Atkins wins Engineering Firm of the Year at the 2nd Annual Middle East Architect Awards

Of a possible 10 awards presented during the gala dinner in Dubai, Atkins was short listed as a finalist in three categories, Engineering Firm of the Year, Young Architect of the Year (Obada Adra) and Best Completed Project (Almas Tower).

In addition, Atkins' work on the Dubai Metro Red Line was recognised, with the RTA winning the Infrastructure Project of the Year (finished project) category which acknowledges projects that effectively connect people within urban centres and offer the best options for sustainable, efficient transportation.

The winners were judged by a panel of experts, consisting of industry-leading academics, architects and engineers from around the Middle East who were particularly impressed by Atkins commitment to sustainability and research into reducing energy consumption in high rise towers.

Bruce Maney, Project Director, Rail Projects for Atkins in the Middle East was on hand to collect the award in front of 200 leading professionals from the region's architecture industry, including architects, developers, service providers, contractors and building owners.

"This award highlights Atkins' commitment and capability to integrate architecture and engineering in truly sustainable design," he said.

It is a rare honour to receive an 'Engineering' award at an Architectural Awards event. It is recognition and a true reflection on the significant advances Atkins has made in the delivery of sustainable engineering solutions to our clients in the Gulf States in 2009.

"It is relatively easier to deliver sustainable solutions on small boutique projects but Atkins has excelled in delivering the much more challenging task of viable sustainability in high rise structures such as the Bahrain World Trade Center and the Dubai International Financial Centre Lighthouse Tower. This was recognised by the awards panel and key to their selection of Atkins as the recipient,"

Bruce added.

"Atkins' key involvement as lead designer of the Dubai Metro Red & Green Lines is contributing to the reshaping of Dubai as a sustainable city with realistic choices of available transportation modes to reduce its dependence on private cars," he said.

Middle East Architect Magazine is the only audited title for architecture in the Middle East, with a certified circulation in over 60 countries.