COVID-19 Measure: Read Full Magazine Here. Architecture is everywhere. It is inescapable, impacting just about every part of your life, whether you realize it or not.
Your home, the school you attend, the office where you work, all were designed with a specific purpose in mind. Architecture has the ability to materially affect business productivity, the growth of communities, mental health, and even your physical health.
Though there are more than 2.7 million architects across the planet, there are only a handful of architects who have shaped the course of history, capturing the minds and hearts of people around the world. These architects’ influence can be felt across various industries making their way into fashion, product design, and art.
Saying the above, it is important to know that ARACCO started as Fahad Ali Al Jouf and have been refunded as ARACCO Holding Company. Aracco Holding Company is specializes in international trading business in collaboration with its Chinese partners who integrate the company to offer highly competitive and high end products which brings additional value to our clients – fast, reliable and guaranteed quality. The company has the ability to bring together the best professionals to suit their needs and the diversity of both partners, clients and staff.
China as one of the largest manufacturing countries known worldwide and it offers enormous possibilities and solution into a new level of marketing strategies through importing high quality products with low cost price. As the company has long standing relationship with its Chinese partners, ARACCO has what it takes for Middle East business in all sorts of supplies such as construction materials, mechanical equipments, latest technology in manufacturing and factories supplies, office supplies – name it and ARACCO can provide with the rest of our global partners in United Kingdom, USA, Australia, South Africa and soon Mexico.
ARACCO Holding Company aims to become a leader in E-Business all over Saudi Arabia and across Middle East. The mainstay of the company’s strategy is to offer a level of client focus that is superior to that offered by its competitors.
Dr. Ali’s work draws inspiration from nature and effortlessly blends various aspects of modern and classic architect.
His creation of the famous apartment block and villas are impeccable. His work has influenced many architects. Dr. Ali AlJouf is a 21st-century architect that caught the world’s eye with his neo-futuristic style. The Saudi born architect’s work is simple, yet features sweeping, and arching structural curves.
Dr. Ali did the first project in middle east in steel structure.
Ali Fahd Al-Jouf Educational Qualification: Beijing Institute of Technology - End Feb 2013; Beijing, Chao Yang District, China College of Management, Engineering Management; PHD Candidate of Engineering Management Science; Minor in Leadership and revenue management, Submitting Final Research- Kansas State University; Nov 2008 Manhattan, KS, USA; College of Engineering, Major Civil Engineering; Master of Science in Civil Engineering. Minor in Structural Engineering (GPA: 3.00 Out of 4.00)-King Faisal University - June 2004 Dammam, Saudi Arabia; College of Architecture & Planning Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) (GPA: 3.35 Out of 5.00).
Languages Skills: Languages: Fluent in Arabic & English. Chinese beginning.
Training Courses: • 2005: Micro-Station v8i for Advance Users, SLFE, Alkhobar. • 2012: Problem with Greening the Existing Building Stock Workshop, QGBC, Doha. • 2012: Negotiation Skills for Engineers, China. • 2010: Qatar Sustainability Assessment System workshop (QSAS). •2008: Sustainability Conference, Kansas State University.• 2007: Attends professional international conferences such as the North Pacific conference, Honolulu, HI. • 2008: Participates in various leadership workshops such as “leadership program Development”, HI. • 2007-2008 the Green buildings and recycling courses that is related to protecting the environment.
Some Academic Courses: • LEED for Professional Accreditation. • Understanding Sustainable Architecture. • Engineering Economics, Project Planning and Management. • Structure Analysis – Civil Engineering. • Steel & Concrete structure Design – Civil Engineering. • Leadership management- Management, Beijing China. • Revenue management- Management, Beijing China. • Risk Management- Management, Beijing China.
Professional Memberships: • 2007 - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED AP)*
- 2012 - Member of Project Management Institute
- 2010 - Member of Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC)
- 2003 - Member of the Saudi Council of Engineers
Following his university studies, Dr. Ali gained the following experience.
He took the following jobs: • ARACCO HOLDING COMPANY -Project Engineering & Management , Dec. 2009 to Dec. 2013 -Executive Director and Projects Manager Engineers; Contracts Consultant at Zhonglun W&D Law Firm Dec, 2008 to OCT, 2009 Beijing, China; ARAMEX Designing Company - Aug, 2004 to Aug, 2005; Saudi Aramco (Contractor)- Aug 2004 to Nov 2005 Project Engineer; VISION Consultant office -Summer 2003-04 Architectural Intern.
His previous titles and positions: Project Manager & Executive Director for different projects- ARACCO HOLDING COMPANY, Project Engineer & LEADE architect; ARACCO HOLDING COMPANY- Cost Estimator, Planning Unit, Building and construction Department, Supervisor, Building and construction Department.
Some Projects: • Renovation of Oncology clinics at King Fahd specialist hospital. • Renovation of Pharmacy Storages at King Fahd specialist hospital. • Renovation of Emergency clinics at King Fahd specialist hospital. • Renovation of Nuclear medical clinics at King Fahd specialist hospital. • Couple Girls school at Alhassa for 1000 students in different locations. • Designing and renovation theater projects and conference rooms at HIDA in Alhassa. • Hyper markets construction and supervision.
Dr. Ali Fahd AlJouf began his career in December 2013. His work evolved over time. He is one of the prominent Saudi modern architects. His work encompasses many different sectors: from trade fair pavilions to building restoration, and from studies on materials and processes to furniture design. His design idea does not rest on a theory, but rather on a way of relating to the project. He won various prestigious awards.
Nonetheless, Dr. Ali Fahd AlJouf sat down for an exclusive interview with BUSINESS LIFE.
BL: What is the major challenge in the architectural business?
Dr. Ali AlJouf: One of the major challenges is being a global designer in the field that is very rich with old designer from over the world.
Construction in hot countries demands a unique level of expertise to cope successfully with these climatic and geological constraints. From building design to the development of special materials, everything must be thoroughly thought out in advance to optimize costs, at the same time minimizing the project’s carbon footprint.
BL: In your opinion, who are the most influential architects in history?
Dr. Ali AlJouf: Norman Foster is one of the few architects who is working in architect and adding technology as an add value in his designs.
Lord Foster, architects design buildings that will characterize cities for decades or even centuries to come.
BL: Dr. Ali, which are the most iconic and unique looking buildings in Saudi Arabia, the region, Europe and the Unites States of America?
Dr. Ali AlJouf: The most iconic and unique looking buildings in Saudi Arabia, the region, Europe and the Unites States of America are Abraj Al-Bait Towers in Makkah, Khalifa tower in Dubai, Alhamra palace in Spain Gurnatah, Sears towers.
BL: What are your most recent projects?
Dr. Ali AlJouf: My most recent project is Beach House in Eastern province in Khobar.
BL: On which design does your work rely on?
Dr. Ali AlJouf: My work relies on adding the new type of construction in the market.
It is important to add that I did the first project in middle east in steel structure.
BL: From where do you take your inspiration? Is it from geometric design?
Dr. Ali AlJouf: My work relies on Historical and geometric.
Designers apply geometry (along with color and scale) to make the aesthetically pleasing spaces inside. Applying geometry in design is unavoidable.
BL: How technology is changing the way architects design their projects?
Dr. Ali AlJouf: Digital tools have given architects and designers great opportunities to communicate their work to large, international audiences.
Technology and architecture design are developed integrated to work togather to have more applications that can be used in developing not limited to software structures and intimations and visualization and so on.
As well as the construction method to be applied on site or offices in order to have more sufficient work and results.
BL: Would you inform us on the latest Saudi huge projects including Jeddah Tower, which is supposed to be the world’s tallest building?
Dr. Ali AlJouf: TheJeddah Tower project is under construction and has been on hold since 2017 and we are expecting it to be resumed soon.
The Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia, is expected to be the tallest building in the world, knocking Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa off its throne.
Saudi Arabia is modernising, with a succession of huge projects including Jeddah Tower, which will be the world’s tallest building.
BL: What about the construction of giant architectural schemes within the kingdom?
Dr. Ali AlJouf: With the support of the Saudi government, it is most likely to see a focussed emphasis on tourism and construction such as NEOM Projects which is supposed to be completed in 2025, Red Sea Project, Qiddiya Project, The King Salman Park in Riyadh, Ad Diriyah Project, Amaala, Sharaan resort in Al-Ula, Project, Jabal Omar Project, Jeddah and Riyadh Metro and King Fahd Medical City Expansion.
The Kingdom is trying to diversify its economy and that is why it is throwing its doors open to tourists.
BL: What are the updates on Saudi Arabia’s efforts to modernize its infrastructure?
Dr. Ali AlJouf: It was effected for sure with the Corona Virus spreading throughout all countries but now projects are going back on track to be finished on the new schedule time has been set.
Saudi Arabia unveiled a sweeping plan to develop infrastructure and industry across the world’s leading oil-exporting nation.
Saudi Arabia’s goal is to strengthen the private sector’s role in transportation as it develops the Kingdom’s transportation infrastructure. The Kingdom is modernizing its airports and expanding its air cargo facilities.
BL: What are your remarks on Zaha Hadid Architects’ King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre in the Saudi capital?
Dr. Ali AlJouf: Zaha Hadid Architects’ King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre in the Saudi capital is and extraordinary Project.
BL: What is your opinion on the Urban Heritage Administration Centre?
Dr. Ali AlJouf: Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) has been awarded first prize in the competition to build the Urban Heritage Administration Centre in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.
However, more efforts are needed. There are so many historical places and heritage and government has been working on it in alignement with the Ministry of Culture to develop the old building and do the required restoration plans of the old buildings such as Jeddah downtown.
Building restoration describes a particular treatment approach and philosophy within the field of architectural conservation and historic preservation. It emphasizes the preservation of structures such as historic sites and houses.
BL: Foster + Partners’ design an £8 billion transport
system for Jeddah that encompasses a network of new metro, ferry, bus, and cycle terminals, what are your comments?
Dr. Ali AlJouf: It is one of the most important project that will help to reorganize Jeddah transportation system.
Jeddah Metro is an integrated urban masterplan for the 23rd century that outlines a completely unified design vision of the city’s transport system.
The massive new transport network includes metro, ferry, bus, and cycle terminals alongside public spaces at key locations.
BL: What are Saudi Arabia’s top upcoming 20 construction projects?
Dr. Ali AlJouf: Neom, The Red Sea Project,
Qiddiya entertainment city, Amaala, Jean Nouvel’s Sharaan resort in Al-Ula, Makkah Grand Mosque – Third Expansion Jeddah Tower, Ministry of Housing’s Sakani homes, Jabal Omar, Al Widyan, Riyadh Metro, Riyadh Rapid Bus Transit System, King Fahd Medical City Expansion, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Medical Complexes, King Salman Energy Park (Spark), Saudi Aramco’s Berri and Marjan, Hanergy solar park, Dumat Al Jandal wind power plant, Saudi Aramco-Total’s PIB factory and Pan-Asia bottling facility.
BL: What are the top 30 architecture firms in Saudi Arabia and in Europe?
Dr. Ali AlJouf: Among the top architecture
firms in Saudi Arabia are the following: Omrania, Saudi Diyars, Euro Consultan, Zuhair Fayez Partnership Consultant, Saudi Consultant, Foster Partner architect, White architect and AIA life designer.
Among the top 30 architecture firms in Europe are the following: 3XN/GXN, Arkitema, BIG / Bjarke Ingels Group, BDP, C.F. Møller Architects, Foster+Partners, Gmp Architekten von Gerkan, Marg und Partner, Grimshaw, Henning Larsen, Herzog & de Meuron Architekten, HPP Architekten, MVRDV, Nordic Office of Architecture, O.M.A. Office for Metropolitan Architecture, Rafael de la Hoz, RBTA Ricardo Bofill – Taller de Arquitectura, Renzo Piano Building Workshop, RKW+, Saraiva + Associados, Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects, Snøhetta, Sweco, UNStudio, Viguier and White Architects.
BL: Architects are ignoring their own environment pledge, what is your opinion?
Dr. Ali AlJouf: Sometimes, the market requires to do that. However, as a LEED Green Associate, I see that so many architects are working to develop themselves in that field.
Architects will be even more in demandbut they will also have a greater responsibility for helping to build a greener world.
BL: Why are countries building their cities from scratch?
Dr. Ali AlJouf: Lower cost.
BL: What is the future of Saudi Arabia’s cities?
Dr. Ali AlJouf: It is a bright future.
BL: With 68% of the world population projected to live in urban areas by 2050, what is your vision?
Dr. Ali AlJouf: I think the boom in technology will change so many things in the urban design.
BL: What is Saudi Arabia architecture history and what are the present architecture trends?
Dr. Ali AlJouf: Diriyah Gate is the heart of Saudi Arabia’s history. The trend these days is back to develop the history and preserve heritage architecture as well as adding value with new environmentally projects as in RED Sea projects.
BL: Would you enlighten us on architectural transformation amidst Covid-19?
Dr. Ali AlJouf: Connecting with Environment and nature.
BL: What is the business status with your Chinese partners?
Dr. Ali AlJouf: We have stopped working with China for time being due to so many issues and COVID-19.
BL: What are the plans in the pipeline?
Dr. Ali AlJouf: We are keen to be among the top 100 architecture firms that concentrate on technology.
Thus, we focus on all scales of construction, from simple buildings to urban design and production technologies in a large scale buildings.
