ISG has created a new managing director role for Europe as it looks to meet demand across the continent. Industry professional Aydin Karaduman has been named as the company’s new leader for Europe. Aydin, a former CEO of DIC Asset AG and Bilfinger Real Estate, will take direct responsibility for ISG’s businesses in Germany, France, Spain, Luxembourg and Switzerland. This appointment further strengthens ISG’s global leadership team and demonstrates the contractor’s ambitions to grow its European business across its core office, retail and datacentre sectors. Aydin Karaduman commented: “Watching developments at the ISG business since privatisation in 2016, it’s been clear to me that this is a radical and transformative organisation that has global appeal and a leadership team that supports and nurtures innovation. ISG has big ideas and significantly invests in its people to positively affect that structural change that our industry needs to deliver better for customers. “It’s this ambition and commitment that permeates throughout the global business that first attracted me to join ISG, and I see major opportunities for our European operations as we move forward into what will undoubtedly be a highly dynamic built environment market over the short to medium term.” Matt Blowers, chief operating officer for Fit Out, added: “Attracting leaders of Aydin’s calibre is a real testament to the overall market perception and future growth prospects of the ISG business across Europe. We are breaking new ground in how we operate across the continent, introducing new procurement approaches, technology and enhanced transparency – with a different way of doing business, based on trust, relationships and collaboration.  “Based out of our Frankfurt office, Aydin will spearhead our European operations, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to this pivotal role, supporting both our growing global and domestic customer base to create spaces that help businesses and individuals thrive. He has an exceptionally talented team across Europe, and I’m looking forward to working closely with Aydin as he builds upon our international reputation for excellence.”

According to the 2019 Vitality Index by Lambert Smith Hampton, Edinburgh is the city with the best prospects for UK economic growth, with Cambridge and Manchester coming in second and third place, despite the UK’s uncertain economic and political environment. Compiled every year, The Vitality Index provides a comprehensive assessment of the health of UK towns and cities, considering education, entrepreneurialism, affluence, productivity, growth and environmental factors. By identifying the best destinations to support future economic growth and provide opportunities for business expansion, the top ten rankings for 2019 are as follows: Edinburgh Cambridge Manchester Brighton & Hove Oxford Bristol Reading Guildford Cardiff Colchester Climbing from 2018 position number five, Edinburgh has risen to the top of the ranking, knocking Cambridge off the top spot for the first time since 2016. The city has seen one of the highest rates of house price growth of any location, alongside strong wage growth. The only Scottish location in the top 10, Edinburgh has a highly qualified population and is forecast to see one of the strongest rates of job growth over the next five years. Followed by Cambridge at second place, the city has retained its first place as the most highly educated, being home to the UK’s top-ranked university and one of the highest proportions of residents qualified to a degree level or above. Manchester remains in position number three and is the sole Northern location to rank within the top ten, seeing strong growth in both population and commercial property rents. As one of the fastest-growing locations, the city has shown a robust GVA growth in the UK as well being one of the most entrepreneurial cities of the year. The South East region currently dominate with four locations featuring in the top ten. Brighton comes in fourth place, holding the top spot for growth in commercial property rents. While Oxford and Guildford both fell slightly in the ranking from last year, they remain in the top 10 with Oxford showing the fastest rate of workforce job growth forecast over the next five years. Elsewhere, Reading takes seventh position, having seen a substantial improvement in wage growth. Although still dominated by the South East of England, the Welsh capital Cardiff feature in the top ten for the first time, at position number nine, due to increasing house prices and strong job growth. The city has been forecasted to see job growth of 6% over the next five years, the strongest of all the locations. Colchester also featured in the Index’s top ten for the first time, due to its rates of job growth and the city’s ambitious growth plans, which include a £3bn transformation project. The Essex town is forecast to see one of the fastest rates of job growth over the next five years and has recently witnessed sizeable increase in commercial property rents.

The world’s very first fully functional, and permanently occupied, 3D printed building has been completed in Dubai. Set to open its doors in 2020, the new build, which is going to be a museum titled: The Museum of the Future, is one of the most advanced buildings on the planet. Located near the high-profile Emirates Towers, Sheikh Zayed Road, the building is already being defined as an architectural masterpiece. Enhancing the urban landscape of Dubai, the museum is designed to be a popular destination for tourists, residents and fellow architects/building enthusiasts, to learn about the future now. Offering a space that will teach its visitors about the realities of what we can expect from upcoming technologies means people can glance into the future. It will become the must-be destination for experts, innovators, scientists, engineerings, and creatives from all corners of the globe, who aim to shape and design the future. Currently, the building is the temporary housing for the Dubai Future Foundation, alongside an exhibition space and incubator for emerging technologies. The building itself has been manufactured through an additive concrete printing technique, using a 6 meter high, 36.5 meters long and 12 meters wide, 3D Printer. Cladding was created through insulated panels that were custom cut to form the complex geometry of the facade. Various senses and probes on the building provide continuous feedback on its structural performance that can offer designers valuable information in relation to the future of 3D printing, and how can this can work for high rise builds. Already, Dubai is an established hub for innovation and the new design stands to further encourage future thinking within the city. The museum will support the development of long terms solutions to the challenges and requirements of the future on a local, regional and international scale. Given the advances in prefabrication, materials and robotics that are coming to the attention of the world, it is not difficult to imagine how this one-storey build, could be reproduced at much greater heights in the near future. Transforming the aesthetics and workings of cities across the planet.  

The Middle Eastern city of Dubai is home to some of some of the most beautifully designed real estate projects in the world. The fascinating architectural gems and the breathtaking skyline that the city features are bound to impress everyone. From Burj Khalifa – the tallest tower in the world to Burj Al Arab – the only-seven star hotel in the world, Dubai never falls short of masterpieces. Let’s have a look at some of the best real estate projects in Dubai that define beauty and luxury: Muraba Residences Located on the eastern crescent of the beach community of Palm Jumeirah, The Muraba Residences has been designed by none other than the winners of the 2017 Pritzker Prize, RCR Arquitectes. Defining minimalist international design aesthetics, the development is known for its choice of soft colours and organisation of spaces. The open-plan living areas have been specially designed for natural light to flood in. The full-length glass doors help create a direct connection between the indoor and outdoor spaces. In order to provide its residents with complete privacy, the property features louvered-glass slats that are moulded with a rippling pattern and are incorporated into the building’s facades, thereby restricting views into the residences but keeping the views on the inside looking out. Palm Couture Residences Palm Couture is located on the Palm Island and beautifully combines contemporary minimalism and clarity of detail and complements its residents with a customised living experience. The architects of this project have paid close attention to views, nature, light, and balance, resulting in the homes feature ample light and space, against a stunning assortment of exquisite stones. Palm Couture consists of fourteen residential suites are unique and something that Dubai had not witnessed before. In order to play with natural shadows, the development also features travertine facades that help create unique geometric forms. The best of materials from timeless Italian brands have been used in the project which can be an ideal abode or those who appreciate nature, space, light, and design. Serenia Residences This architectural beauty on the Palm Jumeirah’s East Crescent features architectural excellence and contemporary design. Providing its residents with a tranquil living experience, Serenia Residences also has on offer classy furniture, contemporary interiors and a modern open floor plan. The simplistic contemporary architecture of the development combines gorgeous vistas, cantilevered glass and wrap-around balconies with floor-to-ceiling windows and high-end finishes. The uniqueness of this property lies in the fully retractable glass windows, translucent glass panels in all the rooms that have been used for the first time in Dubai. One Palm The masterpiece of One Palm is located on the trunk of The Palm Jumeirah and features detailed craftsmanship. It has been built using the finest of materials and has been finished to the highest of standards. Reflecting modern and sleek designs, the development also hosts the most expensive penthouse of Dubai. One Palm has been designed by New York-based architects Soma and stands 100 metres tall and is home to 90 apartments, arranged methodically to provide the residents with unobstructed views of Palm to the north and Marina to the south while also maintaining their privacy. Each of the homes also features private outdoor space, proportional to their size. 22 Carat Club Villas Located on the Western Crescent of the man-made island of Palm Jumeirah, XXII (22) Carat Club Villas hosts 22 luxury homes that reminds one of the Renaissance period. The villas feature facades that are classically Italian and are inspired by the architecture of the Tuscan region. The homes come with stucco work, classical columns, pergolas, arched doors, and walkways. They also feature Terracotta finishes, pastel colours, handmade ceramics, and wall paintings. European furniture and fittings add to the Mediterranean feel of the homes. Placed in a terrace structure, every row of the villas has been built on a different level.