Majid Al Futtaim appoints AECOM to deliver consultancy services for Mall of Saudi project
Majid Al Futtaim has awarded a four-year contract to global infrastructure consulting firm AECOM to provide lead consultancy services for its flagship Mall of Saudi development.
With the project set to break ground in Q4 this year, the announcement marks an important step in further delivering Majid Al Futtaim’s master-planned landmark mixed-use development, Riyadh North. The development is situated in the fastest growing zone in the city and provides an unparalleled gateway to brands and partners who are seeking to access a dynamic young population with a high appreciation of best in class retail, leisure and F&B.
AECOM’s contract will see the firm deliver lead design consultancy for pre-contract and post contract construction supervision for Mall of Saudi which is expected to house over 600 stores across 300,000sqm gross leasable area. Mall of Saudi is envisaged as an integrated lifestyle destination that will host the largest ski slope and snow park in the Middle East, luxury hotels and branded residences covering approximately 2,000 keys and spanning 214,000 square meters of built-up area.
The mall will feature a flagship Carrefour hypermarket and 31 VOX Cinema screens, including the world’s largest IMAX, and a Magic Planet. To date, leasing progress for the flagship retail space stands at approximately 50% of the gross leasable area for both issued and signed proposals, excluding Ski Saudi.
Ahmed Galal Ismail, Chief Executive Officer at Majid Al Futtaim – Properties, said: “The contract appointment with AECOM marks a major milestone for the Riyadh North development and is a meaningful step in the progression of Majid Al Futtaim’s anchor development, Mall of Saudi. As a long-term private sector partner, Majid Al Futtaim is fully committed to investing in the Kingdom and ensuring that its retail, leisure and real estate projects play a meaningful role in contributing to Vision 2030. We look forward to breaking ground on this exciting project in Q4 this year, bringing us closer to ensuring Riyadh takes its position on the global map as a top 10 city destination and to unlocking future foreign direct investment by acting as a landmark global development.”
Hamed Zaghw, Chief Executive, AECOM Middle East & Africa, commented: “We are delighted that Majid Al Futtaim has chosen AECOM to deliver its flagship retail destination in Saudi Arabia. The award is testament to our strong relationship with Majid Al Futtaim and their trust in our integrated offer, global reach, and local knowledge. The win reaffirms our commitment to supporting Vision 2030 through the delivery of large-scale, transformational projects that create long-lasting impact in the communities they serve.”
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Azizi Developments appoints MARIO Associates for MEP design consultancy
Azizi Developments awarded Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Consultancy (MARIO Associates) an MEP design review and advisory contract.
The contract constitutes a broad spectrum of consulting services, including the review of the existing design of Azizi Developments’ upcoming projects — models, drawings and — based on best performance, market practice, codes and standards, operational efficiency, constructability, and safety.
Mohamed Ragheb Hussein, executive director – engineering division at Azizi Developments, said: “We are pleased to bring on board MARIO Associates, a leading, integrative engineering consulting firm, to advise us on our MEP designs for our upcoming projects across Dubai. Its involvement will help us leverage cost effective, energy-efficient systems within our building designs while adhering to the highest build quality standards.”
Azizi Developments recently launched various projects, including Park Avenue, which enjoys a strategic, easily accessible and convenient location representing its own little getaway within the city. The property is surrounded by greenery and is within proximity to Azizi’s French Mediterranean-inspired, master-planned community Riviera; the upcoming Meydan One Mall; the Meydan Grandstand; The Track; and within a 10-minute-drive to Dubai Mall and Downtown Dubai. Park Avenue comprises contemporary homes that are ideally located for those seeking access to some of the city’s most vibrant points of interest while also being able to bask in the tranquillity of their own community and enjoy panoramic views of Dubai’s skyline.
MB Consultancy proposes design for Dubai Medical Innovation Center
The Dubai Medical Innovation Center (DIMC) is a visionary proposal for a research and development facility by MB Consultancy Architecture and Engineering that aims for fostering innovation and collaboration in the development of healthcare services around the world and particularly in the region. The complex is designed as an unconventional facility to accommodate a wide range of research initiatives in many varied disciplines. DMIC provides approximately 100,000 square meters of floor space to accommodate 1,000 scientists and researchers.
The lead architect for this project is Ramy Samir and design team consists of Mohamed Jabaseh Hajar, Isa Isaev, and Sarah Al Sharkawi.
Site location
The site is selected next to Rashid Hospital and Dubai Healthcare City, UAE.
Planning
Innovative and contemporary architecture is reflected in the building mass that is formed by three distinct buildings. Each building with a uniquely twisted architecture design with connectivity via bridges and a central podium, an underground basement in addition to a sky corridor on the 5th level. With a total height of 10 floors, the building program has been organised vertically to place the common activities at the lower levels, and then privacy and security are increasing as the levels go up. An Educational Hub had been placed with a variety of lecture and seminar rooms on the lower floors, supported by adequate digital libraries, simulators, rejuvenation lounges and fitness areas. In addition to this, there will be an auditorium for 1,000 person capacity with all the required supporting services. The two upper podium levels accommodate all cOPommon research and development facilities in addition to clinical trial rooms. A central atrium is introduced to reinforce the open space effect and permit visual contact between the various levels and the foyer below. The atrium is covered with an elegant skylight that injects the maximum amount of natural light into the heart of the building.
Interior
The organic nature of the exterior translates to the interior to create an intentional and natural flow, promoting innovative workspace solutions; The room layouts are flexible, allowing them to be changed to suit methods of working. They are also highly mobile allowing teams to configure their suites at will; The design aim is to provide a humane, warm environment for working and a security infrastructure to allow for protocols within a research laboratory typesetting. A variety of open meeting areas are provided outside the suites, including required technology, they essentially act as a front porch along the main circulation route. Also embedded within this layer is a series of small meeting rooms and individual think and focus rooms. Through the creation of the natural scenes of the enormous atrium spaces, public and semi-public areas are immersed with natural daylight.
Exterior
Aiming to be a landmark project, the buildings dynamicity is reflected in a unique way by inclined – twisted volumes, creating spatial tensions and openness with the intervention of light and shadows on the building envelope. Both functional and aesthetic, the facade enhances the performance in terms of energy efficiency as it prevents the facade from overheating during the hot summer months. While the reflective glazed facade improves access to daylight, reduce heat transmission and glare.
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