ID :
56621
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 14:54
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/56621
The shortlink copeid
Elongated ‘oyster shell’ hotel for Lulu Island
Abu Dhabi, April 21, 2009 (WAM) - The Government has chosen a marine design that resembles an “oyster shell that has been turned on its side and elongated” for a landmark tower on Lulu Island, an executive said yesterday. After reviewing four designs submitted by Sorouh Real Estate, the Government chose a concept by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, said James O’Hagan, Sorouh’s senior manager for development and marketing of Lulu Island according to a report in 'The National'.
A rendering of the project, which will incorporate a hotel and residential apartments, shows it separating into two towers at points and rejoining again at the top. The building will include an observation platform.
In the hollow middle is a wind turbine that he said would both symbolise the pearl in an oyster and provide some of the energy for the building.
The initial design also had mechanisms to recycle water and capture light to make it more environmentally friendly, O’Hagan said, adding that Sorouh was aiming for the building to obtain five “pearls” under Abu Dhabi’s Estidama guidelines for sustainability – the highest rating.
The tower would jut out of the middle of the island on the coast nearest Abu Dhabi Island.
The preliminary master plan calls for the rest of the island to be low-rise to preserve views from Abu Dhabi to the Arabian Gulf. The plans are still being reviewed by the Urban Planning Council, but Sorouh hopes to get approval by the end of the year and then start the final design stage of the project.
Lulu Island is one of Abu Dhabi’s artificial islands. Located off the coast of the Corniche, it was created by land reclamation from 1987 to 1992 and handed over earlier this year to Sorouh.
The company is planning a heavily residential development, with villas and small apartment buildings throughout the middle and the side facing Abu Dhabi. Thirty per cent of the island will be a park, running along its length. There are preliminary plans for four resorts on the side facing the Gulf.
O’Hagan said there were also plans being worked out to mitigate the impact of the breakwater off the island on the view of the ocean. Options could include lowering it below sea level or removing sections so it would resemble the breakwater off the Palm Jumeirah.
The Department of Transportation is finalising its plans for access to Lulu Island, but at the moment the master plan shows two tunnels and two bridges. There is also discussion of a tram system around the island.
From 2007 until earlier this year, Lulu was open to the public and accessible by a ferry service from a dock near Marina Mall. But after the island was handed over to Sorouh, the company ceased the service to avoid being held liable for anything that might happen on the island. The beaches are still open to the public, but can only be reached by private boat.
A rendering of the project, which will incorporate a hotel and residential apartments, shows it separating into two towers at points and rejoining again at the top. The building will include an observation platform.
In the hollow middle is a wind turbine that he said would both symbolise the pearl in an oyster and provide some of the energy for the building.
The initial design also had mechanisms to recycle water and capture light to make it more environmentally friendly, O’Hagan said, adding that Sorouh was aiming for the building to obtain five “pearls” under Abu Dhabi’s Estidama guidelines for sustainability – the highest rating.
The tower would jut out of the middle of the island on the coast nearest Abu Dhabi Island.
The preliminary master plan calls for the rest of the island to be low-rise to preserve views from Abu Dhabi to the Arabian Gulf. The plans are still being reviewed by the Urban Planning Council, but Sorouh hopes to get approval by the end of the year and then start the final design stage of the project.
Lulu Island is one of Abu Dhabi’s artificial islands. Located off the coast of the Corniche, it was created by land reclamation from 1987 to 1992 and handed over earlier this year to Sorouh.
The company is planning a heavily residential development, with villas and small apartment buildings throughout the middle and the side facing Abu Dhabi. Thirty per cent of the island will be a park, running along its length. There are preliminary plans for four resorts on the side facing the Gulf.
O’Hagan said there were also plans being worked out to mitigate the impact of the breakwater off the island on the view of the ocean. Options could include lowering it below sea level or removing sections so it would resemble the breakwater off the Palm Jumeirah.
The Department of Transportation is finalising its plans for access to Lulu Island, but at the moment the master plan shows two tunnels and two bridges. There is also discussion of a tram system around the island.
From 2007 until earlier this year, Lulu was open to the public and accessible by a ferry service from a dock near Marina Mall. But after the island was handed over to Sorouh, the company ceased the service to avoid being held liable for anything that might happen on the island. The beaches are still open to the public, but can only be reached by private boat.
