Archive for the ‘International Partnering’ Category

Al Bahr Towers

Posted by dConsult55

Al Bahr Towers is a prime example of Diar Consult’s collaboration and partnering with international designers that has led to not just successful but award-winning architecture.

In 2009, Aedas Architects Ltd. UK, appointed Diar Consult as associate architects to provide services as architect of record and engineer of record responsible for all contract administration, post-contract supervision, design review, code compliance and licensing on Abu Dhabi Investment Council and Al Hilal Bank’s new headquarters. Aedas had secured the project through an international design competition in 2007, by presenting an “inventive, sophisticated, thoughtful and bold” proposal.

The building is aesthetically defined by the world’s largest computerised dynamic facade; a reinterpretation of the traditional Arabian mashrabiya in the form of 2098 adaptive “flowers” that open and close in response to sunlight. This protective skin wraps the east, south and west facing elevations, reducing solar gain by as much as 50% and subsequently reducing air-conditioning load. The adaptive shading also allows for clearer glazing to be used, with the effect of improved visual permeability and greater daylight penetration, resulting in less reliance on artificial light. These factors helped the project to achieve a LEED Silver certification for sustainability, in accordance with the US Green Building Council LEED rating system.

Reference to regional traditions is further reinforced by the geometry of the plan form of the towers; derived from three intersecting circles, connected by three tangential arcs. The circle is traditionally used to reflect the notion of unification and the unity observed in nature.

Innovation was not limited to the design and construction of the building. The design process benefited from the development of bespoke software used to generate simulations and analyse the performance of building elements. This in turn opened up new ways of communicating information through the project team in a more effective manner than previously available.

The successful completion of Al Bahr Towers is testament to a remarkable and coordinated global effort by an international team, sharing expertise and resources, embracing new technologies and hitherto unexplored innovative forms and techniques of construction. The result is one of the most unique and remarkable developments in the Middle East, if not in the world – a project built by a local contractor, with a supply chain and manufacturing sources from Europe, China and the Middle East.

Project team

The global architectural community has chosen to recognise the team’s achievement with numerous awards, including the following:

Meydan

Posted by dConsult55

In January 2008 Diar Consult was approached by a UAE real estate developer to prepare concept design for a mixed use development on a plot in the Meydan master planned community of Dubai. The development comprised a 35 storey tower, primarily for residential use, but also incorporating some retail and office spaces. The design was led by Tange Associates Japan, who presented two contemporary design concepts. Both options are reliant on technologically advanced and intricately designed facade solutions.

The first option is a geometrically articulated tower with a series of stepped sky gardens created through a shifting of the floor plates. These elevated terraces and gardens are cut out of the facade planes, alternating on all four facades of the tower.

Nebula Waterfront

Posted by dConsult55

Diar Consult was approached by a UAE real estate developer in February 2008 to prepare a concept design proposal for the Nebula Development, located on an amalgamation of five plots within Nakheel’s Madinat Al Arab development along the Waterfront in Jebel Ali, in one of the prime locations where a manmade canal meets the sea.

The project comprised five elements: a 38-storey commercial office tower, a 47-storey residential tower that cascades down to a 23-storey residential tower, a 17-storey building of serviced apartments and a seven-storey five-star hotel. Magnificent views of both the Arabian Gulf and the manmade canal are maximized.

Diar Consult had already established a strategic alliance with Tange Associates of Japan, so that they could partner on significant projects in the UAE and the Middle East. Due to the size and scale of this project, it presented an ideal opportunity to use the arrangement. Tange Associates led the concept design, and Diar Consult acted as associate architects. The design aimed to create a unique destination and vibrant environment with a sense of identity and unity, giving the residents, workers and visitors a sense of belonging. Sustainability and respect for nature were major drivers of the design, using natural energy sources of wind, water, sunlight and greenery to create a human architecture.

The concept design was completed in May 2008 when the developer had intended to launch the project on the real estate market. However the project was not developed further due to the worldwide financial downturn.

Sama Tower

Posted by dConsult55

This design won first prize in an international design competition in 2004, in which Diar Consult made a joint submission with architects SOM from Chicago, USA. The design called for a 77-storey, mixed-use tower that was predominantly residential, on a prime site on Sheikh Zayed Road in the centre of Dubai.

The concept design, led by SOM, has a triangulated footprint that dynamically changes from concave to convex along the facade on each side of the triangle. Dramatic elevated sky gardens are created through which the residential units and the gardens become vertical neighbourhoods, efficiently linked together by a vertical transportation system. The form and geometry reflects fluidity, and the dynamic form emulates the free shapes of a sand dune. The triangulated form captures stunning views of city skylines and the sea. The design did not progress beyond concept stage because of the client’s changing development strategy.

Palm Jebel Ali, Plots E24-29

Posted by dConsult55

This project comprises residential and retail components on six plots in Zone E (plots E-24 to E-29) of Palm Jebel Ali’s eastern crescent.

Diar Consult was appointed by Nakheel in June 2008 to prepare feasibility concept proposals for this mixed-use project. Due to the project size, Diar Consult partnered with Tange Associates Japan which led the pre-concept feasibility proposals, while Diar Consult acted as associate architects. With its wave-like curved podium, the design aims to create a resort image and feel. The staggered layers of the buildings create a dramatic appearance. The promenade front of the podium integrates duplex townhouses, situated above the retail floor.

While the proposals were completed in August 2008, the Palm Jebel Ali project was put on hold owing to the global financial downturn.

Tameer Towers

Posted by dConsult55

Tameer Towers is a mixed-use development for Tameer Holding Investment, a major private property developer in the UAE and Gulf region. Located on the prestigious Reem Island Abu Dhabi, this project is one of the main anchor landmark developments and comprises a commercial tower and four residential towers ranging from 42 to 62 storeys and resting on a podium of stepped garden townhouses. Additionally, there is a five-star hotel component flanking the development to the southwest, and a vibrant canal promenade.

Appointed in 2007 by Gensler UK, the internationally renowned lead design architects, Diar Consult was the architect of record responsible for design review and code compliance (all disciplines) as well as all permitting and local authority licensing for this iconic project.

Construction started on the first phase of the residential component in 2010, but is currently on hold.

Mainland Development

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In May 2002, Abu Dhabi National Hotels Co. approached Diar Consult with a view to master planning a new waterfront development along the Mussafah canal. Diar Consult then collaborated with HHCP USA, which took the initial lead in the development of the concept master plan. Diar Consult prepared the detailed master plan and concept design of the individual components of the project. This was one of the earliest projects assigned through international partnering by Abu Dhabi National Hotels Co.

The master plan comprises a private residential community of 170 units (townhouses and villas), creating secure defined neighbourhoods structured around a cul-de-sac system. All the residents enjoy access to the connected linear parks and recreation areas of the development directly from their lots. A manmade internal water creek was introduced into the development to demarcate clearly the territory of the residential zone, separating it from the commercial and public zones; and to create a dramatic and organic integration of land and water bodies. The separately accessible public domain includes retail, a hypermarket and cineplex, a four-star hotel and boutique offices as well as a country club for the residents and the general public.

The project was cancelled in July 2005 due to a complex legal issue related to land ownership. However, it provided a recognised benchmark and standards for this client to build on for their subsequent projects.