WINNER EMIRATES STEEL GCC BUILDING PROJECT OF THE YEAR

UAE

Ocean Heights

Entrant: Arabtec Construction

Project owner: Damac Gulf Properties

Project contractor: Arabtec Construction

Engineering consultant: ECG Engineering Consultants Group

Architect: Aedas

Description: Ocean Heights is located on the premium ocean-facing stretch of Dubai Marina. Its design was chosen to minimise energy use. The 50-storey building rises above its neighbours and its floor plates rotate by 33 degrees, creating a twist that gives unparalleled views of both the Arabian Gulf and the city of Dubai. The building’s three faces start their twist at its base. As it rises, the tower’s floor plates reduce in size, allowing the rotation to become even more pronounced. This movement allows two faces of the building to enjoy unobstructed views of the ocean. The Gulf is visible from 75 per cent of Ocean Heights’ apartments.

Qatar

The Gate

Entrant: Halcrow

Project owner: Salam Bounian

Project contractor: MAN Diesel & Turbo

Engineering consultant: Halcrow

Description: The Gate development in Qatar provides high-end retail facilities and was designed to support the local market’s need for a well-located centre to house major global brands. The design encompasses a boutique mall and three towers of commercial space, in addition to an existing mall and towers. The building’s engineers needed to produce an efficient design and the challenges revolved around the curved shape of the podium and the interfaces between new and existing buildings. A further challenge was to link two of the towers across their top three floors, an architectural statement to create the shape of the ‘gate’. Much of The Gate’s design innovation stems from its structural challenges and the interfaces between the existing rectilinear structures and the new curved building.

Saudi Arabia

Alturki Business Park

Entrant: Sheikh Khalid Ali Alturki

Project owner: Sheikh Khalid Ali Alturki

Project contractor: Alsaad General Contracting

Engineering consultant: SKP/Tariq Hajj Architects

Architect: Pei Partnership New York/Tariq Hajj

Description: Local materials were given priority during the construction of Alturki Business Park. Solar angles and the prevailing wind conditions were analysed and the findings incorporated into the park’s design. Contractors were brought in early to leverage local knowledge and references to Islamic geometry were used to symbolically relate the project to its local context. Design workshops were conducted and various ideas were explored at an early stage. The design collaboration continued throughout all stages of the project to ensure team members influenced the final product.

Sponsor’s message

Emirates Steel is a direct subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Basic Industries Corporation (Adbic), which is wholly owned by the General Holding Company. Strategically located in the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi, some 35 kilometres away from the heart of the city of Abu Dhabi, Emirates Steel is the only integrated steel plant in the UAE, utilising the latest rolling mill technology to produce reinforcing bar, wire rod and heavy sections. Established in 2001, the company is currently implementing a comprehensive business development plan. Once complete, the firm will be one of the largest and most competitive steel producers in the GCC. As a leading supplier to the projects sector, Emirates Steel is proud to support quality in projects through its sponsorship of the Building Project of the Year award.