Gulf Construction Online - Diamond aims to be a cut above the rest

Glass & Aluminium

Marina Diamond ... a distinct identity.

Diamond aims to be a cut above the rest

01 October 2005

A key priority when designing the facades of its Marina Diamond Series buildings at Dubai Marina was to combine architectural beauty and adequate performance, says a spokesman for Diamond Investments,a real estate developer in Dubai.

“Diamond Investments, a new breed of real estate developers, comprises a group of engineers, architects and entrepreneurs who care deeply about each project within their portfolio,” says a spokesman for the company. “It adheres to the principle of only developing commercial and residential properties to meet the customers concepts and strives to provide state-of-the art architecture and immaculately finished residences.”
In order to achieve the best facades for the six residential buildings that make up the Marina Diamond Series, Diamond Investments along with Al Ajami Consultants chose Zebian Industries and its UK partners Brital to design and execute the aluminium and glazing work.
“The Brital System is known for its quality and was chosen because it was tested in Wintec laboratories in the UK and passed the most stringent requirements of the British Standards,” he says. “In addition, this design will remain consistent throughout the entire Marina Diamond portfolio, creating a common sense of identity for its end-users.”
He continues: “The Marina Diamond buildings will have two-sided structural glazing curtain-walls, making up continuous glazed facades with a custom-made bull nose to enhance it with a unique modern appearance. The sliding doors and windows of each apartment have been designed with stainless steel tracks to ensure smoother motion and longer durability.
“Aluminium is the framing material of choice in contemporary constructions across the world and favoured for its relative strength, durability, flexibility of design and ease of repair. Its hard surface resists denting and weathering and it can be created in virtually any colour, providing long-lasting aesthetic appeal. This material – with its high strength-to-weight ratio and easy malleability – is being used to encase some of the world’s tallest buildings.”
The glass chosen for the Marina Diamond Series is Ford Glass. Double-glazing units will be fixed throughout the buildings using special Arctic Blue high-performance glass. The glass will have a low-emissive coating to improve its thermal performance, without greatly affecting the light transmittance and will provide a polished exterior look when complete, he explains.
The elevations also incorporate the high-quality Howsolpan composite panels with three different metallic colours that complement the special glazing of the architectural design.
“Diamond Investments has placed a great deal of importance on examining the requirements of its customers to deliver quality products. By setting the parameters of excellence, each property from Diamond Investments will stand as an innovation for years to come and help meet the demands for quality in Dubai’s property market,” the spokesman concludes.