Rest is for the weak! Out of the hotel before 7am and itching to go, the group eagerly heads out for another day unbeknownst to what lies ahead…
We head to the ADIC headquarters where Peter Chipchase from Arup walks us down from the top floor explaining the rigor of the architectural, structural, logistical and financial management that is still going ahead for our first construction site visit. Hard hats, vests, gloves and glasses all required, with the level of site safety surpassing all of our expectations… 55 million man hours have been clocked up on the site, a scale of work I don’t think any of us could comprehend.
Next up, the Central Markets by Foster & Partners, with the Souk showing a much appreciated alternate take on the retail experience. Low rise calm and control, filtered light and operable ceiling lights are standouts.
Ashley Lane, originally from Perth takes us across the road where 94 storeys of Foster tower (x2) jut out of the ground like headless columns. Of course we venture right up to the top on the mesh hoist which hangs off the side of the building, causing more than a little difficulty for the squeamish. The height is extraordinary, with barely a barrier to the drop. Definitely not for the faint of heart!
Capital gate beckons us away and in the searing heat we land at the worlds most leant tower, at 18 degrees and 33m of overhang… Max Wilschefski and Grant leisurely give us unprecedented access to the virtually complete and already operating Hyatt hotel – trying to impress us after the Burj al Arab presidential suite is quite the task but they give it a crack! Most awesome however was getting up to the absolute top of the tower – the helipad… 360 degree views completely unobstructed, and no barriers to speak of. The second time mettle was greatly tested for the look down over the edge today!
Thankfully back on ground we settled into Masdar City – a working prototype of the future city, complete with driverless magnetically guided cars and stratified living/working/amenity and outdoor space. A truly amazing experience that Michael Bories again from Foster was only too proud to guide us through. This experiment of sorts completely blew everyone away, and was clearly akin to Minority Report. A real glimpse of what a truly unified society design can bring about!
Then came the ubiquitous Ferrari World – sleek, red, massive and oh so fast…! Mike Lewis of Benoy quickly got us up to speed on the incredible curvilinear design before literally blasting us to 240kmh in 4.9 seconds… The final test to a day full of scares. Point proved, pants soiled and grins pushed back to our ears from g-forces, we headed to the F1 track on Yas Island.
Enter the Yas Viceroy Hotel, and our gracious host Lama Hamad. Clearly inspired by speeding cars, raceline motifs cover the interior and round out our most completely contemporary building visit to date. Literally placed on the track, suites in the building enjoy marina views and unparalleled ultra-modern chic. Zaha eat your heart out! We crashed an exhibition opening of graffiti art by Banksy, Shepard Fairey and Mr
Brainwash, et al while passing through, but not before being assumed that we were media reps! Well maybe our penchant for opportunistically snatching of drinks and canapés may have had something to do with that… Then again, that’s what a good art opening is for!
Mission complete, shenanigans finished and feet destroyed, a late dinner rounds out a 14 hour day of architectural wonder… What does tomorrow bring??
Post by James
Berlin.
