Attracts international attention and enters final award stage

Bahrain: 8 July 2009: Bahrain World Trade Center (BWTC) Bahrain's iconic landmark and the world's first commercial development to have integrated 'Wind Turbines' in its design has been shortlisted in the selection process for the NOVA Award 2009. The NOVA Award is an annual award instituted by the Construction Innovation Forum (CIF) since 1989, to recognise innovations proven to be significant advances that have had positive, important effects on construction to improve quality and reduce cost.

A NOVA Award Engineering Investigator is expected to visit BWTC to conduct a thorough investigation and submit a confidential report to the Jury for its review. The Award winning innovations will be announced at the NOVA Award Banquet on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at Buena Vista Palace resort in Orlando, Florida, USA.

The criteria for the awards focus on innovative techniques and methods which improve quality and reduce cost of construction, in all of which the BWTC scores highly. Designed by Atkins, the world's eighth largest design firm, the iconic building is the first in the world to suspend electricity-generating wind turbines between two commercial tower structures, surpassing existing construction boundaries. The three 29-metre diameter turbines produce between 11 to 15 percent of the total electrical consumption of the building. The office towers also incorporate a number of other environmentally-sound energy efficient measures.

Mr. Bob Addison, Country Manager and Director of DTZ, BWTC's leasing and managing agents, said: "We are honoured to be one of the eight high-calibre projects shortlisted for the NOVA Award 2009. The award recognises innovative techniques and methods which improve the quality and reduce the cost of construction and BWTC is a true testament to the viability of the project's design."

BWTC has already received international acclaim for its groundbreaking design and multiple awards; the most recent being the 'Best Tall Building' in the Middle East and Africa region for 2008.  Previous accolades include honours from Building Design, Construction Week and Building Exchange.

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About Bahrain World Trade Center
Situated on the Manama waterfront and in the heart of the region's leading financial and business hub, the Bahrain World Trade Center (BWTC) project comprises the two 50-storey sail shaped twin office towers, the five-star Sheraton Hotel as well as MODA Mall, Bahrain's only ultra high-end shopping destination, featuring some 160 luxury retail outlets as well as a host of modern cafes and exciting fine dining eateries. 

The BWTC provides leading regional and international organizations with a world-class business address. The buildings are highly advanced in design and operation and are the Kingdom's first intelligent offices, employing the latest SMART systems capable of delivering unsurpassed security and maximum competitive advantages and efficiency in office management. In addition, they are the first of their kind in the world, using wind energy to provide 11 - 15% of the electricity needs of the office towers.

Other benefits enjoyed by local and international businesses occupying space at the development is membership to the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA). Locating at the BWTC offers an exceptional opportunity for connectivity with the global business community. With more than 300 centers in 100 countries, WTCA has a membership of approximately 750,000 commercial enterprises worldwide.  

ABOUT ATKINS
Atkins (www.atkinsglobal.com) plans, designs and enables the delivery of complex capital programmes for clients in the public and private sectors across the globe.  Atkins is the largest multidisciplinary consultancy in Europe; the largest engineering consultancy in the UK; and the world's eighth largest design firm.

Atkins' current projects include:

  • Design and programme management of the civil works for the Dubai Metro red and green lines

  • High profile resort developments, such as Durrat Al Bahrain, a spectacular 20 sq km seaside city resort on the south coast of Bahrain comprising 13 man-made islands

  • Award-winning architectural landmarks such as the Bahrain World Trade Center

  • Ground breaking industry enterprises such as Manama's Tabreed Cooling Plant

  • Major infrastructure works, including the Olympic Park for the London 2012 Olympics

Atkins was named among the "20 Best Big Companies to Work For 2008' by The Sunday Times; The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers 2007; and The Times Top 50 Companies Where Women Want to Work 2008. The company was also sector winner in the Target National Graduate Recruitment Awards for the second successive year in 2007.

ABOUT THE NOVA AWARD
The NOVA Award was instituted by the Construction Innovation Forum in 1989 to recognise innovations that have proven to be significant advances and have had positive, important effects on construction to improve quality and reduce cost.

NOVA Awards have been awarded to advances in all areas of the construction industry, including innovations in the construction process, and in materials, design, detailing, fabrication, equipment, procurement, contract administration, management, labor relations, training, and safety that improve the construction process. The NOVA Award has also recognised projects for their innovative concepts and methods.

The Nova Awards are presented by the Construction Innovation Forum at its Innovation Celebration Banquet each year.

CIF has presented more than 80 NOVA Awards to innovations involving 12 countries: Canada, China, Egypt, Finland, France, Great Britain, Holland, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and United States. The more than 600 nominated innovations from more than 20 countries are described in the CIF Nomination index.

About CIF
The Construction Innovation Forum (CIF) is an international, non-profit organisation formed in 1987 to recognise and encourage innovation that improves the quality, efficiency and cost effectiveness of construction.

For press information contact:
Neena Punnen
Hill and Knowlton                                               
Tel: +973 17539514
Fax: +973 17533370
Email: neena.punnen@hillandknowlton.com

© Press Release 2009