Architecture Top 50 2017

8 BUILD - Architecture Top 50 / April 2017 , tangram is one of the RIBA’s first accredited International Chartered Practices, whose design- led, award-winning, multidisciplinary teams deliver diverse social infrastructure works from their studios worldwide. A Holistic Approach tangramEurope works from the firm’s London base, tangramMENA is located in Algiers, tangramGulf is headquartered in Dubai and tangramAsia in Hong Kong. Led by Managing Director Hamdi Mahmoud, the practice offers fully integrated design and management solutions, from concept to completion on-site. Including, architecture, urban design and masterplanning, interior design, landscape, structural, civil and building services engineering, with specialisms in medical planning and clinical engineering solutions. For all scale of projects, from regional needs assessments, design guideline frameworks and development plans, to multi or single occupancy residential designs, and everything in between. The practice offers a holistic approach to the integration of fully engineered design solutions that respond to specific site and client needs for each and every project. Its work is recognised “for continuing to push boundaries with fresh and exciting ideas across the region, which have sustainability at their core” (Middle East Architect Awards, 2014, where tangram were the Highly Commended Runner’s Up for the “Large Architectural Firm of the Year”). Within the company there is a strong tradition of the delivery of healthcare, hospitality, housing, education, cultural, sports and retail projects. All recognized for the quality of design, with tangram receiving 30 design awards and recognitions over the last seven years. Currently, complex projects such as new hospital schemes are on site in Jeddah, KSA and Al Khor, Qatar, while 2016 saw tangram launch its newest office in Algiers, to serve its growing hospitality and residential portfolio across North Africa’s Mediterranean coastline. tangram is renowned for its public building design and prolific delivery of housing across the UAE, with over 20,000 units handed over since 2009. It has a number of new housing schemes starting on site in Dubai in Q1 2017, just as its cultural team has eight new mosques being handed over in the same period to clients across Doha in Qatar. tangram has a dedicated approach to environmental responsibility and sustainable designs, with Global Design Director Sandra Woodall receiving most recent recognition in 2017 with election to Fellow of the RIBA, who were “impressed by her sustainability work in a challenging context” throughout her career of project delivery across the MENA region. Where recent work for passive sustainable design principles of an emergency response centre for the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation in Abu Dhabi, was recognized upon completion, by the Middle East Architects Awards as winner of “Sustainable Project of the Year - 2015”. The facility became operational in Q3 2015 and tangramGulf was praised by MEAA for its “simple, yet innovative, fresh and welcoming design, in a project which is of huge importance for the UAE as a nation”. The scheme was a culmination of the decades of practice, research and reinterpretation of local and traditional design and building techniques that emphasize and promote a built environment that sits within and works with its surrounding natural environment. Designs that create spaces that respond to traditional and cultural requirements whilst offering sustainable solutions to the growing complexity of contemporary end-user needs. In a press release, Ahmed Al Rumaithi, ENEC Deputy CEO, stated: “The completion of the ERC facility is an important milestone in ENEC’s operational readiness well in advance of when the Barakah plant will commence operations. These facilities were completed on time, and to the highest standards of quality and safety. I am very proud of the work the team has done in order to get to the completion stage.” The scheme was showcased at MIPIM UK 2015, as part of the “Architecture Tomorrow” exhibition. Today, tangram is further developing the lessons learned from such project work, and is confident that ‘zero energy’ developments can become both achievable and an expected norm for most facility types in the desert region and beyond, within the foreseeable future. tangram demonstrates a very high level of thought, consideration for the environment, and realization of client needs and values, to create places responsive to and reflective of the communities in which they serve. A practice which continually promotes all levels of continuing professional development for all staff to develop existing or new skills, to the support and sponsoring of individuals in their areas of expertise and interest with qualifications, affiliations and memberships to varied local and regional bodies such as ESTIDAMA, GSAS, the RIBA’s Gulf Chapter, etc. to Doctorate level research and thesis undertakings. The investment in and advancement of all team members is the way to ensure that the level of service and the innovation of designs can propel forwards and successes gained can be built and expanded upon. tangram is delighted to have been chosen to be part of BUILD Magazine’s Architecture Top 50. It is a great honour to be recognised within such a competitive and ever changing marketplace. At the time when the demand for quality, innovation and client satisfaction has never been higher, tangram works to deliver tailor made, comprehensive and fully integrated design solutions. 1703BU02