DAMMAM-BASED International Designing Art Company (IDAC) has provided an aesthetic finish to the apartments and the public areas of the 46-storey Dhahran Tower project, using its extensive experience in décor and painting works in the kingdom.

The firm has also provided fountains and waterfalls for the luxury development, which boasts five-star accommodation.
Its scope of work has involved all suspended ceilings in the tower, and decorative works at the main entrance, the restaurant and the swimming pool.

“We have used 25,000 sq m of 12-mm-thick fire and water-resistant gypsum boards on 0.6-mm studs and runners for the corridors and rooms of the apartments,” says Zaid Mohammed Ahmed Al Qaisai, general manager of the company. “In addition, we have installed around 15,000 sq m of 60-by-60 mm acoustic Boral aluminium foil-backed mineral-fibre tiles from Armstrong of the US for the bathrooms and kitchens of the tower.”

This apart, some 2,000 sq m of cement board has been used in cladding works on the project.

Among the distinctive features of the apartments are the decorative gypsum arches in the corridors on levels six to 46 of the tower, he says. Other decorative elements include the domes erected at the main entrance and the mezzanine level of the project.

IDAC was awarded the SR2.585 million ($689,527) contract in May, 2008 and completed it at the end of September this year, according to Al Qaisai, who anticipates further additions to the company’s contract.

Al Qaisai ... IDAC’s general manager.

“Work was carried out on schedule without any problems through the various stages of the project,” says Al Qaisai says, adding, “We are proud to have been part of the Dhahran Tower project, which is considered the largest tower in the Eastern Province.”

IDAC, which implements all kinds of décor and painting works, is also an approved distributor for Sigma Paints. The company has around 200 employees and owns a facility in Dammam for the manufacture of decorative gypsum.

Apart from the Dhahran Tower, IDAC has been involved in a number of prominent projects in Saudi Arabia. Recent projects carried out by the company include:

• King Saud University in Hasa (contractor: Binladin, value: SR1.7 million – $450,000);
• 22 three-storey buildings at the marine base in Jeddah (Al Zahrani, SR2 million – $533,000);
• Azmeel Project for the Royal Commission in Jubail (Azmeel, SR300,000 – $80,000);
• 20 villas at Dhahran Hills;
• The 14-storey Al Dossary Tower in Dammam (Al Zahrani);
• A school project at the air base in Dhahran (Al Waseet);
• A project at Jubail prison (Al Waseet);
• Ramada Hotel (SR3 million – $800,000); and
• Several luxury villas, schools and palaces.

“Our company is optimistic about further growth in Saudi Arabia as the kingdom is witnessing speedy development, especially in the educational and health sectors, where many huge projects are being launched,” Al Qaisai concludes.