Glory in the Gulf

Atkins and EC Harris were among the winners at the first Gulf State Building Awards, which were held in Dubai last night

Atkins was named Engineering Consultant of the Year following its work on projects such as the Bahrain World Trade Centre, while EC Harris, whose Dubai Lagoons project is on the right, beat Davis Langdon and Mace to win the Construction Consultant of the Year award.

Foster + Partners won architect of the year despite not having completed a project in the UAE. The firm has had a presence there since 2000, and has now opened an office in Abu Dhabi. Runners up were Hopkins Architects and Gensler.

The sustainability award went to the Zighy Bay Senses Hideway Hotel in Oman, for not being high-rise and for sacrificing majesty for humility. Director of architectural heritage department at Dubai Municipality Rashid Mohammed Bukhash won the sustainable champion for valuing cultural heritage.

The hotel project of the year went to Shangri La Qaryat Al Beri Hotel in Abu Dhabi, while the 14-lane road bridge Al Garhoud Bridge in Dubai won the infrastructure project of the year.

Downtown Burj Dubai won the best mixed-use project of the year for boasting the world’s tallest tower and world’s largest shopping centre.

The cultural award was won by A’Samaliah Island. Commercial project winner was Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.

Health and safety initiative went to Build Safe Dubai, which is campaigning for safer working regulations in the region and has attracted the support of 60 senior managers.

Personality of the year was awarded to Mohammed Bin Ali Alabbar of Emaar Properties for placing the UAE at the centre of the international business community.