Best Practices, Innovations in the Design and Building of Tall Structures were Explored at the Smart Skyscrapers Summit 2017

WEDNESDAY MAY 03, 2017

The Smart Skyscrapers Summit 2017 endorsed by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and Etihad ESCO began today at Sofitel Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa. Organized by global conference producers, Expotrade, the summit was inaugurated by H.E. Ahmed Buti Al Muhairbi, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Energy along with H.E. Abdalla Hassan Al Muaini, Executive Director - Conformity Scheme Services, Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council.

Dr. Andy Davids, Design Director - Tall Buildings, Aurecon Engineering International delivered the keynote address on the topic ‘Tall Stories from Dubai: Lessons from the Past to Guide our Future’. He was followed by Faisal Rashid, Director - Demand Side Management, Dubai Supreme Council of Energy who spoke on the role of tall buildings in the Dubai EE program.

Over 200 senior delegates from across the Middle East region attended the summit and keenly followed Dr. David Fisher, Founder and Chairman, Dynamic Architecture Group, Italy’s session on Dynamic Smart Tower. Dr. Fisher’s proposed ‘rotating tower’ has piqued the interest of many, as it will be the world’s first rotating skyscraper once completed.

Over 25 speakers from within the region and across the globe participated in case study presentations, panel discussions and keynote presentations on pertinent topics for the building and construction of high-rises, ranging from intelligent building technologies to innovation in building facades, from smart elevator technology to fire-safety for high-rise structures, amongst many others.

One of the most notable presentations of the day was from Michele Pasca di Magliano, Associate Director, Zaha Hadid Architects, UK on ‘Skyscrapers as Catalysts for Social Interaction’. During his session, he emphasized on the social need for innovation in architectural design, the impact of high rises on urban design and how design excellence forces the development of the construction industry.

Premium sponsors KONE, MMFX Steel, Scott Bader, Geoscope, Kinemetrics, GE Performance Coatings, Thomas Bell-Wright and Carlo Gavazzi along with the other networking sponsors will showcase their innovative products and solutions at the summit.

The topic of discussing the complexities involved in designing innovative tall buildings was covered in a panel discussion with industry experts from SOM, Dynamic Architecture Group, Perkins+Will and RSP Architects Planners & Engineers. Day 2 of the summit will cover topics including digital FM, liability issues and loss transfer following Dubai’s recent skyscraper blazes and trends in sustainability for skyscrapers, to name a few.

More information on the summit is available at http://www.smartskyscrapers.com/. Follow the Summit on social media with the hashtag #SKYSUM2017.