Robert Cooper and Ryan Bray on CSQ’s offerings and edge in the market
Dubai-headquartered CSQ prides itself on being a results-oriented firm of chartered construction professionals, working on high-impact real estate and construction projects. In discussion with Middle East Consultant, partners Robert Cooper and Ryan Bray shared more about the firm’s offerings and approach.
To start with, what is the proposition that CSQ offers to its clients?
At CSQ, we offer several professional services across the various life cycle stages and sectors of the real estate market. This allows us to provide value added services to our clients through the deployment of subject matter experts, including project managers, quantity surveyors, development managers, building surveyors, asset managers, fit-out coordinators, architects and engineers.
In turn, we provide a higher level of service and assist the client in mitigating their risk associated with investment, development and occupation of real estate.
We have a highly integrated team of professionals who work closely together to develop a client offering resembling a ‘holistic’ / ‘turnkey’ service. A recent example of this is where we led the upgrade and fit-out of a vacant 10-year-old tower utilising the knowledge and experience of our team – with all services delivered seamlessly in house.
CSQ’s services include Management Contracting, Quantity Surveying, and Project Management. How has this end-to-end portfolio helped fuel the firm’s continued growth?
The close relationship between project management and quantity surveying is well established, and it’s one we have consistently championed throughout our practice. As our clients needs and the market have evolved, we have continued to grow with them by offering tailored services to include the addition of building surveying, management contracting and development management.
The addition of new service lines has contributed to the growth of our business as our teams have been able to successfully cross sell or provide additional services. The seamless provision of these services within CSQ has fostered a strong level of client loyalty, reflected in a high percentage of repeat business – something we continually strive to achieve.
How does the ability to provide ‘through-the-line’ services impact your client offer, especially in terms of overall efficiency?
Providing ‘through-the-line’ services allows our clients to select a service offering that is customised to suit their needs and objectives. Our clients benefit from a high level of communication and close coordination between our multi-disciplinary teams creating a very efficient service delivery model.
This gives value to our clients within a competitive market where service differentiation, cost competitiveness and ease of doing business are key factors in our client offer.
We hear a good deal about the quest for sustainability; how are sustainable elements incorporated into CSQ’s projects?
All our large-scale projects and many of the smaller ones have sustainability at the core of their design and construction. Driven by several factors such as client requirements (sustainability targets), local regulations and marketability, we see the integration of sustainable elements and environmental certifications on a wide range of projects.
These initiatives are championed by our in-house LEED accredited professionals, who provide expert guidance and ensure sustainability remains a key focus throughout the project lifecycle.
Examples include, use of efficient motors, solar shading, thermal efficient facades, water conservation fittings, photovoltaics, recycled materials, LED lighting and/or dynamic controls.
Read also: BCG: Half of mega projects can be decarbonized at ‘zero to no cost’
How do these sustainable protocols then help with delivering operational cost-savings?
Operational cost savings are achieved through the reduction of water, chilled water and energy consumption. Manpower savings can also be expected in the services delivered by the Facilities Management and Property Management teams via the implementation of smart systems including Building Management Systems, dynamic controls, tenant engagement platforms and smart access control.
BIM has become a ‘given’ among leading practices. To what extent is CSQ pioneering and deploying BIM-tech and AI-led tools?
As part of our development management mandates, we are responsible for ensuring that a Building Information Modeling (BIM) strategy is established for the project and for overseeing its implementation – first by the Lead Design Consultant, then by the Main Contractor – until it is ultimately handed over to the Asset Manager and Facilities Management Provider.
We have given key staff BIM training to equip them for successful implementation of BIM, ensuring we are a driving force in its execution opposed to being passive in our role of its development.
AI tools are something we are using within our business to enhance efficiency within progress monitoring, reporting, cost analysis and risk analysis. Key to the successful deployment of AI tools is their seamless integration into our existing software, training of our staff and client data protection.
Finally, if you had to describe the core USP of CSQ in one sentence, what would it be?
Tailored service delivery by senior chartered professionals.
