Culture, Education and Leisure

AIRSIDE HOTEL - MIDFIELD TERMINAL BUILDING (MTB) / AUHOTEL

United Arab EmiratesContractors: HAKAS Contracting LLC

AIRSIDE HOTEL - MIDFIELD TERMINAL BUILDING (MTB) / AUHOTEL - Gypsum International Trophy 2025

Project description

Situated at the heart of Zayed International Airport, AUHotel is the first hotel to be constructed within the terminal area of the new airport. It is designed as a temporary rest space for the millions of passengers who, each year, transit through the airport to the 120-plus destinations it serves, worldwide.
The hotel offer a range of 112 affordable twin and superior rooms and suites, which can be booked on a six, twelve or 24-hour basis, to offer maximum flexibility for guests.

Main information

Sustainability certification goal

Building size

90 000 m²

Building purpose / type

Hotel

Building owner name

Abu Dhabi
Airports

Architect name

Bluehaus
Group

Contractors

HAKAS Contracting LLC

Company name: HAKAS Contracting LLC

Main Representative: Junaid Khan

Number of collaborators: 250

Specialties: High end gypsum partitions and ceilings, Works in complex gypsum fitout and technical works, Biggest cinema theater contractor in the UAE

Founded in: 2005

Biography: HAKAS is a pioneering leader in the Middle East, specializing in innovative interior solutions for hotels, restaurants, malls, offices, showrooms, commercial buildings, and villas.

Key Challenges

Custom Structural Details: Special build-up details were needed, requiring structural verifications.
Time-Consuming Technical Support: Extensive review of shop drawings and site inspections were required, adding to the workload.
Special Testing Coordination: Arranging a 55 dB system test with a third-party lab was challenging but essential for the project and future work.
Logistics: Limited delivery and meeting hours had to be carefully planned to avoid disrupting hotel operations.
MEP & Ceilings: Standard ceiling solutions didn’t work, necessitating custom umbrella details and wall-to-wall support systems.
Tight Timeline: The project faced delays but had to be completed within 4 months

Key Achievements

Client Experience: Saint-Gobain built a strong relationship with the client, as we successfully worked on the main airport terminal project. This led to their trust in our solutions and commitment to completing the project on time while providing complex solutions in the shortest possible timeframe.
Coordination and Planning: We held weekly meetings to resolve technical issues and develop material purchase plans, ensuring production ahead of time. Additionally, we maintained a security stock for unexpected requirements, ensuring smooth operations throughout the project.
Special Details and Testing: The special details and acoustic tests we conducted were invaluable in enhancing our systems’ performance and played a key role in securing future projects. The investment of both time and money in these efforts proved to be highly beneficial.
Factory Location and Site: With the factory located just 20 minutes from the job site, we were able to provide timely support, which also helped us score additional suitability points for the project.

Sustainability in the project

One of the reasons Saint-Gobain was selected to supply materials for this project was that they were produced within 50 KM of the site, helping the project score Esitdama points.
During the design phase, we replaced blockwork with gypsum partitions, offering a lightweight solution with fewer limitations and faster installation.
The design achieved 55 dB sound insulation between rooms, effectively reducing noise transfer, which was a key consideration for the project.
Automatic lighting systems and sensors were incorporated to reduce energy consumption, aligning with sustainability goals.
The project is currently under review by the Esitdama community for a Gold rating, which we are optimistic about achieving.