Rendering

Construction of Schweger Associated Architects‘ Dubai Pearl is continuing. The groundwork, foundations, basements and lower grounds floors of the four towers which form the central section of Phase 1 of the development is now complete. A total of 3.5 million man hours have so far been spent since work started on site and over 60,000 cubic meter of concrete has been poured on one of the largest construction projects still being developed in the UAE.

read more »

Courtesy of Gehry Partners

Over 130 artists are continuing to call attention to the working conditions at the site of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, despite the recent intervention by the Guggenheim Foundation and Museum and changes from the Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC).  The $800 million museum designed by Frank Gehry is just beginning construction on Saadiyat Island.

The group of artists talking boycott, including key figures within the Middle Eastern art world, are threatening to withhold their work as well as refusing participation in museum events, which could be detrimental to the museum as they are essentially building a collection from the ground up.  In response to the artists proposed boycott, Foundation Director Richard Armstrong issued the following statement, ”While we share the artists’ concern for the workers, we believe that, in light of the steady progress that has been made with respect to recruitment fees, the prompt payment of wages, the ability to retain passports, the provision of health insurance, good living accommodations, and the imminent appointment of an independent monitor in May, their statement is misinformed. We believe that the Guggenheim Foundation’s work with TDIC has been instrumental in bringing about this progress. We will continue to remain focused on this critical priority.”

More on this story following the break.

read more »

Courtesy of Foster + Partners

Featured here on ArchDaily are the recently unveiled designs by Foster + Partners for the Zayed National Museum.   The monument and memorial to the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding president of the UAE, is located  on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE, and will be the first museum completed for the island.

Architecturally, the aim has been to combine a highly efficient, contemporary form with elements of traditional Arabic design and hospitality to create a museum that is sustainable, welcoming and culturally of its place. Celebrating Sheikh Zayed’s legacy and love of nature, the museum is set within a landscaped garden, based on a timeline of his life.

Architects: Foster + Partners
Location: Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Foster + Partners Project Team: Norman Foster, David Nelson, Gerard Evenden, Toby Blunt, Martin Castle, Ross Palmer, Dara Towhidi, Karsten Vollmer, Barrie Cheng, Ho Ling Cheung, Sidonie Immler, Joern Herrmann, Andrew King, Gemma Owen, Jillian Salter, Marilu Sicoli, Daniel Weiss, Bram Van Der Wal, Simon Wing
Engineers: WSP/BDSP AKT
Local Architect: Planar
Landscape Architects: Atelier Dreiseitl
Lighting Designers: Claude Engle
Cost Consultants: RLB
Facade Access: Lerch Bates
Specification Writers: Schumann Smith
Air Flow Consultants: RWDI
Environmental Engineers: Transsolar
Auditorium Consultants: Shen Milsom + Wilke
People Movement Consultants: Intelligent Space
Programme Managers: AECOM
District Master Planners: TDIC Master Planners
Museography: The British Museum
Client: Tourism Development + Investment Company
Project Area: 66,042 sqm
Renderings: Courtesy of Foster + Partners

read more »

Courtesy of Oppenheim Architecture + Design

This mixed-use project, Marina + Beach Towers by Oppenheim Architecture + Design, suggests a fluidity that merges sky and water, responding to the built environment and  the landscape.  A shifted repetition happens within the tower, developing a woven tapestry on the facade.  The units are based on a standard module, and their thoughtful placement within the tower provides beautiful views and natural light, while simultaneously providing critical protection from the intense sun. After the break you will find drawings, diagrams, and renderings of this project.

Architects: Oppenheim Architecture + Design
Location: United Arab Emerits
Credits: Chad Oppenheim, Kevin Heidorn, Kevin McMorris, Sebastian Velez, Carl Römer, Santhosh Shanmugam, Juan Lopez, Robert Moehring, Manuel Morales, Constanza Collarte, Jose Ortez, Fitz Murphy, Carolina Jaimes, Jessica Santaniello Barrera, Josh Sacks, and Gianpaolo Pietri
Consultants: AREX Consultants
Landscape Architect: Green Concepts
Acoustical: Cerami Associates
MEP/FP: X-nth, Ian Banham & Associates
Structural Engineering: Ysrael A. Seinuk (YAS)
Wind Tunnel Test: Rowan Williams Davies & Irwin Inc
Client: NAKHEEL
Project Area: 2,648,850 sqf
Project Year: Estimated completion 2012
Renderings: Luxigon and Dbox

read more »

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the world’s first Ferrari theme park and largest attraction of its kind, has announced that it will open its doors to the public on October 28, 2010, three weeks ahead of the second Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi will pay tribute to the passion, excellence, performance, and technical innovation that Ferrari has established over the years and represents today. Its iconic sleek red roof is directly inspired by the classic double curve side profile of the Ferrari GT body, spanning 200,000 m² and carrying the largest Ferrari logo ever created.

More images, a video and information after the break. Seen at designboom. read more »

© Asymptote: Hani Rashid + Lise Anne Couture, Courtesy of Bjorn Moerman

Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Architect: Asymptote - Hani Rashid + Lise Anne Couture
Client: Aldar Properties PJSC
Size: 85,000 sqm
Start: November 2007
Completion: October 2009
Photography: © Asymptote: Hani Rashid + Lise Anne Couture, Courtesy of Bjorn Moerman

read more »

The future well being of cities around the globe depends on mankind’s ability to develop and integrate sustainable technology.

LAVA designed the Masdar City as the city of the future; positioned at the forefront of integrating sustainable technology into modern architectural design. Rome, Athens, Florence; most great historical cities have had the plaza, forum, or square at their epicentre – where the life, values, ideals, and vision of the population evolved. Equally, the centre of Masdar must be an iconic beacon that attracts global attention to sustainable technology.

read more »

Our friends from Perkins Eastman sent us their design for Al Maktoum Accident and Emergency (A&E) Hospital-the newest and most sophisticated Accident and Emergency Hospital of its kind in the UAE.

Chosen by the Dubai Health Authority and the Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS) to create an advanced A/E hospital, Perkins Eastman designed a facility capable of providing immediate care for minor- to high-level trauma. An ambulance receiving area is directly linked to a surgical trauma operating suite and a diagnostic imaging unit with MRI, CT, and X-ray capabilities. The 300-bed, 85,000 facility includes a large, five-floor nursing unit providing specialized treatment and care for patients recovering from surgery.

More images after the break. read more »

Architects: MAD
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Director in Charge: Ma Yansong, Dang Qun
Site Area: 4,392 sqm
Constructed Area: 50,000 sqm
Program: Office Headquarters
Client: Al Rostamini Group Ltd
Images: MAD

read more »

Architect: Jesse Reiser + Nanako Umemoto
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Design Team: Mitsuhisa Matsunaga, Kutan Ayata, Jason Scroggin, Cooper Mack, Michael Overby, Roland Snooks, Michael Young
Assistants & Interns: Tina Tung, Raha Talebi, Yan Wai Chu
Structure: Ysrael A. Seinuk , PC, New York, NY
General Contractor: Dubai Contracting Company (DCC), Dubai, UAE
Client: Creekside Development Corporation, Dubai, UAE
Site area: 3,195 sqm
Constructed Area: 31,400 sqm
Project year: 2006
Construction year: 2007-2009
Photographs: Reiser + Umemoto

read more »

Architects: Kann Finch, UAE
Location: Meydan city, Dubai UAE
Project Team: Jean-Sebastien Herr (associate/design architect), Damian Lambkin (Project architect), Claudio Nunez , Ulysses Lalu, Francis Contreras, Milica Vukasinovic, Clinton Bull, Jamie Madrazo, Mauricio Zulueta, Alaleh S
Interiors: Nicholas Tedford
Structure: E-construct
MEP: Jain Consultants
Building Envelope: MFT
Landscape: Kann Finch
Acoustics: WSP
Client: District development
Contractor: DCC, Dubai Contracting company
Project year: 2010
Construction area: 45,980 sqm

read more »

Foster + partners decided to base on a sand dune for their UAE Pavillion design for the Shanghai Expo 2010. The pavillion is a reference to the symbolic feature of the desert landscape shared by all seven emirates.

The peak rises to 20 meters in height and it is entered via a glazed lip at the pavillions base. light penetrates the building’s business center and VIP area through glazed vertical strips which illuminate the pavillion from  within by night. With a capacity for 450 people and enclosing 3000 square meters of exhibition space, the pavillion is one of the largest structures to be built for shanghai expo 2010.

Seen at designboom. More images after the break. read more »