Tarek Shuaib

Headquartered in Kuwait, Pace has grown to become one of the leading multi-disciplinary consultancy firms in the region, with an international reputation for design, quality, timely delivery, safety, value, and cost effectiveness.

Pace has completed phase one of the New Palace of Justice Kuwait, the largest judicial building in the Middle East. What were the challenges associated with this project?

This project marked one of our initial ventures into overseeing the entire Building Information Modelling (BIM) process, from inception to completion. Despite our extensive track record in managing diverse projects, this endeavour stood out due to the fact that it was transitioned to the contractor for execution. With construction conducted across three continuous shifts, our engineering team maintained vigilant on-site supervision. The innovative minds at Pace crafted a building design distinguished by an expansive glass façade, fortified external walls, and an overarching goal to embody transparency in the realm of justice through architectural language. Our commitment extends to integrating a new structure alongside an existing one, with our current mandate overseeing the project’s second phase and designing a linkage between the historical and new buildings. Anticipating potential future modifications, including the prospect of demolition, we adopted meticulous documentation through digital cloud mapping technology to create a comprehensive digital record of the older building. This facet of the project presents an invigorating challenge that we are eager to embrace.

Pace also delivered the Hawally Courts Complex. What were the critical innovations for this project?

Pace proudly received the esteemed Social, Cultural & Heritage Project of the Year 2021 award, acknowledging our exceptional contributions. Building on the success of notable projects like the Palace of Justice, the Jahra Court Building, and the Farwaniya Court Building, the Hawally Courts Complex posed a distinctive challenge with its limited site size. In response, we engineered the largest glass façade at the time, strategically enhancing natural light penetration from the north. Additionally, we incorporated sustainable elements such as solar panels and efficient air conditioning systems to address the project’s environmental considerations.

What are the strategic plans for Pace within the Middle East?

With a robust presence in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, our success in forging partnerships with premier real estate companies has been remarkable in recent years. Recognising the evolving landscape where large-scale private sector projects are dwindling, we’ve strategically redirected our focus towards the Public Authority for Housing Welfare. Despite this shift, we maintain a healthy mix of private sector projects within our portfolio. The Saudi market stands out as a key arena offering substantial opportunities for growth. While the Bahrain market has exhibited variability, experiencing a lull after the completion of a significant project in Marassi, we anticipate potential expansion into the South Gulf region in the 2025-2026 timeframe, influenced by evolving market dynamics. Our expertise extends to significant infrastructure projects, collaborating with esteemed regional and international funding agencies such as the Kuwait Fund, Arab Fund, Saudi Fund, World Bank, and European Development Bank. These projects predominantly span across Africa and the former CIS countries. Presently, we are actively engaged in projects in Albania, supported by the European Development Bank, constituting approximately 10% of our business operations. Contributing to the development of these nations has been exceptionally rewarding, as we leverage our expertise to foster growth and progress across diverse regions.

What sustainable elements are you integrating into your new projects?

We are committed to securing certifications from esteemed rating systems such as LEED, Estidama, and GSAS, which hold prominence in the Gulf region. Sustainable design is ingrained as a core philosophy at Pace, yet we recognize the potential for further advancements. This may involve the integration of more efficient building systems, enhanced recycling mechanisms, or the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. Our dedication to sustainability is underscored by the presence of specialized sustainability experts across various departments within our organization. Furthermore, we firmly believe in broader societal engagement, particularly through educational initiatives on sustainability in schools. Such endeavors have the potential to significantly amplify awareness and drive collective action toward a more sustainable future.