< Previous20 CW EGYPT JULY 2021WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM Naga Architects is an international multi- disciplinary design firm with more than 20 years of architectural experience; headquartered in Dubai with offices in Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Boston, Toronto and now in Egypt. The Naga Architects brand is committed to excellence, innovation, diversity, and delivery. NAGA Architects Founder and Principal, Prof Naga states, “At Naga Architects, we persevere to provide highly distinctive levels of service in the fields of urban master planning and design, architectural and interior design, landscape, urban market research and design programming, this is in addition to real estate investment advice, building engineering and value engineering consultancy, and construction management.” With architectural design at its core, the firm has proven that good design requires a deep understanding of various interacting social, economic, physical, and environmental aspects. Integrating this insight in Naga Architects has been among the most important ingredients for its phenomenal success since its inception in 2000. In context of the current rapid transformation of the real estate landscape in Egypt, Prof Naga says, “Compared to other countries in the Middle East and North Africa, Egypt is growing aggressively and performing very well; similar to Dubai in the early 2000s, evidenced by large scale developments in El-Alamein City and many others in the New Administrative Capital.” While Naga Architects has its sights set on global expansion, its success stems from its exploration of cultural, physical, and environmental nuances to create a unique local design identity wherever it goes By: Saadiya Ahmad COVER FEATURE GLOBAL DESIGN FIRM NAGA ARCHITECTS OPEN FOR BUSINESS IN CAIRO Naga Architects CEO Mohamed El Nady has been involved in some of the nation’s megaprojectsJULY 2021 CW EGYPT 21WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM a gateway to Africa. El Nady says, “At the outset, I knew that Prof. Naga’s knowledge and expertise in the architectural design field coupled with my experience in construction and development and knowledge of the local market, would definitely strengthen our value proposition to our clients. We have a good understanding of the developers’ objectives and their strife to receive innovative, economical, and efficient services. We are confident that the firm is well- placed to meet or even exceed their expectations. With more than two decades of experience, the firm has witnessed constant design evolution and as a thought leader, it pioneers new ideas rather than following conventional methods and wisdom. Our output is a result of a meticulous research and data driven analysis to maximise efficiency for the client. While innovation and quality remain at the forefront, we do not lose sight of the economics of each project. Suffice it to say, value engineering is an integral part of architecture design in the Middle East, and it seems that no project is immune to this process.” Throughout the years, the firm has developed modular systems and templates that facilitate the design and construction process. Having a BIM design and construction process also helps a great deal into the execution of projects. Prof. Naga adds, “We treat each project as an opportunity to be unique, dealing with a different set of constraints and opportunities; Naga Architects always strives to achieve timeless efficient art in the form of architecture. We strive to sculpt and carve, some of our moves are deliberate and some are intuitive, until we arrive at a design that is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also possesses a unique identity. Although we are a global firm, we continue to focus on creating unique regional and local identity – and this is exactly what we intend to go in Egypt.” With the newest addition to the Naga Architects family, the Cairo office is able to combine the global network of international expertise with the ability to develop project efficiently in order to be competitive in the local market. The concepts and schematic designs are developed in the Boston and Dubai offices with the rest of the design stages done in their Cairo office. In this manner, Naga Architects completes the entire suite of services while effectively preserving the concept through to the construction. El Nady adds, “Our primary focus shall be on El-Alamein City and the New Administrative Capital, where we aim to target developers and homeowners with our expertise to completely reshape developments with very successful results. We are very well poised for success”. With a wealth of experience already evident in its portfolio, NAGA has expanded to Egypt NAGA Architects integrates a deep understanding of intersecting social, economic, physical, and environmental factors into its designs NAGA Architects aims to create ef cient, timeless art in the form of architecture COVER FEATURE Naga Architects Egypt launched in March 2021 and announced the appointment of its CEO, Mohamed El Nady, bringing to the firm his extensive 23 years of experience in the construction and real estate development. He has been involved in mega projects in Egypt such as the Bibliotecha Alexandrina and the Four Seasons Hotel at Nile Plaza. This is in addition to his experience with a leading development company in Dubai that played a key role in reshaping the city. He has led the development of many landmark projects across the region. El Nady has joined forces with Prof. Naga to expand the business in Egypt as INDUSTRY FOCUS WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM22 CW EGYPT JULY 2021 RADWAN CITY METAL (RCM): A KEY PLAYER IN EGYPT’S GROWING STEEL INDUSTRY Already established as one of the top trading companies in Egypt, Radwan City Metal (RCM) has been a critical player in the market for 70 years, says Radwan City Metal (RCM) Chief Marketing Officer/shareholder Yassmine Radwan. “Though trading was RCM’s main focus back then, things shifted when brothers Nasser Radwan and Hussein Radwan took the reins of the company.” Moving forward, it was Nasser Radwan’s mastery of steel trading and Hussein Radwan’s passion for machinery that was the impetus for expansion in the year 2000. “RCM expanded its portfolio to include manufacturing, particularly the steel manufacturing service industry, investing in the best machinery in the world.” RCM positively impacted Egypt’s construction sector in specific ways. One, she says, was their drive to introduce the latest machinery to the Egyptian steel manufacturing service market. As competitors and start-ups began to follow in their footsteps, Egypt’s steel manufacturing service sector witnessed incremental growth in just the past decade. In 2019, RCM launched its first product—fire-rated doors, with its corporate identity name. RCM is the first Egyptian fire rated door manufacturer company to be UL 10C up, offering up to 1.5 hours of fire resistance and BS 476 up to 2 hours of fire resistance certified. “Our objective is to create awareness to the public through education on the importance of a fire-rated door, practical methods for home usage along with its aesthetically pleasing exterior.” With three manufacturing plants for fire-rated doors, RCM’s largest plant is 13,000 m2. It not only has full machine capabilities but can also produce large quantities of fire-rated doors. With such capabilities, one of their objectives is to maximise the use of these machines. While the construction market import such doors, RCM can produce high-quality products 100% manufactured in Egypt. With the many historical projects happening in Egypt, RCM is honoured to be part of it, reveals Radwan. “President Abdel-Fatah El-Sisi helped RCM achieve our development goals by imposing rules on the industry which in turn, paved the way for RCM to maintain congruency with their company ethos and vision.” Other national projects for RCM include the new Egyptian Parliament and the Grand Egyptian Museum. “Each one of these projects integrated professionalism and determination at every level and promoted an Egyptian hands feeling proud to be working and building their country spirit.” Despite the many challenges that came with the pandemic in 2020, RCM pushed through and successfully delivered its products. “It was a solution-driven, team spirit which enabled RCM’s engineers, technicians and the other employees to yield phenomenal outputs,” she says, shifting their focus from achieving sales targets to connecting with its projects. RCM creates solutions for their clients at every step, and this particular solutions-driven ethos has benefited Egypt’s construction sector, says Radwan. “Machines are tested in Egypt to ensure results are delivered as per the client,” she says, which has taken RCM to the next level in the industry and with clients who appreciate this client-driven ethos. RCM’s second generation have implemented new ideas with a core focus on HSE and CSR activities. “The company believes HSE is critical for the work cycle and the environment,” she explains, and some activities include communication with employees about rules at every step of the process and, ultimately, how these rules will augment their work experience at RCM. “Mandatory manufacturing uniforms at RCM include the same approach with every little detail taken into consideration,” she says, for example, providing a different uniform material when required for the assembly and welding unit. “Safety and workers’ rights take precedence; all workers are insured and even properly trained to use specialised machinery to prevent injuries and safeguard wellness.” Radwan City Metal (RCM) Chief Marketing Officer/shareholder Yassmine Radwan says their solutions-driven ethos has benefited Egypt’s steel industry. By: Saadiya AhmadSaraswati Agarwal Commercial Director T: +971 4 444 3352 M: +971 52 895 2214 Email: saraswati.agarwal@itp.com Ranju Warrier Digital Editor, Construction Week T: +971 4 444 3385 Email: ranju.warrier@itp.com Ebonie Platfoot Events Manager T: +971 4 444 3689 Email: ebonie.platfoot@itp.com CELEBRATING SUCCESS AND ACHIEVEMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR WEDNESDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER 2021 ConstructionWeekOnline.com/ksa-awards #CWAwards RIYADH, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA FOR SPONSORSHIP ENQUIRIES: FOR NOMINATION ENQUIRIES: FOR EVENT ENQUIRIES: NOMINATE NOW PLATINUM SPONSORGOLD SPONSORSASSOCIATE SPONSORSUSTAINABILITY WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM24 CW EGYPT JULY 2021 By: Saadiya Ahmad University of Leeds graduate and Chief Technical Officer at Phloem, Gamal Abdelzaher explains how environmental leadership creates a balance between economic activity and sustainability. Phloem: Smart water resources management for sustainability in EgyptJULY 2021 CW EGYPT 25 SUSTAINABILITY WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM Water conservation has always been an intrinsic part of the Phloem ethos, even from its beginnings in 1999. The founder, Bahaaeldin Abdelzaher, grew up in the countryside and later moved to the city to study architecture at Mansoura University. The city’s advanced infrastructure became the impetus that led him to launch his own company, reveals Chief Technical Officer and Joint-CEO, Gamal Abdelzaher. “Ultimately, the focus of Phloem was to improve water contamination and eradicate the unsafe disposal of wastewater.” Environmental leadership is also a crucial part of the Phloem paradigm, explains Abdelzaher. “The concept of environmental leadership is not only concerned with issues of waste, pollution, resource management and efficiency, but also retains an external focus which protects the rights and safety of other communities/environments they inhabit.” Phloem has been providing services across various sustainability sectors, including clean energy and efficient water resources management, which contribute towards preserving the environment. Inculcating a ‘one-step-at-a-time approach towards sustainability’, Abdelzaher reveals it was during his final year project at University of Leeds where the concept of environmental sustainability clicked. He worked towards the development of eco-friendly brake pad materials aiming for the reduction of harmful metals released from brake components, creating cleaner transport solutions for the future. “Even though radical improvements have been implemented through electric vehicle applications, further steps are currently being taken for the reduction of unavoidable non-exhaust emissions; when we take a single action towards sustainability, it may not solve the problem immediately; instead, smaller problems need to be tackled collectively for greater resolution to take effect.” In May 2021, Phloem was officially handed the supply/installation of Namoul Wastewater Treatment Plant located in Qaliubiya gov with a capacity of 10,000 - 20,000 m3/day, reveals Abdelzaher as the project manager. Under the supervision of Construction Authority for Potable Water, Phloem is the electromechanical sub-contractor, and Societe Egyptienne D’entreprises is the main contractor, with the project valued at approximately $10 million. “This forms part of Egypt’s progressive approach towards ensuring the country’s water security through wastewater treatment/preservation of natural water resources,” he says. “This plant’s daily capacity will contribute to the preservation of Shebeen el Koom drain, impacted by unsafe wastewater disposal affecting the quality of agriculture and posing serious health risks to surrounding inhabitants.” Technology is interwoven into Phloem’s processes to create viable solutions in treatment, purification, and desalination of water. “We are aiming for complete automation in our control applications through unmanned systems, with human interaction limited to process monitoring.” Furthermore, he believes solar energy is one of the key players in the future of power applications, with respects to Egypt’s aiding weather conditions. “We are studying a proposition for powering light current applications, including fire alarm systems, telephone systems and lighting, through solar panels at zero cost incurred to the end-user,” he says. As a member of the Egyptian Federation for Construction and Building Contractors, Phloem has improved water quality across the nation through critical projects. One project, he explains, focused on improving the living conditions in upper Egyptian districts, Qina and Sohag, involving groundwater treatment through high- pressure membrane technology for removal of high concentrations of salts and metals to provide pure, clean drinking water. “Another impactful project launched in 2009, was constructing sewage networks directed to treatment plants”, he explained. Societal development NGOs tendered this project which was under the supervision of the Ministry of Housing and funded by the Egyptian-Swiss fund with the consultancy of Misr Consult - Dr Sameh Abdel Gawad. The long-term result of this project has been reducing both the rates of disease and pollution in upper Egypt. Another high-priority project developed following the Syrian crisis was construction of Ganoub Al Mostathmereen additional main sewage line. “The existing sewage system couldn’t sustain the sudden increase in wastewater,” he says. Therefore, new Cairo City Development Authority tendered the project and it was funded by the Kuwaiti Fund. Abdelzaher added that not only did this project address urgent short-term needs, but it enhanced Egypt’s ability to absorb growing urban population in the future. Phloem also replaced and renewed Geziret el Dahab’s electromechanical equipment responsible for water intake from the River Nile, supplying the water needs of 4 million Giza and 6th of October residents, he says. “The largest water purification station in Giza, this project tackled water shortage through existing systems resulting in more frequent water cuts during summer.” 6th of October City Development Authority tendered the project under supervision of the Ministry of Housing and Utilities. TECHNOLOGY WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM26 CW EGYPT JULY 2021 PERMALERT: SMART SOLUTIONS FOR FUTURE EGYPTPERMALERT: SMART SOLUTIONS FOR FUTURE EGYPT PermAlert’s Regional Sales Manager for MENA explains how PermAlert’s stellar technology and international expertise is bringing value-driven solutions to the Egyptian market. Egypt is making its mark on the globe by building huge infrastructure and smart cities that harbour highest level of technology. PermAlert works hand-in hand on such projects to deliver innovative smart technology with its advanced hardware solutions for leak detection systems to protect and monitor critical equipment in sensitive locations to prevent unforeseen damages and downtime. PermAlert’s engineering design is tailor-made according to Egyptian specifications for the Egyptian market, says MENA PermAlert Regional Sales Manager Mustafa Hashmi. “Our superior technology and international expertise delivers value addition to the Egyptian market,” he says with solutions implemented in industries like data centres, district heating and cooling pipes, HVAC equipment, fuel lines, nuclear reactor plants, airports and oil & gas refineries. ISO Certified PermAlert is a longstanding manufacturer of leak protection systems established in 1988; the highly durable hardware makes it the perfect complement to Egypt’s booming construction/engineering market. “PermAlert provides active leak detection monitoring with systems capable of detecting any liquids including water, hydrocarbons, and hazardous liquids,” Hashmi explains. “We are an American company with longstanding experience in the USA, UAE, Africa, and Asia, and bring expertise and the best of engineering designs to yield project excellence for upcoming multibillion dollar Egyptian cities.” He elaborates, “PermAlert is leveraging its international expertise alongside a fully stocked facility in Beni Suief and a field service capability in Cairo to cater the fast track needs of the Egyptian market. A tailor-made engineering design is offered by PermAlert according to the specifications and requirements for the dynamic Egyptian market. In recent years, PermAlert has invested heavily in technology to stay abreast of competition and has emerged as a front runner of technology by gaining FM7745 approval for its product which offers the fastest response time in its segment. The company’s intelligent solutions enhance multiple industries across the board and are evident in their state-of- the-art sensory panels. “Not only can it detect multiple leakages simultaneously, but it can also indicate if leakage is growing or stable,” he says. Apart from locally integrating itself to BMS, the panels can be connected to cloud-based PALCOM software which offers access to connect and monitor multiple panels, even if in different cities right on your laptop with an option for email and text message in case of a leak. PermAlert’s AGW Gold Plus sensing cable along with Touchscreen panel are loved by the Egyptian users. “The specially designed efficient sensor cable meets the requirements of a wide variety of applications and environments with the capability to detect both water-based and hydrocarbon liquids on a single cable” he explains. To know more about how they could benefit your project, please visit: www. PermAlert.com By: Saadiya Ahmad MENA PermAlert Regional Sales Manager Mustafa HashmiCELEBRATING SUCCESS AND ACHIEVEMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR ConstructionWeekOnline.com/egypt-awards #CWAwards WEDNESDAY 13 OCTOBER 2021 CAIRO, EGYPT Saraswati Agarwal Commercial Director T: +971 4 444 3352 M: +971 52 895 2214 Email: saraswati.agarwal@itp.com Ebonie Platfoot Events Manager T: +971 4 444 3689 Email: ebonie.platfoot@itp.com FOR SPONSORSHIP ENQUIRIES: FOR EVENT ENQUIRIES: NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN! ASSOCIATE SPONSORPLATINUM SPONSORThe Brownfield Revolution. 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