Click here to go back to News 2002
Completed Projects
Construction work was completed on the Mediterranean Industries offices for the Mediterranean Industries in Amman. Faris Bagaeen designed the 550 square-meter, 450,000 JD (640,000 $US) project, which consists of the renovation of an existing building.
The Mediterranean Industries building
The Mediterranean Industries building
Construction work was completed on the Queen Rania al-Abdullah Park in Umm Nuwwara in eastern Amman. The park is part of a plan that aims at achieving comprehensive social and economical development in this high-density residential area. The Municipality of Greater Amman designed the project to include a children’s center, vocational center for women, health clinics, outdoor playgrounds, fountains, and sitting areas. The 2.6 hectare park cost around 2.5 million JD (3.6 million $US). (Source: al-Ra'i, February 19, 2002.)
Initiation of Projects
Construction work began on the outdoor works of al-Hussein National Park for the Municipality of Greater Amman. These works, which are expected to cost 600,000 JD (860,000 $US), include a children’s playground, fountain, skating rink, and a theater that overlooks an open playground for children under the age of thirteen. Jafar Tukan and Partners designed the 2,100 square-meter theater. The park includes other components such as the King Hussein Memorial, museums, sports areas, and a cultural village. (Source: al-Ra'i, February 6, 2002.)
Construction work began on the first phase of the Dead Sea Development Project by the Municipality of Greater Amman. This first phase of the 13.8-hectare project, which lies along the Dead Sea, involves the construction of promenades, seating areas, and restaurants. The project is part of the municipality’s efforts to contribute to development plans in the provision of leisure facilities for the Jordanian public. The total expected cost for the project is 1 million JD (1.4 million $US). (Source: al-Ra'i, February 6, 2002.)
Completed Designs
Jafar Tukan and Partners completed designs for the renovation of a number of primary healthcare centers in Jordan. The renovation projects for the Jordanian Ministry of Health are part of the Primary Health Care Initiatives (PHCI) program that USAID (the United States Agency for International Development) is funding to improve healthcare resources in Jordan. The project, which is expected to cost around 440,000 JD (630,000 $US), includes the renovation of about forty primary healthcare clinics located throughout the country. The total area of the clinics is over 3,300 square meters.
New Commissions
Dar al-Omran was commissioned to design the Tamdeen headquarters tower located in Sharq, Kuwait for the Tamdeen Real Estate Company. The 6,000 square-meter project is estimated to cost 4.6 million JD (6.6 million $US).
The Tamdeen Headquarters Tower
Arabtech - Jardaneh Consulting Engineers and Architects were commissioned to design the offices of the Arab Thought Forum in Amman for the Arab Thought Forum. The 1,350 square-meter project is estimated to cost 220,000 JD (314,000 $US).
Competitions
Tahhan and Bushnaq Architects and Turath (Heritage Conservation Management and Environmental Design Consultants) received first prize for their joint entry in the competition for the design of the Children's Museum at al-Hussein National Park in Amman. The competition was organized by Her Majesty Queen Rania’s Office in association with the Municipality of Greater Amman. Faris and Faris Architects received second prize, and Symbiosis Designs shared third prize for the competition with the office of Ayyoub Abu Dayyeh. The 10,000 square-meter site will contain 4,500 square meters of built up areas, and is expected to cost about 2 million JD (about 2.8 million $US).
The design scheme for the winning entry centers on presenting contemporary issues through stories taken from mythical children’s literature and popular Arab-Islamic historical narratives. For instance, concepts relating to the environment and bio-diversity are linked to Kalila wa Dimna, the fourth-century Indian animal fables that were translated into Arabic during the eighth century. The themes of earth sciences and geography are linked to the narratives recounted by the renowned fourteenth-century Moroccan traveler Ibn Battuta. The main exhibition spaces aim at linking both myth and reality in an interactive manner to provide children with a memorable learning experience.
Joint entry by Tahhan and Bushnaq Architects and Turath
Joint entry by Tahhan and Bushnaq Architects and Turath
Joint entry by Tahhan and Bushnaq Architects and Turath
Entry by Faris and Faris Architects
Entry by Symbiosis Designs
News from Academia
13 students received their bachelor's degrees in architecture from the Applied Sciences University in Amman, 5 from the Jordan University of Science and Technology in Irbid, and 5 from the University of Jordan in Amman.
Lectures
Fuad Malkawi, assistant professor and chairman of the Department of Architecture at the Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) in Irbid, delivered a lecture at the Center for Studies and Research for the Contemporary Middle East (CERMOC) entitled Imagining Cities and Regions: The Condition of Physical Planning in Jordan.
Other News
The Ministry of Public Works and Housing launched their web site at www.mpwh.gov.jo through the National Information Center. The web site includes maps and information on the road network in Jordan, in addition to sections on national building codes, road safety, construction regulations and technical specifications, as well as the duties and organizational structure of the ministry. The launch of this web site is part of a plan that aims at computerizing work at the ministry and providing its staff with computer training. (Source: al-Ra'i, February 6, 2002.)
The Municipality of Greater Madaba is implementing the Memory of the City project that aims at providing visitors with information on the evolution and formation of this historic city. A permanent exhibition will be established as part of the project, and will include historical photographs and documents dating back to the period of Ottoman rule. The program is intended to become a documentation center for the city, and also plans to establish a web site that makes the information it has collected available to the wider public. (Source: al-Ra'i, February 26, 2002.)
The Jordanian Cabinet approved the establishment of a National Committee for the Protection of Cultural and Architectural Heritage. The mandate of the committee includes providing a legal framework for extending legal protection for the country's cultural and architectural heritage to cover the period after 1700 AD, which is where present legislation stops. The committee will be responsible for surveying and documenting architectural heritage sites, in addition to maintaining records of alterations, renovations, and conservation attempts carried out on those sites. (Source: al-Ra'i, February 14, 2002.)
Back to News 2002
Back to News