Introduction
Madinat Al Irfan is the result of an exciting aspiration to establish a new urban centre within Muscat. The Customer Experience Centre is part of a wider plan, intended to align with the government’s vision of investing in sustainable developments whilst also strengthening and diversifying the economy of Oman.
With close proximity to the new international airport and providing an excellent public transport network to the capital area and beyond, Madinat Al Irfan is intended to become the gateway to Oman; a city with public space as its heart while creating a magnet for business, a centre for tourism and a vibrant place to live and work.
The city’s priority is to promote an integrated, sustainable and inclusive community, catering for a variety of ages, income groups, and ethnicities.
Solinear’s involvement with Madinat Al Irfan stemmed from an enquiry by highly-regarded COWI Architects. COWI navigated to Solinear’s website and was impressed with the case studies featuring previous projects that Solinear had completed resulting in the enquiry being submitted via the website. COWI approached the team querying the feasibility of delivering the proposed dual level tubular shading system required for this project.
Task
Collaborating with the architects, Solinear developed the canopy design at an early stage, ultimately being specified thus leading to Solinear being appointed to supply and deliver the system for this extraordinary project.
One of the advantages of specifying Solinear was that the team was prepared to develop a bespoke Solex Halo system to achieve the aesthetic and design intent proposed by the architect. Solinear’s broad experience in designing bespoke systems lends itself well to these types of projects.
The task was then to manufacture bespoke components and consider the logistics of the project with developing restrictions at the time relating to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic that was sweeping the country.
Action
With strict adherence to Coronavirus guidelines, Solinear needed to design the Solex Halo-30 tubular shading system without the standard protocol of being able to visit the site and carry out any surveys of the structure that the system would be fixed back to. Design meetings were vital so had to be conducted over video conference calls.
As a result of the unusual circumstances in which the project was being conducted, there was a considerable quantity of varying fixing rails and associated fabrication drawings which needed to be produced, referenced, and coordinated in order to successfully deliver the project.
The bespoke system for Madinat Al Irfan began to take shape but as the project developed, it continued to reveal more obstacles to overcome…
Due to the canopy of the structure being dual layered – and relying on the roof steelwork to support it – Solinear had to develop a system which allowed bracketry to extend from the roof steelwork down through the top layer of the canopy, to support the bottom layer of the canopy while avoiding clashes with the tubes themselves. As both layers of the canopy were suspended, the Solinear team needed to design the system so that it did not sway in the wind and with the fins being cylindrical, they would be vulnerable to this; Whilst cylindrical shapes are aerodynamic, they are also more susceptible to creating a vortex as the wind spirals and eddies around it.
Solinear also designed and developed a bespoke clip/bracket which was used to brace the tubes to the support structure thus eliminating any concern regarding the stability of the tubes and the potential for them to drop and injure the public. The clips/brackets allowed Solinear to use a more substantial bolted connection detail to fix the tubes back the sub-structure supports, as well as offering the installers a means of ensuring that each tube was in its precise location, rather than relying on human interpretation which may have resulted in faults.
The system was finished in RAL 9010 (Pure White) and was achieved with a 60 micron application to help protect against the marine environment which is in relative close proximity to the site.
Once completed, Solinear was required to deliver the product to Muscat, Oman via sea freight. However, logistics being entangled amid the Covid crisis meant that shipping costs escalated, and shipment was delayed due to lockdowns and restrictions.
To circumvent these problems and prevent further delay, Solinear took the initiative and worked with the client to deliver some of the programme-critical materials via air freight.
Solinear’s installers were unable to enter Oman due to Covid restrictions, therefore installation works were completed by others who were more local to the area. However, Solinear did provide vital installation guidance and troubleshooting via the provision of 3D visual presentations which demonstrated, in detail, how the system was intended to be installed, as well as a clear and concise part/component referencing system. This allowed the installers to identify parts more easily in relation to their position on the design drawings.
Result
The Madinat Al Irfan Customer Experience Centre has been designed and built to reflect a contemporary, forward-thinking architectural approach in line with the project’s vision of sustainability, innovation, and community connectivity.
Features include a remarkable floating roof, forming the base for a solar farm which will power most of the building. The roof will cast gentle shadows over the grand open-air plaza, that will be used for corporate and community events. The contemporary minimalist architecture, finished in white, is reminiscent of the historical colours of Muscat, while the transparency of its glass enclosure represents the openness of Madinat Al Irfan, and its welcoming invitation to all.
Madinat Al Irfan is projected to become an exemplar city providing a model for urban development and a catalyst for change in Oman; setting new benchmarks in terms of sustainability and urban design.
It’s an extraordinary project that Solinear would have enjoyed overseeing in person but the team is proud of what was achieved under exceptional conditions and the part it has played in this phenomenal venture, contributing to the vision of sustainability – providing bespoke products that are in line with that ethos.
Solinear’s extensive background in designing and developing bespoke architectural solar shading solutions, provided a solid foundation on which to successfully deliver this project alongside the commitment to export and work beyond UK borders.
Despite the hurdles – and perhaps, thanks to them – Solinear handled the situation with professionalism and resourcefulness – gaining more experience and a greater knowledge of certificates of origin and the variety of documentation that accompanies exports.
All challenges were successfully overcome by the team, proving, once again, that Solinear is an ingenious and pioneering solution provider – where challenges are met with the desire to conquer and innovate.
Should similar contracts be awarded to Solinear, the team will be more than adequately equipped to offer overseas clients the excellent service and quality products that it is well known for.
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