ABSTRACT

This is a research study as a part of detailed research on “a critical study of decision making process in the project management of facades for the tall buildings in UAE”. This study explore into the criteria effects the decisions in the selection of façades for the tall buildings in UAE. Façades of Tall buildings demands specific requirements to withstand the natural forces and to function the performance requirements as a wall without sacrificing the aesthetic requirements. Design, Engineering, Procurement, Fabrication, Installation and Maintenance of facades for the tall buildings faces various criterions such as Façade System Performance requirements, Aesthetics, Cost, Sustainability, Civil Defense and other statutory requirement Compliance. Initial research study shows that the façade selection decisions are influenced by the System performance requirements, Cost factor, Time factor and Aesthetics. Appropriate decisions in the selection of facades will avoid the construction risks such as failure of the facade system performance, function, accidents, increased operational costs etc. The parties involved in the decision making of facades project management are mainly the representatives of clients, architects & engineers, main contractors, facade specialist contractors, façade specialist consultants, statutory authorities, suppliers and manufactures etc. Decisions are sometimes being detrimentally influenced by personal intervention or will be forced to accept a compromise in the final stage due to cost and time impact with motivations of profit. Further study is proposed to explore the possibility of an integrated decision making system in the selection of façades and related materials for the tall buildings.

Key Words: - Tall buildings, Facades, Criteria, Performance, Decisions