Al Arab Newsroom at BWTC

Project Overview

Interior fit-out, MEP, civil and structural works for the Al Arab Newsroom located in the East Tower of the Bahrain World Trade Centre (BWTC). The remarkable contemporary broadcast centre has a total built up area of 3,500m² and is made up of the latest state-of-the-art civil, technical, mechanical and electrical plant and equipment. The project is spread across the basement, ground floor, 3rd floor, 4th floor and roof podiums of the BWTC and consists of a main live news studio with multiple sets, 2 studios, 8 edit rooms, a central apparatus room, an audio control room, a master control room, a voice over booth, 2 galleries, a “Green Room,” several meeting rooms, executive offices, and many other specialised rooms for the centre’s broadcasting activities. Additionally, new generator and electrical buildings, as well as a new mezzanine floor level, were constructed.

Finishing works throughout were carried out by GPZ’s expert divisions with high quality finishes all-round, such as plastered blockwork and dry stud wall partitions with extensive decorative aluminium, glass, timber and plexiglas coverings, gypsum suspended acoustic ceilings with decorative bulkheads, decorative paint finishes, specialised sound acoustic doors and windows, stainless steel stairs, glass handrails, and fabric wrapped acoustic wall and ceiling paneling for the proficient soundproofing of the all the technical rooms. Manufacture and installation of fixed furniture items throughout the building, including doors, counters, fully-fitted kitchens and bespoke cabinets and wardrobes, were carried out by GPZ’s specialised
Joinery Division.

All areas of the project are equipped with a fully automated building management system and an uninterrupted power supply(UPS) system that can operate independently of the national network. The roof podium levels accommodate the satellite dish farm, conversion room, chillers and air handling units. Supply, installation, testing and commissioning of all the building services installations and associated fire protection, plumbing, drainage, air-conditioning, electrical and mechanical works were executed by GPZ’s MEP Division. These services included BMS, HVAC, AHU, FCU, CCU, plumbing, drainage, (FM 200, wet and pre-action deluge dry) fire protection, smoke management system, fire alarm and detection system, hi-tech lighting fixtures and control system, UPS system installations and many other MEP installations.