The Vanishing Mosque

Project Name: The Vanishing Mosque
Location: Dubai, UAE
Architect(s): RUX
Website: www.ruxdesign.net


Born from the busy city of New York, the brand design studio RUX, has taken the world by a storm. Their latest and first major project, has earned them the winners of the 'design as reform' competition hosted by traffic, a Dubai based art and design collective. The architecture category of this competition had been looking for a design which represented a reinterpretation of the traditional Muslim mosque. RUX's 'Vanishing Mosque', offers the idea of a mosque incorporated in the city of Dubai, linking the business and tourism world to the religious and cultural world.


This lovely building features a 5000 meters squared urban plaza, created in a shape which forges a forced perspective view in the direction of Mecca. The combined effect of it's intricately shaped facades and the triangular shape of the praying podium, makes it seem as if the plaza is vanishing into the horizon. Talk about an optical illusion! Underneath the podium, is a small ablution bath allowing for the people to care out their ritual washing.


Another special feature of the 'Vanishing Mosque', is the excellent light forms. The contrast of the white marble and the facades, create a gradient of shadows from both artificial and natural lighting. Included, is retractable cloth awnings, which acts as prevention against the harsh, scorching sun of the Middle East during prayers.

Arabian Nights....

Project Name: Arabian Performance Venue
Location: Dubai, UAE
Architect(s): Aedas
Cost: TBA
Website: www.aedas.com


Forget Burj Al Arab, forget The Palm Jumeriah because once again, Dubai has given birth to a beautiful building. Unexpected, this building is unlike your usual skyscrapers and opera houses. Beautifully and well-crafted, the APV appears to resemble something you would expect to find in Star Wars. Isolated from the busy city life that is Dubai, the APV is located in a natural reserve, occupying it's own island and surrounded by the astonishing deserts of the Middle East, and the glistening salty waters of the Persian Gulf. 


Connected by several bridges to allows trains, boats and cars, making accessible for different forms of transportation. A special feature of this building, is that the walls of the main foyers contain the water surrounding the building. Dropping from the main foyer, is an elegant concourse which moves underneath the water . Located to the side, are numerous restaurant and a drama theatre in the middle. Talk about elegance! You may be asking yourself, isn't it dark down there? Well, the concourse has it's own lighting sources from 44 glass tube elevators. Serving two purposes, the elevators arrive at an eloquent forecourt which contains a 25,00 seat venue. It is surrounded by 7 dancing figurines in midair. As well as all that, the entry platform serves as a observatory deck to spot different migrating birds, and to experience the scorching heat of Arabia.


Seven dancing figurines in midair? Well, alike all the other things, they too serve a purpose. Located on top of the performance venue, is a hotel enclosed by an outer glass shell. Reached by it's own lifts, the hotel lobby is accompanied by four figurines which house 300 hotel and serviced apartments. The front two figurines acts as  shades and house the finance and business district and the final one serves as a support for the facility itself.

The Dynamic Vertical Village

Project Name: The Beirut Terraces
Location: Beirut, Lebanon
Architect(s): Herzog & De Meuron
Website: http://www.beirutterraces.com/


Once again, the notorious Herzog & De Meuron have created an impressive building project. Located in the Beirut Central District, is planted the architectural wonder named 'The Beirut Terraces'. This gigantic residential complex plans to offer the 'revival of the urban lifestyle integrating indoor and outdoor living spaces'.


The Beirut Terraces plans to offer 130 apartments, each with it's unique living experiences. Amongst that, the terraces will also exhibits a variety of different luxury apartments and townhouses. The light and dynamic form creates another feature which makes it unique than it's neighboring buildings.


This project is due for completion in mid 2014.

Batumi Aquarium

 
Project Name: Batumi Aquarium 
Location: Batumi, The Republic of Georgia
Architect(s): Henning Larsen Architects
Cost: TBA
Website: http://www.henninglarsen.com/

This design for this project was chosen through a competition, like many other projects found all over the world. Henning Larsen Architect were announced the winners for this project, for their creative and bold concept of the exterior design of the aquarium.

The 20, 000 Square Metres site is set to replace the old building and be located in another location, near the beach. Following the strong concept of the pebbles of Batumi beach, which are known to washed against the millennia. The structure is made of up four pebbles, each representing a type of unqiue sea of the world- the Aegean Sea & the Mediterranean Sea, the Indian Ocean and & the Black Sea & the Red Sea.

Design Director and Partner at Henning Larsen Architects, Louis Becker states:

“The building will become a landmark and an organic reference to all elements of the sea. It captures the special atmosphere by the sea and thus becomes a tribute to the power of the sea!”

The Batumi Aquarium was designed to become a modern and cultural aquarium, which will offer the public an insight into the exotic marine creatures of the different seas all over the world. This aquarium is both educational and exciting. The facilities featured in this aquarium are cafes, a flexible layout suited for workshop purposes.

Life in a day.

For more information, visit the 'Art' section.

Lusail

Project Name: Lusail
Location: Doha, Qatar
Architect(s): KEO International Consultants (Raj Patel)
Cost: TBA
Other Contributers: Parsons Cooperation
Website: http://www.lusail.com/

Finally after much anticipation, KEO has completed their designs for a a waterfront site located on th North of Qatar. Included in their designs, Lusail offers a 130,000 sq m of office space; 30,000 sq m of retail space and 640 residential units will be provided at Diyar Al-Kuwait in Lusail.

To be fully compeleted early 2013, the three office towers are to be situated along the northeastern coast including a impressive sky garden located in each tower, to give the surrounding area the essence of nature.
The retail builings will be located on the northern area of the site extending along the western and eastern sides of the side, creating an intricate connection between the office towers and office building lobbies.
Regarding the residential buildings, Lusail will postion them along the southern side of the site providing breath-taking views of the Persian Gulf.

Such a project provides many facilities for it's inhabitants. The facades for this project were inspired by the traditional Mashribiya patterns. The retail builings contain skylights at their entrance, to mimic the brightness of light found at the Arabic Souqs. Finally, the residential buildings contain a variety of stone, steel and glass to maximise the views of the watr from within.

This project is particulary unique, because it offers a variety of different buildings each suited for it's use. Whether it's for a business place, or a home for a family, Lusail has got it all.

I've got my eye on you....

Project Name: The Eye
Location: Chicago, USA
Designer(s): Tony Tasset
Cost: TBA
Other Contributers: Tony Tasset's team
Website: N/A


Everybody's watching Chicago, as 49 year old designer Tony Tasset reveals his new centrepiece for the Chicago Loop Alliance's Art Loop 2010. Made from 15 fibreglass pieces attached to reinforced steel base, this 30 ft structure truly is impressive. Attracting thousands of people, Tasset reveals that in fact, this eye is a giant replica of one of his own blue eyes. Tasset explains, 


“My job as an artist, as a sculptor, first and foremost is to make the space more interesting. I really wanted to make something that had a wow effect. This is Chicago after all. It’s the city of big shoulders. So I had to go all out.”


Well Mr Tasset, people will certainly be all eyes!!




Watch the making of The Eye below:

VTB Arena Park

Project Name: VTB Arena Park
Location: Moscow, Russia
Architect(s): Erick van Egeraat
Cost: €500 Million
Other Contributers: Mikhail Posokhin (Mosproekt-2)
Website: TBA


After competing in the International Design Competition for the VTB Arena Park in Moscow, Dutch architect Erick van Egeraat achieved first prize, earning him the submitting design for the new building.


The new park is made to redevelopment the Dynamo Moscow stadium and its surrounding park. This park is located at the Petrovsky park, in an area rich for it's history. What made Van Egeraat's design different, was his proposal for a contemporary multifunctional urban generator, which is to play a large role in transforming its wider surroundings.


Included in his design, Van Egeraat showcases a 300,000 square metre multifunctional culture, health and sports centre and two gigantic stadiums. To add to that, this building will offer restaurants and entertainment complexes.

Panoramic.

Project Name: Karnala Resort
Location: Mumbai, India
Architect(s): Planet 3 Studios
Cost: TBA
Website: http://www.planet3studios.com/

Once again, like most of other buildings on my blog, this design was decided through a competition, in which Planet 3 Studios won. Reasons leading to their victory in the competition, was because this building provided a unique feature. Panoramic view. The special spiral shape won it's approval, because it provided the ability to observe the beauty of the lush and green that surrounds it at almost 360 degrees.


Although such a building only has one floor, it provides the needed requirement of vacationers. With it's wonderful combination of location and structural design, these factors created the point of inspiration of this remarkable design.


The facilities provided in this resort complete the experience of every vacationer. From it's restaurants and health clubs to it's swimming pools and spas, this monolithic resort has numerous suites, the balconies provide the feature of privacy and unique observatory platforms.


The exterior of this resort, is modelled into horizontal louvers to control the harsh sunny weather. At night, the louvers light up in different colours to create a serene atmosphere and give the impression of floating lanterns.

It's a new moon....

Project Name: The New Moon
Location: Zabeel Park (Dubai, UAE)
Architect(s): Varabyeu Partners
Cost: TBA
Website: www.varabyeu-partners.com

This centrepiece for Zabeel Park was specially designed by Varabyeu for an international design competition. It was stated that this crescent centrepiece, which represents the symbol of power and energy in the Middle East, aims to 'accentuate prosperity of present-day United Arab Emirates.'


The exterior of this centrepiece, is simply exquisite. With it's exotic decoration of Arabic calligraphy and it's firm steel workframe and trasnparency, The New Moon makes it possible to regulate the amount of light coming through and air temperatures. To top this wonder, on it's exterior is installed solar batteries and collectors, to make it energy efficient and low cost.


Regarding the interior, this building provides five levels of observatory platforms, with each floor representing one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith: Faith (Shahadah), Prayer (Salat), Charity (Zakaat), Fasting (Sawm) and Pilgrimage (Hajj). 


Amongst the facilities, this building will offer a space for conferences and work activities, a cafe and a children's library.

Hermitage Plaza

Project Name: Hermitage Plaza

Location: Paris, France

Architect(s): Norman Foster

Cost: €250 Million

Other Contributers: LERA International

Website: TBA

The designs for these buildings had actually been chosen through the Tour Signal Contest. Initially, the winning was created by Jean Nouvel (French architect of Ateliers Jean Nouvel), but due to disagreement issues, and the Hermitage SAS (developers) announced that they would go forward with Norman's Foster's design.

Although the design of the building is exquisite, the main pointer of these buildings is the location of the buildings and the effect they will have on the surrounding area. The building is to be located at Le Defense, which is located in Paris, in an area where its surrounded by cafes and shops. The presence of the building will create a sustainable, high density community perfect for socializing.

The buildings will offer various facilities, such as a spa, a gallery and auditorium, panoramic apartments and serviced apartments.

This project is due for completion in 2016.

Mann Singh

Indian designer, Mann Singh exhibits his latest design piece, entitled 'The Phul Chair' at Dwell on Design in Los Angeles.

This design was made by stainless steel, but each chair is made from different cast elements. The seat and back of the chair are made based on twig-like structures and a leaf design.

To see more of Singh's work, visit http://chairmann.blogspot.com/

Guggenheim Abu Dhabi

Project Name: Guggenheim Abu Dhabi

Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

Architect(s): Frank Gehry

Cost: US$200 Million

Other Contributers: Adamson Associates

Website: TBA

Once again, Frank Gehry creates another of his masterpieces, and what better place to construct it than the heart of architecture? Whats more, is that this masterpiece will become his biggest Guggenheim than the others.

The design of this masterpiece, contains elements from his previous Guggenheims and other major projects, but what make this particular Guggenheim unique, is the inspiration that Gehry got to create such a place.

He quotes,

"The site itself, virtually on the water on all sides, in a desert landscape with the beautiful sea and the light place suggested some of the direction."

Regarding the facilities, this Guggenheim will feature two different galleries exhibiting various artworks. To add to that, it will feature a department of architecture and design and a center of art and design.

This project will be completed between 2011 and 2012.

Guangzhou Opera House

Project Name: Guangzhou Opera House
Location: Guangzhou (Guangdong Province),China
Architect(s): Zaha Hadid
Cost: US$120 Million

Other Contributers: Zaha Hadid Architects

Website: TBA

Alike may Hadid's works, this masterpiece once again shows creativity and flair. This building is particularly unique for it's interior design, because it was built by extensive precision, to serve the needs of Chinese opera which unlike Western opera, requires high notes.

Not only does this building provide entertainment for it's listeners, it provides entertainment for it's viewers. With it's unique design and position, the opera house will serve as a place for people to relax and tourists to visit, making it a state of the art monument.

Masdar City

Project Name: Masdar City
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Architect(s): Foster + Partners
Cost: US$22 Billion
Other Contributers: Adrian Smith of SOM + Gordon Gill Architecture

Website: http://www.masdarcity.ae/en/index.aspx

I think this huge project is very beneficial to Dubai. Although Dubai has a lot on it's plate at the moment, with the not far off opening of the Burj Dubai and all, Masdar offers a lot of things. This project has to offer something which, will be the next big thing in architecture and technology. Renewable resources.

This city offers a variety of different renewable resources, from it's 40 to 60 megawatt to it's solar powered desalination plant, which will provide the city's water needs and also become a source for crop irrigation. To add to that, it's biological waste will be used as nutrient-rich soil and fertiliser.

If this project doesn't serve the needs to a cleaner, greener and better life, then I don't will.

Elbe Philharmonie Concert Hall of Hamburg

A blog is born.

Hello There,

This is officially my first blog. In case you were wonderinf the purpose of my blog, well I have created this blog, as a sort of bibliography or portfolio of different things, from architecture to design products. In the making this blog, I hope to give an insight to you readers about upcoming design projects, news and building review.

In case you were wondering where I got the name 'arquitecttura' from, I came up with that name using the Spanish word for architecture, which is arquitectura and the Italian word for architecture, which is architettura. Using the beginning of arquitectura and the ending of architettura, I came up with the name of arquitecttura. Although it sounds the same in both langauges, it has a different spelling than the usual spelling of the word.

I hope you find my blog both enjoyable and knowledge.