Batelco Commercial Centre

Project Overview

Construction of a 9-storey building for Bahrain Telecommunications Company (Batelco), close to Bab Al Bahrain in the heart of Manama, comprising of a basement, ground floor and eight further floors. The Client’s new Customer Service Centre is located on the 2nd floor, a Telephone Exchange on the 3rd floor, with transmission and radio services equipment on the 4th floor. The ground floor accommodates a number of shops and the remaining floors are allocated for leasing as offices.

Half of the new Commercial Centre had to be built on the plot of the existing Mercury House which housed the Client’s various activities. Therefore, the new building was constructed in two phases vertically in order to minimise disruption to the Client’s operations. Phase I was constructed adjacent to the Mercury House and 75 weeks after commencement all existing equipment and services were transferred to the new building and the Mercury House was demolished. Phase II of the project, the second vertical half, was constructed in its place and the whole project completed as one.

The reinforced concrete structure was constructed on a raft foundation in water-free conditions, despite five metre deep excavations and a high water table. This was achieved by means of a contiguous pile retaining wall of 600mm diameter bored concrete piles along the four sides of each phase. This also provided support to the sides of excavations so that the adjacent busy city roads could be maintained in continuous use.

The building is clad with granite and two-tone reflective glass and features mashrabiyas and other wood latticework to reflect local traditional architecture. An interesting architectural feature is the glass façade which is positioned in such a way as to mirror the adjacent Yateem Mosque.

All general circulation spaces and public areas are fitted-out with high standard commercial finishes, while fit-out works for theCustomer Service Centre on the 2nd floor level are comprised of open-cell aluminium suspended ceilings, fire-rated metal stud framed partitions, acoustic telephone booths, special effect paint finishes to the walls, vinyl wall covering and purpose made teller counters fabricated and installed by GPZ’s Joinery Division.

Various electrical and mechanical installations were carried out by GPZ’s MEP Division, including a state-of-the-art building management system. Three passenger lifts, a freight lift as well as four escalators were installed.