Ramboll supports LINQ in obtaining the approval for Dubai’s first multi-storey modular volumetric building system

Ramboll, in collaboration with LINQ (a subsidiary of ALEC Engineering & Contracting) and EMAAR, has successfully obtained the Dubai Municipality approval for the first multi-storey modular volumetric building system in the city.

The approval from the Dubai Municipality means the potential applicability of this modular building system in diverse residential or commercial developments of varying scales and types within Dubai. It further demonstrates the Dubai Municipality’s vision and eagerness to be the global hub for construction innovation, aligning with Dubai Municipality’s commitment to advancing sustainable practices and making Dubai one of the world’s most advanced cities when it comes to modern methods of construction.

Ramboll provided engineering and consultancy services to LINQ, supporting the entire process of obtaining modular system approval from the Dubai Municipality. Ramboll’s scope of services included structural engineering, MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing), fire safety, acoustics, and logistics for the design and development of the modular system.

The new modular system license will allow LINQ to lead the implementation of highly sustainable and customised developments, comprising up to seven-storey buildings (G+6). The system is designed using innovative and more sustainable techniques, leveraging industrialised processes, along with optimised materials. The module chassis will be fully manufactured off-site in the factory, including MEP services and architectural finishes, and subsequently installed on-site.

Alessandro Marzucchini, Buildings Associate and MMC lead at Ramboll, who is leading the design for the innovative LINQ modular building system, commented: "Over the past few decades, Dubai has undergone rapid urbanisation primarily centred around traditional construction methods. Obtaining approval from the Dubai Municipality for the first multi-storey modular volumetric building system is a significant milestone. It signals the government's commitment to a transformative shift towards innovative design and construction. Modular construction has the potential to reshape Dubai's built environment, promising up to 50% increase in construction speed, reduction in project costs, enhanced design efficiency, improved quality and safety, lower carbon emissions, and the creation of a more resilient urban landscape."

The size of the construction market in the UAE was estimated to be US$86.7billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at an Average Annual Growth Rate of more than 3% between 2024 to 2027¹.

In the UAE, the government supports innovative organizations pioneering advanced construction techniques, particularly in modular construction. The introduction of this paradigm translates to a more rapid, safe and controlled production of high-quality buildings catering to diverse stakeholders, including the hospitality sector, residential developments and commercial projects.

Aligned with the government's sustainability vision, these modular systems adhere to the industry’s highest quality standards, offering precision-built solutions with adaptability to a broad spectrum of architectural ambitions. Modular building designs are created using an interoperable digital platform including parametric tools and Building Information Modelling enhancing material optimisation with a minimal amount of waste, designed for quick assembly and flexibility. This design process promotes efficiency and repeatability while preserving the building aesthetics, making it suitable even for highly ambitious architectural designs.

The license was granted at a ceremony held at LINQ’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Dubai Industrial City, with the attendance of several officials from Dubai Municipality and top executives from Investment Corporation of Dubai, ALEC, and LINQ.

Ramboll has a proven track record of successfully supporting developers, modular manufacturers, and key stakeholders in obtaining the necessary consent and endorsement from government bodies and authorities to implement innovative modular building systems. Some of the recent examples include the HKU’s Student Residence at Wong Chuk Hang in Hong Kong, completed in 2023, and the Senja Nursing Home in Singapore, completed in 2020.

¹ United Arab Emirates (UAE) Construction Market Size, Trend Analysis by Sector, Competitive Landscape and Forecast, 2023-2027 (globaldata.com)