KPM Engineering (KPM) has appointed Ramboll’s former head of projects Brian Sweeney as the Director of Projects, a strategic move aimed at bolstering the company’s project management capabilities and engineering service delivery across pivotal sectors and projects in the Middle East.

With his vast experience spanning over two decades in engineering and project management roles, Sweeney, a qualified structural engineer, is set to steer KPM towards new horizons in project coordination and excellence.

In his new capacity, Sweeney will collaborate closely with project teams, clients, and stakeholders, facilitating the seamless execution of regional and international projects while optimizing KPM’s operational efficiency.

Sweeney’s impressive professional background encompasses a diverse array of sectors, including mixed-use, commercial, residential, government, healthcare, transportation, education, and entertainment and leisure. His role as Director of Projects at KPM will see him managing external partnerships and collaborating with design leaders to elevate project coordination and ensure the highest quality standards at every stage of KPM’s projects, from inception to fruition. Importantly, Sweeney’s appointment signifies KPM’s commitment to leveraging digitalization and computational design in engineering, as he spearheads projects that harness innovative and efficient strategies to enhance these capabilities within the company.

Brian Sweeney’s prior leadership roles in the Middle East and the UK have seen him successfully oversee large-scale and intricate projects. Before joining KPM, he held various positions within Ramboll Middle East, where he led a team of over 60 professionals in executing some of the organization’s most ambitious projects in the region.

Expressing his thoughts on his new role, Sweeney said, “KPM is on an exciting trajectory to solidify its standing as a top-tier player in the multidisciplinary engineering industry. I am privileged to be part of this journey and contribute to KPM’s operational goals and continued growth. My aim is to share my knowledge with the entire KPM team, driving excellence in engineering service delivery across our existing and future project portfolio. I will be dedicated to enhancing every facet of the business, ensuring that KPM continues its successful project delivery across all sectors. I eagerly anticipate honing my skills and abilities within a company committed to employee and business growth.”

Kashif Fakih, Director at KPM, lauded Sweeney’s appointment, stating, “Brian’s stellar reputation and extensive industry experience make him a perfect fit for this pivotal role at KPM. I have full confidence in Brian’s ability to oversee complex projects, lead teams efficiently, and cultivate crucial stakeholder relationships that foster valuable partnerships. Brian’s emphasis on streamlining processes for enhanced project delivery and his passion for engineering innovation align seamlessly with KPM’s organizational objectives. As KPM forges ahead on its growth trajectory, I am convinced that Brian will play a pivotal role in propelling the company to new heights.”

Brian Sweeney holds a Meng (Hons) in Civil Engineering and is a Chartered Member: MICE CEng at the Institution of Engineering. His appointment at KPM Engineering marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey towards engineering excellence and growth.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

AC3D, a pioneering 3D construction printing company, has officially launched its operations in the United Arab Emirates under the auspices of the Dubai 3D Printing Strategy 2030 and in partnership with Dubai Municipality.

The announcement was made during the opening ceremony of the Middle East Reverse Engineering & Additive Manufacturing Conference & Showcase, ReAM 2023, a premier event running from September 25 to 27, 2023, at the Festival Arena in Dubai.

With a strategic focus on revolutionising low-rise housing, commercial real estate, and infrastructure development, AC3D aims to usher in a more sustainable era of construction. The company has pledged to make construction up to 1.5 times more cost-effective and significantly reduce labor requirements. Furthermore, AC3D intends to expedite construction processes, achieving up to four times faster construction while utilising eco-friendly printing materials.

The 3D construction printing market, projected to reach $2.5 billion by 2025, has seen remarkable growth from $500 million in 2023. Aligning with the ambitious Dubai 3D Printing Strategy 2030, which aims to implement 3D-printed buildings across the Emirates by 25% by 2030, AC3D’s entry into the market signifies a substantial step towards achieving these goals.

Boris Kozlov, Founder & CEO of AC3D, expressed his enthusiasm for the launch, stating, “Our mission to shape a more sustainable future for the construction sector begins here in Dubai. Beyond reducing CO2 emissions and minimizing waste, our vertically integrated technology facilitates energy-efficient homes, enables free-form architectural designs, reduces construction waste, and enhances resilience against natural disasters.”

The next-generation 3D printers, manufactured in the UAE, offer a range of environmental benefits in line with global sustainability objectives, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Currently, the construction industry stands as the world’s leading producer of waste and a significant contributor to the global carbon footprint, with cement production alone responsible for 10% of CO2 emissions.

In addition to sustainability, the economic and humanitarian implications of 3D construction printing are profound. A single 3D printer has the potential to construct over 50 houses annually, a significant stride towards addressing the global housing shortage forecasted to affect 1.6 billion people by 2025, as reported by the World Bank. The housing and construction sectors face pressing challenges with an annual deficit of 12 million homes compounded by a significant shortage of 10 million construction workers.

Dubai achieved a significant regulatory milestone in August 2021 when His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, issued Decree No. (24), governing the application of 3D printing technology in the construction sector. In July 2023, Dubai Municipality granted the first construction license for a private villa using 3D printing technology, further solidifying the city’s commitment to innovation in construction.

AC3D’s expertise extends beyond the manufacturing of cutting-edge building robots, encompassing the development of proprietary 3D printing material blends, the creation of advanced software solutions for streamlined construction processes, and the engineering and 3D printing of entire buildings.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

Hospitality and residential projects worth $1.9tn are under development in the Middle East, with Saudi Arabia, UAE and Egypt accounting for 90% ($1.7 tn) of the investment, according to new research by global independent real estate consultants, Knight Frank.

The data reveals that KSA is at the top of the region’s project investment table, with $1.2tn of developments in the pipeline, followed by the UAE ($300 bn) and Egypt ($200bn), highlighting the Middle East’s continued commitment to reaching 160 million annual tourists by 2030.

Turab Saleem, Partner and Head of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure – MENA, at Knight Frank, said: “The Middle East was the first region globally to make a complete business recovery after the pandemic. While much of the world still faces challenges in its return to normality, this region is set to surpass pre-Covid levels in terms of hospitality and tourism-related revenue and employment. The Middle East’s travel and tourism sector witnessed a tremendous growth with a 46.9% increase in its contribution to GDP in 2023, which is the highest of any region in the world. This growth is being driven by a 14.5% increase in the number of jobs supported by the sector, and a more than $107 billion increase in its overall contribution to the GDP. Moreover, the sector has also created 0.9 million new jobs.

“The influx of new hospitality and tourism-related projects in the region is also fostering new trends that add value and efficiency and yield better investment returns. Simplified visa processes, aggressive marketing campaigns, green initiatives, innovation and technology, increased connectivity with new players in the airline sector, personalised guest interaction and a booming holistic health and wellbeing industry are all playing a key role in the growing success of the Middle East’s tourism industry.”

Continuing Turan Saleem’s point, a substantial volume of hospitality-related transactions are currently at an advanced stage of negotiation, with high profile properties expected to change hands in the coming months, according to global real estate consultancy Colliers.

James Wrenn, Executive Director and Head of Capital Markets, MENA, at Colliers, said: “There’s a strong appetite for the hospitality asset class – particularly in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah – from regional and international investors, buoyed by strong operating performance last year and the continued enhancement of the UAE as a top-tier international tourism destination.”

According to Wrenn, by contrast, global sentiment remains subdued as the effects of high inflation, rising interest rates and looming fears of recession has affected the confidence of investors and reduced activity levels.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

Eagle Hills Diyar (EHD), the developer behind the Marassi Al Bahrain project, has awarded the construction contract for the building and development of the Marassi Bay and Marassi Terraces to leading Bahraini construction company, Kooheji Contractors.

The contract builds on the existing partnership between Eagle Hills Diyar and Kooheji Contractors, and will see the contractor manage the construction of the two residential projects in the Marassi Al Bahrain district.

The two developments will feature elegant indoor and outdoor facilities and will provide easy access to the beachfront in addition to Marassi Galleria, one of Bahrain’s premium retail destinations.

Construction has already begun on the two projects; Dr Maher Al Shaer, Managing Director of Eagle Hills Diyar, said: ‘We are delighted to have signed this contract with Kooheji Contractors, a very highly regarded construction company with whom we have a longstanding relationship. With their reputation for professionalism and high-calibre work, we have identified them as our ideal partner for this project. We believe that together, we will successfully bring our vision for Marassi Bay and Marassi Terraces to life.’

Abdulghaffar Al Kooheji, Kooheji Contractors Managing Director, added: “We are extremely pleased to have been awarded the construction contract for both Marassi Bay and Marassi Terraces. As leaders in this sector, we always strive for excellence in all our projects. Through this partnership, we look forward to embodying the exceptional architectural vision of our partner, Eagle Hills Diyar. In these new projects, we aim to uphold the same commitment that Kooheji Contractors has been known for since its inception.”  –

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Source: MEConstructionNews

A recycling facility designed to process construction, demolition and excavation waste has been opened by building material supplier Cemex in Tel Aviv, Israel. The firm said the facility highlights its commitment to circularity and sustainability under the banner of its Regenera business.

The primary suppliers for the Tel Aviv facility are expected to be companies involved in the demolition of existing structures, and those specialising in the transportation of construction waste. Customers for the recycled materials in Israel, include concrete companies, flooring contractors and infrastructure firms.

The facility, acquired earlier this year as part of Cemex’s purchase of a 51% stake in Israel-based Shtang Recycle, will receive up to 500,000 tonnes of building waste annually. The waste material will undergo advanced processing techniques, to be largely repurposed as recycled building materials, the firm explained.

“This new facility in Tel Aviv marks a significant milestone in Cemex’s commitment to circularity, which is of such importance to our global ambition of reaching Net Zero emissions by 2050. We are proud to play a vital role in the growth of our Regenera business, turning building waste into recycled materials for a more sustainable future,” said Cemex’s Sergio Menéndez.

Regenera is active across all of Cemex’s operational regions, including Mexico, the US, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, South-Central America and the Caribbean. It forms a crucial component of Cemex’s broader strategy to achieve sustainable excellence through climate action, circularity, and natural resource management, with the primary objective of becoming a Net Zero CO2 company by 2050, the firm noted.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

The first flight to the new Red Sea International Airport (RSI) in Saudi Arabia touched down on the runway on Thursday, marking a huge milestone for The Red Sea project. Departing from King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh, the Saudia flight took under two hours to make the maiden journey.

“We promised to make The Red Sea a place where people from all around the world would come to experience the best of Saudi culture, hospitality, and nature. Now, with the first flight touching down at Red Sea International Airport, and our first resorts receiving bookings, our position on the global tourism map is all but secured,” said John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global (RSG).

The flight marks the start of a new twice-weekly service. The flights return to Riyadh later the same day. Flights depart RUH each Thursday at 10.50am, before departing again to the Kingdom’s capital from RSI at 13:35pm. A second service departs RUH every Saturday at 12.50pm, with the return flight for RUH departing at 15:35pm.

Red Sea International Airport is operated by daa International, which has supported Red Sea Global with design validation and commissioning of RSI since 2020. With the arrival of RSI’s first commercial flight, daa International’s operational responsibility commences.

On the same day as it welcomed its first flight, RSG also revealed the new brand for RSI. Visitors can expect to see the brand expressed across multiple touchpoints, from the airport terminal and staff uniforms to the electric mobility vehicles that will transport passengers from air to land side.

The brand icon is a representation of the Red Sea International Airport’s unique architecture. The iconic shape is inspired by the bird’s eye view of the airport’s exterior. It has been created to express the creativity, novelty and sophistication of the brand in a way that is contemporary and distinct, RSG noted.

As well as its airport, Red Sea Global has made great progress across other infrastructure works to ensure The Red Sea is ready to welcome visitors and meet its promises for responsible development and regenerative tourism. It has constructed the five solar farms needed to enable the first phase of The Red Sea to be off grid and powered solely by sunlight, with more than 760,000 solar panels installed.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

Developer Omniyat has announced the acquisition of Marasi Bay Marina from Business Bay LLC, with plans to transform it into a multi-faceted, waterfront destination.

The purchase is said to be the first of its kind for Omniyat, and will see it pioneer a move from the lifestyle curation of single project communities to developing an entire luxury enclave.

Mahdi Amjad, Founder and Executive Chairman, Omniyat said, “The acquisition of Marasi Bay Marina is a statement moment for Omniyat. The unique characteristics of the location will allow us to craft an exclusive, conceptual lifestyle destination unseen in Dubai. Through our commitment to craft, excellence, and attention to detail, we’re reimagining Marasi Bay. Our vision is to curate and create an incomparable ecosystem for global citizens seeking unmatched uber luxury lifestyle and experiences. These ambitions deeply reflect Omniyat’s philosophy of empowering lifestyles by merging ultra-luxury with curated living, further contributing to the economic, aesthetic and cultural footprint of the city.”

The waterfront space is centrally located in the heart of Dubai and is the current location of Omniyat’s first project on the bay, The Lana – a distinctive hotel and residential offering operated by the Dorchester Collection, and designed in partnership with Foster + Partners.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

A road project comprising the replacement of an 8km section of the A11 in Norfolk has been completed by UK contractor Morgan Sindall. The refurbishment is expected to have a 40-year lifespan.

Working on behalf of the government-owned National Highways, Morgan Sindall said it removed the old concrete surface, as well as some of its foundations, before undertaking reconstruction work, using 60,000m3 of recycled concrete. The newly-laid concrete surface was then overlaid with 147,000t of asphalt.

In addition to using recycled materials, the project incorporated various eco-friendly measures, such as solar-powered speed cameras and a work compound equipped with kinetic paving stones that generate energy when stepped on, the firm stated.

The contractor noted that one of the challenges it faced during the removal phase was that the existing carriageway was constructed with continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP), which were reinforced with steel bars. There were concerns that planning might not be possible for surface removal, but a multi-head pavement concrete breaker was ultimately employed to break up the surface initially, before specialised planning machines were brought in, the contractor explained.

Morgan Sindall said the newly-constructed carriageway marks a significant milestone in the effort to revitalise the UK’s concrete road infrastructure.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

Developer MAG has awarded Swissboring a contract valued at US $14.97mn for shoring and piling works at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Dubai, Creekside, as part of the Keturah Resort. The company said it will launch a tender for the development’s main contractor in Q4 2023.

Talal Moafaq Al Gaddah, Senior Executive Vice Chairman, MAG said, “We are pleased with the appointment of Swissboring, and we are confident that its expertise will help us realise this project, which will be an ideal option for those seeking an immersive wellness-luxury lifestyle in Dubai with world-class amenities. The project has attracted heightened interest from buyers and investors, with sales reaching over $544mn, emphasising the huge demand on unique developments in the market and our unique Keturah concept.”

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Dubai, Creekside comprises 177 residences across seven buildings and 12 mansions. Keturah Resort offers homeowners an impressive range of world-class facilities, including a five-star wellness hotel; a private members-only club; a women’s club; a kids club; an immersive, holistic wellness centre; Michelin-star restaurants; a 550m promenade; sustainable and organic-focused retail spaces, 24/7 private parking with valet; and a gated community with unique views of the wildlife sanctuary.

The Residences at Keturah Resort are characterised by a strong artistic value, where high-quality materials are handpicked from artisans worldwide to contribute to a long-lasting, ‘visceral’ experience. Each residence within the limited collection adheres to the WELL Certification Standards and is complemented by high-end leisure areas and exclusive spa and wellness facilities, all of which meet the WELL Health-Safety Rating.

The exterior designs and interiors of the 12 mansions, themed Earth, Water and Sky, echo cues of the elements, creating distinct experiences for the residents. The spaces are intended to create seamless journeys through covered terraces framed by structures encouraging outdoor living, featuring glass-framed courtyards, and adjustable architectural screens offering a variety of perspectives.

Keturah Resort by MAG is located on Dubai Creek facing Dubai’s wildlife sanctuary in Ras Al Khor, providing convenient access to Dubai Downtown, Dubai International Financial Centre, and Dubai International Airport.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

The Big Project Middle East (BPME) editorial team has announced that technology’s impact on the delivery of projects; operation of assets, as well as health and safety (during and post construction), will take centre stage at its forthcoming Digital Construction Summit (DCS).

The 2023 edition of the DCS (formerly the Middle East BIM Summit) is scheduled to have over 20 speakers from several prominent construction and technology firm share their insights on a variety of current topics and themes. The summit will also touch on Construction 4.0 technologies and advanced materials; integrating robotics and AI into the delivery and operations of projects; securing the digital elements of projects and assets, and more. Read about the agenda here.

The day-long event will put all these topics and more under the spotlight via curated panel discussions, fireside chats and presentations. The summit is scheduled to take place at the Habtoor Grand Resort, JBR, Dubai on the 26^th of September, with doors opening at 9am. Registration is complementary but mandatory for built environment and technology professionals from across the Middle East.

“The editorial team is in the midst of putting the final touches on the event, and we are pleased with the line-up of speakers scheduled to speak at the summit this year. Technology has immense potential to radically transform the built environment, and by shining a light on current issues and what technology can do to alleviate those challenges, we hope to provoke positive change in the sector,” said Jason Saundalkar, Head of Content at Big Project Middle East.

The 2023 Digital Construction Summit is supported by:

Gold sponsor: KEO International Consultants, Procore, RIB Software, SoftwareOne
Strategic Partner: Zoho
Strategic Content Partner: ALEC
Technology Partner: Autodesk
Silver Sponsor: AECOM
Bronze sponsor: AESG, Thinkproject
Supporting Partner: JLL
Endorsements: Chartered Institute of Building

Sponsorship inquires can be addressed to Raz Islam (raz.islam@cpitrademedia.com) and Madeleine Martin (madeleine.martin@cpitrademedia.com).

To learn more about the 2023 DC Summit, please click here.

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Source: MEConstructionNews