(MENAFN - Muscat Daily) A project proposed for Oman was chosen as the best 'future project “ commercial, leisure-led building' at the World Architecture Festival held in Singapore last week.The Gunoot Eco Resort, proposed to be an environment friendly 100-hectare development in Shuwaymiyah, was praised by the judges for its rethink of resort planning.There was, they said, ''an engaging social process involving local communities. The project combined global technology with low-carbon, low-technology techniques and had an effect on national and local policies relating to appropriate development.''Developed by United Real Estate Company, Kuwait, and engineered by SSH International, also a Kuwaiti company, the project will be constructed using low-skilled labour with cheap, sustainable materials. Waleed Shaalan, principal architect, SSH International, said in an e-mail, ''We are proud to have made this contribution to Oman, a country very close to our hearts. It is an honour to work in Oman, and we hope to continue to contribute to a more environmentally responsible development.''A senior official at United Real Estate's Oman office said the concept for the project is ready. ''Other components are being planned, and it is expected that construction will start sometime in 2013.'' The official refused to give further details as the project is yet to be officially announced.According to the engineers, an on-site training course for Omanis was organised to develop a prototype. Five days after the course, an Omani team was selected to work with contractors in building it.The construction used local materials like old fishing nets mixed with plaster for additional reinforcement and locally available stone for flooring.The prototype is solar-powered and has a water heater and an internal wind tower. Walls of 50cm thickness ensure the temperature inside is comfortable. With this process, construction cost came down by 30 per cent.
