The Saudi Downtown Company (SDC) has been launched by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Chairman of the Public Investment Fund (PIF). The SDC aims to build and develop downtown areas and mixed-use destinations in 12 cities throughout Saudi Arabia.

According to a statement, the company plans to improve infrastructure and build strategic partnerships with the private sector and investors, by creating new business and investment opportunities in key economic sectors including retail, tourism, entertainment, and housing.

The 12 cities include: Al-Madinah, Al-Khobar, Al-Ahsa, Buraidah, Najran, Jizan, Hail, Al-Baha, Arar, Taif, Dumat Al-Jandal, and Tabuk. SDC will develop over 10m sqm of land across all projects, creating modern destinations drawn from Saudi Arabia’s diverse local culture and traditional architectural motifs, while using cutting-edge technology in every project, the statement noted.

Big Project Middle East will host the Construction Intel Summit – KSA in Riyadh on 23 November. Registration is complementary but mandatory for construction professionals wishing to attend.

The launch of SDC is said to reflect the Crown Prince’s vision to launch development projects in various regions of Saudi Arabia, highlighting the active role that domestic cities play in supporting the national economy.

The company’s strategy aligns with PIF’s efforts to unlock and enable the capabilities of promising sectors locally that can help drive the diversification of the economy and contribute to non-oil GDP growth, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030, the statement explained.

By launching SDC, PIF aims to increase trade and investment opportunities in various cities across Saudi Arabia to enhance their attractiveness and create a positive impact in their local economies. The projects will also contribute to creating new opportunities for the private sector and new job opportunities for local citizens, as well as localizing knowledge and expertise to help entrepreneurs and companies start and expand their businesses, the statement concluded.

In September 2022, The Red Sea Development Company said contracts worth $1.7bn had been signed for AMAALA to date while, later in the month, Knight Frank said over $1.1tn in real estate and infrastructure projects are currently underway in Saudi Arabia.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

Global Mission, an Abu Dhabi based non-profit, along with its international partners has announced the establishment of a $17bn fund to achieve the United Nations’ (UN) 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“This Global Fund for Sustainable Development is the most ambitious SDG-fund worldwide. Based in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the fund targets to raise $17bn and $1bn will be allocated for each SDG,” said Mohamad Elsamad, Executive Director of Operation and Administration at Global Mission.

He added that since its launch in 2017 at Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, Global Mission – under the chairmanship of Khalid Al Mutawa – has been working intensively with global stakeholders, including the UN, governments, non-governmental organisations, and other international players to support the achievement of key SDGs internationally.

In April 2022, the RTA unveiled its five-year sustainability plan.

The 17 SDGs are an urgent call for action by more than 100 nations in a global partnership, as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all UN Member States in 2015.

The SDGs recognise that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests, according to the UN.

Elsamad pointed out that although only eight years are left to achieve the SDGs by 2030, there hasn’t been much progress so far. “Actually it’s the other way around. We have experienced more environmental deterioration, more hunger and more climate change in the past few years. But we are very much hopeful that we can still make the change. Anything can be done if you create the right mindset with the right people.”

In August 2022, MOCCAE unveiled a pledge designed to boost the private sector’s contribution to the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 initiative.

He added that the committee of the Global Fund for Sustainable Development has identified around 100 projects to start working with during the next 12 months, and the investment platforms are already in place. He concluded, “This will be a PPP platform: the projects will be implemented in cooperation with governments and the private sector alike.”

In September 2022, a youth movement called for global leaders to take “urgent and bold climate adaption action” and later in the month, the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment introduced the National Air Quality Agenda 2031.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

The recently opened Museum of the Future is a visionary hub, showcasing futuristic ideas and technologies to visitors from around the globe. Yet, not many observers will be aware that its steel diagrid structure was in fact created by a bespoke growth algorithm, literally ‘growing’ the structure organically to its optimum parameters.

The museum’s unconventional eye-shaped structure with a mesmerising void was designed by architect Killa Design to be a symbol of progress and innovation. No less striking by night, when LED lighting outlines each bespoke glass window shaped in the form of Arabic calligraphy, illuminating phrases of inspirational quotes written by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, about his vision for the city’s future.

Dubai Future Foundation’s (DFF) concept for a Museum of the Future was brought to life by lead design engineering consultants Buro Happold and developer North25. Despite challenges posed by the building’s complex shape and façade, Buro Happold’s engineers were able to overcome these by pushing the boundaries of digital design, combining bespoke parametric modelling and an industry-leading approach to Building Information Modelling (BIM).

Presented with DFF’s vision and Shaun Killa’s design for the building, Buro Happold needed to consider how to build a feasible structure for the unique shape without deviating away from the original design. Using computational tools, Buro Happold developed a bespoke growth algorithm to ‘grow’ the theoretically optimum arrangement for the steel diagrid structure that would balance buildability and structural member commonality, while supporting 1,024 stainless-steel-clad glass fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP) panels that would form the museum’s exterior.

“Creating Shaun’s shape structurally was one complication but to weave all disciplines together to produce a high-performance exhibition facility was the real challenge,” says Tobias Bauly, Buro Happold’s Project Director of Museum of the Future. “We realised very quickly that a design that needed to integrate so many architectural and engineering aspects together would need a design approach and a set of design tools that would be bespoke to the project. We wanted to honour the overall vision. The digital and analytical tools developed by us for the project became the true enabler for delivering on that promise.”

Commencing the design back in 2015, Buro Happold and Killa Design spent nearly two years developing what is effectively a full digital prototype of the building. This revolutionised the team’s way of working, creating an efficient and holistic design process that was built around having ‘everything’ in the 3D models.

“Typically, a concept design might only involve the architect creating drawing content, with conceptual level input from engineers. However, for Museum of the Future, we threw the rule book out and had all architectural and engineering disciplines integrating and contributing into the digital model from the very start,” says Bauly. “While managing a design team of nearly 40 people has its challenges, the exhaustive planning put into the digital design process streamlined the delivery of the project and removed many of the typical problems you’d face during later construction phases. With the amount of risk it removes, ‘digital’ is the single greatest step forward our industry has seen for designing and constructing the built environment.”

The prototype digital modelling also proved essential in determining the façade of the building. The exterior is made up of over 10,000 bespoke pieces of glass integrated within the 1,024 panels – the panels themselves are all unique in size and shape. The areas of calligraphy glazing were determined by parametric scripting to optimise the amount of energy use – balancing thermal gain, light entering the museum and HVAC system designs. The glass panels were treated locally and cut into shape using water jets before placement into the GFRP panels.

“Once again, technology was the great enabler to achieving what would otherwise have been logistically unfeasible. Initially we were concerned about producing the digital cutting patterns for the thousands of different glass shapes but once the analytical modelling was set up, the data production was relatively quick. The water jet machinery is then of course indifferent to whether pieces are all the same or all different – it’s just following data, at which point the variability of the glass makes little difference,” says Bauly. “It meant we had far greater freedom to create glass shapes that could closely match the calligraphy created by artist, Mattar Bin Lahej.”

With futuristic thinking at the core of the design, the sustainability credentials of the building could not be overlooked. From the start of the project, it was built to LEED platinum rating standards. The design technology developed by Buro Happold proved crucial in delivering this ambition. Energy modelling was encapsulated within the 3D modelling work, allowing for interaction with a host of other engineering disciplines in real time. This ensured sustainability was put at the forefront of all key design decisions, enabling a huge reduction in water use and total energy savings.

“Working in a digital environment completely altered our capabilities related to energy use. Without these tools, we would not have been able to make building as energy efficient as it is now,” says Bauly.

The Museum of the Future also has its own green power source. A vast array of solar power was designed and built for the building, providing a direct power link for the facilities. With a purposeful brief to keep parking spots to a minimum, and with a pedestrian bridge built as part of the project and connecting directly with Emirates Towers’ metro station, the building encourages Dubai to embrace its ever-developing public transport network. With its positive impact on how people move in and around the city, and representing how digital is changing how we design, the museum really does offer a glimpse into the future.

Read more:

• Project Insight: The Museum of the Future
• BuroHappold on providing a sustainable solution for Dubai’s Museum of the Future
• A digital future in construction on the horizon?

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Source: MEConstructionNews

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded a contract for the construction of internal roads and lighting for four residential communities: Margham, Lahbab, Al Lesaily and Hatta.

In a statement, the RTA said that the project, which covers roads extending 37km in total, also includes road works running over 21km long and adding streetlights for existing roads stretching 16km. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

Announcing the contracts, Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA said: “The construction of internal roads stems from RTA’s keenness to improve the infrastructure of roads, light and stormwater drainage systems in residential communities.”

In May 2022, the RTA announced plans to extend dedicated bus and taxi lanes over a five-year period.

On the Margham project, Al Tayer said the project covers the construction of roads extending 8km in an area on the Dubai-Al Ain Road, near Skydive Dubai. The infrastructure works include rainwater drainage networks and streetlights. It will serve more than 1,100 residents of the neighbourhood, he added.

Commenting on the Lahbab project, he said it involves paving roads extending 4km along with infrastructure works of rainwater drainage and streetlights. The project scope also covers lighting works of the existing streets extending 2km on the Dubai-Hatta Road beside the Lahbab Camel Racetrack.

“The project serves more than 3,000 residents and improves the linking of the residential area under construction with the roads network,” he explained.

In early August 2022, the Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Corridor Improvement Project was 75% complete, the RTA said.

On the Al Lesaily project, Al Tayer pointed out that the internal roads span 7km. “The project includes road works at Saih Assalam near Last Exit and Al Qudra Lake over more than 14km – the project serves about 2,900 residents and improves the entry/exit points of the area,” he noted.

For the Hatta project, the RTA chief said the project covers the construction of roads extending 2km at Hatta, specifically at Sa’aeer, Al Salami and Suhaila, in addition to infrastructure works that include rainwater drainage and streetlights.

“This will serve about 6,000 residents and improves the entry/exit points as well as the connection of the residential community under construction with the road network,” he concluded.

Late in August 2022, the RTA said that 55% of construction work at the Falcon Interchange improvement project was complete.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

A new architectural era is among us, the creation of place making has teleported to a parallel world. A realm that bypasses physical constraints of materiality, structural integrity and enclosure from the physical elements. This has unleashed a new kind of reconceptualisation of what architecture is, what it can be, and how we will experience it.

As the Metaverse concept has been around for decades, it has become a buzzword with the announcement of Facebook becoming Meta and billions of dollars being invested into Metaverse technologies. Experiencing the internet will have a new connotation as we enter ourselves into the 2D screen into a fully immersive 3D world; a 3-Dimensional world of connectivity that enables users to shop, visit friends and family, meet with colleagues and clients all in one place. We must ask ourselves the question on how to best utilise this evolving technology to enrich our lives and the built environment.

A 3-Dimensional World of Connectivity

The Metaverse will become a collection of fully immersive real-time environments interlinked/interoperable with one another where users (in the form of avatars/meta personas) can interact with the environment and each other either for business/entertainment purposes in decentralised and co-created worlds. In short, the Metaverse is a virtual reality version of the internet where the outside will be shared as a digital form. It is all possible thanks to the emergence of Web3.0 technology, a world driven by data, decentralisation, and user autonomy.

The easiest way to visualise the transition from Web2.0 to Web3.0 is like moving from 2D to 3D. The existing protocols and services of today’s internet will still be visited, however with Web3.0, we will start to see services built on permissionless blockchains with open protocols, open standards, and built within open “worlds”. This provides massive opportunities for individual users, content creators, and businesses to expand and explore the latest evolution of the internet. While the infrastructure behind Web3.0 is still in the works, the future of the internet looks promising and it’s arriving faster than we think.

Shifting paradigms

The primary aspect of architecture was intended to provide shelter to human beings from external actors, in the Metaverse this is no longer the case. An entire new world of possibilities has been unlocked. What kind of expression, creativity, and design has become possible? As technology advances, the philosophies continue to evolve.

Each Metaverse platform has a set of rules, for example a set plot size that may limit the height and footprint, polygon count that may limit the detail of the design, or even a cap on the number of users that can access at once, these new constraints will create a new kind of architecture and it will continue to adapt as the Metaverse evolves. The methods of conceptualising architecture in the Metaverse will need to be re-imagined.

As architects building and shaping the future of Metaverse architecture, we will start to incorporate aspects of multiple fields, for example user interface, content design, character design, landscape development, block-chain based protocols, and even game design. Within the Metaverse there will be multiple virtual worlds that contain a mix between both the physical and digital world, where people can experience and engage in a vast range of activities.

Most activities will be centred around social activities like meeting with friends, clients, and loved ones, but there is also a utility aspect that can enable education to be easily accessed around the world, or even have easy access to governmental agencies and healthcare that are operated 24/7 by expert digital assistants.

Each of the current Metaverses offer different possibilities; a creator entering the Metaverse must first ask what the most important aspects are of what they are trying to achieve. Aspects like daily user count, age and demographics of users, open or closed platforms (either enable full freedom of creation or to work within a “design” framework) along with other factors will determine which Metaverse platform will best suit their needs. Entering a Metaverse may or may not require the purchase of digital land in the form of a Non-Fungible Token (NFT) and purchased with the native cryptocurrency of the platform.

The structures in the Metaverse are made of polygons or voxels that is defined as three dimensional pixels. Each one of the current Metaverses offer different options – some provide a sprawling, colourful, low poly wonderland, while others still expand to more tightly detailed worlds that focus on high-quality renders that explore niche ideas. And others still use cubes as a standard building block for each ethereal build and an ingrained emphasis on recreating an Earth-like world.

Opportunity to decarbonise the Earth

As we are heading towards the next big-tech paradigm shift, we must consider the impacts it may have on our planet. Many blockchains such as Ethereum verify transactions through a method called “Proof-of-work” and this process is an energy consuming process where hundreds of computers on a network solve complex cryptographic puzzles to verify transactions. Simply put, every transaction that is made using cryptocurrency on a PoW blockchain is energy consuming. The amount of energy consumed for the blockchain along is estimated to be 150TW-hours annually.

Luckily, there are hundreds of blockchains all working towards a more sustainable future. Ethereum network which is the major network that powers the majority of the virtual transactions will be rolling out the next generation that will move to “Proof-of-Stake”, which reduces energy consumption while providing the same transaction verification. In addition to recycling e-waste and setting up 100% renewable energies datacentres, for example, Google and Microsoft are setting up run data centres on completely carbon-free energy by 2030.

Another way the Metaverse can help in that is by using digital twins. Digital twins represent the physical world and allow users to interact with these digital replicas from anywhere and in a number of productive and efficient ways. They are especially effective in helping to control energy usage and carbon emissions.

The options are limitless, and the opportunities being presented by governments all over the world are making it more attractive and affordable to rethink how technology can help reduce greenhouse gasses. The 3D digital twin showcases a scaled layout of the facility and offers a virtual walkthrough that can be manipulated and viewed from multiple planes. To start tracking your commissions, decarbonising your work force and industries, eliminating paper waste, reducing the need to prototype multiple times, and it’s a great place for digital twins to solve it.

Read more:

• Web3 transforming UAE real estate landscape – DAMAC Properties’ GM says
• Entering the Metaverse: What does it mean for the Construction Sector? | Digital Construction Summit 2022
• Virtuzone launches ‘The V’ tower in the Metaverse

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Source: MEConstructionNews

ACCIONA said that it has recently acquired electrical machinery for use in construction projects that it undertakes all over the world. The pilot project is said to be part of the company’s decarbonisation plan and is said to set it apart as the first Spanish construction company to invest in electrical machinery.

According to a statement, the firm purchased four telescopic handlers and two rotating dumpers, which will mainly be used in urban construction projects. Thanks to their 100% electrical operation, great improvements are made in reducing pollutant emissions and noise levels on site, it noted.

The first of the handlers, bought by the company from JCB through its distributor WALKIA, was handed over to ACCIONA’s Machinery Depot in Seville, Spain. Following a series of tests, it is being used in a housing construction project in Cádiz province, South of Spain. The other three machines of this type are expected to be delivered before the end of 2022, the company explained.

In August 2022, ALEC Energy and Stantec signed a MoU to establish a roadmap towards achieving decarbonisation and sustainable energy goals. Later in August 2022, the MOCCAE unveiled a pledge designed to boost the private sector’s contribution to UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 initiative.

Overall, it is estimated that the use of this electrical machinery could reduce up to 100t of CO2 emissions, the firm pointed out.

ACCIONA notes that it has also launched the ACCIONA Decarbonisation Fund and is keen to reduce its direct emissions and those generated by its energy consumption by 60% between 2017 and 2030, aiming at the target of the Paris Climate Agreement to limit global warming to no more than 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels. The move is said to be in response to the latest scientific studies on climate change.

The fund will finance projects which show potential for significantly reducing emissions. The purchase of electrical machinery is one of the initiatives that will receive support from the company’s decarbonisation fund, the company concluded.

In early September 2022, Abu Dhabi’s DoE revealed new policies to accelerate the UAE’s move towards Net Zero.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

Richard Caldow has been appointed as CEO for Europe and the Americas by Ryse Energy.

With more than 30 years of experience in the distributed renewable energy space, Caldow joins Ryse Energy from competitor and small wind turbine manufacturer SD Wind, where he was responsible for building a global installed base of small wind turbines in various industry sectors, the company said in a statement.

The strategic hire is part of Ryse Energy’s expansion plans, which have seen the business grow exponentially in Europe and in both North and South America, winning major projects in the telecoms, critical infrastructure, and industrial and commercial sectors, the firm explained.

In September 2022, Masdar and RWE Renewables signed a MoU to explore collaboration on developing offshore wind projects across a range of key markets.

Ryse Energy incorporated in the US earlier this year and has already secured initial contracts from one of the largest owner and operators of communication infrastructure in the country. In addition, Ryse Energy has secured major contracts with US distributed renewable energy companies and mini-grid installers using small wind turbine technology to build more resilient mini-grids, it continued.

Commenting on Richard’s appointment, Alistair Munro, Group CEO of Ryse Energy said: “The hire of Richard Caldow from SD Wind shows the strength of the brand we’ve built, and the technology Ryse Energy possesses. Richard built SD Wind from the ground up, creating a major player in the small wind sector. As the global leader in small wind and distributed renewable energy, Ryse Energy is very excited to see what Richard will create with a company already en-grained in the space and with huge ambitions.”

Ryse Energy is a primary manufacturer of small wind technology with manufacturing capabilities in the UK, Spain, and India. It offers wind and solar as standalone technologies, either grid-connected or off-grid with energy storage and hybridise their innovative and unique wind technologies with solar PV and energy storage to create bespoke and reliable hybrid renewable solutions across a variety of sectors, from decarbonising infrastructure in the telecoms and oil & gas industries, to community power for rural electrification.

Later in September 2022, SPPC revealed plans for five renewable energy projects across Saudi Arabia.

Speaking about the new role, Richard Caldow, CEO for Europe & Americas added: “I’m delighted to be joining Ryse Energy at this time of growth within the renewables industry. Being a manufacturer of a range of turbines from 3kW to 60kW, coupled with solar and battery storage, allows Ryse Energy to meet the diverse requirements for distributed generation.”

QatarEnergy and GE also inked a deal in September to step up carbon capture in the energy sector.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

Signature Developers has appointed the Devmark Group to launch Signature Mansions, which is billed as a curated collection of 18 elegant villas set within Jumeirah Golf Estates.

According to a statement, Signature Mansions has been master-planned by the developer as an exclusive micro-community, focusing on architectural excellence and innovative amenities.

Designed to offer the ‘Grace of the Green’, the mansions are said to be located on the Fire course, surrounded by nature, and are within walking distance from the Jumeirah Golf Estates Club House. The five and six-bedroom villas are designed for the modern international family and range from 9,168-16,000sqft, containing multiple entertaining areas, separate maids and drivers’ quarters, sky atriums, an elevator and a private lower parking level with sunken light wells, the developer noted.

In March 2022, Majid Al Futtaim Communities said that its Elysian Mansions at Tilal Al Ghaf will usher in a new level of idyllic living.

The Regal Group and Lals Group established Signature Developers in 2016. Previous high-end residential projects include the 118 Downtown, 5-star Taj Hotel & The Residences at Jumeirah Lakes Towers.

“Our advice to Signature Developers was to reimagine traditional villa configurations to drive value through differentiation, despite the current demand surpassing the supply in the luxury residential sector. For example, we understand the importance of indoor-outdoor living in Dubai with year-round sunshine. Therefore, we recommended that each of the 18 luxury villas feature a private pool on the roof to provide the residents panoramic views of the city skyline in addition to the spectacular golf course views. With best-in-class project design, Signature Mansions are poised to introduce a new standard of urban community living. We expect great interest from both international investors and domestic homeowners,” said Sean McCauley, Chief Executive Officer at The Devmark Group.

With the demand for luxury residential units reaching an all-time high this year, the Signature Mansions will set a new standard of urban community living. Each villa is thoughtfully located within the private enclave on a pedestrian-friendly boulevard and features a private roof-top pool, lower-level covered parking with up to six car park spaces, and panoramic views of the golf course and city skyline, the developer pointed out.

In September 2022, DAMAC said it was adding ultra-luxurious mansions to its DAMAC Hills residential community.

Richard Aybar, Managing Director, The Devmark Group added, “We are delighted to partner with Signature Developers to launch this game-changing development. Over the last year, as the population in Dubai swells, we have seen an unprecedented surge in demand from investors and residents for gated community villas. Signature Mansions are not only located in the heart of one of the most coveted residential communities, they also are innovatively designed to include cutting-edge amenities that offer homeowners a uniquely modern and private lifestyle.”

Raju Shroff, Founding Partner, Signature Developers concluded, “We are thrilled to be partnering with The Devmark Group to bring this unique villa community to market.  Their expertise and strategic approach to launching developments in Dubai is backed by an impressive track record.  Jumeirah Golf Estates is such a special location and when the land was available to purchase, we at Signature knew we could turn this distinctive parcel of land into something spectacular.  Our team of architects and designers have worked incredibly hard to create a living experience that will be the first of its kind in Dubai.”

Late in September 2022, Alpago Properties launched ‘Dubai’s only’ double signature villa on the Palm Jumeirah.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

Hiab, part of Cargotec, has launched its biggest on-road HIAB loader crane to date at IAA TRANSPORTATION. The HIAB iQ.1388 HiPro super heavy loader crane comes equipped with the firm’s new advanced control system – SPACEevo – for improved productivity and safer operations, the company says.

The 135tm (tonne metre) crane also has a V10-Force decagonal profile first used in the EFFER 1000, designed to provide increased strength for vertical performance and improve overall precision, the firm explained.

In addition, Hiab’s Load Stability System for vertical movements (LSS-V) compensates for unintentionally excessive lever movement in vertical operations, while its Variable Stability Logic PLUS (VSL+) stability feature optimises lifting capacity by maintaining safety and monitoring the position and pressure on each stabiliser leg, Hiab confirmed.

In March 2021, Hiab renewed its GCC distribution agreement with Thor Middle East.

The crane is said to be suitable for several types of applications due to its high lifting capacity. According to the company, it can also be installed on a four-axle 32 GVW truck, making it suitable for operation in metropolitan areas.

“This is not just simply a new model. It is the answer to a long-time customer request, a super heavy crane with our most advanced control system features, designed to carry out demanding and challenging heavy lifts in the most effective way,” says Marcel Boxem, Director of Global Product Management, Loader Cranes Heavy & Super Heavy, Hiab.

He added, “Operators and customers will appreciate how each part of the crane has been designed to excel, from a precision, safety and speed point of view.”

In September 2022, Grove introduced a heavy-duty jib option for its rough-terrain crane and, later in the month, Johnson Arabia said that it had enhanced its fleet with a wide range of new battery-powered equipment.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

Sharjah developer Arada has announced the opening of the Masaar Discovery Center, located in the heart of the group’s upscale forested villa community.

The centre features wide open spaces, abundant natural light and a variety of visitor experiences, showcasing the features of the upcoming community development. A double-height glass façade ensures that visitors can see impressive vistas of the woodland from any vantage point within the building, the developer explained.

The Masaar Discovery Center was inaugurated by Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, in the presence of Arada Chairman Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi and Vice Chairman Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal.

In May 2021, Arada awarded two contracts for the development of the $2.2bn Masaar community.

Also now open to the public is the community’s first completed home, the Masaar Show Villa, which can be reached via a forested walkway, the developer added.

“This is a landmark moment for Masaar that marks the first phase of delivery at Sharjah’s exceptional woodland community. From today, we look forward to welcoming visitors to enjoy the amenities, which we are confident will enable Masaar to become an entertainment hotspot for families in Sharjah,” remarked Sheikh Sultan.

Prince Khaled continued, “When we launched Masaar, we made a promise to our buyers that we would deliver a lifestyle that is unmatched anywhere else, not just in Sharjah but the wider UAE. Today we are starting to deliver on that promise and giving members of the public an opportunity to see first-hand what the experience of living in this transformational community will be like in the very near future.”

In March 2022, Arada awarded two contracts worth $32mn for the development of the project.

With eight gated districts containing 4,000 villas and townhouses, Masaar’s signature feature is a ‘green spine’ containing 50,000 trees.

Construction work is under way to build Sendian, Masaar’s first and earliest residential district, which is scheduled to be completed in summer 2023. The construction contracts for both the second residential district, Kaya, and the third, Robinia, will be awarded by year-end.

Later in March 2022, Arada and TBHF launched their ‘Home for a Home’ Ramadan initiative.

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Source: MEConstructionNews