Kempinski to open the world’s first floating palace resort in Dubai
For the first time, a Kempinski Floating Palace, is opening as a floating building around which 12 likewise floating luxury villas are grouped with the possibility to sail to other anchorages at times. The high-tech metropolis and emirate of superlatives is always up for surprises, and with the new extraordinary Kempinski Floating Palace, discerning guests are awaited by a jewel of a very special kind. Anchored next to one of the most exclusive beach stretches in Dubai on Jumeirah Beach Road, highly sought after by luxury travellers and locals alike for its vibrant hotels and F&B scene, guests are brought to the 156-room and suite hotel or their villas by speed boat or arrive directly with their own boats. Moreover, a connected floating helipad next to an impressive yacht parking deck for up to 16 yachts, allows discerning guests to arrive in style. Kempinski Floating Palace is envisioned to be positioned as one of its kind – a novelty which guarantees unforgettable moments and an outstanding experience to all guests.
Reflecting contemporary lifestyle in the UAE, the new Kempinski Floating Palace is an addition and special touch to the hotel’s world in Dubai, long known for unparalleled achievements and attracting world tourism. This project will be another breakthrough for the already spectacular tourism industry of the country.
The main building of this floating palace, structured in four parts, is connected in the middle by a glass pyramid and offers every luxury of a 5-star hotel, from exclusive gourmet restaurants, bars, spa, pools to boutiques, banquet areas and the possibility for even larger yachts to sail in and out at the centre of the hotel.
The 12 luxury villas, connected by pontoons, are partly for sale but also for rent by hotel guests and benefit from all the services offered at the hotel. High-quality and elegant design over two floors with a roof terrace and infinity pool, respectively twelve villas with each of two, three or four bedrooms, crew and staff rooms as well as indoor and outdoor living rooms characterise the luxury houseboats with large panoramic windows and all the technical features of a smart home. Cruising at a maximum speed of 6 nautical miles, the villas are equipped with solar panels and are designed to be environmentally friendly.
“We are delighted to be able to offer our guests in Dubai such a first experience from 2023 onwards, combining the destination’s reputation as a high-tech city with the timeless European elegance of Kempinski Hotels”, says Bernold Schroeder, Chief Executive Officer of Kempinski Group and Chairman of the Management Board of Kempinski AG. “The highly innovative project by Seagate Shipyard convinces not only by its high-end technology, but also through impeccable style and design.”
“We are proud of what we have achieved so far, especially at the Floating Palace in Dubai, where we have partnered with a global leader in the hospitality business”, Mr. Mohamed El Bahrawy, CEO and founder of Seagate Shipyard, added. “I am so grateful to Bernold Schroeder and Kempinski Hotels for their trust. It is thrilling to see, that for the first time a brand of the calibre of Kempinski will manage a floating hotel of such magnitude, and we are confident that our hotel will soon be one of the top tourist attractions in Dubai. It will undoubtedly occupy an iconic position among floating hotels all over the world.”
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Ennead Architects creates the world’s largest astronomy museum in Shanghai
Ennead Architects, the acclaimed international architecture firm based in New York City and Shanghai, celebrates the grand opening of the Shanghai Astronomy Museum. Designed by Thomas J. Wong of Ennead, the monumental new museum creates an immersive experience that places visitors in direct engagement with real astronomical phenomena. Through scale, form, and the manipulation of light, the building heightens awareness of our fundamental relationship to the sun and the earth’s orbital motion. At 420,000sqft, the new astronomical branch of the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum will be the largest museum worldwide solely dedicated to the study of astronomy. A ceremony to celebrate the museum’s opening will be held July 17, 2021, and the museum opens to the public on July 18, 2021.
“In making this building, we wanted to create a place where the institutional mission is fully enmeshed with an architecture that itself is teaching, and finds form in some of the fundamental principles that shape our universe,” said Thomas J. Wong, Design Partner at Ennead Architects. “The big idea of the Shanghai Astronomy Museum was to infuse a visceral experience of the subject matter into the design, and to deliver that before you even enter the building. And at the end of your visit, there is this culminating moment directly with the sky, which is framed and supported by the architecture.”
Winners of the international design competition in 2014, Ennead delivered an architecturally ambitious design – without straight lines or right angles, echoing the geometry of the universe and the dynamic energy of celestial movement. Wong drew inspiration from the classic “three-body problem” in physics, looking to the intricate choreographies created by gravitational attraction of multiple bodies within solar systems. This is reflected in the winding architectural ribbons of the Museum’s facade. The building’s envelope traces a series of arcing paths that are visibly influenced by gravitational pull: the heart of the central atrium, the forward momentum at the entry, and the planet-like sphere that envelopes the planetarium theater. The Museum and each of the three principal architectural components that define the design – the Oculus, Inverted Dome and Sphere – act as functioning astronomical instruments, tracking the sun, moon, and stars.
The Oculus, suspended above the main entry to the Museum, demonstrates the passage of time by tracking a circle of sunlight on the ground across the entry plaza and reflecting pool. At noon during the summer solstice, there is a full circle, which aligns with a circular platform within the Museum’s entry plaza. The Oculus creates a veritable time piece in the civic square.
The Sphere houses the planetarium theater, which is half submerged in the building. With minimal visible support, it evokes an illusion of weightlessness or anti-gravity. The pure spherical form references the primordial shapes in our universe and, like the orientation we yield from our position relative to the sun or moon, becomes an ever-present reference point for the visitor.
The Inverted Dome is a large inverted glass tension structure which sits on top of the central atrium of the building at the roof line so visitors can occupy the center of the glass dish with an unimpeded view of the sky. The culmination of the exhibit journey, this space cuts the view of the horizon and adjacent urban context and focuses the visitor on the all-encompassing sky – a real encounter with the universe to conclude the simulated experience within. The 720-degree spiraling ramp inside the Museum and underneath the Inverted Dome traces the orbital flow of the visitor sequence throughout the Museum exhibits and launches the eye upward to its apex.
Set within an expansive green zone, the Museum grounds include a host of buildings and programming including temporary and permanent exhibits, a 78-foot solar telescope, an observatory, an optical Planetarium, Education and Research Center, and Digital Sky Theater. Programming at the Museum will feature immersive environments, artifacts and instruments of space exploration, and educational exhibitry.
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Kettle Collective to design world’s second tallest tower in Russia
Scottish-based architecture firm, Kettle Collective plans to build one of the world’s tallest buildings have been announced by today. The tower will be built in St Petersburg and at 703m will be the second highest skyscraper in the world, just under Dubai’s famous Burj Khalifa (828m).
Although the Burj Khalifa is taller, the new Lakhta Centre II, will boast the highest occupied floor and viewing gallery of any building in the world. It will soar above the Shanghai Tower (632m), which is currently the second tallest structure and will dwarf the UK’s Shard (310m), at more than double its height.
The tower will be located on the outskirts of St Petersburg and will stand alongside Europe’s tallest building, the Lakhta Center (462m), which is the headquarters for energy giant Gazprom.
Design lead, Tony Kettle, who is also behind the Falkirk Wheel, is one of the UK’s foremost architects. Kettle designed the Lakhta Centre when he worked at major architectural firm RMJM after creating the winning design in an international competition for the Gazprom tower in 2006.
The tower will house pioneering multi-car lifts, powered by regenerating energy from the movement of the lift and is seen as a complimentary development to the first Lakhta Center. The build will include requirements universally recognised as essential for the office of the future -accommodation and relaxation spaces fulfilling the ‘live, work, and play’ needed in a 21st-century business centre.
“The new Lakhta Center will be a template of sustainable design for global high-rise projects,” says Tony Kettle. “It will have the best-in-class low energy design and a mix of uses that will create a vertical atrium space with a vibrant centre as the heart for this new business district.
“The design is both aesthetic and functional as it will reduce considerable wind forces that will impact the structure, in turn reducing the size of structural elements required within the building.
“The tower is born out of a daring idea that has been inspired by energy in all of its forms, from helical waves generated around deep space quasars to the spirals of wave energy. The outer layer of the building is created from spiralling columns that form an open organic helical diagrid, while the structure is carved out by a series of spiral atriums shared with vertical public spaces.”
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Dar Al Arkan brings world’s first villas with Versace Home interiors at Shams Ar Riyadh
Dar Al Arkan has announced a unique collaboration that will bring the world’s first ever villas with interiors by Versace Home to the Kingdom’s Shams Ar Riyadh project.
Versace Home’s outstanding design and craftsmanship will augment the extraordinary ‘Upside Living’ design of the limited-edition luxury villas which will be built overlooking the historic and natural setting of Wadi Hanifa.
In an exclusive model of innovative design, the entrance and living areas will dominate the first floor, together with floor to ceiling windows which will flood the living space with light and make a feature of the spectacular views over Wadi Hanifa, meanwhile the bedrooms and family rooms will be repositioned on the ground level, creating an overall space that combines elegance and practicality.
The villas have also been designed for a smarter life incorporating the latest hi-tech throughout and setting a new benchmark for residential technology. Lighting, heating and air conditioning will be engineered to provide a more enhanced, ambient lifestyle controlled by motion sensors, a sophisticated security and surveillance system will be fully integrated, together with a smart home entertainment system including a home theater and smart kitchen appliances will be standard. The emphasis will be on creating luxury and sophistication in every detail.
Situated overlooking Wadi Hanifa with easy access to the city’s prime lifestyle destinations and top attractions. The villas have been designed to make the most of their natural setting and offer a new way of living in comfort, luxury and privacy.
On announcing the collaboration with Versace Home, Yousef Bin Abdullah Al Shalash, Chairman of Dar Al Arkan, said: “We could not be more proud to partner with such a world-famous brand as Versace on this unique project. To have a design house of such a high caliber create the interiors of these very special homes encapsulates the high level of luxury living we are striving for with Shams Ar Riyadh.”
He added: “At Dar Al Arkan, our ambition is to elevate the real estate market in Saudi Arabia. Our close relationship with leading international designers will help achieve this and cement the Kingdom’s growing reputation for outstanding architecture and design on a global scale.”
The Shams Al Riyadh project is located in a strategic area north of Riyadh, on the King Khalid Road. Extending over an area of more than 5 million square meters, the location offers easy access to the city’s most important landmarks. The stunning landscapes of Wadi Hanifa, parks and open spaces all provide a wonderful, comfortable ambiance for families.
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AUS students win world’s largest student architecture competition
Two recent graduates from the College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD) at American University of Sharjah (AUS) have been awarded the grand prize in architecture for this year’s Inspireli Awards, the world’s largest global competition in architecture, urban design and landscape, and interior design.
Mariam Jacob and Nada Khalaf were among seven architecture students from CAAD to have been shortlisted for the award and were selected by a jury of 500 architects from 99 countries. Their achievement will be celebrated in a virtual ceremony on November 4, 2020.
The two winners worked under associate professor and AUS alumnus Faysal Tabbarah to create Thin Topograhies: Enhancing Food Production in Marakkech. Their project aims to reinterpret food waste and uncover the potential of discarded organic material by repurposing it for consumption, redefining it for material construction, and encouraging a sustainable lifestyle within Marrakesh, Morocco.
The project was part of the student’s final semester of work at AUS, produced amidst the challenges of the sudden transition to remote learning earlier in 2020. Khalaf said the Inspireli award has allowed her to appreciate the work in a new way.
“From day one, CAAD has pushed me to not only meet the standards placed in front of me, but also to consistently strive to exceed my own expectations. Professionally, this award will allow us to connect with the world at a much larger scale, and hopefully act as a stepping stone to new opportunities,” said Khalaf.
Jacob said the selection process was intense, and included three rounds of consideration with a multinational jury.
“Being part of Inspireli has expanded the reach of young graduates and students like myself through their large network and media reach. Being selected as the winner in the Architecture category makes this opportunity even more surreal. This accolade has surely provided me with positive affirmations and I hope that in due time it leads to the opening of multiple doors from a professional standpoint,” she said.
Professor George Katodrytis, Head of the Department of Architecture at CAAD, said the Inspireli Awards serve as an important platform for CAAD students to present their work on a global stage, demonstrating their ability to compete with students from the world’s most prestigious design institutions.
“For more than 20 years, CAAD has built a reputation in the region for producing outstanding architects and designers, with many of our graduates now leading the way as some of the UAE’s top home-grown talent,” said Katrodytis.
“Now more than ever, our students are being recognised for their work on the global stage. This is in large part due to offering them exposure to competitions such the Inspireli Awards, where they get to present their work to a global audience of design professionals and academics. This exposure is really priceless for students as they begin their professional careers and has opened the door to many exciting opportunities for our graduates,” he said.
World’s largest fountain to launch at The Pointe in Dubai
The Pointe, Dubai’s premier lifestyle and dining destination by Nakheel Malls, is gearing up to launch the world’s largest fountain. ‘The Palm Fountain’, Palm Jumeirah’s latest waterfront attraction, will attempt to break a Guinness World Records (GWR) title on October 22, 2020, during its inaugural launch event, and the public is invited to witness the celebration.
Spread over 14,000sqft of seawater, the fountain’s super shooter will stand tall at 105 metres and come alive with over 3,000 LED lights. The attraction is the only multi-coloured fountain in Dubai and is a celebration of Dubai’s resurgence and ambition to aim for the sky. On the day of the launch event, visitors of The Pointe are invited to enjoy an entire day of festivities, with all-day events and competitions from The Pointe’s restaurants and, starting at 4pm, an array of live entertainment including multiple DJ sets, dance shows, performers, a magical fireworks show.
Omar Khoory, managing director, Nakheel Malls, said: “Nakheel Malls is proud to launch The Palm Fountain, a celebration of Dubai’s resilience and building on the expanding portfolio of iconic attractions on Palm Jumeirah. As pioneers of retail and lifestyle destinations in Dubai, the launch of The Palm Fountain is a testament to our commitment to support retailers and push boundaries to provide our customers with unique experiences. We look forward to the inspiration this will bring customers at The Pointe, residents of Palm Jumeirah, our retailers, tourists and the wider community”.
The Palm Fountain will have 20 bespoke shows with five different shows running daily between sunset to midnight (7pm to 12am) while swaying to an array of popular songs including Khaleeji, pop, classic, international, and more. Each show will last for three minutes and will be performed every 30 minutes.
Expo 2020 Dubai shines spotlight on innovative best practices solving some of the world’s biggest challenges
An environmentally-friendly water treatment plant that has created a wetland in Oman’s desert, a project from the UK building battery-powered underwater fishing lights to reduce unwanted catch, and a UAE-based educational platform that harnesses artificial intelligence to personalise learning experiences for students are among the second stream of projects in Expo 2020 Dubai’s Global Best Practice Programme.
The 20 hand-picked initiatives, known as ‘Untold Stories’, have joined the Programme’s inaugural cohort of 25, whose simple, effective and locally-based solutions address some of the world’s biggest challenges, including those laid out in the Sustainable Development Goals – 17 global goals designed to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.
The Global Best Practice Programme highlights the importance of bringing together creative minds to develop innovative solutions and is an integral part of Expo 2020’s commitment to encouraging positive change through cooperation and knowledge sharing.
Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, Director General of Expo 2020 Dubai Bureau and Chair of the UAE National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, said: “These 20 selected projects are already having a real, positive impact on people’s lives, at a time when millions face significant challenges in their lives. With its own area to showcase at Expo 2020, our expanded Global Best Practice Programme is a testament to our continued commitment to projects that the world needs now and reflects the UAE’s wider efforts to drive positive change across a range of key issues globally.
“Projects under the programme will benefit from a unique platform that will bring together change-makers from around the world, facilitating knowledge transfer, global collaboration and inspiring concrete action towards the SDGs, in line with our theme of ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’.
Launched in 2018 under the theme ‘Small Steps, Big Leaps: Simple Solutions for Sustainable Impact’, the Programme honours a 2010 Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) mandate for all World Expo hosts to create a platform that spotlights tangible solutions that can be replicated, adapted and scaled for greater global impact – highlighting World Expos as powerful platforms for inspiring change and driving human progress.
Dimitri Kerkentzes, Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), said: “At their core, Expos are educational events that share knowledge and disseminate the latest and most useful innovations for the benefit of all. Uniting the practical perspective of Expos with their core themes, best practices educate and inspire visitors by showcasing tried and tested solutions that can be adopted globally.
“We are delighted to witness the growth of the Best Practice Area at Expo 2020 Dubai and look forward to seeing its continued development as we drive forward in solidarity towards a brighter future.”
The new projects augment the 25 selected last year under the programme’s first stream, a call for proposals that received 1,175 submissions from 141 countries, highlighting the global breadth of impactful, proven initiatives coming from – and having an impact in – all areas of the world. Expo 2020 will offer a unique platform to showcase these solutions, sparking ideas, enhancing collaboration and inspiring further positive change.
They include the Nimr Water Treatment Plant in the south of Oman, one of the largest projects of its kind in the world. Significantly reducing the environmental footprint of the Nimr oilfields south of Muscat, the plant – a constructed wetland – has recovered more than two million barrels of crude oil from produced water and transformed arid desert into a resilient eco-system.
UAE-based Alef Education is providing personalised learning experiences for students so they learn at their own pace, anytime and anywhere. Its artificial intelligence-based platform affords individualised instruction and gives users a choice on how they prefer to learn. To date, the platform has benefitted more than 60,000 students in 200-plus schools across the UAE, as well as three schools in the USA.
Aishah Al Yammahi, Board Advisor, Alef Education, said: “Expo 2020 Dubai represents a melting pot of the latest cutting-edge technologies and innovations from around the world. Alef Education is extremely proud to participate in the World Expo through the Global Best Practice Programme. We are showcasing our innovative, AI-driven educational system, which will help shape the future of education across the UAE and the world.”
UK-based SafetyNet Technologies has also designed underwater lights, known as Pisces, that attract certain fish and repel others. The battery-powered devices, easily affixed to nets, help reduce bycatch and increase sustainability within the global fishing industry. They are currently being deployed across the world.
In contrast to the first stream, a call for proposals where projects applied to the programme and were selected by a jury, projects under the second stream were hand-picked by the Global Best Practice Programme team who actively sought out innovative and successful solutions in the programme’s five key focus areas: inclusive and sustainable service delivery; livelihoods and enterprise development; resilient habitats; social development; and water, food and energy security.
The Global Best Practice Programme and Expo 2020’s specialist programming, which will include themed weeks and international day events to highlight global issues like climate change, health and wellness, inequality and environmental degradation, are among a range of Expo-backed initiatives aimed at positively impacting areas related to the Global Goals.
They will play a crucial role in the next World Expo, which runs from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022, helping to create a platform that will facilitate knowledge transfer and global collaboration, and inspire concrete actions for a better future for all.
World’s tallest ferris wheel—Ain Dubai gets its first capsule
Ain Dubai by Meraas is shaping up well and has successfully installed its first capsule onto the wheel. Over the coming period, the remaining 47 capsules are scheduled for gradual installation. When complete, Ain Dubai will be the tallest observation wheel in the world, standing more than 250m above the Bluewaters Island, looking out across Dubai’s glittering landscape.
The First Group’s Ciel project, the world’s tallest hotel designed by NORR reaches major construction milestone
The First Group is making rapid progress in the development of Ciel – a high-profile Dubai Marina property’s foundations nearing completion.
The Dubai-headquartered firm, which ranks among the city’s fastest-growing developers of upper midscale hotels, is building the future icon with development partner China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC).
More than 11,800 cubic metres of concrete and in excess of 3,000 tonnes of steel are being used to construct the building’s foundations, highlighting the sheer scale of the project. The largest concrete pour, completed this week, comprised 7,000 cubic metres of concrete over a continuous 48-hour period. A final pour consisting of 1,000 cubic metres of concrete is scheduled for 3 September.
“We are proud to mark this important milestone in the development of Ciel, which is set to become one of Dubai’s most iconic buildings and a landmark hotel of global significance,” said Rob Burns, CEO of The First Group.
“Ciel is The First Group’s 18th project in Dubai and our largest and most complex undertaking to date. This spectacular tower will truly be a jewel in the crown of one of the world’s most dynamic cities. Ideally located in Dubai Marina, Ciel guests will enjoy world-class hospitality, F&B and entertainment facilities.”
Recognised as the world’s second largest construction and engineering company by revenue, CRCC is the main contractor overseeing the prestigious project, bringing its globally renowned expertise in mega developments to building what will become the tallest hotel on the planet.
“Having worked with The First Group constructing major hotel projects in Dubai for more than a decade, we are proud to partner with the firm in the development of Ciel, the world’s tallest hotel,” commented Gao Jinping, General Manager of China Railway 18th Bureau Group. “I am confident our partnership will continue to go from strength to strength in the years ahead.”
Designed by award-winning architectural firm NORR, the 365m tall skyscraper will house 1,042 guestrooms including 150 suites, premium guest amenities and facilities, such as the Ciel Observatory & Lounge on the 81st floor and a signature rooftop Sky Terrace featuring a stunning infinity pool, bar and observation deck affording sweeping panoramic views of Dubai’s world-famous skyline, the Palm Jumeirah, and Arabian Gulf.
Abstractly sculpted in metal and glass, the building’s gently curving exterior represents an inspired response to high-rise living.
In a city known for its architectural feats, Ciel will be a unique addition to the Dubai skyline – a triumph for design that elegantly combines scientific analysis, sculptural form and landscaped terraces.
“Ciel will set a new benchmark for innovative design in super-tall buildings, not just in Dubai, but globally,” commented Yahya Jan, president & design director for NORR. “This landmark project will become an exciting addition to the famous Dubai Marina skyline.”
Standout design features include a 300-metre tall atrium with vertically stacked landscaped and naturally ventilated terraces spanning the building’s 82 floors, which will provide occupants with shared communal and interactive space.
Ciel’s interior design is inspired by the concept of Wabi-Sabi, a Japanese tradition with a key focus on understated elegance and rustic, warm aesthetics.