AN ITP MEDIA GROUP PUBLICATION OCTOBER 2025 • VOL. 20, ISSUE 10 POWER OF POISE Majd Fayyad is breaking the mould with vision and drive MEP_Oct2025_00_Cover_13715356.indd 102/10/2025 18:27Untitled-3 129/09/2025 10:33EDITOR’S LETTER www.mepmiddleeast.comOctober 2025 | MEP Middle East 3www.mepmiddleeast.com THE MEASURE OF PROGRESS What will defi ne our industry a decade from now? Will it be the tallest towers or the most iconic skylines? Or will it be how well those buildings perform, day after day, in the face of rising temperatures, growing populations, and limited resources? In this issue, we focus on the shift from ambition to accountability. The events of recent years have shown that beautiful designs are not enough. What matters now is how buildings behave under pressure, how infrastructure supports growing demands, and how systems deliver when it truly matters. Our cover story captures this mindset through the journey of Eng. Majd Fayyad, who was named Sustainability Champion of the Year at the MEP Awards. The award is a recognition of work that could no longer go unacknowledged. His platform, MajdTalks, has reached tens of thousands with a message that sustainability is not a trend, but a personal and professional calling. His story reminds us that real impact comes from consistency, conviction, and community. This same focus on results carries through the rest of the issue. We explore how net-zero buildings must be judged not by design intent but by long- term operational performance. From energy use and tenant behavior to maintenance and system integration, sustainability only becomes real when it is lived, not just imagined. In another feature, we examine how GF Corys is tackling non-revenue water. Across the globe, up to a third of treated water is lost before it ever reaches a consumer. As pressure mounts to do more with less, smarter systems and stronger oversight are becoming critical to the future of water management. We also explore how artifi cial intelligence is helping architects and planners design for a world defi ned by uncertainty. Further in the pages, we take a closer look at fi re safety. Compliance may set the baseline, but true safety is proven in practice. Whether you’re designing a hospital, managing a district cooling plant, or retrofi tting an aging asset, the message is the same: we are all responsible for the future we build and for how it performs. Thank you for being part of that progress. SEVEN THINGS I LEARNED Drawing on 17 years in specialist engineering consultancy, Sawsan Dahham reveals the seven key lessons she has learned PAGE 14 MUST READ IN THIS ISSUE Almas Tholot Group Editor almas.tholotr@itp.com RIPPLE OF CHANGE Engineer Majd Fayyad refl ects on sustainability as a calling and the shared responsibility of engineers in building a better world PAGE 22 MIND MATTERS ALEC’s Group Director of People & Culture, Gavin Stone, on making mental wellbeing part of everyday construction life PAGE 28 ON THE COVER MAJD FAYYAD Creative Direction Angitha Pradeep Photography Ajith Narendra Backdrop Draping Sedar Global Interiors Location ITP Media Group Studios MEP_Oct2025_3_Editor Letter_13702711.indd 302/10/2025 02:48www.mepmiddleeast.com4 MEP Middle East | October 2025www.mepmiddleeast.com 12 FIVE THINGS TO KNOW A closer look at Binghatti Flare, a bold dual-tower development in Dubai’s Jumeirah Village Triangle, distinguished by its fl owing architectural form shaping the Dubai skyline SEVEN THINGS I LEARNED Sawsan Dahham, Founder and CEO of SIENA, draws on years of fi eldwork and leadership to share seven key lessons for staying ahead in the industry TIMELINE We trace the evolution of lighting from ineffi cient tungsten bulbs to AI-driven, human-centric smart systems that optimise energy, comfort, and well-being 22 IN FOCUS Sustainability Champion of the Year Majd Fayyad refl ects on why sustainability is more than a profession and the responsibility engineers carry to design a better future 22 14 16 18 12 MEP_Oct2025_4-5_Contents_13702722.indd 402/10/2025 02:49www.mepmiddleeast.comOctober 2025 | MEP Middle East 5www.mepmiddleeast.com 14 4450 36 28 38 44 DEEP RETROFIT With half of Dubai’s building stock entering mid-life at the same time, here’s why deep retrofi ts are no longer optional MENTAL HEALTH From stigma to support, Gavin Stone details ALEC’s push to make mental wellbeing an everyday part of construction life ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Professor Atousa Aslaminezhad explains how AI is supporting architects in designing resilient buildings that adapt to an unpredictable planet OPINION As Middle Eastern buildings explore new ways to balance comfort, and sustainability, heat pumps are emerging as a practical choice WATCH NOW LISTEN NOW VIDEOS PODCAST 36 30 38 MEP_Oct2025_4-5_Contents_13702722.indd 502/10/2025 02:49www.mepmiddleeast.comwww.mepmiddleeast.com6 MEP Middle East | October 20256 MEP Middle East | October 2025 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: Martin Chambers Head of Business and Technology: Thomas Shambler EDITORIAL Group Editor: Almas Tholot Tel: +971 4 444 3845 E-mail: almas.tholotr@itp.com Features Writer: Akshata Kamath Tel: +971 4 444 3262 E-mail: akshata.kamath@itp.com Commercial Editor: Angitha Pradeep Tel: +971 4 444 3278 E-mail: angitha.pradeep@itp.com Project Editor: Heather Cichowski ART ART DIRECTOR: Amjad Ayche ART EDITOR: Tofiq Memon 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 Senior Video Editor: Liju Cheruvathur MARKETING Head of Events: Eleanor Ashton E-mail: eleanor.ashton@itp.com Events Manager: Beverly Stanforth Events Manager: Gavin Moeketsi Associate Events Manager: Vrinali Nazareth Associate Events Manager: Maria Trishina Event Sales Executive: Jan Mokoala Events Sales Assistant: Joyce Salonga Events Administrative Assistant: Bobbie Rosario PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION Senior Production & Distribution Manager: Balasubramanian P Circulation Executive: Rajesh Pillai Distribution Coordinator: Avinash Pereira 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. 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The most reliable and respected source of MEP news and in-depth analysis in the GCC region To fl ip through previous editions of MEP Middle East magazine, visit mepmiddleeast.com/emagazines/digital-magazine Published by and © 2025 ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC. 6 MEP Middle East | October 2025 MEP_Oct2025_6_Flannel_13702739.indd 602/10/2025 02:50A TREASURE OF KNOWLEDGE AND INDUSTRY INSIGHTS AWAITS UH OH, THE REST IS ONLY FOR SUBSCRIBERS SCAN BELOW TO JOIN THE EXCLUSIVE COMMUNITY MEPME2024_HouseAD_MobileDesign.indd 103/09/2024 11:32ONLINE www.mepmiddleeast.com8 MEP Middle East | October 2025www.mepmiddleeast.com At the BUILD360 MEP Conference, a standout panel explored how green building certifi cations are evolving from one-time achievements to ongoing frameworks for performance and sustainability, while also driving real-world impact. With over 15 years of experience across the MEP and construction sectors, Toumi will oversee operations, lead project execution, and drive initiatives to strengthen client relationships as the company enters its next phase of growth. ALEC Holdings, a leading diversifi ed engineering and construction group, has announced plans to list 20% of its share capital on the Dubai Financial Market. “The IPO is a natural next step in ALEC’s journey” says its chairman, H. E. Hussain Nasser Lootah. Through advanced engineering solutions, the project delivers measurable environmental benefi ts and enhanced guest comfort, demonstrating that true sustainability and luxury can coexist even in the challenging climate of the Middle East. WHAT'S TRENDING ONLINE mepmiddleeas t .co m How Are Green Building Certifications Evolving? MEP Leaders Share Insights Elements White Box & MEP Solutions Appoints Haider Toumi as General Manager ALEC Holdings Plan DFM Listing, Offering 20% Stake in IPO Inside Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab’s Advanced Cooling and Water-Saving Innovations WHAT OUR READERS THINK... On Gulf-O-Flex’s First Thermal Insulation Facility “This project has been a dream for years, and today it stands as a reality. Thanks to the dedication and hardwork of our incredible Saudi team.” — Mujtaba Shaikhani, Managing Director, Rubber World Industry On the MEP Awards 2025 “It was a great opportunity for our management to be a part of this prestigious event and to celebrate our achievement together. ” — Zaid Alnawashi, Project Manager, ARCO Electromechanical MEP_Oct2025_8_Trending_13704732.indd 802/10/2025 02:51www.mepmiddleeast.comOctober 2025 | MEP Middle East 9www.mepmiddleeast.com QUOTES IN THEIR WORDS… Setting clear time frames, organising responsibilities, and defi ning priorities keeps us in control and moving forward with purpose Testing air conditioners at 35°C, when in reality they must operate at 45–55 °C, leads to a 25–50% underestimation of energy consumption Cooling loads, energy systems, maintenance regimes, and even tenant behaviour will determine whether buildings meet their zero-emissions promise Achieving net zero buildings isn’t about one hero engineer. All engineers on the project need to be net zero heroes Majd Fayyad DSM Strategy & Policy Lead, Dubai Supreme Council of Energy Sawsan Dahham Founder and CEO, SIENA Engi Jaber Associate Partner – Sustainability at +impact and Head of Climatize Dr Ali Nour Eddine International Director, Eurovent Certifi cation MEP_Oct2025_9_Word of Mouth_13704733.indd 902/10/2025 18:30Next >