Omnix International incorporates Hardware Optimization Technology to improve design workflows within AEC and Oil & Gas industry
Omnix International, an end-to-end digital solutions and services pioneer, announces the next-generation version of its Hardware Optimization Technology (HOT) Systems workstations and laptops powered by Intel’s 12th generation processors. The workstations are designed and configured to meet the needs and standards across diverse sectors which include Architecture, Engineering & Construction (AEC), Oil & Gas, Manufacturing and Product Design as well as Media and Entertainment. The unique optimization methodology developed by Omnix R&D team enabled on these stations improve productivity for time critical manufacturing and oil and gas projects and ensure maximum performance and speed for AEC based applications, besides other strong capabilities.
Omnix’s specialized hardware division professionally custom builds and develop their in-house brand named as HOT Systems. The product portfolio ranges from workstations, laptops, servers, render boxes, render farms and collaborative cloud for professional applications such as Autodesk, Adobe, Rhino, Lumion, Unity, Enscape, Twin Motion, Dassault Systèmes, Arc GIS, Cinema 4D to name some.
Developed in-house by the research and development team, the upgraded HOT Systems workstations are fitted with the latest Intel 12th generation alder lake processors. 12th Generation processors from Intel offers a unique combination of Performance-Core and Efficient-core (P-core and E-core) designed for professional applications to match the scale of performance. Performance Core is Intel’s highest performing CPU core and is designed to maximize single-thread performance and responsiveness for computer intensive workloads like CAD and 3D design. While the E-Core delivers multithreaded performance for tasks that can run in parallel, along with efficient offload of background tasks for modern multitasking.
“Omnix International has deep rooted associations with the AEC, Oil & Gas, Government and Education sectors for over three decades. Our understanding of client’s workflow requirements has inspired our in-house Research & Development team to deliver technology that maximizes design application production efficiencies and system performances, while eliminating bottle necks and accelerating workflows all on a hardware integrated platform. We are extremely pleased to offer our customers the new and improved HOT System workstations, Laptops, Render nodes, Collaborative Servers, and Custom Cloud solutions. This is a testament of our ongoing commitment towards innovation and the need for continuous improvement,” said Simran Bagga, Head of Engineering at Omnix.
In addition, HOT Systems are also supported by the latest DDR5 memories, newer motherboard chipset, and PCI express 5, which doubles the bandwidth and delivers consistent improvement in performances within 2D & 3D, AR/VR, Analysis and Simulation based applications. The New DMI 4.0 Link enhances high-speed networking, offers more peripherals and larger storage. As the cores are now divided between performance and efficiency, the Performance-core can run two threads at once via hyper threading. These capabilities are well designed for integration within the latest Windows 11 environment.
HOT Systems have evolved as an industry standard providing software and hardware integrated solutions for demanding CAD, BIM, Graphics and Point cloud applications in the Middle East Region. The hardware offers a unique optimization methodology that enable enhanced software and hardware performances and meets the highest quality and performance standards which are purpose built for professional workflows. The technology increases productivity by up to 33% to 35%.
Omnix International works with major clients and has sold more than 2000 plus units installed across the region. The R&D and testing centers are based in the UAE, India and USA where various applications and hardware compatibilities are tested and certified. HOT Systems products are proudly built in the UAE with industry standard components from major components manufacturers and products are shipped across– UAE, Oman, Kuwait, KSA, Qatar, Bahrain and expanding to newer territories.
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Technology as the way forward
Dimitri Papakonstantinou, managing director of Al Shafar Interiors (ASI), discusses working on Expo 2020 projects and how the company can benefit in the future from this mega event.
By Roma Arora
What reforms have you implemented at ASI, and how has this benefited the organisation?
We set up a Project Management Office (PMO) a few months ago to strengthen our project reporting and controls, as well as our control of project delivery reports, so that we could be more agile in our decision-making. This is still workin- progress, but I’m expecting to give live information and data on both our site operations and our joinery facility in the coming months.
How challenging was it to work on the projects for Expo 2020, especially during COVID-19?
Expo 2020 was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As expected, the last months leading up to the inauguration were extremely difficult, but the excitement of the build-up to the 1st October opening day could be felt every day. COVID-19 introduced new obstacles that no one had ever faced before, both on Expo and non-Expo projects. Although the impact was likely felt more in 2020, the frequent disruption had a long-term influence on the initiatives. It necessitated frequent communication with all stakeholders in order to keep them up to date on the situation. I believe we are fortunate that Expo and the UAE as a whole handled the pandemic in such a way that business and daily life could go on as usual.
What was your approach for various Expo 2020 projects? How did you ensure that there was a sense of uniqueness while maintaining the greatest level of quality?
Each project was distinct in that it reflected a country, its culture, innovations, food, and other aspects. We were involved in the design and construction of some of the pavilions we built from the beginning. This necessitated an awareness of the most significant feature that the specific participant wished to emphasise in order to provide advice on how to effectively spend their budget.
How can these exceptional Expo 2020 projects benefit ASI in the industry?
We created an exhibition department that was in charge of the creative development of the project’s content and exhibition. This provided knowledge to our team that we did not previously have, as well as a new skill set that can be employed in future museum and exhibition projects.
What kind of projects do you want to do now?
It’s back to business as usual at the moment where most of our involvement is again in hospitality projects. We’re currently carrying out works on several hotels, entertainment, and retail. What are the challenges in the market at present? Although there are some positive signs in the market over the past few months, competition is still very tight. At the same time, rising raw material and shipping costs necessitate price increases, which clients are not always willing to accept.
What are the challenges in the market at present?
Although there are some positive signs in the market over the past few months, competition is still very tight. At the same time, rising raw material and shipping costs necessitate price increases, which clients are not always willing to accept.
What is forming as your vision for ASI in the future? What do you want ASI to accomplish in the next few years?
ASI is evolving, and I’d like us to concentrate as much as possible on technological advancements in our sector. Over the next 3-5 years, we want to grow into two new countries.
The post Technology as the way forward appeared first on Design Middle East.
Smart washroom technology specialist VERTECO introduces latest cutting-edge offering in the MENA region
VERTECO, the forward-thinking specialist in smart washroom technologies, smart water management ,and water conservation solutions, introduces the region to LooLights, the company’s latest cutting-edge offering. The revolutionary new product is designed to help ease congestion in busy washrooms and direct customers to vacant cubicles.
By utilising VERTECO’s smart technologies, LooLights can accurately determine cubicle occupancies within washrooms at airports, stadiums, malls and other busy public spaces that experience high footfall.
The system is similar to the way a car park shows visitors where the available parking spaces are. Fitted above each washroom cubicle door, LooLightsTM help manage people flow by showing green for vacant cubicles, red for engaged and blue for People of Determination.
The occupancy data can also be displayed on a screen outside the washroom showing users if there is any availability. The system is connected to all washrooms in the building, so if all cubicles are occupied, the screen can direct the user to the nearest alternative washroom.
Real-time occupancy data that the system collects using VERTECO’s sensor-driven 3D IoT solutions can then be easily viewed and analysed on a desktop or mobile device, and business owners can use these insights to improve their operational efficiencies.
LooLights are already widely used in airports and shopping malls across the USA and Europe. Now, with the support of VERTECO, MENA businesses from across a whole range of sectors can reap the benefits of this ingenious solution.
David King, managing director of VERTECO for the MENA Region, commented: “As the world recovers from COVID-19, washroom cleanliness and social distancing remains key. It’s now more important than ever to monitor washroom occupancy levels and make sure they remain hygienic, safe, and uncrowded environments.
“Introducing LooLights to businesses across the MENA region is a step forward to help organisations achieve the best possible hygiene levels. This solution has a modern design and a simple installation process. The carefully thought out LooLightsTM system doesn’t require locks, latches or deadbolts to be able to identify when a cubicle is occupied or not. This means that it gathers exceptionally accurate data and is less likely to break down”.
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Dar Al Arkan introduces first 3D Construction Printing Technology in the region
Dar Al Arkan has marked a regional first with the introduction of the first 3D Construction Printing (3DCP) technology that will accelerate the speed of construction while enhancing safety and reducing wastage and errors.
Launched in collaboration with the Construction of Buildings on Demand (COBOD), Dar Al Arkan is leading the transition of the industry toward advanced and sustainable building practices, and complementing the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to support economic diversification and digitisation.
Unlike traditional home-building methods, 3DCP cuts the construction time by more than half, is more flexible and requires less manpower since it takes only three workers to build one house. This, in turn, also contributes to decreased Lost Time Injury, creating a safer workplace. Additionally, less concrete is needed to complete a building making the technology more sustainable and a viable solution for a low-carbon construction industry of the future. For consumers, the combination of these advantages ensures lower costs and more affordability compared to traditional construction.
As 3DCP increases the accuracy of construction, there will be less repairs and rework too, helping save long-term costs and adding to the value of the property. The technology is also very important in insulation and reduces the cost of electricity bills. A combination of reduced waste of construction materials, less need for repair or rework and low on-site LTI incidents will enable highly cost-efficient project management than traditional construction.
The first 3D construction printed house will be ready by Q4 2021, and will be located in the Shams Ar Riyadh project.
Ziad El Chaar, Vice Chairman, Dar Al Arkan Properties, said: “Our goal is to develop the Kingdom’s real estate sector by integrating the latest trends and technologies, drawn from global best practices to enhance our industry locally and deliver on the objectives of Vision 2030 at many levels. The introduction of 3D construction printing will revolutionise our approach to construction and enable us to focus on greater flexibility of design, strengthen productivity and achieve higher cost efficiency. This will raise the industry standards, achieve excellence and position the Kingdom as a leader in this sector, while making us highly competitive in 3DCP technology.”
Capable of printing three-story large scale residential units, 3DCP is based on the Gantry System, which consists of an agile large scale frame structure that supports the printhead, along an X/Y axis. The printhead can move in various directions to lay a special strong and sustainable concrete formula in a specific pattern based on a predetermined digital design of a home or a building directly on site.
of different sizes, further making it extremely effective and efficient building method for the construction sector.
The technology will revolutionise how customers buy their homes in the near future given that very soon they will be able to select from various digital building designs and simply authorise the printing of their home with a click of a button.
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Zaha Hadid Architects and Leigh & Orange Limited unveil the new design for a Student Residence Development at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) and Leigh & Orange Limited (L&O) unveil the new design for a Student Residence Development at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).
Established in 1991, HKUST has become a leading research institution, consistently ranked amongst the best in Asia and around the globe. HKUST is also one of the world’s fastest growing universities. Over half of the university’s 16,000 students enrolled in the 2019-2020 academic year are from overseas, creating an urgent demand for new residential facilities within its Clear Water Bay campus.
Planned for completion in 2023, the university’s new halls of residence designed by Zaha Hadid Architects in collaboration with Leigh & Orange will house over 1,500 students. Marrying advanced digital design technologies with sustainable construction practices and operational strategies for its 50-year life cycle, the design is guided by the university’s mission to harness technology and innovation to solve today’s critical global issues.
Located at the Southeast of the HKUST campus, the new halls of residence are embedded within a steeply sloping site of approximately 25m of level difference. The building’s roof line has been designed as its primary circulation and incorporates shaded outdoor areas for students and staff to rest and gather together, helping to build a stronger cross-campus culture. This rooftop walkway creates a new connection between the academic blocks of the north campus and the primarily residential blocks of the south, eliminating the need for students and staff to circumnavigate the hilly terrain.
Digital design tools allowing simultaneous considerations of numerous site parameters including terrain levels, solar radiation, sightlines and soil conditions have defined the design’s optimal configuration and orientation; while the digital encoding of its internal spaces enabled layout tests to optimize functionality and adaptability, as well as accurate calculation of natural light levels.
The halls of residence are organized in a hexagonal configuration creating four courtyards terraced into the steeply sloping site. With all rooms facing open spaces, the approximately 35,500 sq.m of accommodation includes communal areas for living, learning, recreation and leisure. The courtyards are designed to be quieter spaces for rest and relaxation, while the surrounding hillside will be replanted to prevent soil erosion with zones for exercise and social activities.
The residences are arranged in three differing ‘clusters’ that combine communal living spaces with a varying number of single or double occupancy bedrooms, enabling between 18 to 36 students to share one apartment as a single self-contained ‘household’ that encourages a sense of ownership and cohesion.
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ROAR completes the American University of Sharjah’s new Research Technology and Innovation Park
ROAR has created the interior of American University of Sharjah’s new Research Technology and Innovation Park. Designed to encourage a dialogue between academia and industry to generate innovative ideas and produce thriving new enterprises, the campus – spanning over 25,000 sqm – encompasses two large atriums, several leasable offices for startups and incubators, anchor offices for blue-chip tenants and the AUS RTI HQ offices. The majority of the space is dedicated to co-working areas for the AUS students and faculty working on entrepreneurial ideas including maker-spaces, exhibition spaces and an auditorium alongside ancillary zones such as meeting rooms, seminar and multipurpose halls, a gymnasium as well as a creche. The building has two distinct atriums, each interpreting the Falaj concept through dramatic design statements. The 18 metre-wide domes in each atrium are adorned with organic-shaped metal grids at different levels, creating an illusion of movement for the visitor when passing through the space. Two large stretch fabric clouds – parametrically-designed and suspended from an imposing height of 30 metres – are the standout design feature of the first atrium; these echo the flowing lines of the Falaj system. Weighing close to a tonne, ROAR worked in close collaboration with the contractors to realise the ideal suspension system with minimal structural and design impact to the clouds.
“The design narrative is inspired by the ancient falaj irrigation system, which was first used in Sharjah 5,000 years ago by Bronze Age settlers. The falaj system gave life to communities, allowing them to grow crops in the desert. This ancestral technique resonated with America University of Sharjah Enterprises’ central mission, which is to be a catalyst for the development of problem-solving innovations. We wanted the interior design to bring this story to life in multiple ways. It is incorporated into the core of the building in that it inspires both the circulation and space planning.’ ~ Pallavi Dean, Founder and Creative Director at ROAR.
The second atrium is the green atrium. Again inspired by the Falaj method, the slab edges were treated with a 3D metal mesh feature with meandering rod forms. A feat which took over five months from rigorous design development to installation, this architectural feature is composed of over 11,000 metal rods, totalling an overall length of 54,000m. Interspersed with plants and indoor lawns, biophilia was introduced to positively impact the experience of people using the space. The leasable offices overlooking the atriums, have also been treated distinctively – from the use of concrete texture paint and terrazzo flooring to the 3D mesh, warm wood surfaces and titanium cladding with polished concrete to complement the clouds, all elements form a calming, minimalist colour palette. While many of the spaces in AUS RTI building are playful, in contrast, the RTI offices are clearly recognised as a bridge to the corporate world. The HQ reflects an elegant, mature and sophisticated design language followed through with dark timber surfaces complimented with mesh laminated glass partitions and bronze accents. ROAR was appointed by AUS Enterprises, an organisation which connects businesses with academic research from the American University of Sharjah.
Quality meets technology – Design Middle East
Mehdi Khoury, Founder and Managing Director of Marwa Marble, on brand’s core offerings, trends, current project, and their expansion plans. It’s a family-owned business and today with the help of the second generation, Marwa Marble is trying to break the boundaries of the industry to give marble in all its forms the appreciation it deserves
Can you tell us more about Marwan Marble-your purpose, mission, core offerings, and prestigious projects?
We are here to provide our customers with a wide range of high-quality marbles, granites, travertines, onyx, quartzites, and quartz with excellent finishing and installation. The objective of providing our customers with high-quality material assists in bringing all stone related conceptual designs to life. Our ultimate goal is to ensure our customers are satisfied with the overall service – most importantly the end-product and to give marble; a natural product, the value and appreciation it deserves. Our Core offerings include site measurements, shop drawings, marble cutting, dry laying, fixing, and polishing of the marble after fixing.
Some of our prestigious commissions include Past projects Le Reve Tower, Dubai Marina; Volante Tower, Business Bay; One 100 Palm Jumeirah, VIP luxury mansions in Emirates Hills and Palaces all across the seven Emirates, Presidential Place in Turkmenistan, amongst others.
What influences the products you import or are planning to develop?
We take into consideration the market trends and our recommendations in terms of quality, colour schemes, and budgets.
How is the market situation at the moment? How COVID-19 has impacted your business?
When COVID-19 first hit, the business was a bit slow due to lockdown and customers having trouble visiting our showroom. Now, over the past three to four months with the ease of restrictions, we have seen a surge in sales, a main reason for that is because our projects are mostly private villas and is not directly influenced by the real estate market.
What are the challenges in this region?
Misguidance within the industry such as the effects of social media on peoples taste and requirements when it doesn’t match their budget and receiving wrong information from inexperienced individuals in the industry. Contractors and consultants unreasonably pricing marble at a relatively low price which always causes clients confusion and disappointment when they are introduced to marble and its real costs.
Could you tell us more about your factory and the modern facilities you are using?
A minimum of 90,000m2 of material is stored in our factory at all times of the year. This guarantees our customers a wide range of colours and marbles to select from depending on what is most suitable for their project. Marwa Marble facility is built on 100,000 sqft of land fully equipped with modern facilities such as cranes and forklifts for proper loading and unloading of materials in addition to
imported machines like waterjet machines, calibrating machines, bridge machines, grinding, cutting and polishing machines to ensure excellent cutting and superb finishing for our customers.
With the help of over 100 employees, Marwa Marble is committed to continuously improve its services and product quality by purchasing the most advanced machines in the industry. Our aim is to provide our customers with the best material to complement their designs at the most competitive prices.
What is the most popular variety of marbles best-suited for this region and why? Tell us an emerging trend we should look out for in 2021.
Italian Travertine has proven to be one of the most reliable stones and has been very popular recently in the UAE market due to how resilient it can be with the weather in the region. It can be fixed indoors and outdoors because of its near zero absorption rate compared to other marbles, it can also be used in multiple ways, such as on flooring, wall cladding, façades and pool decking. It also offers many finishing options such as leather, honed, polished or for a more natural look simply raw.
Something that we should all look out for in 2021, and can emerge as a trend is grey marbles. Depending on different preferences grey marbles have many different shades and can match any style or mood. Another trend that has recently become popular in the market is the installation of Marble TV units and also using marble as wall features.
What are the current projects you’re working on?
There are a lot of exciting projects that we’re currently working on. Some of those include Al Rahmaniya Mall, two private Palaces in Zabeel, one private villa in Jumeirah Golf Estates, another five private villas on The Palm, DIFC common area, and other multiple private villas across the seven Emirates.
Any expansion plans in the pipeline?
Marwa Marble is currently in the process of building an additional 50,000sqft where materials will be held in an all indoor facility.
Exploring the ozone technology to sanitise and disinfect
Last week, Kona Middle East hosted an interesting event in collaboration with Design Smith. Leading designers came forward to support the event on sustainability and got the chance to experiment with the innovation of ozonised water. It’s well-known fact that by washing in ozonised water, 99.9% of bacteria and viruses on the product are killed, any agricultural and chemical pesticides will be removed, products will remain fresh for three times longer. Kona Ozone are the first ozone faucets with internal design that delivers ozonised water.
You may think, what is the place of ozone technologies in the interior design? What makes ozone this effective is its high oxidation potential. Ozone is about five times more oxidising than oxygen and about twice as oxidising as chlorine. Ozone has a well-documented kill rate of micro-organisms such as fungus, bacteria, and viruses.
Some of the strengths of ozonised technology includes the elimination of toxic particles from surfaces as well remove smells from our hands after cooking. The interior designers from Design Smith, Dubai Design District, MS Design were handed over some garlic, which leaves a strong odour on the fingers, after which they washed their hands for a few seconds under the ozonised water. To everyone’s surprise, the strong smell of garlic that tends to stick to fingers for a long time was gone.
Following the concept of sustainability, ozonised water systems in interior design reduce the consumption chemicals, and therefore plastics, assuring the organic disinfection for food and environment.
Why LED technology is the future of indoor digital signage? Let’s find out
Across the MEA region, indoor display advertising has become one of the most traditional yet highly effective ways to advertise new products, help customers navigate a store and reinforce a brand’s identity.
When compared to any other form of indoor signage, LED has proven to be more efficient, valuable, and useful for diverse indoor applications. LED signage is becoming more attractive to business owners who are looking for digital displays that provide high resolution and advanced technology.
When choosing digital display signage for business, there are many options to consider. However, LED signage has exceeded all expectations with robust technology, colourful display and innovative solutions. For these benefits, it is recommended to opt for LED Signage to guarantee the best quality and experience.
Jassim N P, regional manager for LED, LG Electronics Middle East and Africa, shares some of the reasons why indoor LED signage is the best option for interior display needs. He shares: “When businesses invest in LED signage, it offers a valuable, informative tool to potential customers and can be optimised for visual meetings, conferences, and workshops. Businesses can advertise specific aspects and can help customers find what they’re looking for. It can also bring attention to a new product line and other relevant information. LED signage can control the message and establish a brand’s identity through its display.”
He further adds: “The technology of LED signage allows operators to change messages daily. Some of these boards are known as electronic message centres that give a limitless ability to display new products or any new information that business owners want to communicate with their customers.”
Another reason for their popularity is that the LED screens have started to replace flat screens and projectors in meeting rooms. With bigger screens and wider color spectrum, it has become the ultimate presentation tool to display content without lines or distortions, providing a more immersive visual experience.
LG introduced numerous indoor LED signage displays with a full model line-up, ranging from super fine-pitch to standard indoor pitch for diverse indoor application including stores, restaurants, conference rooms, hotels, theatres, museums, and more.
Featuring pixel pitches of 0.9mm to 3.9mm, LG indoor LED signage models deliver high brightness capabilities, seamless images and excellent viewing quality. It is also compatible with LG software solutions for boosting business management efficiency, easy installation methods and up to 100,000 hour lifespans.
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