< PreviousCONFERENCE LEADERS IN CONSTRUCTION CONFERENCE TO DEBUT IN EGYPT ON 13 JULY 2021 Construction Week is thrilled to confirm that we will roll out our Leaders in Construction regional conferences to Egypt for the first time on 13 July 2021. Having established industry-leading conferences in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait as part of our Leaders in Construction series, we have taken the decision to tap demand from the Egyptian market by launching a half-day conference to discuss the challenges and opportunities for the North African country. While we are extremely excited about this upcoming conference, Construction Week is also delighted to reveal one of Egypt’s largest construction stakeholders have also confirmed their participation for the event. Hassan Allam have been named our Platinum Sponsor for the conference, while ASGC Egypt have been confirmed as our Gold Sponsor. Set to be held at the JW Marriott in Cairo from 10am (EGY), the conference will comprise a keynote speech and four panel discussions. The keynote speech will be delivered from Eng. Hassan Allam, the CEO of Hassan Allam Holding, to discuss the current landscape of the North African country’s built environment. Following the keynote speech, the first panel will delve into The Evolution of New Cities in Egypt where we will hear from some of the major players who are building one of the world’s largest urban developments – Egypt’s New Administrative Capital – and explore what it takes to build a smart and sustainable city of the future. For the second panel, we will be analysing The Opportunities for Water Projects and how construction stakeholders are contributing to the sustainable development of the water sector in Egypt. We will also explore how Egypt’s desalination plants are supporting the country’s economic growth and water security in the long-term. As we move into the afternoon, the penultimate panel of the conference will discuss the ever-growing Growth of PPP’s within Egypt. Our esteemed panel, which will include Hassan Allam Holding’s Joint-CEO, Amr Allam, will debate how PPPs will provide a model that allows governments to continue developing DEBUT IN EGYPT ON 13 JULY 2021 Following huge demand and exponential growth in Egypt, Construction Week is set to hold a half-day conference in Cairo on the 13 July at the JW Marriott strategic projects and services in Egypt without the need to increase direct state capital spending. For the final discussion, we will look into Egypt’s acceleration of its infrastructure sector. Digging into the details, our panel will discuss the up and coming pipeline of project’s including the Cairo metro line and the New Administrative Capital Airport. Additionally for the final panel, we will explore how Egypt is ramping up construction across its transport sector to promote tourism and build its economy, while also exploring how modular construction methods are changing the dynamics for infrastructure development. The Leaders in Construction Egypt conference will be moderated by Construction Week’s Editor Ashley Williams. For your chance to be part of the debates and be amongst the leading names of Egypt’s construction sector, then get in touch with our commercial director, Saraswati Agarwal – Saraswati.agarwal@ itp.com, or our senior sales manager, Moutaz Gadelhak – moutaz.gadelhak@ itp.com. 30 CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2021WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COMIN CONVERSATION 32 CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2021WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEE WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM rchives 50 years of the UAE....MAY 2021 CONSTRUCTION WEEK 33 IN CONVERSATION WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM RUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM towards the next 50 ....34 CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2021 Club in Sharjah, as well as work for the Dubai Police Force between 1977 and 1987. "One of the main differences between now and then is that there were very few bespoke office buildings as most offices were located in apartment blocks." At the time, the UAE was already "well developed" with the Dubai International Trade Centre and the Dubai DryDocks partially complete, and the first international hotel fully operational from earlier that year, he adds. The legacy of architecture lies in the storytelling it lends itself to. Some architectural marvels are framed in timeless images while some others become part of documentaries. The story for GAJ is slightly different. The Dubai Creek Golf Clubhouse which the company worked on in 1989 made its place on the nation's currency. Johnson says: "Following my involvement in the design of the Emirates Golf Clubhouse in the late 80s and the subsequent establishment of our company in 1989, I was delighted to win the international competition for the Dubai Creek Golf Clubhouse. I was extremely proud when the government of the UAE decided to place an image of it on the twenty dirham note." WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM UAE's founding father HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan had famously said: “He who does not know his past cannot make the best of his present and future, for it is from the past that we learn.” While exhibiting a forward-thinking approach, the region has remained rooted in its rich heritage and culture, amplifying the same each opportunity it gets. Recently, HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, declared 2021 "Year of the 50th", in the nation, as it celebrates its milestone Golden Jubilee. "Year of the 50th" commenced on 6 April 2021 and will last until 31 March, 2022. In essence, the Year of the 50th is a letter to UAE - from the year 2021 to 1971 - and will pave its journey towards the next 50 years. Over the five decades since the formation of the union, UAE has progressed by leaps and bounds through several milestones including the launch of the Gulf Cooperation Council; the inauguration of the tallest structure in the world; the launch of the Dubai Metro; the Expo 2020 bid win; the opening of the Arab world's first nuclear power plant and the world's largest solar power plant; the Emirates Mars Mission; and more. In a span of fifty years, the nation has built - inarguably - one of the most extravagant skylines in the world from a barren land; created snow in a desert; and competed with its own thrilling and dizzying heights. Construction Week maps the construction trajectory of the region and speaks to industry leaders who have spearheaded some iconic projects shaping the UAE's infrastructure, transport services, and skylines. Rewind to the year 1975, only four years after the formation of the union. UAE's infrastructure - still nascent - were related to providing a “social infrastructure", says Brian Johnson, Managing Partner at Godwin Austen Johnson (GAJ) about the projects he was involved in at the time. These included the design of schools - Jumeirah English Speaking School and Dubai College, and hotels - the Marbella The construction industry in the Middle East has been relatively slow in its adoption of technology. With emerging technologies at our disposal today, it is interesting to imagine the execution of certain legacy projects. "Although the clubhouse was built almost 30 years ago the post-tensioning technology that was used to ensure the sails stayed absolutely flat, which was the main challenge that we faced. This has probably not changed much since that time," Johnson says Advancements in tech allow for a retrospective 'look-back' at your work - that if you could, you would. "There is one column that I would have liked to avoid," Johnson says, adding that it could now be accommodated, but apart from that the technical challenges would be much the same today as they were then. Anthony McCarter, Buildings Director, Middle East at Ramboll arrived in Dubai in 1994 to work as the lead structural engineer on the 7-star Burj Al Arab hotel, and played part in developing one of the icons of new Dubai. About the mega structure, McCarter says: "We were constrained by the construction techniques available at the time; the curved steel tubular members create, in my opinion, an elegant solution. However, nowadays, emerging technologies would provide greater creative freedom with the use of techniques to allow more complex geometries." He adds: "Construction techniques were advanced in some areas but still developing in others. The Middle East has always needed to be at the forefront of concrete technology because of the harsh, aggressive environment," Burj Al Arab, conceptualised and constructed as a palm-shaped city at sea, was supported - in design - and challenged - in construction - by the sea. "The biggest challenge on the project for me personally was to create a solution for the diagonal members in the external frame, which would function structurally but still allow views from the luxury suites." [Image: GAJ | Supplied]MAY 2021 CONSTRUCTION WEEK 35WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM marvels over the years and is only continuing to do so. It is perhaps now time to prep towards the next 50 years. The region has remained forward- thinking in its approach. However, other areas have developed over time, McCarter says, such as health & safety and worker welfare, which have made great strides during the last decade driven by local legislation. It will indeed be an exciting journey towards the next fifty years, as the UAE continues to display a forward-thinking approach, while remaining rooted in its rich heritage and culture. After all, "History is a continuous chain of events. The present is only an extension of the past," UAE's founding father HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan had famously said. One of the many forward-thinking initiatives launched by the region, earlier this month, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, chalking a comprehensive future map for sustainable urban development in the city. The region has launched several such forward-looking masterplans and A relatively recent project, the Mohammed bin Rashid Library in Dubai, which is touted to be the largest cultural and library project in the Arab world has been massively significant to the nation's cultural landscape. The project is "complex in its architectural design due to the inclusion of multiple cantilevered components," Sameh Samy Fam, Managing Director of ASGC, the main contractor for the project says. He adds: "The façade consists of smart glass, which is an electronic tin table glazing allowing automated control for daylight. The upper part of the structure is fixed to the building core walls by using pin connection system, which was never executed before. The fixing of the pins with the core walls posed one of the major challenges while ensuring the stability and alignment of the structure. Another major challenge was in closing the building envelope due to the sequence of work involved. There was a need to complete higher levels first, followed by lower levels. ASGC derived a method statement to complete this work package in multiple zones." Retrospection aside, the UAE has gifted its citizens and residents architectural strategies over the years, to enhance urban development, sustainability, infrastructure, and have an overall positive impact on the economy. These "longer term master plans" have "historically been drivers for growth and set the aspirations for the region," says McCarter. McCarter continues: "The Middle East has been through a number of economic cycles over the last couple of decades and during more difficult times, projects tend to be founded on a strong business case, whereas in a booming economy, developers strive to find differentiators. The strong visions for the UAE have always articulated a purpose and ambition to drive the nation forward and it is encouraging to see the latest plan setting bold targets to create a city people want to live in." Commenting on the recently-launched plan, Fam says: "The Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan is focused on creating the best possible environment and infrastructure to enhance the community’s happiness and wellbeing as well as upgrade the emirate's urban areas." Last, Johnson lauds the architectural history of the UAE, stating that it is "a stepping stone into the future." WALL INSULATION 36 CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2021WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM Construction Week’s Digital Editor Ranju Warrier speaks to Eric Widstrom, CEO at Terraco, about the positive impact of Terraco EIFS on green building initiatives in the Middle East and what makes it stand out in the competition Today, sustainability has become the standard for new buildings, whether residential or commercial. The concept of ‘green’ buildings has driven building owners to think about building designs differently, one where consumers experience direct benefits, from lower utility bills to reduced maintenance, and increased value. While sustainability takes the top spot right from the design stage, it is construction where all the action happens. For a building to be energy efficient, it is imperative to think of materials used for the construction process first. So, the question is, how can developers ensure that a building, especially the building envelope, exhibits more energy efficiency? Among the many ways to make this happen, wall insulation is one of the most important elements. When thinking of wall insulation systems, Exterior Insulation Finishing Systems (EIFS) are one of the preferred choices. In the Middle East, where the climate for the majority of the year is hot and humid, with temperatures soaring to as high as 55° Celsius, EIFS provides superior benefits. “EIFS is the only external wall insulation system, which can fully assure clients and homeowners that they will comply with the current and future Middle East energy efficiency requirements for external walls in new as well as existing buildings,” says, Eric Widstrom, CEO of Terraco. Speaking to Construction Week in an exclusive interview, Widstrom explains: “EIFS can offer up to a 50% energy saving compared to an uninsulated building. EIFS constitutes a continuous layer or ‘wrapping’ around the full exterior walls of a building, without any gaps in the insulation, thus eliminating energy losses caused due to thermal bridging, improving U-values. “In alternative methods of insulating exterior walls, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to make designs, which offer comparable U-value performance and prevent thermal bridging, which perform to expectation in real life applications. “EIFS provides a fantastic solution, ensuring that a building meets the required energy code, gives a proven reduction in U-values, makes a substantial contribution to the Green Building concept, provides long-life building performance, and better living comfort,” adds Widstorm. According to the CEO, the versatile nature of EIFS makes them the ideal choice to “perform in a wide range of demanding applications and climates”. Early involvement Terraco has over 35 years of experience in EIFS, with both TERRACO EIFS “A VALUABLE TOOL” FOR GREEN BUILDING INITIATIVES Among many projects that uses Terraco EIFS, Rixos Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi is a good example of how EIFS systems are used in complex structures [Image: Terraco] Eric Widstrom, CEO Terraco [Image: Terraco]WALL INSULATION WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COMMAY 2021 CONSTRUCTION WEEK 37 product design and development. The company liaises with clients, consultants, and architects right from the project concept to the design stage. Widstrom explains that Terraco’s technical support teams monitor and support its applicators continuously during the onsite execution through to project completion. “For us, it is critical that our systems are correctly specified and installed. We invest a lot of time, effort, and resources into our specifications and technical support functions,” he stresses. “I believe that our teams are sector- leading in terms of navigating what can be complex regulatory and compliance requirements in the region for façade finishes.” He continues: “We invest heavily into testing everything from fire safety, wind-load resistance, finish durability, and overall system performance.” Three types Terraco first launched its EIFS systems in Turkey and Korea in the 1980s, which was then expanded to Russia, China, and the Middle East during the 1990s. In the Middle East, the company offers three principal types of certified Terraco EIFS systems. These are primarily differentiated by the type of insulation medium they incorporate. The first one, Terraco EIFS Perma uses mineral wool insulation boards. It suits any application but is best recommended by Widstrom for use in medium, high, and super-high-rise buildings as well as special purpose buildings such as schools, hospitals, and government buildings; and can also be used for low-rise applications. Additionally, it complies with the most demanding fire protection codes and has excellent vapour permeability. Terraco EIFS Alpha on the other hand uses fire-retarded expanded polystyrene insulation boards and is ideal for low- to mid-rise applications in areas that allow EPS-based insulation. The third type, Terraco EIFS Nova, meanwhile uses phenolic insulation boards and is ideal for retrofit applications of existing low to mid-rise buildings where space comes at a premium. It is certified by the National Fire Protection Association(NFPA) and has class leading thermal conductivity performance. Fire safety with EIFS In 2017, Terraco was the first firm to receive Dubai Civil Defence’s (DCD) approval for EIFS after the introduction of the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice. Widstrom tells Construction Week: “The UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice 2017 introduced a dedicated section on EIFS/ETICS systems. Terraco UAE reacted proactively, and we utilised our extensive international experience to ensure prompt testing, certification, and approval of Terraco EIFS Perma as a system. He adds: “All of the Terraco EIFS Systems on offer are certified after being fire tested according to the required regional fire safety regulations and standards for insulated façades.” Standing out in competition Highlighting some of the key factors that make Terraco EIFS Systems one of the most preferred choices, Widstrom tells Construction Week that the company’s continuous investment into product and system development, testing, and certification has made Terraco EIFS stand out. Among other benefits of using Terraco EIFS is the fact that it is covered by a comprehensive 15- year warranty. “Our efforts in the Middle East, as well as globally, are aided by our Terraco Technical Centre in Ireland, which draws on the extensive technical experience in EIFS / ETICS developed across the Terraco Group since its founding,” says Widstrom. Positive impact It is no news that green buildings contribute towards sustainable construction and the environment while also being advantageous for building owners and users. Terraco EIFS supports green building initiatives across the region as “a valuable tool”. Explaining the positive impact it creates, Widstrom says: “Worldwide EIFS / ETICS is synonymous with the positive impact it has with relation to energy savings, giving buildings a smaller carbon footprint over their lifetime, and its contribution to the Green Building concept. “There is still huge scope for energy efficiency improvement of the existing housing stock in the region. “We consider EIFS to be by far the most practical, and economical solution to upgrade these buildings to meet current and expected regulations.” Widstrom concludes: “We see positive movements across the region, which will require insulation of existing buildings, and we believe this will likely become a code requirement in most countries.” What is EIFS? An Exterior Insulation Finishing System (EIFS), also known as Exterior Wall Insulation Systems (EWIS) or External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) is a type of cladding system that provides exterior walls with an insulated nished surface and waterproo ng in an integrated composite material system. It can also be de ned as an ideal energy ef cient thermal wrapping or façade insulation applied to the exterior surfaces of a building, which is then nished with a long-life, decorative, and protective wall coating that can be installed on any type of construction.PROJECTS WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM ON SITE CW provides a collection of its most recent site and plant visits to keep you up-to-date with project progress PROJECT UPDATE FOLLOW CONSTRUCTION WEEK @CWMIDDLEEAST 38 CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2021 WANT TO UPDATE YOUR PROJECT'S PROGRESS, OR HAVE IT INCLUDED HERE? Email the editor: ashley.williams@itp.com FOLLOW CONSTRUCTION WEEK @CWMIDDLEEAST Expo 2020 Dubai offered Construction Week the chance to be among the rst to experience Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion before it opens to the public later this year. The iconic pavilion, designed by Grimshaw Architects, sets an example for sustainable building design. Built to be net-zero for both energy and water, it features 1,055 photovoltaic panels arranged on a 130-metre-wide roof canopy and atop a series of ‘Energy Trees’. The pavilion also uses cutting- edge water-reduction strategies, water recycling and alternative water sources. SUSTAINABILITY PAVILION Location Expo 2020 Dubai Visited January 2021 Located at Sobha Hartland, the Experience Studio takes visitors on a behind-the-scenes journey of the aspects of its design and construction process. The Experience Studio highlights the quality, materials and efforts that go into delivering luxury living spaces to Dubai’s residents and its attention to detail in every aspect of the execution, workmanship and service. Upon arriving at the Sobha Experience Studio, visitors are welcomed into a theatre, where they can watch an informative video that introduces Sobha Realty. SOBHA EXPERIENCE SHOWROOM Location Dubai Visited February 2021 Khansaheb has recently completed a signi cant expansion of the existing Aquaventure Waterpark at the Atlantis Hotel, Palm Jumeriah in February 2021. The project is approximately 44,000 m2 consisting of a new 46m slide tower ‘Trident Tower’ incorporating multiple slides, a new action river experience, kids slide tower and pool areas, cliff jumping experience, two new F&B buildings, ancillary buildings including towel kiosks, prayer room, lockers and retail units. EXPANSION OF AQUAVENTURE WATERPARK Location Dubai Visited April 2021PROJECTS WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COMMAY 2021 CONSTRUCTION WEEK 39 Property development giant Ithra Dubai, which is wholly- owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), marked a major milestone on it’s One Za’abeel project in October 2020 with the nal lift of the 900-tonne second section of ‘The Link’. The Link quali es One Za’abeel to attempt to break the Guinness World Record title for the “Longest Cantilevered Building” in the world. Among the stakeholders of the One Za’abeel twin tower development include ALEC as the main contractor and WSP Middle East as the multi- disciplinary engineering consultant. ONE ZA'ABEEL Location Dubai Visited October 2020 Construction Week toured Al Marjan Island's upcoming $147.8m (AED543m) Mövenpick Resort and Hampton by Hilton hotel to note project updates and progress on both. Mövenpick Resort at Al Marjan Island is set to create new offerings for the emirate and a sense of community within a community. Meanwhile, Hampton by Hilton stands at 85% completion, slated for overall completion by next quarter in 2021. AL MARJAN ISLAND Location Ras Al Khaimah Visited November 2020 Deyaar has concluded 50% of the 46ha Midtown development through completion and delivery of rst two districts Afnan and Dania. Constituting a total of 13 buildings and more than 1,200 apartments, the two districts hosts more than 554 families.Phases three and four will add more than 2,973m2 of retail space to the development. Located in the up-and-coming neighborhood of Dubai Production City near Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, the Midtown development comprises more than 2,000 units and will be developed at a total cost of $163.3 (AED600m). MIDTOWN DEVELOPMENT Location Dubai Visited November 2020 The $544.5m (AED2bn) destination, which is being developed by Diamond Developers and under the umbrella of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), has marked 35% construction completion on Phase 1 of the project. Construction on the rst set of residential villas at the destination has marked completion, with landscaping slated for completion by the end of 2020. Phase 1 will include the construction of 280 villas. The villas will feature three, four, and ve bedrooms, once complete. SHARJAH SUSTAINABLE CITY Location Sharjah Visited November 2020Next >