What is your assessment of the importance of including Qatari heritage in the real estate and construction sector?

ECG has been involved in a number of heritage reservation projects across Qatar aimed at refurbishing and maintaining a number of heritage buildings and old castles. All the authorities in Qatar including Ashghal, MME, MoT, and PEO strive to maintain the Qatari heritage in all their respective projects. In many cases, we mix the Qatari style in architecture with the modern style to maintain our legacy and culture and, at the same time, add nice and modern features. Souq Wakif is an example where the legacy was maintained. ECG was involved in many similar projects including boutique hotels in Souq Wakif as well as the Al Wakrah heritage hotel and facilities.

How will new technologies impact the engineering and architecture industries in Qatar in the medium term?

The future of the construction industry can be transformed by integrating three main new technologies: lean practice; sustainability; and building information management (BIM) system, all aligned together. ECG is registered as one of the design and construction service providers for GSAS and green buildings in Qatar, being the first consultant to register a four-star building in Lusail. ECG is also proudly one of the main recognized sponsors of the lean construction movement in Qatar developed recently through the LCI-Q organization. Many of our engineers are certified to implement the lean construction technology in our projects, especially with the current practice to include lean specialists in many governmental projects.