Monaco Pavillion at Shanghai Expo Will Shimmer at Night
These images show what the Monaco's pavilion at the upcoming Shanghai Expo 2010 will look like. The building will appear to look like a shimmering aquarium. The water effect was created by using a network of feeder pipes that are constantly topping up real miniature sea pools. You can read more about how the building was made here. It should look very neat a night. The Shanghai Expo begins May 1st. 70 million visitors are expected.
Aldar Properties has completed the impressive external structure of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. The enormous structure (200,000 square meters) is located on Yas Island, Aldar's host venue for the inaugural Formula 1TM Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is set to be the world's largest indoor theme park and the first Ferrari theme park in the world when it opens in 2010.
The sleek red roof was inspired by the classic double curve side profile of the Ferrari GT body and features the largest Scuderia Ferrari "prancing horse" emblem in the world. The emblem measures 66 meters in diameter. You can find more details about Ferrari World here.
Pixelated Building in Austria is Called the Frog Queen
This pixelated building called Frog Queen is the headquarters of Prisma Engineering in Austria. The building's pixels are made of windows and gray square panels that appear pixelated from a distance. You can some more pictures of the unique building design here on Design Milk.
The future is likely to include some cities built on water instead of land. There are already floating houses and streets in the Netherlands and Dubai has some projects that involve building man-made islands. If global warming causes the ocean's water levels to rise then floating cities will be needed. An architecth in the Netherlands is working on a floating apartment complex that will be built in 2010. Take a look:
Lego is adding Frank Lloyd Wright's Guggenheim Meseum and Fallingwater to its new Architecture series of Legos. The other structures that are part of the Architecture line include Sears Tower, John Hancock Center, Empire State Building the Seattle Space Needle. The Frank Lloyd Wright legos will be out in July and come just as the Guggenheim Museum is running an exhibit of Frank Lloyd Wright's work.
The Architectural Legos are part of a partnership with Brickstructures, Inc.
The LEGO Group in collaboration with Architectural Artist Adam Reed Tucker of Brickstructures, Inc. are excited to unveil a new product line called LEGO Architecture. Throughout it's 50 year history the LEGO Brick has always been associated with creative building. LEGO Architecture takes that initiative further by inviting children of all ages to build their favorite worldly architectural landmarks and structures.
The objective of LEGO Architecture is to celebrate the past, present and future of architecture through use of The LEGO Brick. "With products such as the line of souvenir sets and educational events we wish to promote an awareness of the fascinating worlds of Architecture, Engineering and Construction. Initially, in 2008 LEGO Architecture featured a pair of Chicago's most famous landmarks: the Sears Tower and the John Hancock Center. Showcasing America's West and East coasts in 2009 will be Seattle's Space Needle & New York's Empire State Building. In the future, the line will offer other famous landmarks throughout the world celebrating influential landmarks, architects and movements that have shaped our world's cities and cultures. LEGO Architecture will work to inspire future architects, engineers and designers from around the world."
You can see the photos of six sets that are currently part of Lego Architecture here on Brickstructures.com.
Zaha Hadid Designs Pavilion for Chicago's Millennium Park
Architect Zaha Hadid designed this unique structure. The Hadid pavilion will be used for an upcoming ecology exhibit in Chicago's Millennium Park, Burnham Plan Centennial this summer in Chicago. The pavilion will be open and free to the public in Millennium Park from June 19 through October 31, 2009.
Luxury Resort Will Incorporate Swarovski Crystal Elements
Sparkling Hill Resort and Wellness Hotel will be the first hotel to incorporate Swarovski Crystal elements into its design. The first design concept of the resort is pictured above. The $55 million dollar, 150 room resort will be perched high on a cliff above Okanagan Lake in British Columbia, Canada. Mr. Andy Altmayer, head of Circle of Innovation, at Swarovski, Austria, is overseeing the project design.
"Sparkling Hill Resort will dazzle. Guests will be in awe from the moment they see the hotel right up to the moment they see the guest rooms. By incorporating stunning elements from Swarovski with the beauty of Lake Okanagan, Sparkling Hill will be the first of its kind in North America. The structure will be a visual and architectural masterpiece," says Hans-Peter Mayr, chief executive officer of Sparkling Hill Resort. "We are delighted to have Andy Altmayer as chief designer. His vision and imagination knows no boundaries. We are excited to see how he incorporates the versatility of crystal with functionality and ambiance."
"My inspiration comes from the possibility of imagination,” says Altmayer. "Many people assume Swarovski is glittering figurines and chandeliers but it is so much more. Swarovski is a century old company that strives to invent new ways to incorporate crystals into fabrics, lights, jewellery, optics and even signage for roadways and offices."
The hotel building is on schedule for the grand opening for spring 2010.
Leeser's Helix Hotel Wins Luxury Hotel Design Competition
Design Boom reports that Leeser, an architecture firm based in New York City, has taken first prize in a competition for a five-star luxury hotel in the Zayed Bay in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Leeser's design is called the Helix Hotel. The hotel has 208 guest rooms and suites arranged around a helical floor. Design Boom says the floor "constantly shifts in width and pitch as it rises to the top floor, keeping public spaces always in flux." The hotel contains meeting rooms, lounges, cafes, an indoor health spa, running track and an indoor fountain.
The agency that owns ground zero confirmed Thursday that the skyscraper replacing the towers destroyed in the September 11, 2001 attacks will be known as One World Trade Center. Formerly, it had been called the Freedom Tower but One World Trade Center is the official name. The tower will be surrounded by four other towers and a memorial will be located in the middle of the complex. Construction is already underway without ten stories already completed. The building is set to open in 2013. Take a look:
The Gwanggyo Power Centre is a concept city that is meant to resemble hills. If built the concept city is able to sustain a population of 77,000. The city of Gwanggyo is located near Seoul, South Korea. Dvice says that every structure in the city "will be terraced with plantations, watered by a floor-to-floor circulation system." So the city will have real greenery in addition to being self-sustaining. You can read more about the futuristic concept here on Jetson Green.
Nakheel Tower Construction Halted as Economic Cutbacks Hit Dubai
Dubai has become a hub for innovative architectural designs and technological marvels. Some of the developments there appear to now be facing cutbacks as the recession deepens around the world. Dubai is not immune to the recession and home prices fell last quarter in Dubai by 8%. The Wall Street Journalsays construction of $38 billion Nakheel Tower - which is to be the world's tallest tower - will be delayed.
The Nakheel Tower is the centerpiece of what the company just three months ago billed as a $38 billion commercial and residential project. The delay comes amid project re-evaluations by other developers as Dubai property prices drop.
Property developers and banks have also announced hundreds of layoffs -- among them many expatriates drawn here in recent years to design, build, sell and finance homes. The layoffs, if they continue, could further weaken property prices by denting the population. About 90% of Dubai's population of 1.5 million are expatriates, including tens of thousands of low-wage laborers. A laid-off worker typically loses the right to reside here and must leave within 30 days if a new job isn't found.
The article also says Nakheel will slow completion of two of their three palm-tree-shaped islands. Other reports here, here, here, here and here indicate that construction on some other projects in Dubai - including Nakheel's $789.5 million Trump Tower - have been temporarily halted as well.
This unique apartment complex located in the Ukrainian city of lvov has a giant crossword puzzle on its side. The questions for the 30-story crossword are said to be located in various parts of city. At night the crossword puzzle lights up and displays the answers. Design Boom has a photograph here of what the building looks like a night. English Russia has more including a short video clip.
WebUrbanist has a fascinating collection of futuristic green designs. Some of the designs are even slated to be built while others may never be constructed. The homes and buildings are certainly a lot different that the architecture we see today.
Pictured above from left to right:
The Fab Tree Hab is an organic self-growing house.
Anar Tower is yet another impressive architectural marvel that will be built in Dubai. The Anar Tower will have 125 floors. The design is the work of the British firm Atkins. Ecofriend.org describes the tower which includes offices, apartments, stores, a luxury hotel and a restaurant at the very top.
Apart from sky gardens after every 27 floors, the building will have offices, shops, a luxury hotel with 250 rooms, 300 residential apartments, and a place for exhibitions and auctions. The apartments, which are expected to be the most expensive in Dubai, will have luxuries like exclusive swimming pools, exclusive elevators and views of the beautiful coastline of Dubai.
The glass structure on the top of the tower will be a restaurant, which will not only give the diners the pleasure to feast at about 700 meters, but diners here would also be able to enjoy the panoramic views of some of the most important avenues of Dubai.
Dvice has more pictures of the amazing looking tower. How fabulous would it be to be eating dinner at the top of the Anar Tower while overseeing all the wonders Dubai has to offer?
The awkward looking skyscraper above is a new 56-story apartment complex being built in New York City. The tower called 56 Leonard is going up in Tribeca and was designed by Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron. The cost of residences goes from $3.5 million to over $15 million according to the website for the tower. Dezeen has more photographs of the structure and as you can see in one the images the structure also includes a silver Terminator-like blob sculpture designed by Anish Kapoor at its base. At least the interior looks good but we agree with Dvice that on the outside it resembles the Jenga game and looks like it could come tumbling down.
Dubai has become a hub for innovative architectural designs and technological marvels. Some of the developments there appear to now be facing cutbacks as the recession deepens around the world. Dubai is not immune to the recession and home prices fell last quarter in Dubai by 8%. The Wall Street Journal 
