Construction

AlUla Development Company (UDC) has commenced construction on the NUMAJ, Autograph Collection hotel, marking a significant step in advancing its development pipeline and supporting the transformation of AlUla into a global tourism hub.

The milestone was marked by a site visit attended by senior officials, including representatives from Royal Commission for AlUla, underscoring the collaborative effort behind the project’s delivery.

The move signals the transition of NUMAJ from planning to execution, reinforcing UDC’s role in delivering key assets aligned with AlUla’s long-term masterplan. The company is positioning the project as part of a broader strategy to create high-quality, investment-ready developments that enhance the destination’s global appeal while supporting community growth.

Scheduled to open in 2027, the 250-room property will be operated by Marriott International under its Autograph Collection brand. The design has been developed by GioForma, drawing on AlUla’s landscape, cultural heritage and historical links to astronomy. The name “NUMAJ” is inspired by the star system Nu Ursae Majoris, reflecting the region’s historic role as a navigational reference point for travellers.

The hotel is intended to offer a blend of resort-style accommodation and culturally immersive experiences. Plans include multiple dining venues, wellness facilities and a mix of business and leisure amenities, all integrated into a design that reflects the character of the surrounding environment.

Sustainability is a central feature of the project. The development is targeting LEED Gold certification, incorporating measures such as greywater recycling for irrigation, the use of locally sourced materials, and energy-efficient systems. Design elements also align with AlUla’s Dark Sky policy, which aims to minimise light pollution and preserve the clarity of the night sky.

NUMAJ forms part of a wider portfolio of projects being delivered by UDC to support AlUla’s evolution as a destination for tourism, investment and residential development. These initiatives contribute to Saudi Vision 2030 by promoting sustainable tourism and diversifying the Kingdom’s economy.

With construction now under way, the project represents another milestone in the ongoing development of AlUla, as the region continues to attract investment and establish itself on the global tourism map.

Doka has delivered a full suite of formwork and scaffolding systems for Sportz by Danube, a distinctive residential development in Dubai Sports City. The project comprises twin high-rise towers designed around an active living concept, combining extensive leisure facilities with apartments that each feature a private pool.

To keep pace with an ambitious build programme, Danube Properties and HRE Construction engaged Doka to deploy engineered systems aimed at improving productivity while maintaining strict safety standards. Construction began in November 2024 and is scheduled for completion by December 2026, requiring tightly managed workflows across both towers.

A key challenge was sustaining rapid and consistent casting cycles at height without compromising precision. For the vertical cores, Doka implemented its SKE50 plus automatic climbing formwork alongside a large-area beam system, creating a hydraulically driven, crane-independent solution. This approach allowed uninterrupted progress on the core walls, even during peak crane utilisation elsewhere on site. Enclosed working platforms also helped improve site conditions by shielding crews from heat, dust and wind.

On the slab side, Doka introduced its Dokadek 30 panel floor formwork to streamline horizontal construction. The system’s modular design simplified installation and enabled early striking through its drop-head mechanism, reducing material demand and accelerating floor cycles. This efficiency proved critical in keeping the project aligned with its delivery targets.

Beyond system supply, the project highlighted Doka’s focus on service integration and resource optimisation. The company undertook refurbishment of the contractor’s existing formwork inventory, extending its usability while ensuring compliance with safety and performance standards. This reduced the need for additional materials and supported a more cost-effective execution strategy.

Pre-assembled components also played a role in improving site productivity. With Ready-to-Use elements delivered directly for installation, labour requirements were reduced and staging constraints eased, an important factor on a dense high-rise site.

According to project stakeholders, the combination of engineering support and material optimisation contributed to a competitive balance between cost and performance. The collaboration builds on a long-standing relationship spanning more than three decades, enabling aligned planning and efficient communication throughout the project lifecycle.

As structural works advance towards completion, Sportz by Danube reflects how industrialised construction methods and integrated service models are reshaping high-rise delivery in Dubai, offering a more controlled, efficient and scalable approach to complex urban developments.

Musanadah Facilities Management has named Brad Robbins as its new business development director to drive growth and reinforce its leadership in Saudi Arabia's fast-growing integrated facilities management market.

Robbins has over 25 years of experience managing facilities and assets across the GCC and Australia, with a history of improving operations, growing businesses, and introducing new ideas across various building projects. His work has focused on sustainability, efficient asset use, and improved facility management.

He was previously chief operating officer at FMTech, owned by PIF, where he developed facilities management plans that supported industry growth in Saudi Arabia.

Earlier, he worked as director of facilities and asset management in the UAE for a large, luxury, mixed-use developer, and as managing director of BGIS Australia, where he oversaw growth and operations for major Australian defence infrastructure projects.

In his new role, Robbins will build key relationships with property owners, developers, and government groups, increasing Musanadah’s presence in the sector and boosting revenue across the Kingdom. He will also grow Musanadah’s total facilities management services by offering a wide range of tailored support for key infrastructure and large-scale projects.

Commenting on the appointment, managing director Nigel Wright highlighted that Musanadah is a key contributor to Vision 2030, supporting Saudi Arabia’s ambitious transformation through its participation in giga-projects and national infrastructure programs. He said this is a key addition to the team as Musanadah continues to strengthen its market position.

“Brad’s appointment strengthens our ability to communicate Musanadah’s full IFM capability, particularly the strength of our MEP and hard services expertise that underpins everything we do.”

Wright added that Musanadah’s technical capability plays a central role in delivering consistent service across complex portfolios. He said: “Our advanced MEP and hard services capability is the foundation of our multi-award-winning IFM model and a key differentiator for Musanadah, backed by benchmarking to internationally-recognised Institute of Asset Management standards.

“This enables Musanadah to deliver consistent, high-quality service across diverse environments, from major metropolitan developments and critical infrastructure to Vision 2030 projects such as AlUla in remote desert locations, including Kingdom-wide operators such as Najm Insurance, which operates more than 50 sites across the Kingdom.

“This technical and engineering capability, together with our full-service IFM model, are key differentiators for Musanadah, ensuring optimal asset performance, tech-driven resilience and long-term value for our clients.”

Robbins said Musanadah’s established technical depth provides a strong platform for future growth. He said: “Musanadah already delivers world-class facilities management across complex, multi-sector portfolios. Our focus moving forward is to ensure the market clearly recognises the depth of the company’s technical expertise, particularly in MEP and asset lifecycle management.”

Robbins added: “By strengthening strategic partnerships with asset owners and developers, we will continue to expand Musanadah’s role in delivering integrated facilities management solutions that enhance performance, sustainability and operational resilience for high-value, large-scale projects across the Kingdom.

“Our mission is to continue expanding Musanadah’s TFM client base through our industry-leading range of customised support solutions for critical infrastructure, giga-projects and Vision 2030 sites while always ensuring the high standards of client satisfaction and operational excellence for which Musanadah is known.”

Musanadah’s expanding project list includes education (NAVA), logistics, and key infrastructure, such as developments in King Abdullah Economic City, Jeddah Ports, DP World facilities, and national broadcasting infrastructure (MBC). More growth is expected in retail, oil and gas, and healthcare through Musanadah’s hospital-level ISSA membership and training standards.

Musanadah’s model combines MEP and hard services, soft services, security, energy, and engineering management. These are supported by ISO certifications and advanced asset management systems.

Musanadah was recently named Best FM Company in Saudi Arabia at the SBIA Awards for the second consecutive year and also received the 2025 MEFMA Award for Community and Social Impact in FM.

Yanmar’s new SV10 mini excavator. (Image source: Yanmar)

Yanmar Compact Equipment EMEA has launched its new SV10 mini excavator, designed for space-restricted environments

Developed for the evolving demands of the 0-2 tonne segment, the SV10 focuses on delivering precise control, ease of operation and dependable performance across a wide range of applications.

It is designed for construction and urban infrastructure projects, rental and fleet operations, as well as municipal and landscaping applications.

According to Yanmar, the launch comes at a time when the 0-2 tonne segment accounts for 39% of the construction machinery market and continues to grow, driven by strong demand from construction and rental professionals.

“At the heart of the SV10 is its compactness,” a company statement read. “With an overall width of just 740 mm in its narrowest configuration, the machine can pass through standard doorways and operate in tight indoor or urban environments with ease.

A variable undercarriage also allows operators to extend the width to 990mm for enhanced stability when required, offering the flexibility to adapt to different working conditions.

“Its small swing radius, combined with a 60° boom swing, delivers precise control and positioning in highly restricted areas,” the statement added.

“From indoor renovation and demolition, to urban works and other sensitive environments where precision and minimal disruption are essential, the SV10 is designed to operate where larger machines cannot reach

Despite its compact footprint, the SV10 still delivers strong and reliable performance.

Powered by a Yanmar 3TNV70 engine delivering 9.2 kW of net power, the machine achieves digging forces of 5.2 kN (arm) and 7.6 kN (bucket), alongside a maximum digging depth of 1,800mm.

“A wide working range and compatibility with multiple attachments enable the SV10 to adapt to a variety of tasks, from trenching and landscaping to light demolition and utility work,”the statement added.

“Such versatility makes it well suited to contractors managing diverse projects, as well as rental companies seeking to maximise fleet utilisation.”

Ease of operation features include improved ergonomics, with repositioned side levers and intuitive controls, for a smooth and comfortable user experience, even for less experienced operators.

This can be valuable in rental environments, where machines must be quickly understood and safely operated by users with varying skill levels.

“The SV10 has been designed to maximise uptime and minimise operational disruption,” Yanmar noted.

“With an operating weight of 1,055 kg and transport weight of 1,180 kg, the machine is easy to transport between sites and quick to deploy, supporting efficient workflows for contractors and rental fleets alike.”

It added: “Straightforward maintenance, including a tilting engine bonnet for fast access to key components, reduces service time and keeps machines in operation longer. Combined with Yanmar’s proven engine reliability and a design focused on low total cost of ownership, the SV10 delivers dependable performance over time.”