New realty developments in Abu Dhabi

New realty developments in Abu Dhabi

Close on the heels of Dubai, the emirate of Abu Dhabi is rapidly transforming itself into a hub of architectural wonders, the designs of which border on the surreal. These creations by themselves are works of art and mark a decisive departure from the 70s’ style concrete and steel buildings that currently dominate the Abu Dhabi skyline. Challenging in terms of design and construction, such projects require foresightedness, skill and ingenuity from architects, engineers and, of course the labor force.

	Masdar Headquarters in Masdar City » First building in history to generate power for its own assembly, using a solar roof pier that will be built first to power the rest of the construction » Located in Masdar City (Free Zone), Abu Dhabi » The complex utilizes sustainable materials and features integrated wind turbines, outdoor air quality monitors » The Masdar development is due to be completed by 2016
	Tower of Light, Abu Dhabi » Designed by Mineo Mori » Triangular base with each side having 11 meters of space » One wall of tower covered with special active UMU glass; the other two walls will be shaded by thermal glass, changing its color during the day » The projections are created by a remotely operated High Definition Laser video system. » This project was completed in 1996. » The project is the result of the collaboration of the minds from all corners of the world including local artists from the UAE.
	Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island » Abu Dhabi replica is expected to be complete by 2012. » The Louvre Abu Dhabi, will occupy 24,000 square meters (260,000 sq ft) and will be covered by a roof shaped like a flying saucer. » The art will come from multiple French museums, including the Louvre, the Georges Pompidou Centre, the Musée d'Orsay, Versailles, the Musée Guimet, the Musée Rodin, and the Musée du quai Branly. » The use of the Louvre name (for a period of 30 years) is costing €400m » It will have 6,000 square meters of galleries devoted to permanent displays and 2,000 square meters for temporary exhibitions » The museum will cost €83m ($108m) to build
	Abu Dhabi Guggenheim Museum (GAD)     on Saadiyat Island » 30,000 square meter museum devoted to modern and contemporary art » Located in Cultural District on Saadiyat Island » Designed by the world-renowned architect, Frank Gehry » The only Guggenheim museum in the region; it is larger than any existing Guggenheim worldwide » Expected cost of museum to be over US$200m » Construction to be complete by 2012 » Museum to form its own major collection of contemporary art » Would exhibit masterworks from the Guggenheim Foundation's global collections
	Performing Arts Center on Saadiyat Island » Designed by Pritzker Prize winning Zaha Hadid » Located in Cultural District on Saadiyat Island » 62 m high building houses 5 theatres – a music hall, concert hall, opera house, drama theatre and a flexible theatre with a combined seating capacity for 6,300 Besides, the Center is home to an Academy of Performing Arts » Zaha Hadid describes her design for the project as “A sculptural form that emerges from a linear intersection of pedestrian paths within the cultural district, gradually developing into a growing organism that sprouts a network of successive branches. As it winds through the site, the architecture increases in complexity, building up height and depth and achieving multiple summits in the bodies housing the performance spaces, which spring from the structure like fruits on a vine and face westward, toward the water.”
	Biennale Park on Saadiyat Island » Comprises 19 pavilions » Designed by 19 architects, including Hani Rashid, considered one of the most important contemporary architectural theorists » Inspired by Venice » The park to be criss-crossed by a 1.5 km (0.9 mile) navigable canal
	Ferrari Theme Park & Race Track on Yas Island » World’s first Ferrari branded theme park with 24 themed attractions » 70-metre-high G Force tower & first twin rollercoaster ride » 18-screen theatre complex » Excellent racetrack winding its way around villages, marina & dunes » Only Ferrari driving school in the world outside the Ferrari Maranello base