IBRAHIM MOHAMED JAIDAH
AEB covers the whole spectrum of building construction consultancy for government and private clients regardless of project type or size, growing from seven to 600 employees over the past 30 years.
BIOGRAPHY
Ibrahim Mohamed Jaidah is the first architect from the GCC to design a World Cup stadium. He ranks as a pioneer of a new architectural movement that combines the far-reaching influences of Islamic architecture with modern style, creating memorable landmark structures. In each project, he attempts to retain the identity of his culture and embrace the modern. His projects are considered to reflect the cultural, historical and environmental context in which they exist. As an award-winning and published architect, his focus on vernacular architecture has brought a new dimension to the architectural field in the region.
Can you tell us about your main milestones and achievements in the last 30 years?
We deliver projects of various scales and typologies and have diversified teams of experts within their respective departments. We provide architecture and engineering design and consultancy services encompassing mechanical, electrical, structural, civil, infrastructure, and sustainability engineering services and architectural, interior, and landscape design services. Our services cover the entire spectrum of building construction consultancy for the government and private clients regardless of the project's type or size. There have been certain major milestones in my career. When I acquired the firm, there were seven people employed at AEB and slowly, we built it up, reaching 600 employees now. We started small but with each tender won, we grew the team, and that lead to another job and more tenders.
What has been the role of AEB in the construction of the Al Thumama stadium?
The design proposal for the Al Thumama stadium was a design tender won in 2016. Since then, we have worked on the design and engineering of the stadium with firms from all over the world. We are the main design architects but have brought in international specialists for FIFA compliance and security. We worked with 15 consultants from around the world. Al Thumama is only one of the eight stadium planned for the 2022 World Cup, and it is currently under construction. We have a team of about 50 people managing the construction, controlling the quality and the time of the build. At the same time, we are busy with other projects. We are doing hotel projects because hospitality is a booming sector now. As the city is growing, schools and cultural projects are also important, so we are involved in several cultural projects, whether it is restoring older buildings and rehabilitating them or creating museums. In addition to hospitality, education, and cultural sectors, retail projects are also major part of our current project portfolio.
What is your assessment of the future needs of architecture and construction, and how it will change the panorama in Doha in the coming years?
Things are changing rapidly, and the train is already running. With such a massive, state-of-the-art infrastructure, the potential to continue growing will remain, because with the best rail system and the best highway systems, the city can grow. It is easier to grow with such an infrastructure.
What is your relationship with universities and young Qataris who dream of becoming architects?
We participate with universities such as VCUQ and have an award of excellence that we sponsor. We have been doing this for the last 13 years. We like to participate in the community and give back. We train many students. Every year, we have internships, and this summer we have 20 people in different departments. Qatar University has a great school of architecture, and it graduates many young architects, so demand is growing because the country needs more architects.
What is your perspective on how architecture will evolve as a concept in Qatar?
In the coming years, before the World Cup, I am expecting many things to change. There is an ambitious plan in the next few years to enhance the entire pedestrian and cycling walkways for all streets. Landscaping is becoming a focus for the years leading up to the 2022 World Cup, and big budgets are being allocated for such projects. The city will evolve to become a world champion, and that is extremely important. Designing and building sustainably has already become a law, so all government buildings have to meet certain criteria to be green buildings. The city will evolve in the next few years with all this infrastructure and smart technologies. The main stadium will also be state of the art.
IBRAHIM MOHAMED JAIDAH
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Interview
Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, CEO, Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority
Given its successful performance in the last few years, QFC is optimistic it will be able to capitalize on Qatar's ongoing efforts to create a world-class business environment and attract more global companies.
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Lolwah R M Al-Khater, Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is focused on pushing forward Qatar's foreign policy, sharing information and perspectives that could be useful for regional security and advancing the Qatari narratives on many issues facing the world today.
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Richard O’Kennedy, Vice President, Research, Development, and Innovation, Qatar Foundation
The first country in the world to track its citizens' genomes, Qatar is on track to make one of modern science's biggest breakthroughs by personalizing medical treatment and precision care.
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Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, Minister, Transport and Communications (MoTC)
With plans for a fully electric bus system and an impressive set of interconnected transportation options including metro, rail, and tram, the Ministry of Transport and Communication is shifting mobility into the next gear in Qatar.
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Sheikh Abdulla Bin Saoud Al Thani, Governor, Qatar Central Bank (QCB)
Encouraging local manufacturing, initiating self-sufficiency in dairy and farm products, expanding into new air and sea routes, offering select visa-free entry, and enacting fiscal reforms are but several of the successful reforms undertaken since 2017.
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Sean Kelly, Project Director, Place Vendôme
Place Vendôme is no ordinary mall: with 650 hotel rooms, a 6,000-sqm cinema with 18 screens, six slides, three toboggan runs, and an ice river opening in September 2020, it is looking to slide into Qatar's tourism infrastructure in time for the World Cup.
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Mehmed Zingal, General Manager, Turkish Airlines - Qatar
With its 30th year celebration of its Miles&Smiles club launch in Qatar, Turkish Airlines is acknowledging its continued diligence to provide the best customer service, with targets to increase customer happiness through innovative technologies and increasing tourism to Qatar for the future.
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Hassan Rashid Al-Derham, President, Qatar University (QU)
Ranked in the top-500 universities by the Times Higher Education, Qatar University improves students' academic success by supporting students throughout their academic lifecycle, from the pre-university stage to beyond graduation.
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A lesson learned
The international attention set to fall on Qatar over the coming years is significant only to the extent that it generates advances in human capital required by Qatar's blueprint, National Vision 2020, where local know-how and innovation advance the nation and promote wellbeing.
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Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, Minister of Public Health & Managing Director,, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC)
The health minister is committed to continuing the growth of Qatar's healthcare system, with plans for more than 20 new facilities specializing in pediatrics, geriatrics, and mental health.
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