Capability Statements

Buildings

We recognize that a truly well-designed building is a complex combination of architectural vision and exceptional engineering design. Our wealth of experience in a wide range of building projects enables us to capture the best elements of each project for use in future developments. This continual improvement and innovation mean that we are able to offer new designs encompassing the latest in fields such as sustainability and 'green architecture'. Our specialist cost evaluation and control team has extensive experience in ensuring that our clients' expectations are met whilst effectively managing project costs. It is this team of architects, engineers, and project control experts that enable us to turn our clients' visions into reality.

 

Our buildings team is supported by the wider expertise within ACE. For example, our in-house survey and geotechnical teams are well-positioned to provide the data needed to develop a site whether it is topographic data, ground condition surveys, or utilities
tracing. During our building design process, we take care to consider not only the function of the space provided but the constructability, durability, ease of maintenance, user experience, and cost of the building.

Commercial and Administration Buildings

A building has a direct influence on the commercial operation and success of any business, be it a prestigious company headquarters, a stylish corporate office, or an ultra-modern bank. Our experience in this field is acknowledged internationally. We cover all elements of design, construction, facade retention, new development, and infrastructure, ensuring that the final product always meets the desired requirements.

 

As part of our portfolio of administrative buildings, we have completed a number of prestigious governmental
buildings including the Qatar Embassies in Jakarta and Algeria, the Rwandan Ministry of Defense, and the Egyptian Ministry for Foreign Affairs. In each case, the national identity and status of the building were reflected in the design. Particular attention was paid to security measures both inside and external to the buildings. Additional specifications were highlighted in terms of firefighting and earthquake resistance. Working with the individual government bodies we were able to blend functionality with distinct national character in the form of offices, state function rooms, security control centers, and controlled public areas.

 

Our ability to bring together unique design, functionality and security has resulted in our appointment to design a number of banks. These have included the Arab Bank Headquarters in Cairo, the BNP Paribas Headquarters in Egypt, and the Bank of Yemen branch in Aden. These statement buildings combine functionality with modern design.

Residential and Housing

Growth in population leading to increased demand in the residential sector has allowed us to get involved in the evolution of new housing solutions and developments. Dealing with different problems, such as limited land area, treating contaminated land, and making optimum use of resources to conserve the environment has refined our skills and increased our extensive experience in this field.

 

As a reputable company, we also have a responsibility to offer solutions and services for medium and low-income housing development. Our diverse in-house facilities enable us to tackle successfully the difficulties in this sector, and we are pleased to contribute to this an important area that serves a huge sector of society. We have undertaken a number of large residential projects across North Africa, the Middle East, and the Gulf. From master planning, through design and construction supervision we are able to offer a full package of skills for delivering new residential projects. Our projects range from large national development programs such as the Cheraga Residential Complex in Algeria and the Al-Falah Development in Abu Dhabi to smaller high-end private developments.

 

Many of our projects stretch far beyond the provision of residential buildings. Our multi-disciplinary background has helped us deliver large projects encompassing housing as well as offices, shopping centers, religious buildings, schools, and medical facilities under one package. Working with private investors to deliver the new Doha District, we were able to provide a wide range of services from planning, engineering design, utility design, and environmental studies.

Health

ACE has been involved in the construction of several medical buildings. We have expanded our services to meet the varying needs of both public and private health sectors, whether these concern structure, durability, or healthcare authorities' requirements.

 

Our experience in delivering medical facilities extends beyond structural design and basic utilities provision. Throughout the projects we have been involved in we have developed a sound knowledge of requirements specific to the medical profession such as medical gas networks, alarm systems, medical equipment, and storage control systems.

 

We recognize that each element of a hospital has its own unique requirements which must come together to benefit the health and well-being of the patients whilst providing a good working environment for staff. By combining our knowledge of structural design and the medical practice we successfully delivered the design and tender documentation for the Manshiyyat Nasser General Hospital. The hospital included four medical
theatres, a dialysis unit, maternity care, X-ray facilities, and intensive care amongst other facilities.

Education

We strongly believe that the atmosphere in an educational establishment plays a significant role in the education process. We offer solutions to the education sector that combine high quality and value for money, with easy-to-maintain buildings which meet all the required standards. The development of a building conducive to learning stretches far beyond providing sufficient space for teaching. Ensuring good lighting, ventilation and acoustics are essential when considering the design of an educational establishment. When designing schools, colleges, or universities, we aim to combine functionality and durability with a sense of community. By including statement features in the design we have successfully created a connection between our buildings and the students. For example, the King Abdul Aziz University Sports Complex was designed with a bespoke entrance canopy and suspension bridge to provide access from the VIP drop-off to the stadium. The signature curved walls were made of pre-cast concrete with a stone coursing.

Recreation and Culture

Everyone values leisure time and people look forward to spending their time off pursuing their favourite leisure activities. The places they go to have to be different, attractive and comfortable. Whether buildings are modern or traditional in style, they must meet a wide variety of demands and expectations - something our imaginative and innovative designers always seek to achieve.

 

Our expertise covers a wide range of leisure activities including sports stadia, cinemas, exhibition halls and museums. As part of the design team for the new Grand Egyptian Museum, we provided the structural and civil design for the enabling works, new conservation centre and energy centre. The project required a detailed earthworks programme to deliver the foundations for the new structure. Based on several different levels, and in sandy terrain, the earthworks were extensive and complex.

 

Our experience in sports stadia includes large national stadia such as the Cairo International Stadium to smaller facilities in educational complexes. The Cairo International Stadium was originally built by ACE in 1960 and was upgraded by ACE in preparation for the African Cup of Nations in 2006.

 

ACE provided the structural design for the Cairo International Fair (the national exhibition hall). The innovative structural design is key to the eye-catching form of the two main halls. The largest hall is rectangular in shape but is clearly identifiable by its striking hyperbolic roof. The second hall is characterized by its unique spherical shape.

 

Our team has produced the design for several cinema complexes, typically as part of larger retail developments. For example, as part of the Dandy
Mega Mall complex in Cairo, an 18 screen cinema was provided. The multi-disciplinary nature of the company enabled us to provide the structural and MEP design as well as tender documentation and site supervision.

Tourism

Tourism is a major global industry, covering businesses that provide goods, services, and leisure activities. This includes hotels, entertainment facilities, conferences, conventions,s and meeting centers. Tourism clearly has a major influence on the construction industry. We have contributed to many tourism projects throughout Africa and the Middle East.

 

Our long presence in Egypt in particular, which is known to be a popular attraction for tourists from around the world, has allowed us to work on a number of such projects.

 

ACE has been involved in many of the high-profile tourist developments within Egypt, appealing to a wide spectrum of the population and tourists visiting the country. These range from five-star luxury hotels such as the Grand Hyatt, Sheraton, and Meridian Pyramids in Cairo, to tourist sites including the new Grand Egyptian Museum. Our experience in this field has enabled us to develop an in-depth understanding of how to combine engineering excellence with the aesthetic requirements of top-class tourist developments. Incorporating key concepts such as accommodating major utility routes within the structure of buildings, meeting international earthquake standards, and maximizing usable floor areas are fundamental to our designs. In order to deliver projects within the tourism sector, we have developed close working relationships with interior designers, landscape architects, hotel developers, and the authorities overseeing tourism on a local and national level. Retail our multi-disciplinary background enables us to construct new retail buildings with distinct styles, as well as modernizing existing sites. On any retail project, we always consider the impact of architectural engineering and how the best use of space impacts the profitability of any modern retail industry. Our experience in the retail sector ranges from individual private premises to large-scale shopping complexes such as the City Stars development in Cairo. Working closely with developers we have gained significant expertise in delivering retail developments. Our engineers are skilled in putting
together plans that focus on space and layout optimization thus maximizing the retail potential of the site. We understand the decisions that need to be taken to ensure the shopper is comfortable throughout their stay in the center. For example, the need to provide appropriate lighting and ventilation across each zone of the building. Our experience in building regulations and codes means that we are able to advise our clients with regards to health and safety such as fire exit strategies, fire compartments, and sprinkler systems.

 

Our team of engineers is able to deliver projects which not only provide engineering excellence but maximize development potential whilst offering a high-quality shopping experience.

Car Parks

In designing a new car park we consider a wide variety of different criteria from, forecast demand, land availability, internal layout, integration with local road network, environmental considerations, construction cost, to the final visual impact. Our engineers can
provide expertise from the planning stage, through detailed design and construction management. The multi-disciplinary nature of our company means that we are able to provide structural, civil, and MEP
engineers to deliver the project.

 

As a firm, one of our specialist areas of expertise includes tunnels. These skills transfer particularly well when designing underground car parks.

 

Our experience includes feasibility studies, engineering design, tender preparation, project management, and site supervision.

Tailoring a feasibility study to our client's needs can include a high-level appraisal of existing conditions, key considerations, and possible areas for further investigation.

A detailed feasibility study would provide a more rigorous assessment and may include the following:

Flow monitoring studies.

River erosion and sedimentation studies.

Climate studies.

Soil and geotechnical analysis including changes to soil fertility, waterlogging, and salinization (sanitization).

Environmental considerations (informing an Environmental Impact Assessment).

Ecology studies including the impact of algal growth and pollution.

Topographic surveys.

3D catchment modeling.

Social and health impact assessments including resettlement programs and the impact on local industry.

Site selection (optional) studies.

Planning level design for concept report.

In 2008 ACE conducted an extensive feasibility study for 11 new dams in the province of 'Aseer in South- West Saudi Arabia. The dams were to provide domestic water resources for the local population and safeguard resources for future residents. The initial feasibility study identified a dams ranging in size from 11 m to 40 m in height and 200 m to 500 min length.

Design Capabilities

Our design capabilities include the design of new dams and barrages, as well as modifications to existing structures. Our specialist hydraulics specialists form part of a multi-disciplinary team of engineers to deliver these large and complex projects. Using computer modeling techniques we are able to design dams and barrages to sustain a variety of different conditions. For example, the water levels of the Nile vary significantly across the seasons and are heavily influenced by features along the length of the river. Dams, barrages, locks, water intakes, and outlets all have a significant impact on the water levels at different points along the river. Complex modeling provides an essential insight into the impacts of the proposed project. Key considerations include design life, water volume to be stored, range of water flows to be accommodated by the barrage, cost, environmental impacts, safeguarding against inundation and sedimentation rates.

 

In 2006 ACE successfully completed the design and construction of the Nagaa Hammadi Barrage in Upper Egypt. The existing barrage was built 70 years ago and was facing problems of deterioration and aging construction materials. In addition, the degradation of the river downstream of the barrage had put the structure's stability in question. The downstream concrete weir on the apron, which counterbalances the hydraulic head, had been washed away in several locations. This led to the urgent need for replacement as well as the construction of a new power station. The
new barrage project was executed 1999-2006 for a contract sum of USD 450 million.

Our Services Included:

Hydraulic studies, soil mechanics, structural and architectural design, quantity and field surveying, construction supervision for all civil works, survey works, dredging, lining, cut off, etc.

Preparation of a complete environmental study.

Soil investigation.

Evaluation of the structural and functional conditions of the barrage.

Preparation of solutions to the actual environmental problems.

Studies for different phases of the new barrage and the hydropower electric station with different upstream head-pond water levels.

Evaluating the costs of the new barrage including the two locks and power station.

Site Supervision and Project Management

Projects such as the Nagaa Hammadi Barrage call upon many disciplines within the company. Our dedicated project management team has developed an outstanding reputation for delivering large and complex projects calling upon the different disciplines within ACE as well as external contractors, sub-consultants, and experts. The team is committed to meeting the needs of the client and ensuring the safe
completion of the project. The project management team has specialist cost controllers, planning engineers, and program managers who work closely with the Site Management team to ensure they successfully handle the daily complexities of delivering large projects.

Locks

With the Suez Canal passing through Egypt and the importance of trade and industry along the River Nile, ACE has undertaken the design of a number of locks of varying size. As vessels increase in size and traffic volumes rise new locks are required to improve the capacity of these busy waterways.

 

Providing additional capacity for up to six additional vessels, the Esna Navigational Lock was completed in 2004. ACE undertook the preliminary design, tender design, contract award process, and construction supervision. Similarly, a new lock was designed for the Delta
Barrage to facilitate increased traffic along the Nile. The new lock required the resettlement of approximately 100 villages and associated
infrastructure. ACE was responsible for all design work including the hydraulic design of the canals, the reinforced concrete lock, soil investigation, and bridge road crossings.