The Africa Institute, Sharjah, UAE

Project: The Africa Institute, Sharjah, UAE
Sector: Education
Architect: Adjaye Associates
Client: The Africa Institute
Engineering: WSP
Size: 30,000 sqm
Plan A Appointed: Stage 1 - Stage 3

The aim of the institute is to establish a research-based ‘think tank’, with postgraduate courses (offering both Masters and Ph.D. programs), ultimately creating a new generation of cultural thinkers in African and African Diaspora studies.

The building’s design includes an ambitious series of large-span structures in reinforced insitu concrete, hovering over and shading a sunken courtyard in response to the climate of the region. In addition to these academic buildings (with teaching spaces, offices and library), there is a new auditorium, restaurant and exhibition spaces proposed for the adjacent site. Adjaye Associates are appointed as Lead Consultant.

Plan A’s Key Responsibilities

Plan A’s role was to establish and implement design procedures and protocols for the successful delivery of the project’s design from feasibility stage all the way through to its completion on site.
We established and embedded proven and appropriate protocols and procedures into the management of the team.
We prepared the stage Plans of Work and the Master Design Programme to collaboratively agree a realistic time schedule. These documents identify the Workstage objectives, the overall Workstage milestones and interim milestones with associated deliverables for all design consultants.
We constantly monitored progress against these pre-determined and agreed objectives and milestones. We also set up a meeting strategy for the project and participated, recorded and tracked actions arising from these each of these design sessions.
Plan A were involved in the sub consultancy appointment documents and the scheduling of invoices and payments.