happeningsvolume 27 // november 2011

hot of the presses

hafa adai from guam

working in azerbaijan

leadership in water services

south bend office expansion

global reach

project highlight abu dhabi equestrian club

national award runway 5-23 rehabilitation

in the news

featured speaker jeff decker

featured contract award cleveland, ohio

hot off the presses

The project was se-lected because of its con-tribution to its surround-ings and its demonstrated use of best practices and innovative solutions uti-lized to solve complex construction challenges. The towers are the first A-grade buildings to be de-livered on the high-profile Al Reem Island mega proj-ect. The award was an-nounced at the seventh-annual Construction Week Awards program held in Dubai on November 1st.

As lead consultant for the project since its inception, RW Armstrong provided comprehensive design, permitting, and site supervision services to assure compliance

with design intent. It also performed tasks related to complete detailing of the construction contract documents. The towers were designed to concept stage by the U.S. architectural practice Arquitectonica, under contract to lead consultant RW Armstrong. Sorouh Real Estate is the project developer.

Sun Tower and Sky Tower are designed to be the signature devel-opment of Abu Dhabi, a breathtaking welcome marquee to Shams Abu Dhabi, Al Reem Island. The development incor-porates sustainable de-

(story continued on page 8)

Abu Dhabi’s Sun and Sky Towers project recently received one of the United Arab Emirates’ most prestigious awards—Construction Week’s GCC Residential Project of the Year.

We’re excited to announce that RW Armstrong has secured two major contracts on Guam. First, we’ve been selected by

the Guam Economic Development Authority (GEDA) to provide consulting services to the Guam Program Management Office (PMO). There are a broad range of capital improvement projects included in the scope of this program along with the design and construction of a cultural facility that will reflect Guam’s Chamorro culture. RW Armstrong was also selected by the Guam Power Authority (GPA) to act as its PMO to oversee

critical upgrades to the island’s infrastructure. Watch for more details about the projects in Guam in the coming months!

*(Pronounced “half a day”, hafa adai means hello in the Chamorro language.)

hafa adai* from guam!

inside

#150 on the Top 500 Design Firms List.

#37 on the Top 50 Program Management (PM) Firms List.

#54 on the Top 100 Construction Management-

for-fee (CM) Firms List.

nationallyranked

Sun and Sky Towers

2

In 2008, RW Armstrong began work on one of the most high-profile projects in the Republic of Azerbaijan: building a highway connecting Baku, the Republic’s capital, with the Russian Federation border. When complete, it will be the first modern high-speed toll road in Azerbaijan and will facilitate travel, trade, and tourism throughout the country and the region.

In June, 2011, I was one of five engineers from our Indianapolis and Austin offices who volunteered to join the RW Armstrong team already in place in Baku to help with the project design for eight weeks. We represented a variety of specialties from road design and water services to specialty structures, CADD, and IT support. In this article I’d like to share a little about the project itself, as well as what it was like to live and work in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan is one of the world’s oldest known petroleum-producing re-gions, with two-thirds of the country rich in oil and natural gas reserves. It is also known for its rich mineral deposits and thriving agriculture industry and is one of the top caviar-producing sites in the world because of its prime location on the Caspian Sea.

Baku is a city with beautiful archi-tecture and an expansive port. Like most of the oil-rich developing cities there is development and construction throughout the city, with a primary goal of attracting tourism. The downtown appeals to people from all walks of life with upscale shopping, fine dining, and

attractive parks. In many ways, the lifestyle is much less hectic than in the U.S. For example, dinner can be a two- to three-hour event that is really more about enjoying your din-

ner companions company than simply eating.

One of the most popular tourist and recreation areas is the Corniche, an area along the Caspian Sea that is being rapidly revitalized. Oil tanks and shipping yards are being replaced by cultural and commercial buildings, shopping, restaurants, and areas for family activities. On Friday and Saturday nights the Corniche bustles with activity.

Our project—which is part of a $3 billion infrastructure initiative—con-sists of 58 kilometers of four-lane, high-speed roadway and associated infra-structure. We are serving several roles: design lead, construction standards developer, and construction manage-ment. As a roads designer I helped with mainline highway design while others

designed road and river bridges or cul-verts and drainage.

One particularly interesting aspect of this project is that it was being deliv-ered via a design-build approach, which means that the project is being de-signed as it’s being built. This requires a great deal of flexibility and the ability to adapt quickly to shifting specifications.

As you might expect, communica-tion was challenging. Most of the popu-lation speaks Azerbaijani with forty per-

cent speaking some Russian and only about 10 percent who speak some English.

After spending just eight weeks in Baku it became easier

to order food, navigate the city, and communicate with the local population. I never tired of looking out the window at the Caspian Sea or admiring the architecture. Despite the challenges of adapting to a new culture and language, I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. It’s definitely an experience I won’t soon forget!

working in azerbaijanBy Tammy Schroeder

58 km of four-lane, high-speed toll road / 12 sections / 16 road bridges / eight river bridges / five diamond interchanges / two cloverleaf interchanges / one roundabout / construction cost $3 billion

the project

The project site

The RW Armstrong team (from left to right): Robert Watson, Servet Kudunogly (Yuksel Turkey), Mustafa Yeni (AIS), Don Noble,

Murat (Yuksel Turkey), Ali Riza Evin, Kevin Rearick, Tammy Schroeder, Zouheir Farah,

Mark Dummett, Daniel Kurdziel

A plaza in Baku

3

By Jill Hayth

In July, the Indianapolis Department of Public Works (DPW) hosted the 5-Cities Plus Conference, which brought together top engineers and officials in the public works industry from across the Midwest. This year’s conference offered a variety of opportunities for attendees to learn about the latest developments in water services engineering, public policy, and green infrastructure and to obtain professional development hours.

Of special note, RW Armstrong was represented at the conference, with five of our water services team members presenting:

� Indianapolis Consent Decree: Amendment No. 2: Technical Basis for Modification: Chris Ranck (RW Armstrong) with Steve Nielsen (Citizens Energy Group) and Doug Reichlin (Strategic Partner)

� The City of Indianapolis’ Approach to Solving Localized Drainage Problems: David Clark (RW Armstrong) and Jon Stolz (Christopher B. Burke Engineering)

� CIP Shell in Municipalities & Agencies: A Case for Small IT: Jim Lutterbach (RW Armstrong) and Bob Masbaum (Citizens Energy Group)

� Extended Sanitary Sewer Dewatering Operations = Free City Water? Angela Smith (RW Armstrong) and Bill Grout (Citizens Energy Group)

� Directions, We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Directions—Tunneling in Downtown Indy: Jeremy Kosegi (RW Armstrong) and Glen Morrow (Burgess & Niple)

This summer, RW Armstrong’s staff in South Bend, Indiana, welcomed staff from the Merrillville, Indiana, office. To accommodate our growing team, we expanded our office by almost 35 percent, from 3,500 to nearly 5,000 square feet. Located directly south of the University of Notre Dame

in Eddy Street Commons, the updated space captures RW Armstrong’s unique corporate culture.

Since the South Bend office opened in 2009, our team has grown from two employees to 20. Our growth and success has been based on the depth of expertise and quality of the talent we bring to our roadway and bridge design, water/waste water design, and construction inspection services. Our team brings enthusiasm and energy as well as years of experience in a broad range of engineering fields.

This recent expansion demonstrates RW Armstrong’s commitment to the Northern Indiana market. “It’s exciting for our team to work with the many outstanding clients we have throughout the region,” commented Susan Al-Abbas, who leads the South Bend office. “We are delighted to be a part of a firm with a stellar reputation, which is known for our commitment to exemplary services.”

By Jill Haythleadership in water services

By Mary FelixBy Jill Hayth

south bend office expansion

Chris Ranck

Angela Smith

Dave Clark

Jeremy Kosegi

Jim Lutterbach

It’s exciting for our team to work with the

many outstanding clients we have throughout

the region.—Susan Al-Abbas,

South Bend Regional Manager

The RW Armstrong South Bend team (from left to right): back row – Eric Geyer, Darrin Green, Jay Sullivan, Matt Gavalek, Ryan Clark, Brian

Arterbery, Dale Wills, Phil Gralik; front row – Mary Felix, Jennifer Helleyer, Brenda Smith, Barbie Swihart Stutzman, Jamie Poczekay, Susan

Al-Abbas, Michael Voll (not pictured - Michael Vereb)

4

Below is a map showing RW Armstrong offices around the globe along with descriptions of some of the new contracts RW Armstrong has been awarded in the past few months. Congratulations to everyone whose hard work has helped secure these new projects!

global reach

Transportation projects:• Tennessee Department of

Transportation (TDOT): State Route 15 construction engineering and inspection (CEI) services (three-year assignment)

• Modjeski: Multiple Task Orders• TDOT: State Route 56 bridge CEI services (two-year

assignment) • TDOT: On-call standards (two-year assignment) • TDOT RSARs• TDOT Crash Data• Thomson & Thomson: New product development• Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA): Chickamauga Dam

Bridge

RW Armstrong has also secured contracts with major airports in Tennessee:• Knoxville Airport: On-call engineering services (three-

year assignment)• Sumner County Airport: Taxiway extension, taxiway

lighting, and runway extension • Nashville Airport: Airport master plan • Memphis Airport: Engineered Materials Arresting

System (EMAS)

tennessee

RW Armstrong was recently awarded a contract for school zone traffic circulation studies for six schools within Danville, Illinois.

illinois

Austin - Bergstrom International Airport: On-call engineering services (two-year assignment)

texas

• Horry County Airport System: Three-year GEC services contract

• Myrtle Beach International Airport: Fuel farm rehabilitation, runway reconstruction, and ITAP ramp

south carolina

• City of Columbus Utilities: General engineering services (two-year assignment)

• City of Columbus Utilities: Fenway and Stella Court pump stations design

• City of Cleveland Department of Port Control: General engineering services for Cleveland Hopkins and Burke Lakefront airports

• Akron - Canton Airport: Master plan development• DHL - CVG (Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International

Airport): South Apron hub expansion

ohio

RW Armstrong Offices

Tampa, Florida

West Palm Beach, Florida

Chantilly, Virginia

Cleveland, Ohio

Nashville, Tennessee

Evansville, Indiana

Indianapolis, Indiana

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Columbus, Ohio

Chicago, Illinois

South Bend, Indiana

Austin, Texas

5

global reach

• Project management services for a major residential project in New Cairo, 45 km east of Cairo

• Cairo International Airport: New Instrument Landing System (ILS)

egypt

Knowledge Economic City Co.: Knowledge Economic City master plan review

saudi arabiaNorthwest Florida Beaches International Airport: Master plan development

florida

indi

ana

Indianapolis DPW recently selected RW Armstrong for three major contracts:• Construction inspection

of Emerson Avenue over Massachusetts Avenue and CSX railroad bridge reconstruction

• Design of Hague Road widening from 82nd Street to 96th Street

• Design of the rehabilitation of Shadeland Avenue from Brookville Road to 21st Street

Other significant Indiana wins include:• Construction inspection of Warrick

County Bridge 271• Design of two pairs of bridge

rehabilitations along I-70 in INDOT Crawfordsville District

• Design of Wayne County Bridge 198 replacement

• Design of roundabout at SR 19 and SR 119 in INDOT Fort Wayne District

• South Bend East Bank Sewer Separation• Terre Haute Waste Water Treatment

Plant Inspection

• RAK Ministry of Public Works (MoPW): Truck road project from Ras Al Khaima to Almadam

• Ministry of Finance: Interior design for Ministry of Finance offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

• Musanada: Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority headquarters (ADAA)

• ZADCO: Interior and architectural design services for Amenity Center building

• ACE Hardware Store design and construction on Yas Island Development

united arab emirates

guam• Guam Economic Development Authority

(GEDA): Consulting services to the Guam Program Management Office (PMO)

• Guam Power Authority (GPA): PMO services

RW Armstrong Offices

Tamuning, Guam

Tripoli, Libya

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Baku, Azerbaijan

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Cairo, Egypt

Doha International Airport: Airfield lighting upgrades

qatar

6

project highlightabu dhabi equestrian club By Sybil Abou Rahal

RW Armstrong was selected by the Abu Dhabi Urban Development Committee to manage renovations and additions to the existing Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club in the heart of the city. This exciting and prestigious project will enhance the city’s, and the region’s, ability to host international equestrian events at the highest levels of competition.

The project includes a large site development component which will include outdoor competition and training spaces, recreational spaces, plazas, water features, and gardens and green spaces. The primary objective of the project is to create a cohesive design that integrates the new buildings into the existing context and creates a sense of harmony between the two. RW Armstrong was selected to develop the entire project through the final concept design, and then focus on the detailed design of the areas identified by the client in phases one and two.

The innovative design and building shapes were inspired by the fluid, graceful movement of horses. The facility consists of five buildings:

� A grand stand for outdoor competitions, which will have a seating capacity of 2,500.

� An indoor arena for indoor competitive events, with a seating capacity of 2,000.

� A riding school and stables which will be used to offer equestrian training to the public.

� The club house, which will be the social center of the club. It will offer health club facilities, a spa, and restaurants with spectacular views of the competition area as well as the existing Abu-Dhabi Horse Track and Golf Club.

� A mosque which will have a capacity of 100 occupants.

national awardrunway 5-23 rehabilitation

Congratulations to our aviation team for its work on the Runway 5-23 Rehabilitation project at Columbus (IN) Municipal Airport. The project recently won the National Silver Award in American Concrete Pavement Association’s (ACPA) Excellence in Concrete Pavement Awards! The project, for which RW Armstrong provided design and construction phase services, was submitted for the award by E&B Paving, Inc. of Anderson, Indiana.

Earlier this year, the project received the Indiana Chapter-ACPA’s Excellence in Concrete Pavement Award in the category “Overlays”.

Indoor Rendering

Outdoor Rendering

7

It was a busy year for RW Armstrong in the media. For details about these stories and other recent RW Armstrong news, please visit our News page at rwArmstrong.com.

� RW Armstrong served as principal research agency for the Transportation Research Board’s (TRB) recently released Guidebook for Developing and Leasing Airport Property. The study was released as Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Report 47. The project was funded by the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and was led by a team of our talented aviation services engineers.

� ENR and the Indianapo-lis Star both covered the Honorable BJ Penn’s appointment to se-nior vice president at RW Armstrong. BJ, who previously served as Acting Secretary of the Navy and Assistant Sec-retary of the Navy, is helping to build strate-gic alliances and client relationships with gov-ernment entities in the U.S. and abroad. He also acts as our liaison with the Department of Defense (DoD), Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Department of Homeland Security, and other governmental agencies.

� The U.S. Marine Corps Helicop-ter Squadron One (HMX-1), which transports the President of the United States and other high-level government leaders throughout the Washington D.C. area and beyond, was profiled this summer in Airport Improvement, one of the aviation industry’s most promi-nent trade publications. The hangar has be-come a signature design project for RW Armstrong.

� Following a safety assessment in 2007, an FAA Runway Safety Action Team recommended reconstruction of a perimeter road at Fort Wayne (Indiana) International Airport to help keep fuel trucks and airfield rescue and firefighting equipment off FWA’s runways. The project, for which RW Armstrong provided engineering services, was also profiled this summer in Airport Improvement.

featured speakerjeff decker

On October 5th, Jeff Decker, developer sector leader based in RW Armstrong’s Abu Dhabi office, led a panel discussion at the second annual Humanization of Cities of Tomorrow Summit in Doha, Qatar.

The panel focused on “Creating the Livable Cities of Tomorrow”. The summit was attended by government officials, architects, urban planners, engineers, and developers from the Middle East who are committed to creating livable cities.

The event was officially endorsed by the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning, Qatar.

By Jill Haythin the news

This summer, Cynthia Bowen received the Award

of Outstanding Achievement from the College of Architecture

and Planning Alumni Society, Ball State University.

Congratulations Cynthia!

congrats!

The Honorable BJ Penn

Jeff Decker

8www.rwArmstrong.com

RW Armstrong’s Aviation Services Group based in the Cleveland office is happy to announce that we have been selected by the City of Cleveland Department of Port Control as one of their preferred consultants for the 2011 General Engineering Design Services Contract. This is an on-call task order contract for work at Cleveland Hopkins International and Burke Lakefront Airports in Cleveland, Ohio. This is the third consecutive selection of RW Armstrong for this contract, and the contract dollar values have increased with each new opportunity.

We are very pleased with this selection because it directly reflects the high quality work and excellent service RW Armstrong has delivered over the past eight years to

the Department of Port Control (DPC). This is an aviation client, but nearly all of our teams—aviation, building

services, construction, water services, and transportation—have participated in past projects for the Cleveland Airport System, so we are all responsible for the excellent reputation we have with the DPC. In particular, we want to recognize the aviation team in Cleveland and aviation team alumni who are now the building services team based in the Cleveland office for their hard work, creative ideas, and dedication to exceeding the expectations of the DPC.

Stay tuned for more good news from our Cleveland office in the not-too-distant

future!

featured contract awardcleveland, ohio By Bill Barley

hot off the presses (story continued from page 1)

sign concepts that redefine residential and office luxury and embodies the ultimate in contemporary architecture and lifestyle. The project utilizes a range of innovative ener-gy conservation and user-friendly features. Construction of the towers began in 2007 and was completed in 38 months.

Sky Tower is a 73-story, 300-meter structure with 36 floors of grade “A” commercial office space, amenities, and 474 residential units. Sun Tower is a 63-floor, 245-meter tall building offering 63 amenity and residential floors with 673 units. A 10-level podium structure connects the two towers and houses parking, services, storage, and retail space with residential amenities including a pool and tennis courts on its roof. “This is a landmark project that we are proud

to be associated with,” said Mona Salem, RW Armstrong’s vice president, based in

its Abu Dhabi office. “We attribute the success of the project to the

vision of the developer Sorouh and to the

great working r e l a t i o n s h i p

between the client, the c o n t r a c -tor, and our firm. We all had one goal, to make the

inspiration a reality.”

Mona Salem was also named a finalist for GCC Con-struction Executive of the Year award and the Al Reef Vil-las project was nominated in the GCC Residential Project of the Year category. The Construction Executive award acknowledges leaders who have a significant im-pact on their construction-relat-ed business, which may operate in any part of the construction chain—from suppliers through sub-contractors, consultants, and main contractors.

If you have team, project, or individual

news or successes you’d like to share with the entire company

in a future newsletter issue, please let us know! Send your ideas to Denise McFadden (ext. 756 or dmcfadden@rwa.com) and Jill Hayth (ext. 235 or jhayth@rwa.

com). We look forward to hearing what’s new!

please share!

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport

Burke LakefrontAirport

OHIORW Armstrong

Cleveland office

RW Armstrong Columbus office

Al Reef Villas rendering

Mona Salem