The Big Project Middle East

��

�� MARKETS

The big projects enticing you to to do business in Bahrain

INTERVIEWDamac's general manager on delays, delivery and diversity

ANALYSISThe dangers of substandard formwork, as told by five experts

Tenders, diary, jobs and more...

The UAE leads the way in MEA hotel developments, but where is the demand?

AUGUST 2010

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4 EDITOR’S LETTER

6 NEWS BULLETIN Stay in the loop with our pick of the region’s top stories of the month.

9 REPORT: SUSTAINABILITY A 'green' property market is feasible within two to three years, a survey conducted by Landmark Advisory has revealed.

12 OPINION: PROJECT RISKSCMCS CEO Bassam Samman says investing in management skills is key to reducing the number of project failures.

15 EVENT INSIDER: ABU DHABI Six industry experts addressed challenges in developing the capital's infrastructure, during an event hosted by The Big Project in conjunction with ADCB, last month.

18 TALK: DAMAC PROPERTIESDamac Properties general manager Ziad El Chaar addresses delays, the delivery of the developer's existing projects and its diversification into new markets.

22 COVER STORY: HOTELS The UAE's active hotel developments make up 50% of MEA's pipeline, but is that where the investors and guests are? The Big Project investigates.

28 MARKET EXPLORER: BAHRAIN Five large-scale construction projects that are enticing more developers and contractors to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

AUGUST 2010CONTENTS

22

1830 SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHTNews, appointments and product launches from Middle East construction suppliers.

34 BUILDING MATERIALS: CORKAs the Portuguese Cork Association looks to expand in the region, we look at why the material is gaining popularity for construction.

37 SUPPLIER HOT SEAT Dubai-based Resolco Insulation's regional sales manager reveals the latest product trends and calls for more regulations.

38 FIRST-CLASS FORMWORK Five experts on formwork uncover the dangers of implementing inadequate systems and share their recommendations for solutions to fit all construction projects.

42 TENDERSA building-progress update on the Dubai Industrial City development, as well as this month's tender listings.

51 JOBSA selection of the region's latest construction and architecture vacancies.

53 DIARYYour guide to the must-go industry events and exhibitions taking place in the Middle East region and beyond.

54 TEA BREAKWe asked building buffs from around the world: Can you design and build a 'green' hotel without compromising on luxury?

38

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August 2010 THE BIG PROJECT 3

EDITOR’S LETTER

PublisherDominic De Sousa

Chief operations officerNadeem Hood

Chief marketing officerKimon [email protected]: +971 (0)50 748 7963

Events and marketing managerDeep [email protected]: +971-50-858590

Sales directorLiam [email protected]: +971 (0)55 310 9256

Group advertising managerAlex [email protected]: +971 (0)50 458 9204

EditorLouise [email protected]: +971 (0)56 605 8091

DesignerMarlou Delaben

PhotographerAbdul Kader

WebmastersTroy MaagmaElizabeth ReyesJerus King Bation

Printed byPrintwell Printing Press LLC

Published by

Head OfficePO Box 13700 Dubai, UAEWeb: www.thebigprojectme.com

© Copyright 2010 CPI.All rights reserved.While the publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information in this magazine, they will not be held responsible for any errors therein.

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[email protected]

What is the difference between a gaping hole left unfilled and unguarded by workers conducting utilities repairs in a public walkway

in England and a similar hole in the UAE?Not much unless you fall down it. In England,

you'll probably break your ankle and make a tidy sum through a personal injury claim. In the UAE,you'll probably break your ankle.

You see where I'm from (England if you didn't guess), injured individuals share tales of woe, that have happy endings, with millions of televisionviewers every day.

One middle-aged lady, Patricia, tells us she sprained a toe after tripping over a neglected hard hat in the street.

Young Norman suffered mild concussion having walked under a 15-storey-high scaffolding just as the construction worker above dropped his stale cheese sandwich.

But even the unluckiest folk — like Patricia and Norman in the law-firmadverts — can have a stroke of luck. This usually begins with a chancemeeting with the attorney who happens to be chasing their ambulance shouting "no win, no fee"; leading to a legal case and generally ending withcompensation — which eases the pain, a little.

As such, you could say that personal injury claims have become a way of life in England. And the result; most companies — contractors and facilities managers in particular — live in fear of the financial risks of posing a health and safety risk to the public or their employees.

I'm not saying this level of health and safety is necessarily the right wayto go as it can lead to absurd situations such as the one a librarian friendencountered...Under strict instruction not to use the library ladders untilshe had received a special 'safe ladder-climbing lesson', the librarianfound herself precariously scrambling up a bookcase to reach the top shelf.

But perhaps if the UAE took a small leaf out of the 'personal injury claims book', companies would become more inclined to be health and safety vigilant and less neglectful.

Had I been in England, I'm sure there would have been a warning that the bridge I was walking over last week was only half constructed — ideally before I almost stepped off the edge into the Dubai Marina. And at home, I doubt I would be left to risk life and limb dodging the deep crevices in the public walkways of my apartment building that the offending contractors appear to have forgotten about.

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Don’t miss the region’s construction news headlines with The Big Project’s monthly news roundup...

www.thebigprojectme.com6 THE BIG PROJECT August 2010

Saudi construction

sector expected to

grow 6.4% this yearReal GDP growth of Saudi Arabia's construction sector is

expected to expand 6.4% this year on the back of increased

government investments, following a growth rate of 1.5% and

4.7% in 2008 and 2009 respectively, National Commercial Bank

(NCB) said in a special report last month.

The sector's share in the kingdom's non-oil GDP fell

marginally in 2008, but it is forecast to reach an all-time high of

10.41% by the end of this year, the report said.

Bank lending to the Saudi construction sector rose 7.8% in

the first quarter of this year, a clear sign that confidence in the

sector is returning, reported Gulf News Daily.

Lending to the sector had dried up as banks felt overexposed

after five years of heavy lending. Bank credit to the sector fell

by 17.7% to 44.7 billion riyals ($11.9 billion) in 2009 as the

economic crisis brought with it declines in private investment, a

shrinking of bank credit, and a number of project cancellations.

The kingdom has 687 current projects, 22% of which are in

the execution phase.

According to NCB, contracts awarded in 2010 and 2011 are

forecast to reach $64 billion and $86 billion respectively.

Strabag wins $281m Abu Dhabi port contractThe Government of Abu Dhabi has awarded European construction group Strabag subsidiary Ed. Züblin a $281.5 million contract for the development and construction of buildings at the new Khalifa Port, according to the company.

Ed. Züblin will build 25 buildings for one part of the Khalifa Port in an 86,000m² area. The new port facility located 60km from Abu Dhabi will replace the existing Mina Zayed port by the year 2012, the company said in a statement.

Plans include a five-storey control building, several small administration buildings, a hospital, a fire station, several warehouses and the entire infrastructure.

Strabag said the contract was being carried out by a consortium with a local partner Al Jaber Transport & General Contracting, with Ed. Züblin assuming the role of lead consortium partner.The construction work started this month and the project is due to be completed by August 2012, it added.

The order also includes the development and construction of buildings for one part of the new port which connects the mainland with the container terminal, which is in progress, and has a length of four kilometres.

Strabag CEO Hans Peter Haselsteiner said: “Only recently we won the contract to expand the Takreer Refinery in Abu Dhabi. I see the new project as a further sign that we are gaining a foothold in the region,” reported TradeArabia News Service.

Arabtec gets US $680m La Hoya Bay ProjectUAE-based Arabtec Holding PJSC has signed an accord with Khoie Properties for the construction of the La Hoya Bay Development on Ras Al Khaimah’s Marjan Island.

The total value of the project is estimated at $680 million (AED 2.5 billion) and it will be built in phases over 54 months, Arabtec said in a statement.Construction on the project’s first phase, valued at $245 million (AED 900 million), will start immediately after a financing agreement is signed. The agreement is now in its final stages, reported Bloomberg Business. La Hoya Bay Development, which will be built on 1.5 million ft² of land on the man-made island, is designed to include homes, hotels, offices, retail space, three marinas and a yacht club. The project will have 5.5 million ft² of built up area, Arabtec said.

BREAKING

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www.thebigprojectme.com August 2010 THE BIG PROJECT 7

Building materials stolen 'every day' in emirates

Construction companies and police are pushing to curb building materials theft – a campaign the firms hope will save them the cost of replacing labourers caught trying to supplement their income by selling on the black market, reported The National.

“Materials are a lot cheaper than people,” said Charles Mallice, director of operations and training for the security company Adsecc. “People need to be educated so they don’t steal,” he added.

“The investigations have gone up. The police are looking into reports of theft a lot more seriously now than ever before.”

He said police hoped to send a message to the workers that there are serious consequences to stealing material from construction sites, even though the items themselves might not be worth very much.

Trans Middle East general contracting general manager Abrar Ali Khan said the greater opportunity to steal construction materials stemmed from the disbanding of a committee four years ago that oversaw the disposal of scraps from building sites in the region.

The panel had established designated areas in the city where contractors could dispose of their unused material.

Nowadays, he said, there is a brisk demand for scrap material from collectors who sometimes even bribe or otherwise entice workers to steal.

One of the most commonly-stolen materials is cable, from which the scrap dealers extract the metal, mostly copper.

“Cables mostly make good money,” Khan told The National. “If you leave something lying around today, you won’t find it the next day. It is very common.”

A senior police official said the scope of the crime was minor, however, “considering the massive construction projects going on in the capital”.

Statistics on the number of recent cases of construction theft were unavailable.

Last month, seven men from Sri Lanka and three from Bangladesh appeared before the Abu Dhabi Criminal Court of First Instance in two separate cases, charged with damaging and stealing electrical cables from construction sites.

Their lawyers claimed the cables had been dumped and abandoned, and that their clients simply took what had been thrown away. Prosecutors argued that the men cut and stole the cables to sell them to scrap shops.

Two construction companies brought the legal case. The Sri Lankans initially denied the charges, but changed their pleas to guilty. The Bangladeshis all pleaded not guilty. The court will issue verdicts next month.

Aldar posts loss as slow sales bite marketAbu Dhabi’s biggest property developer, Aldar, posted a

$214.9 million loss for the first half of this year as slow

property sales continued to blight the market. Aldar Properties chairman Ahmed al Sayegh said that

“with the ongoing impact of the difficult global economic

situation, this has been a very challenging first half of the

year for the entire sector”.The result is a sign of issues “catching up” with Abu

Dhabi developers since the onset of the financial crisis at

the end of 2008, analysts say. Sorouh, the capital’s second-largest developer by market

value, reported a 79% decline in second-quarter profit last

month as land sales dried up, reported The National.Property prices in Abu Dhabi have fallen 30% from their

peak in the middle of 2008, according to figures published

by the consultancy Jones Lang LaSalle in February, while

demand is still low despite a housing shortage in the capital.

Deutsche Bank predicts prices could fall a further 10%

by the end of the year as demand remains sluggish.Based on calculations from Aldar’s half-yearly results

and a AED 314.2m loss in the first quarter, the company’s

losses in the second quarter reached AED 475.3m, more

than double the amount forecasted by analysts.


A survey conducted by Landmark

Advisory in conjunction

with Cityscape Intelligence

indicated a willingness from

the development and investment

communities to implement green

building into business models.

The survey was the first of its kind

conducted by the UAE-based real estate

consultancy: “Through initiatives such

as Estidama and Masdar City, it is clear

a quarter of respondents indicated that

this would only be viable in two-to-three

years’ time. While 20% thought it was

already feasible.

Response to regulationFurthermore, the survey assessed

the need for regulation to improve

sustainability in the UAE property

market. While regulation was perceived

as having a positive impact on the

implementation of green building, there

was a moderate sentiment towards its

implementation in the sector, with

many respondents remaining 'neutral'.

Overall, the survey findings

highlighted that the vast majority of

those interviewed have a grasp on the

concept of green buildings.

Approximately 96% of respondents

reported an understanding of what a

green building is.

“Of course, this does not test

actual understanding, but rather self

assessment of knowledge, which is

subjective,” said Downs.

“While this is a very basic question

to ask, it is one potential indication of

awareness of sustainability in the real

estate market. Fostering awareness

through education is the critical first

step in building a sustainable property

market,” she concluded TBP

Landmark Advisory has released the findings of its first sustainable building survey, which indicates that a ‘green’ property market is viable in the UAE within two to three years

Green building survey results

CONSTRUCTION SURVEY NEWS REPORT

that considerable progress is

being made in sustainable real

estate, particularly in Abu Dhabi.

However, we felt it was important

to understand the perspective of

various industry stakeholders, and

their awareness of the various issues

surrounding green buildings, as well as

their opinions regarding the potential

demand drivers for green real estate in

the UAE,” said director of research and

advisory Jesse Downs.

When asked if developers are now

willing to build green buildings, 66% of

respondents, which included developers,

investors, property managers and

analysts, responded positively.

In addition, 60% said investors

would now be willing to invest in green

buildings. The top three attributes

associated with green building were

‘environmentally friendly’ (83%), ‘lower

utility bills’ (54%) and ‘better design’

(34%). However, when asked about the

feasibility for developers to build and

lease or sell green buildings in the UAE,

Estimating, Planning, Valuations Cash flow, Forecasting, Earned

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conducted by Collaboration,

Management and Control Solutions

(CMCS), the leading causes of project

failure in the Middle East region are

poor project planning and methodology,

unrealistic target completion dates

and a lack of communication. The

results of the survey show the region’s

alarming underinvestment in project

management competencies across

different project-based sectors.

The survey, which was conducted

among members of the region’s

construction and development

segment, reveals improper planning

and poor methodology (78%) as the

top reason for today’s failed projects.

This was followed by a lack of proper

communication at 75% and the setting

of unrealistic target completion dates

at 67%.

Other factors identified in the

survey were the lack of commitment

and involvement from senior

management (59%) inadequate

budget and resources (56%), too many

assumptions and unknowns (51%),

project politics and conflicts (38%),

a lack of set targets and measurable

results (45%), and the presence of

unqualified project delivery teams on

site (27%).

Improving project management skills is key to minimising project failures, according to Collaboration, Management and Control Solutions (CMCS) CEO and founder Bassam Samman

Quick fix

OPINION CMCS

CMCS CEO and founder Bassam Samman.

Amid the positive economic

forecasts that the Middle East

region is slowly rebounding

from the impact of the global

financial downturn, one factor that

seems to be pulling the region back

from full recovery is the presence of

development projects that have either

stopped, exceeded their original budgets

or that have missed their scheduled date

of completion.

These failed projects translate to

billions of dollars wasted every year

— leaving investors grappling with

huge financial losses and the missed

opportunity of putting the funds into

other investment initiatives.

According to a recent survey

“THE LEADING CAUSES OF PROJECT FAILURE IN THE REGION ARE POOR PROJECT PLANNING, UNREALISTIC TARGETS AND BAD COMMUNICATION”

Unqualified project-delivery teams and poor communication between construction workers are two main reasons for project failures.


and the inability to properly control

the project team, insufficient risk

analysis, lack of planning tools and

weak IT infrastructure, slow decision

making, lack of alignment with the

organisation’s strategic goals, delays

in engineering and procurement, the

wrong choice of contractors, design

changes, and economic instability. TBP

Learning from error The global financial downturn has

helped us to see the inadequacies and

flaws in the way the region manages

its projects. We should have learnt our

lesson through the discovery of these

errors and sought out solutions to help

deal with them.

Despite economic experts predicting

the slow-but-sure path to recovery of

the construction sector, we still find

ourselves committing the same mistakes

that ultimately result in project failure

— poor planning and execution, flaws in

communication and setting unreachable

target deadlines. Not only do these

failed projects hinder our move towards

recovery but they also set a big blow in

terms of huge investment losses.

The solution lies in the

implementation of a strategy that sets

out to expand and enhance project

management competencies. Adopting

benchmark project management

innovations and practices can bolster

the success rates of current development

projects in the Middle East.

Formal education in project

management is the key, and the region

seems to be catching up on this.

Today, countries like the UAE and KSA

have expressed a growing interest in

managing project risk. Investing in a

sound project management system and

utilising it as part of a company’s daily

operations translates to positive results.

Other catalysts for failure noted

in the survey were lack of motivation

“ADOPTING BENCHMARK PROJECT MANAGEMENT INNOVATIONS AND PRACTICES CAN BOLSTER THE SUCCESS RATES OF DEVELOPMENTS”

CMCS OPINION

UAE-based CMCS provides project portfolio management solutions across the engineering and construction sector, among others. The company has 17 offices spread across the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe.

Other major causes of project failure in the region

Top three causes of project failure in the region

� Percentage of respondents

� Percentage of respondents

Insufficient budgets and resources

Lack of commitment from managers

Too many assumptions and unknowns

lack of set targets or measurables

Project politics and conflicts

Formation of the wrong project team

Improper planning and methodology

Lack of communication

Unrealistic target completion dates

Contractors and developers continue to make the same old construction mistakes that lead to project delays according to Samman.


The agenda Guests were welcomed by ADCB senior

vice president and head of SME banking

Nilanjan Ray, before Deloitte UAE audit

partner and construction leader Cynthia

Corby took to the stage.

Corby’s portfolio of clients includes

major construction companies audited

in the UAE, such as Amana Group,

Murray & Roberts, Wade Adams Group,

Khansaheb, TAV and Hasties, among

others. She is also the advisory partner

for Arabtec and Multiplex.

Based on her discussions with clients

and industry experience, Corby offered

an insightful overview of infrastructure

developments in Abu Dhabi, raising

some of the key industry issues and

points of discussion.

The debateThe Abu Dhabi Government is

spending more than any GCC city

on infrastructure projects, according

to Business Monitor International.

Investments are expected to exceed $15

billion between 2009 and 2012.

Three main issues were addressed

during the seminar; the tender

process and delivery of infrastructure

developments in Abu Dhabi, how to

fund infrastructure projects and the

effects of increased competition in the

market. The panellists agreed that Abu

Dhabi infrastructure developments

ABU DHABI EVENT INSIDER

Last month, The Big Project in conjunction with Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) brought together six experts to discuss challenges in developing Abu Dhabi’s infrastructure

Investing in infrastructure

As Abu Dhabi rapidly expands

over the next 20 years in

line with Plan Abu Dhabi

2030, the development of its

infrastructure will require particularly-

careful attention.

The capital’s already overstretched

infrastructure is inadequate to meet

forecast demand.

Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 acknowledges

that advanced, reliable infrastructures

are fundamental to fostering rapid

economic development and new

supply options must be determined,

designed, funded and constructed in the

expanding capital urgently.

In the first instalment of the ADCB

presents SME Connect Series, which

took place on July 12 at the Beach

Rotana Abu Dhabi, six industry experts

came together to together to discuss

and debate supply and demand,

best practice and opportunities

involved in the sustainable expansion

and diversification of Abu Dhabi’s

infrastructure (see The line up on the

next page).

The interactive conference was

attended by more than 50 developers

and contractors from across the

emirates, as well as members of Abu

Dhabi Municipality.

The Big Project brings you some of the

highlights from the evening:

"INVESTMENTS IN ABU DHABI INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENTS ARE EXPECTED TO EXCEED US $15 BILLION BETWEEN 2009 AND 2012"

L-R: Michael Barron, Tim Burbury, Mark Scorer, Karl Hamer, Chase Pense and Howard Gaunt at the event, which took place on July 12.

Repackaging projects could speed up delivery and reduce risk.


are extremely important to the construction sector moving

forward. But, with a long list of contractors bidding for

projects, contractors’ margins had been negatively impacted.

It was suggested that projects could be smartly repackaged to

allow for smaller jobs to be taken up by smaller contractors,

as many opportunities are snapped up by the larger

companies. It was also suggested that this could limit risk.

However, a greater issue of concern was that the number of

projects being awarded in the capital was still relatively low.

The panellists discussed the feasibility of alternative

models designed to speed up the tender process and delivery

of projects in the capital, which they said were typically long

and drawn out.

While funding of projects remains challenging, it was

proposed that public-private partnerships could stimulate the

level of active infrastructure projects in the UAE, however,

questions were raised over the effectiveness of this solution in

the short term. TBP

Construction of Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Bridge. The bridge is 842m long with a main span of 140m.

A shot of the Abu Dhabi sewage treatment development constructed by contractor Six Construct.

THE LINE UP

EVENT INSIDER ABU DHABI

Michael Barron, divisional manager of transport & planning Middle East for Mott MacDonald

In 2006, Barron moved to the UAE to head up Mott

MacDonald’s Middle East transport division. Since, he

has led a team providing technical advice on the Palm

Jumeirah Monorail and was heavily involved in the transit

safeguarding undertaken as part of Abu Dhabi’s Surface

Transport Master Plan. Barron has more than 20 years’

industry experience.

Chase Pense, operations director, Al Fara’a Group Pense joined Al Fara’a Group in Abu Dhabi in June last

year, having previously held the role of project leader

at Aldar Laing O’Rourke. He is currently in charge of

strategic joint ventures and has aligned with several

leading international companies. Through such joint

ventures, he is responsible for actively pursuing and

executing large, complex projects within healthcare,

education and infrastructure sectors.

Tim Burbury, construction and major projects counsel, King & SpaldingBurbury advises master developers, government-owned

entities, utilities and infrastructure funds on their

involvement in energy projects, PPPs and mixed-use

master developments throughout the Middle East, Asia and

Australia. Most recently, Burbury has been advising TDIC,

ADNEC, Mubadala Development Company and Mubadala

Infrastructure Partners on a number of infrastructure

projects in the region.

Mark Scorer, GM, Al Habtoor Leighton GroupCivil engineer Mark Scorer has more than 32 years’

experience in the construction industry, most of which has

involved working on infrastructure projects worldwide.

He has performed major roles in project development,

execution and management. He joined Leighton Group in

1979 and is currently based in Abu Dhabi.

Karl Hamer, director of sales, Al Habtoor Motors Hamer has clocked up more than 33 years in the

automotives industry and joined Al Habtoor Motors in

2008. Hamer is well placed to comment on trends in

construction project demand for vehicles.

Howard Gaunt, corporate and commercial banking head, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB)Gaunt is responsible for the strategic development and

end-to-end management of commercial and corporate

business. He has integrated the customer coverage and

analytics units allowing for industry and customer

segmentation, and single banker customer coverage. He

has more than 25 years’ experience in the sector.


TALK DAMAC PROPERTIES

Revisiting old markets Only time will tell how Damac’s future

Iraq plans will pan out, however, the

group recently announced that it will

revisit Lebanon.

Last month, the company publicised

plans to build Damac Tower in the

downtown area of Beirut. Damac first

announced a project in Lebanon in

2006, but the developmemt was put on

hold due to political disruptions in the

country at the time.

“The time is right for us to re-enter

Lebanon. The market has settled very

It seems that Damac Properties

is undeterred by the recent

cancellation of its US $14.97 billion

Tarin Hills project planned for

the Kurdistan area of Iraq, instead the

developer is following an “aggressive”

strategy to deliver its current MENA

projects, general manager Ziad El Chaar

tells The Big Project. The first phase of Tarin Hills was

announced two years ago, but last

month the licence for the project was

cancelled by the Kurdistan regional

government investment board because

construction did not commence

according to schedule.

“The credit crunch unfortunately

started at the same time as we

announced the project. The Iraq market

is very important to us but in the short

term we’re focused on completing the

projects we have already launched and

which we have customers for,” explains

El Chaar.

But the group hasn’t given up

on Iraq, he suggests that there are

opportunities in the retail sector of the

war-torn country and the developer

hopes to reannounce the project soon

having readdressed some of the key

design and function elements.

“When the Iraq market is ready for

projects to be introduced into it we will

do so,” adds El Chaar.

nicely and it’s one we have always had

an interest in. It is not new territory for

Damac, this is a comeback,” explained

El Chaar, when asked why the group

has chosen to launch a new project at a

time when its main focus is to complete

existing developments.

Enabling works have commenced

on the high-rise residential building,

which is expected to be completed

in 2013. These works are expected to

be completed within seven to eight

months, after which time the main

contract will be awarded.

Damac Properties GM Ziad El Chaar comments on the cancellation of Tarin Hills in Iraq, delivery of the group's ongoing projects and why it is time to revisit Lebanon

Delivery before

diversity

The main contract for Damac's Abu Dhabi mixed-use development Oceanscape was awarded to Al Shafar General Contracting in June.

“WE AWARDED 20 PROJECTS LAST MONTH WORTH APPROXIMATELY AED 3.6 BILLION. OUR FOCUS IS ON COMPLETING THESE DEVELOPMENTS”

El Chaar: We will re-enter Iraq when the market is ready.


The developer has teamed up with

Italian fashion designer Versace for the

interior design elements of the project.

Award after award Meanwhile in the UAE, El Chaar

confirms that the company’s ambitious

intention of delivering almost 4000

units in Dubai by the first quarter of

2011, making up a third of the 12,000

units it expects to complete within

the GCC over the next three years, is

on track. “We awarded 20 projects last

month worth approximately AED 3.6

billion. Our focus is on completing

those developments,” says El Chaar.

Among those awarded was the

main construction contract for the

600-apartment residential project

Damac Heights, located in Dubai

marina. Arabtec won the AED 500

million ($136 million )tender.

Damac Heights is within walking

distance of another of the company’s

flagship properties; Ocean Heights,

which is also being constructed by

Arabtec. Work on Ocean Heights is due

to be completed this year.

The awarding of the Damac Heights

contract marked the third major

contract announced this year following

on from awards for its Lakeside

development at Dubai’s International

Media Production Zone and The Corner

at Dubai Business Bay, worth around

AED 484 million ($132 million).

El Chaar says there are more contract

awards still to come this summer.

“The full focus is on awarding

contracts and working with contractors

to build and construct the products that

we already have in the market to the

highest quality.”

Cementing relationships He acknowledges an industry shift to

a ‘developers’ market’ as construction

projects wane and competition rises

among contractors. However, he says

this has not affected the company’s

choice of contractor.

“Developers that are the size of

Damac are in the game for the long-

term, not just for the market peak.

So we like to build relationships with

contractors over a long period of time,

regardless of whether it’s a developers’

or contractors’ market.

“We have used a lot of contractors

in the past, such as Arabtec and Drake

and Scull for example, we build

relationships with these contractors.”

But – luckily for other contractors

in the market – this doesn’t rule out

competition, according to El Chaar.

“You have to look at the project

size, the complexity and the key

requirements. We don’t just look at

the contractors we know we’d like to

work with, we investigate who’s really

qualified to take on the project taking

into account these specifications.”

DAMAC PROPERTIES TALK

“SUSTAINABILITY IS SOMETHING THAT IS IN ITS INFANCY IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD, BUT IT’S SOMETHING ALL DEVELOPERS ARE LOOKING AT”

The 310m-tall Ocean Heights is to be completed this year.

Al-Jawhara Tower is a 178m-tall, 49-floor residential project currently being developed by Damac Properties in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.


� Damac Properties, part

of Damac Holdings was

established in 2002 in Dubai,

as a private residential,

leisure and commercial

developer. It has since

expanded into North Africa,

Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and

Saudi Arabia.

� The company has delivered

more than 3500 units into the

Dubai market with projects

at IMPZ (The Crescent),

TECOM (Executive Heights),

JLT (Lake View and Lake

Terrace) and the Marina (The

Waves and Marina Terrace).

Damac is expected to hand

over approximately 3971

additional units by the end of

2010 / start of 2011.

� The company manages all

aspects of a project from land

acquisition, appointment

of architects and designers,

construction and sales to

after-sales service.

DAMAC FACTSContractors can also boost their bid by

highlighting their green credentials and

experience, El Chaar reveals.

The company has a LEED coordinator

on board to ensure projects comply with

key sustainability guidelines and drive

green initiatives within the company.

There are a lot of green components

and requirements within the tender

documents, says El Chaar, and

contractors that can demonstrate that

they can meet these are at an advantage.

“Sustainability is something that is in

its infancy in this part of the world, but

all developers want to make buildings

more energy efficient.”

Time for efficiency In fact, efficiency is top priority for Damac

in all aspects of its projects, reveals El

Chaar, explaining that the efficiency of

project construction, delivery and the end

product is more important than ever within

a competitive market; especially if the

company is going to meet the ambitious

completion goals it has set.

And that is not the only lesson to come

out of the past financially-challenging

18 months: “The most important

lesson learned is that you need to keep

communication with customers, clients

and investors, even at a time of crisis; there

must not be a communication breakdown.”

Armed with its experience of a volatile

market, the company has high hopes for

further expansion in due course.

“Diversification is key to any

business,” concludes El Chaar. TBP

Structural works on Damac's Park Towers development at Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) are completed and the project is on schedule to be completed this year, according to the developer.

Arabtec is constructing Damac Heights in Dubai Marina.


are not being issued. There is no space.

So the hotel development focus in

the capital is moving to the beach-

lined outskirts, which poses increased

competition to Dubai's leisure market,”

asserts Dubai-based City Seasons Group

managing director Thomas Tapken.

Hotel developer and operator, Layia

Hospitality set up in Dubai three years

ago and opened its first hotel in the

emirate at the start of the financial

crisis, but today, its Dubai hotels

continue to achieve an occupancy level

of 80%, according to CEO Daniel Hajjar.

“Obviously the room rates have been

affected, but previously the rates were

over the top; so it’s been an acceptable

adjustment. I don’t think we’ll have

challenges with rates any more, the

situation has stabilised,” he says.

hotel design and construction, but

now we are involved in and seeing very

interesting projects emerging in Abu

Dhabi, Doha, Beirut and other places,”

says PLP Architecture partner partner

Lee Polisano.

But that is not to say there will not

be a demand for the thousands of hotel

rooms upcoming in Dubai.

“For leisure tourists, Dubai will

always be the destination. Business

travellers will continue to be attracted

to Abu Dhabi. However, licences for

city hotels in the centre of Abu Dhabi

It may come as a surprise that

many of the UAE’s hotel projects

continue to forge ahead in spite

of widespread development delays

and cancellations more often making

the headlines.

Out of 455 hotels in the Middle East

and Africa active development pipeline,

the UAE accounts for almost 50%. That’s

54,814 rooms out of the 126,310 being

developed in the region. Dubai is the

largest market, with 32,224 upcoming

rooms and the highest number active in

the construction phase (16,768).

Since the hotel construction boom

of 2006, Dubai has made the headlines

for the launch of many iconic high-end

hotels, but when the global economic

downturn struck in late 2008, the

emirate took a major blow as occupancy

plunged and rates were slashed by up

to 50%. Many investors and developers

turned their attention to Abu Dhabi,

which had always appeared to take a

more sustainable approach to hotel

development, having announced long-

term development plans surrounding

tourism and infrastructure.

In fact, reluctant to keep all of

their eggs in one basket, many Dubai

developers have expanded into new or

emerging markets with the launch of

hotel projects.

“Dubai could have once been

considered as the market leader in

There are 455 hotels in the Middle East and Africa development pipeline comprising 126,310 rooms. As the UAE accounts for 50% of these, The Big Project explores the potential of the emirates to attract enough investors and guests to balance supply and demand

Hotels in thepipeline

Dubai-based Layia Hospitality CEO Daniel Hajjar.


In fact, Hajjar suggests that the lower

rates have encouraged guests — business

customers especially — to return to the

UAE two or three times. Consequently,

the drop in rates has been somewhat

offset by the number of return guests in

search of a bargain, he says.

But if the success of the Dubai

tourism market is dependent on an

influx of budget travellers, what

does the future hold for the emirate's

numerous luxury five-star properties?

Luxury versus budget PLP Architecture designed the five-

star Four Seasons Hotel at Abu Dhabi

Sowwah Island, which is currently

being developed. Polisano says: “There

is a continued desire for luxury

and increased levels of services. We

also see an increase in combining

residential accommodation with hotel

accommodation; offering residents a

special level of hospitality service that is

usually only available to hotel guests.”

“There will always be a market for

five-star luxury,” adds Hajjar, adding

that, however, there is a trend towards

the budget hotels, which are becoming

“acceptable” in this part of the world City Seasons Group MD Thomas Tapken.

“THE ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT INFLUENCES HOTELS' FACADE DESIGN AND STRUCTURE”


and therefore challenging

the profitability of the high-

end market.

“Previously, three-

star properties had a bad

reputation for service

and products, but the

introduction of ‘branded’

budget hotels, such as the

Premier Inn and the Holiday

Express, has changed this.

“The introduction of

low-cost airlines, including

FlyDubai, has also helped this

market to mature. And of

course, people are counting

their money — so budget

holidays are increasingly

attractive,” he adds.

Tapken adds: “Dubai will

be a budget destination for

the coming year, on the other

hand, the only properties on

the beach are rated five-star

and the only hotels doing

well are the five-star hotels.

However, the company is

currently developing its first

budget, three-star property,

the City Seasons Park Hotel,

in Abu Dhabi.

Standing outWhatever the scale of the

hotel, it is important to have

a tangible niche.

Hajjar has been in the

hotel development industry

in the Middle East for

around 23 years; witnessing

firsthand the good and the

bad days. He has seen a

switch in the popularity of

hotel developments among

investors towards a trend

for residential buildings due

to a perceived higher and

more immediate return on

investment. However, he

says that investors are once

again leaning towards hotel

projects as a secure long-

term investment.

“People are realising

you need to have hotels

to develop countries.

Oversupply is not good, but

when you see the number

of planes Emirates Airline is

buying, and the investments

in airports in Dubai, it tells

you that it is safe to invest in

Dubai properties.”

But you have to have the

right product, he warns, not

every development will be

a sell out — you need to go

back to reality.

But what is the right

product for the seemingly

saturated Dubai hotel

market? Hajjar says investors

and developers should stay

away from five-star hotels —

“there are already too many

of these in Dubai”.

Layia Hospitality is

focused on developing

business hotels of either

a “very-good three-star

standard” or an “excellent

four-star” classification,

according to Hajjar.

Tapken adds that the city-

based business hotel sector is

a high performer at present.

The 232-key Layia Plaza

hotel in Dubai is expected

to open in September or

October, having experienced

a six-month delay due to

"planning changes". Hajjar

says that the 140-room Layia

Orchid Hotel, also in Dubai,

will be handed over in the

next six to eight months,

while piling and excavation

works have started on the

240-room, Dubai-based Layia

Dahlia Hotel and the Layia

International Financial

Hotel in Sharjah, which are

expected to open in 2012 and

2013 respectively.

COVER STORY HOTELS

“BIGGER IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER. CREATING A MEMORABLE GUEST EXPERIENCE IS ONE OF THE KEY DRIVERS TOWARDS A BETTER HOTEL”

In April ground was broken on the Premier Inn project at ADNEC's Capital Centre, Abu Dhabi.

The Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Sowwah Island has been designed by PLP Architecture and will be loca


But, the hotel

developments are not a

priority for the owners, says

Hajjar, as hotels are not

their core business. When

eventually complete, the

four additional hotels will

bring Layia’s number of

hotels in operation to nine,

comprising 1439 rooms –

mainly in Dubai.

“The owners’ priorities

are somewhere else, which

means we’re in limbo

with dates, but that’s

understandable taking into

account the financial crisis,”

he explains.

On the upside, he says that

the cost of building these

hotels has got cheaper. When

the company first entered

the market it could not find

anyone to build its hotels –

everyone was too busy, but

now contractors are calling

developers, offering their

services at lower prices.

“If the banks were

available today, we would see

many more projects coming

up as the prices are good, but

the banks are not lending,”

says Hajjar.

On the other hand,

Tapken says he has found

the building costs to be only

“slightly cheaper”, and says

that the main challenge in

the UAE is bringing in the

materials and labour forces

from abroad.

Market opportunities In addition to its Dubai

projects, Layia Hospitality

has diversified into other

Middle East and Africa

markets, having signed a 240-

key, four-star deluxe property

in Jordan last year.

Hajjar also reveals that

Layia Hospitality is in final

negotiations for a number of

properties in Saudi Arabia,

which it hopes to finalise and

announce within the next

two months.

Similarly, City Seasons

Group is expected to

handover its new Muscat

hotel on December 1.

“It’s very easy to work

in Oman, the people are

friendly and charming and

you don’t encounter the

Dubai stress. But it can be

difficult to get things done.

The project has been ongoing

for three and a half years and

we have seen delays, which

I’d attribute to the laid-back

attitude in the country.”

Tapken says that one of

the biggest challenges has

been communicating with

the Oman Municipality to

have the utilities connected

and switched on.

But this hasn’t put the

developer off Oman: “We’re

looking at a second project

as part of a development

featuring three other hotels

in Muscat. Two major chains

are on board for two of the

HOTELS COVER STORY

“IF THE BANKS WERE AVAILABLE TODAY, WE WOULD SEE MANY MORE PROJECTS COMING UP AS THE COST OF BUILDING HOTELS IS DOWN”

$1.17 billionThe amount of cash to be spent this year on hotel projects

under construction in the GCC according to Proleads.

The Park Hyatt Saadiyat Beach resort is being developed by Abu Dhabi National Hotels Company.

ated at the heart of Abu Dhabi's new Central Business District. The project is being developed by Mubadala.


hotels, which

will serve alcohol.

We are a dry hotel and Oman

is very strict so we believe a City

Seasons hotel will work well within

this development.

“We’re also seriously looking into

Saudi Arabia and Qatar. There are

only four or five cities interesting for

any developer in Saudi Arabia. The

population is tremendously growing

in line with infrastructure. The people

coming in to develop these projects

need somewhere to stay. We offer city

hotels; that is our niche and Saudi

Arabia is exactly where we should be,”

says Tapken.

“City Seasons is going the right way,

nothing new is being announced in the

UAE presently and all ongoing projects

are being completed within the next

two or three years. I don’t think the

business we had previously will ever

return to how it was. But in Dubai,

the city is continuing to build the

infrastructure which makes it attractive

to open a

business here.

Projects are still

being driven by

the government so

it’s good to know

there is a future.

“We will remain

where we are in

the UAE. Within

the next five years

we want to have 15

properties across the

region,” reveals Tapken.

In conclusionThe global economic downturn

has driven developers to identify

opportunities in new markets and

develop clear niches in terms of region,

hotel classification and design, but

industry players remain positive about

Dubai’s future potential to attract

leisure and business tourists, as well as

Abu Dhabi's growing sector.

Furthermore, PLP Architecture

outlines a wider consequence of

changes in the economic environment,

saying that hotel projects’ massing,

facade design, structural systems and

services strategy have all been affected.

“We are seeing a balance being

struck between the parametres of

‘bigger and better’, which were often a

criteria for hotel design in this region

in the past. Bigger is not always better.

The desire to create a memorable guest

experience is one of the key drivers of

making a hotel better. Better is about

competition and will remain a key

driver of design as will the quality of

the guest experience,” says Polisano. TBP

Chain scale Existing supply In construction Total active pipeline*

Luxury 46,387 17,296 26,697

Upper upscale 69,509 21,839 34,200

Upscale 80,532 12,281 18,918

Midscale with F&B 51,732 2,987 7,586

Midscale without F&B 3,442 440 1,015

Economy 12,860 2,410 5,607

Unaffiliated 318,926 14,740 32,287

Total 583,388 71,993 126,310

*Includes those projects in the in construct ion, f inal p lanning and planning phases.Source: STR Global

The Kempinski Hotel, Jeddah is expected to open in 2012.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE HOTEL UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN THE REGION? It would have to be the Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel in

Saudi Arabia. Not only will it be the world's tallest hotel, but

it will be the second tallest building in the world when it is

completed and will have the world's highest observation deck,

and I would imagine the largest clocks. I am impressed by the

sheer magnitude of the project and when I first heard about it,

I thought it was a hoax. The main tower will be surrounded

by six other residential towers. The architecture actually

blends in well with the neighbouring Grand Mosque. I do

have one concern; I keep seeing different height figures for

the towers in the complex. I now hear that the main tower

will be 601m, but I do not have official height numbers for

the other towers. They most certainly would rank among

some of the tallest residential buildings in the world.

Marshall Gerometta, database editor, Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat

PLP Architecture partner Lee Polisano.



MARKET EXPLORER BAHRAIN

The Big Projects looks at five key developments attracting more contractors to Bahrain

5 projects to entice you to

Bahrain

The US $43 million

national amphitheatre is

expected to become a

hot venue in Bahrain

once it is completed

in July 2012.

With the capacity

to seat 1000, the theatre will feature a

number of multi-purpose halls and cover

an area of up to 12,000m² situated north of

Bahrain National Museum Lake.

Cypriot construction firm Cybroc,

the company that built the Riffa Views

residential golf development in Manama, has

been awarded the main contract.

The Bahrain Ministry of Works & Housing has issued a

request for proposals to three consortiums for developing

5000 low-cost housing units in the country. The

developments will be spread across three areas, Al Buhari,

North Bahrain Newtown and Al Lawzi.

The consortiums are understood to include local firm

Al-Moayyed International Group and local real estate

and infrastructure development company Naseej. Land

will be given to the winning consortium free of charge.

There will be a government guarantee on the scheme to

encourage banks to finance the project, which will be

the country’s first public-private partnership. Bidders will be required

to supply committed financing details for their bids, which must be

submitted by August.

Ernst & Young, Mott Macdonald and Freshfields Bruckhaus

Deringer are advising the client on this development, which is

expected to be completed in 2015.

Low-cost housing units

National Amphitheatre


BAHRAIN MARKET EXPLORER

The feasibility study for

a 184km-long monorail

network linking the Eastern

Province of Saudi Arabia,

Bahrain and Qatar is

expected to be completed in

September this year.

Phase one comprising a 23km

section is expected to be

completed in 2016. Phase

two includes the Green

Line, a light-rail transit

system that extends from

Juffair through Manama

to Seef District and is

scheduled to commence in

2016. Phase three includes

the Red Line, a tramway

that extends from Bahrain

International Airport,

through the Diplomatic

Area to Seef District. The

project is expected to be

fully completed in 2030.

Dubai-based Systra

has been awarded the

main contract, while

Germany’s IAB GmbH

has been brought on as

environmental consultant.

Kuwait Finance House is expected to

invite contractors to bid for the main

contract to develop Diar Al Muharraq, a

mixed-use resort comprising 13 islands,

with 40km of waterfront, in the fourth quarter of this year.

The project will feature residential areas, commercial centres, shopping malls and

hotels due to be fully completed in 2020, and is valued at $3.2 billion.

To be situated on the coast of Muharraq, once completed the project will have

30,000 properties and house up to 100,000 people.

Hyder Consulting has been appointed as infrastructure consultant, while Scott

Wilson is the main consultant, Hisham Abdulrahman Jaffer is the project manager

(HAJ) and AECOM Group has been awarded the master plan consultant contract.

Danish Environmental Consultancy has also been brought onboard as the project's

environmental consultant.

Diar Al Muharraq mixed-use resort

Bahrain Monorail

It is expected that contractors will be invited

to bid for the construction contract to expand

Bahrain International Airport’s existing

terminal this month or in September.

The client, Bahrain Airport Company, has

received 39 pre-qualification documents for

the design and supervision consultancy for

two new terminals.

In addition to the extension of the

existing terminal, a second new terminal

will be built, including rail links between the

two and a multi-storey car park.

France’s Aeroports de Paris and Jacobs

Consultancy have been appointed master

plan consultants, and HOK International,

GIBB Ltd and Mohammed Salahuddin

Consulting Engineering Bureau (MSCEB) are

design consultants. Hill International and

Dar Al Handasah (Shair And Partners) are the

project managers.

Bahrain International Airport expansion


Suppliers in the spotlightA ROUND-UP OF THE LATEST NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM INDUSTRY SUPPLIERS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Mechanical pipe-joining systems

manufacturer Victaulic has launched a

new tool to prepare pipes for efficient and

reliable flame-free joining.

The VE460 shop fabrication roll-

grooving tool is designed for use with

pipes from 100–1500mm in diameter,

depending on pipe material. It is suitable

for preparing pipes to be joined with

Original Groove System (OGS) couplings

for 100–300mm sizes or the Advanced

Groove System (AGS) ranging from 350-

to 1500mm.

“It has been specifically designed for

the wedge-shaped AGS grooves that

deliver high-pressure ratings and can roll

a groove on standard wall, large diameter

Victaulic introduces latest pipe-preparation toolELECTRO-HYDRAULIC DEVICE ROLLS GROOVES IN PIPES UP TO 1500MM IN DIAMETER

pipe in five to seven minutes. That means

that installers can prepare pipe and install

couplings in a fraction of the time it takes

to weld,” said Victaulic vice president and

general manager for Europe, the Middle

East, Africa and India Mark Gilbert.

Available for purchase or hire, the

fully-motorised, semi-automatic device

is equipped with a three-phase motor

wired for 400 volts and can be rewired

for 230 volts. It comes with safety guards

and a safety foot switch and is supplied

with rolls for OGS from 100-300mm and

for AGS from 350-600mm. All rolls are

enhanced tracking rolls (ETR) to prevent

pipe ‘walk-off’ and make grooving short

pipe lengths easier.

International carpet manufacturer Desso has launched a carpet which

the company claims can clean indoor air.

The new carpet called AirMaster is primarily designed for

implementation in offices, hospitals, schools and other public buildings

as it reduces the amount of dist and particulate matter floating in the

air, the company said.

Independent tests have confirmed that AirMaster is eight times

more effective in capturing and retaining fine dust than hard flooring

and four times more effective than standard carpeting solutions,

according to Desso.

“AirMaster is a significant step forward from standard carpet in

improving interior air quality

and will be welcomed

throughout the region and

internationally,” said Desso

regional manager for the

Middle East & North Africa

Andre Dulka.

The carpet is based on

patented technology and

works by reducing the

incidence of potentially

harmful allergy-producing

particles by safely trapping

and immobilising them.

'Air-cleaning' carpet launchedNEW DIRECTOR AND OFFICE FOR SASBuilding interiors supplier SAS International has

appointed Hew Balfour as non-executive director.

Joining from Havelock Europa, where he was CEO,

Balfour brings a wealth of experience including former

roles as non-executive director at the Scottish Leather

Group and housing, property and construction company

Miller Group.

Having operated in the Middle East for more than

30 years, the company opened a new office and

warehouse in Dubai Investment Park just over a month

ago, with intentions of further expanding in the emirate.


SUPPLIERS NEWS

Exeed Litecreet hosts safety training Abu Dhabi-based Exeed Litecreet

completed a safety training module

for its employees in cooperation with

the Ministry of Interior — Technical

Rescue and Quick Intervention

Branch last month.

The company manufactures

light-weight and thermo-insulating

Autoclaved Aerated Concrete

(AAC) blocks as well as reinforced

panels, slabs and lintels for the GCC

construction market.

Adolf Neuner, a reputed trainer

from Germany, led the initiative in

the presence of representatives

from ZonesCorp, the Ministry of

Interior — Technical Rescue and

also introduced employees to the

hazards of the metal in causing fires

and demonstrated the right and wrong

measures taken while extinguishing a

fire. On its part, the Ministry of Interior -

Technical Rescue and Quick Intervention

Branch offered a simulation exercise

that will be an integral part of Exeed’s

emergency operations.

Aldes Middle East has

launched its Isone

fire damper range

to enhance the

level of safety,

indoor air quality

and thermal

comfort in UAE

buildings.

The dampers

adhere to stringent

European standards

EN 1366-2 and

ensure two hours'

fire resistance

without any heat

transfer and smoke

leakage.

These fire compartmentation

solutions offer four main advantages according to the company:

Firstly; no heat transfer as the damper is constructed with an efficient

isolating blade of refractory material (calcium silicate). Secondly; no smoke

leakage due to an intumescing fire seal, thirdly; quick activation that

doesn’t consume power and lastly; easy maintenance. The control

box can be supplied with a reset motor for remote maintenance and

inspection purposes.

The UAE-based company moved into its new factory at the beginning

of the year, the new base features an 8000m² production site housing

around 90 staff.

Rubber World Industries (RWI) said operations

would resume with customers’ orders being

delivered in spite of delays caused by a fire at its

Ajman warehouse in June.

Having stabilised the situation, the company

is looking at a more “long-term solution” to offset

the repercussions of the incident in which no one

was injured, according to RWI managing director

Muzammil Shaikhani.

“We are exploring options in terms of

investing into a new facility, while making sure

that all our customers’ requirements are met.

We would like to thank the civil authorities for

their fast response to put out the fire.”

Quick Intervention Branch, and Falck

Safety Service. A pictorial explanation

was offered on the functions and

reactions of aluminium that is used in the

manufacturing process of AAC blocks to

generate the micro-pore structure inside

the products.

In addition to imparting techniques

for handling aluminium, the trainer

New fire dampers from Aldes

RWI operations resume after warehouse blaze

Rubber World Industries managing director Muzammil Shaikhani.

Exeed Litecreet hosts safety training module for its employees in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior.

TBP


BUILDING MATERIALS CORK

Cork oak wood was used for ship

parts during the Age of Discoveries

on Portuguese caravels, and was even

used by the Ancient Greek and Roman

civilisations as a noble and adaptable

building material.

Despite the growing use of plastic

and metal bottle tops in the bottle-

stopping industry, cork’s potential as

a commonly-used material is growing,

with demand coming from furniture

manufacturers, insulation specialists

and many construction niches.

Architects such as the Lisbon-based

Barbini Arquitectos have been adopting

the sustainable qualities of cork in

Sustainable, fashionable and

flexible, cork is veering away

from its age-old reputation as

the material used primarily as

a bottle stopper, to a versatile product

that is today used in flooring, insulation

and aesthetics.

The light, fire-retardant material,

which is the bark of the cork oak

tree, acts as an excellent thermal and

acoustic insulator, and is impermeable

to liquids and gases.

In Portugal, where a large percentage

of the world’s cork comes from, cork

forests have been protected by law since

the 13th Century.

recent eco-construction projects. The

firm’s architect and co-founder Flavio

Barbini describes the material as

“versatile and distinct”.

“We have used the material on

one project called the Ecocabana, an

environmentally-friendly hut, which we

want to use to educate people on the

environment,” says Barbini.

“Not only does cork act as an

insulator, but it is a very versatile

material to use.

“We have had to change our plans

somewhat from the initial design stage,

but as we learn more about the material

we are becoming more likely to use it

on other projects – especially projects in

natural environments such as in forests

and on beaches.”Barbini Arquitectos is the architect behind Ecocabana; an environmentally-friendly hut that is constructed from cork.

Cork is fast becoming a sought-after — if somewhat exclusive — building material. Ben Watts ventures to the Portugal cork forests to find out more about the product

Cracking cork construction

“WHILE IT IS MORE EXPENSIVE THAN SIMILAR MAN-MADE MATERIALS, CORK IS A RECYCLABLE AND BIODEGRADABLE BUILDING PRODUCT”


Barbini notes that one of

the benefits of using cork in

construction is that it comes with a

significant amount of heritage.

Building an icon “In Portugal cork is part of

the culture, so as well as the

environmental benefits, it is also an

iconic material,” he remarks.

The bark of a cork oak is

harvested on average every nine

years, in a process that actually

saves the tree from dying. Bark

from a tree's first two harvests,

known as virgin and secondary

bark, is usually used to make

corkboard insulation and cork tiles.

The cork that is produced

from the third and subsequent

harvests, known in the industry

as reproduction cork, is generally

used for making natural and

technical cork stoppers.

Other produce is used in

granulated cork products such as

floor tiles, memo boards, handles

of fishing rods and gaskets.

It can also be combined with

rubber for gaskets, valves and

insulation in buildings and railways,

and has even been found in the nose

cone of a space shuttle.

Architects, designers and

decorators have been finding the

material of more interest as a

natural material in recent years

and there now exists a range of

decorative products in a variety of

textures, tones and colours.

While it is more expensive

than similar man-made materials,

cork offers the construction

industry a recyclable and

biodegradable material that could

help architects and builders meet

the growing demand for eco-

friendly buildings. TBP

CORK BUILDING MATERIALS

As a flooring option, cork based products are varied and can be grouped as follows:

� Agglomerated cork tiles

� Agglomerated cork tiles with elastomer

� Agglomerated cork tiles with PVC

� A resilient agglomerated cork base with a

vinyl surface layer and an agglomerated

cork surface layer with a PVC base

� Rubbercork flooring

� Floating cork flooring with an upper or

lower cork layer

In terms of insulation, the application possibilities of expanded agglomerated cork for construction are:

� Terrace — thermal, vibration, moisture, and

waterproofing insulations

� Walls and roofing — thermal insulation,

prevention of condensation

� Partitions and doors — thermal and acoustic

insulation solutions

� Walls and ceilings — acoustic correction,

thermal insulation, environmental comfort,

and decoration

� Floors — vibration and thermal insulation;

� Bridges — thermal insulation, contraction/

and expansion joints

� Cork is the outer bark of the evergreen

cork oak (Quercus suber L). This variety

of oak grows mainly in Portugal, Spain,

southern France, Italy, and the Maghreb

� Cork oak trees are never cut down during

the harvesting process. In fact, cork oak

trees are protected by law across Portugal

� Cork consists of a tight web of up to 40

million cells per cubic centimetre. The

cell membranes retain air-like gas —

giving cork its capacity to float, insulate

and re-expand quickly after compression

� Cork is natural, recyclable and

biodegradable

� Cork retains unique qualities of

flexibility, elasticity and compressibility

CORK — FAST FACTS

ADDITIONAL USES OF CORK


where fire or smoke, insulation value

and environmental benefits are key

to the client, such as Masdar City,

hospitals, schools, hotels and airports.

Would you like to see more stringent fire standards or regulations in the UAE industry? We would like to see fire standards

and regulations in the region being

improved and adhered to. Insulation

materials can contribute significantly

to the dangers of smoke obscuration.

Fire materials with low smoke emissions

should be more widely specified.

Resolco Insulation MENA sales manager Khaled Zuraiki says GCC contractors are beginning to recognise the link between insulation materials and levels of health and safety in buildings

Resolco’s revelations

When was Resolco established? Resolco Insulation was launched in the

UAE in 2006.

What is unique about the products and services you offer?Resolco’s unique formulation produces

rigid blocks of a consistently uniform

size and shape. The blocks are free

from pin holes, voids and cracks that

compromise the performance of the

phenolic. The company offers phenolic

insulation called Insul-phen. Insul-phen

is widely acknowledged as one of the

safest insulation materials available as

it meets international fire standards

such as Class O in the UK and ASTM E84

25/50 in North America.

Insul-phen’s low smoke emissions

means it does not exhume toxic fumes,

making a significant difference in the

event of a fire as smoke and fumes

are often a greater threat to life than

the fire itself. Insul-phen is fabricated

into pipe sections and is supplied for

insulation in all types of residential,

commercial and industrial buildings,

and pipes and ductworks.

How does the UAE compare to the worldwide industry in its choice and application of insulation products? As is the case in South East Asia and the

Southern States of America, the GCC

countries are beginning to specify that

engineers must consider the potential

effect of high temperatures and high

humidity within buildings; closed-cell

insulations are a must in these climates.

Other markets such as

North America and the

UK are more stringent

on fire and smoke

regulations.

What insulation challenges are unique to this region and how are these overcome? High temperature and

humidity can cause

major problems. The

level of condensation

control measured by

the thickness of the

insulation must be

calculated based on real-

life conditions.

Furthermore, the

choice of vapour barrier

and protective jacket

is critical, especially in

external applications.

Do you have any plans to introduce new products or services to meet market demand?Based on the global campaign for a

safer environment and taking into

consideration the importance of energy

conservation, our innovation team is

consistently developing Insul-phen

Phenolic for us in a variety of insulation

applications in the region.

How has demand for your products varied over the past 12 months? Our supply is dictated by major project

activity. We target prestige projects

“WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE FIRE STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST BEING IMPROVED, SPECIFIED AND ADHERED TO”

HOT SEAT SUPPLIER

TBP


This will damage the structure being

built and possibly injure workers. To

compensate this, suppliers of poor

formwork systems may add extra

material to their design because they

are not confident in the properties

of their system, so called ‘fear props’.

Adding extra material is not of benefit

to contractors.

Is counterfeit formwork an issue in GCC countries? FK: Counterfeit formwork is a big

problem in GCC countries because

formwork suppliers have no experience

in statical calculation or the potential

health and safety dangers onsite.

PO: Counterfeit products are an issue

in any country. The difference between

wearing a fake Rolex watch on your

wrist and employing cheap counterfeit

building equipment is that the latter is

a safety issue. Considering that good-

quality concrete results can only be

achieved using top-quality equipment

and ingredients; using counterfeit

formwork is dangerous and short-

sighted. A simple example illustrates

this: a formwork panel quality

controlled and tested to take concrete

pressure of approximately 100 kN/m²

will allow the site to pour to a height

of four metres without considering

concrete type/mixture, flowability etc.

Try the same with fake panels and the

site may collapse under the concrete!

PW: We have witnessed a large increase

in copy products being offered in the

market over recent years. The biggest

issue with counterfeit products is that

they are not usually made to original

product/technical specifications.

Substitute materials are used and

usually less attention is paid to quality

control. While a product may physically

appear to be the same as an original

— often the grade of material used in

the fabrication is not to original design

specifications (for example, the grade of

steel, thickness etc). The biggest risk to

contractors is that the project designs

incorporating these products as part of

a system or solution are generally based

on the original product specifications.

A greater risk to the industry and

to formwork companies is that sub-

standard materials can contaminate

quality products, formwork

suppliers and contractors need to

FRIEDRICH KERSCHEBAUMER: The

danger of poor and under-designed

formwork systems lies in the security

on construction sites. The risk of a

failure while casting is much higher and

workers can be injured.

PATRICK O’SULLIVAN: Concrete

behaves heavily when poured; the

pressures exerted can become a real

safety risk. Therefore, building with

concrete requires highly-developed

technology to make the most of it.

PAUL WILLIAMS: There are two

distinct issues here: 1. the technical

specifications and capacity of the

product and 2. the adequacy of design.

The associated risks are high — at the

forefront of considerations should be

safety, formwork failures can and do

cost lives. In addition, failures cause

disruption and delays to construction

schedules and can result in significant

extra costs.

ROGER RATCLIFFE: Inadequate

formwork design can lead to collapses,

with fatal consequences in many cases.

THOMAS DAY: Poor formwork systems

become overloaded; this may lead to

the collapse of the formwork system.

First-classformwork Five experts on formwork reveal the dangers of implementing poor or counterfeit systems and uncover the latest, most fitting solutions for a variety of construction applications

“GOOD-QUALITY, HIGHLY-DEVELOPED FORMWORK SYSTEMS ARE EASIER TO ASSEMBLE AND ARE MOST OFTEN FOOL-PROOF”

What dangers are posed by the implementation of poor formwork?

August 2010 THE BIG PROJECT 39 www.thebigprojectme.com

be particularly vigilant in terms of

identifying copy product from original.

Formwork suppliers (as designers and

manufacturers of the product) have the

capacity and trained people to properly

assess and identify copy equipment, for

contractors, however, the task is much

more difficult.

TD: The test for any formwork is

whether it meets defined standards.

Not all formwork available in the

GCC countries will meet these defined

standards as this region is a developing

market. However, the quality of the

formwork being used is improving.

Can you give any recent examples of the consequences of implementing inadequate formwork in this region? PW: There are many examples. Recently

we saw the collapse of a complete

bridge span; it was constructed using

copy products, but designed using

the original manufacturer’s technical

specifications. There have been other

cases in the UAE and in Kuwait where

entire floor slabs of buildings have

also collapsed due to this reason. It

is common in these cases that the

thickness and grade of steel used in the

false-work system is not to specification.

Aside from the larger catastrophes

that occur and attract publicity and

attention, there is a larger number of

formwork failures that are associated

through the use of counterfeit

formwork accessories; for example, copy

tie systems etc.

Why do buyers opt for counterfeit or inadequate solutions? FK: Buyers see the cheap price, but they

do not think about the consequences of

buying counterfeit or inferior systems,

such as a lack of adequate technical

support and safe-assembly training.

PO: Buyers would opt for a counterfeit

or inadequate solution due to a lack

of knowledge or expertise in concrete

construction; otherwise they would

not take such a risk. It's like sending a

Formula One team onto the track in the

hope of winning the world record on

wooden bicycles.

PW: We work in a cost-driven industry.

RR: The usual reason for selecting

inferior material is price so if the system

is a lot cheaper than others on the

market; this provides an early clue that

the source may be questionable.

Friedrich Kerschbaumer

Technical manager

PERI Formwork Shoring Engineering

Patrick O’Sullivan

Chief executive officer

Meva

Thomas Day

Sales manager

GHI Formwork

Paul Williams

Managing director

RMD Kwikform Middle East

Roger Ratcliffe

Chief executive officer

RJR Global Scaffolding Trading & Rental


TD: Price is one reason why buyers opt

for inadequate formwork solutions.

They may not understand the risks of

poor formwork, they may not work for

a company that takes health and safety

seriously or perhaps they don't work in

a jurisdiction that demands the use of

adequate formwork systems by law.

How can a buyer distinguish between counterfeit- and genuine brands? FK: The buyer should ask for technical

support, statical calculation of the

system and enquire whether technical

training for workers is included. By

asking these questions, buyers will be

able to distinguish very quickly whether

the formwork is counterfeit or not and

whether the supplier can be trusted.

PO: Buyers will be supported

through the service, expertise

and consulting offered by leading

formwork manufacturers. These

companies will offer engineering

support from the projecting phase all

the way to supervision onsite. Suppliers

of counterfeit formwork don’t have

these expertise to offer.

PW: In some cases distinguishing

between genuine brands and counterfeit

ones can prove to be difficult as more

often than not there is little difference

in the physical appearance; it is the

quality or the grade of the material

used that represents the risk. It is

recommended that the buyer invites

inspection of the goods by a reputable

supplier, who will be better equipped

and positioned to identify inferior grade

products, and can conduct load tests on

the components.

RR: Before approving any

system, qualified engineers should

check the contractor’s proposals and

supplier’s calculations and sign them

off once approved by all concerned. The

supplier, contractor, consultant and

engineers have a joint responsibility in

selecting the system. Price should not

be number one criteria. Furthermore,

sources of copied systems should be

closely examined for quality of products

and assurance of the grade of material

used to ensure they are up to standard.

Load tests of systems should be provided

on major projects to ensure adequacy

and certification should be provided by

a recognised testing laboratory.

TD: We are more than willing to

educate buyers in this regard. The more

developed the market becomes the more

individual buyers will become educated

in formwork systems.

What should a buyer do if they encounter a supplier selling copies?PW: The goods should be immediately

isolated from any other materials

being used on the project. Proper

investigation and assessment of the

material should be undertaken. Where

inferior products are identified and

confirmed as the same, these products

should be destroyed.

How do you ensure your products are safe, reliable and high quality? FK: Every item Peri supplies is quality

checked before it leaves our stockyard.

Furthermore, before casting items

onsite, our site supervisors check the

assembled system and certify this to our

clients if required.

PO: We have certified quality

management through stringent testing

and a good track record. We also show

our commitment to international

organisations dedicated to advancing

concrete expertise and quality.

PW: Like all reputable formwork

suppliers we have rigorous quality

assurance procedures and material

inspection routines, moreover, staff are

trained to identify copy products from

originals. This is particularly important

to avoid contamination of quality stock.

A trained eye can usually identify an

inferior product, in the cases where this

is not possible tests are to be conducted.

TD: GHI’s manufacturers and suppliers

are proven companies that produce

materials to meet defined standards.

Our company quality-assurance scheme

checks supplier’s standards are good.

Do your products carry certification? FK: PERI is carrying the industry ISO

9001:2008 certification.

SUPPLIERS FORMWORK

“THE USE OF COPY FORMWORK PRODUCTS CAN COMPROMISE BOTH THE DESIGN AND STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SYSTEM BEING USED”


PO: We have achieved a number of

certifications including: DIN ISO 9001

quality certification for all 40 Meva

locations in 30 countries; CE safety

certification for Meva formwork and

access systems, as well as numerous

other industry-recognised accolades.

PW: All our products are designed to

British standards and are manufactured

by internally-approved ISO certified

suppliers. Our company has developed

an in-house quality management

system, which is used by our quality

assurance managers to assess materials,

suppliers and manage production. All

products have manufacturer markings

for identification of the source and type

of goods and the date of manufacturing.

TD: Our products are certified to meet

defined standards and we design

formwork solutions that are backed up

by calculations.

What major Middle East projects has your company supplied? FK: We have supplied The Cube Hotel

Apartments at Dubai Sports City, and

the Regent Emirates Pearl Hotel and the

Reem Island mixed-use development

both in Abu Dhabi, among many others.

PO: We have worked on the Burj Khalifa

in Dubai, the Al Nadha Tower and the

Al Hamlan Tower, both in Sharjah, and

Al Lulu Towers in Manama, Bahrain,

among others.

PW: We have been involved in

numerous major projects across the

region. Current examples include Dubai

International Airport, the Oman Majalis,

Basra Sports City in Iraq and Jedideh

Tower in Lebanon, as well as lots more.

RR: Our systems have been used

worldwide for more than 25 years, to

name a few applications; the UK—France

Channel Tunnel, Taiwan’s high-speed

rail viaducts, Bangkok’s elevated road

and rail system, the Mecca-Jeddah

Expressway, and recently the Muscat

Expressway in Oman, the Saadiyat

Bridge crossing in Abu Dhabi and the

Business Bay crossing in Dubai.

What are your biggest-selling items in this region? FK: Peri’s biggest-selling product is the

GT24 lattice girder, while the biggest-

selling systems in wall formworks

are the Vario system and Trio panel

formworks. The most popular systems

for slab formworks are the Multiflex

system and the Table solutions.

PO: Our most popular products in

the Middle East are our climbing

technologies (MGC guided climbing

and MAC automatic climbing), our slab

formwork system called MevaDec, a

heavy-duty wall system called Mammut

350 and support frame Meva STB 450,

an all-plastic formwork.

PW: RMD’s aluminium false-work

systems are the most popular product

lines at present.

TD: Our biggest-selling items are TriTec

(our original steel panel wall formwork

system) and Multiflex (our timber beam

and prop slab support system). Our

special steel formwork capabilities for

example, for bridge piers and columns,

have experienced a significant surge in

business levels.

Which regions are your main markets and has this changed recently? FK: Our main markets in the UAE are

still Dubai and Abu Dhabi. We also

supply many projects in Oman.

PO: We have shifted our emphasis on

Dubai to include surrounding regions,

mainly Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain.

PW: In recent years the UAE market

has proved to be our largest, however,

this has changed and we are expanding

our focus and activities across Arabia,

North Africa, the Levant and India.

We have recently established ourselves

in Saudi Arabia and have operations

in Al-Khobar, Riyadh and Jeddah. We

see Saudi Arabia as one of the most

promising markets in the region.

RR: With the impact of the global

economic downturn large in Dubai, our

focus has shifted to other regions in

the Middle East and Africa, including

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen, Oman

FORMWORK SUPPLIERS

“AT THE FOREFRONT OF FORMWORK CONSIDERATIONS SHOULD BE SAFETY; SYSTEM FAILURES CAN AND DO COST LIVES”


SUPPLIERS FORMWORK

and Libya, where significant

opportunities are under offer

and discussion. Also since we

have worldwide markets we

are exploring further afield

for large-scale projects.

TD: The main markets out

of our Dubai office are the

UAE, and the wider Middle

East and North Africa. The

volume of business we

experience in Saudi Arabia

has increased significantly.

Have you launched any new formwork products? FK: We launched Liwa light-

weight wall formwork, which

does not require the use of a

crane to implement.

PO: Meva is about to

introduce a measuring

technology for determining

a concrete-setting time. It

is an ultrasonic measuring

device that can be employed

onsite. The device will enable

concrete contractors to

correctly design formwork

to take the real pressure that

concrete will exert.

PW: This year we launched a

self-climbing core formwork

system called Tru-Lift and

recently secured a supply

order on a project in Jebel Ali

for the system.

TD: We have three new

products. We will design

formwork according to a

contractor’s actual inventory.

We can repair and provide

top-up material where

required. Secondly, we have

introduced TriTec Light. This

is a crane-independent wall

formwork system. Third, we

have introduced Roundflex; a

freely-adjustable circular wall

formwork system.

What emerging formwork trends have you noticed? PO: There has been a definite

and consistent shift to

high-end technologies for

safety reasons. The logic is

simple; highly-developed

formwork systems are easier

to assemble and most often

fool-proof. This avoids

costly and dangerous errors.

Even unskilled staff can be

employed and the learning

curve is low and short. Safe

work is quality work.

PW: There has been a move

away from the low-cost,

high-labour formwork

systems in favour of

lightweight, labour-efficient

systems that provide added

benefits in terms of safety

and cycle times.

TD: There is evidence of a

professional approach being

taken to formwork. For

example, the use of systems

that offer construction speed

(table systems) and health

and safety.

A trend towards increased

safety, especially edge

protection to prevent

falls from height, should

be welcomed. Although

the larger construction

companies are meeting

international standards,

perhaps the smaller

companies have some

work to do. Buyers in the

UK do not have the choice

of selecting poor or non-

standard formwork as they

are either unavailable or

would not be approved by

main contractors. Formwork

discussions in the UK often

concern build methodology

and the most suitable overall

formwork solution for the

project. The GCC is moving

towards this approach.

What has been the most significant innovation in formwork recently? PO: The replacement of

plywood by an all-plastic

facing that is 100% wood-

free is the most significant

advancement. We believe

Meva was the first to

introduce this technology in

all of its formwork products,

completing the switch-over

in 2004. Notably in the

GCC states this has had an

enormous impact on the

concrete contractors' work,

since the new product is

immune to heat or cold,

doesn't swell or shrink,

absorbs no moisture, is

completely repairable and

can be cleaned using a high-

pressure washer — features

that plywood never offered.

The Burj Khalifa was built

using this technology for a

simple reason: the facing

never needs to be replaced.

This avoids down-times,

which, at a building height of

600m-plus would have meant

an enormous disruption in

work flow.

How has your company fared during the downturn?FK: It's more difficult to get

money from some clients.

PO: We have been able to

adapt to changing market

conditions in some parts

of the world quickly. This

has enabled us to keep the

company's performance

profitable — compensating

market downturns in some

other regions. TBP


completion of all sewage, water and irrigation and remaining

road works, as well as the construction of telecommunication

networks and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA)

electrical ducts to serve all facilities and active developments.

The scope of proposed works will also include all required

testing and commissioning of utilities works.

The project will be managed by Tamdeen, TECOM’s project-

management entity.

“We will be working closely with the contractor to

guarantee the timely delivery of the project,” Tamdeen CEO

Badr Al Gargawi said in a statement.

Located on Emirates Road near the new Al Maktoum

International Airport, Dubai Industrial City is in close

proximity to major highways and the Jebel Ali Port.

Covering an area of 560 million ft², it offers a dedicated

manufacturing destination comprising six industrial

clusters; food and beverage, base metal, mineral products,

chemicals, transport equipment and parts and machinery and

mechanical equipment.

Wade Adams Group is also currently implementing

projects in the UAE, Qatar, Libya, Oman and Saudi Arabia

construction markets.

Industrial City infrastructure works on trackWade Adams awarded contract for phase two of Dubai logistics destination project

Second phase infrastructure works are progressing

on Dubai Industrial City, a member of TECOM

Investments in Dubai.

Wade Adams Group was appointed as the

contractor in June and the project is expected to be completed

in October 2011.

Work undertaken by Wade Adams Group includes the

ESTIMATING AND PROJECT CONTROLwww.ccsgulf.com | Tel: +971 4 267 6115 | [email protected]

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT TENDERS

Aerial view of Dubai: Dubai Industrial City will offer a dedicated manufacturing destination comprising six industrial clusters, including food and beverage, base metal and mineral products.


TENDERS


BAHRAIN

PROJECT WATER GARDEN CITY - BAHRAIN

Value $M 6600

Status Execution

Update Al Hasanain has been awarded US $25 million contract for a 3km quay wall to be completed within 24 months.

Owner Albilad Real Estate Investment Company

Consultant Scott Wilson

PROJECT NORTH BAHRAIN NEW TOWN - PHASE 1 (1500 HOUSES)

Value $M 500

Status Design

Update Bids opened in July and Construction is scheduled to start in October 2010.

Owner Bahrain Ministry of Works

Consultant Ama - Architecture

KUWAIT

PROJECT KUWAIT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT EXPANSION - AIRSPACE SYSTEM - ELECTRICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Value $M 150

Status Execution

Update Mohammed Abdulmohsin Al Kharafi has been awarded the contract for administration buildings, car parks and two fire stations.

Owner Kuwait Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)

Consultant Dorsch Consult - Salem al-Marzouk & Sabah Abi-Hanna (SSH)

Contractor Siemens Kuwait

PROJECT KUWAIT UNIVERSITY EXPANSION - SHUWAIKH CAMPUS - LABORATORIES EXPANSION

Value $M 102

Status Execution

Update Combined Group has been awarded the contract.

Owner Kuwait University

Contractor Combined Group Company

OMAN

PROJECT AL MADINA AL ZARQA (BLUE CITY) DEVELOPMENT - PHASE 1

Value $M 2200

Status Execution

Update Bin Muhanna Holding has joined Blu City project as a partner.

Owner Al-Sawadi Investment & Tourism Company LLC

Consultant Foster & Partners

Contractor AECO Development LLC

PROJECT PDO - BUDOUR NORTHEAST EOR

Value $M 1500

Status Study

Update Project is still in the study phase.

Owner Petroleum Development Oman (PDO)

PROJECT SALALAH PORT EXPANSION PROJECT - BERTHS 7 & 8 & 9 (TERMINAL 2)

Value $M 530

Status Design

Update Revised master plan has been released. Detailed design is expected in 2011.

Owner Oman Ministry of Transport & Communications

Consultant Royal Haskoning

PROJECT MUKHAIZNA EOR - PIPELINES

Value $M 200

Status Execution

Update Construction work is 70% complete.

Owner Mukhaizna Development Company

Consultant WorleyParsons - Muscat

Contractor Gulf Petrochemical Services & Trading LLC (GPS)

PROJECT SALALAH PORT EXPANSION PROJECT - GENERAL CARGO TERMINAL

Value $M 120

Status Design

Update Berths are in final design stage. Tender for a liquids berth is expected soon. Construction of cargo and liquid berths is scheduled to take 22 months. Operation is expected to start in Q4 2012.

Owner Oman Ministry of Transport & Communications

QATAR

PROJECT QATAR BAHRAIN CAUSEWAY (FRIENDSHIP BRIDGE)

Value $M 3000

Status Design

Update Construction costs are still being negotiated with Vinci. Vinci leads a joint venture of Qatari Diar, Hochtief, CCC and Medco. Construction is expected to commence in August 2010.

Owner Qatar Bahrain Causeway Foundation

Consultant COWI - Qatar

Contractor VINCI Construction Grands Projets - Qatari Diar JV (QDVC)

PROJECT DOHA BAY CROSSING (SUBSEA TUNNEL)

Value $M 1000

Status Design

Scope Construction of 12km, six lanes (three in each direction) subsea tunnel under Doha Bay, linking new Doha International Airport and the Financial Centre.

Update COWI has submitted the feasibility study and the basic design to Urban Planning. Ashghal is expected to take over at detailed design and construction stages.

Owner Qatar Urban Planning & Development Authority

Consultant COWI A/S

PROJECT MUSHEIREB (HEART OF DOHA CITY) - PHASE 1A

Value $M 430

Status Execution

Update Phase 1A has been awarded to the joint venture of Hyundai E&C and HBK Contracting.

Owner Dohaland

Contractor Hyundai E&C - HBK JV

PROJECT ASHGHAL - DOHA SOUTH STP PHASE 2

Value $M 300

Status Execution

Update Doha South expansion has been awarded to L&T.

Owner Public Works Authority (ASHGHAL)

Consultant Hyder Consulting

Contractor Larsen & Toubro (L&T) - Doha

PROJECT LUSAIL REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT - FOX HILLS - THE PIAZZA - QATAR

Value $M 273

Status Design

Update Enabling work is near completion. Detailed design is in finishing stages and tender for the main construction contract is expected to be issued shortly.


TENDERS


Owner DAMAC Group Holding (DAMAC Properties)

PROJECT MUSHEIREB (HEART OF DOHA CITY) - INFRASTRUCTURE

Value $M 150

Status Execution

Update Infrastructure package has been awarded to CAT International.

Owner Dohaland

Contractor CAT International (Qatar)

PROJECT LUSAIL REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT - BUSINESS SQUARE

Value $M 110

Status Design

Update Initial site preparation is complete. Enabling work will start in summer 2010.

Owner DAMAC Group Holding (DAMAC Properties)

SAUDI ARABIA

PROJECT ARAMCO - RAS TANURA INTEGRATED REFINERY & PETROCHEMICAL COMPLEX - POLYOLEFINS

Value $M 10000

Status FEED

Update FEED completion has been delayed and is expected to be completed in Q3 2010.

Owner Aramco - Dow JV

Consultant Foster Wheeler Inc.

PROJECT SAFCO HADEED JV - JUBAIL STEEL PLANT (1.7 MTPA)

Value $M 3000

Status Study

Update Danieli has awarded Tamimi Group the civil package contract for Jubail billets plant for $630 million.

Owner Saudi Iron & Steel Company (Hadeed)

PROJECT ARAMCO - YANBU EXPORT REFINERY - COKER

Value $M 2000

Status Bidding

Update Project is facing delay due to finance issue. Developer is trying to cut more from the project cost.

Owner Saudi Aramco

Consultant Kellogg; Brown & Root (KBR) - Riyadh

PROJECT ARAMCO - YANBU EXPORT REFINERY - CRUDE UNIT

Value $M 2000

Status Bidding


Owner Saudi Aramco

Consultant Kellogg; Brown & Root (KBR)

PROJECT ARAMCO - YANBU EXPORT REFINERY - HYDROCRACKER

Value $M 1500

Status Bidding


Owner Saudi Aramco


PROJECT SAFCO HADEED JV - JUBAIL STEEL BILLETS PLANT (1 MTPA)

Value $M 1500

Status Execution

Update Danieli has awarded Tamimi Group the civil package contract for $630 million.

Owner Saudi Iron & Steel Company (Hadeed)

Contractor Danieli - Saudi Arabia

PROJECT ARAMCO - YANBU EXPORT REFINERY - GASOLINE UNIT

Value $M 1500

Status Bidding


Owner Saudi Aramco


PROJECT ARAMCO - YANBU EXPORT REFINERY - O&U

Value $M 1500

Status Bidding


Owner Saudi Aramco


PROJECT ARAMCO - YANBU EXPORT REFINERY - STORAGE TANKS

Value $M 900

Status Bidding


Owner Saudi Aramco


PROJECT RAS AL ZOUR CHEMICAL & FERTILIZER COMPLEX - SULPHURIC ACID

Value $M 800

Status Execution

Update Work is in progress and is expected to be completed in Q1 2011.

Owner Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden)

Consultant SNC Lavalin - Jacobs Engineering

Contractor Grinaker - Outokumpu

PROJECT RIYADH SEWAGE NETWORK

Value $M 530

Status Execution

Update Construction work is in progress as per schedule.

Owner Saudi Arabia Ministry of Water and Electricity

Contractor Ali Al Qarni Al Razqi Contracting Co.

PROJECT ARAMCO - YANBU EXPORT REFINERY - SOLIDS HANDLING

Value $M 500

Status Bidding


Owner Saudi Aramco


PROJECT 2000 HEALTH CLINICS - 456 CLINICS - 152 CLINICS (HAIF)

Value $M 500

Status Execution

Update The contract has been extended. Construction work is likely to complete in June 2011.

Owner Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health

Consultant Zuhair Fayez Partnership Consultants


TENDERS


Contractor Haif Trading & Contracting Company

PROJECT GHURNATA COMPLEX IN RIYADH

Value $M 410

Status Execution

Update The commercial building has reached the 10th floor.

Owner General Organisation for Social Insurance (GOSI)

Consultant Omrania & Associates Architecture & Engineering Consultants

Contractor Al Latifia Trading & Contracting

PROJECT KING ABDULLAH FINANCIAL DISTRICT - INNOVIA MONORAIL SYSTEM

Value $M 241

Status Execution

Update Bombardier Transportation has signed a contract with Saudi Oger to supply, install, operate and maintain an Innovia Monorail System within King Abdullah Financial District.

Owner Public Pension Agency (PPC)

Contractor Saudi Oger Ltd

PROJECT LINKING SAUDI ARABIA & OMAN BORDER ROAD

Value $M 230

Status Bidding

Scope The project calls for the design and execution of 190km the final phase of the road between Saudi Arabia and Oman border.

Update Bids have been submitted for the main construction contract. The lowest bidder is Al-Rosan Est. For Contracting

Owner Saudi Arabia Ministry of Transport

PROJECT CITC HEADQUARTER IN RIYADH

Value $M 160

Status Execution

Update The building has reached the 9th floor.

Owner Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC)

Consultant Ernst & Young

Contractor Contracting & Construction Enterprises Ltd. (CCE)

PROJECT NAJRAN UNIVERSITY - UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Value $M 150

Status Bidding

Update Main construction contract is still to be awarded.

Owner Saudi Arabia Ministry of Higher Education

Consultant Tkoinat Consulting Engineers Co.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

PROJECT ADNOC - SOUR GAS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM - SHAH FIELD - GAS PROCESSING

Value $M 1800

Status Execution

Update The package has been awarded to Saipem.

Owner Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)

Consultant Fluor Mideast Limited

Contractor Saipem S.p.A.

PROJECT AL-REEM ISLAND DEVELOPMENT (ABU SHUOOM ISLAND DEVELOPMENT - EMIRATES PEARL) - SHAMS - GATEWAY TOWERS

Value $M 1600

Status Execution

Update Construction is progressing as scheduled at one floor every 10 days.

Owner Sorouh Real EstateCompany

Consultant Khatib & Alami

Contractor Arabian Construction Company (ACC)

PROJECT DUBAI TECHNOLOGY & MEDIA FREE ZONE (TECOM) - DUBAI PEARL DEVELOPMENT

Value $M 1600

Status Execution

Update The MEP, aluminium and glazing tenders on the Dubai Pearl project have been issued and are scheduled to be awarded by September 2010. Construction work on towers one and three has reached level three, while towers two and four have reached level two.

Owner Pearl Dubai FZ LLC

Consultant D G Jones & Partners Limited

PROJECT DUBAILAND - ECO-TOURISM WORLD - AL BARARI DEVELOPMENT - PHASE 1

Value $M 1500

Status Execution

Update The handover of 83 villas is underway. The first phase is set to be complete in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Owner Abwab Real Estate - Green Works JV

Consultant Parsons International - Dubai

Contractor Al Naboodah Contracting LLC

PROJECT ADNOC - SOUR GAS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM - SHAH FIELD - O&U

Value $M 1500

Status Execution

Update The package has been awarded to Samsung Engineering.



PROJECT ADNOC - SOUR GAS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM - SHAH FIELD - SULPHUR RECOVERY

Value $M 1300

Status Execution





PROJECT TUNNEL & ROADS IN SALAM STREET - ABU DHABI

Value $M 871

Status Execution


Owner Abu Dhabi Municipality

Consultant Parsons International - Dubai

Contractor Samsung Corporation - Saif Bin Darwish JV

PROJECT SAADIYAT ISLAND DEVELOPMENT - CULTURAL DISTRICT - NEW YORK UNIVERSITY NYU ABU DHABI

Value $M 865

Status Execution

Update Al Futtaim Carillion has been awarded the design and build contract for the main campus.

Owner Mubadala Development Company

Consultant Rafael Vinoly Architects PC

Contractor Al Futtaim Carillion LLC

PROJECT AL BATEEN PARK DEVELOPMENT - ABU DHABI

Value $M 800

Status Design

Update Aldar Properties has announced to develop Al Bateen Park, a residential complex in Abu Dhabi. Construction is expected to be completed in August 2012.

Owner Aldar Properties PJSC


TENDERS

Consultant VIAP Middle East Engineering Management LLC.

PROJECT ABU DHABI MEDIA ZONE AUTHORITY (TWOFOUR54) MENA ZAYED CAMPUS

Value $M 700

Status Design

Update Twofour54 has announced a master plan for a new campus in Mena Zayed.

Owner Abu Dhabi Media Zone Authority (twofour54)

Consultant Adamson Associates (International) Limited

PROJECT AJMAN UPTOWN - MAIN CONSTRUCTION PACKAGE

Value $M 600

Status Execution

Update The superstructure works on the villas are complete.

Owner Sweet Homes Real Estate

Consultant Adnan Safarini

Contractor Sweet Homes General Contracting (SHGC)

PROJECT AL-REEM ISLAND DEVELOPMENT (ABU SHUOOM ISLAND DEVELOPMENT - EMIRATES PEARL) - SHAMS - THE GATE FIRST PLOT

Value $M 500

Status Execution

Update Development is near completion.

Owner Sorouh Real Estate Company

Consultant Hyder Consulting Middle East Ltd. - Abu Dhabi

Contractor Arabian Construction Company (ACC) - Abu Dhabi

PROJECT ADNOC - SOUR GAS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM - SHAH FIELD - GAS GATHERING

Value $M 463

Status Execution

Update The package has been awarded to a joint venture of Tecnicas Reunidas and Punj Lloyd



Contractor Tecnicas Reunidas - Punj Lloyd JV

PROJECT DUBAI INVESTMENT PARK - DUBAI LAGOON DEVELOPMENT - PHASE 3

Value $M 463

Status Execution

Update Construction work on zone three has reached the third floor.

Owner Schon Properties

Consultant ARTEC Architectural and Engineering Consultants

Contractor Belhasa Engineering & Contracting Company LLC

PROJECT JUMEIRAH VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT - JUMEIRAH VILLAGE SOUTH - SEASONS COMMUNITY

Value $M 330

Status Execution

Update Project handover is scheduled for April 2011.

Owner Ishraqah Development Ltd.

Consultant Dimensions Engineering Consultants (DEC)

Contractor Bin Shafar Contracting LLC

PROJECT BURJ DUBAI DEVELOPMENT - BOULEVARD PLAZA

Value $M 300

Status Execution

Update Development is near completion. Final works are in progress.

Owner Emaar Properties PJSC

Consultant Aedas - Dubai

Contractor Samsung Corporation - Baytur Insaat Taahhüt A.S JV

PROJECT ADNOC - SOUR GAS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM - SHAH FIELD - SULPHER PIPELINE

Value $M 300

Status Execution





PROJECT DUBAI MARINA DEVELOPMENT - ELITE RESIDENCE

Value $M 272

Status Execution

Update Cladding work is in progress and the project should be completed as planned early in 2011.

Owner Tameer Holding

Consultant ASE Consulting Limited

Contractor Arabian Construction Company (ACC) - Dubai

PROJECT DUBAI INVESTMENT PARK - DUBAI LAGOON DEVELOPMENT - PHASE 1 & 2

Value $M 271

Status Execution

Update Construction work on zone two has started.

Owner Schon Properties

Consultant ARTEC Architectural and Engineering Consultants

Contractor Power Line Gulf Construction Company L.L.C

PROJECT CAPITAL CENTRE - ABU DHABI NATIONAL EXHIBITION CENTRE EXPANSION PROJECT - CAPITAL GATE (FEATURE TOWER)

Value $M 264

Status Execution

Update Construction work on the helipad is ongoing. Interior fit-out of the hotel is progressing as per schedule.

Owner Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC)

Contractor Al Habtoor Engineering Enterprises

PROJECT KHALIFA PORT & INDUSTRIAL ZONE (FORMERLY MINA ZAYED PORT) - MEENA PLAZA

Value $M 255

Status Execution

Update Project completion is expected by the end of 2011.

Owner Tamouh Investments

Consultant Al Torath Consultant

Contractor Zelan Holding - Abu Dhabi

PROJECT AL-REEM ISLAND DEVELOPMENT (ABU SHUOOM ISLAND DEVELOPMENT - EMIRATES PEARL) - CITY OF LIGHTS - ADDAX

Value $M 240

Status Execution

Update Construction work is progressing as per schedule.

Owner Tamouh Investments

Contractor Multiplex Group

PROJECT THE PALM JUMEIRAH DEVELOPMENT - FAIRMONT PALM RESIDENCES & HOTEL - HOTEL PACKAGE

Value $M 220

Status Execution


Owner International Financial Advisors (IFA) Hotels and Resorts - Kingdom Hotel Investments



PROJECT MANAGER Ref: CON042 Location: Dubai, UAESalary: Excellent Salary, plus car, housing allowance and benefits

PROJECT DIRECTOR Ref: V0146 Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Salary: Excellent salary and benefits

PROJECT MANAGERS (ROADS AND BRIDGES) Ref: V0149 Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Salary: Excellent salary and benefits

QUANTITY SURVEYOR Ref: CON001 Location: Dubai, UAE Salary: Excellent Salary, plus car, housing allowance and benefits

QUANTITY SURVEYOR Ref: CON004 Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Salary: Excellent salary, car, housing allowance plus benefits

QUANTITY SURVEYOR Ref: CON008 Location: Ajman, UAE Salary: Excellent salary plus car, housing allowance and benefits

COST MANAGER Ref: CON022 Location: Dubai, UAE Salary: Excellent salary plus car, housing allowance and benefits

SENIOR QUANTITY SURVEYOR Ref: CON023 Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE Salary: Excellent salary plus car, housing allowance and benefits

SENIOR QUANTITY SURVEYOR Ref: CON024 Location: Ajman, UAE Salary: Excellent salary plus car, housing allowance and benefits

COMMERCIAL MANAGER Ref: CON048 Location: Dubai, UAE Salary: Excellent salary plus car, housing allowance and benefits

COMMERCIAL MANAGER Ref: CON049 Location: Middle EastSalary: Excellent salary plus car, housing allowance and benefits

ASSOCIATE QUANTITY SURVEYOR Ref: CON052 Location: Middle East Salary: Excellent salary plus car, housing allowance and benefits

CONTACTFor further details on the jobs listed or

to find out about other vacancies in the

region, please email: [email protected]

and quote the reference code. Don't forget

to mention where you saw the advert.

Jobs supplied by UK-based Alan & Partners recruitment firm.

November 22-25The Big 5 Dubai

Dubai World Trade Centre

UAE

November 23-26Bauma China 2010

Shanghai New International Expo

Centre

China

November 28-December 1Stadium and Venue Design and

Development MENA

Doha

Qatar

DIARY

Plan the months ahead with our handy construction events home and away diary

ACOUSTICS IN CONSTRUCTION 2010 SUMMITSeptember 26-29Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi, UAE

The Acoustics in

Construction 2010

Summit is intended

to provide a platform

to discuss, benchmark

and learn from

the Middle East’s

construction acoustics

innovators and leaders.

Acoustic performance

must be considered essential for the successful delivery of construction

projects to end users, say the show’s organiser IQPC.

The framework for construction acoustics in the Middle East will be

addressed at the event, in addition to topics such as improving project

planning and design to ensure acoustic success, benchmarking building

acoustics against case study sessions and mitigating the impact of

construction phase noise control.

September 13-16Tunnels and Underground

Construction India

New Delhi

India

September 26-29Vertical Transportation Middle East

Radisson Blu Hotel Golf Plaza, Abu

Dhabi

UAE

September 26-29Affordable Housing Development

Summit Middle East

Gulf Hotel Bahrain, Manama

Bahrain

September 27-30Bridges Eurasia 2010

Istanbul

Turkey

October 5

The Global Community of Growth,

Innovation and Leadership

Emirates Palace

Abu Dhabi

UAE

October 17-20Piling & Deep Foundations Saudi

Arabia

Crowne Plaza, Jeddah

Saudi Arabia

October 18-19Innovative Roofs India

Mumbai

India

October 23-25Saudi Arabian Infrastructure

Congress 2010

Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh

Saudi Arabia


October 25-27Piling & Deep Foundations India

2010-06-06

Mumbai

India

October 18-21Saudi Build – The PMV Series 2010

Riyadh International Convention &

Exhibition Centre

Saudi Arabia

November 7- 13 Building & Construction Exhibition

Kuwait International Fair – hall eight

Kuwait

54 THE BIG PROJECT August 2010

TEA BREAK

This month, The Big Project asked LinkedIn members in the worldwide construction management field: How can you design and build a 'sustainable' five-star hotel without compromising perceived 'luxury'?

Your shout

Join The Big Project group on LinkedIn to have your say or visit thebigprojectme.com

www.thebigprojectme.com

By implementing

LEED concepts, we can

work on a luxury hotel that meets

renewable energy requirements and

the overall green building concept.

Alejandro Vargas Quinonez, independent design

professional

“If an operator was

conducting a tour of its new hotel to

its top-level clientele, it could say; ‘Here we

have wood panels made of saw dust from trees

that have been butchered in masses

and we pase these panels to the wall

with an adhesive that is saturated

with formaldehyde’, which doesn’t sounds so

luxurious. Or on the otherhand, the operator

of a sustainably-built hotel could say: ‘Here

we have wood panels made from renewable parawood with a

water based low-VOC stain, attached to the wall using stainless-

steel nails which are a sustainable material and will resist

weathering.’

Suzy Silvestre, business development manager, ML Nielsen Construction

The

day will come

soon when informed, aware

patrons of luxury hotels will ask;

‘is your hotel LEED certified?’,

‘is it Energy Star compliant?’

or ‘do you demonstrate

sustainable best practices?’

If not, they will take their

business to one that does. So not being sustainable will

place hotels at a disadvantage.

Patrick McGarry, senior project manager, Green Ideas,

Arizona, US

Use innovative

design concepts that tie

the building envelope to the

building systems. The luxurious

options can be installed as typical.

Increasing the energy efficiency

without increasing the initial cost of

construction is achievable if

you use integrated project delivery

techniques to deliver the project from

concept through to operation.

Nate Neuenschwander, vice president, Touchstone CPM, Ohio, US

Philosophically there are those that would say a luxury hotel

cannot be sustainable in any case because of the resources it

uses; I disagree. In most cases, it is the luxury end of the market

that has the margins and serves a more sophisticated client that

drives innovation. Plus high-end products are often manufactured

from natural materials, less petroleum/chemical based, and are

therefore more re-usable or recyclable.

From a developer or operator's perspective, if you don’t build

sustainably your saying: ‘We cater to unsophisticated people

who don't expect us to be innovative, who don't care how much

energy we use or if our air quality is bad, or that the building

will end up in a landfill after it is obsolete in 40 years.’

Sustainable design is good design, and is essential to

great design in the 21st Century. It takes more time and

effort because it is still a new way of thinking about buildings

(for example, integrated envelopes and systems) rather than

just changing the shape of the same kinds of structures. It is

an exciting time to be in our industry, which means it is also

uncomfortable and unfamiliar. Change will be incremental

but inexorable. The technical answers today will not be the

answers 10 years from now. Accept that and move forward with

imagination, but begin with the end clearly in mind.

Scott Bedingfield, president, Meridian Construction and Development


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FOAMGLAS®FOAMGLAS® FOAMGLAS®

Ref: Abu Dhabi Officer’s Club (pictured under construction)

Ref: BMW factory, Regensburg Germany

FOAMGLAS®

Ref (also main image): Islamic Museum of Modern Art, Doha

ROOF INSULATION FOR FACTORYTHERMAL INSULATION FOR ROOF GARDEN

THERMAL INSULATION WITH SEAM ROOF FINISH

ROOF INSULATION FOR TERRACE

Ref: Social Service Department, Stuttgart, Germany

Thermal insulation systems for the entire building envelope

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