AEB

WRITTEN BY DAEMON SANDS

DIVERSE OFFERING FROM THE

AEB FAMILY

ARAB ENGINEERING BUREAU

“AEB works across extensively divergent project scales, typologies and environmental conditions,” Ibrahim begins, “In recent years, the firm has completed numerous commercial, residential, civic, institutional, educational and historic preservation projects for a variety of public and private clients throughout Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Kuwait, Egypt, Yemen and Sudan.”

Arab Engineering Bureau (AEB) is an award-winning firm of

architects, urban and master planners, interior, landscape

and structural designers, engineers, quantity surveyors

and project and design managers with a truly inimitable portfolio.

The strongest aspect of their business is that they are well rounded

in terms of services offered as just recently AEB has introduced

speciality areas such as Acoustics, Lighting, Transportation and

Planning to their offering.

“Our strength lies in transforming potential into reality,” Ibrahim

affirms, “The firm considers every project to be a benefactor to a

sustainable environment, local economy and community,”

AEB draws on the strengths of a unique architectural

methodology, established by Ibrahim M. Jaidah himself. Its focus is on

the present development of the country, and, where appropriate, the

firm preserves and articulates traditional architecture while ensuring

that each design offers the client a functional space tailored to their

needs and design brief. The firm’s approach is grounded in the search

for contextually appropriate solutions. Special emphasis is given to

climate and scale – and, as a result, AEB has been chosen numerous

times to create landmark projects.

“Notable early projects include the Barzan Tower, acclaimed as

one of the most famous buildings of the Doha skyline,” he continues,

“And award-winning projects such as the Diplomatic Club and Al

Shaqab Institute for Girls which has been honoured on the Qatari

Currency 100 Riyal note.”

CONTRACO W.L.L. P.O. Box: 2658 Doha - Qatar

Tel: +974 44109333 Fax: +974 4451 0399

www.contraco.com.qa

Contraco is an ISO 9001-2008 certified company, established in 1972, in the field of Construction and Trading in the State of Qatar. Over the years, Contraco has grown and

advanced to become one of the leading companies in the field of construction, being classified by the Qatari Government as a grade “A” Contractor in the State of Qatar.

Contraco HP.indd 1 13/11/2013 06:35

Untitled-1 1 13/11/2013 07:13

The Family Of AebBeginning with just six employees in 1991, when the firm was

acquired by its current Chief Executive Officer Ibrahim M. Jaidah,

AEB’s diversified human resource has grown to a current figure of

close to 600 highly qualified professionals.

Diversified Human ResourcesThe Key To Successful Business

With branches in Doha, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Manila, Kuala Lumpur

and Bangkok AEB employees have an unparalleled foundation on

which to build their careers, their abilities and their dreams. AEB

provides an opportunity to work in a diversified work culture with

people from almost every corner of the world. Presently there are 33

nationalities employed at AEB.

“As AEB employees hail from different regions of the world and

bring the local expertise and culture, our staff are well versed in over

forty different languages and dialects,” Ibrahim describes, clearly

proud, “The firm’s strength is derived from this diversified work force

and its people are the architects of the future.”

He continues, “Standards which our staff have to adhere to

are not only general international rules and regulations but locally

established regulations relevant to the local environment. We keep

our staff up to date and in line with state regulated policies and rules

in construction industry.

Individual development is of extreme importance and we always

encourage and very often finance our staff’s further professional

education and development.”

Hands On For Client ManagementAEB’s executives play an important role in client management

and involve their clients in the entire process from conception to

completion of their projects, regardless of project scale or typology.

“We are very proud that more than 80% of our clients are

returning to us for our services,” Ibrahim says, “I believe that high

client retention reflects client’s satisfaction. We make sure to always

provide quality services within the scope and budget.”

What makes us unique,” he goes on to highlight, “Is having a history

of almost 50 years practising in Qatar, and over this period of time we

have managed to acquire a wealth of information and knowledge on

local architecture, local engineering, local environment, the culture of

conducting business and understanding the client.”


What Does The Future Hold

With World Cup 2022 being

hosted in Qatar there has been a

noticeable shift in the markets,

especially in the hospitality

and sports venues. Hospitality

projects are being done on a

much larger scale than before,

Ibrahim tells us.

“In terms of the sports

venues and stadiums we have

been approached by a few major

international key players in

the sports venue development

to offer our local cultural and

technical expertise,” he says,

“Currently we are involved in

many major projects but just to

name a few for your readers,

they are Marsa Malaz Kempinski

Hotel which will become one

of the most luxurious hotels in

the region, New Doha Port, Abu

Sidra Masterplan, a design for a

new self-sustaining community

development. We are currently

in phase one with retail,

educational, and health centres

on the way.”

Now that the firm is well

established in the Middle East

and Asia, they are looking into

other possibilities of expanding

the firm’s horizons. Their goal

is to create a strong regional

presence but could very soon

start looking into African

markets, especially Northen

Africa. Ibrahim revealed they are

expecting a work force increase

of 14%-20%.

“Our plan is also to continue

with our Corporate Social

Responsibility plan which has

taken a centre stage at AEB,” he

highlights, “Our corporate social

responsibility is most dominant

in the area of education. As one

of our core values education

is fundamental part of who we

are, reflecting our long term

commitment to Qatar National

Vision 2030 and knowledge

based society.”

AEB is committed to

the community where their

employees live and work

by supporting educational

programs, but also serving as

ambassador to the local heritage

and local traditional architecture.

Of the key areas that are

closest to Ibrahim Mohamed

Jaidah’s heart, it is clear that

this is a man who can see the

long term benefits of developing

the people of the community

to create a foundation of

education and intellect for

the company to build future

developments upon. These

include scholarships and grants

at the Virginia Commonwealth

University of Qatar, developing

entrepreneurship through

workshops and sponsorships,

lectures, workshops and

conferences at a number

of universities in Qatar and

out and a strong, regional

and international internship

placement programme.

“If AEB is to continue serving

our customers well, we have

to look at developing our staff.

Training and education for

the next generation is how we

position ourselves for the future,”

he concludes.

History of Qatari Architecture

In January 2010 Ibrahim M. Jaidah’s commitment to cultural awareness and growth, and his passion for research resulted in the publication a book titled History of Qatari Architecture. This book is intended to become the key reference work for the subject, including being used for educational purposes. It is a part of Ibrahim M. Jaidah’s legacy and is dedicated to those who built the unique buildings of the past and those who strive to become the great architects of the future.


00974 4406 8899

WWW.AEB-QATAR.COM

Founded in 1966 as the first architectural and engineering consulting firm in Qatar, AEB brings 47 years of experience to the construction industry. Over those years Arab Engineering Bureau has evolved into a leading multi-disciplinary architectural design consultancy. AEB operates across the Middle East, in Doha and Abu Dhabi and South East Asia, with offices in Manila and Kuala Lumpur. Building on the firm’s pioneering work and consolidating a long-term commitment to future development in the region, AEB recently established an office in Muscat, Oman. I was honoured to speak with CEO, Chief Architect and author of “History of Qatari Architecture” Ibrahim Mohamed Jaidah.

www.littlegatepublishing.com

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