Dar Al-Handasah
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Dar Al-Handasah (Shair and Partners) (Arabic: دار الهندسة) is a leading international multidisciplinary consulting organisation in engineering, architecture, planning, environment, project management, and economics. Founded in 1956, the firm’s activities expanded rapidly within the Middle East and worldwide. During the 1970’s, operations were expanded into Africa and subsequently in Asia and Europe.
Dar Al-Handasah is a private company owned by working partners and completely independent of any interests in the fields of construction, contracting, or manufacturing. Over the last 50 years, it has grown steadily to become one of the top ten international consulting firms in the world.[citation needed]
The Firm has maintained a position among the world’s top international engineering design and supervision consultants since the early 1980’s. Its principal design head offices and technical support facilities are located in Cairo, London and Beirut, with a network of permanent local offices throughout the Middle East, Africa, Central-Eastern Europe, CIS and parts of Asia.
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[edit] History
1950s Open For Business
Dar was established in 1956 as Dar Al-Handasah (Arabic) and Associated Consulting Engineers (English) by four professors of American University of Beirut Engineering School: Samir Thabet, Khalil Maalouf, Nazib Taleeb and Kamal A Shair. The firm was funded on $3,500. By end of 1957, firm fees exceeded $30,0000.
1960s Spreading Wings
By the end of the decade, Dar has completed 161 projects in Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, South Yemen and Egypt. While majority of Dar's portfolio remains in industrial and power sector, it expands its expertise with transportation, built environment, planning, agriculture & irrigation, water & sewerage, and power/telephone projects. Offices open throughout the Arab Peninsula in Amman ('60), Jeddah ('65), and Aden ('67).
1970s The Oil Boom
The 1970s oil boom ignited an incredible transformation and modernization of infrastructure in many OPEC nations. In this decade, Dar worked with the governments of Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and Algeria in developing their industrial infrastructure, roads, airports, seaports, hospitals, schools, water and sewerage systems, housing, and telecom facilities.
1980s Global Expansion
The 80s proved to be Dar's greatest decade to date for global growth. With the acquisition of Perkins and Will and T.Y. Lin International, the firm expanded into North America and the Far East. Meanwhile, Dar entered the Turkish market, opened offices in Istanbul and Adana, and continued to expand its existing client-base throughout Africa and the Middle East.
1990s Reshaping Cityscapes
A major story for the 1990s was the rebuilding of Beirut's Central Business District from 1993 to 1996. The company also consistently ranked among the top 10 engineering firms in the world and sector leaders in buildings, transportation and wastewater.
2000s The Next 50 Years
Dar Al-Handasah celebrates 50 successful years in business, having grown from a small engineering consultancy across from University of Beirut to one of the largest global, multi-disciplinary firms with 6,500 employees in 111 offices across 42 countries.
[edit] Awards
In 2006 the firm won the prestigious IStructE Supreme Award and the Award for Transportation Structures for the design of Sungai Prai Bridge.[1]
