The Kingdom has awarded a multi-million-riyal contract to a US architectural firm to prepare the design of a project encompassing about 40 world-class research and development companies. Dhahran Techno Valley (DTV), an undertaking by the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), awarded the contract to HOK Planning Group, an international firm that specializes in planning, design and delivery solutions for buildings and communities. The project, to be located within KFUPM's campus, is envisioned to become a hub of research and development in the Middle East. A total of 500,000 square meters of land has been set aside for a site of 40 plots for the independent research centers to be established, according to Dr. Halim Hamid Redhwi, Assistant Supervisor of DTV. Redhwi on Saturday welcomed HOK's delegation, which comprised Sean M. Wilson, Senior Vice President, John T. Dupuy and Eberhard Laepple, Senior Associates. “HOK will develop a master plan for this project, which will consider all the aspects that a world-class research park requires,” said Wilson. He added that details on concerns such as the environment, flexibility to provide for the future needs of research companies, provisions for various amenities for employees and personnel, communications, access to talents, and even synergy cooperation with Saudi Aramco, will be incorporated in the design. HOK has had prior experience with similar projects around the world, including similar ones in the Middle East. The company is also undertaking a similar project for the King Abduallah University for Science and Technology (KAUST). Back in the 1960s, HOK had designed the present site of KFUPM in Dhahran. The HOK officials also held discussions with Dr. Faleh A. Al-Sulaiman, KFUPM's Vice Rector for Technology, and officials of Schlumberger and Yokogawa, two R&D companies that have already established their respective sites at DTV. __
