Project update: Sandoval Lane and Gardens, Dubai
Bavaria Gulf director Raymond Lefevre explains why German standards were used in the development of Dubai’s newest community.
Bavaria Gulf director Raymond Lefevre explains why German standards were used in the development of Dubai’s newest community.
Sandoval Lane and Gardens is an AED260 million development located in Dubai’s Jumeirah Village.
With the second phase now almost completed the project, consisting of 36 town houses and a 165 unit apartment complex, is also built to meet LEED standards.
In addition to marking a first for Bavaria Gulf’s Middle East portfolio, it is also the first TUeV certified project in the region; a quality benchmark regulated by independent German evaluator TUV SUD.
“TUV SUD assures quality compliance through rigorous and detailed project inspections conducted during various stages of project development starting from design to a year down the line from the date of delivery,” says Bavaria Gulf director Raymond Lefevre.
While Jumeirah Village falls within Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), which has its own environmental compliance for developments, Lefevre says Bavaria has a track record of “green construction”
in its native Germany and has built the project to LEED standards Features include 250mm thick masonry units on exterior walls; Henkel’s German combo roof system, using 65mm polyurethane insulation foam, to minimise heat transfer from outside.
Additionally all windows, which have been imported from Germany, are completely airtight, exceeding local insulation standards by 50 %. Motion sensors are also installed in common areas and corridors to regulate the use of lighting and HVAC systems.
“By conserving the demand on the air conditioning and reducing energy consumption, we strive to substantially reduce the carbon foot print of the project,” Lefevre explains.
“I personally am in favour of environmentally aware developements as they are sustainable and
economically viable.”
“Not only do they turn out to be cheaper in the long run but we also build green as part of our social responsibility towards the community,” he adds.
In order to meet the self imposed standards Bavaria imported the bulk of both construction and fit-out materials from Europe. Products were supplied by the likes of NEFF, Hans Aa, Thyssen Krupp, Legrand and Comtur.
In addition to the environmental inspections, Bavaria also introduced a Home Orientation Programme, a quality assurance initiative allowing owners to jointly inspect their property, as per German regulations.
“Our experience of over 15 years in a highly matured, quality driven and regulated market like Germany, helped us to follow a clear end user focussed strategy from the very beginning and add greater value to Sandoval Gardens,” Lefevre concludes.
