SUCCESSFUL projects should integrate aesthetics, practicality, ergonomics and functionality, says Al Fadhli Consulting Engineers, which has created the designs of Dhahran Tower based on this philosophy.

“We always strive to achieve a strong architectural statement in every building we design, in order to achieve perfection in our projects. We mobilise a team of highly-qualified and talented consultants, who are specialised and experienced in specific types of projects,” says Eyad Abdul Hadi Al Fadhli, the founder of Al Fadhli Consulting, who adopts a hands-on approach to the operations of the Saudi architectural practice.

“At Al Fadhli Consulting, we seek to create designs that respond to our clients’ vision, the context, site, climate and market force realities. We believe that a well-designed building and interior environment can inspire and enhance the lives of its inhabitants. Most importantly, the cornerstone of our professional practice is to help our clients find innovative design solutions that promote success and lasting value,” he adds.

For the Dhahran project, the firm’s scope of services covered architectural and engineering design, preparation of tender documents and construction supervision.

Al Raja Tower in Al Khobar.

Commenting on some of the challenges faced on the project, Al Fadhli says: “In drawing up the architectural design, we had to optimise on the space while fitting in all elements visualised for the tower. Similarly, in terms of the structural plan, the design of the footings was a challenge. However, we managed to surmount all these difficulties despite the scale of the project.”

Al Fadhli Consulting Engineers has proven its versatility in carrying out a diverse range of architectural projects particularly for the residential, commercial and medical sectors, offering imaginative and practical solutions to any design challenge, according to a company spokesman.

Established in 1988, the Al Khobar-based consultancy was founded with the objective of providing responsive, practical and professional services to its clientele, laying special emphasis on providing quality design concepts and complete documentation, on time and within budget. All projects receive the personal attention from the firm’s principal and associates who work closely with the project manager.

The company’s engineering services cover a wide range of activities including design, construction supervision and management and tendering.

Its design services offered include architectural, structural, masterplanning, landscaping and interior design. Architectural design services cover feasibility studies, data collection and analysis, concept design, final design and working drawings, comprehensive design services to contractors for design/build, 3D perspectives, and approvals from statutory authorities.

The structural design department deals with reinforced concrete structures made of cast-in-place or precast elements; pre-stressed concrete structures made of cast-in-place post-tensioned elements or precast tensioned elements; and steel structures made of rolled steel sections assembled by means of bolts of welding.

Its scope of works on masterplanning includes site analysis, evaluation and selection.

Al Fadhli designs ... Al Ali Holding’s tower

Turning to interior design, the spokesman says: “Al Fadhli Consulting takes pride in the high standard of interior design, finishing and furnishing of its projects. The importance of the interior to the viability of commercial developments is appreciated as is the comfort and quality of both private residence and civic buildings.”

He continues: “Careful landscape design is especially important in the arid climate of the Gulf. Shortage of water and extremes of temperature must always be carefully considered. Al Fadhli Consulting has a depth of design and field knowledge to enable economic and attractive designs to be attained in difficult climatic conditions.”

Al Fadhli’s qualified professional and well-trained engineers can manage and follow-up on all construction phases of projects of any size, cost and type. These engineers, supervisors, lab technicians, quantity and land surveyors have experience in supervising the construction of all kind of projects.

The practice’s construction supervision and management offers services including supervision of construction, contract management, quality control and inspection, and progress control and payments.

These services, says the spokesman, consist of coordinating and interpreting plans and specifications professionally and correctly, enforcing strict compliance with all provisions of contracts, safeguarding clients’ interest at all times, assuring safe, efficient and economical methods of execution, and ensuring that all materials and equipment installed in the project meet the latest standards.

Al Qahtani Tower

Al Fadhli Consulting offers tendering services, which cover technical specifications and bills of quantities.

In order to ensure that it delivers projects of a high calibre while meeting the demands of clients, Al Fadhli has assembled a qualified staff of more than 40 professionals in various disciplines of design, architecture, civil, electrical and mechanical services, and 3D computer rendering.

The company has enjoyed the loyalty of its customers and today more than 85 per cent of its ongoing projects are from returning clients who have been pleased with its services.

All operations are carried out under the supervision of Al Fadhli, who personally ensures the quality and high standard of every individual project.

Since its inception, Al Fadhli Consulting has successfully completed more than 800 projects in rendering architecture and engineering design, construction supervision and project management services  to numerous clients including various commercial, office, residential, medical and industrial buildings, towers, hotels and private villas.

While business levels were down over the past year given the global downturn, there has been an upturn this year with the practice currently working on three other major residential towers.

These include a 22-storey tower in Al Shobaili, a high-rise in Al Khobar for Al Maskan Al Eqtisadi, and a complex of 1,000 villas in Al Aziziya in Al Khobar for Al Masaken Al Saudia Company.