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Architectural Innovation
CANADIAN ARCHITECTURAL FIRM WINS INTERNATIONAL DESIGN COMPETITION IN DUBAI INNOVATIVE CONCEPT WILL CREATE AN EXCEPTIONAL WATERFRONT DESTINATION
Toronto - ZAS Group of Companies of Toronto, Dubai and Vancouver, is pleased to announce that the firm has placed first in a limited design competition to design and construct five new residential towers along the Promenade section of the remarkable Dubai Marina in the United Arab Emirates. According to Marek Zawadzki, the Senior Design Partner, “We are thrilled that the competition judges were enthusiastic about the unique nature of our design and the integral part it will play in the overall development of the Promenade”.
The creation of Dubai Promenade is being undertaken by Nakheel, Dubai’s premier development company and responsible for other acclaimed coastal developments such as the Palm Trilogy, The World and Waterfront. The Promenade project continues a tradition of innovation, and to accomplish this Nakheel conducted an international competition to select a design. Architects from around the world submitted their design concepts for 670,000 m2 (7.2 million s.f.) of new residential and retail space within this prominent site. “Our design will create a waterfront destination along the Dubai coastline that is dynamic, sustainable and distinctive.” says Zawadzki.
Five Residential Towers
The peninsula like form of Dubai Promenade has created two distinct waterfront environments on either side of the site. A total of five residential towers will capitalize upon this waterfront setting, with three facing the Marina and another two towers positioned against the backdrop of the Beach. Ranging in height from 45 to 60 storeys, each tower will have exquisite views of the Arabian Gulf, the city, and various parks, to create a place and neighbourhood that is distinctive within the Dubai Marina precinct. At the base of the towers, the ZAS design also calls for a system of Mediterranean inspired villas and terraces that step down to a private beach setting along the Gulf.
The unique design of the towers is distinguishable by the structural skin lattice or “exoskeleton”, composed in a diagrid arrangement and creating a column-free floor plate to provide total design freedom. “If a purchaser wants to create one apartment that spans an entire floor, there are no structural walls or interior columns that stand in their way. This is a great selling feature,” adds Zawadzki. The concrete central core and the concrete outrigger beams provide the necessary lateral stability. “Commercial buildings have commonly used column free designs. ZAS may be one of the first firms to transfer these proven precedents to a large scale residential application.” Zawadzki says.
The Dubai Promenade
Guided by Nakheel’s Master Plan for Dubai Promenade, the ZAS design aims to capitalize on this premier waterfront location to create a public realm that will be of the highest standards. Starting with the water’s edge, residents and visitors will experience a diverse collection of cafes, restaurants, and other commercial venues, extending in a continuous fashion to produce a place of exceptional pedestrian vibrancy. According to DJ Armin, Managing Principal at ZAS International, “Ultimately, the water’s edge walk extends across the entire length of the peninsula, terminating at The Pier with its panoramic views of the gulf. To one side of this waterfront walk, our podium base will serve as a backdrop to an adjacent office tower, boutique hotel and the sophisticated design of our Marina Towers, resulting in an exciting mix of uses and activity”.
Within this podium, residents of this new community will also experience a lifestyle that is maritime inspired with amenities that include health and fitness, aquatics, and water’s edge lounges overlooking the beach or the marina. Emerging from the generous landscaped base of the podium, the Beach and Marina Towers are all afforded with exquisite views of the Gulf and the evolving Dubai coastline. At grade, they share a desire to engage with their respective landscapes and to create a dynamic and accessible environment of walks and trails leading to a series of gardens, parks and courts. “In this context, a distinctive community is expected to emerge, creating a truly distinguishable residential district and an exceptional waterfront destination in Dubai,” says Armin.
A Dune-Inspired Landscape Podium
The ZAS design of the unique podium base at Dubai Promenade draws its inspiration from the infinite desert landscape of the Emirates. Conceived as a constructed dune platform, a shaped landscape of bridges, canopies, and elevated ribbons of parkland weave a three-dimensional terrain across the peninsula. Spanning over a central landscaped boulevard, this elevated terrain marks the entrance to all towers in the development. A number of unique, interconnected green dunes link both the Marina and Beach waterfronts of the Promenade within a cascading structure of parks and retail amenities. The two levels of retail on the Marina side are organized along a gentle curve. “The modest bend animates the spectacular views of the adjacent Marina and the Palm Jumeriah,” says Zawadzki. Linear light wells and grids of skylights pierce through the landscape podium to provide light, ventilation, security and orientation to the four levels of parking below.
Viewed from the towers above, this dune landscape is the fifth elevation for the development and one that is carefully considered for both residents and visitors. This constructed, alternating terrain will extend across the entire length of the Dubai Promenade peninsula to create a contiguous tapestry of walkways, roadways and pathways. Ultimately, “the sophistication of the podium design will be distinguishable and place an unusually strong emphasis on developing a strong public realm. This is quite different than many others in Dubai, and especially for a large scale, privately sponsored developments”, says Armin.
Sustainability
In an effort to support Nakheel’s corporate sustainability objectives, the ZAS design solution for the Dubai Promenade Marina and Beach Towers display a high level of sustainable design considerations. With the recent establishment of the Emirates Green Building Council, this project’s sustainability goals will be developed to achieve a minimum LEED Silver rating. To reach this goal, the design concept will make the most out of controlling energy and water demands. It’s location along the Dubai coastline will also yield opportunities to make the most out of shading and prevailing winds. Renewable energy sources such as power spiral wind generators, solar panels on solid surfaces, and photo voltaics on louvered surfaces are all under consideration and development. It is expected that the green design ambitions of this project, in combination with government support from the Emirates to prioritize sustainable design for new developments, is sure to make advances in green design and emerging technologies.
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