BizBahrain April 2016

Interview | Arab Architects
Mashrabias, Arches, and Wooden struts,
etc. give the effect of a balanced design,
blending the traditional with the modern.
When you say you are a ‘bespoke
architectural and engineering consultancy
firm’ what do you mean?
We feel dignified to term ourselves as
that way as we distinguish ourselves as a
firm originated for the satisfaction of the
client. We always look ahead to give the
best of our services to the client taking
into consideration his requirements,
financial planning, and satisfactory end
users. Bin Faqeeh Real Estate Investment
Company is one of our main clients, since
the past six years. We really feel gratified
to render our sincere services to them. We
also have many other excellent clients.
Indeed, we highly esteem our clients.
How do you work in a tough market
with all its pressure and challenges and
continue to create thoughtful, meaningful
architecture?
A team of very professional architects
and engineers has enabled Arab
Architects to withstand the challenge in a
tough market. Excellent team work, proper
time scheduling, and wise planning during
execution of the project all contribute to
the success
All our designed buildings have our
signature identity, Simple, clear defined
shapes, very functional and comfortable
layout of interiors. Aesthetically appealing
exterior and wise blending of colors, all
add up to the elegance of our building.
Tell us about some of the major projects
that you have worked on.
We are very grateful to the people who
have placed their trust in us. We have
worked as consultants with many valued
developers in Bahrain, and from Kuwait
and KSA, and other countries. Their work
and aesthetic ethic has matched ours and
we have been proud to be part of their
projects.
Fontana gardens- Juffair is a cluster
of three high rise tower rising from a
common podium. The Podium comprise
of ample parking and a swimming pool
which is on an area of 5785.0 sq.m. A lush
green landscaped surrounding the pool
and deck garden gives the tenant to be
close to nature though it’s a sky scaper.
Arab open university-Aali is an example
of well-designed educational building.
Organized layout of functional spaces,
appealing interior and proper color
blends, all gives the user a pleasing
educational environment. Huge arches
and wooden struts in the exterior
gives the combination of modern and
traditional architecture.
The Forbes Tower, one of the highest
commercial offices building with
a diamond on Top to be seen from
everywhere.
The Breaker Tower, the highest precast
residential building in the world.
Recently two of your projects have been
very much in the news - the Waterbay
and Layan Projects. Tell us about that.
We were honoured to be the
consultants to these two projects, which
were standouts not only in the Kingdom
of Bahrain but also in the region. Bin
Faqeeh Real Estate Investment Company
paid us the ultimate compliment by
choosing us as the consultants for these
projects.
We have been associated with Bin
Faqeeh sinch 2009, and we value them so
greatly. They think big, they don’t think
for today or even tomorrow, but they
strategise for a decade or even more. We
have treated each of their projects like
our own, with the same passion, focus
and dedication, and I think that has been
the basis of the trust.
The two Bin Faqeeh projects
you mentioned are both special and
exceptional, and were built with a vision.
For Waterbay, it was a challenge to design
and build it in such a way that all the
apartments overlook the waters of the
ocean or the canal. For Layan, the client
wanted something unique and different
that has not been done in the region.
Our work on this project was inspired
by the great visionary architect Zaha
Hadid. Indeed it is such an honour for
me personally as a local consultant to do
something that will represent her spirit
and talent here in Bahrain.
What are your thoughts about the property
development and real estate industry in
Bahrain?
There is indeed a strong growth of real
estate industry in the island. In fact there
is a great challenge for the developers to
find suitable consultant who can cater
the demand of his property to the best
of his investment. With the support of
the government, the industry is growing
fast and we can see that there are a lot of
investors coming from abroad to invest in
the kingdom. Good support and favorable
financial backing by the Government
also paved the way for the growth of the
industry.
Are you concerned about environmental
and social sustainability in your
buildings? What do you want to be
remembered for?
Definitely as the temperature of
the globe is increasing yearly, there is a
greater demand of green building. In all
our high rise buildings we implement
the latest technologies which provide
energy efficient working system. Also in
designing stage emphasis is given to the
geographical layout of the land to make
best use of the climatic situations.
We want to be remembered as a firm
who are capable of satisfying their clients
100 percent, in line with the traditions and
rich heritage of this beautiful Island.
What lies ahead for Arab Architects?
Soon we will be announcing
our alliance with one of the Top Ten
architectural firms in the world. This is
to increase our capability and strength
and compete with the best in the world. I
cannot disclose the name as yet but soon
it will be announced. We are working on
rebranding the company and along with
that a restructruing. We are also working
on getting our company ISO certified.
Ultimately though, we follow my
father’s advice that it is the satisfaction
that matters. Our clients become our
friends and we work with their projects
with a passion and dedication like it
is our own. More than the business,
relationships and trust matter for us.
May 2016
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