COWI stands strong in Oman 

Commercial and hotel building projects, rehabilitation and rejuvenation assignments, port developments – and most recently the construction of two new airports. Over the last 15 years COWI has established a reputation second to none for itself in Oman, where the consultancy firm has been involved in the construction of numerous landmark and distinctive developments and buildings. Assignments generally carried out via COWI’s subsidiary COWI and Partner LLC Consulting Engineers and Planners, which presently employees over 40 quallified staff.

"COWI has established a reputation for itself in Oman, where we are known for our ability to deliver on-time, top quality projects,” says Marco Malpiedi, who is responsible for international building projects for COWI and has lived in Oman for eight years leading the local office. “At the same time, we realise our projects with respect and understanding for local traditions, culture and style, combined and drawing on our internationally renowned technical expertise. You could say that we technically marry the 21st century with age-old local traditions."

Markedly distinctive buildings

Among the many prominent and distinctive building projects that COWI has been involved in are the rehabilitation and expansion of the Central Bank headquarters in the capital Muscat, and the famous former capital Nizwa, where COWI has modernised the entire town with utilities, roads and bridges and built an entirely new souq. The architect behind these developments is Ole Brogaard Larsen, who is also the chief architect for the two new airports.
The country has so enthusiastically embraced the aforementioned building projects that they are prestigiously pictured on the Omani bank notes. In addition, both projects received national and regional awards..

BMW showroom and hotels

COWI continues to attract complementary attention with the recent completion of both the new BMW showroom in contemporary style featuring large glass facades and the hotel Chedi Muscat. The result is an Oriental dream, with Omani arches pointing to the heavens reflected in the small ponds in front of the hotel. It is like something out of 1001 Nights.

COWI is currently involved with a number of challenging new projects within entertainment and culture, education and leisure pursuits.

By Christina Tækker, cht@cowi.dk  

Posted 21.01.2004