Gulf Construction Online - MSCEB delivers world-class projects

Bahrain Review

Redevelopment of a housing project at Umm Al Hassam ... building societies.

MSCEB delivers world-class projects

01 January 2013

Bahrain-based Mohamed Salahuddin Consulting Engineering Bureau (MSCEB) continues to deliver world-class design consultancy and construction administration services to a wide spectrum of projects in Bahrain, ranging from major public sector housing redevelopment schemes to residential towers, commercial centres and warehouses.

Among its latest projects is the redevelopment of housing projects for the Ministry of Housing at various locations across Bahrain, including in Isa Town, Umm Al Hassam, Busaiteen and Muharraq. “The primary goal of these community renewal projects is to provide bigger and better dwelling units supported by high-end common and recreational facilities,” says Sushil Kher, executive director at MSCEB.

In order to achieve this goal, the ministry has decided to develop apartment buildings that optimise on the footprint to allow for multipurpose recreational facilities and green spaces while achieving a higher density ratio than the current developments at those locations. The existing sites comprise public housing developed 30 to 40 years ago, which are now in a poor condition. These buildings, which generally have two or three bedrooms, will be redeveloped to offer larger premises.

“As the needs have changed, and the families have grown, the majority of the inhabitants require bigger apartments with four bedrooms and a maid’s room. In addition, they need common facilities like multipurpose halls, parks, and safe children’s play areas,” explains Kher. “The community development approach aims at enhancing the lifestyle of the occupants and increasing the opportunities to interact socially within the community.”

All the projects are being designed with common facilities that can enhance social cohesion and create a friendly atmosphere. The buildings have been grouped to create different clusters, each featuring its own public area containing children’s play areas, gymnasiums and community halls.

As the projects are located at different sites across the country, the urban design strategy adopted varies in accordance with the site constraints and surroundings. This has entailed a detailed site analysis in order to maximise on the potential offered by each site and create a design befitting its context.

While every project has a different design, all respond to the same requirements including the provision of:

• Modern, well-designed apartment blocks including parking floors;

A high school at Diyar Al Muharraq ... concept design by MSCEB.

• Four bedroom apartments with maid’s room and two parking spaces provided for each apartment;

• Community facilities as per the best practices adopted in successful social housing projects in Bahrain and abroad;

• Appropriate landscaping to enhance the living standards and aim towards sustainable development; and
• Adequate parking for visitors.

Apart from this public sector project, MSCEB is currently working on a range of apartment buildings for the private sector. Among them is an 18-storey serviced apartment block which comprises 83 apartments and recreational facilities. The 15,000-sq-m project, being developed by renowned Bahraini developer and contractor Kooheji Contractors, is currently under design and construction is scheduled to commence in the second quarter of 2013.

Another apartment building scheme on MSCEB’s drawing boards is a sea-facing development on a 1,813-sq-m plot at Amwaj Islands. Construction work on the luxury project, which is being designed to provide 70 two- and three-bedroom serviced apartments, is likely to commence by mid-2013. The building will feature a rooftop swimming pool, gymnasium, party hall and covered parking spaces.

The consultancy firm’s well-diversified portfolio also includes a couple of warehousing developments at Bahrain Investment Wharf (BIW) in Hidd. MSCEB is implementing a warehousing development for First Bahrain (Majaal Warehousing Company) that will cover a plot area of 23,000 sq m and offer a total built-up area of 12,500 sq m. The facility is under construction and expected to be completed in May 2013. This project is in line with the company’s long-term strategy to develop a large-size modern warehousing facility within BIW.

Phase One of the project was completed two years ago and since then the facility has witnessed high occupancy rates.
Another large warehousing project that is set to take shape at BIW is for the Kuwait-based developer Al Bilad General Warehousing Development Company. Construction of the project, comprising six warehousing blocks with a total built-up area of 22,000 sq m, is expected to commence by mid-2013.

Meanwhile, construction work is drawing to a close on an MSCEB-designed headquarters building for Gulf Corporation for Technology. Located in Juffair along Al Fateh Highway, this elegant nine-storey building boasts a sweeping curved glazed curtain-wall juxtaposed against a contrasting expanse of natural limestone cladding. The 7,700-sq-m building has offices on the ground level and five upper levels, a recreation floor, and car parking on the mezzanine and the two levels immediately above it. To ensure natural ventilation while enhancing the aesthetics of the project, stainless steel wire cloth adorns the eastern elevation of the parking levels. The project is likely to be handed over this month (January).

Apart from design, MSCEB also provides supervision and support until the successful completion of its projects. Among its newly-completed projects is the Nass Center, which is set along the busy commercial strip of Zubara Avenue. The development is currently being fitted out by a hypermarket chain that has leased the entire 14,500-sq-m space, which comprises two retail levels and basement parking.

Al Bilad warehouse development at Bahrain Investment Wharf, and Nass Center at Zubara Avenue (belwo).

Another recently-completed MSCEB project is a twin-tower residential development at Sanabis. The 20-storey service apartment buildings comprise 127 apartments, a health club, multi-purpose halls and retail commercial shops with a total built-up area of around 27,000 sq m. The project was completed in November 2012.

MSCEB also holds credit for the prestigious Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Park. Located at the foot of the Shaikh Khalifa Bridge towards Hidd, this idyllic and off-the-road park serves the residents of Arad and Hidd and is also frequented by visitors from all over the country. Offering stunning views of the Arabian Gulf and the city skyline beyond, the park boasts a viewing tower, boating marina, indoor games arcade, restaurants, a skate park, children’s play area, outdoor fitness equipment and jogging track. The project was completed in October 2011.

Apart from the above, MSCEB has recently concluded the design for a new corniche located along the Sitra Causeway. This 2.3-km-long corniche designed as a park will offer a walkway, spaces for relaxation, play areas, fitness trails and will serve the local residents of Sitra. The construction of the corniche is expected to commence in the second quarter of 2013 and completion is slated towards the end of the year.

MSCEB has also developed concept designs for a high school at Diyar Al Muharraq, which will have a built-up area of 17,000 sq m.

Another school project that MSCEB is involved in is a complex at Al A’ali for Philippine School, with which it has been associated since its inception in 2000. Currently, the practice is working on the design for the expansion of the high school block, construction of which is expected to commence shortly. The new block has been named Rod Acosta Building in honour of the chairman of the school’s committee.

Founded in 1970, MSCEB’s areas of expertise cover architecture, structural and civil engineering, interiors, landscape architecture, electrical, mechanical and plumbing, project management and construction administration.

Its team comprises experienced professional architects, structural and electro-mechanical engineers, urban planners, landscape architects and interior designers. A combination of in-depth professional knowledge with extensive experience in the design of major projects around the region has ensured that MSCEB has a remarkable project delivery capability.

The interdisciplinary architecture and engineering design firm has been delivering world-class design consultancy services and construction administration by forming close alliances with its clients. This close co-ordination provides it with an insight into the client’s business and processes, thus enabling it to optimise the design and construction and thus ensure timely delivery of project that meet the clients’ cost and quality requirements.

The practice is known for its ability to work with exceptional flexibility in a range of project types such as residential, mixed-use, hospitality, commercial, governmental, healthcare, retail, entertainment, industrial and institutional planning.

The company has completed a multiplicity of design and development projects in Bahrain and other neighbouring GCC countries. Some of its well-known projects that are defining landmarks of Bahrain include the Bahrain City Centre, Marriott Apartments in Juffair, Al Matrook Tower Hotel and Office Towers in the Diplomatic Area, and Arad Bay Protectorate Area and Park including the two iconic pedestrian bridges, in addition to the Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Park.