ABU DHABI PLAZA

Location

Astana, Kazakhstan

Scope of work

MEP

Size

500,000 SQM

In collaboration with

HKR Architects

KPM were engaged to provide MEP design services as part of a design and build team in partnership with Arabtec and CCC.

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RENDERINGS

AS BUILT/CONSTRUCTION

DETAILS

Abu Dhabi Plaza is located in the central business district of Astana, Kazakhstan, and was developed for Abu Dhabi based developer Aldar Properties. The Plaza consists of five towers on a common podiumwith a total area of 500,000 sqm. The  development is mixed- use and includes 568 luxury residential apartments, 107,490 sqm of grade A office space, 25,300 sqm of retail and leisure facilities.

■ The tallest of the towers stands 325m tall and is one of the highest towers in Central Asia. The MEP design addresses the key issues associated with super high-rise facilities including intermittent MEP floors, static height and pressures and the impact of stack effect.

■ The development included a four-story podium and a four-level basement. With the complex design interfaces between the podium and towers being fully resolved and coordinated.

■ The design catered for the development of the project over several phases and the challenges of staged completion, handover and coordination of MEP services.

CHALLENGES

The Climate in Kazakhstan differs drastically. In summer the temperatures average more than 30 °C and in winter average −20 °C. Due to such varying temperature Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning within all the areas were to be designed precisely. The air volume for basements were humongous, which resulted in high level of MEP service coordination to achieve the required clear height. The location of diesel generator was within the building boundary and at basement-1 making it difficult for ventilation and DG exhaust.

SOLUTIONS

To incorporate the HVAC challenges, heating plants were introduced at MEP level of 5 towers. All the ducting catering to spaces were within the towers were designed with VAV boxes with heaters. For basement ventilation the coil sizes were big, resulting in coordination issues at driveway. Coil rooms were introduced and multiple outlet were taken. The location of diesel generator was shifted to incorporate local body requirements and the exhausts were coordinated to a location of individual DG shaft.

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Zoya Khan

PR Manager
MBA
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Zoya currently serves as the PR Manager at KPM. With her strong communication skills and articulate nature, she excels in public relations, shaping the public image and communication strategies of the organization. Zoya leverages her creativity and innovative thinking to develop and implement comprehensive PR plans that align with the company’s vision and goals.

Her role involves enhancing the company’s brand presence, thereby expanding its market reach. Managing media relations and crafting compelling narratives are her forte. Zoya plays a pivotal role in elevating the company’s profile through innovative PR campaigns and media engagements. She believes in open communication, building a cohesive and motivated team.

Zoya’s passion for her work and commitment to excellence drive KPM’s success and bolster its reputation in the industry.

Sara Khanchandani

Finance manager

MBA
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With her natural flair for numbers and meticulous attention to detail, Sara seamlessly fits into her role as Finance Manager at KPM. Her extensive financial knowledge and experience in equity markets empower her to provide the leadership team with precise financial insights and forecasts, facilitating smooth and efficient financial operations. Sara’s analytical skills and thoroughness ensure that financial decisions are informed and timely.

Her responsibilities encompass budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and risk management. In her role, Sara safeguards KPM’s financial health and promotes transparency and accountability. Her positive, solution-driven approach fosters an environment of growth and productivity, making it easier to navigate complex financial landscapes. Sara’s knack for numbers enables her to uncover the stories within the data, making her an invaluable asset to the team.

Sonali Rane

Commercial Manager

Commerce Graduate

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Sonali serves as Bids & Commercial Manager and has been managing the client end for KPM. She has been leading introduction and implementation of all necessary bid procedures, governance, and processes independently. Sonali plays a highly networked role that requires an ability to work on contractual, commercial and technical aspects of RFPs and projects. Ensuring that the bids are successful and meeting client’s expectations at the same time motivates her. Commercial awareness, business acumen, stamina, statistical analysis are her key assets.

Exploring numerous details while being with KPM for over 8 years, Sonali has developed her passion and flair for creativity. Her innovative thinking has helped KPM to present and thrive in the global market. It is the sense of belonging and perseverance has led her to be part of a brilliant team that is aspiring to achieve great heights in building industry.

Deepak Bashetty

Regional Director
B.E.Civil, M.Tech.Structures
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Deepak Bashetty is a post graduate structural engineer with 16 years of experience in design of mid to high-rise buildings, special structures, residential building and commercial shopping mall, health care hospital buildings, hotel and airport’s & Industrial Structures. His research paper on Performance Based Pushover Design of Buildings has been much talked about in the global structural engineering fraternity. Deepak is highly organized, motivated and capable of meeting deadlines by employing the available resources and achieving the desired results. Dedicated team player who possesses excellent analytical, organizational, problem solving, communication, interpersonal, negotiation, staff supervision management and coordination skills.

He is an Associate member and Chartered engineer of Institution of Engineers, Graduate member of Institution of Structural Engineers UK and pursuing chartered membership, Certified Internal Auditor and ISO Quality Management by Lloyds LRQA. He works closely with John to lead the Structural engineering service at KPM.

Dr. Amit Chaudhari

Associate Director
B.E., M.E.Hydraulics-civil
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Dr.Amit Chaudari with his immense passion for water conservation and sustainability drives design programs on mission critical sustainable projects. His experience with WSP Flack + Kurtz, Lodha, Tata Projects includes infrastructure – planning for large land parcels, feasibility studies and analysis, siltation and erosion control plans, stormwater management, detailed designs of water distribution systems, wastewater collection systems and pumping stations.

Amit holds a PhD in water management and is highly conversant with global best practices and standards, as well as in documentation and approval processes of various regulatory authorities viz. MoEF, MPCB, CFO, DEWA, ADDC etc. Amit holds a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering& a Master’s Degree in Hydraulics. He successfully mentors new talent with hands on approach. He is meticulous about achieving targets in a timely fashion ensuring highest level of quality standards.

Anilkumar Madhavan

Regional Director
B.E. Electrical
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Anil Kumar has over 31 years of experience in Design, Engineering, Procurement and Execution of various world class MEP projects which include Mixed- use, Hospitality, Residential and Commercial developments. His experience of working on both sides of the coin that is with international design consultants & also large developers helps us better understand and address key challenges faced by our clients. Having based in Dubai for the past 20 years and being involved with the design and delivery of projects like Al Fattan tower, Shangrila Hotel&Dubai Media City, Anil has seen very closely the evolution of Dubai into the city that it is today.

Anil with this in depth knowledge of complex electrical systems possesses excellent organizational, relationship management, problem solving and interpersonal skills with cross-cultural adaptation of new technology & creative abilities.

SI SHEN

Head of Sustainability
MSc, BSc (Hons), CEng MCIBSE, Low Carbon Energy Assessor, WELL AP, LEED AP
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Si Chen is an accomplished sustainability expert and currently serves as the Head of Sustainability at KPM.  With over 10 years of experience leading sustainable design initiatives at renowned firms such as Foster + Partners and Sweco, Si brings a wealth of expertise in driving innovative, low-carbon solutions across global real estate portfolios. Working closely with architectural teams, Si has led projects recognized for their
seamlessly integrated sustainable designs, underpinned by data-driven decision-making and meticulous attention to detail.

At Foster + Partners, Si led a team of engineers skilled in advanced analytical techniques, pushing the boundaries of conventional design to achieve bespoke sustainable solutions. Her extensive experience spans both public and private sectors, with a proven track record of successful projects across the Middle East, UK, Europe, APAC, and North America, including commercial, airport, residential, retail, education, and industrial sectors.

Si holds a master degree in Environmental Engineering from Imperial College London, specialising in Sustainable Business, Sustainable Resource Management, and Life Cycle Assessment. She also earned a bachelor degree in Architectural Environment Engineering from the University of Nottingham with First Class honors, focusing on Building Service Design, Low Carbon Technology, and Project Management.  A CIBSE Chartered Engineer, certified Low Carbon Energy Assessor, and accredited WELL AP and LEED AP professional, Si is passionate about staying at the forefront of sustainability trends. She continuously enhances her expertise to deliver innovative, impactful solutions, providing bespoke sustainable design for global projects.

Rahina Qazi

Operations Director
Commerce Graduate
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Rahina serves as Operations Director and has been heading a multifaceted role in HR, Operations& Finance. Her responsibilities include putting efficient workflows in place to maximize the company’s productivity and performance. She has developed robust operational strategies, working closely with leadership team to meet company growth objectives. Rahina believes in workplace transparency and hence she encourages a culture of clear communication in organization. She possesses outstanding leadership skills and an ability to develop engineering talent across disciplines.

In the last 8 years with KPM, through her relentless commitment, dedication, and hard work she has been instrumental in driving KPM’s growth. Workplace wellbeing and the team’s growth keeps Rahina motivated towards KPM’s roadmap of success. Being a strategic business partner and advisor to the firm Rahina is a driving force of KPM.

Brian Sweeney

Director Projects
MEng CEng MICE
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Brian serves as Director Projects with over 20 years of Middle East and international experience working with leading global consultants in the construction industry. Brian’s strong engineering background combined with outstanding leadership and project management skills ensure to deliver successful, sustainable, and profitable projects. His vast experience helps him offer superior expertise in project management, digital transformation, stakeholder engagement, and thought leadership.

Brian is a true leader having in-depth understanding of every aspect of building services, he has successfully Led 60+ team members in project management, design management, construction supervision, digital delivery, and business development. He believes in leading from the front and is actively involved in every stage of the project from conceptualization to actualization.

Brian has completed his MEng (Hons) Civil Engineering with Modern Language (German) from the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom. He is a Chartered Member of the MICE CEng and Project Management Professional (PMP), Project Management Institute. He was also awarded as the UAE Project Manager of the Year by the Construction Week Magazine.

Colin Scott

Director MEP
BEng CIBSE ASHRAE
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Colin, a seasoned engineering professional with a distinguished career in excellence and leadership, currently holds the position of Director of MEP at KPM Engineering, specializing in System Design and Integration as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the UAE Military. With 23 years of experience as a Chartered Mechanical Building Services Engineer, he brings a wealth of expertise that spans various sectors, including commercial, industrial, defense, hospitality, education, and healthcare.

Before joining KPM Engineering, Colin served as the Business Group Leader for Engineering Services at GHD in Abu Dhabi, where he successfully led a dynamic team of 60+ professionals. During his tenure, he demonstrated a commitment to delivering high-quality, technically sound solutions from project inception to completion. Colin’s leadership is marked by a focus on innovation in design processes, fostering continuous personal and professional development, and embracing digital engineering and automation.

Colin is known for his proactive approach to driving efficiency, adeptly managing teams, and skillfully navigating project planning and financial control. Holding a B.Eng. (Hons) from the University of Strathclyde, he is a Chartered Engineer and an esteemed member of both CIBSE (Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) and ASHRAE.

Kashif Fakih

Director

B.E., MBA
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Kashif Fakih leads KPM’s client relationships and engagements across the Middle East & the US. He has lived and worked in New York and Dubai. Kashif has worked with a wide variety of clients, including international developers, architects, private clients and government bodies. Kashif’s attention to detail as well as his professional project and managerial skills has led to a rapport of trust and dependability with our clients and design teams. Excellent communication skills and the ability to establish sustainable and long-term relationships with clients across the world have helped develop KPM into the present entity.

With his natural flare, positive team spirit, and respect of individuality within the workforce, he has been successfully creating a healthy and competitive environment of camaraderie and growth within KPM.

Mitesh Bavdekar

Director

B.E., MBA
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Mitesh Bavdekar spearheads the implementation of Digital Twin & Transformation across projects & leads the R&D within the organization exploring new and innovative solutions to better design buildings. He has spent 10 years in London, working with some of the world’s best international MEP consulting firms managing complex projectsin the UK and KSA such as the Heathrow airport expansion in London.

Positively tapping his client awareness, knowledge of design programs and construction life cycle, he aims at coming up with simplified innovative solutions at every stage of a project. Mitesh, with his excellent mathematical, IT and analytical skills, has perfectly balanced creativity and practicality to manage and lead projects delivery teams at KPM.

Dmitri Jajich

Global Director Structure
BA. Physics, MS. Civil, CENG, MISTRUCTE, SE, PE, EUR ING, LEED
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Dmitri Jajich is an accomplished structural engineer who is currently serving as Global Director of Structures at KPM.  He commenced his career at the Chicago office of SOM in 2000, moving to London in 2012, where he assumed leadership of the London Structural Engineering group. Dmitri’s academic journey began with a degree in art history and physics before he pursued engineering, showcasing his multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving.

Over his 24-year tenure, Dmitri has contributed to a diverse array of projects, from iconic structures like the Burj Khalifa to bespoke single-storey residences. His portfolio boasts over a dozen structural engineering awards, underscoring his commitment to excellence. Collaborating closely with architectural teams and artists, Dmitri has spearheaded projects renowned for their seamlessly integrated structural designs, marked by clear expression and meticulous detailing.

At SOM, Dmitri led a team of engineers proficient in advanced analytical techniques, pushing beyond conventional norms to realize structurally innovative solutions. His designs, characterized by ambition and practicality, prioritize simplicity and buildability. Notably, Dmitri’s expertise extends to internationally significant projects such as Manhattan Loft Gardens, Denver Union Station, Cayan Tower, and Karlatornet Tower.

Recognized for his outstanding contributions, Dmitri was awarded FIStructE by the Institution of Structural Engineers. He also holds memberships with many professional associations including MIStructE and Chartered Engineer (CEng) in the United Kingdom and Licensed Structural Engineer (SE) and Professional Engineer (PE) in the USA. He also carries the European Engineer (EUR ING) designation and is a LEED Green Associate.

kashif fakih

DIRECTOR, B.E, MBA

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Kashif Fakih leads KPM’s client relationships and engagements across the Middle East & the US. He has lived and worked in New York and Dubai. Kashif has worked with a wide variety of clients, including international developers, architects, private clients and government bodies. Kashif’s attention to detail as well as his professional project and managerial skills has led to a rapport of trust and dependability with our clients and design teams. Excellent communication skills and the ability to establish sustainable and long-term relationships with clients across the world have helped develop KPM into the present entity.


With his natural flare, positive team spirit, and respect of individuality within the workforce, he has been successfully creating a healthy and competitive environment of camaraderie and growth within KPM.

Mitesh Bavdekar

DIRECTOR, B.E, MBA

Linkedin

Mitesh Bavdekar spearheads the implementation of Digital Twin & Transformation across projects & leads the R&D within the organization exploring new and innovative solutions to better design buildings. He has spent 10 years in London, working with some of the world’s best international MEP consulting firms managing complex projectsin the UK and KSA such as the Heathrow airport expansion in London.


Positively tapping his client awareness, knowledge of design programs and construction life cycle, he aims at coming up with simplified innovative solutions at every stage of a project. Mitesh, with his excellent mathematical, IT and analytical skills, has perfectly balanced creativity and practicality to manage and lead projects delivery teams at KPM.