Resolving Complex Facade Challenges At Plot 18A, Dubai Creek Harbour Project

At Plot 18A Project, Dubai Creek Harbour, our team encountered a significant challenge that tested our engineering expertise and problem-solving skills. The project, initially designed with a unitised curtain wall system, had to be transformed into a stick curtain wall at the client’s request without compromising performance.

To achieve the same level of performance, we developed a customised stick curtain wall system, enhancing the transom design to accommodate ±35mm interstorey displacement as per project specification requirements. This decision required designing and extruding a new profile, a bold move that could have delayed the project. But with a relentless focus on quality, the system passed all performance tests successfully.

Another critical challenge emerged when Dubai’s new 2018 Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice mandated NFPA 285 compliance, a mandatory requirement that placed our project timeline at serious risk. Our GFRC subcontractor had no prior experience with this test, creating a cloud of uncertainty. With the project already ongoing, the pressure was immense. The fear of test failure and potential delays loomed over us. However, instead of succumbing to panic, we made a decisive choice to proceed with the test despite the risks. This challenge became a valuable learning experience, deepening our understanding of fire safety requirements and showcasing how façade systems can successfully pass rigorous fire testing with the right materials and technical approach. Against all odds, we met the fire code requirements, transforming a potential setback into a success story.