Kaohsiung Port Terminal Amplifies The Flow of Pedestrian Traffic 0

Kaohsiung Port Terminal is the result from an experiment of dynamic 3-dimensional urbanism that amplifies the flow of pedestrian traffic. It’s been designed with an elevated and activated boardwalk that runs continuously along the water. Beneath this level of public promenade, people can find cruise and ferry functions located just below. These multiple layers create a dense range of programs, while separating the cruises and ferries will help maintaining secure areas for departing or arriving passengers.

Designer : Reiser + Umemoto

Furthermore, the elevated space connects the new Pop Music Center, the arts and shopping districts within a green necklace along the waterfront. In the future, clusters of commercial entities will grow along the walk which will ensure the continuous economic viability of the port terminal, sustaining and amplifying the periodic maritime uses of the cruise terminal and ferries.

The project is scheduled for construction in 2012 and expected to be in operation by 2014, with aconstruction budget of approximately $85,000,000 USD.

Blocks House To Improve The Underprivileged Living of Slums and Villages 0

The life of deprived people from slums is really pathetic, especially during bad weather conditions. Worn out houses that can be destroyed in seconds due to climatic changes is their way of life these days. Keeping in mind all these factors, the entry of Blocks House took a new dimension to help these people have a safe and a secure living. Blocks are usually assembled at give area, of any size that can accommodate a family. These are light weight with lessmanufacturing cost, making it easy to replace damaged blocks rather easily. It doesn’t pave way for insects to get inside, thereby providing a healthy clean surrounding. Its portability adds to its advantage, which means, it can be carried else where in case of a bad whether condition. This is an excellent way for the underprivileged people to find a living during worst case scenarios.

Note: This Design is a nominee for the INDEX Award, please “LIKE” this project at the site below to show support for the designer intention to tackle such a complex issue.
http://nominateforindexaward.com/Presentation/read/id=MTEwNw

Designer : Altamash Jiwani

Ark Project : Futuristic and Modern Noah’s Ark by Remistudio 0

Ark project can be said the modern and futuristic Noah’s Ark. It’s been designed to answer the main concerns in our time: precautions against extreme environmental conditions and protection of natural environment from human activities. This floating hotel is a self contained haven in case of disaster such as floods caused by the rising of the sea levels.

This project was designed on the basis of international experience received from the UIA Work Program “Architecture for Disasters Relief” and according to the concept of a bioclimatic house with independent life support sources. The ark’s shell like construction of arches and cables will evenly distribute the weight to keep it invulnerable to earthquakes. In such buildings provision is made for an independent life support system including elements ensuring a closed functioning cycle.

Designer : Remistudio

To provide power and water to the inhabitants, Ark project uses solar panels and rainwater collection system. All the plants are chosen based on the principle of compatibility, illumination, and efficiency of oxygen producing. The transparent roof provides enough light for plants and illuminating the inner rooms to reduce the need for lighting. The balconies can be used as a recreation place or social gatherings.

Green Megastructure Poto Vinculum by Jorge Fontan 0

POTO Vinculum is a new concept designed by an expert architect Jorge Fontan for large-scale green development. It connects towers and podiums. The vertical element sits over a horizontal base, interconnected through elevated podiums that bridges from tower to tower. The bridges as well as roofs are green vertical spaces, meant for the occupants. The building primarily operates as a single unit comprising of several pieces. The literal meaning of vinculum is union or unity, which severed as an inspiration for this new concept – union of multiple buildings. Each unit is meant for different programmatic functions such as commercial, hotel, residential and office.

Designer : Jorge Fontan

Vertical Village Offers Enjoyable Village Living Without Occupying Plenty Of Lands 0

The main focus of designing Vertical Village concept was to enjoy village living without taking a lot of lands that we usually see in traditional villages which can be realized pretty easily with the massive structure of the concept. The houses are envisioned as cells with largest possible usable area both in vertical and horizontal direction, based on their project done in The Why Factory studio of professor Winy Maas, at the TU Delft. The system has defined both practical and dramatic spaces to make a bridge between orthogonal surfaces and irregular zones that may be required by the residents for different purposes. The 3D plots give each family the opportunity to choose where and how they would like to place their house. The circular cell design has made it possible. Finally, the concept will certainly have some positive effect on the massive land crisis mankind is going to experience in near future.

Designers : Rajiv Sewtahal, Yushang Zhang, Riemer Postma, and Qianqian Cai

Lunar Cubit Pyramid Transforms Sunlight Into Electrical Energy 0

Lunar Cubit, winner of the United Arab Emirates design competition is a site-specific proposal, which is expected to be built in Abu Dhabi. Combining artistic vision together with sustainable design, the Lunar Cubit is capable of examining the nature of time via nightly contemplation of the lunar phases plus every day transformation of sunlight into electrical energy, thereby powering up to 250 homes.

The Lunar Cubit is like an onyx polished to a mirror finish with its structures made from glass as well as amorphous silicon. It is designed with proportions that matches great pyramid at Giza and each 42 royal cubits that are nearly 22 meters high forms a circle around a central pyramid that is 50 meters high. The Lunar Cubit allows viewers to measure time via the eight lunar phases and serves as a monthly calendar. For this application, usage of amorphous silicon modules surpasses crystalline modules and is 100% environmentally safe. The Lunar Cubit has no moving parts that are vulnerable to breaking. Visitors are advocated to walk among these beacons.

From : Lunar cubit

Rabat Grand Theatre in Bouregreg Valley by Zaha Hadid 0

Zaha Hadid together with Lemghari Essakl signed a contract for the architectural plan of Rabat Grand Theatre at a ceremonial occasion that took place in Rabat on November 5. Mr.Essakl also signed agreements with few others during the event, namely Mr. Salaheddine Mezouar for project financing, Mr. Taieb Cherkaoui, for project Interiors and Mr. Abdelouahed Kabbaj for Economic and Social Development.

Occupying a total land area of nearly 47000 sqm with a floor area of nearly 27000 sqm, the innovatory Rabat Grand Theater is considered to be a cultural spot of the highest standards. With a capability of accommodating 2,050 seats and 520 smaller seats, the Grand Theatre features creative studios with a fully equipped outdoor amphitheatre capable of accommodating up to 7,000 people. As the name suggest, the cost of this project is estimated at £100 Million. It is expected that the Grand Theatre would be located at one of the largest development area of the Moroccan capital, the Bouregreg Valley. Wide range of housing, leisure and hospitality complexes is expected to be hosted by the end of the year 2014, which in turn would add more popularity to the Grand Theatre. With its pioneering and revolutionary infrastructure, Rabat will be one of the eye-catching destinations in this region.

Designer : Zaha Hadid

[Press Release]
Zaha Hadid and Lemghari Essakl, Managing Director of The Bouregreg Valley Development Agency signed an agreement for the architectural design of the Rabat Grand Theatre at a ceremony held in Rabat on November 5. During the event, Mr. Essakl also signed the project financing agreement with Mr. Salaheddine Mezouar, Moroccan Minister of Economy & Finance, Mr. Taieb Cherkaoui, Minister of the Interior, and Mr. Abdelouahed Kabbaj, Chairman of the Executive Board of the Hassan II Fund for Economic & Social Development.

With a dedicated land area of 47 000 sqm and a gross floor area of 27 000 sqm, the Rabat Grand Theatre is a cultural venue of the highest standards. It will include a 2,050-seat theatre, a smaller 520-seat theatre, creative studios and a fully-equipped outdoor amphitheatre with a capacity of up to 7,000 people.

The cost of the project is estimated at 1.35 Billion Moroccan Dirham (£100 Million).

The Grand Theatre will be located in the Bouregreg Valley, a 6,000 ha area in the heart of the Moroccan capital, home to one of the largest developments in the country. By the end of 2014, the valley will host a wide range of residential, commercial, leisure and hospitality complexes, turning Rabat into one of the most attractive destinations of the Mediterranean area. With its dynamic, innovative design and cutting-edge infrastructure, the Rabat Grand Theatre will be a major landmark in the region.

“I am delighted to be building the Grand Theatre in Rabat”, said Zaha Hadid. “Morocco’s unique musical traditions and rich cultural history in the performing arts are renowned throughout the world. I am honoured to be part of the cultural development of the nation’s capital.”