Non-Residential Category

University of Birmingham Dubai

United Arab EmiratesCompany Name: Khansaheb Interiors

Project description

Located in Dubai International Academic City, opposite the City’s first purpose-built Student housing complex, the new University of Birmingham Dubai campus is spread over an area of 50,000m2, and has the capacity to accommodate 2,900 students.
Uniquely designed in the shape of a crescent moon and inspired by the University’s historic Aston Webb buildings in Birmingham UK, the bespoke new facility will provide a range of flexible, multi-use study spaces, complete with
the latest data and innovative technology, that can be transformed at the flick of a switch.
Facilities include a 300-seat lecture theatre and large auditorium as well as three, state-of-the-art laboratories dedicated to the teaching of Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science. In addition, innovative library facilities offer students access to a range of more than 500,000 academic articles, textbooks, and journals.

Main information

Building size

50 000 m²

Building purpose / type

University

Building owner name

Tecom
Investments FZ

Architect name

Hopkins
Architects

Contractor

Company name: Khansaheb Interiors

Main Representative: Mr. Gary Condon

Number of collaborators: 600

Specialties: Project and Programme Management, Design and Design Management, Partnering and collaborative working with clients and supply chain, Effective Leadership and Management, Creating innovative solutions, Excellent technical skills, Value Engineering

Founded in: 2011

Biography: Khansaheb Interiors provides bespoke specialist interiors fit-out service carrying out work within the retail, hotel and leisure, media, corporate offices and residential sectors. Khansaheb Interiors has enviable reputation for its extensive portfolio of turnkey fit-out projects, where the highest quality delivery and client satisfaction is at the forefront of their service at all times.

Innovation Partner: Khansaheb Civil Engineering LLC (MC), Khansaheb Interiors (SC)

Contractors: Mr. Gary Condon

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Key Challenges

Conversion of competition specified project to Gyproc
Constrained timeline of the project
LEED requirement for the project
Budget constraint

The conversion of competition specifications to Gyproc was the project’s main challenge. The repeated engagement and management of Client and Consultant expectations by providing an appropriate solution and constructing a second mock-up aided in regaining the project.
Solution to provide free standing comfortable partition within study hubs had to be designed and built while sourcing the secondary steel structure from 3rd party.
To meet the project deadline, material production and delivery had to be completed in a timely manner.
The project construction was between the peak summer season in the region where temperature reach to 50 degrees daily and very strict timeline had to adhered considering the Covid restriction in working.
The project approvals took a long time because the proposed system had to meet every specification norm, from standards to the LEED Gold requirement of the project.
The bathroom services were heavily congested and required specialized approach for fixing ceilings to which Gyproc site team provided ample support to Khansaheb Interiors in fixing the ceilings.

Key Achievements

Project completion within in the timeline enabling the university to open on time
Sizing of the right systems with considerable amount of client engagement and meeting the requirement
Exceptional relation between Contractor & Gyproc
Close co-ordination between Gyproc Sales, Technical, Site Academy and Customer Service Team to address client requirement
Extensive site support was provided in tackling site based obstacles which lead to have Main Contractors and Sub-Contactors vest their complete confidence and trust with Gyproc
Opening more opportunity for the widespread acceptance of Glasroc X board for stone finish with studs at 600mm centres