Summertown Interiors’ Dubai HQ in JAFZA has been awarded the WELL Health-Safety Rating
Summertown Interiors has earned the WELL Health-Safety Rating for its Dubai head office in JAFZA through the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). The WELL Health-Safety Rating is an evidence-based, third-party verified rating for all new and existing building and space types focusing on operational policies, maintenance protocols, stakeholder engagement, and emergency plans to address a post-COVID-19 environment now and into the future.
Designed to empower owners and operators across large and small businesses alike to take the necessary steps to prioritise the health and safety of their staff, visitors, and stakeholders, the WELL Health-Safety Rating can help guide users in preparing their spaces for re-entry in the wake of the pandemic, instilling confidence in those who come through the building as well as the broader community.
Marcos Bish, managing director, Summertown Interiors, commented: “We are delighted to achieve the WELL Health-Safety Rating for our own Dubai head office, demonstrating our commitment to providing the highest standards of health and wellbeing for our people and clients and suppliers.”Summertown joins ICD Brookfield Place in attaining WELL Health & Safety Rating, which is the largest office building in the MENA region to receive this certification.
To achieve this, Summertown developed new office policies to improve its existing cleaning and sanitisation procedures and updated its emergency preparedness programme, including a comprehensive Business Continuity Plan and IT disaster recovery plan. Additionally, the team revised its employee health and wellbeing policies to include more flexible working opportunities, promotion of flu and COVID-19 vaccines, sick leave, and discouraging smoking.
Summertown Interiors was awarded the WELL Health-Safety Rating following the successful completion of a third-party documentation review by GBCI to confirm it has met the feature specific intents and requirements.
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The Loop, Oasis Mall Dubai by DZ Design awarded Lighting Project of the Year at Design Middle East Awards 2020
Lighting Project of the Year was awarded to The loop, Oasis Mall Dubai by DZ Design. The Loop was conceived as an idea that can interconnect the volume at the atrium of the Oasis mall and distribute light at the otherwise dull escalator. The loop is inspired by the infinity symbol. The infinity symbol holds a deep meaning for spirituality, love, beauty, and power. In a world filled with distraction and complications, the infinity symbol represents a sense of simplicity, and balance.
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AECOM awarded supervision and quality control services for The Red Sea Development Company’s (TRSDC) new airport
AECOM has been selected to provide the airside construction supervision and quality control services for a new sustainable international airport in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Conforming with The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC)’s sustainability goals, the entire airport infrastructure will be completely powered by renewable energy, the first of its kind in the country.
“AECOM is excited to partner with The Red Sea Development Company to bring this iconic project to life. This partnership is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of our business and teams across the region,” said Lara Poloni, AECOM’s president. “The airport will provide an unforgettable aviation experience for travelers through revolutionary design and cutting-edge technologies.”
AECOM’s scope includes the oversight of the airside infrastructure construction, the design and building of a 3,700m ‘Code F’ runway, a ‘Code B’ seaplane runway, parallel and link taxiways and pavement works, aeronautical navigational aids, aerodrome ground lighting, airside utilities, helipads, roads, and associated buildings.
Designed by Foster + Partners, the airport will be capable of serving one million domestic and international passengers per year when it opens in 2022. Work is set to commence next month, following the completion of essential groundwork.
“This key award confirms The Red Sea Development Company’s trust in the depth of our resources, both within the Kingdom and across the region and our ability to deliver specialized aviation-related services for this strategic project,” said Ian Laski, chief executive and president of AECOM Arabia.
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SNC-Lavalin’s Atkins business awarded lead design contract for Six Flags Qiddiya theme park in KSA
SNC-Lavalin’s Atkins business has been awarded the lead design consultant services contract from Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) for the Six Flags Qiddiya theme park project – located within Qiddiya, Southwest of Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.
Under the three-year contract, Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, will provide integrated lead design consultant, construction supervision, and cost management services. The scope of work includes public realm and necessary infrastructure within the plot area along with validation of the pre-concept design, as well as the development of sustainability and environmental assessment methods, design criteria, and standards of the project.
Six Flags Qiddiya is scheduled for opening during the first phase of Qiddiya – the Kingdom’s Capital of Entertainment, Sports and the Arts. The park will stretch across 32 hectares (79 acres) and feature 28 uniquely themed rides and attractions across six lands: The City of Thrills, Discovery Springs, Steam Town, Twilight Gardens, Valley of Fortune and Grand Exposition. The theme park will provide both recreational and professional opportunities to the Saudi population and boast a number of record-breaking attractions including The Falcon’s Flight, the longest, tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world.
“This win is a testament to our proven track record for delivering flagship projects worldwide, and market-focused approach to a dynamic and sustainable business growth in the Middle East,” said Cris Dedigama, CEO of Atkins Middle East & Africa, Engineering, Design and Project Management, SNC-Lavalin. “We are proud to work with Qiddiya on this one-of-a-kind project that supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the acceleration of the country’s economic diversification agenda.”
“With over 50 years’ presence in the Middle East, Atkins has delivered some of the region’s most iconic amusement parks,“ said Ian Redmayne, Managing Director of Atkins KSA, Engineering, Design and Project Management, SNC-Lavalin. “We are proud to support the Six Flags Qiddiya project that is set to redefine the entertainment industry not only in the region, but also globally. We look forward to delivering this project to the highest quality, safety and sustainability standards.”
Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) is driving the development of Qiddiya – home of the most innovative and disruptive experiences in entertainment, sports, and the arts in Saudi Arabia. As a core tenet of Vision 2030, Qiddiya has a dual economic and social purpose: to advance economic diversification and unlock new professional pathways while enriching lives of the youth in the Kingdom.
The Company relationship with Qiddiya started in 2019 when the company began providing master planning and infrastructure engineering services for the destination-resort community.
Dilmunia Mosque contract awarded to MSCEB Architects & Engineers
Ithmaar Development Company (IDC) has awarded the design and supervision contract of the Dilmunia Mosque to MSCEB Architects & Engineers. The mosque will enhance Dilmunia’s growing sense of community, as spirituality lies at the heart of Bahrain’s culture.
IDC CEO, Mohammed Alsayed said: “Following several rounds of discussion, the design we developed alongside MSCEB Architects and Engineers reflects Dilmunia’s passion for sustainable iconic buildings that can be inclusive of both modern and traditional architecture. Simplicity, purity and harmony are the themes that we associate with our developments, and they have been integrated into the Mosque’s design. We are targeting construction to begin by the middle of next year, and look forward to working with MSCEB and utilising their expertise to build a one of a kind structure.”
MSCEB managing director Thamer Salahuddin added: “The character of the Mosque’s architecture can be described as a modern interpretation of traditional elements. The simplicity and elegance of the design will enhance the spiritual experience within the mosque as it takes into account the aspect of minimalism we have embodied within our design. We are very pleased to have been awarded the this prestigious project amongst strong competition with international contenders.”
The Mosque will include a prayer hall with a capacity for 200 worshippers, segregated male and female worship areas, a multi-use community hall, and a library /reading hall, as well as a car park.
Located on the western side of Dilmunia and strategically positioned at the island’s gateway with a 55-meter water frontage the Dilmunia Mosque will stand-out as a building that is visible and accessible from the adjacent access highway, and is set to a design that is simultaneously breathtaking and functional.
DIFC’s Gate Avenue awarded LEED Gold Certification
Dubai International Financial Centre’s (DIFC) Gate Avenue has been awarded the prestigious LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold accreditation from the US Green Building Council and Green Building Certification Inc. This prestigious LEED Gold certification marks the DIFC’s continued commitment to sustainability by ensuring assets reduce their carbon footprint. The achievement ensures DIFC continues to distinguish itself with world class infrastructure.
LEED is the most widely used sustainable buildings rating system in the world, providing a framework for healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving sustainable buildings. It recognises only those projects that follow high environmental standards of sustainability; water and energy efficiency; optimum utilisation of materials and resources and healthy indoor environment quality, which leads to the reduction of global greenhouse gases.
Gate Avenue was awarded the LEED Gold certification for successfully fulfilling the prerequisites and credits across nine measurements for building excellence from integrative design to human health to material use. This was made possible by the expertise and support of AESG – the firm that delivered the LEED consultancy services for the project. Through AESG’s expert advice, supported by onsite management and testing, Gate Avenue, DIFC met LEED’s high standards across all of its categories, reflecting the best practices applied in this development.
Spanning 286,000 square feet of built up area and 880 metres in total length, Gate Avenue at DIFC is quickly becoming part of one of Dubai’s most sought after lifestyle destinations featuring more than 200 leading lifestyle, retail, art, fashion, food & beverage brands, and the modern grand mosque. Gate Avenue links the podium levels of all buildings located in the Centre, from The Gate Building to Central Park Towers.
AESG worked to incorporate several innovative features by strategically selecting credits with high sustainability impact and minimal design impact. The credits pursued, such as water reduction are regionally relevant. The building underwent fundamental and enhanced commissioning for efficiency and performance. Furthermore, materials with high recycled content, including concrete, steel and glass have been installed to reduce embodied carbon emissions. High occupancy density rooms include CO2 sensors provide a fresh air supply. A
Commenting on the announcement, Saleh Al Akrabi, CEO, DIFC Property Management said: “We are proud that Gate Avenue at DIFC has been awarded the prestigious LEED Gold Certification. Providing world class sustainable infrastructure, which includes Gate Avenue forms part of DIFC’s commitment to becoming the region’s most sustainable financial centre. We look forward to continuing to build a more sustainable and resilient Centre for our community of more than 25,000 professionals and for all those who visit for business and leisure.”
“AESG is thrilled to have provided LEED and sustainability consultancy services for this impressive development. This LEED Gold certification is validation of the team’s significant efforts and commitment to ensuring the development is environmentally and socially responsible. It is this shift towards high performance buildings in the construction sector that will have a lasting and positive impact both now and for generations to come”, said Phillipa Grant, Director of Energy and Sustainability at AESG.
Yas Island awarded WTTC ‘Safe Travels’ stamp for its comprehensive wellness program
Yas Island has been awarded the coveted World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) ‘Safe Travels’ stamp, marking the first destination in Abu Dhabi to receive the international honour.
Launched recently by the WTTC who represent the global Travel & Tourism private sector, the global safety and hygiene stamp has been awarded to major holiday destinations around the world to enable travellers to identify destinations and businesses that have adopted its health and hygiene global standardised protocols. These protocols include providing consistency and guidance to travel providers and travellers about the new approach to health, hygiene, deep cleansing and physical distancing in the ‘new normal’ of COVID-19 world. So far the stamp has been awarded to key tourist destinations such as Turkey, Mauritius, Portugal, Vienna, and Saudi Arabia, and is seen as a key catalyst in the speedy recovery of the Travel & Tourism sector.
Yas Island has received the recognition for the implementation of its comprehensive wellness program, which, in addition to enhanced hygiene and social distancing measures, has included the launch of the #TogetheratYas technology platform and the appointment of Yas Wellness Ambassadors.
#TogetheratYas is an online platform offering clear comprehensive guidance on safety measures and a one-stop shop for all the fun experience on Yas Island.