Cityscape Abu Dhabi, the premier property development and investment event has announced that it will host the world’s top architectural practice, NIKKEN, at this year’s debut event which takes place at the Abu Dhabi Exhibition Centre on 8–10 May 2007. With in excess of 2,000 professional staff and income over
US$ 400 million, NIKKEN is now officially recognised as the world’s largest architectural and engineering company.
Mark Goodchild, Project Manager, Cityscape Abu Dhabi, said, “This is the first time any Japanese architect has exhibited in the region, let alone the world’s largest. Indeed, including the likes of P&T Architects and Engineers, Burt Hill, RMJM Limited, Atkins, Kling and Leigh & Orange, we have many of the top 40 global architects on show. This clearly positions Cityscape as the brand of choice.”
With an impressive history spanning over 100 years in the industry, NIKKEN’s mission is to bring the highest quality standards of architecture and engineering to Abu Dhabi and UAE region. Committed to supporting the overwhelming regional growth, NIKKEN is keen to promote environmentally conscious architecture. This year at Cityscape Abu Dhabi, NIKKEN will unveil its state-of-the-art concept project named ‘The ECO Tower’.
Hamada Akihiko, Senior Executive Officer and head of international design team at NIKKEN, commented, “If realised this building will provide the most ‘Green Architecture’ in the UAE and could achieve up to a 50 per cent saving in energy consumption. ‘The ECO Tower’ employs the most advanced technologies aimed at maintaining optimum performance levels in energy consumption, water conservation and increased levels of human comfort.”
NIKKEN’s portfolio of projects is impressive, as one might expect from the world’s premier architectural firm. Their range covers city and urban planning, waterfront development, iconic high rises and highly complex special projects such as airports and sports facilities, equipped with cutting-edge and sophisticated technologies.
In the Arab world, NIKKEN is probably best known for its design of distinguished buildings such the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the Islamic Development Bank in Jeddah and Cairo Opera House. After two years of extensive market research, NIKKEN has now refocused on the burgeoning property markets of the Middle East, eyeing the US$ 270 billion Abu Dhabi market.
“Cityscape Abu Dhabi will provide NIKKEN with a great opportunity to demonstrate its iconic architecture and establish long term relationships with developers throughout the region,” added Dr. Fadi Jabri, General Manager and NIKKEN’s representative in UAE.
Cityscape Abu Dhabi is expecting more than 200 exhibitors from over 50 different countries, covering a total of 25,000 square metres. In addition, two separate conferences are being arranged, one which will focus on waterfront developments and the other on real estate finance. Another highlight on the three-day programme is the Real Estate Finance & Investment Awards, which complements the hugely successful Cityscape Architectural Review Awards held last year in Dubai.
Cityscape Abu Dhabi has also received solid industry support, with TDIC, ALDAR, Aqaba Development Corporation, ESCAN, Sorouh and Tamouh Investments, confirmed as platinum sponsors, with ZonesCorp and Dubai-based Amlak Finance taking gold sponsorship packages.
