Gulf Construction Online - Decorative works show diversity of ECC's skills

Knowledge Village

Decorative works show diversity of ECC's skills

01 June 2003

One of the UAE's leading architectural decorators has crafted a myriad of GRC (glass reinforced cement), GRP (glass reinforced plastic) and GRG (glass reinforced gypsum) architectural features - including one of the largest GRP domes in the region - for the Knowledge Village project.

Emirates Contracting Company's (ECC) GRC/GRP/GRG division is now poised to complete all the GRC and GRP works involved in the project, having started work on the contract in February this year.

'Genuine craftwork is scarce in this high-tech age, and we are proud that our company specialises in crafting decorative plaster and has moulders and craftsmen who have more than 30 to 40 years experience using traditional methods,' says a spokesman for the company.

'At our factory, products are hand-cast and hand-finished by dedicated craftsmen,' he says.

Giving details of its scope of work on the Knowledge Village project, he says: 'We supplied and installed a at this prestigious project. Measuring 25 m diameter single skin, it is one of the largest GRP domes in this region.

'The company also supplied 118 GRC panels (4.7 m by 3 m) for the wind-tower, 28 GRC decorative double-sided panels (3.2 m by 2.6 m), 400 feature panels of various sizes, 32 clocktower panels, column capitals and base, round feature panels, GRP crescents, cornices, decorative brackets for cornices and window sills.

'It was a fast-track job to be completed in five months. However, work was accomplished smoothly because of good co-operation and co-ordination with the consultant and main contractor. There was very good understanding between all parties, right from the shop-drawing stage through to execution.'

The company says it is capable of undertaking turnkey jobs involving all kinds of GRC, GRP work, ornamental gypsum, gypsum ceiling, metal ceiling and partition work for residential buildings, luxury villas and commercial establishments.

Being part of ECC, the division has in-house resources for civil work, renting construction equipment, joinery, painting work and fabrication work.

'Our speciality is time-bound projects which demand high-quality work,' the spokesman adds.

The division started manufacturing ceiling panels in 1989, and today specialises in GRC, GRP and GRG ceiling panels, cast gypsum ceilings, 600 by 600 mm ceilings, acoustical ceilings, ornamental gypsum works and dry-wall partitions.

It can handle any type of architectural and decorative ceiling work, he adds.

'All our products, designed to meet different requirements and tastes, are of good quality catering to the needs of architects, interior designers and contractors. The products can also be custom-designed to individual specifications,' he says.

ECC is a member of the UK-based Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete Association (GRCA).

The division has been involved in many projects in the UAE, including hotels, mosques, villas, commercial and residential buildings, showrooms, shopping malls and schools.

Some of its prestigious projects include Oasis Beach Hotel, London Crown Hotel, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Metropolitan Hotel, JW Marriott, Burj Al Arab (Sky View Restaurant), Royal Mirage Hotel, Indian High School, Jumeirah Ladies Club, Murraqabat Police Station, Dubai Internet City (Siemens buildings), Ministry of Education building, Spinneys Shopping Mall and marriage halls for Al Boom Tourist Village and restaurants, (all in the UAE).

Some of the mosque projects include Sharjah Mosque, mosque for Aweer Gas Turbine project and mosque in Hor Al Anz.

The company has worked with a number of leading consultants, interior decorators and contractors such as Dar Consultants, Arif & Bintoak, Khatib & Alami, Holford Associates, Wrenn Associates, WS Atkins, Interior International, Al Basti & Mukta, Al Sahel Contracting Company, Al Oroba Contracting, Bu Haleeba Contracting, Arabtech and Besix Construction, besides undertaking projects for its parent company.