LEADING global aluminium systems provider Reynaers Aluminium will be returning to Qatar’s biggest construction event – Project Qatar – next month (May 12 to 15) at a venue which is one of its best project references in the country.

Participating at the event for the second consecutive year, Reynaers Middle East anticipates another valuable networking opportunity with various stakeholders in the country including fabricators, architects, contractors and even project owners, providing it with a first-hand insight into what the market requires.

“This year we are very excited about the venue of the exhibition – the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) – for which the major aluminium works have been done by Reynaers Aluminium. What better reference to give to our valued customers than the prestigious QNCC where we can actually point out to the impressive 16-m-long façades installed and proudly say that these have been undertaken by Reynaers!” says Ali Khalaf, managing director of Reynaers Middle East, the regional office of the Belgium-based Reynaers Aluminium.

He continues: “Last year, we had a great turnout of visitors, resulting in large to midsized project inquiries. What is good about participating in this event is the open-house meeting approach of these events.”

The event will also help the company penetrate the business-to-commerce (B2C) sector, on which Reynaers has been focusing since 2013. “Project Qatar plays a key role in the B2C sector as sophisticated end-users are heading to construction exhibitions in order to source better quality doors and windows for their homes. This is where Reynaers will be introducing some of its latest offerings including the newest sliding door with an ‘infinite view’ – the Hi-Finity,” says Khalaf.

Elaborating on this product, he says: “The ultra-slim design of the Hi-Finity sliding door creates large transparent surfaces, with a light, sleek and elegant appearance. This fully transparent and accessible sliding door seamlessly extends the interior space of a house to the outdoors.

Khalaf ... excited.

“And despite the minimal visual sidelines, the system’s high strength allows Hi-Finity to carry the weight of a large glass pane up to 500 kg. This, in combination with the high energy performance and the minimalistic look, makes this product the best solution for low-energy contemporary architecture.”

Different opening designs offered include duo rail, three-rail and a central closing option, thus providing solutions for up to six movable glass panes per application. The specially designed wheel base allows easy sliding of the glass panes, which guarantee that even large openings can to be easily manually operated, he says.

For an even higher level of comfort, a concealed motor opens the vents automatically by the push of a button or on the remote control.

Hi-Finity has already won accolades, having been awarded the design and innovation label, Henry van de Velde 2013, by Design Flanders. The Henry van de Velde Label is a quality label for Flemish design, which recognises the authenticity, innovation, creativity, finish and added value of the product and functions as a quality guarantee for the general public.

Reynaers latest range of luxury handles called ‘Purity’ will also be showcased at the event. This series combines next-generation material and mechanical properties with the superior Italian design capabilities of Leo De Carlo, who has previously worked in the studios of Philippe Starck.

“De Carlo has studied both Reynaers’ culture and its recent project successes to capture the essence of his observations in Purity, resulting in a timeless, minimal and rational design,” says Khalaf. “But Purity is much more than just a great design. The combination of the material and its surface treatment makes the handles non-corrosive, hypoallergenic and 100 per cent recyclable.”

Other products showcased will include some of the products that are in demand in Qatar such as the CW 50-SC and CW 65 curtain-walling series, the CP 130 and ES 50 for door and window applications and the BS, the preferred sun-screening system in this market. In addition to these products, the CS 77 series of doors and windows will also be exhibited at the event.

“The CS 77-BP (bullet proof) and CS 77-FP (fireproof) are specially designed in keeping with the current safety and security requirements of several projects,” Khalaf points out.

The CS 77-BP series can be used to create bullet-proof doors and windows according to the most stringent European standards. The system’s fireproofing properties are achieved by introducing a special cooling material into the profile chambers and by using self-adhesive and water-resistant swelling gaskets, he says. “We have already installed the first bullet-proof systems in Qatar for a shooting range which is a learning academy,” adds Khalaf.

The Hi-Finity sliding door ... expansive view.

Reynaers’ initial prestigious project in Qatar was the Sports City Tower built back in 2006 for the Asian Games, which is now well known as the upscale Torch Hotel, says Khalaf as he explains Reynaers’ role in the development of the country’s modern infrastructure.

“This was until QNCC came into the limelight and now we have steadily continued to execute some of the landmark construction projects in the country,” he adds.

Its other major projects in Qatar include the QNCC car-park, Al Meerah Mall in Mubrrek, Al Jasrah Twin Towers, several branches of the Qatar National Bank, the Engineering College at the University of Qatar and Zikreet office building.

Reynaers is now set to add yet another landmark to its portfolio with the Qatar Foundation (QF) headquarters. The company has completed the supply of bespoke aluminium systems to meet the unique requirements of the building.

Elaborating on the bespoke solution for the QF headquarters project, Reynaers Middle East’s technical manager Abdulla Mayoof says: “Reynaers proposed a customised solution for the external façade and skylights due to the unique requirements of the project where a large internal void had to be accommodated as part of the overall design. A new bespoke façade system was designed covering the stone cladding while a customised solution was also used for fixing the units between the concrete constructions. We had to create new profiles for the skylights using the stick system concept.”

Reynaers was last year involved in carrying out the large-span facades for another Qatar Foundation building. The main product series used in this project were the CW 50, ES 50 and the ES 50 Pa CD variants.

Another project that is nearing completion is the West Car Park, the main car-park of the Education City, where the CW 50, CW 60 and CW 50-SL façade systems have been installed. In addition, the BS 100 has been used for the louvres and walkway systems in this project.

Reynaers Aluminium, formed in 1965, is one of Europe’s leading specialists in the development and marketing of innovative and sustainable architectural aluminium solutions for windows, doors, curtain-walling, sliding systems, sun screening and conservatories. It has acquired a strong market position in the 30 countries where it has its own sites and exports to more than 60 countries on five continents.

Reynaers will be present at Stand A1 at Project Qatar.