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
DECEMBER | CONTENTS
FRONT
10
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
56
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
FRONT | DECEMBER
FIFTY FIVE
Number of luxury
apartments in SOMs
Vertical Medina
in Riyadh
(Page 44)
$1.2BN
VALUE OF 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
DATASTREAM
KEO - GLOBAL STAFF NUMBERS
645
979
ABU DHABI
QATAR
416
KUALA
LUMPUR
KUWAIT
101
DUBAI
21
SAUDI ARABIA
JORDAN
BAHRAIN
20
OMAN
AL AIN
FRONT | DECEMBER
PEOPLE
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.
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FRONT | DECEMBER
1
ALGERIA
2
SAUDI ARABIA
3
DUBAI
What keeps us
moving.
The TWIN elevator system at ThyssenKrupps
headquarters building Dreischeibenhaus in Dusseldorf
(Germany):2 cabs, 1 shaft, 0 crowds. | Accept no Limits.
FRONT | DECEMBER
4
UNITED KINGDOM
5
HONG KONG
6
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FRONT | DECEMBER
10
Case Study
Vegas Mall - Ginza
Location
Philips Lighting
Background
Developed by the Crocus Group, the Vegas super mall covers a total area
of 386.000 square metres, making it one of the largest retail sites in the
world. Its also the rst and only themed shopping mall in Russia. The mall
includes an amusement park, an 18-meter observation wheel, a tower
drop ride and an ice rink. But the real centrepiece of the development is
the recreation of Tokyos famous Ginza shopping street; a unique lighting
challenge that demanded the most breathtaking of solutions.
The Challenge
The Crocus Group wanted to recreate the pulsating, vibrant atmosphere
of one of the busiest districts in Tokyo and embed it harmoniously into
the rest of the shopping mall. To achieve this vision a lighting solution was
required that would create an exciting, dynamic ambience with changing
colours and light effects to enthral shoppers. At the same time it also had
to highlight the distinctive features and materials in each of the 32 separate
facades along the 130 metre street whilst maintaining the sense of a unied,
cohesive space.
The Solution
The ambitious concept was brought to life using a range of LED lighting
solutions that were embedded into a variety of surfaces from acrylic beams
and glass shutters to wood and metal panels. An array of dynamic lighting
12
patterns and colour grazing effects enhance the experience even further,
continuously changing on each surface to create different moods and
ambiences as shoppers move along the street. And to complete the illusion,
a myriad of sparkling LED lights twinkle like a starry night sky to recreate
Tokyos outdoor shopping experience indoors.
Benets
Philips LED lighting solutions were the perfect choice to create the malls
extraordinary lighting experience. Their structural exibility and small size
made a seemingly impossible challenge a reality. Not only is the lighting
scheme strikingly beautiful, thanks to the energy efficiency of LED it is also
economical when it comes to operating costs. The lighting solution now
gives a dazzling performance that entertains and amazes shoppers, bringing
a taste of Tokyo to one of the most signicant retail developments in Russia.
A concept that has transformed the shopping mall into an exciting visitor
attraction that arouses curiosity and encourages people to stay as long as
possible.
13
TIME FOR
ACTION
ANALYSIS
14
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.
The Green
Build Congress
offered new
thoughts on
an oft-debated
subject.
15
GOLDEN TICKET
EDITORS LETTER
GOT A
COMMENT?
If you have any
comments to
make on this
months issue,
please e-mail
oliver.
ephgrave
@itp.com
16
NATURAL ORDER
OPINION
Georgina
Chakar is an
Australian
architect and a
Master of Urban
Planning. She
works in Abu
Dhabi.
18
Cultural center - Nouma (New Caledonia - Pacific Ocean) Architect : Renzo Piano
Documentation
on request
MATHIS Middle East - PO Box 25775 - Duba - U.A.E Mobile : +971 50 673 50645 / +33 6 65 37 96 29 E-mail : a.dolleans@mathis.eu
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
20
21
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
www.nahar.ae
PORTFOLIO:
Fariborz Hatam
scheme was said to come from the heart. Hatam took a three-
23
24
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Phone +971 4 3350731, Fax +971 4 3350741, E-Mail dornbrachtME@dornbracht.com, www.dornbracht.com
POWER 25 | FEATURE
KEO
EAS
ATKINS
totalled US$218.5m.
construction is underway.
27
FEATURE | POWER 25
AEB
AED108.7m (US$29.6m).
DEWAN
Khobar, KSA.
MZ ARCHITECTS
comprising 70 architects.
The practices most famous
design is undoubtedly the
Headquartered in Lebanon, MZ
developments.
of a structural diagrid, a
diagonal grid of steel.
Another key scheme
for the company is
Eko Atlantic City in
Lagos, Nigeria, in which
28
FEATURE | POWER 25
RMJM
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
and Muscat.
recent years.
Nevertheless, the rm
in planning, engineering,
architecture, surveying,
environmental sciences,
project management
RW ARMSTRONG
In addition to architecture,
the rm offers planning,
design, interiors, programme
management, project
management.
30
construction challenges.
POWER 25 | FEATURE
WOODS BAGOT
120 STAFF IN THE GCC
WITH 100 ARCHITECTS
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
With a total of
Gulf region,
dwp employs 59
professionals in its
in Bahrain.
Headquarters.
Saudi Arabia.
11
13
12
building in Dubai.
established in 2005.
31
FEATURE | POWER 25
GAJ
14
landscape.
HOK
16
AEDAS
Abu Dhabi.
32
15
It is also working on
estimated at US$20m.
totalled US$10m.
FEATURE | POWER 25
DSA
17
BSBG
18
under construction in
P&T
19
in September 2004.
begun construction.
34
POWER 25 | FEATURE
BROADWAY MALYAN
48 STAFF IN THE GCC
WITH 28 ARCHITECTS
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
runner up for
the Boutique
rm of the
Awards, Drawlink
21
The rm subsequently
opened offices in KSA and Oman,
of 45 with 12 architects.
followed in 2007.
23
located in Dubai.
architects.
22
a commercial scheme in
Zayed Road.
35
FEATURE | POWER 25
X-ARCHITECTS
30 STAFF IN THE GCC
WITH 16 ARCHITECTS
25
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
an under-construction
24
capital city.
36
residential scheme in
INSTITUTE OF DIPLOMATIC
VERTICAL STUDIES
MADINA | CASE STUDY
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
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
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
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%
Architect:
GHD Global Pty
Ltd
Location:
Lusail, Qatar
63
LIKE
WANT
NEED
THE WORK
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
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
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
800,000M2
41
THE SITE
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.
42
INSTITUTE OF DIPLOMATIC
VERTICALSTUDIES
MEDINA | CASE STUDY
44
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
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
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
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.
Partitions
Accessories
Lockers
46
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