Archive for the ‘Mixed Use’ Category

BMW, Rolls Royce, Mini Cooper

Posted by dConsult55

This landmark development has set new standards in the Middle East for corporate interiors and flagship car dealership facilities, combining three of the world’s most iconic car companies in an idyllic sales environment while maintaining the corporate branding and identity of each of the three entities.

Situated at the entry to the city of Abu Dhabi near Al Maqta Bridge, it comprises state-of-the art showrooms for Rolls Royce, Mini Cooper and BMW, with a total capacity of 80 cars, in addition to supporting workshops, a service centre and repair facilities, a BMW museum and lifestyle centre, and an experience theatre. It is also the headquarters of United Al Saqer Group, the official agent and distributor of the three brands, and of their dealer, Abu Dhabi Motors. It represents the largest BMW group facility outside Munich, and the largest Rolls Royce showroom in the world.

As lead design consultants on the project, Diar Consult’s multidisciplinary role encompassed architectural, structural and interior design, as well as providing complete contract administration in all disciplines. By providing both the architectural and interior elements, the designers were able to produce a harmonious and uncompromised product.

Visitors to the showrooms are led on a dynamic and stimulating journey during which they experience the cars via a parade of displays, a museum and lifestyle centre and a theatre, as if these were pavilions in a park. The cars are displayed in various contexts that reinforce the identity of each brand and the focus of every car, while the spacious environment allows a seamless transition from one brand to another.

The contemporary design of the showrooms’ façades relies on the extensive use of glass. Transparency and visual connectivity are of obvious importance for the display of the cars; and this has been carefully and cleverly combined with shading and tinted glazing in order to reduce heat gain, glare and uncomfortable reflections. The perfect balance of daylight for the showrooms is achieved by the addition of strategically placed roof lights.

Designing world class showrooms for iconic brands requires a great deal of sensitivity to reflect the corporate branding and identity of each brand while attempting to break conventional moulds and norms a contemporary and abstract form, in recognition of the site’s significant location. Functionally, the towers are used to display the featured car of each brand’s current marketing campaign.

Executing the construction of the development presented a particularly challenging scenario. Replacing and expanding the substandard pre-existing BMW and Mini showrooms, as well as adding the Rolls Royce centre, needed meticulous planning and management so as to allow the existing operations to continue unhindered throughout the construction period.

Project team

Crystal Towers

Posted by dConsult55

In the aftermath of the destruction experienced in its recent history, Baghdad is yearning for a renaissance of redevelopment to rekindle its former glory and the hope for a better future. Crystal Towers is one simple step in that direction, which Diar Consult had hoped would trigger a revival and inspire other developers to emulate and compete.

Al Muften Group, a leading private property developer in Baghdad, appointed Diar Consult in April 2013 to design a mixed-use development in the upmarket Al Jadriya District, one of the prime locations in Baghdad within close proximity to the Tigris River. The design comprises 18-storey residential and commercial towers in addition to a retail component organized around a spacious central atrium in a three-level podium. Each component is separately accessible at the ground-floor level.

The residential tower offers one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments on typical floors, plus duplex apartments on the upper floors enjoying panoramic views of the city. The top floor accommodates leisure and entertainment amenities for the residents, including an indoor swimming pool and spa, gymnasium, games room and children’s playroom. The office tower comprises state-of-the art office space, designed to offer flexibility to tenants.

The objective of the design was to create a distinct and articulate contemporary architectural statement of optimism.

Construction started in August 2013; however, after completion of the shoring contract, the project was put on hold due to the current security issues in Iraq.

Erbil International Fair

Posted by dConsult55

Prior to the recent instability in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, Erbil had developed at a faster pace than the capital, Baghdad, and enjoyed a fair degree of political stability and sense of security. It had begun to unlock the potential for development for Iraqi and international architects who responded optimistically to what was a comparatively stable economic region. The Erbil International Trade Centre evolved to put Erbil on the world map of trade, commerce and tourism.

Erbil Trade Fair appointed Diar Consult to prepare a concept master plan for this development, with the objective of creating a world-class integrated business and trade environment that would become a hub for international and regional trading.

The master plan is designed on axial relationships that define the positioning of all components of the project along with the entry and exit gateways. Two distinct yet symbiotic zones have been created: Zone A, which is the institutional trading and business environment, including: exhibition halls; a conference and business centre, and a five-star hotel; Zone B, which incorporates the support services of social, cultural, commercial and residential areas, including: a shopping mall; three- and four-star hotels; an office tower and buildings; residential buildings, and a public central promenade.

The two zones are linked through a pedestrianized public central promenade as well as via peripheral roads. Drop-off and collection points and on-grade parking at each component ensures easy access for visitors and gives them a clear sense of orientation. The overall result is a truly mixed-use sustainable community.

The completed Concept Master Plan design has been submitted to the Kurdistan Ministerial Council for preliminary approval. A positive outcome will enable the investment plan and necessary funding to be progressed in collaboration with the Board of Directors of Erbil International Fair in liaison with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

Marina City

Posted by dConsult55

Marina City is a luxurious residential and mixed-use development by the National Investment Corporation (NIC), which is adjacent to the Marina Mall off Corniche Road in Abu Dhabi. The proposed community is part of the Abu Dhabi 2030 Plan and is intended to house 5000 residents in the prime waterfront location.

NIC invited a number of prominent local architectural practices to submit conceptual creative solutions for the four precincts within their already established master plan. Diar Consult’s winning proposal comprises six residential towers designed in ascending building heights, from 22 to 35 storeys, all resting on a singular semi-circular podium. The successful proposal envisioned the unifying of the four precincts into an interconnected community, including retail, food and beverage outlets and offices.

The towers are designed in a predominantly Mediterranean style, but with nostalgic hints of local Arabic heritage, such as the crowning domes and layered façades, which present residents with views and vistas of the sea and the city. The articulation of the massing successfully translated the NIC’s requirements for maximum connectivity between the community of the precinct and the city context, while defining a strong sense of place, community and territory at the local level.

Warin City

Posted by dConsult55

Warin City is the largest residential and commercial development complex in Kurdistan, situated in the most influential area of Erbil. With Phase 1 already under construction, Phase 2 is intended to establish the public hub of the community and a range of higher quality, better planned and more exclusive accommodation to complement Phase 1 and enhance the overall market position of the development.

Ranj Company approached Diar Consult in June 2012, which, subsequently, was appointed to provide consultancy services, including master planning, architectural design, project management and sales and marketing strategy. The scope of work included the entire process of building and infrastructure design in addition to the supervision of construction for Phase 2.

Insightfully designed in a contemporary style using high quality materials, Phase 2 features a shopping mall, a four-star business hotel (with 250 rooms), a commercial office tower, a multiplex and seven residential towers of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with podium parking.

Capital Towers

Posted by dConsult55

In 2007 Diar Consult took part in an invited competition for a client who was seeking solutions to maximize the commercial return on their investment in a mixed-use development. The project included a five-star hotel, retail on ground level, an office tower and residential component, all within the confines of a busy city centre location.

The proposed design aimed at respecting the segregation of the various components of the project while defining the territorial integrity of each, together with their required privacy levels.

Diar Consult’s submission reached the final two selected entries.