Since completing construction of Package Two in 2016 – the 45,000 sqm Exhibition Centre, 4,200-space car park and associated landscaping – Omran employed SSH to move straight onto Package Three, the Convention Centre portion of the project. The Convention Centre design includes a 3,200-seat lyric-style theatre with two galleries, a second 450-seat auditorium, 19 meeting rooms with full AV installations, a Grand Ballroom with 1,200-seat banquet capacity, a Junior Ballroom with 540-seat banquet capacity, a food court, and associated back-of-house facilities.
Like Package Two, which was officially accredited with LEED Gold Certification from the Green Building Council in the USA in 2017, Omran and SSH are also seeking LEED Gold accreditation for the Convention Centre phase of the scheme.
SSH was originally appointed in 2010 as the Engineering sub-consultant for the OCEC Package 2 Exhibition Centre design stage, preparing final design and construction documentation for tender. Subsequently, in 2012, SSH was appointed by Omran as the Architect and Engineer of Record and in that capacity completed the detailed design and construction documentation for the Convention Centre phase, together with the site infrastructure and hard and soft landscaping designs for the project.
This fully integrated precinct developed by Omran within the development zone of Madinat Al Irfan – a world-class, urban mixed-use development – is located just four kilometres from Muscat International Airport. The Exhibition Centre has hosted well over 100 events and seen more than 750,000 visitors walk through its doors, marking OCEC as a truly iconic development with a global profile. The award of LEED Gold Certification also cements the building design’s sustainability credentials.
LEED certification is official recognition that a project complies with the requirements prescribed within the LEED rating systems as created and maintained by the US Green Building Council.
This rating system evaluates the environmental performance of a building and encourages market transformation toward sustainable design. The system is credit-based, allowing projects to earn points for environmentally friendly actions taken during construction and use of a building. There are six categories in which a project can earn credits:
- Sustainable Sites
- Water Efficiency
- Energy and Atmosphere
- Materials and Resources
- Indoor Environmental Quality
- Innovation in Design
With a perfect score for water efficiency, the OCEC Exhibition Centre Package Two achieved an overall credit score of 65, exceeding the threshold for LEED Gold Status.
Omran aims to mirror the LEED Gold success already achieved for the Package Two facilities with a similar Gold award for the Convention Centre phase of OCEC, and SSH are responsible for ensuring that this target is achieved.
“Design integrity has always been a priority for SSH and we have a proud track record of involvement in design-led landmark projects,” said Danny Warde, Resident Director of Oman at SSH. “We have always promoted the seamless integration of all design elements, including structural materials, mechanical and electrical systems, interior finishes and landscape features. It was, therefore, crucial to us that all these elements are interwoven into the architectural fabric of this particular project to provide our clients with beautifully balanced architecture and a sustainable, cost-effective building.”
He added: “To repeat the LEED success we saw with the OCEC Exhibition Centre for the OCEC Convention Centre would be a proud moment for our client, Omran, and for SSH in Oman.”
OCEC is the first significant venture for Oman into the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) markets. The centre will act as a gateway to Muscat and draws on Oman’s strong cultural heritage, architectural traditions and natural beauty, thereby driving growth in the country’s tourism sector, as well as engagement from the local community.
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ABOUT SSH
SSH is one of the leading master planning, infrastructure, building design and construction supervision firms in the Middle East, with a reputation for design integrity and a portfolio that includes landmark projects throughout the region. The firm maintains offices in Abu Dhabi, Algeria, Bahrain, Dubai, Iraq, Kuwait, London, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.
Founded in 1961, we employ approximately 1,400 high-calibre local, regional and international experts in their individual fields, most of whom are from globally renowned international consultancy firms. We ranked 3rd architecture company in the Middle East among the top 100 Architects in the world and number 1 design firm in the cultural sector in the world by World Architecture Magazine in 2015 and 2016.
We were also ranked in 91st place among ENR’s Top 225 International Design Firms for 2018.
SSH's multifaceted practices include architecture, urban design and planning, landscape architecture, structural and civil engineering, MEP/building services, interior design, highway and bridge engineering, stormwater drainage, utility design, sanitary engineering, marine engineering and district cooling, in addition to high-profile project management and construction supervision services.
ABOUT OMRAN
Omran drives the investment, growth and development of the rapidly growing tourism sector in the Sultanate of Oman. We are the master developer of major tourism, heritage and urban developments, delivering some of nation’s most iconic projects. We create new destinations and unique experiences that benefit the social and economic growth of the Sultanate. Omran was established by Government mandate in 2005 in line with the vision to strengthen and diversify the economy, and we achieve this by growing the capacity, scope and potential of the tourism sector in Oman.
Our portfolio of projects, asset management expertise and investment experience embraces the unique aspects of Oman’s culture and heritage, while safeguarding the natural beauty of the country for the future generations. The Sultanate of Oman is blessed with all the elements to support the rapidly growing tourism sector, offering stunning vistas and a rich cultural heritage. As a peaceful and unique destination, regional and global interest in Oman as a tourist destination continues to gain momentum.
We have a proven track record of delivering tourism and related projects to a world-class standard, due to our core philosophy of sustainability, transparency and partnering with renowned regional and international investors. Importantly, by working in close collaboration with our own communities, as well as the public and private sector, sustainability is built into every project.
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