AS project manager for one of the region’s most prestigious ceramics facilities, the responsibility for the successful completion of the Future Ceramics’ factory rests squarely on Gulf Consult.

The architectural and engineering consulting firm has been associated with Future Ceramics’ factory since April last year, providing complete project management, starting from bid analysis of contractors’ quotations; negotiation and award of contracts; supervision of contractors’ works; monitoring progress and reporting it to the client; and quality control and quality assurance during all stages of construction, according to Hasan Dawood Mageed, general manager, Gulf Consult.
The company’s scope of work also includes preparation of value engineering proposals analysis and recommendations, project control inclusive of cost control and cost estimates preparation, and project commissioning and handover of the contractors’ work.
According to the company, the first phase of structural work – which started on site in June last year – is nearing completion while the remaining phases of electromechanical works and site works are ongoing. Gulf Consult’s contract, estimated to be worth SR2.5 million ($667,000), is to be implemented over approximately 18 months.
“Future Ceramics is a very prestigious project for Gulf Consult, considering its significance as a modern factory, which would deliver a very important product of high quality to the construction industry in the region and abroad. The company is proud to have taken up this challenging project,” he adds.
The challenges involved in the construction of the factory were unique for Gulf Consult since the design of the plant and equipment provided by the Italian designers had to be successfully adapted to the local conditions of Saudi Arabia, and the entire  infrastructure of utilities was to be constructed for the factory.
Since its establishment in 1980, Gulf Consult has been involved in several significant projects in Saudi Arabia.
It is curently engaged in the  design and supervision of Saudi Agriculture Development Company (Sadco) feed mill in Al Kharj, Riyadh, which will have storage capacity of 140,000 tonnes of feed; the Al Shola commercial and hotel complex; the 33-storey Babtin Twin Towers, and Al Andalus Mall, which covers 40,000 sq m for as a commercial centre and 12,000 sq m for hypermarkets.
The Al Shola complex will be constructed in the same location, in Al Khobar downtown, where the old Shola market existed. It will be a multipurpose project, with three floors for a commercial centre having 340 shops, two floors for offices having 160 offices, and 18 storeys marked for a five-star hotel.
“All these projects have been designed by Gulf Consult. Construction is expected to start soon on the first three, while Al Andalus Mall is already nearing completion. Sadco, meanwhile, is in the process of awarding the construction contract,” says Mageed.
Another important project that Gulf Consult has designed and supervised is the Amwaj Resort, located 60 km south of Al Khobar at Half Moon Bay.
The project is almost complete and expected to be handed over shortly. Spread over 1 million sq m, the resort has  430 villas and chalets and three large lagoons which would offer a marina, water sports facilities and beaches.
The project has its own water and sewage treatment plants. Irrigation, electric and telecom networks will cater for high standards of infrastructure construction.
The 7 km of roads within the project are equipped with streetlights and green areas, while the beach-access road was built with interlocking tiles.
Though the global downturn has affected Gulf Consult this year just like most other businesses, three preceding very good years have provided the company with reserves for this year and possibly the next, says Mageed. “2006, 2007 and 2008 were our best years, when business growth exceeded 70 per cent. Demand for engineering services was very high in almost all types of projects, ranging from huge industrials projects, to hyper retail complexes, and big new suburbs,” he says.
As for the region’s construction sector, Mageed says that since most of the money comes from oil, only government-financed projects will be active over the next five years.
Gulf Consult Architects & Engineers was founded by engineer Ali Al Harbi in 1980 in Al Khobar to provide a variety of general engineering services.
In order to cater to the demands of Jubail’s industries – including the Royal Commission and Sabic companies – Gulf Consult upgraded its operations in 1991 to provide comprehensive engineering services.
The company now provides engineering services in design, construction, supervision and management for industrial, housing, commercial, office, hotel, recreational, educational, and sports projects. In addition, it also provides services for feasibility studies of projects and land survey and other related services of approvals from local authorities for project design and execution.
Gulf Consult also specialises  in town planning and urban development projects.
It has a multi-national workforce of 67 people, which includes teams for design, supervision and management, topographical surveys, and business development and financial administration.
The company is capable of quickly deploying manpower in all engineering fields and technical and secretarial staff at any location within the kingdom. Its main office is in Al Khobar with offices in five other sites.