ofhouse areas.
21,000M2
AREA OF CLASS A
OFFICE SPACE
THE SITE
The Vertical Medina is located in
King Abdullah Financial District, a
large scale nancial centre underway in Riyadh masterplanned
by Henning Larsen Architects.
A landscaped plaza and fountain
serves as the main arrival point for
SOMs scheme. Shops line the street
and plazas while a ve star hotel is
located across the street.
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46
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Jan-June 2011
WEEKLY NEWS
UNRIVALLED COVERAGE
UNRIVALLED REACH
BMWTHE
BRAND
URBAN
SHOWROOMS
CROSSING | CASE STUDY
THE URBAN
CROSSING
Architect: Aedas
Location: Shanghai, China
CASE STUDY
THE PROJECT
Aedas boutique urban project
in Shanghai provides office and
retail components, as well as a gallery, conference centre and a water
promenade plaza. It is conceived
to be a landmark hub with a strong
civic presence and a
vibrant mix of commercial and public
elements.
In addition to maintaining daily commerHIGHEST POINT ON
cial and retail activiBUILDING
ties, the Urban Crossing
is capable of hosting
multiple major events.
35.5M
48
CASE STUDY | THE URBAN CROSSING
THE SITE
With an area of 24,678m2 , the site
will contain a canal meandering
through the northern edge.
Currently titled as the Urban Crossing: Linkong
Block 10-1 Development, the project is
the focal point and
TOTAL AREA OF
public destination for
THE SITE
the Linkong Business
Park. The scheme is also
the gateway of the Hongqiao
Airport Transportation Hub and
will anchor the terminus of the
proposed Hongqiao retail axial.
24,678M2
THE CONCEPT
In response to the functional requirements and the constricted site,
the project stacks vertical stages
and runways using inter-connecting
layers of platforms.
These accessible platforms offer
views of the park at various levels
and locations.
The design of the Urban Crossing
consists of two office towers linked
by two weaved platforms at upper
and lower oors.
The form, layering and circulation pattern are said to reinforce the
crossing architectural concept.
49
PROJECT UPDATE | THE WORK
THE
WORK
PROJECT UPDATE
MAYSAN
RESIDENCES
337
Architect:
DWP
Location:
Abu Dhabi
TOTAL NUMBER OF
APARTMENT UNITS
EKO ATLANTIC
CITY
Architect:
MZ Architects
Location:
Lagos, Nigeria
MIRDIF CITY
CENTRE
10,000
PEAK NUMBER OF
WORKERS ON SITE
52
Architect:
Hyder
Consulting/
RTKL
Location:
Dubai
Currently in the design development

phase, Maysan Residences is a pair of
striking residential tower buildings
in the Al Najmat district of Reem
Island, Abu Dhabi with an expected
completion date of 2013. Designed
by dwp, the project aims to achieve
a 2 Pearl Rating with Estidama. The
roof structure contains solar energy
technology while the tower forms are
devised to minimise the exposure to
excessive heat gain.
This ambitious new city in Nigeria

responds to coastal erosion and aims
to relieve pressure on the congested
city of Lagos, which is currently
inhabited by 15.5 million people.
Estimates of urban use predict that
Eko Atlantic City will be home to
a quarter of a million people when
complete. MZ Architects is the
urban planner for the new city and
will also be responsible for a number
of towers in the scheme.
The rst LEED Gold accredited

retail outlet in the Middle East, the
AED3 billion Mirdif City Centre
opened in March 2010 and achieved
its green certication in May 2011.
At the peak of construction, 22
cranes and 10,000 workers were on
site. Developed by mall specialist
Majid Al Futtaim Properties, Mirdif
City Centre features a gross oor
area of 300,000m2, with 450 shops
and parking for over 7,000 cars.
2M
METRES2
Architect:
Aedas
Location:
Kandahar,
Afghanistan
TOTAL AREA OF THE

SCHEME
INSTITUTE OF
DIPLOMATIC
STUDIES
Architect:
Henning
Larsen/ Buro
Happold
Location:
Riyadh, KSA
FERRARI
WORLD ABU
DHABI
Architect:
Benoy
Location: Yas
Island, Abu
Dhabi
DOHA TWIN
TOWERS
398%
TARGET NET FLOOR

AREA RATIO
Architect:
GHD Global Pty
Ltd
Location:
Lusail, Qatar
This two million m2 community scheme, which won both the

Residential Project and Sustainable
Project of the Year at the Middle
East Architect Awards, will provide
over 2,000 homes. Situated in
Kandahar, the site gently slopes
and has a backdrop of mountains. A
wide central park runs through the
masterplan and links the retail area
at the southern end with the Friday
mosque at the northern end.
Winner of Institutional & Cultural

Project of the Year, this scheme
will provide Saudis Ministry of
Foreign Affairs (MOFA) with a
new 46,000m2 building to house
facilities for the Institute of Diplomatic Studies and Consular Affairs
Department. Located in Riyadh the
building contains an auditorium,
lecture halls, library, classrooms,
offices, a large hall for visa applicants
and office space.
Winner of the Hospitality & Leisure

Project of the Year, Ferrari World
Abu Dhabi is the worlds largest indoor theme park. Designed by Benoy
for Aldar Properties, the project features over 20 rides and attractions
including the worlds fastest rollercoaster. The total surface area of
the colossal red roof is 200,000m2,
while the perimeter of the building
is 2,200m2. The highest point of the
structure is 45 metres.
This billowing twin tower project in
Qatar was designed by GHD Global
and is designed to meet the clients
target net oor area ratio of 398%.
Overall water consumption will be
reduced by 40% though the use of
native plantation, water reducing
xtures, storm water re-use and
grey water treatment strategies. The
building also aims to produce 5% of
its energy from renewable sources,
such as photovoltaics.
53
THE WORK | PROJECT UPDATE
AINO MINA
CULTURE | LIKE WANT NEED
LIKE
WANT
NEED
CULTURE
BOOK
TOWARDS A NEW INTERIOR
Lois Weinthal
FURNITURE
BAN STOOLS
Esrawe
These stools created by Mexican
studio, Esrawe, are reminiscent of
furniture used in African cultures - and
in America during pre-Hispanic times as symbols of status, tradition, religion
and identity. They have been developed
from certied, solid walnut, tzalam,
and beech wood, produced through
a process of cutting, assembling and
lathing by craftsmen, and nished with
natural oils.
54
Interior design, as a relatively young

discipline within the academic world of
design, has historically been seen as an
extension of other ne arts. Narratives
exist, but treat interior design as a function
of architecture or display. Professor
Lois Weinthal envisions a future where
interior design is treated as being equal
to architecture and industrial design.
Weinthal is associate professor of interior
design at the School of Architecture at The
University of Texas at Austin. She studied
at the Rhode Island School of Design and
Cranbrook Academy of Art.
LIKE WANT NEED | CULTURE
FURNITURE
LONDON CHAIR
BoConcept
The new London chair from
BoConcept, available in both
upholstered and pure shell versions,
has its roots in the Scandinavian design
style. The core of the London chair is
the seat which is produced in highquality FSC approved wood. Customers
can pick the slim steel legs for a light
minimalistic look or the solid oak for a
more natural Nordic feel.
BATHROOM
FUSION II BY WET
Jan Puylaert
Designed by Jan Puylaert and produced
by WET Italia, Fusion II is a freestanding
LED illuminated sink. Made with 100%
recyclable polyethylene, it can have an
AC5 rim-spout, either with a rim-mixer
or side faucets. A column in dark grey can
be tted with a range of nine colours with
optional RGB LED illumination.
APP
RLB GLOBAL CONSTRUCTION MARKET INTELLIGENCE
Global construction and property
advisor Rider Levett Bucknall launched
its free cost-based app for desktop PCs
and smartphones with insight into
global, regional and local construction
markets without any fees. It includes
global cost comparison, tender price
index data and worldwide construction
market analysis. The rm hopes it
will be useful for architects to check
benchmark costs when making design
decisions. RLBs location specic cost
data helps provide a range of current
expected building costs for specied
building types across the world.
55
LAST WORD | MARIO SENEVIRATNE
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PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE
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EDITORIAL
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Tel: +966 1 2068697 email: rabih.naderi@itp.com
STUDIO
GREEN GURU
THE LAST WORD
Mario Seneviratne, MD of Green Technologies and

founder of the Emirates Green Building Council
Group Art Editor Daniel Prescott

Art Editor Simon Cobon
Senior Designer Christopher Howlett
PHOTOGRAPHY
Chief Photographer Jovana Obradovic
Senior Photographers Isidora Bojovic, Efraim Evidor
Staff Photographers Lester Ali, George Dipin,
Juliet Dunne, Murrindie Frew, Lyubov Galushko,
Verko Ignjatovic, Shruti Jagdeesh, Stanislav Kuzmin,
Mosh Lafuente, Ruel Pableo, Rajesh Raghav
PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION
Group Production & Distribution Director Kyle Smith
Deputy Production Manager Matthew Grant
Production Coordinator Nelly Pereira
Distribution Manager Karima Ashwell
Distribution Executive Nada Al Alami
CIRCULATION
Head of Database & Circulation Gaurav Gulati
MARKETING
In 2008 we saw a decline in construction, and hence a decline in the number

of green buildings.
Now we are seeing a steady increase in the green building movement, with a number
of quality projects. There are now 44 LEED certied schemes in the UAE.
Head of Marketing Daniel Fewtrell

Marketing Manager Michelle Meyrick
ITP DIGITAL
Director Peter Conmy
Internet Applications Manager Mohammed Affan
Web Designer Meghna Rao
ITP GROUP
In Dubai, most of the commercial interior t-outs are going LEED.
Weve also seen that many new constructions are going LEED.
I think a higher percentage of buildings are going LEED than before.
LEED is a performance based rating system - it adds value to the building, and as a
result you can see that it improves. Green buildings are truly better buildings.
Chairman Andrew Neil

Managing Director Robert Serafin
Finance Director Toby Jay Spencer-Davies
Board of Directors K M Jamieson, Mike Bayman,
Walid Akawi, Neil Davies, Rob Corder, Mary Serafin
Circulation Customer Service Tel: +971 4 444 3000
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or visit www.itpimages.com
Printed by Emirates Printing Press L.L.C. Dubai
Subscribe online at www.itp.com/subscriptions
Previously people didnt care as the revenue was so high in the boom years.
Now the revenue has reduced so many are looking to build green.
Its important to have done the LEED work in the concept design stage.
If you construct a building and then try to make it green then it will cost lots thats
why people think green buildings are more costly.
Audited by: BPA Worldwide

Average Qualified Circulation: 5,153
(January - June 2011)
Cover image SOM | Hedrich Blessing Nick Merrick
The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions
contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views
contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers.
Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information
contained in this publication which is provided for general use and may not
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The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication
or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the
publishers in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts used
Its almost impossible to do a Platinum-rated hotel as its very complicated.
Offices are easier, and can be achieved with a little bit of effort.
The latest way of teaching is through case studies.
This is the way that LEED will be taught for years to come.
56
Published by and 2011 ITP Business

Publishing, a division of the ITP
Publishing Group Ltd. Registered in the
B.V.I. under Company number 1402846.

Architect Dec 11 Volume 5

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DECEMBER 2011 / VOLUME 5 / ISSUE 12

An ITP Business Publication

Adrian Smith delivers keynote

Leigh & Oranges impressive

dwps new design director on

DECEMBER 2011 VOLUME 5 ISSUE 12

Top stories in the world

THE BIG PICTURE

Capturing the spectacular

A detailed reference section

THE LAST WORD

www.designmena.com | 12.11 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT

KINGDOM TOWER GEARS

Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill, the architecture rm behind the Kingdom

The exact height

could be delayed until

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 12.11 | www.designmena.com

Everything is proceeding as though its going to

The London office of HOK has

The mall is located in the Lusail scheme.

and land meet. Five interconnected

Austin Smith Lord to close

opens Abu Dhabi Art 2011

WEIRD PROJECT OF THE MONTH

Studio 505 has designed a series of cultural

The closure leads to 13 redundancies.

www.designmena.com | 12.11 | MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT

New MENA regional

Qasim Mansoor joins dwps UAE office.

dwp appoints general

We want to deliver the

Steven Miller has joined international

Are you working on any

So not all super-tall towers

With developments such as

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 12.11 | www.designmena.com

Dubai Metro is a modern

The future of individual architecture

UAE Sales Ofce:

MENA PROJECT SNAPSHOT

Foundation stone laid

High speed rail link

Marina tower surpasses

The foundation stone of the worlds

A consortium of Spanish and

Tameer Holdings Elite Residence

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 12.11 | www.designmena.com

GLOBAL PROJECT SNAPSHOT

Aedas completes green

Landmark museum for

Broadway Malyan, the architecture

Aedas has delivered a 28-storey

A striking museum has been completed in the city of Ordos, Inner

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 12.11 | www.designmena.com

THE BIG PICTURE

SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 12.11 | www.designmena.com

Dubai Airport, UAE

Engineer of your creative vision

To decode this ashcode,

Founders Federal Credit Union, US

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Vegas Mall, Ginza, Moscow - Russia

MIDDLE EAST ARCHITECT | 12.11 | www.designmena.com