Benoy Releases Plans for Large Sustainable Community Park in Abu Dhabi


Courtesy of Benoy

Courtesy of Benoy

Benoy’s UAE studios best known for their work in the MENA region have released the plans for Abu Dhabi’s upcoming Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Park. In a redefinition of the former Khalidya Ladies Park, the renovation—as a portion of the AED94 million renovation—was commissioned by The Department of Municipal Affairs and Transport at Abu Dhabi City Municipality to “fuel discovery and support the core tenets of the Abu Dhabi Vision 2030.” 

The open-air project centers on the concepts of sustainability, economic diversification and growth, improved social and community facilities, the promotion of Arab and Emirati culture, and a focus on contemporary living.


Courtesy of Benoy

Courtesy of Benoy

Benoy strives to design environments that are accessible, all-inclusive and serve to bring the community together. As an open-air, multi-dimensional destination, Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Park will represent a completely new typology for Abu Dhabi; one that will appeal to a broad spectrum of demographics to promote cohesion among communities.

Over a span of 46,000 square meters, the project will feature an urban forest, lush greenery, amphitheater, cycling track, natural play areas, fitness zone, and Women’s Center for the next generation of female entrepreneurs in the region.


Courtesy of Benoy

Courtesy of Benoy

With Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Park, we’ve deliberately stepped out of our comfort zone to really push the boundaries and create something that will continue to evolve and stay relevant over time, stated Paul Priest, Director and Head of Benoy’s MENA Studios. I believe that this type of environment, which takes the visitor out of an enclosed space and promotes walkability and discovery, is a trend that we’ll see a lot of demand for in the GCC and greater MENA region in the near future.

News via Benoy

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Material Focus: RPII Residence by Gustavo Arbex Architects


© Favaro Jr.

© Favaro Jr.

This article is part of our new series “Material Focus“, which asks the architects to reflect on the thought process behind their choice of materials and illuminates the steps needed for constructing buildings.

The RPII Residence was designed by Gustavo Arbex Architects. The almost 1000m2 project was built in Sao Paulo. We spoke with the architect Gustavo Arbex to learn more about the choices of materials and the challenges of the project.


© Favaro Jr.


© Favaro Jr.


© Favaro Jr.


© Favaro Jr.


© Favaro Jr.

© Favaro Jr.

What were the main materials used in the project?

GA: Exposed concrete, teak wood, cement flooring, glass, natural stone.


© Favaro Jr.

© Favaro Jr.

What were your main sources of inspiration and influence when you were choosing the materials used in the project?

GA: Frank Lloyd Wright, Calatrava, Marcio Kogan/Studio MK27.


© Favaro Jr.

© Favaro Jr.

Describe how decisions on materials influenced the design of the project.

GA: Technical details to adapt to each of the materials’ capabilities.


© Favaro Jr.

© Favaro Jr.

What were the advantages that this material offered for the construction of the project?

GA: Lightweight materials, uniform and with personality. They work well for large plans. 


© Favaro Jr.

© Favaro Jr.

Did the choice of materials impose any kind of challenges to the project?

GA: Yes. The wood slats.


© Favaro Jr.

© Favaro Jr.

Did you ever consider the possibility of other materials for the project? If so, how would that have changed the project?

GA: Yes. The cost, aesthetics, etc. 


© Favaro Jr.

© Favaro Jr.

How did you research suppliers and builders suitable for materials used in the project?

GA: Trade and websites of well-known brands.

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2010_07_31_Island sør-kysten (233) by tholmb Skogafoss falls -…

2010_07_31_Island sør-kysten (233) by tholmb Skogafoss falls – The South Coast of Iceland – late afternoon with the sun, suddenly like a projector, lights up the falling water and making two incredible rainbows. In front the black sand of lava from the nearby vulcano. http://flic.kr/p/8sBAoY

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Swimming Pool Studio bases Shanghai cafe interior on the Mediterranean Sea



Swimming Pool Studio aimed to bring the “relaxing and refreshing” hues of blue sea and white sand to this cafe inside a Shanghai office building (+ slideshow). (more…)

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Co-working utopic_US Conde de Casal / Izaskun Chinchilla Architects


© Imagen subliminal

© Imagen subliminal


© Imagen subliminal


© Imagen subliminal


© Imagen subliminal


© Imagen subliminal

  • Architects: Izaskun Chinchilla Architects
  • Location: Conde de Casal, 28009 Madrid, Spain
  • Architects Collaborators: Adriana Cabello, Alejandro Espallargas, Guillermo Sánchez, Jesús Valer
  • Trainee Student: Cristina Traba
  • Area: 900.0 sqm
  • Project Year: 2016
  • Photographs: Imagen subliminal

© Imagen subliminal

© Imagen subliminal

According to many studies, the coworking phenomenon is intrinsicly associated to the urban lifestyle. The density and diversity of people and oportunities that a big metropolis produces, encourages the apparition of places where its fundamental purpouse is sharing creativity. This is why it seemed natural for us that our spaces payed tribute and were inspired by great cities.
utopic_US is a young and creative company, we could even say it is a little bit carefree… and the idea was to mix inspirations and memories of two cities, with the real soul of the firm. At the same time Izaskun Chinchilla Architects looks to strengthen the link between design and user by means of interactuation and surprise.


© Imagen subliminal

© Imagen subliminal

Conde de Casal is the first space we open following this philosophy, this is the reason why we appeal to two classics : New York and Tokyo. Two cities where everyone wants to travel to, where anyone wants to go back to, no matter how many times you’ve been to and two cities whose landmarks are recognised all around the globe. They are places that take part of the universal imagination. New York is still the emblem of an opened city where people go to invent and succeed. Whereas Tokyo remains as the symbol of a simbiosis between latest technology and ancestral culture. This is how UTOPIC_US Conde de Casal is : open, filled with oportunities for those who imagine a different World.


© Imagen subliminal

© Imagen subliminal

Madrid cultural history could be described looking at the transformations that younger generations have imposed. Nowadays the millenials have convinced us of the networking importance and the advantages of sharing. They are starting to transform Madrid once again. utopic_US is an ambitious project, is part of a coworking spaces network that tries to become in the headquarters for this generation to transform Madrid, turning it into the capital of creative entrepreneurship. We want to be the support for that generation.


© Imagen subliminal

© Imagen subliminal

Diagram

Diagram

© Imagen subliminal

© Imagen subliminal

It is an interior design project. We have designed a versatile equipment that can be moved to another location but trying to create something memorable. We have worked modifying and transforming industrial and contemporary furniture (beds into tables, bunk banks into Skype rooms…) We have also introduced a lot of color employing different fabrics, ceramics, painted papers, etc.


© Imagen subliminal

© Imagen subliminal

We are trying to inspire the users, everything around them can be transformed into something unexpected.


© Imagen subliminal

© Imagen subliminal

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