Construction begins on Asymptote’s Strata Tower in Abu Dhabi, UAE:

Abu Dhabi, UAE—The Strata Tower, a forty-story, luxury residential building designed by architects Hani Rashid and Lise Anne Couture of Asymptote, has broken ground on Al Raha Beach and is now under construction. The tower is scheduled for completion in early 2011 and, at a height of 160 meters, will be the tallest building in the Al Dana precinct, the centerpiece of Aldar Properties PJSC’s prestigious Al Raha Beach development. The project and development was showcased at Cityscape Abu Dhabi from May 13–15, 2008. The landmark Strata Tower is designed to signify a dignified and important future for Abu Dhabi and the region.

As a signature architectural statement, the Strata Tower’s articulate, striking physical presence seeks to encapsulate meaning through the use of abstract form drawn from both local cultural landscapes and motifs and dynamic forces of global influence. The Strata Tower’s design utilizes primarily mathematical means in its design to achieve both a poetic, as well as highly pertinent, architecture for the UAE, a region in flux with ambitions for continued rapid growth.

The Strata Tower’s innovative form was created using state-of-the-art, advanced parametric modeling tools and techniques from the onset of the design process to the production phase. The building’s design emerged from various influences and factors including economies of production and fabrication with special consideration given to environmental sustainability. Sophisticated computer modeling and tools were utilized to produce the building’s intelligent, environmentally responsive louver system that is held in a unique, cantilevered exoskeleton structure. The exoskeleton veils the entire tower in a shimmering curvilinear form set against Abu Dhabi’s surrounding desert and sea, embracing and reflecting the ever-changing light and atmospheres that enfold and contain it.

As architecture the Strata Tower resists being an overt, singular gesture reliant on a set meaning or association. Rather, the mathematical properties used, not unlike those in the manifestation of the arabesque or abstract calligraphy, give the building its supreme elegance, prominence and potential for meaning and significance.

 
About Asymptote Architecture:

Asymptote Architecture was founded by principals Hani Rashid and Lise Anne Couture in 1989. Since Asymptote’s founding the New York-based firm has been at the forefront of technological innovation in the field of architecture and design and received international acclaim for visionary building designs and large-scale master plans. Asymptote is currently working on a broad range of commissions at sites in the United States, Europe, the United Arab Emirates and Asia including three landmark towers in Tbilisi, Georgia; commercial office towers in Budapest and Prague and the World Business Center Busan in Busan, South Korea, slated to be one of the tallest buildings in Asia upon its completion in 2011. In addition to the Strata Tower, projects designed by Asymptote now under construction include an innovative, high-end condominium building in New York City and a 500-room hotel in the United Arab Emirates.

In 2004 Hani Rashid and Lise Anne Couture were awarded the Frederick Kiesler Prize for Architecture and the Arts given in recognition of exceptional contributions to the progress and merging of art and architecture.

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1. The CN Tower was built by the Canadian National Railway.
2. At 181 storeys, 553.33m (1,815 ft., 5 in.) it is the world’s tallest building and free-standing structure
3. Height of: Glass Floor – 113 storeys – 342m (1,122ft.) Look Out Level – 114 storeys- 346m (1,136ft.) Sky Pod – 147 storeys- 447m (1,465ft.)
4. At the base of the CN Tower: * Circumference – 109.1m (358ft.) * Radius – 33.2m (109.2 ft.) * Diameter – 66.6m (218.4 ft.)
5. Located at a: * latitude of 43 degrees 28 mins 36 sec North * longitude of 79 degrees 23 mins 15 sec West
6. Opened to the public on June 26, 1976
7. Official opening on October 1, 1976
8. Original cost: million
9. Adjusted cost (1999 dollars): 0 million
10. Construction started on February 6, 1973
11. Total construction time: 40 months
12. Tower sphere construction (middle portion) started on August 1974
13. Antenna construction started on March 1975
14. Construction of The Tower was completed on February 22, 1974, and the antenna was completed on April 2, 1975
15. Number of construction workers: 1,537
16. Total weight of the Tower: 117,910 metric tonnes (130,000 tons)
17. Volume of concrete: 40,523.8 cubic metres (53,000 cubic yards)
18. Tensioned steel: 128.7km (80 miles)
19. Reinforcing steel: 4,535 metric tonnes (5,000 tons)
20. Structural steel: 544.2 metric tonnes (600 tons)
21. Number of elevators: 6 (including 2 which officially opened March 20, 1997)
22. Speed of elevators: 6 metres/second (20 feet/second)
23. Slow speed of elevators (in high winds): 1.5 metres/second (5 feet/second)
24. Attendance: about 2 million per year
25. Total staff (off season): approximately 400
26. Total staff (peak season): approximately 550 · Maximum sway in 190 km/h winds with 320 km/h gusts (120 mph winds with 200 mph gusts): *Antenna: 6 ft., 8 in. from centre * Sky Pod: 3 ft., 4 in. from centre * Tower Sphere: 1 ft., 7 in. from centre
27. Windows: Double-pane armour-plated
28. Thickness of windows: Outer pane – 9.5 mm (3/8 inch), inner pane – 6.4 mm (1/4 inch)
29. Glass Floor was opened on June 26, 1994
30. 360 Restaurant was opened on April 25, 1995
31. The Wine Cellar in 360 Restaurant was opened on May 13, 1997
32. Capacity of 360, The Restaurant at the Tower: 400 people
33. Time for 360 Restaurant to revolve once: 72 minutes
34. Capacity of Horizons Café: 500 people
35. The opening of the million entertainment expansion, which was completed in nine months, took place on June 26, 1998
36. Broadcast Facilities: UHF, VHF Television; FM Radio; Microwave Transmissions; Fixed Mobile Systems
37. Companies that broadcast from the Tower: § CBC Channel 5 & 25, CFMT 47, CFTO 9, City 57, Global/CIII 41, TV Ontario 19, 38. LOOK Communications (Digital), CHFI/Rogers, CFNY FM, CHIN FM, CHUM FM, CILQ FM, CJEZ FM, CJRT FM, CKFM FM, Bell Canada, 39. Cantel, Motorola, TTC
40. Thickness of The Glass Floor: 2 1/2 “. Layers, from the top down: * 3/16″ scuff plate (replaced annually) * Two 1/2″ layers of clear tempered glass, laminated together * A one inch layer of air (for insulation) * Two 1/4″ layers of clear tempered glass, laminated together * Size of each panel: 42″ by 50″ * Load tests are performed annually on each panel to ensure safety. 

Source: Torotoplace.com

The marketing technique of self-declaring the 7 star title has worked very well. Burj al-Arab became one of the most wanted destinations, and not only in the United Arab Emirates. To keep objectivity, the hotel is officially 5 star deluxe. The service and the unseen luxury definitely makes it stand out of the other 5 star hotels. The service includes private chauffeur with Rolls Royce or BMW 7, private reception desk every floor, helicopter pad (helicopter trips to the center of Dubai or to the Dubai International Airport), restaurant located 200m above the sea level, with amezing view on the city. The hotel offers free entry to the Wild-Wadi Water Park as well.

Celebrities appear daily at this hotel, Andre Agassi had a tennis game with Roger Federer on the helipad, and Ronan Keating made his video clip at the same place. Burj al-Arab stands on an artificial island which is linked to Jumeirah by a private bridge.

Burj al-Arab has the most luxurious interior imaginable. Khuan Chew, Design Principal of KCA International was responsible for the interior design. The most expensive materials were used throughout the building. There is no exact data about the cost of the hotel, but rumours say that the return of investment could be 100 years, although the nights at Burj al-Arab start at $1000. The Royal Suite costs $28000 per night.

There are 202 duplex suites in the hotel, the smallest suite starts at 169 m², and the largest is 780 m². Each suite has floor to the ceiling windows with spectacular views on the Persian Gulf. Every suite has sumptuous living and dining area, and office facilities. They are equipped with 42 inch Plasma screen TV, and everything is automated and can be controlled via remote. The list goes on, like 13 pillows to choose from and similar thoughtful care for the guests.

There is huge variety of brilliant, elegant restaurants that offer much more than the average. Al Mahara (The Oyster) let you enjoy your meal next to a large circle aquarium. The Skyview Bar leaves you with an unforgettable experience drinking coctails -made by Rikard Lindqvist (mixologist) from Sweden- 200 m above the sea-level. If that is not enough, there are 8 more restaurants to choose from.

Trick to get in for free:

There is an entry fee to the hotel if you just want to see it from the inside, which is about ~50 euros. Although there is a trick that might help you get in without payment. Make a reservation on the phone for any restaurant in Burj al-Arab, you will get a reservation number which you have to show at the front gate. When you get inside to the hotel, just avoid the restaurant. Make sure you dont give your real phone number to them.

Burj al-Arab and the Christian symbol:
The Tower of the Arabs from an exact angle (sailing into the city of Dubai) can be viewed as a Christian symbol, the cross. It is still widely disputed, wether the British architects made it intentionally, or this is only a harmless coincidence. As United Arab Emirates is an Islamic country, such symbol would not make the locals happy, as Burj al-Arab is the iconic tower of their country, that represents their dream of the modern Dubai.

Emirates Palace:
Burj al-Arab was the first hotel to self-declare the 7-star title, but soon another hotel appeared in the United Arab Emirates, the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. While Burj al-Arab lies on a small artificial island, Emirates Palace is surrounded by a spectacular garden with multiple swimming pools and amezing fountains. The hotel kept the traditional arabic architectural style.

Source: www.dubaihotel.ws

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When completed, this building is intended to be the tallest in the world. Originally, it was the only skyscraper in the race for that title. But before it could even be topped out a number of other competitors announced plans to top it and a few even began construction. So its “world's tallest” title, while well-earned, may be brief.

The actual height of this building was a mystery for years. The people involved with the development and construction concealed its exact height to keep competitors guessing. Eventually a rumor slipped out that the goal was 818 meters (2,683 feet). It turned out to be true. When Samsung contractors placed a spire and a beacon on top of the building in late December, 2008 construction crews confirmed to local media that the spire reached the 818 meter height.

Dubai is no stranger to monumental skyscrapers, but this one sets a new standard. Aesthetically, the Burj Dubai is a brilliant shard of glass piercing the Arabian sky. It is formed by three main shafts arranged in a Y shape. Their setbacks taper in a spiral pattern until the Burj Dubai is merely a spire in the sky. In any city, this would be a monumental structure. On the flat plain of Dubai, it is a shock to behold, likely to be visible for miles and miles. One can only imagine the views possible from those living and working inside.

But this tower does not stand on its own. It is part of a planned 500-acre complex of offices, hotels, shops, lagoons, and public space that will be a technological, economic, and social oasis all on its own.

Architect: Adrian Smith
Developer: Emaar Properties

Other Facts of Burj Dubai:

1. January, 2004: Construction begins.
2. 20 September, 2004: The first concrete is poured for the foundation.
3. 26 June, 2005: Gulf News reports that the estimated total cost for the Burj Dubai complex rises to US$5,500,000,000.
4. 16 July, 2005: ;Construction Week magazine reports that the designers of the Burj Dubai are reconsidering their decision to use stainless steel on the exterior of the tower because prices have jumped from US$400 a ton to $2,200 in just two years.
5. March 23, 2006: The Associated Press reports that 2,500 construction workers rioted because of low pay and poor treatment doing an estimated US$1,000,000 damage. Thousands of construction workers at other Dubai projects also went on a sympathy strike.
6. April 16, 2006: AME Info reports that the Burj Dubai is going to be at least 200 stories tall, a number that turns out to be false.
7. September 1, 2006: Construction reaches 70 stories.
8. October 1, 2006: Construction reaches 75 stories.
9. October 31, 2006: Construction reaches 80 stores and 850 feet / 259 meters. That height makes it taller than the tallest building in Europe.
10. November 11, 2006: ITPBusiness reports that construction is being delayed by a shortage of exterior cladding material.
11. April 6, 2007: The tower reaches a record-breaking 120 stories.
12. July 21, 2007: This building passes Taipei 101 as the tallest building on Earth.
13. August 12, 2007: Passes 1,730 feet in height — higher than the antennae atop the former Sears Tower in Chicago.
14. August 29, 2007: Passes the CN Tower in Toronto to become the world’s tallest free-standing structure.
15. September 3, 2007: Passes 1,772 feet in height — higher than the Ostankino Tower in Moscow.
16. May, 2008: This building passes the KVLY Television tower in North Dakota to become the tallest man-made object on Earth.
17. May 20, 2008: A worker is crushed to death by an exterior panel.
18. May 24, 2008: A British man parachuted off of the Burj Dubai just days after it rose to a height making it the tallest man-made structure ever built. He managed to sneak past security guards and walk up more than 150 stories of stairs with all of his gear without being noticed.
19. June 17, 2008: Arabian Business reports that the height of this building has been increased by planners, but remains secret.
20. October, 2008: This building reached 2,257 feet, making it taller than the demolished Warsaw Radio tower in Poland, formerly the tallest man-made structure ever to exist.
21. December, 2008: The spire is erected at the top of this building, giving it its full height.
22. December 30, 2008: Original scheduled completion date.
23. January 17, 2009: Building topps out at 2,684 feet.
24. July 12, 2009: Zawya reports that the opening of this building will be delayed three months until December, 2009. 25. September, 2009: Anticipated completion date.
Source: glasssteelandstone.com

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The 88-floor towers are constructed largely of reinforced concrete, with a steel and glass facade designed to resemble motifs found in Islamic art, a reflection of Malaysia’s Muslim religion. Another Islamic influence on the design is that the cross section of the towers is based on a Rub el Hizb (albeit with circular sectors added to meet office space requirements).

Due to a lack of steel and the huge cost of importing steel, the towers were constructed on a cheaper radical design of super high-strength reinforced concrete. High-strength concrete is a material familiar to Asian contractors and twice as effective as steel in sway reduction; however, it makes the building twice as heavy on its foundation than a comparable steel building. Supported by 23-by-23 meter concrete cores and an outer ring of widely spaced super columns, the towers use a sophisticated structural system that accommodates its slender profile and provides 560,000 square metres of column-free office space. Below the twin towers is Suria KLCC, a shopping mall, and Dewan Filharmonik Petronas, the home of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra.

Other buildings have used spires to increase their height but have always been taller overall to the pinnacle when trying to claim the title. In the aftermath of the controversy, the rules governing official titles were partially overhauled, and a number of buildings re-classified structural antenna as architectural details to boost their height rating (even though nothing was actually done to the building).

Source: Wikipedia

This 50-floor structure is constructed in close proximity to the King Faisal Highway, near popular landmarks such as the towers of BFH, NBB, Abraj Al Lulu and the scenic Pearl Roundabout. It currently ranks as the second tallest building in Bahrain, after the twin towers of the Bahrain Financial Harbour. The project has received several awards for sustainability, including;

1. The 2006 LEAF Award for Best Use of Technology within a Large Scheme.
2. The Arab Construction World for Sustainable Design Award.

Structural details
 
The two towers are linked via three skybridges, each holding a 225KW wind turbine, totalling to 675kW of wind power production. Each of these turbines measure 29 m (95 ft) in diameter, and is aligned north, which is the direction from which air from the Persian Gulf blows in. The sail-shaped buildings on either side are designed to funnel wind through the gap to provide accelerated wind passing through the turbines. This was confirmed by wind tunnel tests, which showed that the buildings create an S-shaped flow, ensuring that any wind coming within a 45° angle to either side of the central axis will create a wind stream that remains perpendicular to the turbines. This significantly increases their potential to generate electricity.

The wind turbines are expected to provide 11% to 15% of the towers’ total power consumption, or approximately 1.1 to 1.3 GWh a year. This is equivalent to providing the lighting for about 300 homes annually.[3] The three turbines were turned on for the first time on the 8th of April, 2008. They are expected to operate 50% of the time on an average day.

Source: Wikipedia