INSPIRED by Andalusian, Ottoman and Moroccan architecture, work on the villas and associated features at the Blominvest-Maskan Arabia Real Estate Development project has kicked off with plans to complete it in a little over a year’s time.

The development is being built by Blominvest Saudi Arabia, the investment arm of the Blom Bank Group in the kingdom, and Maskan Arabia, a leading developer in the country. New Perspective Architectural Engineering Consultants is the design consultant while Hatmia Engineering is the supervision consultant. Maskan Arabia’s construction management division is undertaking the construction alongside various subcontractors under a SR230 million ($61.32 million) contract signed last December.

Blominvest-Maskan Arabia Real Estate Development will be completed in a year’s time, says Al Rashoudi (below).

“Briefly, the development features a total of 292 residential units targeted at the mid-income segment and located in the north of Riyadh approximately 25 km from the city centre. It also involves the Al Thagar project with 54 units targeting the upper and middle-income segment,” says Hossam Al Rashoudi, CEO of Maskan Arabia. “What sets the project apart from the other developments is the elegant designs of the villas.”

The complex is located in close proximity to hospitals, commercial establishments and a few minutes’ drive to Riyadh International Airport, he adds.

Maskan Arabia’s scope of work has included developing the project in terms of design, specifications and price. It is also managing the construction as well as the marketing and sales of these units which will be developed in three phases.

Construction work on the three phases started early this year in January, February and March respectively, with completion similarly staggered over three months beginning with May next year.

Al Rashoudi indicates that the excavation and foundation work has been completed on the entire development with structural work on all three phases nearly 50 per cent complete. Currently, work is progressing on the structural framework and building envelope, he adds.

The Maskan villas, comprising four to five bedrooms each, offer a simple Islamic concept design featuring Andalusian, Ottoman and Moroccan architectural themes. Each plot has an area ranging from 300 sq m to 562 sq m and a built-up area from 290 sq m to 488 sq m.

“The project is envisioned to provide home for people with a discerning taste for quality, quiet way of living and privacy. It features well-planned locations for ingress and egress without disturbing the general layout and ensures better circulation for the occupants and visitors,” says Al Rashoudi.

The project offers a choice of 30 design models for residential units, each two-and-half storeys high, over a total area of 114,232 sq m, aggregating to a built-up area of 98,656 sq m. Phase One comprises 92 residential units at Al Yasmeen 16, covering a total land area of 30,232 sq m and providing a total built-up area of 29,468 sq m.

Phases two and three are similar in size each involving the construction of 100 residential units at Al Yasmeen 26 over a total land area of 42,000 sq m and total built-up area of 34,594 sq m.

CONSTRUCTION

Ottoman and Moroccan (below) villa types.

The villas are built utilising a reinforced concrete structural framework of columns and beams resting on isolated footings with precast hollow-core slab (HCS) elements such as suspended slabs for the upper floor levels and the roof. The hollow-core slabs are erected into position using mobile cranes after the beams in each floor have been completed. Structural screed will follow soon after all the HCS are placed to act as stiffener and closed the gap between hollow-core and perimeter beams, following which the external walls are erected, he says.

“Internal partitions use aerated concrete blocks (lightweight) rather than standard concrete hollow blocks due to their proven thermal and acoustic insulation benefits. All internal walls are clad with gypsum board lining as a substitute for plastering to eliminate cracks while the external walls will have a fibre-mesh reinforced skim coat textured paint finish.
“Each villa of seven of the design models will have different Islamic façades resembling Andalusian, Ottoman and Moroccan themes. To create this effect, GRC elements are being used to accentuate these features especially on the front façade,” Al Rashoudi explains.

The finishing materials (porcelain, ceramic, stone, ceiling, etc) used in the villas are selected from imported and locally available materials to ensure that superior quality is maintained as a standard.

Internal doors are wooden with a solid core while solid panels are used for the external main door. The garages feature remote-controlled sectional overhead doors. The windows are double glazed comprising powder-coated uPVC (unplasticised polyvinyl chloride) frames and are either of the sliding or swing type. The ceiling in most areas is designed on two levels to highlight the central portion of the room which will feature chandeliers. Internal walls and ceiling are painted with emulsion-based paint on silk matt finish in beige and white.

Electromechanical items, especially the plumbing fixtures used for the project, are of high quality (Vitra/Gerberit) while the countertops are made of marble.

The villas are built using reinforced concrete structural framework of columns and beams.

In terms of sustainability, Al Rashoudi states that all Maskan Arabia projects are designed to ensure efficiency in energy and water conservation. He says quality materials are used so that the developments last longer and costs are minimised through reduced maintenance requirements.

Maskan Arabia was established in 2008 and has become one of the leading real estate development companies in Saudi Arabia. Known for its organisation, investment and management, it provides a full range of integrated home development solutions under one roof offering options of sought-after site locations and homes with top quality materials and finishing.

“The strategy of Maskan Arabia is to build smaller projects of villas and apartments that are easy to manage. This has given the company the exposure, high reputation and the confidence of customers, in addition to achieving 100 per cent sale of its projects within a short span of time,” Al Rashoudi concludes.