Two recently completed turnkey fit-out projects – one for the high-octane karting sector and the other for the refurbishment of several branches of a bank in line with its rebranding exercise – showcase the diverse capabilities of Bahrain-based Havelock One Interiors.

The company recently completed an assignment by Emaar Entertainment as the turnkey contractor for the UAE’s first indoor electric karting zone which opened late last year at The Dubai Mall extension.

EKart Zabeel, as it is called, covers an area of more than 32,000 sq ft at the prestigious Dubai mall.

Keeping in mind the top-speed electric karting machines using the track, Havelock One has ensured that the EKart Zabeel track would be safe for both amateurs and professionals.

“Keeping in mind the fleet of top-speed electric karting machines, our UAE fit-out team ensured that the high-end EKart Zabeel karting track would be safe for both amateurs and professionals – 14 years and above,” says Adrian Sellar, Division Director Fit-out UAE. “Of topmost importance was to provide a smooth, flat surface for the track.”

Havelock One also constructed the offices, wash and changing rooms, briefing, security and laundry rooms as well as the mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) services room. The company’s team then installed extra-low-voltage (ELV) systems to integrate the track’s safety and positioning system, barriers, CCTV, fire-detection and firefighting systems, as well as other furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E).

To finish the job, a special epoxy paint was applied on the track surface to protect it from tyre marks, scuffs, peels and cracks.

“Throughout the project, Havelock One worked closely with the client, its representative JLL and the track designer, GGI Entertainment, to resolve design challenges and deliver this fast-track project on time,” Sellar adds.

Work for all NBB branches included mill works for all display units, signages, digital signage, furniture and fixtures with complete civil, MEP and finishing works.

NBB

Meanwhile, Havelock One is involved in an extensive refurbishment plan being carried out by National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) in line with the bank’s rebranding which pays homage to its rich heritage and history, while embodying a strategic shift towards becoming more consumer centric, digitally focused and modern. 

PCG was in charge of the interior design of the new branches and Havelock One Interiors’ hospitality and manufacturing teams have been working with NBB to implement its new branding and office design scheme across the branches in Bahrain. To date, Havelock One has completed the turnkey fit-out of eight branches at Seef Mall, Atrium Mall, Sitra, Galali, Airport, Muharraq, Al Muthanna Avenue in central Manama and Exhibitions Avenue, ranging from 55 sq m to 510 sq m in area, while work on several other branches is in the pipeline.

“The branches feature lounge areas with comfortable circular couches, surrounded by indoor wooden planters. Meeting spaces allow customers to discuss their financial needs privately”, states Jihad Raad, Division Director Hospitality Manufacturing and Fit-out Bahrain.

The branches feature lounge areas with comfortable circular couches, surrounded by indoor wooden planters.

“Branding and colour code of the new identity is a top priority to the client. We have been instructed to match the NBB colour code to the aluminium claddings for signage,” he adds.

Havelock One carried the fit-out from shell-and-core and its scope of work included areas such as the vault room, teller counters, customer counters, the priority banking area, manager’s office, IT room, pantry, video teller machines (VTM), cash deposit machines (CDM) and automated teller machines (ATM).  Work for all bank branches includes mill works for all display units, signages, digital signage, furniture and fixtures with complete civil, mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) and finishing works as per the client’s design drawings.

“As the main contractor, Havelock One carried out the entire fit-out works that allowed NBB to open the new branches on time. Our in-house scope included the production of metal and joinery items; installation of all joinery and sourcing of materials like carpets, wooden floor/vinyl floor, ceramic tiles through our supply chain. We managed all our sub-contractors for the civil works including wall, flooring and ceiling finishes; all MEP works for the supply and fix of air-conditioning, electrical power supplies, fire-fighting system, data and UPS.”

Commenting on some of the challenges, Raad says: “During the installation of curved digital TV panels at a few branches, we had to be very specific with the dimensions. The TV panel dimensions should match with the curved shapes of the ceiling bulkhead and circular column at the entrance/customer area. We made sure the actual dimensions are incorporated in our joinery elements and the projection of these panels are intact to avoid any aesthetic issue.

Havelock One’s scope included the production of metal and joinery items.

“Also, a few branches had very large vault room space with considerably less access way. In such cases, we had to coordinate the vault room safe delivery prior to completion of fit-out.“

The stretch fabric ceiling dimension and bulkhead supports had to be coordinated with other wall finishes/MEP services to avoid any issues on site.

“We organised night shift permits for heavy civil, MEP works and site delivery and took prior approvals on branding colour and design, upgradation of power for digital signages, etc.”

“Within the scheduled time, we carried out all the works as per approved design and efficiently coordinated with the many suppliers on finishes as per client requirement,” he concludes.

Since 1998, Havelock One has established itself as a leading turnkey fit-out service provider in the GCC, specialising in interior contracting and the manufacturing of bespoke joinery, metal works and elaborate shop-fittings. It has offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai (UAE); Kuwait; Manama (Bahrain); and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia); and a factory in Askar, Bahrain.