October 2010
Halcrow has been shortlisted in three categories for the British Expertise International Awards 2010.
Halcrow’s Yas Island Primary Infrastructure project has been shortlisted in the major consultancy project of the year category. Saeed Alabbar has been shortlisted for young consultant of the year and Halcrow Yolles’s The Ledge at Skydeck Chicago, Willis Tower has been shortlisted in the sports, leisure and tourism category.
The British Expertise International Awards recognise excellence in design, planning, management and construction of projects around the world. They support the continued outstanding success of UK professional firms throughout the world.
The impact of these awards is increasing every year as the range of expertise offered by the membership broadens. British Expertise sees the awards as an excellent opportunity to demonstrate this diversity.
Yas Island, just off the coast of Abu Dhabi, is being transformed into a tourism leisure destination and home for 100,000 people. The major undertaking to complete enough work in time for its first Grand Prix in November 2009 was achieved thanks to the dedication of those involved, their quick thinking and good planning.
Halcrow provided a combination of planning, design and construction supervision for the development including roads and bridges, major utility networks and structures, 144-berth and 1,100-berth marinas and a 1.1km-long tunnel. Halcrow also prepared the transport plan for race day at the Yas Marina Circuit on 1 November 2009.
Saeed Alabbar, at the age of 26, is experienced beyond his years. His passion for sustainability and affecting change in the UAE drives his career. With an aim to become a thought leader on these areas Saeed is working towards this at an alarming rate, with many offers for him to speak at various conferences and being asked to project manage the design and fit-out of the Emirates Green Building Council headquarters.
Halcrow Yolles has renovated Chicago’s emblematic Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower; still the tallest skyscraper in the western hemisphere, 35 years after its completion. The new Skydeck observation area – nicknamed The Ledge – features a series of all-glass observation boxes that extend 4.3 feet out from the existing tower wall.
The boxes are comprised of 3 x 0.5 inch thick glass panes, and have no structural steel framing elements used along the face, sides or floor of the box. This innovative structure provides unobstructed views of up to 50 miles and four states, including Chicago’s cityscape and views straight down the tower, which stretches 1,353ft below.
The judging panel was led by the British Expertise President, HRH The Duke of Gloucester, himself a qualified architect.
The presentation of the Awards will be made during a gala dinner on Thursday 11 November at the Institute of Directors.