(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) On Sunday December 14 Muscat marked the completion of first phase and soft launch of the new Muscat International Airport.
The expansive runway was declared open with the Oman Air Airbus A330 touching down. Other infrastructure that was inaugurated included the air traffic control (ATC) tower the new building (MC4a) for Public
Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA) and the road linking Sultan Qaboos Highway to the 18th November Street. While the nation now hopes to experience the new airport terminal operational by 2016 the Omani skyline added to itself a unique landmark in architecture and the built environment as PACA went on to occupy the MC4a building.
The overall master plan of the project 'Development of Muscat & Salalah International Airports' is to build an airport to meet the future demands for the development of the Sultanate of Oman and to meet the requirements of ICAO category 4F and provide an IATA 'Level A' of service. The new Muscat airport is designed to handle 12mn passengers in the phase 1 and will be expanded to 24 36 and even 48mn. To cater the challenges to operate
manage and maintain this huge facility the client – Ministry of Transport & Communications initiated the construction of new headquarters building locating it in the north-west corner of the complex overlooking the new runway.
The design of the new MC4a building according to architect Ole Larsen is a dynamic free flowing structure which encompasses in its form the 'Wave' and roof lines the notion of 'Flight'. The building being incredibly interesting and architecturally complex and is built over a number of different levels with many differing materials and complicated structural elements with podium structures steel sections clad with glazed curtain walls capped with lightweight metal roofs. Although extremely difficult and challenging to execute bringing together so many new and different building techniques and details on completion it mirrors the original concept and computer simulations and meets with the architect's original vision.
The traditional Omani heritage and culture are re-interpreted architecturally in the various elements and used throughout the building and the Iconic New Civil Aviation headquarters building is contemporary in style. It was designed to function on every level; it provides an open light modern office facilities auditorium reference library data rooms along with social spaces and exhibition areas to provide a modern working environment for the airport headquarters staff. It will be linked across all of the New Muscat International and Salalah Airport systems and can monitor and manage the new facility.
The iconic and prestigious MC4a is impressive overlooking the Wave development and the New Airport and is set to become one of the true modern classic buildings.
Although modern in its design it takes into account its Arabic origins with are square arched entrance areas its muted neutral exterior and its low silhouette blending in with its surroundings yet adding to the area with its creative and iconic design. Also with its deep central space shaded from the sun provides a communal area for the staff to meet and congregate. This internal feature exhibition area is designed to provide a naturally ventilated shaded communal area for it staff.
The assignment to build MC4a was awarded to Towell Construction & Co (TCC) a 100 per cent local Omani construction company which has built many iconic buildings which occupy important spaces in the skyline across the sultanate. The contractor has the capability to build high-rise public buildings like the upcoming supreme court commercial residential complexes like Salalah Towers Luxury ITCs like The Muscat Hills and Saraya Bandar Jissah industries like Vale - Sohar warehouses etc. and the same expertise seems to reflect again in the success of MC4a. The contractor uses state-of-the-art technology and industry standard practices for all the services.
It strives to satisfy all the stakeholders' interests by providing full in-house design service and execution of civil electromechanical and interior design services to their clients on an integrated approach. TCC voted Best Contractor of the Year 2012 and the Best HSE Initiative of year 2014 by Construction Week has been known to dedicate itself to constructing excellence achieving high quality the high level of safety to international standards. It capably transforms these challenges to opportunities by increasing productivity through advance work systems and its highly skilled and qualified work force.
The Civil Aviation HQ has not only a modern and contemporary architectural design but it has also a dynamic and functional structure which has been designed to incorporate the latest technologies and accommodate future expansion. Relevant factors relating to sustainable environmental development are built into contract.
Specifications and execution reflect environmental matters in keeping with sustainable and 'green strategies'. The procurement decisions are made on the basis of environmental impact and 'whole-life costs' (particularly including waste disposal and energy use). Flexibility for
innovative environmental improvements was made throughout. Over 60 per cent of the project area is covered with trees and landscaping.
The building is designed and encompasses the latest in modern building techniques incorporating the highest international standards and materials from around the globe. The selection of roofing glazing and external cladding and walls meet and exceed the requirements of modern buildings. The glazing is designed to cancel the adjoining aircraft noise so as the staff will not be affected by noise pollution. It is designed with particular consideration to their acoustic characteristics not only to reduce the noise but also significantly reduce solar gains. It is designed for fire resistance and as well as for seismic forces. Similarly the walls and cladding were designed to ensure that the heat energy transfer is minimised to provide a modern energy efficient environmentally friendly building. It has also been complemented for its highest standards of health and safety incorporation winning certifications from client and consultant alike. In numbers it has reached exemplary safety record of achieving over 8mn safe man hour to date.
The contractor undertook a fully integrated project management system was implemented from end to end to ensure operational efficiency effective
project management risk assessment from tender stage execution through to project handover. Computer simulation of services through CFD analysis to ensure the functionality of the advanced HVAC systems was carried out effectively. Laboratory testing and acoustic simulation by the contractor of the glazing structures as wells for wind and seismic forces to ensure the highest standards were achieved. Fire testing to NFPA standards for glazing and auditorium seating in Spain witnessed by the design and contractors team.
The selection of materials were sourced from all continents to meet the very highest standards of finishes to exceed the clients expectations such as custom made ceilings sourced from Los Angeles – US Ontario – Canada Amsterdam – Netherlands Frankfurt – Germany Copenhagen – Denmark Shanghai – China Ras al Khaimah – UAE whilst the acoustic linings/panels for the Multipurpose hall and auditorium were sourced in Turkey UK and Sweden. Hand weaved custom made carpets were specially imported from Thailand in keeping with the interior theme. The sophisticated lighting controls were designed and procured from Australia whilst the in excess of 9000 lights were procured from Italy UK Germany Denmark and UAE.
A custom designed purpose built seamless roof structure for the auditorium and roof area were selected designed and tested for acoustic thermal and weather tightness in the UK achieving in excess of the designed standards. To achieve the acoustic eco and reverberation sound requirements of the purpose built 600 seater auditoriums a specialist consultant was employed and the acoustic lining materials were procured from Sweden.
A first of its type in the Middle East fully automatic retractable telescopic seating system was designed and manufactured to convert the auditorium from a 600 seat auditorium to a multipurpose hall. The largest custom made 12m high movable partition was installed in the auditorium to divide the space into two separate function halls. Eleven separate conference/meeting rooms are provided with a fully integrated audiovisual systems which include multilingual translation system provision dedicated lighted system.
The MC4a is arguably the most sophisticated building technologically and architecturally which will provide the high-level satisfaction to the end user. Auditorium is the one of the main features of the project which implemented with most advanced audio-visual system and the same auditorium can be utilized as a multipurpose hall using movable seating and partition technology.
The MC4a Project was completed within the time and budget as planned and envisioned by the core pr
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