GHD to design and build premier villas at Saadiyat Beach district

Saadiyat Island is being developed by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) as a major international tourism destination.

The 27 sq km island will host two of the world's finest art institutions - the Guggenheim and the Louvre; a number of five-star resorts which capitalise on its vast white sand beach; two golf courses; three marinas with berthing for 1000 vessels; and numerous boutique hotels and eco-retreats.

The island - the Middle East's largest single natural island development - will eventually be home to more than 160,000 people. It is being developed in three phases and is expected to be complete by 2018.

GHD has recently been appointed to provide public realm landscape architecture services for the premier residential villas that are part of the Saadiyat Beach district, one of seven distinct districts on the island.

GHD will develop the landscape master plan and documentation for the public realm of the residential villas, which will include community and local parks, streetscapes and gateways.

GHD is also providing architecture, interior design, engineering and landscape architecture services for the adjacent Saadiyat Beach apartment project comprising almost 1000 residential apartments. The standard, medium and premium residential apartments are encompassed in 14 buildings of Mediterranean and Arabesque style. GHD is providing design management, architecture, structure, air-conditioning, electrical, plumbing, infrastructure, civil, landscape, interior design and sustainability services.

Alan Lindberg, manager of GHD in Abu Dhabi, said the company was proud to be involved in such a remarkable development.

"As a member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, GHD is committed to managing the social, economic and environmental impacts of its operations and to helping its clients manage theirs,"

he said.

"This project showcases our diverse capabilities in design and engineering. In particular, our knowledge and skills in hydro-design and environmentally sustainable development are helping our clients to adhere to TDIC's strict environmental guidelines, which have been developed to protect the island's unique marine environment."

GHD is also providing design, construction services and sustainability advice to the developer of The Shangri-la Resort and Spa, one of a number of five-star beachfront hotels planned for the upmarket Saadiyat Beach.

GHD is an international professional services company. Our people deliver innovative solutions by combining technical skill and experience with an understanding of our clients' objectives and aspirations.

GHD employs over 6,500 people in a network of offices throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the Middle East, the Americas and Europe.