Dubai's World-Beating Buildings

**Adam** · 8th March 2006, 01:22 PM

A building boom in the emirate has led to a whole host of chart breakers, in categories including highest apartment, biggest mall, and one of the world's most unique resorts

Hydropolis
Joachim Hauser

This hotel, the world's first underwater luxury resort, brings new meaning to the "ocean-view room." Situated 66 feet below the surface of the Persian Gulf, Hydropolis will feature 220 guest suites. Reinforced by concrete and steel, its Plexiglas walls and bubble-shaped dome ceilings offer sights of fish and other sea creatures. It's scheduled to open in late 2007.

The Palm Islands
Al Nakheel Properties

The three artificial islands that make up the Palm (comprising the Palm Jumeirah, the Palm Jebel Ali, and the Palm Deira) are the world's biggest man-made islands. Each was built from a staggering 1 billion cubic meters of dredged sand and stone, taken from Dubai's sea bed and configured into individual islands and surrounding breakwaters. The complex will house a variety of tourist attractions, ranging from spas and diving sites to apartments and theaters. The entire complex is designed to collectively resemble a date palm tree when seen from the sky.

The World
Al Nakheel Properties

Ever wish the world was smaller? This group of more than 250 man-made islands was designed to resemble the entire world when seen from the air. The islands, which range from 250,000 to 900,000 square feet, can be bought by individual developers or private owners -- starting at $6.85 million.

The only way to get between each island is by boat...or yacht, given the clientele. A notable engineering feat: The project incorporates two protective breakwaters to protect the islands from waves, consisting of one submerged reef (the outer breakwater) and an above-water structure (the inner breakwater).

Sports City
Dubailand LLC

A standout section of the sprawling, 3-billion-square-foot theme-park-like development known as Dubailand, Sports City will offer visitors a staggering variety of athletic venues, from elegant, gigantic stadia to state-of-the-art participatory parks for skateboarding, indoor rock climbing, and other activities. Not to mention facilities for polo, car racing, golf, and extreme sports. The stadia are designed by German architects von Gerkan, Marg & Partners, the firm behind the graceful 2004 update of Berlin's 1936 Olympic stadium.v

Dubai Mall
DP Architects

Thirty-five million people are expected to visit the Dubai Mall, developed by Emaar Properties, during 2006, its inaugural year. There's plenty to do, since, at more than 5 million square feet, it's the biggest mall in the world. It will house 15 sub-malls, a skating rink, an aquarium, and the planet's biggest gold souk (market).

Ski Dubai
F + A Architects

When one thinks of a vacation in Dubai, the first images that might to come to mind are sun and sand. Now add snow. Two feet of snow, topped with a daily layer of fresh powder, to be exact -- thanks to the system of 23 blast coolers and snow guns inside Ski Dubai. It might be 135 degrees Fahrenheit outdoors, but inside the 32,290 square-foot, $275 million structure, visitors ski and snowboard. The heavily insulated facility also includes the world's largest indoor snow park, offering 9,842 square feet for sledding or bobsledding.

UAE Spaceport
Space Adventures

Burj Dubai
Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill

The Burj Dubai will be the world's tallest building when it opens in 2009. Its shape is inspired by the indigenous desert flowers that often appear as decorative patterns in Islamic architecture, but it also has an engineering purpose: The swirl shape ensures that the mass of the structure lessens as it reaches the top, making the structure steadier. A mixed-use building developed by Dubai's Emaar Properties, the Burj Dubai will house shops, offices, residences, and entertainment venues.

One Central Park
Norman Foster and Partners

Adding to the superlatives rising on the Dubai skyline is One Central Park, a mixed-use building that will feature the world's highest apartment. A sense of loftiness is communicated in the building's design, which places the residential section of the structure above buttressed "fins" that separate the public spaces from the private ones.

The building is also eco-friendly, as it's oriented to reduce solar gain. Taking into consideration the fact that skyscrapers tend to be inefficient in terms of energy consumption, Foster & Partners gave the building a central core that absorbs heat and a sunshade system, to reduce cooling costs. Dealing with temperature is a key design challenge within a hot desert environment

Mapper · 8th March 2006, 02:04 PM

These buildings are simply breath taking, Specially that hotel, Amazing!

Yuallica · 8th March 2006, 02:35 PM

Wow, those buildings are amazing! Especially the underwater hotel- although I like the mini-world islands too.

**Adri** · 9th March 2006, 08:41 AM

I would love to go to that underwater hotel!

**Tabbitha** · 7th October 2008, 05:16 AM

I only just spotted this thread so thought I would give it a *bump* .Those are some awesome buildings Adam,thanks for posting.

CescoAiel · 7th October 2008, 06:52 AM

Braggers!

Been to Dubai, and I have to say: They *do* know how to build nice things!

and bears · 7th October 2008, 07:01 AM

I'd seen one or two of the others, but the underwater hotel? that's practically a steampunk fantasy come true

.

CescoAiel · 7th October 2008, 09:12 AM

I hear ya! That is one I would like to visit!

CescoAiel · 7th October 2008, 12:48 PM

I actually read a daily webcomic that is covering Dubai's buildings at this moment...

The thread starts here: http://www.sheldoncomics.com/archive/081001.html

buddy lee · 7th October 2008, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adri

I would love to go to that underwater hotel!

that would rock

8th March 2006, 01:22 PM	#1
Adam Lead Administrator Owner Join Date: Oct 1990 Posts: 6,440 Gold: 711 My Mood: Thanks: 61 Thanked 958 Times in 318 Posts	Dubai's World-Beating Buildings A building boom in the emirate has led to a whole host of chart breakers, in categories including highest apartment, biggest mall, and one of the world's most unique resorts Hydropolis Joachim Hauser This hotel, the world's first underwater luxury resort, brings new meaning to the "ocean-view room." Situated 66 feet below the surface of the Persian Gulf, Hydropolis will feature 220 guest suites. Reinforced by concrete and steel, its Plexiglas walls and bubble-shaped dome ceilings offer sights of fish and other sea creatures. It's scheduled to open in late 2007. The Palm Islands Al Nakheel Properties The three artificial islands that make up the Palm (comprising the Palm Jumeirah, the Palm Jebel Ali, and the Palm Deira) are the world's biggest man-made islands. Each was built from a staggering 1 billion cubic meters of dredged sand and stone, taken from Dubai's sea bed and configured into individual islands and surrounding breakwaters. The complex will house a variety of tourist attractions, ranging from spas and diving sites to apartments and theaters. The entire complex is designed to collectively resemble a date palm tree when seen from the sky. The World Al Nakheel Properties Ever wish the world was smaller? This group of more than 250 man-made islands was designed to resemble the entire world when seen from the air. The islands, which range from 250,000 to 900,000 square feet, can be bought by individual developers or private owners -- starting at $6.85 million. The only way to get between each island is by boat...or yacht, given the clientele. A notable engineering feat: The project incorporates two protective breakwaters to protect the islands from waves, consisting of one submerged reef (the outer breakwater) and an above-water structure (the inner breakwater). Sports City Dubailand LLC A standout section of the sprawling, 3-billion-square-foot theme-park-like development known as Dubailand, Sports City will offer visitors a staggering variety of athletic venues, from elegant, gigantic stadia to state-of-the-art participatory parks for skateboarding, indoor rock climbing, and other activities. Not to mention facilities for polo, car racing, golf, and extreme sports. The stadia are designed by German architects von Gerkan, Marg & Partners, the firm behind the graceful 2004 update of Berlin's 1936 Olympic stadium.v Dubai Mall DP Architects Thirty-five million people are expected to visit the Dubai Mall, developed by Emaar Properties, during 2006, its inaugural year. There's plenty to do, since, at more than 5 million square feet, it's the biggest mall in the world. It will house 15 sub-malls, a skating rink, an aquarium, and the planet's biggest gold souk (market). Ski Dubai F + A Architects When one thinks of a vacation in Dubai, the first images that might to come to mind are sun and sand. Now add snow. Two feet of snow, topped with a daily layer of fresh powder, to be exact -- thanks to the system of 23 blast coolers and snow guns inside Ski Dubai. It might be 135 degrees Fahrenheit outdoors, but inside the 32,290 square-foot, $275 million structure, visitors ski and snowboard. The heavily insulated facility also includes the world's largest indoor snow park, offering 9,842 square feet for sledding or bobsledding. UAE Spaceport Space Adventures Burj Dubai Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill The Burj Dubai will be the world's tallest building when it opens in 2009. Its shape is inspired by the indigenous desert flowers that often appear as decorative patterns in Islamic architecture, but it also has an engineering purpose: The swirl shape ensures that the mass of the structure lessens as it reaches the top, making the structure steadier. A mixed-use building developed by Dubai's Emaar Properties, the Burj Dubai will house shops, offices, residences, and entertainment venues. One Central Park Norman Foster and Partners Adding to the superlatives rising on the Dubai skyline is One Central Park, a mixed-use building that will feature the world's highest apartment. A sense of loftiness is communicated in the building's design, which places the residential section of the structure above buttressed "fins" that separate the public spaces from the private ones. The building is also eco-friendly, as it's oriented to reduce solar gain. Taking into consideration the fact that skyscrapers tend to be inefficient in terms of energy consumption, Foster & Partners gave the building a central core that absorbs heat and a sunshade system, to reduce cooling costs. Dealing with temperature is a key design challenge within a hot desert environment

8th March 2006, 02:04 PM	#2
Mapper Europa for the win! Join Date: Jul 2005 Shard: Europa Posts: 284 Gold: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Dubai's World-Beating Buildings These buildings are simply breath taking, Specially that hotel, Amazing!

8th March 2006, 02:35 PM	#3
Yuallica Join Date: Nov 2005 Shard: Drachenfels Posts: 443 Gold: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Dubai's World-Beating Buildings Wow, those buildings are amazing! Especially the underwater hotel- although I like the mini-world islands too.

9th March 2006, 08:41 AM	#4
Adri Wearing metal panties in a lightning storm Join Date: May 2004 Shard: Pacific/Landroval Posts: 3,848 Gold: 1,032 My Mood: Thanks: 211 Thanked 118 Times in 85 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 2	Re: Dubai's World-Beating Buildings I would love to go to that underwater hotel! We are all broken and wounded in this world. Some choose to grow strong at the broken places. --Harold J. Duarte-Bernhardt

7th October 2008, 05:16 AM	#5
Tabbitha Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Shard: Europa/Snowbourn Posts: 6,118 Gold: 73,493 Blog Entries: 6 Thanks: 249 Thanked 370 Times in 221 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 1	Re: Dubai's World-Beating Buildings I only just spotted this thread so thought I would give it a bump .Those are some awesome buildings Adam,thanks for posting.

7th October 2008, 06:52 AM	#6
CescoAiel Sir Lir, Council Sojourner, Avatars of Virtue Join Date: Nov 2007 Shard: Origin Posts: 277 Gold: 29,529 My Mood: Thanks: 53 Thanked 18 Times in 15 Posts	Re: Dubai's World-Beating Buildings Braggers! Been to Dubai, and I have to say: They do know how to build nice things! Sir Lir - Mage-Tamer - Council Sojourner - Avatars of Virtue Lugh Allcrafted - Beginning Crafter - United Order of Virtue Aoife - New-born Necro-Mage - Council Sojourner - Avatars of Virtue Cú Chulainn- Paladin - Avatars of Virtue

7th October 2008, 07:01 AM	#7
and bears Living in forever skies Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 75 Gold: 635 My Mood: Thanks: 80 Thanked 14 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Dubai's World-Beating Buildings I'd seen one or two of the others, but the underwater hotel? that's practically a steampunk fantasy come true . "The real battle is won in the mind" Our doubts are traitors / And make us lose the good we oft might win / By fearing to attempt - Measure for Measure

7th October 2008, 09:12 AM	#8
CescoAiel Sir Lir, Council Sojourner, Avatars of Virtue Join Date: Nov 2007 Shard: Origin Posts: 277 Gold: 29,529 My Mood: Thanks: 53 Thanked 18 Times in 15 Posts	Re: Dubai's World-Beating Buildings I hear ya! That is one I would like to visit! Sir Lir - Mage-Tamer - Council Sojourner - Avatars of Virtue Lugh Allcrafted - Beginning Crafter - United Order of Virtue Aoife - New-born Necro-Mage - Council Sojourner - Avatars of Virtue Cú Chulainn- Paladin - Avatars of Virtue

7th October 2008, 12:48 PM	#9
CescoAiel Sir Lir, Council Sojourner, Avatars of Virtue Join Date: Nov 2007 Shard: Origin Posts: 277 Gold: 29,529 My Mood: Thanks: 53 Thanked 18 Times in 15 Posts	Re: Dubai's World-Beating Buildings I actually read a daily webcomic that is covering Dubai's buildings at this moment... The thread starts here: http://www.sheldoncomics.com/archive/081001.html Sir Lir - Mage-Tamer - Council Sojourner - Avatars of Virtue Lugh Allcrafted - Beginning Crafter - United Order of Virtue Aoife - New-born Necro-Mage - Council Sojourner - Avatars of Virtue Cú Chulainn- Paladin - Avatars of Virtue

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