Pusong Gala

Sabi ko dati, kahit marami ang pwedeng pasyalan dito sa Dubai, hindi rin nakaka-inspired ang gumala kung wala ka naman kasama o kung wala kang pera. Mas nakakalulungkot ang walang makakasama kasi ang pera pwede mong utangin o hiramin pero ang makakayag ay hindi katulad ng damit sa sampayan ng pwede mong hablutin kahit anong oras o softdrinks sa ref na pwede mong laklakin kung ikaw eh nauuhaw. Pinakamalungkot, yun mawalan ka ng pareho.

Kahapon, nawalan kami ng internet connection, pati tubig na pampaligo. Ewan kung sinadya kaya nawalan ako ng choice kung hindi ang lumabas ng bahay para magpalipas ng oras kahit na hindi pa nagshoshower. Tamang opening din pala ng Dubai Mall, kaya hayun, kinain ko ang mga sinabi ko ng hindi ako maglilibot nang mag-isa. Nakisabay ako sa pagbubukas ng pinakamalaking mall sa buong mundo. As usual, naglakad na naman ko ng pagkahaba haba para lang mapuntahan ang nasabing mall. Along the way, marami pa akong ibang namasdan. Heto nga pala ang mga pictures kuha ko sa mall, pati na rin yung iba ko pang nakunan habang naglalakad:

Ito ang Central Business District ng Dubai, ang Sheik Zayed Road. ____________________________________________________________________________

Ito naman ang Dubai World Trade Center Building. ____________________________________________________________________________
Ito ang twin buildings ng Emirates Tower, the right tower is currently the 16th tallest in the world. ____________________________________________________________________________
Ito ang pinakamataas na istruktura sa buong mundo, ang Burj Dubai. ____________________________________________________________________________
The entrance to and the Dubai Mall's Grand Atrium. ____________________________________________________________________________

Shopping paradise, over 70 luxury shops and 500 other retailers. ____________________________________________________________________________

The world's biggest indoor gold market with over 200 gold and jewellery retailers. ____________________________________________________________________________
An Olympic size Ice Skating Rink with stadium seats, the first in Dubai. ____________________________________________________________________________
The world's largest aquarium with over 22,000 aquatic species of marine animals. ____________________________________________________________________________

The Dubai Mall views, by night. ____________________________________________________________________________

Anime!

Matagal ko ng gustong gawin 'to. Ang maging ka-hairdo si Sun goku? Bwahahaha anime! Pagbigyan nio na ako, Halloween naman!

Nothing Beats Dubai (P-1)

If you think that the architectural and engineering expansion in Dubai is over, oh well think again. A slew of new projects are on the table and in the works as we speak, and this time, the projects have gone bigger, better, bolder and weirder. Take a look:

The "cloud' is a speculative design for a resort city elevated 300 metres in the air above dubai and supported on slanting legs resembling rain. it is designed by nadim karam of lebanese architect atelier hapsitus. it is a horizontal presence on an elevated platform, an antithesis to the sum of skyscrapers spreading over the entire region.

ha hadid' "dancing towers" are planned to be located in dubai's business bay development area. the plan consists of three buildings which rise up from the ground bending and intertwining with each other to create fluid animation of the forms.


The "pixel tower" by light architecture is on the palm jebel ali overlooking the lagoon and bay. the building's twisted core gives it a light and flexible appearance. the 45 degree twist allows the uppermost apartments to have optimal views, despite the buildings footprint.

The "infinity tower" is designed by skidmore owings and merrill and is located directly on dubai's waterfront. when complete it will be the world's tallest tower to feature a 90-degree twist. it will be used for luxury apartments and services, with all sides of the building featuring optimal views. the building's interior structure will feature a a concrete column, shaped like a helix. each floor has a slight 1.2 degree twist to compose the full 90 degrees.

madrid's a-cero architects led by joaquin torres has designed a new tower for the city of dubai. "the wave tower" is a high-rise proposed to be installed on the city's waterfront, the first skyscraper to do so. the tall tower, which appears to float in the sea, is connected to land by a gently curved bridge which mimics the waves ofthe gulf sea. the building is under development and will be in the madiant al arab district. it will stand at 370 meters and have 92 floors wrapped in a double skin glass facade.


real estate mogul donald trump is also part of the architectural plans of dubai, along with nakheel hotels he plans to build a 255 meter "trump hotel" on a man-made island in dubai. with 60 stories, the 5 star hotel will also house some luxury apartments. the building has been designed by atkins architects.


" Opus" is another dubai building designed by british architect zaha hadid. the 235 million GBP development was designed for the business bay for omniyat properties. it stands at 20 stories located next to the towering burj dubai. hadid's concept was to have the building open onto the city, framing the views. it is currently underdevelopment and is planned to be completed by 2010.


"0-14 tower" was designed by resier and umemoto and rur architecture pc along with dubai developer, shahab lutfi. the building was designed for dubai's business bay and features 22 floors covered in a double skin facade that's outermost skin is constructed from 40c, thick perforated concrete. the one meter space between the skins creates a chimney effect, cooling the building.

"'dubai pearl" was originally conceived by the omnix grop in 2002 but has since been taken over by a consortium of investors led by the al fahim group. the 3 billion USD project overlooks the pal jumeriah and covers 1.4 million square metres of the dubai media and technology free zone.


currently awaiting completion, this art deco inspired building will house a hotel and residences. "the burj dubai lake hotel" stands at 306 meters next to the duabi mall and the burj dubai lake.


"dubai towers" is the centerpiece for the large 'lagoons' development. the buildings and the development were all conceived of by TVS. the four towers range in size from 54 to 97 floorsand were inspired by the flames and movement of candlelight.


The "da vinci rotating tower", is one of the most innovative an unique buildings to be built in dubai. the 250 meter tower will allow each floor to rotate freely allowing the building to shift its shape. in between each floor horizontal wind turbines will allow the building to produce energy.

Nothing Beats Dubai (P-2)

'dubai promenade' is another project developed by nakheel. located in between dubai marina and palm jumeirah, this wheel shaped five star hotel is built on a man-made peninsula. it will be accompanied by a series of sister towers that will create 2,000 residential units.

'the al sharq tower' will be the tallest building on dubai's sheikh zayed road when it will be completed. measuring 360 meters tall, the tower will contain 268 luxury apartments. the building features eight interconnected cylinders which covered in a spiraling filigree. skidmore, owings and merrill designed the structure which is currently under construction.

architect andrew bromberg designed this 120 floor building while at aedas architects. measuring 516 meters, the 'pentominium' is a residential only building which will be one of the highest towers n dubai's marinA, when it is complete. the slender building is covered in glass with a series of tiered balconies on one side.

INspired by the 'Q1', the world's tallest residential tower, the 'D1 tower' is designed by sunland architects. it combines middle eastern tradition with modern technology. it measures 284 meter tall with 80 stories, located on dubai creek cultural and artistic district.

atkins architects also designed 'the lighthouse' a new tower located in the middle of dubai's financial center. the 400 meter tall office tower which hopes to set a new standard for sustainability among dubai's towers. it plans to reduce its total energy consumption by 65% and its water consumption by up to 40%.



'ocean heights' is another tower located at dubai marina. it measures 310 meters tall and contains 82 floors. each side is twisted to maximize the views over the water when the building is completed this year.

'the burj al alam' or world tower is a 108 story, 501 meter high skyscraper currently being constructed in dubai's business bay area. designed by nihon architects, the building's form is based on the form of a flower. when complete it will be among the tallest building in the world. the top of the building will be finished with a 6 story turkish bath and sky garden, when construction is completed in 2010.

'tameer towers' was proposed as a sustainable skyscraper, designed by gensler architects. the development will include six 72 story towers with a diamond shaped base. set to be complete in 2011, the towers will be shaded by a series of landscaped terraces. inside, apartments, hotels, shops and office will fill p the space.


'synergy' is another building designed by india's sanjay puri for dubai's business bay area. the 20-storybuilding was designed to appear like a stack of cubes that were fluidly merged. one side overlooksthe promenade in front while the other side faces a lake. the facade is punctured by a decorative motifderived from islamic art.

The 'emaar towers' are located at the entry point to the burj dubi development, right across from the burj dubai tower. the towers are 42 and 34 stories each and will mostly house offices. an articulated skin covers the buildings and recalls the layers of traditional islamic architecture.

royal haskoning architects were invited by nakeel development to create a masterplan design for pal jebel ali, off the coast of dubai. their winning design includes sports facilities, housing, retail and office space. the design also features an iconic bridge connecting to the main towers.

'the apeiron hotel' will be a 7-star hotel built on an island off of dubai. the arched 185 meter tall hotel will cost 500 million USD. it will have 350 luxury suites that will only be accessible by yacht and helicopter. designed by sybarite uk, the hotel features its own lagoon, beaches, cinemas and at gallery.

'the empire tower' is located in the heart of dubai. it uses an array of splayed vertical layers which are unified at the bottom and rise up into the sky with gentle curves. it measures 230 meters overlooking the sea and nearby parks.

'the palm tower' is as its name implies, inspired by the trunk of a palm tree. it is located in the center of jumeirah village. it measures 150 meters tall holding offices, retail space and gardens. designed by sybarite uk, it contains 60,000 square meters of interior space.