Friday, May 25, 2012

The New Half Moon building in Dubai

Designed as a part of an international competition to build the centerpiece of Zabeel Park in Dubai, the 'New Moon' by Varabyeu Partners is a symbolic architecture that other than presenting a unique design also “accentuates the prosperity of present-day United Arab Emirates.”
An emblem of power and energy in the Orient, the crescent-shaped structure is divided into five levels, each presenting a separate observatory, which depicts the Five Pillars of Islam:
1. Shahadah (faith)
2. Salat (prayer)
3. Zakaat (charity)
4. Sawm (lent) 
5. Hajj (pilgrimage)
Despite Dubai’s current financial troubles, the centrepiece of one of Dubai’s biggest projects is forging ahead. Decorated with Arab calligraphy, the outward siding of the building is a steel frame with elements of varying transparency. An architectural solution like that makes it possible to regulate the level of illumination and air temperatures at the different levels of the New Moon, protect the interiors from direct sunlight and ensure free circulation of air flows. These and other means of passive protection recreate inside the building areas with a special microclimate, and reduce the burden on the power supply systems.


The building project was designed in full conformity with leed green building code. Solar batteries and collectors can be installed on the outer casing of the building, to cut energy consumption to an even higher degree.
I think it's AMAZING!