Al-Jawhara Centre
Construction of a medical and teaching facility, plus an interconnected separate auditorium building.
Project Overview
Construction of a medical and teaching facility, plus an interconnected separate auditorium building, for a centre specialising in clinical services, molecular diagnostics, research and higher education for Molecular Medicine and Inherited Disorders. The building consists of a basement level, ground floor level and two upper storeys, with an approximate total built-up area of 13,400m2 on a plot measuring 17,100m2 .
The buildings are mainly in reinforced concrete with structural steel used for parts of the development. The external finishes include an acid-washed finish to the precast concrete cladding in two colours, glazed curtain walls and stone cladding. The architectural feature of the main entrance consists of aluminium cladded columns, a canopy and an inclined glazed curtain wall projecting above the roof level, designed to resemble a crown.
The main entrance lobby is housed in the curved glazed structure and has two rounded balconies overlooking a 3-storey atrium.The ground floor of the Main Building contains receptions, classrooms, laboratories, seminar rooms, an operating theatre, ICUs, a clinic facility with waiting area, a steriliser room, administration offices, a nurse station and plant rooms. Fit-out works were carried out by GPZ’s specialised divisions, where a range of wall and floor finishes were used, including patterned Egyptian marble in the lobby. The 1st and 2nd floors were reserved for future letting therefore only provisions for mechanical and electrical services were made.
Installations for building services such as air-conditioning, fire protection, plumbing, drainage, electrical works etc., were undertaken by GPZ’s MEP Division, including a fully automated building management and security system engineered by GPZ’s MEP Division. The medical gas system works were carried out by a client-appointed agency in co-ordination with GPZ.
The Auditorium Building contains a basement and ground floor accommodating a 500 seat auditorium, a pre-function hall and a kitchen. The scope for this building involved the shell construction for the pre-function hall and auditorium, located part in basement and part above ground, and comprised of glazed curtain walls, structural steelwork for the metal roofing, external cladding, reinforced concrete structural works, walls, plant and provision for MEP services. The internal finishes and MEP installations of the auditorium and pre-function hall were carried out by a client-appointed ID subcontractor in co-ordination with GPZ.
The external works comprise of a boundary wall, a walk way in concrete pavers around the building, an asphalt access road and parking areas. The boundary wall construction consists of in situ reinforced concrete columns and beams, plastered blockwork infills and decorative cast aluminium railings. Three matching cast aluminium sliding vehicle/pedestrian gates are also provided.
