Elemental design

 

DeStefano Partners to build multipurpose development in China based on values of serenity, connectivity, vitality and humanity

Plans for a 94,000 sq m multipurpose development in Suzhou, China, have won DeStefano Partners an international competition for the project held by Suzhou Wuzhong Guoyu Asset Management Co. Suzhou Wuzhong North Road Development is set to include a variety of high-rise office buildings, residential, hotel and retail facilities

DeStefano’s design is based on four elemental factors – ‘Serenity, Connectivity, Vitality and Humanity’. As the site is bordered with canals to the east and north and major traffic roads to the west and south, the design firm felt it was necessary to create a space that was tranquil and ‘shielded from the commotion of the city’. They responded to the site’s island-like condition by forming the elemental structures in a ‘ring’ around a central public courtyard to create a sense of serenity. A network of streets between the pavilions has been incorporated into the design to create a pedestrian-friendly environment, whilst a raised circulator network is also in consideration to connect the development with adjacent districts. This circulator would run through the middle of the proposed development, connecting the site with new developments to the north and south, all the way to the Grand Suzhou Canal.

A sense of vitality is also intrinsic to the project, as DeStefano propose ‘diverse programmes, combined vertically and horizontally, [to create] an economically sustainable and flexible environment’. Whilst the achieved level of vitality can only truly be measured on completion, the inclusion of 10 cinema halls, 200,00 sq m of retail space, 115,000 sq m of office facilities and 1000 hotel rooms imply that these demands are to be met once the development is up and running. Last but by no means least is the element of humanity. The design is intended to provide a ‘cultural and intellectual experience’ for all users, via a range of facilities and architectural forms. Serenity, connectivity, vitality and humanity are all well and good, but when it comes to architectural design, material matters. The podium portion of the development is set to incorporate concrete and wooden screen elements over a glass enclosure, the ring is to be encased in a white, glazed terracotta facade system and concrete panelling has been proposed for the low rise-hotel. The high-rise towers are to sport vertical and horizontal louvers alternating around the facade to ensure maximum energy efficiency. DeStefano Partners are currently going through contract negotiations and are planning to finish design development for phase one (of two) by the end of 2010, with construction scheduled to begin in spring 2011.

Reflecting the past, projecting the future

Drawn from nature and inspired by tradition, HKS designs new tower for ITC The proposed ITC Corporate Tower will be a visual testament to the national, sustainable and innovative focus of ITC. Standing 26 storeys tall, the one-million-sq-ft tower will translate the language of the region’s historic structures and that of contemporary technology into a LEED Platinum, forward-thinking design responsive to its environment. Acknowledging the value of ITC’s national focus, the tower’s powerful presence, iconic form and the building’s overall proportional systems design draws inspiration from the permanence of the stone, detail of the carvings and striking form of Bangalore’s historic Dravidian Temples. While drawing from the city’s culture, the design of the ITC Corporate Tower also responds to its natural environment, the tower is designed to be a living, breathing organism, enhancing the natural state of the site and the work environment of its occupants. A prominent green 'lung' of vegetation, a continuation of the site’s natural vegetation, will grow upwards through double and triple-height spaces at intervals along the interior façade. These figurative circuits of vegetation will not only increase the quality of office space but will create energising spaces for individual or group work sessions. The tower’s organic sense and respect for its natural site is supported by other prominent and sustainable architectural features. A double-skin system will insulate the building from the heat of the sun and still allow the benefit of extensive natural light. The pyramid-inspired slope of the building will act as a chimney, drawing breezes through the building, while operable windows allow the cross-ventilation of work spaces and give the building’s occupants control of natural air circulation. Designed to work in harmony with the building’s natural surroundings, the tower’s green systems will allow the structure an enduring relevance and value. The layers of contextualism, sustainability and innovation provide a rich and sophisticated design for the new ITC Corporate Tower. Drawing from both the region’s architectural history and the future of technology, the tower’s LEED Platinum design will provide a superior work environment for employees and advance ITC’s mission of bringing enduring value to the corporation’s shareholders, nation and the global community.

Bringing power to the people

KEPCO Headquarters' green energy park educates the public about the green energy life cycle In 2009, the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) held a competition for its new headquarters to be built in a city near Naju, South Korea. The project includes nearly 120,000 sq m of office and public exhibition space, for which the company mandated an ambitious program of sustainability objectives. The company emphasised creating an innovative and creative workplace, as part of a vision to create a new landmark for an energy company in the 21st century. The site strategies in the project challenge the clearly segregated tower / podium / landscape hierarchy which dominates the current office complex typology. The design inverts the normative scheme to create a polycentric, campus-like organisation with dispersed volumes and lively public promenades. The plan opens up in the center of the site, creating a vibrant and open civic space from which one can access all of the public facilities. These strategies help to ensure that the typical boundaries between the public and institutional realms are dissolved, to create an atmosphere of synergy and exchange. In addition to more common sustainable strategies which are incorporated in the overall campus design - including PV panels, wind turbines, geothermal heat exchangers, and water retention & purification facilities - the central tower also features an innovative circulating atrium. The atrium serves a programmatic function - connecting workers between floors with express connections, while also serving as a 'breathing spine' for the building, supplying fresh air via stack ventilation, in addition to natural daylight. These strategies directly contribute to a socially vibrant and physically comfortable, refreshing workspace. By demonstrating sustainable strategies in an open and architecturally responsive manner, the project serves a new public role as a Green Energy Theme Park, in order to serve as a catalyst in provoking a new public awareness about green energy and sustainable practices.

Green light for Metropoliya

Planning to proceed for major $3bn mixed use project in Moscow by Nikken Sekkei Metropoliya, a 1.6 million sq m sustainable development valued at over $3 billion, in the Russian capital of Moscow, has obtained approval to proceed with project planning by city officials managing the 2025 vision for the General Plan of Development of Moscow. Based on cutting edge Japanese sustainable technology the huge ‘city-within-a-city' Metropoliya project features a colossal mixed use development several kilometres from the Kremlin. Metropoliya will utilise the latest ‘green' technology available by architecture practice Nikken Sekkei of Japan. Mitsuo Nakamura, President and CEO of Nikken Sekkei, said: "Our sustainable design technology can reduce energy consumption by up to 60%. This is critical considering Moscow's extreme range of temperatures throughout the year, from minus 9 degrees centigrade to over 23 degrees centigrade." The focus of the Metropoliya project - grouped around 12 buildings connected by green public spaces - will be sustainability and energy efficiency with a low carbon footprint. "Although the news has only just been made official, the preliminary notification coincided with our participation alongside Nikken Sekkei at Cityscape Global Exhibition in Dubai. We were delighted with the response we received from regional investors," said Oleg Korol, CEO of the Metropol Development, developer of the Project. Moreover GCC investors will have been warmed by a recent report by real estate analyst CBRE, which estimated that the Russian property market would witness robust and consistent growth from 2012, which should coincide with the start of construction on the site.

All angles covered

A spectacular piece of sculpture in the heart of the old town Located on a prime waterfront site along the Doha Corniche, this contemporary project is one of the latest landmarks in this city's rapidly emerging skyline. The development consists of a 7-storey high linearly arranged office block anchored by a 15-storey residential tower. The massing of the project is a direct response to the development's proximity to the water. Abstract building forms, clad in polished and honed black granite, cantilever dramatically over a reflective pool. A sky-lit atrium featuring internal landscaped gardens traverses horizontally between the office blocks and folds up into the residential tower. Internally, public and private spaces are designed to allow natural light and provide views out to the bay.

architecture hotel-spa

Sofitel Paris Arc de Triomphe — Paris, France

Style: Classic Luxury. Built: 1900. Remodeled: 2000. Rooms: 135. Suites: 7.
Ideally located on one of the quiet streets in Paris’ Golden Triangle, Sofitel Paris Arc de Triomphe is poised in Haussmann-style stateliness. Just a few minutes away, the most beautiful luxury and fashion boutiques await you, in the midst of the capital’s business and leisure district.

Trump International Beach Resort

Style: Classic Luxury. Remodeled: 2008. Rooms: 257.
Andaz, a new venture from the Hyatt brand, stands for more than just the name of our West Hollywood hotel. Meaning “personal style” in Hindi, we’re committed to bringing you the latest in style, service and high-touch innovation.

Trump International Beach Resort

18001 Collins Avenue
Sunny Isles Beach, FL US 33160

Located just north of Miami Beach, this international resort community is a world away from the everyday. Convenient to all of the South Florida pleasures you would expect, including major attractions, superb dining, South Beach, and world class shopping at nearby Bal Harbor and Aventura. Miami and Fort Lauderdale International Airports are within 30 minutes and are easily accessible., Hotel is a 100pct Smoke Free Hotel.

 

Mercure Francis Hotel Bath

Mercure Francis Hotel Bath
Queen Square
Bath, BA1 2HH
United Kingdom

Situated in the heart of the World Heritage City of Bath, The Francis has an unsurpassable location. An elegant Georgian building with 95 en suite bedrooms, Square Restaurant, Wood Bar and Lounge with limited, chargeable parking at the rear. Bristol Airport is just 15 miles from the Hotel. Two conference and banqueting suites can host up to 90 people with instant WiFi in selected rooms and public areas. The Royal Crescent, Circus, Roman Baths, Abbey and Thermae Spa are all within walking distance.

Check-in/Check-out Policies Check-in: 1400 Check-out: 1200 General Information Number of Floors: 3 Number of Rooms: 95 Amenities – Conveniences Wheelchair Accessible Restaurant Meeting Rooms Non-Smoking Rooms Dry Cleaning/Laundry First Class Hotel

Supply and demand

Hassell completes new HQ for Alibaba in Hangzhou Alibaba Headquarters in Hangzhou establishes new international workplace standards in China, providing 150,000 sq m of flexible open plan office space within a campus-style layout. The dynamic campus, completed in October 2009 and accommodating approximately 9,000 employees, is arranged around a central open space or 'common' surrounded by a cluster of buildings or 'neighbourhoods' varying in height from four to seven storeys. Alibaba's brief required an understanding of an emerging private enterprise in China to establish the company's identity and position in a unique manner. Within the historically government controlled Chinese commercial environment, Alibaba has become one of the world's largest e-commerce businesses. Its positioning needed to support a progressive, innovative and international corporate culture while embracing Chinese qualities of respect, humility and history. Based on concepts of connectivity, clarity and community, the built form and the designed 'spaces between places' are integrated so that each defines the other. The grand central space is complemented by a series of intimate gardens that nurture the individual within the larger corporate community. The long, narrow floorplates help create a strong sense of place at a legible scale, and establish physical connection throughout the campus. Visual permeability -the ability to see into and across the major courtyards into other parts of the complex - is key to achieving the sense of community and connectivity. The workplace is designed to encourage informal, creative meetings throughout the complex. Hubs, internal and external streets, bridges, roof terraces and strategically placed destination points contribute to the collaborative environment. Buildings, floorplates and the facade have been designed to maximise access to natural light and air flow to all workstations. The Hangzhou context is embraced with garden networks and sunshading screens that represent Chinese ice-pattern window screens, a feature of the city's renowned historical gardens.

Crowning achievement

Bates Smart completes Australia's newest hotel Distinctive, vibrant and unmistakably modern, the 28-level Crown Metropol hotel features a unique wave-like shape, sleek podium entry, 658 spacious, light-filled guestrooms, a luxurious day spa located on the top floors of the hotel, a sky bar and terrace on Level 28, Gordon Ramsay’s Maze restaurant and Maze grill, extensive meeting facilities and dedicated business centre, and a world-class training and recruitment facility. Crown Metropol’s brief was to impart a youthful and dynamic form. The architects intended the hotel's design to challenge tradition and add a sense of occasion with unorthodox elements, dark, dramatic shapes and earthy, grounded silhouettes inspired by nature. The sinuous ‘S’ form of Crown Metropol’s hotel tower and its activated podium creates a striking and highly memorable gateway into Melbourne. Inspired by liquid mercury, the tower’s soft lines are enhanced by a shimmering reflective skin. The thin blades or ‘fins’ on the façade appear and disappear as you move around the building, enhancing the apparent reflections and notions of daylight. The sensual, fluid form of the building seamlessly flows through to the refined interiors of the hotel. The result is a refined, world-class hotel that showcases Melbourne from a new, contemporary angle and enables the city to be watched in silent motion. The Bates Smart team of architects and interior designers took just 36 months to design and deliver the new hotel, drawing on their company’s unique ability to design from the inside out as well as outside in. Bates Smart managed all aspects of the design process from start to finish; from master planning and urban design through all architecture and interior design, right down to the final placement of the last accessory. Not only does the hotel design fulfil a particular aesthetic brief, it also meets exacting standards for technical performance and function for both front and back of house.