AN ITP MEDIA GROUP PUBLICATION MAY 2024 • VOL. 19, ISSUE 05 KEO’s leadership on transforming MEP engineering through innovation and expertise BUILDING THE BACKBONEMEP_AZTouchlessMixers_205x275mm_FP_FA.indd 119/04/2024 4:58 PMEDITOR’S LETTER www.mepmiddleeast.com May 2024 | MEP Middle East 3 Consultants are in a unique position to drive advancements in the built environment sector. They are the change enablers responsible for adoption of new processes and technologies and raising the standards of project delivery. In this issue, we unveil the 2024 MEP Consultants Power List, which recognises the most prominent design, engineering and project management consultancies making their mark in the electromechanical scope of the region’s construction industry. A common thread in the Power List is the increased focus by consultants and clients alike to implement sustainable principles in MEP design and engineering. It’s evident that sustainability and digital transformation are intertwined, and that consultancies will need to have an integrated technology and ESG strategy to build durable, energy-effi cient and environmentally friendly buildings. Another promising trend among consultancies in the region is their early adoption of cutting-edge tools and software to optimise design, streamline processes and enhance productivity. Some companies take a more proactive approach to technology TRAILBLAZERS FOR INNOVATION Almas Tholot Editor, MEP Middle East almas.tholotr@itp.com implementation. KEO, for example, builds and customises software applications in-house when tools are not available in the market. The pipeline of mega and technically complex projects in the Middle East present new opportunities for consulting and contracting fi rms provided they embrace innovation in digitalisation and explore alternative contracting models. Meinhardt Group indicates that there has never been a more exciting time than now for engineers to be working in the Middle East, where the construction industry demands an urgent re- evaluation of conventional design and project delivery methodologies. We also highlight the potential of modular construction and the barriers to its widespread adoption in the region. An analysis by Bain & Company found that the adoption of modular construction is slowed down by the fragmented nature of the construction industry, and that currently none of the main stakeholders have incentives to adopt modular construction on their own. The best path forward, according to ALEMCO, is to embrace a hybrid approach, where both modular and traditional paradigms are leveraged to their individual strengths.www.mepmiddleeast.com 4 MEP Middle East | May 2024 12 14 12 FIVE THINGS TO KNOW Here are fi ve things to know about Norlana, an ultra-modern lifestyle community developed by NEOM in the northwest region of Saudi Arabia 14 IN PICTURES Al Habtoor Tower by Al Habtoor Real Estate 16 COVER STORY: BUILDING THE BACKBONE Senior KEO MEP team leaders underscore the critical role and innovation of MEP engineering in the region’s construction sector 22 MEP CONSULTANTS POWER LIST 2024 Recognising prominent design, engineering and project management consultancies making their mark in the electromechanical scope of the region’s construction industrywww.mepmiddleeast.com May 2024 | MEP Middle East 5 44 22 3642 42 36 44 46 TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP Life cycle costs and environmental impact assessment of air handling units MODULAR CONSTRUCTION The growing role of modular MEP in Middle East construction DESIGN-BUILD MANAGEMENT Construction Management Consultants off ers turnkey solution for contractors in Saudi Arabia HVAC Harnessing IoT innovation in HVAC systems > MEP ORIGINALS > LET’S TALK MEP > MEP ENGINEERED Scan the QR Code on your mobile to gain access to our latest videos VIDEOS WATCH NOWwww.mepmiddleeast.com6 MEP Middle East | May 20246 MEP Middle East | May 2024 PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 444 3000 Web: www.itp.com Offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London, Mumbai, Riyadh & Geneva ITP MEDIA GROUP CEO: Ali Akawi Managing Director: Alex Reeve EDITORIAL Group Editor: Kate-Lynne Wolmarans Tel: +971 4 444 3541 E-mail: kate.wolmarans@itp.com Editor: Almas Tholot Tel: +971 4 444 3845 E-mail: almas.tholotr@itp.com Acting Editor: Dennis Daniel Tel: +971 4 444 3615 E-mail: dennis.daniel@os.itp.com Commercial Editor: Angitha Pradeep Tel: +971 4 444 3278 E-mail: angitha.pradeep@itp.com ART Art Director: Amjad Ayche Art Editor: Tofiq Memon Contributing Designer: Muhammed Nahas ADVERTISING Group Commercial Director: Anup Nagpurkar Tel: +971 4 444 3573 E-mail: anup.nagpurkar@itp.com Senior Commercial Manager: Oliver Osea Tel: +971 4 444 3129 E-mail: oliver.osea@itp.com PHOTOGRAPHY Videographer: Muhammad Kaleem Senior Video Editor: Liju Cheruvathur Social Media & Production Manager: Andy Ruedas PRODUCTION Production Manager: Denny Kollannoor Production Coordinator: Mahendra Pawar Senior Image Editor: Emmalyn Robles DISTRIBUTION Circulation Executive: Rajesh Pillai Distribution Coordinator: Avinash Pereira MARKETING Events & Marketing Manager: Dmitry Lazarenko ITP GROUP CEO Ali Akawi CFO Toby Jay Spencer-Davies The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the reader’s particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publishers in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts used for the purpose of fair review. The most reliable and respected source of MEP news and in-depth analysis in the GCC region To flip through previous editions of MEP Middle East magazine, visit mepmiddleeast.com/emagazines/digital-magazine Published by and © 2024 ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC. 6 MEP Middle East | May 2024SWITCH IT UP! Introducing the Inceptor Milli range of fire rated downlights with switchable wattage and colour temperature Dual Wattage (4W & 6.4W) Twist Insulation Cover CCT Switchable (WW, CW, DL) Fast-Fit 3 Pole & loop Connector DIMMABLE 75MM 64MM CUTOUT BAFFLE VERSION ALSO AVAILABLE call:email: sales@scolmoreme.comvisit: www.scolmoreme.com ITP May ad - Inceptor Milli.indd 116/04/2024 16:50NOTEWORTHY www.mepmiddleeast.com8 MEP Middle East | May 2024 Note worthy Get the lowdown on MEP Middle East’s social media channels! We’ve got your daily dose of industry news, exclusive interviews, and more! Connect with us today. @MEP Middle East (ITP) @mepmiddleeast3014 @mepmiddleeast @MEP_Middle_East MEP Originals Ep06: In conversation with Nathan Hanns, MEP contracting giant ALEMCO’s MD. Multiple contractors have secured contracts worth $3.2 billion from Saudi Arabia‘s Jeddah Central Development Company to construct three architectural landmarks as part of the Jeddah Central project. UAE-based contractor wins a contract for main works at DAMAC Properties’ master development, DAMAC Hills 2, valued at approximately $50 million. Recognising prominent contracting companies contributing to the electromechanical scope of the region’s construction industry. MOST POPULAR ON TWITTER MOST POPULAR LINKEDIN POST CATCH UP ON YOUTUBE TRENDING ON INSTAGRAMThe Biggest and the Only Wood and Woodworking Industry-focused Event in the Kingdom The Arena Exhibition Center, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 12 - 14 May 2024 Register Now www.woodshowglobal/saudi | info@woodshowglobal.comNext >