ARCHITECTURE ARCHIVE : catch the move of architecture. Worlds Architecture News and Update

Steel, wood, stone and glass merge to form a simple structure

2008-11-05T14:46:00.003+08:00

Steel, wood, stone and glass merge to form a simple structure

Having been entrusted to carry out a residential project on this site, the architects decided to explore the posibility of designing a house that would generate the least impact possible and could be adapted in the best way to the natural conditions of the site.

This is how the architectural concept of this house was born: a lineal spatial organisation with platforms on different levels and with different angles that allowed Gomez Crespo Arquitectos to adapt and integrate architecture to nature.
The architectural design consists of areas built with steel structure and glass. This evokes a sense of lightness, transparency and harmony with the surroundings. Wooden beams were used to give warmth to these open spaces.

The colours chosen played an important role in the design process: the metal structure painted as the colour of tree trunks, the concrete sections coloured to reflect the earthy shades of the area, the stone walls and flooring chosen in earth tones and glass used to allow total transparency and integration. Water treatment, solar energy and passive ventilation were considered in the design.

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=10572

Site-sensitive design creates New Charles River landmark in Cambridge

2008-11-05T14:46:00.001+08:00

Site-sensitive design creates New Charles River landmark in Cambridge

Architect Kyu Sung Woo has designed a new graduate housing complex for Harvard University in Cambridge, MA. The 115,000 sq ft project is a part of University's ongoing effort to house 50 percent of its graduate, professional and doctoral students, further supporting a strong residential campus community and helping to alleviate pressure on the local housing market. The scheme houses 215 beds in over 30 different suite types, and includes a faculty director's suite, a fitness room, study lounge spaces, a multipurpose room, and a garage that extends under the building, its courtyard, and a new public open space along Memorial Drive.

The 10 Akron Street project occupies a prominent location on the Charles River, at the corner of Memorial Drive and Akron Street and is one of a series of new residences for Harvard affiliates as well as low and moderate income units built for local residents. Adjacent is Peabody Terrace Housing by Jose' Luis Sert, with whom Woo studied and worked. Visible from across the Charles River, the simple and elegant design composition is a seamless extension of the campus, recalling the scale, massing and textures of Harvard's traditional brick river houses, wood-frame neighborhood context, with references to Sert.

From the river side, the six-story brick block with glassy bay windows, is appropriately scaled to active Memorial Drive and the river. Along Banks Street, the siding on the low-rise wood-clad building refers to adjacent three-story wood frame houses and Peabody Terrace's vertical concrete formwork. The massing composition of these two building elements forms a courtyard open toward the public open space, Harvard provided to the City of Cambridge. Together, the courtyard gesture and the park establish a contemporary and welcoming gateway to campus. The entry portal at 10 Akron Street frames an axial view of the Sert complex through the courtyard and the park, and a section of the building cantilevers dramatically over the outdoor deck to preserve sightlines from the community to the river at street level. Projecting bay windows create shade and shadow, animating the façades, and capture remarkable views of Charles River and Boston beyond.

At the individual scale, architectural detail and discerning material selection and color palette create familiar yet contemporary textures and surfaces. Double height curtain wall windows at the corners reveal two-story study lounges. Internally, to foster a sense of community, studies and other public spaces distributed throughout the floors and the extra wide open stair are opportunities for spontaneous encounters. Subtle changes in material and the use of localized intense colors at unit entries punctuate corridors which terminate with striking views of the outdoors. Apartment are designed for maximum flexibility in furnishing and partitioning, made more spacious with generous glazing and bay windows.

In keeping with Harvard's university-wide commitment to sustainable building and campus operations, the project was designed to achieve a high level LEED certification. Green-minded finishes include regionally-sourced siding with recycled content; renewable bamboo flooring and wall paneling, and low-VOC finishes; building systems are designed and engineered to minimize energy usage. Landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates designed a graceful seasonal garden with groupings of trees and clumped plantings native to New England, connecting the courtyard to the riverfront terrace. In the courtyard, serrated and diagonally laid paving edged with large river smoothed rocks recall peaceful stone gardens.

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=10571

Joel Sanders completes eco-friendly NYC penthouse

2008-11-05T14:45:00.001+08:00

Joel Sanders completes eco-friendly NYC penthouse

This Noho loft for real estate developer Matthew Blesso offers a fresh take on green architecture, demonstrating that you don't have to forgo high style in the interest of saving the planet.

Designed by New York architect Joel Sanders with associate architect Andrea Steele and landscape designer, Balmori Associates, the design of this 3200 sq ft loft is predicated on the notion that if you merge building and landscape, by bringing nature in and pushing living space to the outdoors, unexpected things can happen.

The loft's interior is awash in lush vegetation, sustainable woods and natural fibers. Exterior wood decking and plants flow into the heart of the penthouse forming a "planted core" that separates the private and public realms. A glass wall separates the bathroom from the planted zone, allowing the owner to bathe surrounded by vegetation. This "living wall" links the interior to the roof. An open staircase provides access to a rooftop garden planted with grasses and sedum, which has been transformed into a veritable "living" room furnished with a mini-kitchen, a large movie screen, and an outdoor shower surrounded by lush vegetation.

Sharon McHugh
US Correspondent

(Associate Architect Andrea Steele www.andarchitects.com

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=10577

Exclusive insight into changing market conditions: WAN talks to Davis Langdon and Norman Foster

2008-11-05T14:44:00.001+08:00

Exclusive insight into changing market conditions: WAN talks to Davis Langdon and Norman Foster

As the collapsed residential markets around the world show no sign of life, so architects are increasingly forced to look to other sectors to fill the gap. This week, both camps in the US Presidential race announced huge plans to invest in the rebuilding of much of America's crumbling infrastructure. At the same time, Gordon Brown the UK's Premier and London Mayor, Boris Johnson confirmed plans for major infrastructure projects, including Crossrail, would go forward.

Speaking to WAN in Barcelona last week, Lord Norman Foster expressed that this same investment has been true in past crises: "If you look at past periods of (economic) distress, or recessions, some of those have been typified by investment in infrastructure. If the private sector is not able to keep the construction industry in employment, thriving, then you are forced to turn to the public sector."

But while plans such as Crossrail and Building Schools for the Future, two key UK infrastructure pushes, promise to deliver billions of pounds worth of investment into the industry, they have been under planning for years with the timing being inconsequential, although convenient. Any economic boost in the industry that these schemes would have had therefore has been traded down as a band aid to the gaping wound of the crunch and one that Steve Waltho, Head of Infrastructure at Davis Langdon, says cannot compensate for the losses occurring in the housing, commercial and office sectors.

Across the pond, however, investment in infrastructure has been rebranded as a sales tool for elections. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) last week highlighted the importance of infrastructure in an advancing society as their President, David G Mongan, addressed the US House of Representatives.

"The dangers of the nation's crumbling infrastructure to our economic health are as great as those posed by the current financial crisis," he said. "The nation's infrastructure is the foundation on which our economy stands. Without a modern, functioning system of highways, bridges, mass-transit, drinking-water systems, sewage systems, levees, dams, school and other elements of the infrastructure, economic recovery will be impossible. Simply put, without proper investment and attention to these networks, our nation's economic health, competitive advantage, and quality of life are at risk."

And this is a message that both the Republican and Democrat camps have taken on board creating policy and investment proposals in response but the treatments are polar. While Obama pledges major investment ($60 billion over ten years) to rebuild roads, bridges, ports and rail McCain would put investment into energy by upgrading the national electric power transmission system instead. The contrast leaves further insecurity hanging over the question of infrastructure's ability to save the market.

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=10586

New Raffles City Bahrain, hopes to attract new investment with its unique ‘wave,’ inspired design

2008-11-03T16:26:00.001+08:00

New Raffles City Bahrain, hopes to attract new investment with its unique 'wave,' inspired design

Located in the heart of Bahrain Bay the new development of Raffles City, designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects, will offer 4,300,000 sq ft of mixed use residential and retail space. The design for the ambitious project is formed by four separate sites that gradually slope downwards towards the seafront promenade, architecturally linked by a series of 'waves' which emanate from the waterfront and culminate with four concave leaning towers.

The multi-billion dollar project, which aims to be completed in 2012, promises to transform the Bahrain Bay skyline with its distinctive design and it is hoped will attract investment for international conglomerates and brands.

Three curved high-rise towers form the culminating gesture of the wave design, which will incorporate luxury apartments and two-storey penthouse suites with views overlooking both the Arabian Gulf and Bahrain Bay itself. The fourth tower, which sits slightly in front of the other three, will encompass serviced apartments. Forty-seven apartments sitting below the towers comprise the development's most exclusive residences, each featuring a private swimming pool, landscaped terrace, courtyard and drive-way to a parking garage. The terraced arrangement of these villas not only affords unrestricted views to the centre of the bay and centre of Bahrain, but also provides privacy that belies the urban nature of the project. The design is inspired and derived from souks, or markets, which are the hive of commercial activity in Arabic culture and it is hoped the development will attract a similarly bustling business and commercial aesthetic.

John Edwards
Reporter

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=10578

New Eye Park development introduces technological improvements to a rapidly expanding Dubai

2008-10-24T11:22:00.001+08:00

As part of Dubai's ongoing plan to become a worldwide tourist, entertainment, and leisure destination, Tameer Holding Investments have employed retail design firm Callison to develop six mixed-use towers in the heart of the new Dubailand development. The new towers – to be collectively known as Eye Park - will offer over around 1.9 million square feet of residential space, and 100,00 square feet of retail space, along with full amenities, car parking, and shopping areas.

Create a Reflection in 5 K.I.S.S. Steps

2008-10-22T11:55:00.001+08:00

Create a Reflection in 5 K.I.S.S. Steps

If there is one thing I have learned in my years as a graphic designer, it's that I need to keep things simple. I always try to keep in mind the old adage, K.I.S.S. (keep it simple silly). Now, I'm aware that normally the word "silly" is replaced by "stupid," but the word "stupid" is not a very positive thing to be repeating to yourself each day.

Standard, Enhanced, Custom, and Multi-User Plans

2008-10-22T11:37:00.001+08:00

Standard, Enhanced, Custom, and Multi-User Plans

What You Need to Know

Sometimes in our quest to find great images for our deadline-driven creative projects, it can be tough to find time to read the fine print. Though important, these legal details are sometimes overlooked. While it is essential that you read through the license terms in their entirety, this article will serve as a primer on these important issues and help guide you to the license and subscription plan best suited for your needs.

Creating a Vector Face in Illustrator

2008-10-22T11:23:00.001+08:00

Let's take the mystery out of creating a vector face using Illustrator. Although there is no single way of doing it, I will guide you step-by-step from sketch to the finished illustration using the magnificent Pen Tool. No reference photos will be needed, just your vivid imagination and drawing skills combined with a basic knowledge of Adobe Illustrator.

1. Let's start by creating some basic line art as the base for the illustration. I used Corel Painter to draw it, but pen and paper work just as well! Draw a female face, bearing in mind the basic proportions of the human face.

Update News from Dubai Sport City

2008-10-13T12:50:00.001+08:00

Dubai Sport City Official Site Click Here

arab sport city is in the move ...

The City of Firsts

Dubai Sports City is a destination of enduring spirit and passion, a place whose heart and soul is expressed in rich iconography, timeless rituals and modern heroes. A place where sport is life, champions live, and legends are made. With over 50 million square feet of sporting venues, academies, exceptional homes, cultural activities and retail developments, Dubai Sports City is inspired by the greatest cities in the world, but at its heart beats the very essence of sport.

Dubai Sports City is the world's first purpose-built sports city. Set on 50 million square feet of land within the Dubailand development, Dubai Sports City will feature four magnificent stadia: a 60,000 seat multi-purpose outdoor stadium, a 25,000 capacity cricket stadium, a 10,000 seat multi-purpose indoor arena, and a field hockey venue for 5,000 spectators.

In addition, Dubai Sports City will be the venue for Ernie Els' first golf course design in the Middle East: an 18-hole championship course named The Dunes which will be the centrepiece of a luxury golf residential community called Victory Heights.

Dubai Sports City will host the first purpose-built Manchester United Soccer Schools facility in the world as well as the International Cricket Council's (ICC) own Global Cricket Academy, a David Lloyd Tennis Academy and the first Butch Harmon School of Golf outside the United States. The academies area will also house a 3,000 square metre gymnasium and an olympic-length swimming pool.

In addition to the sporting facilities, Dubai Sports City will boast all of the residential and commercial developments expected in a purpose-built city, including international schools, world-class medical facilities, hotels, leisure opportunities and a well-being and lifestyle country club, the Next Generation Club. The primary shopping destination at Dubai Sports City will be a sports-themed retail mall with a leasing capacity of approximately 1.2 million square feet. This mall will be complimented by a multitude of shops, markets, retail plazas and boutiques.

The first phase of Dubai Sports City, which will include the golf course, sports academies and other facilities, as well as the opening phase of the Victory Heights residential community, will be completed by the end of 2007, with the entire development set for completion by 2010.

THE GATEWAY TOWERS

Dubai Sports City

Introducing The Gateway, your ultimate business destination, iconic twin office towers at the entrance to the world's first integrated sports city. At 44 storeys, this striking structure is the city's tallest, and enjoys spectacular views over The ELS club Golf Course and stadium district. Innovatively designed and fitted with leading edge technology, there are few addresses in the Emirates that can offer as much to your organisation.

CANAL RESIDENCE WEST

Canal Residence West

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Waking each morning to views over the glittering waterway. Spend time exploring the promenade, shopping, dining and playing sports, and simply enjoying one another's company. It's the chance to live like you've never lived before, with the best in schools, medical centres and sports academies right outside the door. Built by Dubai Sports City's master developer, the apartments feature unique architecture and superior quality finishes and fittings. Choose from the options of studio's 1, 2, 3 bedrooms and penthouse apartments.

Canal Residence West – it's a place for families.
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08 Oct 2008 - Manchester United Soccer Schools Launches Fourth Season

22 Sep 2008 - Manchester United Soccer Schools Pays A Visit To Rashid Pediatric Therapy Centre For A Day Of Football Fun

16 Sep 2008 - Dubai Sports City Releases Final Building Of Waterfront Property

19 Aug 2008 - Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium Will Open With World's Best Lighting System

17 Aug 2008 - Dubai Sports City's Academies Provide Base For Future Olympic Hopefuls

17 Aug 2008 - Ground Breaking Football Programme For Toddlers

30 Jul 2008 - Dubai Sports City Swimming Academy To Make A Big Splash

24 Jul 2008 - Dubai Sports City To Host First International Tournament

17 Jul 2008 - Dubai Sports City Supports UAE Student's Visit To US Presidential Inauguration

14 Jul 2008 - Registration For New Manchester United Soccer Schools Season Opens With Huge Interest

An introduction to Real Estate Opportunities in Palm Jumeirah, Dubai

2008-10-13T11:14:00.001+08:00

Read full version at Orange - Property

Location :
The first of the Palm Islands to be launched, Palm Jumeirah represents one of the most exciting property developments of all time. This man-made island, off Dubai's popular coastline will cover an area of 7 million square meters and is surrounded by a 12 kilometre-long crescent shaped breakwater. Over 220 kilometres of beach front will be offered on Palm Jumeirah.

The Palm will offer residents a choice of some 2,000 villas from exclusive Signature Villas to beachfront Garden Villas and Town Houses. In addition there are 2,500 luxury apartments in a variety of styles and surroundings. Visitors and residents to Palm Jumeirah will be spoilt by the world-class hotels on the trunk and crescent of the Palm, the 220 boutique shops and restaurants on the famous Golden Mile, two marinas, spas and other first class facilities.

The Crescent
The Crescent is 12 kilometres long and surrounds the island, acting as a breakwater. This breakwater has been designed by international specialists and is able to withstand a four-metre wave. The Crescent on Palm Jumeirah will be one of the most desirable hoiday destinations in the world featuring 22 boutique hotels, each with its own theme.

The Crown
The Crown of the Palm consists of seventeen fronds. Each of the fronds provides residents a fabulous beachfront home in private surroundings. Buyers can choose from a wide range of different styled themed properties, ensuring that this is truly their dream home.
Signature Villas are on the 'fronds' of The Palm, providing the ultimate exclusive and luxury residence in a secure environment. These six or seven-bedroom homes have large private swimming pools and private beaches. The properties are finished to the highest standards and are offered with a choice of the following themes:

   1. European
   2. Mediterranean
   3. Arabic
   4. Contemporary

Garden Villas are available as three, four and five-bedroom properties. Each property features a fabulous private pool and stunning water views. These homes offer residents between 5,000 and 6,000 square feet of living space. The Garden Villas on Palm Jumeirah are fitted with the finest fixtures and are available with Mediterranean and Arabic themes.

Town houses offer owners 4,100 square feet of living accommodation in three and four-bedroom properties. Each of the Townhouses on Palm Jumeirah has the added benefit of shared swimming pools and private communal beach areas. As with all of the properties on this development they are finished to the highest standards.

The Trunk
The Trunk of the Palm will be home to some of the most luxurious apartments in the Dubai property market. At nearly half a kilometer wide, it will act as the central point of the palm Jumeirah with theme parks, marinas, shopping malls and restaurants. It will also feature a monorail system for the convenience of residents and guests.

Shoreline apartments are located on the right hand side of the trunk of the Palm. Sea-facing and canal-facing apartments ranging from 1 bedroom up to 4 bedroom penthouses are available. Each Shoreline Apartment has access to private swimming pools, modern gyms and children's playgrounds.

The Golden Mile Residences will comprise of 10 waterfront buildings, these will range from 1 bedroom apartments to penthouses and town homes. Together there will be a total of approximately 780 apartments which will afford residents exceptional services and views.
Marina Village Apartments - Oceana

Marina Village Apartments - Oceana is a major apartment project on the Palm Jumeirah. Located on the trunk of The Palm comprises of seven buildings. Each building comprises of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments offering owners spacious living accomodation, high quality finishes and panoramic views to the garden, beach and marina.

All residents of Oceana will be entitled to join the fabulous Regatta Club. The Regatta Club will include a number of world class facilities including a beach, running track, a large, landscaped recreation area, fully equipped gym, sauna and steam rooms, outdoor pool, children's pool and play area. The Oceana apartments are located within close walking distance from a first class shopping mall.

1 Bed Apartment, Jumeirah Lake Towers

2008-10-13T11:12:00.001+08:00

by Orange Property

We offer you this 1 bedroom apartment set in the middle floor of an exclusive 40 storeys waterfront residential property at the Lake View.

The units built up area is 1,309 square feet, and is equipped with two large and private balconies offering unobstructed view.

The apartment was designed to maximise the view and overlooks the central lake and the neighbouring islands, gardens and promenades.

Lake view is an exclusive 40-storey waterfront residential property at Jumeirah Lake Towers, offering freehold membership to all nationalities. Located at the edge of the project's signature lake, and designed to maximise views from each window, each apartment at Lake View looks out on to the central lake and the neighbouring islands, gardens, waterfalls and promenades.

The kitchen will include the highest quality of cabinetry, fridge, cooker, ceramic floors and tiled splash backs with granite worktops and twin bowl stainless steel sinks with quality taps.

External amenities include underground facilities, scenic piazza, concierge desk, swimming pool, leasure desk and barbeque area, premium health club and sauna and jacuzzi, and a feature entrance lobby.To top it all, Lake View provides state of the art security and controlled access, giving you and your family comfort and security.

See all detail here

NY Museum gets needed upgrade

2008-10-13T11:08:00.001+08:00

From WAN

Smithsonian's Cooper Hewitt unveils expansion plan

The Cooper Hewitt, America's National Design Museum, has unveiled design plans for an enlarged and enhanced facility to house its vast collection. The $64 million project, which is slated to begin construction in January 2009, is being led by Gluckman Mayner Architects with Beyer Blinder Belle Architects on board as Executive Architect.

The ambitious project, which involves the restoration of the landmark Carnegie Mansion and the renovation of two adjacent townhouses, will almost double Cooper-Hewitt's exhibition space. Major components of the project include a new 7,000 sq ft gallery, restored galleries, a new National Design Library and expanded collection storage. When completed, the entire 4,000 sq ft of first floor galleries will be allocated to the display of the Museum' s permanent collection, an increase of 400 percent.

Beyer Blinder Belle will lead the Mansion's restoration work, which includes the addition of a new contemporary east stair that connects all three levels of galleries. The most visible architectural changes in the mansion will be this central stair and the new third-floor galleries. The stair design will be sympathetic to the character of the building, yet unify the disparate floors of the museum and facilitate public circulation. The new third-floor gallery will be transformed into a versatile and neutral vessel into which the museum can exhibit a wide range of temporary shows.

Sharon McHugh
US Correspondent

New cancer research facility underway in Lisbon

2008-10-13T11:05:00.001+08:00

From

New cancer research facility underway in Lisbon

The development of a new 300,000 sq ft cancer research facility in Lisbon has officially begun.

Symbolically, a small robot placed the first stone of the Champalimaud Foundation Centre at a ceremony attended by Portuguese Prime Minister José Sócrates. Officials hope the unit will lead researchers to make new discoveries, helping to enhance disease treatment and to bring forward scientific exploration in Portugal.

Consisting of three buildings, the centre is located at Pedroucos Dock on the banks of Tagus River and has been designed to provide a comfortable environment for people staying at its outpatient cancer clinic, as well as being environmentally friendly and enjoying optimal energy and resource management.

Building A will house a rainforest garden which can be visited by patients and staff, in addition to diagnostic, treatment and wellness centres; Building B is to encompass an auditorium, exhibition centre and restaurant; while Building C is expected to be an open-air amphitheatre to hold community events and public performances.

Stephen McDaniel, a principal at RMJM, commented that the project is "an excellent example of a holistic, site-specific approach to sustainability".

He continued: "For example, the proximity to the Tagus River allows us to have a geothermal heat-sink for temperature control, which is further controlled by the massive rainforest garden in the main building. The garden will be 80 x 40 metres, the size of a US football field."

RMJM Hillier are the laboratory and clinical design architects for the project, with Charles Correa appointed as design architect and Portuguese firm Consiste architect of the record.

The Champalimaud Foundation Centre is set to be the first development in a major regeneration of the Belem area of Lisbon, with an expected opening date of October 2010.

Darren Maybury
Reporter

Update Architects Job in Qatar

2008-10-09T15:58:00.001+08:00

Senior Design Architect - Qatar - Consultancy

Qatar

Company: Duke & Attwood
Salary: 90000 - 100000 per annum + Salary upto 60K AED per month

offers long term career opportunities and outstanding expatriate package for the Qatar role as a Senior Design Architect. Full... Firm with offices throughout the United Arab Emirates. A fantastic opportunity has arisen within the Qatar office for a Senior DesignArchitect/ Architect. The successful candidate will be working on large scale projects such as multi-discipline design... Design, Production Drawings, Design Reviews and Design Management. Who are they looking for? The Senior Design Architect
Requirements: architect, architecture, design, middle east, uae, qatar
Contract: Permanent

Senior Architect Qatar

Qatar

Senior Architect Qatar

Qatar International

Company: Leap29
Salary: 55000 GBP

Senior Architects want to escape the CREDIT CRUNCH? - Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait My client are a well known company in the Middle East and are a part of a worldwide company they have office locations in Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait as well as inside the UAE and are looking for Senior Architects to help deal with an ever increasing work load within the company. As a result we are looking for a senior architect with •B/BSc Arch Diploma or M Arch/MSc Arch •RIBA membership or equivalent...
Requirements: N/A
Contract: Full Time

Senior Architect - Doha Qatar

Qatar

Company: Daulton construction personnel
Salary: 45,000 to 65,000 per year

; telecommunications systems that bring new technology to millions of people. Senior Architect, New Doha International Airport Location: Doha, Qatar Required Start Date: 17-Jun-2008 Living Status: Employee and Family SPECIFICATION: Accountability: Quality... Professional Architect license or membership of Architectural Engineers - desirable Experience: Substantial Architectural... English Language: Advanced Written and Oral Driving license holder, Able to turn into Qatar license
Contract: Permanent/Full-time

More Job in Qatar >> click here

The Oval Tower, Another Landmark For Dubai

2008-10-09T10:50:00.001+08:00

The Oval Tower, Another Landmark For Dubai

The Oval Tower is the latest piece of architectural whimsy to come out of Dubai. As you might guess, it is shaped like an oval. The tower in the Business Bay area will be home to 19 floors of office space and a leisure deck with a gymnasium with a sauna, shower and lockers. The building as two distinct parts, the tower and the podium. The podium of the tower will hold a dining area with a panoramic lift and staircase. There will be parking in both the podium and the basement for 651 cars.

Source : The Oval Tower, Another Landmark For Dubai

Modernity and tradition in Dubai architecture by Luiza Karim

2008-10-09T10:48:00.001+08:00

"The migration of an architecturaL style from an area to another foreign area is something that should be rejected because it will cut its relations to its heritage, traditions and culture. It leads to double personality and the loss of one's identity, thus to be a stranger in your house is the worst type of stranger."

The sheikh of Arab architects the late Hassan Fathi

Besides being a town on the old caravan route from Iraq to Oman, Dubai was also a transit port for dhows between India east Africa and the northern part of the Gulf. Gradually it developed into a busy commercial centre where people of different cultures and traditions settled and mixed, leading to today's multi-cultural society.

"Like most Arabian Gulf coastal cities, Dubai was established on land near a creek and fresh water. Creeks provided natural ports for dhows, and the sea was a convenient way of transportation, besides being a means of providing food and pearl diving," explains Rashad M. Bukhash, head of historical buildings section at Dubai Municipality.

Designboom.com : the future in dubai

2008-10-09T10:45:00.000+08:00

the future in dubai
dubai architecture: new buildings in the united arab emirates

the future of dubai's waterfront

---
duabi or dubai city is located on the northern tip of the united arab emeritus on the persian gulf. it has been ruled
by the al maktoum dynasty since 1833 and has existed in its modern state since 1971. the current ruler is
mohammed bin rashid al maktoum, who is also the prime minister and vice president of the united arab emirates.
the rather small city has a population of 1.6 million people and a 37 billion USD economy based largely on trade,
manufacturing and financial services. contrary to popular belief petrol and natural gas only make up a small
percentage of revenues.

the city has gained world-wide attention in the past few years because of its booming economy and ambitious
architectural projects. with a focus on business and tourism, the city is ramping up construction on an
unprecedented level. in fact, dubai is said to be home to 15% to 25% of the world's 125,000 construction cranes.
don't think that the architectural expansion is over, because a slew of new project are on the table and in
the works as we speak.

here is only a small portion of the buildings that are being proposed, constructed or developed in dubai
and its surrounding region.

>>> Read more >>> designboom.com

Orange Real Estate

2008-10-08T12:33:00.001+08:00

TOP PROPERTIES FROM ORANGE REAL ESTATE (OCT 2008)

X3 Tower - Jumeirah Bay
Full Commercial 37th Floor • 7,026 sq.ft. approx to accommodate 6 offices • Easy access to Sheikh Zayed Road • 6 large high speed lifts • Fabulous views • On the Dubai metro monorail route • Close to Dubai Marina, Media and Internet Cities, Golf Courses and shopping

AED 13,078,899
plus Transfer

Lake View - Jumeirah Lake Towers
Huge 1 Bedroom Apartment • 1,309 sq.ft. • 24th floor • Two balconies overlooking the signature lake and neighbouring islands • High quality finishings throughout • Communal pool, health club, sauna and Jacuzzi • 24 hr security

AED 1,989,000
plus Transfer

Diamond Tiara Residence - Palm Jumeirah
The most prestigious address on the Palm Jumeirah • Huge one bedroom apartment 1,309 sq.ft. • High floor • Great price • 7 Star amenities • Outstanding Burj and beach views • Private beach • Private parking space • Spa and fitness centre • Choice of elegant restaurants • State of the art gymnasium • Round the clock security • Ready March 2009

AED 5,000,000
plus Transfer

A European managed Real Estate Agency specializing in commercial and residential property, plots and buildings in Dubai and Abu Dhabi with multi-lingual staff, catering to local buyers and international property funds.

Corporate Profile
Orange Real Estate is a multi-lingual, RERA registered brokerage with offices conveniently located in Jumeirah, Dubai. Launched in 2004 to administrate a private property portfolio, Orange has developed into a successful boutique agency employing over 25 staff and continues to enjoy considerable growth.

Orange's services include negotiating on property and land transactions, property investment advice as well as finance, legalities and taxation assistance.

Orange understands the varied needs of buyers in the UAE, from sourcing land or building deals for large investors to sourcing personal properties for individual local buyers.
Specialising in Internet marketing, they also work directly with developers to market their stock internationally or introduce them to large investors.

A key target for Orange in 2008 will be acquiring more international property funds, creating portfolios in Dubai and Abu Dhabi with risk diversity and maximum return on investment. The private property portfolio has seen average returns of over 150% per annum for the past 3 years. Orange has a large support staff, enabling them to meet the standards and requirements of the international investor. They have departments specialising in marketing, re-sales, developers, commercial, residential, property funds, large investors and an Abu Dhabi property department.

Our Clients:
Their business is split between servicing the needs of local buyers in acquiring individual apartments or villas as well as larger, more sophisticated international investors who require specific investment advice including feasibility studies, risk analysis and yield forecasts.
They work closely with all of the major developers including, Nakheel, Emaar, Sheth, First Gulf Bank, Sung Won Emirates Sunland, Hydra Properties, Al Serkal Properties, Dubai Properties, Sorouh and ACI.

They currently manage funds of over US$100 million for International Property Investment Funds and wealthy individuals from The GCC, Pakistan, Russia, Iran, Norway, UK, Greece and the USA.

Current Projects:
Orange has managed a diverse portfolio of commercial, retail, and residential real estate transactions all across the UAE but specialising in Dubai. They have a specific business development department, which deals exclusively with sourcing, negotiating and tendering for projects and developments.

Projects of note, include sales of floors in Burj Al Alam, Capital Bay in Abu Dhabi, significant sales of Iris Amber in Culture Village, individual units in most of the popular Emaar and Nakheel projects such as Arabian Ranches, The Lakes, Emirates Hills and both Palm Islands, and the sale of several land plots including one in Business Bay.

They currently have on going projects of floors and whole buildings on Al Reem Island in Abu Dhabi, Dubai Waterfront, Dubai Land, Jumeirah Village and Sports City.
They have also been appointed as one of the exclusive sales agents for one of the first developments on The World, Greece, by V Resorts. Involving villas, duplexes and apartments, prices in excess of $5million, this exclusive Resort Offering is targeted at VIP clients.

Future Projects:
As investor interest in Abu Dhabi grows, Orange has invested significant time and effort in evaluating developers and projects on Al Reem, Al Yas and Saadiyat Islands.

Orange already has relationships in place with Abu Dhabi developers to secure pre-launch properties in iconic projects offering incredible returns such as Capital Bay.
They are currently in talks with developers to exclusively market projects in Dubai Land,Ajman, Jumeirah Village, Palm Island and others in Abu Dhabi.

Orange will soon offer Office and Property Management solutions, enabling their international clients to benefit from predictable yields and a totally managed investment

Orange's investment in their resales department is already paying off and they now have one of the largest resales databases of any local agency, which means that they are able to offer a large selection of direct secondary market on and off plan stock to their customers.

Orange Real Estate LLC
Villa 612, Jumeirah Beach Rd
PO Box 333657
Dubai, UAE

Tel: +971 (0)4 395 4402
Fax: +971 (0)4 395 4403

To contact us between the hours
of 18:00 and 00:00 (2pm and 8pm GMT) please call us on: +971 50 240 0898

http://www.orange-property.com

Architecture in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

2008-10-08T12:28:00.001+08:00

Dubai in 1990 prior to the craziness

The same street in 2003

Last year

The madness. Dubai is said to currently have 15-25% of all the world's cranes.

The Dubai Waterfront. When completed it will become the largest waterfront development in the world.

All of this was built in the last 5 years, including that island that looks like a palm tree.

The Palm Islands in Dubai. New Dutch dredging technology was used to create these massive man made islands. They are the largest artificial islands in the world and can be seen from space. Three of these Palms will be made with the last one being the largest of them all.

Upon completion, the resort will have 2,000 villas, 40 luxury hotels, shopping centers, movie theaters, and many other facilities. It is expected to support a population of approximately 500,000 people. It is advertised as being visible from the moon.

The World Islands. 300 artificially created islands in the shape of the world. Each island will have an estimated cost of $25-30 million.

The Burj al-Arab hotel in Dubai. The worlds tallest hotel. Considered the only '7 star' hotel and the most luxurious hotel in the world. It stands on an artificial island in the sea.

Hydropolis, the world's first underwater hotel. Entirely built in Germany and then assembled in Dubai, it is scheduled to be completed by 2009 after many delays.

The Burj Dubai. Construction began in 2005 and is expected to be complete by 2008. At an estimated height of over 800 meters, it will easily be world's tallest building when finished. It will be almost 40% taller than the the current tallest building, the Taipei 101.

This is what downtown Dubai will look like around 2008-2009. More than 140 stories of the Burj Dubai have already been completed. It is already the worlds tallest man made structure and it is still not scheduled to be completed for at least another year.

The Al Burj. This will be the centerpiece of the Dubai Waterfront. Once completed it will take over the title of the tallest structure in the world from the Burj Dubai.

Recently it was announced that the final height of this tower will be 1200 meters. That would make it more than 30% taller than the Burj Dubai and three times as tall as the Empire State Building.

This is a city on crack.

The Burj al Alam, or The World Tower. Upon completion it will rank as the world's highest hotel. It is expected to be finished by 2009. At 480 meters it will only be 28 meters shorter than the Taipei 101.

The Trump International Hotel & Tower, which will be the centerpiece of one of the palm islands, The Palm Jumeirah.

Dubailand. Currently, the largest amusement park collection in the world is Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, which is also the largest single-site employer in the United states with 58,000 employees. Dubailand will be twice the size.

Dubailand will be built on 3 billion square feet (107 miles^2) at an estimated $20 billion price tag. The site will include a purported 45 mega projects and 200 hundred other smaller projects.

Dubai Sports City. A huge collection of sports arenas located in Dubailand.

Currently, the Walt Disney World Resort is the #1 tourist destination in the world. Once fully completed, Dubailand will easily take over that title since it is expected to attract 200,000 visitors daily.

The Dubai Marina is an entirely man made development that will contain over 200 highrise buildings when finished. It will be home to some of the tallest residential structures in the world. The completed first phase of the project is shown. Most of the other high rise buildings will be finished by 2009-2010.

The Dubai Mall will be the largest shopping mall in the world with over 9 million square feet of shopping and around 1000 stores. It will be completed in 2008.

Ski Dubai, which is already open, is the largest indoor skiing facility in the world. This is a rendered image of another future indoor skiing facility that is being planned.

Some of the tallest buildings in the world, such as Ocean Heights and The Princess Tower, which will be the largest residential building in the world at over a 100 stories, will line the Dubai Marina.

The UAE Spaceport would be the first spaceport in the world if construction ever gets under way. I'm not joking...

Some other other crazy shit...

The Dubai Metro system, once completed, will become the largest fully automated rail system in the world.
The Dubai World Central International Airport will become the largest airport in size when it is completed. It will also eventually become the busiest airport in the world, based on passenger volume.
There are more construction workers in Dubai than there are actual citizens.

http://dubai.isnuts.googlepages.com/

PEACOCK DINNER CLUB

2008-10-08T11:13:00.001+08:00

PEACOCK DINNER CLUB

OLSSONLYCKEFORS ARCHITECTS

location	Gothenburg
function	club, restaurant
contributed by	Kirsten_Hannema

Peacock Dinner Club is the first of a number of new dinner clubs in Sweden, following the concept of a restaurant that develops into a dance club during the evening. OlssonLyckefors Architects used the metaphor of a peacock to translate this idea into an architectural design; just as the peacock spreads its tail feathers, so the space changes without any physical changes taking place. The centrally located bar is laminated in gold, its top reflecting an ellipse of light on the ceiling. LED tubes are concealed in the bar's front along the floor-edge and underneath a rail running along its top. The seating, organized like the tail feathers of a peacock, has been integrated into a slightly elevated podium shaped around the bar. As the night advances the volume of the music rises and soft lighting changes into pulsing bright colours. The lighting walls are made of MDF, perforated according to a fixed pattern and backlit by RGB lights, thus allowing the dynamic colours to change gradually.

http://www.mimoa.eu/projects/Sweden/Gothenburg/Peacock%20Dinner%20Club

VTI2 to transform lifeless Victoria Street in latest regeneration schem

2008-10-07T10:23:00.002+08:00

From WAN Click here to see more pictures

For several years, Transport for London have been undergoing a series of advancements in London's famous underground system to ease congestion, particularly prevalent in central London, and to make travelling in Europe's largest city as comfortable as possible. But surrounding the internal developments of the labyrinthine underground network are those cropping up more visibly in the streets of London. A landmark design for Blackfriars Station which will once again abridge the station at either side of the Thames was revealed in September, similarly other stations including Shepherd's Bush have been remodelled to accommodate the ever increasing stream of travellers through the bustling city.

But the latest developments in London's travel lifeline are issued not in transport itself but in a trend for regeneration through transport. Part of the London Plan, developed under former Mayor Ken Livingstone in 2001, is the encouragement of high density building around transport nodes in the city. The concept is to reduce further travel horizontally and instead encourage those working and living in the city to climb vertically in commercial and residential towers based around key central stations, developed to cope with capacity travel. The latest of these to be revealed is the Victoria Transport Interchange, aka VTI 2.

A development by investors Land Securities, VTI 2 will occupy a 2.5 hectare site close to Victoria Station, the capital's busiest transport hub with approximately 115 million passengers each year. Upon planning approval, a development of six buildings with office space, private and affordable housing, retail and leisure units will be created.

Richard Coleman, townscape advisor for the project said it will be a massive transformation for an important area close to Victoria Station: "Currently the interior of the site is dormant and of no urban value. The existing streets are underused because they go nowhere. The recasting of the area, with streets following desire lines, and very high quality architecture will serve people's needs and pave the way for redistributing the bus station uses presently cluttering up the forecourt of the station which has more people using it than heathrow airport. The heights of the buildings are very carefully calculated, in consultation with the city council, to respect the setting of Belgravia, Buckingham Palace and views from the Royal Parks."

The plans represent a similar regeneration to those presented in Renzo Piano's London Bridge Tower, aka Shard of Glass. These schemes offer particular regenerative efforts due to a legal agreement, Section 106, which is created to protect areas where larger developments are planned. It allows additional development to adjacent areas which may be affected by the larger scheme. This system runs side by side with the London Plan in encouraging regeneration of facilities creating a balance between public and corporate benefits.

The VTI 2 development is a collaboration between world-renowned Kohn Pedersen Fox and the less known Benson and Forsyth and Lynch Architects who will design the residential aspects of the project. If planning approval is granted construction could begin in 2010. Land Securities plans for Victoria will continue with the submission of plans for approval at Selhurst House on Victoria Street and Wellington House in Buckingham Gate in the coming weeks.

Niki May Young
News Editor

FREE VECTOR : Tres

2008-10-06T11:51:00.001+08:00

DOWNLOAD http://slickip.com/u/sldiR.HEgbConzZp

Vector graphics is the use of geometrical primitives such as points, lines, curves, and shapes or polygon(s), which are all based upon mathematical equations, to represent images in computer graphics.

Vector graphics formats are complementary to raster graphics, which is the representation of images as an array of pixels, as it is typically used for the representation of photographic images. There are instances when working with vector tools and formats is best practice, and instances when working with raster tools and formats is best practice. There are times when both formats come together. An understanding of the advantages and limitations of each technology and the relationship between them is most likely to result in efficient and effective use of tools.

FREE VECTOR : BUGS

2008-10-06T11:42:00.001+08:00

FREE VECTOR

Download link http://slickip.com/u/sldiR.aDtWSZyHfP

http://www.mgipson.com/2008/03/22/vector-bug-illustrations/

HNTB’s ballroom In Kansas city is shortlisted for the WAF awards

2008-10-06T10:24:00.001+08:00

HNTB's ballroom In Kansas city is shortlisted for the WAF awards

This LEED Silver certified building adds a new 3,700 sq m ballroom to the city's existing convention centre. The room can accommodate plenary sessions and functions as a civic gathering place.

The site is downtown in a metropolitan region of two million people. As part of a larger urban planning effort, the project bridges over a 17-lane interstate freeway, connecting to the existing convention center on the north and extending a city block south of the freeway span.

continue reading >> http://slickip.com/u/sldiR.DbjAwOQYXH

COURTYARDS FOR MODERN LIVING

2008-10-06T10:22:00.001+08:00

BOOK From worldarchitecturenews.com

http://slickip.com/u/sldiR.VccUNcZhzR

COURTYARDS FOR MODERN LIVING

CONTEMPORARY OUTDOOR SPACES

STEPHEN CRAFTI

The homes in Courtyards for Modern Living feature courtyard gardens and terraces designed to become part of their interior spaces. Providing an attractive solution for often time-poor owners, these low-maintenance gardens function as outdoor rooms and become extensions of everyday living spaces. This book illuminates the important connection between architecture and the landscape in contemporary gardens. Many of the outdoor spaces featured in this book are architect-designed, while others are the work of landscape architects and designers. A spectacular garden by landscape architect Jane Irwin is featured, together with designs from the award-winning landscape designer Jack Merlo. While each designer's approach to the outdoors is unique, all demonstrate a mindfulness of the need to bring the outdoors inside - to extend the sense of space on both sides of the floor-to-ceiling glass windows and doors. Materials used within these homes are often extended to the outdoor space, allowing a feeling of continuity that cannot be achieved with distinctly separate indoor and outdoor spaces.

ISBN13

9781864702828

Publisher

THE IMAGES PUBLISHING GROUP

Pages

224

Published

15 September 2008

Retail Price

~~£35.00~~

WAN Price

£33.25

Approx equivalent

USD58.79

EUR42.58

CAD63.66

AUD75.63

Auckland's central business district undergoing a transformation

2008-10-06T10:17:00.001+08:00

Original @ http://slickip.com/u/sldiR.YPxFXLTBoA

Copyright Rowan Fraser

Auckland's central business district undergoing a transformation

The Britomart Project in Auckland's CBD is a large transport, heritage and urban revitalisation project spread over seven inner city blocks. The 5.2 hectare precinct sits 200m from the city waterfront and at NZD 350M it is the countries most expensive infrastructure project undertaken by a local authority.

This mixed-use development by the Auckland City Council aims at reconnecting train, bus and ferry services by providing an innovative, well-crafted transport hub. By project end 18 heritage buildings will have been renovated and retrofitted – NZ's largest heritage restoration project to date. In combination with six new buildings by local and international architects the entire development will create a vibrant mix of shops, cafes, apartments, business and new public open space.

The key to the development, and its most significant completed building to date, is the Britomart Transport Centre building designed by Californian Mario Madayag with support from local Jasmax. The Transport Centre's role as architectural anchor in the precinct is advanced by its prominent frontage onto the very busy Queen Street, and its programme. It illustrates the central ideas of the masterplan by being both a contemporary high-tech extension and a sensitive retrofit to the Chief Post Office building of 1911.

A fine steel louvred cube thrusts from the neo-classical envelope toward the heart of the precinct. Underground, the platforms of the rail terminal are brightly lit with multicoloured lights. Volcanic cone lightwells draw light down into the underground, while providing at ground level the studs which form the vertebrae of the central axis of the masterplan. Silver ersatz native tree trunks run the triple heighted void from the station into the distribution cube creating a strong verticality and sense of upward lift. One finds in this building the high tech tempered by obvious regionalist aspirations.

The implementation of the rest of the masterplan is moving ahead. Next on the to-build list is the Central Building, Takutai Square and the East Building expected to begin construction shortly under the command of local master architect Pip Cheshire of Cheshire Architects.

Rowan Fraser
Reporter

Boeing Consolidates Aviation Training Organizations Under the Alteon Name

2008-10-03T16:27:00.001+08:00

Boeing Consolidates Aviation Training Organizations Under the Alteon Name

SEATTLE, Oct. 02, 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] announced today it is combining Alteon, a wholly owned subsidiary, and existing training groups within Boeing Commercial Airplanes to form a new, unified training organization. The new training organization retains the Alteon name as a business unit within Boeing Commercial Aviation Services.

"The combined expertise of our Commercial Airplanes and Alteon teams will better serve our customers' training needs by providing them with a more comprehensive suite of aviation training and flight services," said Lou Mancini, vice president and general manager of Commercial Aviation Services. "This is yet another way that Boeing is helping to ensure our airline customers operate more efficiently."

The new organization takes advantage of both Commercial Airplanes and Alteon resources to provide customers with a single integrated business that encompasses all development, deployment and delivery of aviation training and flight services. It also supports both customers who need courseware and instructor-led training as well as those who need only to rent simulator time. In addition, for those customers who have invested in their own simulators, Alteon can provide Boeing data and hardware to operate the simulators as well as updates and upgrades.

"With the new organization, we will be able to present a single face to the customer across our global network and a consistent level of excellence in aviation services," said Sherry Carbary, president of Alteon. "This consolidation reinforces our commitment to pursuing innovative solutions to meet our customers' needs by providing a comprehensive portfolio of capabilities in training and flight services delivered by our skilled and impassioned work force."

The new organization includes 1,400 training professionals. Alteon serves more than 400 customers around the world, delivering 330 training programs accepted by more than 100 regulatory authorities. It has more than 100 full-flight simulators in 20 locations on six continents.

http://boeing.com/news/releases/2008/q4/081002c_nr.html

Shannon Frew
Boeing Commercial Airplanes Communications
+ 1 206-766-1392

A new look for Dubai

2008-10-03T16:26:00.001+08:00

O-14 Tower introduces innovative design to Dubai's Business Bay

The latest addition to Dubai's expanding Business Bay area - the O-14 Tower – has recently been drawing international interest, due to its unique design in the context of its surrounding area. The tower, designed by architects Reiser and Umemotos comprises 300,000 sq ft of space over twenty-two stories and is located along the extension of Dubai Creek, occupying a prominent location on the waterfront esplanade. The project originally broke ground in February 2007, and as of September 2008 the first nine floors and exterior shell have been cast, revealing the beginnings of the perforated concrete shell exoskeleton.

The design of O-14 fundamentally shifts away from the current architectural norm in Dubai building design, by not employing the now ubiquitous curtain wall solutions and above-ground parking which have typified new developments in the area. Instead the architects have favoured a shade-producing, concrete load-bearing shell and an open public space at the tower base, achieved through employing a below ground parking solution. The design element that provides the O-14 with its individual look is a forty centimetre-thick concrete shell, interspersed with over a thousand openings that create a lace-like effect on the buildings façade. Chief architect for the project, Jesse Reiser states that they wanted something original, which would "turn the normative idea of a tower literally inside out…we discarded the idea of a typical Dubai structure early on."

In order to achieve this, the designers cast super-liquid concrete around the original steel meshwork of the building before removing the thousand or so fill-ins, thus giving the tower its distinctive perforated shell. These perforations help serve as a solar screen to the occupants of the tower, and a one-metre gap between the O-14's concrete shell and its main enclosure will create a 'chimney effect,' causing hot air to rise and creating an efficient passive cooling system.

With the O-14 due to open in Spring 2009, Jesse Reiser feels that the finished building will reflect the main objective of creating a unique take on traditional Dubai architecture, "we looked at traditional Islamic architecture but wanted to use that as inspiration, rather than copy it, and to try and intertwine the decorative and the practical."

John Edwards
Reporter

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=10429

Cubs try to keep focus

2008-10-01T17:41:00.001+08:00

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/sports/cardinals/story/2485ce7114c4d889862574d50013e6db?OpenDocument

CHICAGO — In previous films and documentaries about John Lennon or, say, Bette Midler, director John Scheinfeld always knows where the narrative is going to take him. The route may surprise, but not the destination. As he focused his lens on the Chicago Cubs, their fans and a 100-year-old quest for salvation, he came to appreciate the uncertainty of the story.

"For the first time," he said, "I don't know what the ending is."

E.U. Deploys Monitors in Georgia

2008-10-01T17:40:00.001+08:00

E.U. Deploys Monitors in Georgia

MOSCOW — The European Union on Wednesday began deploying 200 civilian monitors across parts of Georgia, witnesses and officials said, despite earlier threats by the Russian military to bar them from buffer zones surrounding the separatist enclaves of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

A European Union official said that the unarmed monitors had been allowed through Russian checkpoints at several places to enter the buffer zone. The official spoke in return for anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to reporters.

Under a ceasefire agreement brokered by France, European monitors expect to replace Russian peacekeeping units that have set up command posts in the buffer zones, while Russian forces are supposed to withdraw fully to South Ossetia and Abkhazia by Oct. 10.

"We now look forward to all parties fulfilling their commitments as much as the E.U. did," Javier Solana, the European Union's foreign policy chief, said earlier after he inaugurated the mission at a ceremony in Tbilisi, the Georgian capital.

Initial reports had suggested that Russian troops would prevent the monitors from operating in the buffer zones.

Vitalii Manushko, the spokesperson for the Russian mission in South Ossetia, said the monitors would not be allowed to enter the buffer zone until they signed a special memorandum "to define clear functions" of the European monitors and the Russian peacekeepingforce.

"The monitoring process will be conducted up to the southern border of the security zone", Manushko said.

But the European official said monitors had been allowed to proceed in several places, including near the village of Karaleti, where two cars carrying a total of 10 monitors entered the South Ossetia buffer zone. The official declined to say where else the monitors had deployed.

Earlier, witnesses said the unarmed monitors moved out of a base 25 miles north of the capital, Tbilisi, but at least one of their patrols came to a halt rather than challenge Russian troops at a roadblock controlling access to the buffer zone surrounding South Ossetia.

Mikheil Saakashvili, the Georgian president, said at a news conference earlier in the week that he was "cautiously optimistic" about the monitoring mission, though he continued to press for a complete Russian withdrawal.

"Let's have no illusions with it," he said. "We will not be happy until the very last soldier gets out of my country."

The conflict in Georgia flared into open warfare on Aug. 8, hours after President Saakashvili ordered an attack on the capital of the breakaway region of South Ossetia, which has strong Russian ties. Russia sent columns of troops into South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and deep into Georgian territory.

Moscow formally recognized the two enclaves as sovereign nations on Aug. 26, and posted troops in buffer zones outside their borders. After tense negotiations with President Nicolas Sarkozy of France, Russia agreed to allow European monitors to be deployed to the area starting Wedneday and agreed to withdraw its troops to the enclaves by mid-October.

Vitaly Manushko, a spokesman for the Russian peacekeeping force, said Tuesday that the European monitors would "work up to the southern border of the security zone, which is an agreed position of the parties."

"This decision does not mean a ban on the E.U. military observers' monitoring of the buffer zone," Mr. Manushko said, according to the Interfax news agency. "But the details of such monitoring have not been agreed upon at this point, and therefore a decision on it will be made later."

Since the end of the conflict, both the European Union and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe have sought access to South Ossetia, where fierce fighting displaced tens of thousands of Georgians and Ossetians.

The O.S.C.E. walked away from talks with Russia on the matter of access for observers on Sept. 18. The European Union mission has moved forward with plans to place its monitors in the buffer zone, hoping to later gain access to South Ossetia.

Tensions rose over the deployment less than a day after the ceasefire agreement was struck. Russia's foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, said European negotiators had made an "absolutely unscrupulous attempt" to appease Georgia by suggesting that they would be able to patrol South Ossetia itself.

Stephen Castle contributed reporting from Brussels and Olesya Vartanyan from Tbilisi, Georgia. Alan Cowell contributed from London.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/02/world/europe/02georgia.html?_r=1&ref=world&oref=slogin

Hong Kong's Useful Number

2008-09-28T22:47:00.001+08:00

USEFUL NUMBERS


Directory Enquiries:	1081

Time:	18501

Weather:	187 8066

Collect Calls:	10010

Overseas IDD and Cardphone Enquiries:	10013

Emergency Service (Police, Fire, Ambulance):	999

RTHK's Service Hotline (Newsline):	2272 0000

Hong Kong Tourism Board Visitor Hotline:	2508 1234

General Police Enquiries:	2527 7177

Consumer Council:	2929 2222

Hong Kong International Airport, English (24 hours):	2181 0000

Hong Kong Immigration Department (24 hours):	2824 6111

Department of Health:	2961 8989

*If you're dialling from outside Hong Kong please add the area code (852).

Hong Kong Communication

2008-09-28T22:46:00.001+08:00

COMMUNICATIONS

Telephones
As a global communications hub and one of the highest per capita users of cellular phones, Hong Kong thrives on efficient telecommunications. Local private landline calls are free and cost only HK$1 for five minutes from public telephones. Hotels usually make a charge.

Post
Postage is inexpensive and the service is reliable. The main post offices are on Hong Kong Island, next to the "Star" Ferry in Central, and at 10 Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon. Enquiries: +852 2921 2222.

Mobile Services
Using your mobile phone in Hong Kong is convenient as most of the telephone systems used around the globe – like GSM 900, PCS 1800, CDMA and WCDMA – operate in Hong Kong.

Mobile operators in Hong Kong also have roaming agreements with most overseas operators enabling visitors to use their own mobile phone when they come to Hong Kong. Before leaving home check with your network provider to make sure they have a roaming service to the various destinations you will be visiting and be sure to check pricing.

If for some reason you decide not to bring your mobile phone with you, you can always rent a mobile phone when you arrive in Hong Kong at the international airport. By the way, to make an international call in Hong Kong you must dial 001 or, if you use a stored-value IDD calling card purchased in Hong Kong, another prefix as shown in the dialling instructions provided with the card.

Media
There are two local English-language daily newspapers - the South China Morning Post and The Standard - and many Chinese-language dailies. Local and international newspapers are available at major hotels, bookstores and news stands. There are two English-language television channels. Satellite and cable TV is also available in most hotels. There are 13 radio channels, offering everything from Cantonese pop music to English news programmes

Hong Kong BANKS & CURRENCIES

2008-09-28T22:45:00.003+08:00

BANKS & CURRENCIES

Banks Major banks are open from 9am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 12:30pm on Saturday. They close on Sundays and public holidays. Some banks and branches are open slightly longer hours. Some banking services are not available an hour before closing.
	Automated teller machines (ATMs) can be found almost everywhere and some HSBC "Electronic Money" machines provide 24-hour cash withdrawal (HK$) facilities for Visa and MasterCard holders. American Express cardholders have access to Jetco ATMs and can withdraw local currency and travellers' cheques at the Express Cash ATMs in town.

Currencies
Legal tender is the Hong Kong dollar (HK$). There are 100 cents in a dollar. Coins, issued by the government, are bronze-coloured for 10 cents, 20 cents and 50 cents; silver-coloured for HK$1, HK$2, and HK$5; nickel and bronze for HK$10. Notes issued by HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank have denominations of HK$10, HK$20, HK$50, HK$100, HK$500, and HK$1,000. The Bank of China issues all of the denominations except HK$10.

Since the mid-1980s, the value of the Hong Kong dollar has been pegged at HK$7.8 to the US dollar, and consequent rates of exchange to other currencies. However, the market rate exchange to the US dollar fluctuates marginally. Banks and money changers charge commission. Similarly, commissions are payable in hotels and major retail outlets which provide exchange facilities for their customers. As elsewhere, the rates of exchange for cash and travellers' cheques are marginally different and coins are not exchangeable.

The display of net rates of exchange by money changers is a legal obligation. Visitors are advised to check them - and also the amount of any additional commission payable for the exchange of travellers' cheques - before handing over the money for exchange. Receipt notes must be issued by law. There are no restrictions on currencies being brought in or taken out of Hong Kong.

GETTING AROUND Hong Kong

2008-09-28T22:45:00.001+08:00

GETTING AROUND

Hong Kong is geographically compact and boasts one of the world's most efficient, safe, affordable and frequent public transport systems. Whether by taxi, ferry, rail, bus or tram, you can get around easily and catch wonderful glimpses of the city along the way.

Please click on the following links to find out more about each mode of transport.


MTR	Taxis	Buses and minibuses	Ferries

Peak Tram	Trams

Octopus Cards – The Easy Way to Travel

Make use of the Octopus Card, an electronic fare card that is accepted by almost all public transport, and at many restaurants and stores. It's easy and convenient to use, saves time and eliminates need for small change. Add money to it when you need to, and any unspent value in On-Loan Octopus is refundable along with the HK$50 deposit (minus HK$7 handling fee for cards returned within three months). You can also opt for a non-returnable Sold Octopus. For more details, please call +852 2266 2222.

Hong Kong Airport Information

2008-09-28T22:44:00.001+08:00

AIRPORT INFORMATION

Hong Kong International Airport
Located off Lantau Island, Hong Kong International Airport is the main entry point to Asia's world city, gateway to Mainland China and a major regional hub. Regularly voted one of the best in the world, the airport features a comprehensive range of facilities and services for the travelling public. SkyMart in Terminal 1 has everything you need for last-minute shopping and dining, while SkyPlaza, with facilities located mostly in the non-restricted area of Terminal 2, has more locally themed shops and dining and a sophisticated entertainment zone.



To and From the Airport Getting to and from the Hong Kong International Airport is easy, convenient and relatively inexpensive. Rail The Mass Transit Railway (MTR) high-speed Airport Express is the fastest way between the downtown areas and the airport. The line whisks passengers from Hong Kong Station adjacent to the Central MTR Station on Hong Kong Island via Kowloon and Tsing Yi stations to the airport in about 23 minutes, trains run every 12 minutes. A free Airport Express shuttle bus service from Hong Kong and Kowloon stations serves major hotels. Both these stations provide free in-town check-in services. Details of train fares and operating hours >> Taxis Taxis are readily available from the taxi pick-up area in front of the Arrivals Hall. All taxis can go to and from the airport. All fares are metered and there are fare details inside each cab. Buses There are nine convenient Airbus routes called "A" routes that can take you to and from the airport with fewer stops than an ordinary city bus. Fares range between HK$14 and HK$45. When you exit the Arrivals Hall, turn right for Airbuses and ordinary city buses ("E" route buses). Ferries to Tuen Mun There is also a ferry link from Tung Chung New Development Pier at Chek Lap Kok to the town of Tuen Mun in the New Territories. The ferry operates 6am – 11pm daily. Charter Coaches and Limousines Arriving passengers can also book their own personal limousines, mini-vans, vans and group coaches (buses) that will whisk their party to their destination. Operators have counters located in the Arrivals Hall and in the Ground Transportation Centre. Airport – Mainland China Coach Service The Hong Kong International Airport is also a hub for ground transport to Mainland China and cities in the Pearl River Delta. Click for more information on coach service to the mainland >> Airport – Mainland China Ferries Service High-speed ferries provide fast and efficient service to nearby cities in Mainland China. Book a ticket prior to boarding from the ticketing desks located in the transfer area on Arrivals Level 5 before the immigration counters. Then hop aboard a bus from the airport's air side (i.e., before immigration) that will take you to the Skypier for your connection to cities like Dongguan, Macau, Shekou and Shenzhen. Air Passenger Departure Tax & Surcharges All passengers 12 and above departing Hong Kong International Airport must pay a HK$120 Air Passenger Departure Tax which is normally included in the price of the airline ticket. However, passengers who arrive and depart the same day from Hong Kong are exempt from the tax. In order to maintain the current standards of safety, security and passenger services, passengers departing Hong Kong International Airport need to also pay a security charge of HK$33.

IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS of Hong Kong

2008-09-28T22:43:00.001+08:00

IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS

Visitors to Hong Kong must hold a passport that is valid for at least six months after the planned departure date from Hong Kong. Nationals of most countries are not required to obtain visas and can stay for periods varying from seven days to 180 days, depending on nationality. Check with any Chinese embassy or consulate for the latest status. For more information about Visa requirements, please refer to Visit Visa / Entry Permit Requirements by clicking here.

Speedy Immigration Clearance for Frequent Business and Other Travellers

For the convenience of regular visitors to Hong Kong, two special passes are available to enable speedier processing through designated Immigration channels :

HKSAR Travel Pass (TP) HKSAR Travel Pass (TP) is available to frequent business travellers holding valid passports and are eligible to come to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) without a visa or entry permit for visit purpose. Applicants should have genuine needs to visit the HKSAR frequently, and have come for visits trouble-free on 3 or more occasions (other than return from side trips to the Mainland of China or the region of Macau) in the 12-month period immediately preceding the application, or can satisfy the Director of Immigration that their visits may bring substantial benefits to the HKSAR. Holders of Travel Passes are allowed to use Hong Kong resident counters for simplified immigration clearance procedures. Details and downloadable application form can be found at the Immigration Department's website.

Frequent Visitor Card (FVC) is available to visitors holding valid passports from any country, who have passed through Hong Kong International Airport at least three times in the previous 12-month period. FVC passes can be used only for entry through the airport. Details and downloadable application form can be found at the Hong Kong Airport Authority's website.

e-Channels: Frequent visitors can now enjoy the convenience of self-service immigration clearance dedicated Frequent Visitor e-Channel at the Hong Kong International Airport. To qualify, they must hold an HKSAR Travel Pass or APEC Business Travel Card (economy code "HKG") or HK International Airport Frequent Visitor Card along with a valid travel document and a multiple¡Ventry visa (if required).

All visitors entering Hong Kong must go through Customs clearance and declare any dutiable commodities exceeding duty-free quotas. View a list of dutiable commodities and latest duty-free concessions. Also, the import/export of dangerous drugs, arms, animals, plants, endangered species, meat and poultry, etc. into or out of Hong Kong is governed by laws. Any import/export of these items must be accompanied by a valid licence or permit issued in advance by the relevant authorities, unless otherwise exempted by laws. Some personal protection devices like 'mace' spray, while legal in some countries, are prohibited in Hong Kong. To avoid any unnecessary delays, please follow the guidelines from Hong Kong International Airport.

Carry-on Baggage on Departure & Transit

Departing and transit visitors should note that enhanced security measures are now in effect at Hong Kong International Airport. Visitors are reminded not to carry any sharp objects with a point or blade such as knives, cutters, scissors, razor blades, or household cutlery in carry-on luggage. Pack them in check-in baggage. From 21 March 2007, restrictions will also apply to carry-on liquids, gels and aerosols, which must be in containers no bigger than 100ml and placed in a single (maximum one per passenger) transparent re-sealable bag with a capacity not exceeding one litre. Check here for details.

Updated 5 September 2008

Pack your things to Hong Kong?

2008-09-28T22:41:00.001+08:00

WHAT TO PACK

Hong Kong's subtropical climate means you won't be needing the winter woollies for most of the year. Loose-fitting cotton clothing generally fits the bill. The exception is from mid-December to February, when the mercury might fall to a mild 10^oC (50^oF). But even in the summer, it pays to bring along a light sweater - air-conditioning in some restaurants and cinemas is often turned up high. Rain showers are possible during the rainy season (around May to September), so also be sure to pack a light waterproof jacket.

Of course, what you need to pack depends on what you plan to do in Hong Kong. Swimwear for the beaches, stout shoes for pounding the sightseeing beat and smart casual wear for dinner are suggested. Formal suits are the norm for those visiting on business. Those planning on trawling the designer shopping malls and colourful night markets are advised to leave plenty of room in the suitcase - Hong Kong is a shopper's paradise.

Hong Kong Q&A

2008-09-28T22:40:00.001+08:00

	Q & A

	Q: When is the best time to visit Hong Kong?
	A: Hong Kong is an all-year-round destination. It enjoys a mild climate from the middle of September to the end of February, while the weather from May to mid-September is rather warm and humid. Eighty per cent of Hong Kong's precipitation occurs between May and September, with August registering the highest rainfall. For a detailed weather forecast, please visit Hong Kong Observatory website.

	Q: Do I need a visa to visit Hong Kong?
	A: Visitors from most countries can enter Hong Kong without a visa for periods of seven days to six months, depending on nationality. Check with any Chinese embassy or consulate for the latest status.

	Q: Where is the best area to stay?
	A: Hong Kong is compact, so visitors are never too far from shopping and major sights. Hong Kong also has an excellent transportation system so visitors can easily reach other areas, no matter where they stay. Most hotels are located in the heart of the city, in Central, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay on Hong Kong Island and in Tsim Sha Tsui and Tsim Sha Tsui East in Kowloon. There are also a growing number of resort-style hotels in the New Territories that offer relaxing alternatives.

	Q: Is local transportation easily accessible?
	A: Public transportation via bus, ferry or train is efficient, relatively inexpensive and user-friendly. The system covers extension areas of Hong Kong with signs in English and Chinese.

	Q: Will I be expected to pay tips?
	A: Most restaurants will levy a 10 per cent service charge but waiters will expect to be given some loose change. Restaurants that don't add a service charge will expect a 10 per cent tip. However, tipping is left to your discretion. Bellboys, porters, restroom attendants and taxi drivers will happily accept loose change.


	Q: Will I be able to use my electrical equipment in Hong Kong?
	A: The standard electrical voltage in HK is 220 volts AC, 50HZ, so you will need an adaptor for your 100-volt appliances and electrical equipment.The majority of electrical outlets in Hong Kong take a three-pronged plug. You can buy an inexpensive adaptor for your equipment when you arrive in Hong Kong.

	Q: Where can I get Internet Access in Hong Kong?
	A: Most hotels have Internet access. You can also access the Internet for free at many coffee shops, large shopping malls, major MTR stations and public libraries in town. For people bringing their laptops to Hong Kong, Wireless Broadband service is common at major shopping malls and coffee shops. If you use a modem, note that the BT system using in Hong Kong will gradually be replaced by the RJ system. If you are still using the BT plug, you can buy a BT–RJ adaptor in Hong Kong to solve the connection problem.

	Q: Is Hong Kong safe for the visitor?
	A: Yes, Hong Kong is one of the safest cities in the world even at night, when people may walk alone with confidence.

	Q: Is English widely spoken?
	A: Very widely spoken. There will be no problems in communicating with people in most hotels, restaurants and even some taxis.

Trend Hunter's Top 21 Architectural Monsters - World's Tallest, Biggest Buildings

2008-04-08T08:45:00.001+08:00

Original at http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/worlds-tallest-biggest-buildings

Since I've started writing for Trend Hunter, it seems we've covered, "the world's largest" or "tallest" building several times. On each occasion, after getting ready to file it as duplicate, I have discovered the new blue prints are, in fact, bigger than the last.

The race is on the become the biggest, tallest, most tremendous building in the world. Who will win the global monster skyscraper competition? Likely no one, as it seems in this realm of design, the sky really is the limit.

Here are some of the tallest pieces of architecture we've seen, from skyscrapers to ferris wheels.

Mile-High Eco-Tower - 500 Floor London Building (GALLERY)

(TREND HUNTER) Here is another plan for a super-high skyscraper, this time in Europe's very own London. The eco-friendly building, which will be 500 stories high, could house 100,000 non-height-fearing people as well as, schools, hospitals, and stores. The unique aspect to this design, which will be situated in … [More]

Absolute Tallest Building - Hyder Consulting's 5,250 Ft Structure

(TREND HUNTER) It will be the largest, tallest skyscraper in the known universe and no, I'm not referring to the 2,655-foot-tall Burj Dubai, an unfinished, wanna-be world-record-holder. I'm talking about the unnamed, mile-high behemoth that Hyder Consulting plans on building. They're not sure (or at least, they'… [More]

KM Tall Skyscraper in Kuwait - Burj Mubarak Al-Kabir To Be World's Tallest (VIDEO)

In a Persian Gulf building war, Kuwait announced its plans to build the Burj Mubarak Al-Kabir to attain a height of 1,001 meters (3,284 ft). The Burj Dubai is supposed to top out at over 800 meters but they are in mid-construction; maybe they'll tack on a couple of hundred meters now. This thing i… [More]

The Burj Dubai Becomes the World's Tallest Building (VIDEO)

At 512m (1,680ft) and 141 floors the Burj Dubai, which is still under construction, is now taller than Taiwan's 508m (1,667ft) Taipei 101. The final height of the Burj is a closely guarded secret with speculation that it will top off at the 800 meter mark (2,625 ft). Most likely it will beak the 628… [More]

Dubai Sky Photos - View From 85th Floor of Burj Dubai (GALLERY)

Now this is cool! Although it really looks like it, this incredible photo wasn't taken from a plane; believe it or not, it was taken from the 85th floor of the Burj Dubai. To date, it is the world's tallest skyscraper, although it will be overtaken by the kilometer high Burj Mubarak Al-Kabir in Kuwa… [More]

Architecture of Olympic Proportions - China's Top 10 Remarkable New Buildings (GALLERY)

China is on a building-spree in Beijing and Shanghai to show off to the world when the host the Olymipics in 2008. Check out some of the hip new architecture! The Beijing National Stadium is the home for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The National Swimming Center is designed to be environment… [More]

Japan Plans World's Tallest Building - X-Seed 4000 (GALLERY)

Holy Mount Fuji Batman! The Tasei Construction Company in Japan is is planning to build a 13,123-foot- tall building called the X-Seed 4000 which will house anywhere from 500 thousand to 1 million people.
If this actually happens this mammoth mansion will be seven times taller than the current tall… [More]

The Chicago Spire - World's tallest residential building

The Shelbourne Development Group has filed a finished design for the Chicago Spire; this 2,000-foot tall tower will become the tallest residential building in the world if approved. It will be built at the Chicago River next to the shores of Lake Michigan. They made quite a lot of enhancements to th… [More]

World's Largest Gucci Store - Gucci New York (GALLERY)

New York can add another feature and tourist attraction to its already long list - the new Gucci flagship store about to be opened on 725 Fifth Avenue. The new store will be the world's largest Gucci store oozing elegance and architectural artistry. The architect is the world renowned James Carpente… [More]

FUN & THRILLS

Super Swings - 700 Foot Swing on World's 2nd Highest Steel Tower (VIDEO)

A radio tower in Harbin City, China has installed a 700 foot swing. Swingers start at the peak of the tower, which is 1,100 feet off the ground. The tower is actually the world's second highest steel tower, so it's probably a good rush. It's also exciting because this ride brings an amusement par… [More]

World's Highest Bungee Jump - Macau Tower is 764 Ft Up (VIDEO)

Don't look down! At 764 feet the world's highest commercial bungee jump isn't for those with a fear of heights. It's situated at the top of Macau Tower, the 10th tallest tower in the world. This is extreme bungee jumping at an unreal level. Talk about an adrenaline rush! You'll also like this:
S… [More]

Asia's Tallest Observation Wheel - The Singapore Flyer Opens March 1 (GALLERY)

Most of us will have to wait until March 1 to take a spin on the Singapore Flyer, the giant observation wheel that cost US$160 million and just under three years to complete. But 28 corporations have already booked tickets for inaugural rides from 11-13 February, just in time to usher in the Chinese… [More]

Great Wheel of China - World's Tallest Ferris Wheel in Beijing

China is to make history with the ongoing construction of the world's tallest ferris wheel. At 680 feet, the $99 million Beijing Great Wheel is being built in Eastern Beijing's Chaoyang Park. The tourist attraction will have 48 air conditioned compartments with a capacity of 1,920 passengers. The… [More]

Great Wheel of China Nears Completion - Tianjin Eye to be in Middle of Bridge (GALLERY)

Tianjin Eye is the name of the oversize carnival ride nearing completion in Tianjin, North China. The wheel, with a jaw dropping diameter of over 100 yards, will hold 380 visitors at one time. It's built in the middle of the Chihai bridge and cars drive by on either side. Great Wheel of China - Wor… [More]

ENVIRONMENTAL

Wind Energy Reaches New Heights in U.S. - 345 Tall Wind Turbine Online (GALLERY)

The tallest wind turbine goes online with the completion of the Snyder Texas wind farm. EnelSpA reached new heights and has completed the wind farm between Abilene and Lubbock with 21 3.0 megawatt turbines towering 345 feet. This is the first of several wind farms to come online over the next year. [More]

Vertical Eco Farm - Las Vegas 30 Storey Garden

Las Vegas, the city known for gambling, drinking, lights and wild times will be turning over a new leaf, a green one at that. The $200 million project, expected to open in 2010, will the the first vertical farm in the world, and without a doubt, the tallest. The developers hope it will not only se… [More]

Vertical Farming (Part III) - Toronto Sky Farm (GALLERY)

There are several vertical farms proposed from major cities around the world. We've already told you about the one being built in Las Vegas, now here's one that's been proposed for Toronto. SKYFarm, is being developed by architect Gordon Graff. It will be a 58 floor skyscraper that will blend into… [More]

Personal Skyscrapers - India's Mukesh Ambani Buildin's 60 Story New House

Mukesh Ambani is India's richest man and in a vain attempt to prove it, he's building himself a skyscraper mansion that he wants to call "Antilia". Antilia is the name of a mythical island some believe to be in in the Atlantic Ocean near Spain. Mr. Mukesh's ultra luxury residence is the stuff of leg… [More]

BIZARRE

The World's Tallest House of Sticks

When you're only using thin and inexpensive sticks of wood as your main building materials, it's easy to see how a person could get a little carried away and maybe add on a few little extras. But this house is completely out of control, towering over neighbouring homes at 144 feet and featuring 13 f… [More]

The 92.6 Foot Tall LEGO Brick Tower

Check-out this awesome pirate ship mast built at Legoland in California made with 465,000 bricks. It is the new tallest LEGO tower in the world, breaking a previous record of 93.43ft place in Denmark last year. The Park guests built 2,132 LEGO hearts into the tower and for each LEGO heart Legoland C… [More]

25ft House of Cards - Bryan Berg Sets New Record (VIDEO)

Card stacking is apparently anything but boring for Bryan Berg, who just recently set the world record, at 25ft, for the tallest structure made exclusively of cards. The professional "cardstacker" says it took him 5 weeks and 1,800 stacks of cards to build the paper sculpture. This is one of many … [More]

Business of Design Week (BODW)

2007-09-11T14:44:00.000+08:00

Business of Design Week (BODW)
Bringing the best of the global design industry to Hong Kong, Business of Design Week (BODW) is Asia’s leading international conference dedicated to design, brand and innovation.
Uniquely focused on the intricate relationship between business and design, BODW is an international platform for designers, experts and entrepreneurs to network and share ideas, and an essential introduction to design for students and the public.
Why Attend BODW?
There’s no greater concentration of design talent in Asia! BODW speakers are leaders from design, academia, government and the private sector. Some of the world’s most influential and successful creative masters have participated - Frank Gehry, Tadao Ando, Daniel Libeskind, Andree Putman, Philippe Starck, Ross Lovegrove, James Dyson, Sir Terence Conran, Karim Rashid and Ron Arad.
The week-long programme has many innovative elements – a three day international forum, the HKDC Awards, and an array of outreach programmes, concurrent conferences and exhibitions to showcase the value of good design.
What is Special About BODW 2007?
BODW brings the world’s best to Asia and attracts over 10,000 participants to listen and learn, exchange ideas and network with global design business leaders.
Italy: BODW 2007 Partner Country
Presenting Italian design’s mastery, craftsmanship, and modern inspiration; bringing together the leaders who maintain Italy’s position at the forefront of international design alongside acclaimed international and Asian speakers, BODW 2007 promises to uphold its status as one of the year’s most important design events.
Who Should Attend BODW 2007?
CEOs and senior management in manufacturing or service businesses
Designers
Entrepreneurs
Design practitioners and those in related businesses
Policy makers and influencers, trade association leaders
Academics and design educators
Students and the general public
When and Where?
Business of Design Week 2007
Date:

Monday 10th December – Saturday 15th December
Venue:

Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre (HKCEC)
Organiser:

Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC)
Register now! Visit www.bodw.com
BODW is organised by the Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC) and funded by the Hong Kong SAR Government’s Innovation and Technology Commission.

Seamless Collection by Zaha Hadid

2007-07-09T17:27:00.000+08:00

From : Wallapper*

Not many architects would have the patience, passion and persistence to design, take part in competitions and constantly produce work for over 10 years, with most of their projects never actually getting realised until very recently. And this is not the only reason that made Zaha Hadid stand out of the crowd, and become one of the most creative living architects.
The Design Museum is now showing architecture and design work from the talented Baghdad-born Hadid, one of the very few widely recognized female architects, in a major exhibition running until November. A fine selection of her both built and unbuilt work, including wonderful early hand-drawings, sketches, presentation and working models, as well as work-in-progress, spreads in two levels of the museum available for the broader audience – and not only - to enjoy: “It is a pleasure for me as well, to revisit the material and see it all together here, in juxtaposition”, said the architect at the opening.

AIA TOP 10 - 2007 : Artists for Humanity EpiCenter

2007-07-09T17:21:00.000+08:00

Photo credit: Richard Mandelkorn

Artists for Humanity EpiCenter
(EpiCenter, Artists For Humanity)

Overview

Location: Boston, MA

Building type(s): Assembly, K-12 education, Industrial

New construction 23,500 sq. feet (2,180 sq. meters)

Project scope: 4-story building

Urban setting

Completed September 2004

Rating: U.S. Green Building Council LEED-NC, v.2/v.2.1--Level: Platinum (53 points)

Artists For Humanity (AFH) was founded in 1991 with a mission to bridge economic, racial, and social divisions and provide underserved youth with the keys to self-sufficiency through paid employment in the arts. Its new urban headquarters, the EpiCenter, provides fine and commercial art studios and a 5000 ft2 (465 m2) gallery space used to show student art; the gallery is also rented out for events.

The founder of AFH, Susan Rodgerson, saw the building project as an extension the organization, with its social mission at the heart of the design principles. As the organization is invested in the education an empowerment of young people, so the building is designed to model environmental stewardship.

This project was chosen as an AIA Committee on the Environment Top Ten Green Project for 2007. It was submitted by Arrowstreet, Inc., in Boston, Massachusetts. Additional project team members are listed on the "Process" screen.

Environmental AspectsThe decision to build green came from the youth of AFH, and was a natural outgrowth of the agency's work with inner-city teens as they learn about art and themselves and strive for self-sufficiency.

The EpiCenter is a simple, functional building that achieves the highest levels of sustainability on a tight budget. The building uses energy and water efficiently, incorporates recycled materials, makes full use of natural daylight, and promotes the health of its occupants. The EpiCenter also offers an opportunity to build public awareness of sustainable, economic, and environmental principles among the immediate community and beyond.

The project includes several notable green design aspects:
A 49-kilowatt roof mounted, grid-connected photovoltaic array, currently the largest PV array in Boston, provides renewable energy for the building; A super-efficient envelope, including operable, low-emissivity, high-performance windows, reduces heating and cooling loads; Natural ventilation is used instead of air-conditioning; South-facing windows provide passive-solar heat gain and daylighting; Open, unobstructed interior spaces allow for effective daylighting; Energy-efficient lighting is coupled with daylight dimming and automated controls; The efficient mechanical system includes a heat-recovery system; Many building materials were salvaged and reused; Many building materials include high recycled content; and Rainwater is harvested and stored for landscape irrigation

Owner & OccupancyOwned and occupied by Artists For Humanity, Corporation, nonprofit Typically occupied by 25 people, 40 hours per person per week; and 100 visitors per week, 10 hours per visitor per week

Source : http://www.aiatopten.org/hpb/overview.cfm?ProjectID=736

Qatar’s towering landmarks

2007-06-15T14:51:00.000+08:00

From : Wallpaper*

A group of Qatari investors is doing site research for four splendid towers. The impressive-looking edifices are a joint effort between Catalonian compadres ADD Xavier Claramunt and BOMA. The towers will house a combination of offices and hotels, and we are particularly keen on the one pictured above. If all goes to plan, building work will kick off next year, with the towers ready two years later.

Circular Shanghai South station from Arep

2007-06-15T14:50:00.000+08:00

From : Wallpaper

Parisian architects Arep are busy as bees in China, having started work there five years ago. There’s the Capital Museum of Beijing, which it finishes this year, the recently won Tianfu Square in the Sichuan capital Chengdu and the Shanghai South station.

This circular extravaganza follows Arep’s rebuilding of Nanjing Station in 1999 and has an amphitheatre-like space from which the whole station is visible. As in every Chinese metropolis, it’s all about managing high urban growth with the explosion of mechanised transport. The station opens in 2005.

Steven Holl Architects Extension

2007-06-15T14:47:00.000+08:00

From : Wallpaper*

Museum extensions are a tricky predicament and something of a teeth-cutting exercise for any architect. Steven Holl Architects’ extension to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City has torn up the rule book of established codes of extension conduct and transformed the existing building into one of the most exciting exhibition spaces we’ve seen.

The existing Nelson-Atkins museum is a ceremonial, classical structure - all colonnades, porticos and grand facades, sitting atop the undulating hillocks looking down on Kansas City. When in 1999, Steven Holl Architects entered the competition to build a suitable extension, it was the only firm daring enough to tamper with the existing façade and not hide its proposed structure in the shadow of the grand building. And it clearly paid off.

The Bloch Building, as the extension is called, consists of five glass ‘lenses’ that rise up in front and to the side of the original museum in striking contrast to its heavy stone material. Rolling away from the museum, echoing the landscape, it is the luminary effect of the glass that is the most striking feature. By day, the multiple layers of glass diffuse and refract light into the galleries creating an otherworldly atmosphere within, whilst by night, the glass structures glow, flooding light across the sculpture gardens they encircle.

Quite apart from the external visual effect of the extension, the five new galleries have added 70 per cent more gallery space, the unveiling of which marks the final stage of the reinstallation program of the museum’s 34,500 works.

Alstom : New tram design for Reims

2007-05-17T10:16:00.000+08:00

A new design for Reims's tram system has been approved by the city. Alstom's project also the subways of Shanghai, Nanjing, Singapore and Barcelona, the interior of the TGV is created with Compin in collaboration with Christian Lacroix.

From : Reims Citadis tramway: a truly sparkling design
On January 26, the French city of Reims announced the definitive choice of design for its tramway. Between January 10 and 20, the city’s inhabitants had been invited to cast their vote on which of the three front panels proposed by Alstom Transport’s design department, in conjunction with the agency MBD Design, should be used. With its pure, flowing and elegant lines, evocative of the lightness and refinement of a champagne glass, the final choice fell to the “cintré” (“waisted”) proposal.

Check this link : http://www.transport.alstom.com/

A roof extension to the National Modern Art Museum of Poznan in Poland

2007-05-17T10:08:00.000+08:00

A roof extension to the National Modern Art Museum of Poznan in Poland.

The extension will provide access to the top-roof floor of the museum, built in 1900, which is to be converted into gallery space. The configuration of the extension is a statement of contemporary and future architecture. The three construction dates of the museum (1900, 1976 and 2006) are thus clearly identified.

From : http://www.claudiosilvestrin.com/

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2007-05-14T14:23:00.001+08:00

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Our linens and things are beautifully designed home accents that will help make your house a castle. We carry a large number of discount priced blankets, sheets, curtains, pillows, area rugs, towels and tablecloths at our everyday low discount prices

Christian Home Decor at Bargain Prices

Our Christian home decor will display your spiritual faith to all who enter your home. Many of these finely crafted devotional works also contain prayers and quotes from the Bible. Our discount priced Christian home decor would make a great gift idea

Discount Priced American Bald Eagle Figurines

Our american bald eagle figurines exemplify patriotism and the spirit of freedom and independence. There's no more magnificent sight than that of an eagle in flight. We carry a huge selection of discount priced eagle figurines and eagle sculptures.

Cat Figurines at Bargain Prices

The cat figurines and other feline related merchandise offered by us will add to that purr-fect home atmosphere you've been looking for. We carry a varied selection of discount priced cat figurines and other cat related merchandise.

Beijing Airport

2007-05-14T11:41:00.000+08:00

Beijing, China, 2003-2008
The world’s largest and most advanced airport building - not only technologically, but also in terms of passenger experience, operational efficiency and sustainability – Beijing Airport will be welcoming and uplifting. A symbol of place, its soaring aerodynamic roof and dragon-like form will celebrate the thrill of flight and evoke traditional Chinese colours and symbols.

Found at : http://www.fosterandpartners.com/Projects/1235/Default.aspx

Amsterdam Vivaldi Kavel 11

2007-05-14T11:36:00.000+08:00

Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2002-2007
The 87m-high 24-storey tower was commissioned by ING Real Estate in 2002 - with Ernst %26 Young as the principal tenants. It is one of several office buildings located at the eastern gateway to the mixed-use Zuidas development, south of Amsterdam.Co-architects: Bureau Bouwkunde Rotterdam BV

Found at : http://www.fosterandpartners.com/Projects/1218/Default.aspx

International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) May 19-22, 2007

2007-05-11T12:54:00.000+08:00

The 19th annual International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) May 19-22, 2007 will transform New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center into the global haven for design devotees.

North America's singular showcase for contemporary design, the Fair draws the most intrepid seekers of design truth and design trends to an extraordinary exhibition of the most inspired models of design on the forefront, as well as thought-provoking programs and a schedule of supplementary exhibits and features.During the Fair's four days, 145,000 net square feet (14,500 net square meters) of the Javits Center will bustle with more than 23,000 interior designers, architects, retailers, designers, manufacturers, representatives, distributors, and developers.

Members of the general public are welcome on Tuesday, May 22 when the ICFF is open to all comers.More than 600 exhibitors will display contemporary furniture, seating, carpet and flooring, lighting, outdoor furniture, materials, wall coverings, accessories, textiles, and kitchen and bath for residential and commercial interiors.

This assemblage of national and international exhibitors affords the chance to experience the most selective scope of the globe's finest, most creative, individual, and original avant-garde home and contract products – handily and temptingly showcased in one venue.

The ICFF welcomes representatives from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, and U.S Contingents will also make the annual quest to this celebrated design hub: Austrian Trade Commission, BEDG (British European Design Group), Designed in Brussels (Belgium), FNY (Furniture New York), The Furniture Society (U.S.), i Saloni WorldWide (Italy), ICEX (Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade), IDSA (Industrial Designers Society of America), Left Edge (California), New Design Canada, Pure Austrian Design, Royal Danish Consulate General (Denmark), and Thai Trade Center (Thailand).

DATES AND HOURS (19TH ANNUAL)TRADESaturday, May 19–Monday, May 2110:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.TRADE AND GENERAL PUBLICTuesday, May 2210:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

VENUEJacob K. Javits Convention CenterNew York City

More at http://www.icff.com/

Dubai Sports City, United Arab Emirates

2007-05-11T11:57:00.000+08:00

gmp : Dubai Sports City comprises three stadia - a cricket stadium, an indoor stadium, as well as an outdoor multipurpose stadium - and a unique sports mall with indoor entertainment areas.The mall interlinks the sport facilities by providing a generous gesture to welcome the visitors of the stadia and also includes a tremendous selection of shops and stores in particular for sports wear and equipment.

This unique interconnection of stadia and shopping mall is the first of their kind in the UAE and worldwide. In addition to these buildings a big plaza to access the stadia and shopping mall is planned. The plaza provides different facilities for recreation.

The sports mall and the stadia provide a total of more than 10,000 parking lots. In addition to the plaza the roofs of the shopping mall and parking structure is designed as a large garden with a variety soft and hard landscape. The design principle is maximum functionality of each stadium for individual sports facilities, with conformity to international regulations. The cricket stadium is designed for 25,000 spectators and will provide a very good view for all spectators. Next to the cricket stadium is the location for the Indoor stadium providing the facilities with 10,000 seats, it will be possible to play all conventional indoor sports such as basketball, handball and tennis.

In addition also concerts and special events can be hold in this stadium.In the outdoor multipurpose hall with 60,000 seats will be suitable for athletics and also for rugby and football. Despite the characteristic features of each of the stadia, the architecture of the buildings creates a harmonious overall impression. The filigree roof support structures were developed in relation to local conditions.

Construction period: 2005-2007

King Senzangakhona Stadium (Durban)

2007-05-11T11:47:00.000+08:00

The King Senzangakhona Stadium in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, is to be specially built for 2010, with a capacity of 80 000. It will host six first-round matches, one second-round, and one semifinal match.(Image: South Africa 2010 Local Organising Committee)

The stunning King Senzangakhona Stadium is to be specially built, with a walkway connecting it to the Durban beachfront. With a capacity of 80 000, it will host six first-round matches, one second-round, and one semifinal match.

This is a gmp 's project that very keen on sport complex design.

The game will begin in 2010 and we will see this stadium on-air.

AIA TOP TEN : Hawaii Gateway Energy Center

2007-05-11T11:33:00.000+08:00

Architect : Ferraro Choi And Associates

Hawaii Gateway Energy Center (HGEC) visitor complex, situated on the south coast of Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii, serves the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii and the Hawaii Ocean Science and Technology Park. It is the first building to be constructed on a 6.5 acre campus designed to house research, development, and demonstration facilities for energy and technological fields. The National Energy Laboratory facilities are run by the State of Hawaii under the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA).

The visitor complex houses administrative office space, restrooms, support areas, and a large multi-purpose space that will be used for displays, outreach, conferencing, and education. The first phase of the plan for the site also includes a small research laboratory facility. The second phase will add more laboratory space to complete the campus.

Environmental Aspects
HGEC is designed as a thermal chimney, capturing heat and creating air movement using only building form and thermodynamic principles. Outside air is moved through the building at a rate of 10 to 15 air changes per hour without the use of a mechanical system.

The copper roof radiatea heat from the sun into a ceiling plenum; the heated air rises and is exhausted through stacks on the building's north face. As the hot air is exhausted, fresh outside air is pulled into the occupied space from a vented underfloor plenum. Incoming air is drawn across cooling coils filled with 45°F seawater and cooled to 72°F. Condensation collected below the seawater cooling coils is used for flushing toilets and irrigating deep-rooted landscaping.
The building orientation and configuration allow daylighting to entirely obviate electric lighting during daylight hours. All glazing is shaded to prevent direct solar gain.

The building was designed with an onsite, 20-kilowatt photovoltaic array. When the building was constructed, this provided about half of the total energy needed to run the seawater pumps, lights, and other electrical equipment. A pump adjustment in 2006 means that the photovoltaic system now provides all of the energy needed on site.

From AIATOPTEN SITE

RIBA Architect in the House offers top tips for ‘going green’

2007-05-11T11:25:00.000+08:00

Zero carbon, wind turbines, solar panels - are you confused? Help is at hand with RIBA Architect in the House, offering homeowners the opportunity to speak to a local architect about design issues, including making the most effective ‘green’ changes to your home.

RIBA chartered architects taking part in Architect in the House will give hour-long consultations in return for a minimum £40 donation to Shelter, to help badly housed and homeless people. Homeowners can register interest for the scheme at http://www.architectureweek.org.uk/ and successful applicants will then be matched with a local architect during or after Architecture Week, which runs from 15 – 24 June 2007.

The 2007 theme for Architecture Week is “How Green is our Space?” focusing on critical issues of climate change and sustainability, and aiming to inspire people to think creatively about the spaces around them. Architect in the House asked architects Jestico + Whiles for some green tips for homeowners to think about when consulting an architect; their guide can be downloaded at http://www.architecture.com/ and includes tips such as:

Unlock the potential -the key to being green is not to build unnecessarily: ask an architect to help unlock the potential extra space and light you need for your home

Sun worship – as the weather continues to heat up, take advantage of the rays using solar panels to produce hot water. In the summer, just one or two solar panels can produce 80 per cent of hot water used by the average couple. Speak to an architect about where best to position the panel

Keep it simple – consider energy saving light bulbs, double-glazing with low-emittance coating, draught sealing and extra insulation before putting a wind turbine on your roof - simple changes are often the most effective

Keep cool – keep temperatures down and banish air conditioning by taking a tip from our Mediterranean neighbours. Add shutters or solar shading blinds to your windows to control glare and heat from the sun

Keep warm - use sheep’s wool or recycled newspaper to insulate your loft and cavity walls to keep your home warm without needing to resort to central heating

Source : RIBA Press Release

The Palm announces lead sponsorship of the first ever Kuwait Boat Show

2007-05-11T11:17:00.000+08:00

Nakheel, the world’s largest privately held real estate developer, has announced that The Palm will be the lead sponsor of the inaugural Kuwait Boat Show.

Renowned for its innovative and iconic waterfront developments, Nakheel will support the region’s most prominent new yachting exhibition, which will reach thousands of boating enthusiasts and investors from throughout the Gulf region.Manal Shaheen, Nakheel Director – Sales, Marketing & Customer Service, said: “We are extremely excited to be involved in the Kuwait Boat Show.

The Gulf is one of the fastest growing leisure boating markets in the world, and Nakheel is central to that growth. Our first landmark development The Palm Jumeirah will add many kilometres of waterfront and numerous new marinas to Dubai’s coastline, and by the completion of The Palm Deira and our other waterfront projects we will have supplied 40,000 new berths for leisure boats to meet this growing demand.

“Alongside this, our recent launch of the Marina Residences on The Palm Jumeirah is a great demonstration of how keen we are to attract the kind of discerning consumer who might attend the Kuwait Boat Show. These incredible properties are world-class, and perfectly suited as a base for sailing in the Gulf.”Marina Residences is the first properties available to buy on The Palm Jumeirah in more than four years.

More than 50% of the project is now sold following the sale of 185 units during the second release of property and due to demand, a further, limited amount of properties have been released and are available for sale now.The residential complex, located at the tip of The Palm Jumeirah’s trunk, is composed of six residential towers that rest on landscaped podiums faced with marinas and access to a private promenade. The six towers are each 15 storeys high and hold 940 two and three bedroom apartments and penthouses; a further 40 townhouses rest on a marina fronted private promenade.

The Kuwait Boat Show will be held from 21-25 April 2007 at Al Kout Marina, and plans to welcome around 10,000 visitors from Kuwait and the Gulf region, with more than 60 exhibitors set to demonstrate around 200 of their latest product lines.Manal Shaheen added: “We are looking forward to the Boat Show and confident that it will be a memorable exhibition with an unparalleled selection of exhibitors for the region.

Traditionally, we have had a great deal of interest in our luxury offerings from individuals in Kuwait, and we are proud to be able to support the inaugural show in the form of this sponsorship.”

source : http://www.thepalm.ae/jumeirah/news---media/in-the-news/the-palm-announces-lead-sponsorship-of-the-first-ever-kuwait-boa/

ARCHITECTURE WEEK 2007

2007-05-11T11:04:00.000+08:00

How Green Is Our Space? is a headline at Architecture Week's site. Architecture Week 2007 will be taking place from the 15 - 24 June 2007, with events spanning a wide range of contemporary arts and culture, coming together in celebration of the built environment.

This year's theme is "How Green is our Space?" focusing on critical issues of climate change and sustainability, and aiming to inspire people to think creatively about the spaces around them.

Architecture week Organised by a partnership of Arts Council England, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Architecture Centre Network, Architecture Week is the national celebration of contemporary architecture. Now in its 11th year, Architecture Week has involved hundreds of organisations, and engaged thousands of people of all ages, and from all walks of life.

Events including film screenings, talks, walks, tours, building-visits, exhibitions, excavations, excursions, pod-casts and children's activities will be taking place across the country this summer, coming together in celebration of the built environment.

found at www.architectureweek.org.uk/

ARCHITECT ARCHIVE POST CARD

2007-05-11T10:57:00.000+08:00

Postcards from Architecture Archive, a joint initiative of the University of Auckland Library and the School of Architecture.

The first series of cards published by the Architecture Archive, a joint initiative of the University of Auckland Library and the School of Architecture, features 6 Auckland images - hand coloured elevations by the architectural firm of Holman Moses.

They depict a range of buildings from the basic cottage to two-storey bungalows as well as commercial buildings at the start of the twentieth century.

The cards have been left blank inside for your own message.

Additional images:* Johnson Clark, Proposed store, Colonial Ammunition Company, Mt Eden, 1906* W.H. Gummer bookplate by Hilda Wiseman, 1930
Individual cards @ $2.00 each

Prices: $2.00 per card includes g.s.t. of 16 cents$10.00 special offer includes g.s.t. of 80 cents - 6 unique images with envelopespostage and handling cost in NZ - $2.00

Buy it at http://www.architecture-archive.auckland.ac.nz/?page=postcards

the 100th Wallpaper*

2007-05-11T10:32:00.000+08:00

my vote*

Wallpaper* will celebrate the 100th issue in this June-July issue. The feature activity is to vote your favorite cover of Wallpaper* from a 100 cover that selected by the editor.Vote to win a set of Wallpaper*'s city giude (that's fabulous prize) Check out the vote at http://wallpaper.com/news/100_Wallpaper*_covers:_vote_to_win!/1445

NEW VALENCIA FC's STADIUM

2007-05-11T10:27:00.000+08:00

Reid Fenwick Asociados released the draft of Valencia FC's stadium. The new stadium will hold 75,000 seats and will ready in 2009-2010 season.More information available at http://www.reid-fenwick.es/english.html (news section)

THE LOUVRE OF THE MIDDLE EAST : A project by Jean Nouvel

2007-05-11T10:13:00.002+08:00

The Louvre of Abu Dhabi giving a 24,000 suqare meters to serve 4 museums including contemporary art museum, national art museum. Look like a floating UFO isn't it?

No timeline notice in Jean Nouvel's website.

CAR NOT CARBON : SOMETHING NEED TO BE CHANGED

2007-05-11T10:13:00.001+08:00

The Cars NOT Carbon competition aims to reward the best examples of creativity focused on greener motoring. It will be the centrepiece of the LowCVP annual conference on the 28th of June when the winners will be announced.

It will provide a platform for an interchange of ideas between participating professional agencies and further-educational establishments, and those responsible for deciding the marketing and advertising approaches of the motoring and fuel companies.

The objective of the competition is to raise awareness of the opportunities for promoting greener motoring in the UK and to encourage engagement between motor and fuels industry decision makers and the creative industries.

The competition aims to further raise the profile of low carbon transport in the context of meeting the urgent threats posed by climate change.The challenge is to develop an effective marketing campaign or execution based on 'real world' low carbon issues.ObjectivesTo reward creativity for campaigns which meet the brief.

To engage marketers and educational institutions around the issues of low carbon fuels, vehicle technology and responsible motoring. To create debate within the motor industry, media and general public. To encourage the uptake of new cleaner vehicles and use of cleaner fuels by fleets and consumers.

To encourage the efficient and responsible use of vehicles as well as reducing travel. Judging will take place between 29th May and 1st June.

THE FRONDS : they are moving in....

2007-05-11T10:12:00.001+08:00

The the 8th wonder of this world, the Palm Jumeirah, a fastest growing project become real fantastic living place. The Fronds, a residence section, member are moving in and almost finish.This project will sovle Dubai's beach shortage and extending tourism business. The villa connected to the Sub-Sea tunnel and surrouding by club house, retail shops and soon with hotel and resorts.

What a wonderful place to go....More image available at http://www.thepalm.ae/jumeirah/news---media/image-gallery-1/the-fronds/

URBAN OCTOPUS : The new Praque's national library will complete in 2011

2007-05-11T10:11:00.001+08:00

Praque, the city of art and beauty, a combination of architecture of the past and future. Within 2011, this city will have a new extraordinary and very unique design of a new Praque's national library which will be one of the top famous design in this world.

The new national library (octopus look a like) was desiged by Jan Kapliky, a Czech architect base in UK. Kapliky told press for the inspiration of this project that come from a sugar bolw,as well as World War II bunkers, baroque forms, the human body and jellyfish.

This project cost ~93 $ Million and giving 'Praque' a 35,000 square-meters for holding 10 million books and about 300,000 copies for public access that serving by a robot deliver book from the book shelfs automitically. (this should be a very .efficien way to manage books)

More about Jan Kapliky at http://www.future-systems.com/
Image from radio.cz/en/article/88974
Text by Pack

ARCHITECT'07 : Day 5

2007-05-11T10:10:00.000+08:00

Today I walking around the exhibition area which include project and international project from Thai architect also student workshops and I found thoes are very interesting.

Many international projects showing by 'Digital Gallery', the big plasma screen, and reveal the hidden potentail of Thai architects.The Palm Jumeirah in Dubai was developed by Inter Design Co.,Ltd, a Thai design firm that released many international project in Dubai, Srilanka, Malaysia etc.

Some gallery showing their awards winner design.Jump to student's workshops. Many school and collage presenting such a creative, fresh and wicked idea to develope their work in architecture and interior design.Many companies are very outstanding in their booth design which attract many visitor to step inside and meet the products.

This is the last 2 days in this fair and more people comming during weekend.For more information please visit http://www.architectexpo.com/

Text by Pack

ARCHITECT'07 : Thailand

2007-05-11T10:09:00.000+08:00

ARCHITECT'07 : DAY 1Seem like many expo, Architect 07, the main architect exhibition in Thailand - gathering many company showing their product and portfolios.

Over 80% of the hall taken by construction and decoration business, and a few of nice design placed in the area of ASA,The expo will continued till May 6th. Many visitor coming due to the national holiday.

This is a good chance for exhibitors to make thier brand awareness and introducing new item to the market, so they won't miss this chance,Many exhibitor bring celebrities to promote the product, mini concert and some interesting show running all day long.

Some interesting conferences and workshops during the expo, check at the schedule at [ http://www.ttfintl.com/images/Final%20Table%20of%20Seminar.pdf ]