Opportunity
The Majid Al Futtaim Group wanted to build a regional community focused shopping centre by providing a state-of-the-art facility with 430 retail outlets over two levels, various family entertainment zones including iFLY Dubai, an indoor skydiving centre, a 12 screen cinema and 7,000 car parking spaces.
Outcome
The customer experience is enhanced right at the main entrance through the construction of a 25-metre-high glass box that leads from the landscaped gardens to the central avenue, which bisects the mall, forming a series of interconnecting rooms of triple height space, with roof structures above spanning up to 45m. Our extensive analysis of ground conditions, to achieve a 30% increase in allowable ground bearing capacity, resulted in a consequent reduction in foundation sizes and cost.
Of particular technical interest, is the long span lightweight steel roof trusses, which give large column free spaces allowing for enhanced air circulation and providing a fresher shopping environment. The resounding success of the mall since its opening in 2010 has led to a recent commission to increase the parking by an additional 1,500 spaces.