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DSAQ2 2019 | DSA DIGEST | ISSUE 13
Digest
In this issue:• Welcome from the MD
• Onwards & Upwards
• The Wavehouse
• One to One with Wellington
• Souk Madinat Jumeirah
• South Africa Relay Event
• Hemingways Nairobi
• Dubai Marathon
• Project Update
• Hotel Architecture Award Winners
• Young Achiever Award Winner
DSA are very proud to announce our appointment by Dubai
Holding as the lead consultant for the prestigious Madinat
Jumeirah Living project, which is an exclusive freehold residential
development located in a prime location in Jumeirah, neighbouring
the iconic Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. DSA’s role encompasses full
design and site supervision services: multi-disciplinary design
and construction site supervision.
The existing Madinat Jumeirah Resort, also a DSA project, has set
the gold standard for leisure lifestyle in Dubai and is recognised
internationally as a benchmark for hospitality and retail design.
The new Madinat Jumeirah Living development adds a luxury
residential component to the overall Madinat Jumeriah develop-
ment and understandably generated unprecedented demand at
the launch of the first phase at Cityscape 2018. Situated within
the sought-after Jumeirah district with its beautiful beaches and
well-known landmarks, Jumeirah is firmly established as a quint-
essential Dubai statement and a must-see destination for tourists.
Walking through the residential districts will offer a labyrinthine
experience, where surprise awaits around every corner. Facilities
such as day-care centres, play areas, gyms, swimming pools and
pocket parks are evenly distributed and available to all residents.
A connecting elevated pedestrian bridge will connect the Madinat
Living community to the Madinat Jumeirah and beyond.
The inspiration for its powerful design language derives from the
Bastakiya, the ancient heart of the city. The warm colours and
textured surfaces of the thick walls contribute to an environment
which offers a sense of enclosure and scale seldom achieved in
more contemporary buildings. The element of surprise is injected
by means of delightful architectural elements such as wind tow-
ers, rusticated balconies and pergolas, supported by landscape
design which stimulates all the senses.
Madinat Jumeirah Living
2 DSA DIGEST | ISSUE 13 | Q2 2019
WELCOME TO DSA DIGESTA very warm welcome to the latest edition of DSA Digest.
DSA’s current portfolio consists of a healthy
mix of both pre-existing projects and more
recent awards in the early stages of design.
We are particularly proud of the various
high-profile projects DSA are currently
designing and delivering, including our cover
story, the prestigious Madinat Jumeirah
Living project for Dubai Properties. This
project represents a major new commission
in Dubai, building upon DSA’s internationally
acclaimed Madinat Jumeirah Resort. The
project is a prized and exclusive freehold res-
idential development neighbouring the iconic
Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, and unsurprisingly
demand from investors at the project launch
at Cityscape 2018 was unprecedented.
In respect of projects already underway, the
Al Zahia Residential project in Sharjah is a
great example of the architectural design
talent that DSA offers and how that trans-
lates into long-term customer relationships
and repeat project awards for DSA. The
latest phase continues DSA’s involvement
for a further two years.
DSA’s leading international status was
recently underlined at the 2018-2019 Inter-
national Property Awards with Nikki Beach
winning the award for Hotel Architecture.
Reflecting on the projects we have suc-
cessfully delivered is important, as they
have been instrumental in strengthening
and further building DSA’s experience and
unrivalled international reputation. In this
issue we feature the wonderful Hemingways
Nairobi 5-Star hotel.
I often refer to the strength in depth of talent
at DSA and this is underpinned with the
unique longevity of service we enjoy. This
is illustrated in the interview with our site
architect Wellington Kambarami who this
year celebrates his thirteenth anniversary
with DSA.
On the occasion of his retirement, I would
like to thank Floris Smith, Design Principal,
DSA, for the wonderfully unique designs and
architecture he has created over the years,
which has provided the foundation for our
success and the inspiration for our next
generation of architects. I wish both Floris
and his wife Wilma, the very best of health,
happiness and success in their next chapter.
Looking to the future, I am delighted that
Kajal Budhia, an architect from DSA Africa,
received the Young Achiever award at the re-
cent South African Women Property Awards.
Elsewhere in this issue, it gives me immense
pleasure to congratulate those members of
staff whose talent and dedication has been
recognised with promotion and to offer a big
welcome to new members of the DSA family.
In parallel to this professional success, DSA
remain focused on community projects that
we believe reflect our core values. It is fan-
tastic that in every edition of DSA Digest, I
am able to read of the personal commitment
and achievements of members of the DSA
team, often involving many weeks of per-
sonal sacrifice. DSA are committed to the
continuous participation in raising funds and
awareness for worthy local and international
causes, and it was a great effort from both
the DSA Africa team and the DSA Dubai
team who participated in the CESA Relay
event and 2019 Dubai Marathon events
respectively. Special mention goes to Manoj
Kumar who finished the full 42km Dubai
Marathon in just over 4 hours.
Wishing a peaceful and happy Ramadan
to the DSA family and all our friends and
colleagues – Ramadan Kareem.
Steve Kelshaw,
Managing Director
Middle East
Onwards & UpwardsA BIG DSA WELCOME TO OUR NEW TEAM MEMBERS:
WILME MULLER
Architect
SHAISTHA BEGUM
Senior Architect
FARAH BLAL
Junior Architect
UMANG SHANDILYA
Project Coordinator
NIKHIL SHANMUKHAN
Architect
SHIHAB MOIDEENKUTTY
Architectural Draughtsman
MINAL UKABHAI Accountant
SREERAJ SUKUMARAN
Architectural Draughtsman
GIJO JOHNNY
Architectural Draughtsman
Recent PromotionsDSA are delighted to announce that
Saher Shah and Katherine Cham-
bers have both been promoted to
Associate in our Middle East Studio.
SAHER SHAH
KATHERINE CHAMBERS
3www.dsa-arch.com
PROJECT Opening THE WAVEHOUSE, ATLANTIS THE PALM, DUBAIWe are proud to announce the grand open-
ing of the ‘The Wavehouse’, an exciting new
state-of-the-art family entertainment and
F&B facility located at the iconic Atlantis The
Palm Resort, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai.
The venue blends together the concept of an
industrial gastro-pub with that of an indoor
adventure park providing a one-of-a-kind
family venue.
Wavehouse occupies 25,000 sqft and is
defined by a number of distinctive areas.
The ‘Gaming Room’ will be situated at
the entrance to the venue and features
attractions such as climbing walls, ad-
venture nets and slides. Once inside you
can experience classic old-school arcade
games, video games, televisions, pool
tables, boxing bags, ball pits and a cinema
zone. There is also a sleek bowling alley
which is one of only two licensed bowling
alleys in Dubai.
Customers will be able to relax in the vibrant,
rustic bar and watch their favourite sports
whilst enjoying a cold beverage. Alternative-
ly, the roof top garden terrace offers sunken
trampolines, gazebos for extra privacy,
glittering hanging lighting and comfortable
seating for all occasions adding an extra
dimension to Wavehouse.
With this project, Atlantis have introduced
an entirely new level of entertainment to
their internationally popular Aquaventure
Water Park.
FAREWELL IN RETIREMENT TO FLORIS SMITHDSA Middle East Design Principal, Floris Smith, has retired and is heading back to Australia to be with his family after 10 fantastic years with the company.
Floris made a huge contribution to DSA’s success, leading our design efforts on the many conceptual and master plan developments we have delivered since 2008, Floris will be missed greatly, both as a talented and experienced profes-sional and as a charismatic, gracious and captivating man.
From all of us at DSA we wish Floris and his wife Wilma, the very best of luck, health and happiness for the future!
Floris and his wife Wilma with DSA ME staff
A farewell dinner with DSA ME directors & associates
4 DSA DIGEST | ISSUE 13 | Q2 2019
One to One with ... WELLINGTON KAMBARAMI
Wellington is justifiably proud of the growth of Al Zahia Residential
and feels that this success is a result of DSA’s strong culture of allow-
ing architects to freely express themselves and fulfil their potential.
He says,
“ It is about the space we are afforded to be creative.”
Wellington has ambitions for his future career development and as
one of five professional siblings, there is the additional element of
family competition to drive him on.
Outside work, Wellington’s life is centred around his family. His wife
is an accountant and they have three daughters, two are in school
in Dubai and his eldest has graduated from university in the UK.
Maintaining his childhood passion for rugby, Wellington officiates as
a rugby referee and touch judge for local school teams and enjoys
working out and running to keep in shape – for the job as well as
the rugby.
It was travelling as a 15-year-old with his school rugby team on tours of Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique and Malawi that fired Wellington’s imagination for a career in architecture.
On finishing school, Wellington embarked on a Diploma in Architec-
tural Technology from Harare Technical College. This coincided with
Wellington joining John Winter Architects in Harare, Zimbabwe which
ran a work experience programme allowing him to split college work
equally with practical experience. This balanced method of training
afforded Wellington the chance to gain practical knowledge in con-
struction technology from an early stage.
In 1998 Wellington graduated and joined the company as a full-time
junior architect. He was 26 and on his way. The projects he worked
on at this time included holiday resorts and game reserve lodges.
Over the next four years, Wellington steadily progressed through
the company, and by the time he was 30 he had been promoted to
senior architect.
The wider world now beckoned, and Wellington seized the opportu-
nity to move to Blantyre in Malawi, as a senior architect for ASCAS
Consultants. After four years running this office and gaining further
valuable experience, he was again guided by his early mentor, John
Winter who recommended Wellington set out to develop his career in
The Gulf. The sheer scale of the projects undertaken and underway
in the Middle East promised an exciting future for Wellington and his
determination led to his appointment with DSA in June 2006.
By 2008, two years after joining DSA, Wellington had completed his
first major project, the Palace Hotel in Downtown, Dubai. He cites
Nikki Beach as another iconic development in his growing portfolio.
Wellington believes his current project, the Al Zahia Residential proj-
ect in Sharjah, illustrates superbly the unique skill of DSA in providing
architectural design and then seamlessly realising this design with
first-class site supervision. Wellington has led the DSA site team in
delivering this gated community, which has culminated in further
phases including the construction of the latest phase over the next
two years.
Site Architect, DSA Middle East
5www.dsa-arch.com
NEW PROJECT AWARD Souk MADINAT JUMEIRAH EnhancementsDSA were delighted to be commissioned for enhancement works to the the Madinat Ju-meirah Souk.
The project entails a range of improvements to the Madinat
Jumeirah Souk and car parking.
This involves the provision of tensile structure shade to the
central open corridor open plaza, as well as associated interior
treatment and modifications to minimise duplicate circulation.
The new spaces will be fully air-conditioned.
The main entrance redesign will create a single grand entrance
to the Souk. This includes verification of a number of toilets and
the relocation of existing restrooms.
It is proposed that a dedicated pedestrian access from the bus
drop off to the souk will be created, including a new bridge and
viewing platform.
GREAT TEAMWORK IN AFRICA Congratulations to the DSA Africa Team who par-ticipated in the annual CESA (Consulting Engineers South Africa) Walk, Run and Cycle Relay event held at Riversands Farm, Midrand, South Africa.
The CESA has staged this annual fun event for 30 years, with teams
from many of the 500 member firms competing against each other.
Competitors cover 5km in a walk/run format and cycle 8km, whilst
also competing in a tug-of-war and volleyball.
DSA’s team featured, Pierre Roux, Bill Laburn, Michael Thomas
Janine Strachan, Harriet Mkhonza, Colleen Clinton, Carla Hadfield,
Ian Kullin, Debbie Kullin, Collin Fletcher, Lee-Anne Fletcher and Liam
Patterson.
The excitement and enthusiasm generated by this popular event has
seen a steady increase in attendance attracting more than 400 teams
and 3,000 competitors.
6 DSA DIGEST | ISSUE 13 | Q2 2019
Reflection of Excellence Best Hotel in KenyaHemingways Nairobi is a jewel in the DSA project portfolio and it is exciting to report that in the 2019 Trip Advisor ‘Traveller’s Choice Awards’, the boutique hotel which opened in 2014, was ranked first in Kenya in three categories: Top 10 Hotels, Top 10 Luxury Hotels and Top 10 Hotels for Service.
Set in the exclusive Nairobi residential sub-
urb of Karen, between Nairobi National Park
and the foot of the Ngong Hills, Hemingways
Nairobi is an exclusive 5 star hotel, far from
the bustle of central Nairobi.
The architectural theme is that of a Southern
States, Plantation Style Luxury Residence,
and in keeping with the residential nature of
the suburb in which is situated, the buildings
have consciously been kept to two stories.
The central public areas and Porte Cochere
are reminiscent of a Plantation Style Manor
house, with the bedroom suites located on
the North West boundary maximising each
unit’s view over the manicured gardens, to
the Ngong Hills in the distance.
Materials used have been carefully select-
ed, with imported Italian marble, as well
as hardwoods sourced from sustainable
forests. Both the public areas as well as the
suites, have a spacious feeling of generous
space which is enhanced by using generous
vertical volumes.
Hemingways Nairobi has a sophisticated
and tranquil ambiance. Each of the 45 suites,
ranging in size from 80 m² to 160 m², all with
walk-in dressing rooms and a terrace with
magnificent views of the Ngong Hills.
The State-Of-The-Art Spa and Wellness
Centre features a gymnasium, hairdresser,
pedicure and manicure facilities, specialist
spa treatment rooms, relaxation areas,
saunas and steam rooms.
7www.dsa-arch.com
PROJECT UPDATE Al ZAHIA RESIDENTIAL, SHARJAH
We are delighted to announce that the Al Lilac Residential project, part of the wider Al Zahia development by Majid Al Futtaim Properties in Sharjah has broken ground and construction is now progressing at pace.
An idyllic community, fully designed by DSA, comprising
3, 4 and 5 bedroom townhouses and villas, these luxurious
homes are scheduled for handover in Q1 2021.
DSA IN THE RUNNING
The Standard Chartered Marathon, Dubai, was held January 2019 and the DSA Middle East team joined the event and completed the 4km, 10km and 42km races.
We applaud our colleagues who took part and performed superbly in
their respective races.
Special congratulations go to Manoj Kumar on finishing the 42km
marathon in an impressive time of 4 hours 3 minutes.
Manoj Kumar
D S ABELGRADE
D S ADUBAI
D S AJOHANNESBURG
D S ALISBON
DSA Architects International (Middle East)
address: Office 204, Convention Tower, Zabeel, Dubai, UAEtel: +971 4 329 2288 fax: +971 4 329 2289mail: [email protected] web: www.dsa-arch.com
@DSAarchitects DSA Architects International @dsaarchitectsintl
Congratulations to DSA Africa’s ‘Young Achiever’
DSA TAKES TOP AWARD FOR NIKKI BEACH RESORT & SPA
Kajal Budhia, (pictured centre) an architect from DSA Africa re-ceived the Young Achiever Award in the South African Women Property Awards 2018.
The Awards were held at the Sanlam Art
Gallery and recognise those who continue to
influence and change the landscape of the
property industry. This not only recognises
the achievements of the individuals but
also the contribution they have made to the
broader industry.
We are thrilled that our entry for the International Property Awards 2018, for Nikki Beach Resort & Spa was an award winner for Hotel Architecture in the Dubai category.
Nikki Beach Resort & Spa is a unique hotel property offering exclusivity, privacy and a beach
club experience. The development delivers on our client’s vision to create a location for
Glamour, a party lifestyle and the coolest place to be seen.
After receiving the award, on behalf of DSA, Director Tim Goodall commented: “This award is
fantastic recognition for DSA and testimony to the efforts and dedication of the whole team!”
Tim Goodall, DSA ME Director