Fortified underground residences developer Oppidum has unveiled its portfolio of luxury and secure residences to the UAE, and has said that the ultra-luxury additions to a client’s existing residence will be available to commission exclusively in the UAE, Western Europe and the United States.

In a statement, the company said that the launch of its latest concept provides the world with the first-of-its-kind underground residence, optimised for a super-luxury everyday lifestyle, whilst continuously prepared for all surface threats.

The designs are said to be suitable for short and long-term contingency, private business, or even for leisure uses. Unlike a purely functional bunker, which is an exclusively practical contingency against rare and unlikely scenarios, an Oppidum property adds value to the owner’s primary residence by offering facilities such as a private art gallery, secure meeting lounge, comfortable bedroom suites, bespoke spa, and other leisure amenities for everyday peacetime use, the statement added.

Jakub Zamrazil, the Chief Executive Officer of Oppidum, commented: “Our vision at Oppidum is to build the world’s most beautiful and secure contemporary fortified residences. They are places of serenity and absolute safety for owners and their families. It is human nature to desire security and protection: we are privileged to offer our clients the highest levels of service imaginable, creating beautiful places that will protect them now, and their legacy, for generations to come.

“We take an optimistic view of the world and believe strongly in humanity’s potential to develop a great future for itself. At the same time, not all events are foreseeable or preventable, and it is wise to be prepared to weather the storm when necessary. In an uncertain world, Oppidum provides a level of certainty. It is a place of strength that enables you to preserve and protect what matters most when required. You can then venture out into the world with the peace of mind that comes from knowing your family is protected, whatever may arise,” he stated.

The concept was developed by Zamrazil, a serial entrepreneur who’s said to have a track record in luxury real estate development and technological start-ups. An Oppidum consists of a residence designed and built for defence, and like a bunker, it derives its impregnability from being set deep underground, protected by significant structural reinforcement and rigorously controlled access, the firm said.

However, an Oppidum takes military-grade protection equipment and environmental systems and integrates them invisibly into a luxurious family home. It provides accommodation, leisure facilities and gallery space for each client’s collections, together with secure storage and self-contained power and water supplies – yet leaves almost no visible trace of its presence on the surface. It is constructed within each client’s existing estate, enabling immediate access when required. It is also entirely personal and individual, with every detail designed and delivered to the client’s precise specification, the company added.

Marc Prigent, Principal Architect and Designer of Oppidum remarked, “Oppidum is an extraordinary technical and professional challenge, entirely beyond any brief we have previously received for a secure space. Every project is conceived, designed, and realised without compromise, to be worthy of our clients – the most powerful individuals in the world.”

He concluded, “Concealed underground within its own domain, it is a place of absolute purpose, engineering integrity and state-of-the-art technology that also offers a beautiful, elegant, and entirely personalised living environment.”

In June 2022, Ithra Dubai began sales of One&Only Private Homes and The Residences at its One Za’abeel tower project, while later in the month, Luxhabitat Sotheby’s International Realty said it would manage sales of the 1 Residences, which is located in close proximity to One Za’abeel. In July, Dar Al Arkan said it had begun work on its first European luxury residential project.

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Water and energy management solution provider Metito has been appointed by the City of Zrenjanin and Serbia’s Public Water Company (PWC) to develop, modernise and operate what’s billed as a state-of-the-art water treatment plant in the Zrenjanin. The deal is said to be the first public private partnership (PPP) water treatment project in the Republic of Serbia.

The contract was signed by Metito Managing Director, Rami Ghandour, Mayor of the City of Zrenjanin, Simo Salapura, and PWC Acting Director, Predrag Bodiroga. The signing ceremony was attended by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Ana Brnabic, H. E. Ambassador of the UAE in Serbia, Mubarak Saeed Burshaid Al Dhaheri, Metito Vice President for Business Development, Walid Madwar, and Metito Country Manager for Serbia, Branislav Zec.

Brnabić commented, “With the signing of the contract for the realisation of a water treatment project in Zrenjanin, we have taken a huge step towards solving a decades-long problem for the citizens of the city. I would like to thank the Mayor of Zrenjanin and his team for their persistent efforts to find a solution to such a complex challenge together, and I also thank the Public Water Company and especially Metito Company, which, based on its experience in the water sector around the world and the innovative technologies it applies, will be our true partner on this project.”

In March 2022, the firm said it secured a US$120mn sustainability-linked loan (SLL) to support its mission of developing sustainable water management solutions and a cleaner environment.

According to Metito, the water quality challenge in Zrenjanin is a complex case and, leveraging its global expertise, it devised a sustainable and innovative solution that will see the integration of state-of-the -art technology. Such strategic projects will help the Republic of Serbia achieve its Water Management Strategy in support of the country’s 2020-2025 Vision and sustainable development goals, the firm said.

Salapura noted, “This contract represents a double gain. We have as our partner a renowned company that has innovative technology, and the investment value of at least US $18.1mn. The biggest guarantee of this project will be the Government of the Republic of Serbia, and we have invested maximum caution and made sure to minimise risks for the city and citizens to the lowest possible level.”

Ghandour stated, “We are honoured to work alongside the Serbian Government, the City of Zrenjanin and the Public Water Company on this strategic project. Over the course of six decades of global experience, a growing portfolio of over 3,000 projects across 50 countries, we have partnered with governments, worked with industries and communities to secure and manage their water needs. We are confident we can deliver this project, while keeping the health, safety and environment central to our sustainable operations.”

Metito stated that it currently has two active projects in Serbia with a planned investment of approximately $50.3mn. In January, the firm – as part of a joint venture – was shortlisted at the 2021 Big Project Middle East Awards in the ‘Sustainable Project of the Year’ category, while in March, the firm was appointed for the restoration of the 20 MIGD Hamriyah SWRO plant in Sharjah.

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Facilities management and maintenance specialist Khidmah has been recognised as a Great Place to Work (GPTW) in the UAE. It was ranked among the top 50 best workplaces in the country for 2022 and was selected for developing an agile and sustainable organisational culture based on collaborative teamwork, accountability, and customer centricity.

In recent years the firm is said to have initiated several training and development programmes that encourage employees to be transparent, accountable, assume ownership, and stay up to date on various facilities management practices and technologies. All staff members receive training at the dedicated ‘Khidmah Training Centre’ or through the Mobile Training Centre Khidmah launched last year.  The company also champions a ‘Train the Trainer’ programme to further enhance employee training delivery skills and expand the learning and knowledge sharing opportunities among staff.

Middle East Consultant (MEC) will be placing wellness in the construction sector in sharp focus with its forthcoming Wellness in Construction Summit. The event is free to attend for construction professionals and is scheduled to take place in Dubai on 28 September 2022. Middle East Construction News (MECN) discussed the event’s agenda and speakers with MEC’s Paul Godfrey earlier this month.

“Being recognised as a great place to work in the UAE demonstrates our unwavering and continuous commitment to fostering a company culture and work environment that allows us to provide an exceptional service standard. Our values of customer centricity, collaboration, agility, and accountability have enabled us to create a work culture centered on honesty, integrity, transparency and open communication, which have helped us earn the trust and confidence of our people and become an employer of choice,” said Abdellatif Sfaxi, CEO at Khidmah.

The firm said it has also developed a ‘7 Stars programme’ that evaluates employees’ monthly performance based on professionalism, attitude and commitment, teamwork and interpersonal skills, and customer-centricity.

In June 2022, CRTKL also announced that wellness and happiness are key for Egyptian workplaces, while real estate brokerage Union Square House (USH) has stated that a quarter of homebuyers in Dubai are on the hunt for living spaces that provide mental health benefits.

Also in June, Cundall’s recently minted Global Managing Partner told MECN that one of her goals is for the firm to be the most inclusive employer in the built environment. MEC will be shining a light on diversity and inclusion at its forthcoming Women in Construction Summit on 25 October.

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Al Futtaim Group Real Estate has announced a partnership with the Berlin-based TIER Mobility to operate e-bike micro-mobility services in Dubai Festival City. The developer said the partnership aims to make movement throughout the area seamless and affordable, while also providing an environmentally friendly method of transport to get around the destination and community.

The move is said to be in line with Dubai Festival City’s goal of investing in establishing community relationships and building innovative communities. The collaboration with TIER Mobility will present residents, mall visitors, and tenants with a low-carbon alternative to get around the city using e-bikes, the statement continued.

Samer Zabian, Director of Residential & Commercial Property at Dubai Festival City said, “We are excited to collaborate with TIER Mobility to bring our smart, sustainable, and connected city vision to life. Sustainability has always been a key focus area at Dubai Festival City and we continue to invest in building smart communities that support the current and future needs of our customers. As we continue to grow Dubai Festival City into a leading destination, we are committed to developing the destination’s offerings in line with the UAE government’s Sustainability Agenda 2040.”

TIER’s initial fleet of e-bikes, which have pedal assistance up to 25 km/h, will be located at the Marsa Plaza promenade with plans of expanding to other locations around Dubai Festival City. The e-bikes are geofenced which assist with challenges like irresponsible parking and riding in restricted areas.

“At TIER Mobility, our mission is to Change Mobility for Good and we are pleased to launch our e-bikes for the first time in Dubai. We aim to help cities and communities like Dubai Festival City reduce their dependence on cars and provide the safest and most sustainable mobility solution. The strategic partnership with Dubai Festival City will create positive waves for sustainable transportation, translating into superior quality customer service to the destination’s visitors, and residents,” said Amir Melad, General Manager, Middle East of TIER.

All residents and tourists can use TIER e-bikes by simply downloading the global app. Riders have the option to use ‘pay-as-you-go’ offered at a rate of Dhs1 per minute of usage or opt for a subscription model. Payments can be made through ApplePay or debit and credit cards, the developer stated.

In December 2021, TIER Mobility revealed it had provided e-scooters for mobility staff members at the Arab Cup 2021 and said the solution could be a key player at the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. In June 2022, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate launched the Al Badia Terraces and in July, it partnered with Deira International School to transform hoarding fences into artwork.

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Saudi German Health (SGH) has awarded contracts worth $59.5mn for the construction of an outpatient tower with 14 clinics and a 207-bed inpatient expansion in the Saudi German Hospital Riyadh.

In a filing on the Saudi Exchange, SGH said it had awarded the contracts to International Hospital Construction Company (IHCC). It added that it expects to complete the project within 36 months from the date of award.

The expansion project is being financed partly through bank loans and partly through the international generation of funds by the company, the filing added.

Saudi German Hospital Riyadh has a built-up area of 35,188sqm and contains an existing 300-plus beds, the company said. It is located close to King Fahad Road, close to the main business and residential districts of Riyadh. It is built on a plot of 29,880sqm.

The news follows the recent completion of a multi-specialty tertiary care hospital in Makkah, which was built with a capital expenditure of $104 million, the group said. The Saudi German Hospital Makkah has a capacity of 300-beds and 100 outpatient clinics. It covers a land plot of 57,971sqm and has a total built-up area of 57,579sqm. It is expected to start operations in the third quarter of 2022.

In April 2022, Green Riyadh said it began the afforestation of seven neighborhoods in Riyadh, while in June, the government of Saudi Arabia unveiled plans to launch 93 utility infrastructure projects worth $2.26bn. In July, master developer Thakher Development Company said that works on the first phase of its $7bn Thakher Makkah development is almost complete.

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Independent research and advisory firm Verdantix have issued a warning about increased but under-recognised threats from cyber-attacks on building systems. It noted that facilities managers should work with IT professionals to address the issue as early as possible.

The firm said that a sharp rise in the number of connected devices across building systems mean that the operational technology (OT) used to run facilities creates a growing risk of cyber-attack. Connected OT networks are converging with their IT counterparts, blurring traditional lines of responsibility for cyber security, just as ageing building systems require replacement, and the number of attacks rises, Verdantix pointed out.

Without sufficient security controls, these systems are introducing significant new risks and more entry points for cyber criminals to exploit, the company warned. The past five years have seen a massive explosion of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and smart devices deployed with firms frequently selecting these smart devices based on cost and functionality, resulting in facilities having many devices with poor inbuilt cyber security controls, it added.

Cyber-attacks aimed at IT systems cost businesses $945bn in 2020, it is estimated, through damage to data and systems, lost productivity, and theft of money, intellectual property, and personal data, despite $145bn in cyber security expenditure, the firm pointed out. In recent times, industry stakeholders including developers have been advocating for digital transformation to boost resilience within the real estate sector.

“The first step for rebooting a smart building cyber security strategy is defining clear responsibilities and embedding cyber management into facilities operations across procurement, technology management and staff training. Facilities managers should not develop a siloed cyber programme on their own, but rather partner with their IT and security peers to integrate cyber security into different building management processes,” said Rodolphe D’Arjuzon, Global Head Of Research at Verdantix.

‘Verdantix’s Best Practices: Enhancing Your Smart Building Cyber Security Programme’ found firms are not aware of the full extent of their risk exposure from their OT, as they often do not keep registers of connected devices, or the level of cyber security protection provided. Its publication comes as more connected devices via the Internet of Things (IoT) transform the landscape, but just 32% of firms evaluate IoT security risks as part of the onboarding process for third parties and just 54% run penetration tests on their IoT devices, the firm remarked.

In April 2022, facilities management firm Farnek announced it was launching a standalone hotel management company, and in July, a major FM services contract for a PPP school project in Saudi Arabia was awarded to SNC-Lavalin.

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“We must eliminate all CO2 emissions from the built environment by 2040 to meet the 1.5-degrees Celsius climate targets. This commitment is a significant challenge; it helps to look at the emissions sources broken down within this; 27% are due to operations, 10% for materials and construction and 10% for ‘other’ in the construction industry,” said Sophia Kee, WSP Middle East’s recently appointed Head of Future Ready – Property & Buildings. Kee made the remarks exclusively to Middle East Construction News (MECN) in response to a question about why greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions continue to rise despite concerted global efforts to cap them.

She elaborates, “If we look at operations first, as this segment is responsible for the majority of CO2 emissions within the built environment, these emissions are typically a direct consequence of energy consumed to cool, ventilate, power and light our spaces. These building service processes can be optimised very early in the design process to capitalise on passive design strategies, in collaboration with architecture and building services to undertake studies such as shoebox modelling of multiple option iterations to establish an optimised green building that has low solar gains, is naturally ventilated, daylit, and with services optimally designed.”

“This optimised passive and active design workflow is challenging to implement whilst balancing aesthetic requirements, project deadlines and budgets, and challenging environmental conditions such as high ambient temperatures, humidity, dust, solar gains with low diurnal temperature fluctuations resulting in reliance on energy for building operations in the Middle East,” she points out.

Kee also notes that despite global efforts to transition towards low-carbon energy, there are a lack of government regulations to restrict emissions. She adds, “Many economists agree that the global adoption of carbon taxes is required to enforce industry change.”

In May 2022, a report by the WMO said that there’s a 50:50 chance of global temperature temporarily reaching the 1.5-degrees Celsius threshold in the next five years. This is despite the fact that 196 parties adopted the Paris Agreement on 12 December 2015, following which it entered into force on 4 November 2016. The ongoing goal of the legally binding international treaty on climate change is to limit global warming to well below 2-degrees Celsius, preferably to 1.5-degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.

Pressed for her reaction to the WMO report, Kee remarks, “The World Meteorological Organisation’s latest update highlights the urgency of required catalysts of change within the built environment; this data doesn’t lie, we have 93% certainty within the next five years of hitting new temperature highs and we are getting closer to reaching the climate tipping point, which the world agreed to avoid as part of the Paris Agreement in 2015.”

“This data illustrates two major factors within the built environment that we need to prepare for and consider holistically in order to mitigate climate change resulting from GHG emissions. Firstly, we need to increase our capabilities within the industry and raise awareness with our clients to drive the assessment of carbon footprint within the decision-making process at multiple gateways of a project. This affects the project timeline including additional iterations during conceptual studies and massing, planning, façade and building system development, material procurement, and selecting construction methods. It is essential that this is an integrated part of the design process and includes all key stakeholders from start to finish to fully understand the climatic impacts of our decisions.”

She urges, “Secondly, we rapidly need to begin shifting from ‘business as usual’ and creating a sense of urgency within the industry to plan and design developments that consider the projected environmental, social, technological and mobility scenarios and trends in the future. We are gradually shifting towards providing buildings and developments that are flexible in space usage change, de-constructable, and accommodate modular technology upgrades. This is no simple feat in the region. However, we foresee this beginning to evolve by influencing the client-led decision-making process to account for energy, environmental, and social impacts.”

Kee believes that the WMO data shines a light on two very pressing future factors, and says the silver lining to this tale of two stories is that it’s not too late.

She concludes, “In the Middle East, we’re seeing pockets of meaningful climate action taking place as ambitious climate pledges and sustainability-centric projects are unveiled, particularly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. At WSP Middle East, we’re witnessing a renewed sense of possibility for ingraining greener principles and frameworks into the fabric of these Future Ready developments. For instance, we’re proud to be helping The Red Sea Development Company realise its vision for regenerative tourism on many fronts. Similarly, NEOM’s unprecedented scope for embedding sustainability virtues is world leading, as is the King Salman Park Foundation’s mandate for creating the world’s largest green urban park in the heart of Riyadh.”

In June, WSP & TRSDC announced that they were looking at decarbonised mobility solutions at The Red Sea Project. WSP also made two senior appointments to its Property & Buildings business during the month.

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Source: ME Construction News

A five-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) and the Ministry of Mines and Energy of Colombia at the DoE’s headquarters.

The agreement aims to explore opportunities for collaboration on capability development and sharing of knowledge and information, supporting joint projects and initiatives, and promoting the development of bilateral scientific, technical, technological, administrative, and commercial cooperation in the field of energy.

The move is said to align with the two entities’ commitment to collaborating in various fields of interest to achieve their common goals, diversify energy sources, enhance energy efficiency, and ensure access to reliable, sustainable, and affordable energy, a statement from the DoE noted.

The MoU was signed in the presence of DoE Undersecretary H.E. Eng. Ahmed Mohammed Al Rumaithi, and H.E. Jaime Amin Hernández, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Colombia in the United Arab Emirates, who signed on behalf of the Colombian Minister of Energy and Mines, H.E. Diego Mesa, along with officials from both entities.

“The DoE is committed to enhancing cooperation and building partnerships with relevant authorities in countries around the world. We believe partnership is a powerful approach to achieving our objectives, developing the energy sector, enhancing energy efficiency, and meeting the needs and requirements of the local market for reliable and sustainable energy and water supplies now and in the future. This, in turn, supports Abu Dhabi’s plans for sustainable economic development,”said H.E. Al Rumaithi.

He added, “We are delighted to cooperate with the Colombian Ministry of Mines and Energy and to start a new chapter in our partnership. The energy sector is in constant need of more expertise in order to embrace advanced energy technologies, upgrade the sector’s infrastructure, and provide it with trained professionals, capable of achieving all of our strategic goals. We look forward to cooperating with the Ministry for the benefit of both parties, and to build on our combined experiences to create a model for cooperation in the energy sector.”

The two entities have committed to exchanging studies, knowledge, and expertise, in addition to exploring opportunities for financing projects in energy areas including production, use, and storage of hydrogen; large-scale non-conventional renewable energy; project development in the areas of hydrogen, geothermal, onshore and offshore wind energy, solar, biomass, and other clean energy technologies.

H.E. Minister Diego Mesa remarked, “Colombia currently bets on energy transition as the means to achieve and guarantee a reliable, self-sufficient and resilient energy matrix. We recognised it as a shared goal with the UAE and therefore, decided to establish a strategic alliance between the Ministry and the DoE that will allow us to complement and promote the efforts of both nations to rapidly deploy non-conventional renewable energies, develop low-carbon technologies, and tackle and reverse the effects of climate change”.

As part of the agreement the two entities will also promote sustainable transport from clean energy sources; technology development related to advanced energy measurement and monitoring systems; energy service access including renewable energy solutions; promotion of foreign investment in the energy sector; energy efficiency and demand response; technology development related to carbon capture and storage, and finally, promotion of energy storage technologies.

In addition, the two parties agreed to organise mutual visits by experts to follow up on joint activities. They will also explore opportunities to undertake joint projects and research assignments, facilitating their design, financing, and execution, and engaging the private sector of both countries in energy infrastructure projects with clean energy sources, as well as pilot projects related to hydrogen, geothermal, onshore and offshore wind energy, solar, biomass, and other clean energy sources.

In October 2021, Cummins Arabia and SWCC announced plans to develop hydrogen plant in the Kingdom, while in March 2022, NEOM launched a new subsidiary to develop sustainable energy and water systems. In April 2022, Acwa Power announced a $900mn EPC contract win for the NEOM Green Hydrogen Project.

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Lifestyle destination developer Majid Al Futtaim Communities has announced that its Waterfront City Business Park in Beirut, Lebanon has achieved LEED Gold certification.

The developer, which is part of Majid Al Futtaim Properties, said that LEED certification is the most widely used green building system in the world. It noted that the award of LEED Gold Certification for the mixed-use project is the latest of many sustainability awards and accreditations it has achieved at its destinations across the Middle East.

Waterfront City is billed as one of Beirut’s most outstanding mixed-use communities. Designed to be a vibrant and cosmopolitan destination overlooking the Mediterranean, it aims to deliver an exceptional quality of life and great experiences for everyone who lives, works and plays there, the developer said.

In June 2022, Ibrahim Al Zubi, Chief Sustainability Officer at Majid Al Futtaim Holdings spoke to Big Project Middle East about why incorporating sustainable practices is the only way to do business going forward.

Located on the Dbayeh seaside just off the highway, Waterfront City Business Park is said to be “the region’s first and only grade A office facility”. Covering 72,000sqm with 60% of the masterplan dedicated to green open spaces, the pedestrian-only zone features twelve purpose-built office buildings with views of the central Boulevard that runs through the area.

The developer said that the Business Park features multiple open plazas, lush landscaping, an amphitheatre where people can gather to socialise and enjoy community events, numerous food and beverage outlets, and retail facilities.

In February, Majid Al Futtaim Communities launched a new neighborhood within its Tilal Al Ghaf development in Dubai, and in April, it announced the final neighbourhood within its Al Zahia development.

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DMCC has announced that the façade of Uptown Tower has been fully installed, marking a major construction milestone for the Jumeirah Lakes Towers-based megaproject. Set for handover in Q4 2022, the 340m-tall Uptown Tower is set to be a LEED Gold certified building and will be home to a state-of-the-art DMCC headquarters.

According to a statement, the tower will also feature a 188-key five-star hotel, SO/Uptown Dubai, as well as restaurants, extensive conference facilities, Grade A offices and 229 signature SO/ branded restaurants. Commercial office spaces are said to have received significant market interest with several spaces already pre-leased ahead of the scheduled completion date.

A total of 8,542 glass panels have been installed on the tower, which is the first of two supertall towers at DMCC’s Uptown Dubai District. Having started installation in August 2020, progress on the façade proceeded at pace following the completion of structural elements earlier this year. At peak installation, the team installed an entire floor of the building every two days, equating to 70 panels per day, the statement said.

Utilising an integrated design and manufacturing approach, the process of conceptualising and installing Uptown Tower’s façade was completed by using innovative technologies such as 3D modelling and digital tracking systems. By embracing innovative building practices, the project saw enhanced efficiencies that allowed the façade to be fabricated in line with project schedule requirements, DMCC noted.

“With over 17mn man-hours working on the project, the installation of the Uptown Tower façade system was completed with no lost time due to injury. This is a testament to the entire project team’s dedication to ensuring every person on the project worked safely and that any potential hazards on the project were managed and controlled effectively,” the DMCC statement highlighted.

Designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, Uptown Tower’s design replicates the brilliance of diamonds through its faceted glass façade that illuminates the interior spaces with natural light while filtering out harsh glare.

In March 2021, the Uptown Tower became the world’s first supertall structure to leverage robotics for its lift installations. In September, Empower began providing district cooling services to Uptown Tower. In March 2022, DMCC said it was installing solar car shades across JLT parking lots as part of its sustainability push.

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Source: ME Construction News