ZAS/PSE in preliminary design stage on Hai Al Arab project

ZAS/PSE, the design consultancy firm, has revealed that it is in the preliminary design stage on Hai Al Arab, a community-oriented project to be built in Dubai for the SS Lootah Group.

"After this stage, we will be doing the financial analysis and the project feasibility while considering the local market conditions," said DJ Armin, Managing Partner at ZAS/PSE in an exclusive interview with Emirates Business. "We hope to finish all these details in the next couple of months."

He did not reveal the location due to confidentiality issues but added that the project will be built in Dubai.

"The idea came about during the boom time when the majority of planning looked good on plan. But when you look at them at a scale level, you don't get the community feel. It is not just about green building, but also about sustainable living. Most cities in the Middle East, mostly Islamic cities, were historically centered around a mosque or grew alongside a river," said Armin. "There were no wide streets or boulevards because temperatures are very high during summertime. The Hai Al Arab project will host all the basics that are necessary in design such as wind circulation and sun-shading."

In 2005, ZAS with its 20 years of international expertise in Canada and Port Saeed Engineering (PSE) with its 30 years of local experience created the design consulting firm, which offers architectural, planning and interior design services.

"We experienced a 360 per cent growth for the period 2006 to 2007 and 240 per cent for 2007 to 2008," said Armin. "In 2009, we expect reduced growth by about 40 per cent against 2008 due to market conditions."

"In traditional cities, you can walk through the cities and bazaars. We have created modules and internal walkways with green fingers, which always lead up to the smaller communities within a community. The project is aimed at both UAE nationals and expatriates and there are no highrises," he said.

The project will feature two-storey villas and G+4 buildings. It could become part of an existing neighbourhood or become all of the site. The project will minimise the crossing of roads and will have high-end, mid and affordable components."

Armin said a majority of the master plans featured schools on the leftover areas or corners of sites.

"Hai Al Arab will integrate various community elements in close proximity. We also want to introduce this concept to various municipalities and have discussions with them. We also plan to introduce it to high-level government officials as a model of living. The community should have a central hub and as we go along, we develop the neighbourhood around it in an Islamic pattern. The schools will also function as community centres," he said.

The company's projects on the Dubai Waterfront, Dubai Promenade and Motor City have been suspended. However, its projects are going on within Jumeirah Village and some other areas, and have reached 20 per cent completion in terms of construction.

"Our philosophy has been how we can partner with clients on projects. Now new modes of financing are coming from banks that have opened their doors a little bit but have set certain terms and conditions. The big challenge will be to start some of the construction projects and get paid by the buyers," said Armin.

"Our focus is to get the best price for construction and we believe that value engineering can dramatically reduce costs. We are doing two projects with Damac and we have been asked to do value engineering and revisited the design as well.

"We are looking at work in some CIS and Mediterranean countries, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq," he added.

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