:: Metecno Group ::

April - May 2007

"REN BUILDING" IN SHANGHAI: STUDIO BIGLA COMBINES TWO BUILDINGS

The project - by the Copenhagen Bjarke Ingels Group studio for the REN Building is intended to mark the World Expo 2010 "Better City, Better Life" of Shanghai.
It combines two buildings, symbolizing respectively the body and mind: the first building - dedicated to the activities of the body, emerges from the water and houses a water research lab; the second - dedicated to the spirit and enlightenment - emerges from the ground and houses a conference center and meeting facilities.

This original construction - intended to become the symbol of the World Expo in China - reproduces the Chinese character "ren" (= persons).
The two buildings combine to form a single tower and arch at the same time: the arch covers a huge square reserved for meetings and various other activities, while a 1000-room hotel will be constructed at the point where the two buildings merge.
Source: www.edilportale.com

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April - May 2007

THE FIRST BUSINESS PARK AT MALPENSA

Following close on Amsterdam and London, Milan will soon have its own business park, the first in Italy.
The Mpx Business Park will cover an area of 270 thousand sq. m, stretching from Terminal One of Malpensa to the municipality of Vizzano, with eight office blocks, reserved for companies involved in international trade, and two structures that will house post offices, restaurants and banks.
The project, signed by engineer Michele Molina, complies with minimum environmental impact standards: the eight 8330-sq. m, three-floor office blocks reflect the architectural style of the courtyards of Brianza, re-interpreted using glass and wood.
Hanging gardens on the roofs will create a landscaped area that guarantees continuity with the park.
Phyto-purification systems will be used to recover water for irrigation of the park, and all the car-parks (2,200 spaces) have been designed with natural drainage landscapes.
Completion of the work is scheduled for 2015, but the first companies are due to move in next year.
Annual rent is approximately 230 euro/sq. m.
Source: www.demaniore.com

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April - May 2007

KABUL: -5-STAR MARRIOTT HOTEL

A new 5-star luxury hotel of the Marriott International chain is due to be built in Kabul in just two years.
The hotel will have 209 rooms and will be delivered to the Afghan Government at the end of the 49-year lease.
The operation is intended to attract investments to the Asian country and, after the Kabul-Serena Hotel, will be the second super-deluxe resort built in the capital in the post-Taliban period.
Source: www.demaniore.com

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April - May 2007

DUBAI: AN IPOD-SHAPED SKYSCRAPER

The new building that will compete with the other extravagant skyscrapers of Dubai will be shaped like an iPod, the most famous digital media player in the world: a 24-floor residential tower with 231 apartments will sit atop a docking station, just like a real iPod.

The residential tower, dubbed the most technologically advanced in the city, will occupy the extension of Dubai waterfront, with a cost of around 800 million dollars.

Each apartment will be equipped with voice commands to control many functions of the building; RFID plaques will automatically open and close the doors; some rooms may even rotate, offering a continuous view of the area of Dubai; each apartment will feature virtual reality projection, with the possibility of linking in real time to different locations round the world, for example to a view of the New York skyline.
A spa will be built on the top of the tower, with the possibility of listening to music when swimming under water; amenities on the ground floor will include shops, cafes and restaurants able to deliver directly to the apartments.
The iPod is designed by the James Law Cybertecture International associate studio of Hong Kong.
Source: www.demaniore.com

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April - May 2007

CHICAGO SPIRE: 610 METERS OF TWISTED TOWER

The design recalls that of the Turning Torso, constructed by Calatrava for the city of Malmö, but the "Chicago Spire" is much more ambitious.
It will rise on the banks of Lake Michigan with no less than 1200 residential apartments equipped with an unequalled array of creature comforts.
Santiago Calatrava aims to obtain certification of the American LEED protocol (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for the "Chicago Spire" tower: for this reason, it incorporates systems for recycling rainwater, will use river water to cool inside spaces and features a specific glass for protection of migratory birds.

Calatrava intends not only to design an innovative tower but also to transform a splendid natural site into something really special.
Source: www.archiportale.com

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April - May 2007

DOHA-QATAR: JEAN NOUVEL'S TOWER BY 2010

The design of the elegant skyscraper is part of a development project intended to remold the Bay of Doha.
Impressive, slender and shining: the famous French architect plans to build a circular tower with a structural system that makes it possible to construct open, brightly-lit spaces inside, with a broad view of the surrounding countryside.
It has a 45-meter diameter cylindrical volume, topped by a dome with a spire that soars to a height of 231 meters.
The cement and steel structure consists of a rhomboid mesh that bends along the virtual surface of the cylinder, while the façade is lined with a double-skin system. The outside curtain wall consists of four butterfly-shaped, differently-sized aluminum elements that reproduce the geometrical complexity of Oriental moucharabieh, while at the same time protecting against the sun.

The tower is accessed via a garden, gently sloping towards a large lobby covered by a glazed ceiling. An enormous atrium soars to the 27th floor, at a height of 112 meters.
Source: www.archiportale.com

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April - May 2007

HIGH-PROFILE PROJECT IN THE SILICON OASIS OF DUBAI

Al Futtaim Real Estate of Dubai has launched a new project in the Dubai Silicon Oasis, the leading integrated innovations hub for the high-tech sector.
The project, with a plot area of around 63 thousand sq. m, will be carried out in three phases, the first of which is due for completion by June 2008.
The project, which envisages construction of residential apartment blocks, recreation blocks and an underground car-park, addresses a high-profile target used to a wealthy lifestyle and is aligned with area development strategies.
Source: www.demaniore.com

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April - May 2007

DUBAI MARINA: THE NEW TOURIST ATTRACTION

The original project proposed by architect Michel Rojkind - a landmark easily recognized even at a great distance - is an effective blend of bold aesthetics with rational functionality, while maintaining inside the simplicity necessary to cater to evolving needs. It includes both high- and low-rise buildings: the high rise structures will house residential spaces, while the low rise structures will house office spaces, commercial activities and further apartments.
It will become a new tourist attraction and the new surrounding pedestrian routes will contribute to increasing the commercial potential of the area.
Source: www.archiportale.com

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April - May 2007

SMARTCITY: AN ICT AND MEDIA CITY IN MALTA

After Dubai, Malta will also have its "ITC and Media city": it will be called "SmartCity" and will be a technological-commercial hub intended to house major high-tech companies.
It will be possible to operate paying a fee, avoiding red-tape and reducing the times involved; in addition to conventional tax benefits, other advantages include a low start-up costs and common service facilities.
The agreement for the construction of SmartCity represents one of the largest foreign investments ever made in Malta, and has been sealed with the Arab Smart City Group, a joint-venture between Tecom Investments and Sama Dubai.
Malta has been selected for its surprising similarities with Dubai in terms of strategic locations, size, access to key markets and a marked inclination for tourism.
Source: www.demaniore.com

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April - May 2007

DUBAI: THE INTERPLAY OF SHAPES OF THE Z TOWERS

Architect Marco Piva's project, in cooperation with the AEIB company, combines the interplay of organic shapes and hi-tech materials.
It is taking shape on the banks of a huge lake in the hinterland of Dubai and the architectural complex comprises three skyscrapers resting on a single base.
They will occupy a total surface of 20 thousand sq. meters and the three buildings will house, respectively, a 5-star hotel on 49 floors, residential apartments on 44 floors and office space on a further 44 floors.

Interplay of light and shadow, attentive selection of the materials, refined essences for the furnishings, intensely-colored glazing, top-class fabrics, refined Thai handcrafted objects and antiques are just some of the high-class details of the project which will be completed in 2008.
Source: www.archiportale.com

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April - May 2007

ABU DHABI, THE FIRST ZERO CARBON CITY IN THE WORLD

Designed by the London-based Foster and Partners firm of architects, it is due to be inaugurated at the end of 2009.
This huge urban complex in the heart of Abu Dhabi has been constructed according to energy efficiency criteria: an enormous photovoltaic system will provide energy to the 6 million sq. m urban community, intended to house offices, apartments for employees, a new university and a science museum.

Car traffic will be banned but a rapid, personalized transport system will be available at a short distance; shaded walkways and narrow streets will create a pedestrian-friendly environment in Abu Dhabi's torrid climate.
Surrounding land will be occupied by wind and photovoltaic farms and research centers intended to make the city completely self-sustaining.
Sultan Al Jaber who, in promoting this project, has demonstrated that it is possible to change the world using sustainable resources, envisages a future in which all cities will be constructed in this way.
Source: www.inhabitat.com

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