Al-Tijaria Tower, Kuwait City
Alico Aluminium and Light Industries Co. Ltd.
Owner / Developer
The Commercial Real Estate Co.
Architect
- Al Jazera Consultants
- NORR Group Consultants
Building Function
Office
Status
Completed 07/2009
approx. 29.000 m²
Height
approx. 219 m
Technical Features
- Twisted facade
- Unitized curtain wall
- Structural glazing
We provided
Engineering
Value Engineering assesses an established or developing facade solution against clearly defined project objectives and constraints. Its purpose is not to identify the cheapest option, but to weigh requirements, function, technical feasibility, cost-efficiency and other commercial implications together. Depending on the brief, this can mean reviewing existing approaches, comparing alternatives, developing particular system or process aspects further, or considering whole-life implications. The aim is a transparent, technically and commercially informed basis for deciding whether to retain, refine or change the proposed direction.
- Value Engineering assesses facade solutions against the agreed requirements, functions, technical feasibility and commercial implications.
- Depending on the brief, Priedemann investigates alternative systems, materials or details and makes dependencies between quality, cost, programme and project risk explicit.
- Options are compared transparently and documented as a basis for project-specific decisions.
- The objective is not cost reduction alone, but an appropriate solution that continues to meet the prioritised project objectives.
Where Value Engineering can intervene
- Value Engineering can address different levels of a facade solution.
- Alongside facade systems, materials and details, the brief may also include production and installation processes such as assembly, logistics and site installation.
- The important point is to consider the consequences of a possible change in context rather than in isolation, including its relationship with function, project requirements, cost and the wider project objectives.
With the award of the contract, we check the contractual framework conditions as the basis for the implementation. If necessary, we adapt the technical solutions to any requirements that have changed – always with the goals of our client in mind.
- Contract review, determination of the contracted services and if necessary, developing alternative solutions
- Operational management, cost and budget audits
- Assessment of technical amendment suggested by the contracting parties, assessment of proposed modifications
- Evaluation of implementation alternatives to the approved diagrams (IFC Issued for Construction Drawings)
- Definition of the main strategic objectives as the basis for a coordinated facade design
Facade system development translates an identifiable design direction and defined project requirements into a coherent technical facade approach.
- Priedemann develops system types, elements, principle details and interfaces and adapts existing systems to the project where required.
- Structural, fabrication and installation conditions are considered as part of that development.
- The result is a robust technical direction for subsequent technical design, shop drawings and production planning.
- Priedemann develops facade systems and technical concepts from an agreed design direction.
- The work considers system build-up, materials, principle details, interfaces, performance requirements, and conditions for production, transport and installation.
- Existing systems may be adapted or project-specific solutions developed and compared against clear criteria.
- The outcome defines the technical system approach and provides a robust basis for subsequent technical design, shop drawings and production planning.
Depending on requirements, Priedemann analyzes and calculates the static requirements of e.g. profiles, glazing and fixings in 2 or 3 dimensions or as finite elements. Evidence is provided on the basis of the applicable international or national standards.
- 2D construction analysis and detailed 3D analysis as needed
- Profile and glass structural specifications
- Calculation and analysis of finite elements
- Project structural analysis as documentation for the relevant auditors
- Structural evidence depending on the region based on EN standards or Eurocode, British Standards or American Standards.
Priedemann advises on the development of facade mock-ups, because the reality of a design under climate, wind and weather conditions is always more demanding than the theory.
- This spans advice on the architectural visual mock-up, the performance mock-up, and on-site testing of already-installed elements.
- Priedemann prepares technical drawings, researches products and materials, and advises on manufacturer selection.
- Priedemann develops the technical basis for visual mock-ups, performance mock-ups and agreed facade tests.
- Depending on the appointment, requirements, drawings, specifications, products and materials are prepared and coordinated with manufacturers or testing bodies.
- For performance mock-ups, the test arrangement and criteria are derived from the project requirements.
- Observations and results are documented and can inform subsequent design.
- Fabrication and execution of the tests remain with the appointed parties.
Different purposes of facade mock-ups
- Not every facade mock-up answers the same question.
- A visual mock-up can be used to consider materials, appearance and the construction of a representative facade section.
- A performance mock-up addresses defined technical requirements and test conditions using a sample construction.
- Agreed tests can also be carried out on facade elements already installed on site.
- The appropriate type of mock-up or test therefore depends on the specific project question and the requirements to be assessed.
Priedemann prepares shop drawings for the contractor of a facade project, based on the already-released design documents.
- Priedemann first checks these documents for completeness and buildability.
- In discussion with the client and design team, all design-relevant parameters are coordinated and, where necessary, adapted to the contractor’s equipment.
- The aim is fabrication-ready shop drawings.
- Priedemann prepares shop drawings and detailed information based on the released design.
- Available documents are checked for completeness and buildability, after which construction, connections, materials, finishes and installation references are developed for fabrication.
- The drawings can be updated during subsequent coordination and incorporated into agreed review processes.
- The service is primarily intended for facade contractors.
- Responsibility for fabrication and formal approval is defined for the project.
Facade material take-off and ordering documentation translate the coordinated facade design into specific information on materials, quantities, processing and allocation.
- Depending on the brief, Priedemann structures technical material data, quality criteria, cutting information, finishes, tolerances and delivery or production sequences.
- This creates a clear technical basis for procurement and production preparation.
- Content and accuracy depend on the design status, available information and agreed scope.
- Priedemann prepares material take-offs and technical ordering information from the coordinated facade design.
- Materials, qualities, dimensions, finishes and related technical data are structured and allocated to the relevant components or production lots.
- Depending on the appointment, quantities, cutting lists, optimisation information and ordering references may be included.
- The documents support procurement and production preparation.
- Ordering, supplier selection and commercial purchasing remain with the client or contractor.
Priedemann compiles production documentation for the designed facade, such as construction drawings, shop-drawing information, production and installation drawings, and structural and building-physics calculations through to material lists.
- Depending on the appointment, Priedemann also provides technical support for selected aspects of facade fabrication, supplies CAD and CAM data for computer-aided production, and accounts for the potential and capacity of the relevant production site.
- Priedemann compiles production documentation for the fabrication of facade components.
- This may include working and production drawings, material schedules, CAD or CAM data, and agreed structural and building-physics information.
- Components and data are allocated clearly to production lots and coordinated with the intended fabrication process.
- Depending on the appointment, Priedemann supports technical questions during production.
- Responsibility for fabrication and quality control of the manufactured components remains with the contractor.
Good installation planning connects the intended facade quality with a clear sequence on site.
- Priedemann considers installation and logistics sequences, assembly processes and interfaces with other trades in advance and prepares clear installation information.
- This allows elements, fixings, access and work sequences to be coordinated consistently with the planned execution.
- Priedemann prepares installation and logistics documentation for the planned facade works.
- This may include installation sequences, assembly and layout drawings, information on substructures and fixings, and drawings for integrated components.
- Elements, access, transport routes and interfaces are represented so that installation can be prepared consistently.
- The documents build on the coordinated production information.
- Site management, health and safety, and responsibility for execution remain with the responsible contractors.
Specials
Priedemann creates, analyses and optimises digital 3D models as a technical basis for further facade design and subsequent fabrication.
- Architectural surface or node models are translated into realistic solid models.
- This makes it possible to identify details that would be particularly challenging to build or could not be realised with available systems and products.
- Models can also be adjusted to bring fabrication requirements and architectural intent into better alignment.
- Priedemann analyses three-dimensional facade models and develops them for further technical work.
- Surface or node models are translated into realistic solid models and detailed so that relevant components, connections and geometric relationships can be assessed.
- Priedemann identifies details that are technically challenging or could not be realised with tested systems and approved products.
- The software and level of development depend on the project.
Parametric facade models make it easier to respond consistently when design conditions change. Priedemann constructs components, elements or complete assemblies in 3D and connects their geometry through defined rules and relationships. Parametric design can form part of a BIM process or be used as a separate design and production method. The models can generate CIM- and DFM-compatible data sets for further development.
Priedemann uses parametric modelling to develop variable facade geometry, components or assemblies through defined rules and relationships. This allows options to be generated consistently, reviewed and adapted when inputs change.
Depending on the brief, geometry, component information or machine-readable data can be derived for subsequent design and fabrication. Parameters, software, outputs and responsibility for downstream production data are agreed for the project.
From parametric model to fabrication
Parametric models can support more than geometric design. Depending on the task and agreed workflow, the resulting data can be transferred into subsequent design or fabrication processes. This may include CIM- and DFM-compatible data and further processing into CNC data. For complex facade geometry in particular, the rule-based model structure allows changes to be carried through consistently and information to continue from design into later planning and production stages.
Memberships
