nov 08 | identity

The future is now

[excerpt]

By Dorothy Waldman

The best of design today's was celebrated and the outlook for the future mapped out at Cityscape Dubai, with the focus on sustainable projects providing a more eco-friendly tomorrow.

In spite of dark clouds hovering over the world's financial markets, the outlook remained sunny in Dubai during the seventh edition of Cityscape, the world's largest business to business real estate investment and development event. With more than 1,000 exhibitors and approximately 70,000 attendees present during the four-day October event, spectacular projects were recognized, monumental undertaking unveiled and new trends revealed.

Garden Centre
More than a building, the Meraas Development at Jumeriah Gardens, a Dhs350 billion project, will be Dubai's first master-planned community to be built in the area near Al Safa Park and Sheikh Zayed Road.

Sustainability and livability are the primary concerns for the planners and architects who are incorporating green building designs such as passive energy generation, heat reducing cladding, shading fins and site positioning. Topography that includes energy generation, heat reducing cladding, shading fins and site positioning, Topography that includes a major canal will run through the Garden from the Business Bay Canal to the sea and major parks and many smaller community green spaces are included in the plans. Within this massive development will be three structures by Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill that look to the future for inspiration.

The triple towers of varying heights of 1 Dubai will connect every 30 floors with a series of dramatic sky bridges. The mixed-use towers, in addition to their highly futuristic appearance, will have double wall construction and other sustainable features. The three pairs of curved mid-rise towers of the Park Gate will form a cavernous arch, reminiscent of entrance gates into ancient cities. They will welcome residents to a refreshing oasis dripping with foliage from the hanging gardens of the sky terraces, creating a micro-climate 10C cooler than the surrounding area.

The sensuous curved form of 1 Park Avenue will be another towering structure, among the tallest in the world, piercing the Dubai Skyline. In addition to reflecting Dubai's relationship with the Arabian Gulf in a contemporary form, it will also be a showcase for sustainable technology.