Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Rise Up Sand

Rise Up SandThyssenKrupp Elevator Architecture Award 2008-2009 - Un segno architettonico per Dubai

Surrounded by the tallest constructions of the world, it is not that easy to design a Tall Emblem Structure in the city of Dubai. The frenetic constructions change the face of the city day after day ; and it seems to be a permanent competition between heights and symbolisms.

The project Rise Up Sand tries to unit these challenges of today not only to the environnemental conditions but also to the cultural context of Dubai. The project symbolises how the city grew up on the sand dunes of the desert facing the sea.

The Tall Emblem Structure project is located at the meeting point of the city and the desert. It explains why the Rise Up Sand project looks like a concretion of a sandstorm emerging from the dunes. While the top of the construction welcomes the bar and the belvedere, the bottom (the base) of the project, sheltered by a sand canopy, accomodates the conference rooms, the children library, the entrance lobby of the tower, and a pier for small boats.

This project uses a local and concrete material, the sand, that creates a contextual and historical bond with the site. The skin of the tower and of the canopy is constituted of mineral sheets made of the sand from the desert around. From the top of the tower to the bottom of the canopy, the sheets disintegrate progressively in a movement that evokes the fragmentation of the envelope blown by the winds.

Established in Za’abeel park, the project proposes an extension of the lake. Thus the structures stand directly in the water, while pedestrian bridges dispatch visitors to all the amenities of the project. The pedestrian walks are designed in the continuation of existing paths of the park.

The sand canopy covers a large part of the water extension and also the walks cutting across. Thereby a new way of enjoying the park is created, where air and light circulate freely between the boxes and along the paths, blurring even more the limits between natural and artificial spaces.

The shape of the canopy and its structure behave as sunscreens. To discover and understand the project it is necessary to stroll along the park, appreciate all the different viewpoints, from outside the project and under the canopy as well. Separated “boxes” where can be found some of the main amenities of the program, are set in order to create surprises and events hightlighted by the water and the light. The lighting effects under the canopy recalls the Bedouin tents, whereas the monolith of sand recalls the ventilation cheminees of the old city.

The lay out

- The structure is centered facing the sea. The belvedere offers a panoramic view of the skyline of Dubai with the sea in the background, and the desert and the south boundaries of the city running along the dunes.

- The orientation of the tower enables also to better resist to the prevailing winds of the area.

- All the functions are separated in order to be structurally independent. The pillars of the tower are extended in the ground with shock absorbers jacks, that enable the structure to withstand earth tremors.

- the tower produces its own power. The cover over the pond is made of multiple sheets. Some of the sheets are replaced by solar panels. The number of these solar panels can be increased in order to provide energy to all the premises of the park.

Sequences

Along the route that leads the visitors form the park entrance to the belvedere, many sequences and diverse atmospheres are created in order to make the visit of the Tall Emblem Structure an unforgettable experience.

Under the sand canopy

Some of the program amenities are based at the bottom of the tower structure, just above the water extension and under the sand canopy. A foot bridge which comes across the river, connects the existing walks of the park with the project. The bridge goes as far as the new parking area which is digged on the edge of the site, and hided below the ground level of the park. Penetrating under the canopy, the visitor is absorbed in a luminous, contemplative and mysterious atmsophere. The reflections on the water glisten lights and shades. It is a pleasant place to be thanks to the sun protection, to the presence of the water and to the slight wind which blows all around.

The amenities established on ground level are : - the deck of the elevators leading to the belvedere, - the conference rooms, - the children library, - a boarding stage for small boat rides, - and restrooms.

The conference rooms are fully glazed, and take advantage of a panoramic view under the canopy and the lightshow. The roof is also partially transparent to provide an impressive view on the erection of the tower, on the underface of the canopy and on the structured swirls (like maelstroms) which offers even more light.

The children library takes advantage of the same sight. Hanging over the water, the small boats can sail all around.

These boxes are visible from the pedestrian paths around the water pond. By night, they act like bright boxes and light up the area.

The elevators

A footbridge spiraling up, joins the elevators to the crossbridge. The visitors wait for the next shuttle in a confortable and spacious lobby, where the people coming in and the one getting out meet without getting in each other’s way.

The elevators leading to the belvedere are designed as glazed capsules. The visitors inside of them watch the branching of the main structure pass by, under the scales of the envelop which tighten.

On top of the Tall Emblem Structure : the bar and the belvedere

At the top of the rise, the elevators spread the visitors into another lobby from where they can choose either a monumental spiral stairway or an open air elevator, to reach the bar then the belvedere. This lobby welcomes also a souvenir shop.

Once you reach the bar, the natural light is strongly controlled. Views are made possible through horizontal slits framing the horizon and the city skyline. This space is a necessary stop for the visitors experiences. The bar units are carved out of a huge quartz crystal.

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Rise Up Sand