© Paolo Fossati . Pubblicata il 15 Giugno 2009.

A NEW SHAPE FOR THE THIRD MILLENNIUM

The innovation of the tower deals with the conceptual Symbol and the Theory of Architecture in all the aspects of the Project: from the basic Idea to the Design, from the Shape to the Compositive Operations, from the Volume to the Materials, from the Structure to the External Skin, from the Location to the Respect of Islamic Tradition in Building Orientation.

SYMBOL The symbolic necessity of the design subject develops in the possibility of finding a shape that has an artistic value in itself, driving the observer into a contemplative emotion. This is possible only if the work contains many and different interpretations and meanings. To gain this we have thought about a method by means of witch we can have many, different and simultaneous formal results for a work that is intended to be a sculpture. From any point of view the building arouses feelings that always find new ways, new images, new suggestions so that the observer is stimulated to give the subject different meanings. Lights, reflections, shadows, atmosphere, shape, materials, condensation, sound, empty space, orientation, wind, water and all the other elements of the environment contribute to make clear the contemporary sense of beauty.

IDEA AND SHAPE A multiple design, like clouds in the sky, contains different points of view just as the lighting faces of a diamond kaleidoscope. The conceptual design is based on two topological forms that are different, but parallel; these forms are represented in two of the four fronts. The idea is the methodological application of transmutation, based upon the compositive operation of transformation. A given geometric figure in the two-dimensional plane becomes an other one in the three-dimensional space, generating new shapes moving along its path, continuously and without breaks (morphing). The two original two-dimensional figures have been modified in their two-dimensional thick by moving the vertexes along z (vertical) direction and proportioned on the base of number 11 (1.1 metres), obtaining three-dimensional figures. Drawing the diagonals of the two figure, we have obtained the hypothetical centre points and drawing the line between these two points we have obtained the vector of construction for the side surfaces, that are the two missing views of the solid. These prospects have been generated by the operation of variation, connecting the perimeter in the first plane to the final perimeter. The Composite-Architectural operation of Morphing is used as a path of continuous transformation of the Volume Itself and of its empty internal space substituting the typological idea of an Architecture thought as a result of extruded volumes and elementary fronts (even after operations of Rotation, Moving, Superposition…..). The operation of Extrusion of the Volume is definitively abandoned to give the Volume plastic Values by the conjunction of the facades.

This Process involves both the vertical plane, with the transformation of the Building Sections, and the continuous joining of shapes of the external structure (external skeleton: bones, corals, crystals, sponges….). We work on the obtained Volume with all the operations decomposing the Architecture in Elements or Parts, like, for example, identifying the elements composing the continuous Volume and introducing intersections or aggregations of autonomous Parts.

The application of surface modeling is based on abstract operations, but we have to think about the real result in terms of relationships between the architectural perceivable spaces that these operations produce from different points of view: from the external, on the limit between external and internal, moving through the building threshold and, above all, from the internal of the created empty space.

The big innovation is the obtained space variation and its complex definition as Architectural Space! To identify and understand the differences in meaning from space to space we have to apply an operation of Scaling. In this, the role of material and space depends on the context, their meaning always changes and, above all, we continuously live a new perceptive discovery. The results, apparently casual, become associative and multiple, being a choice among different possible outcomes. Such an Architectural Space has one or more formal and shape issues, based on a large nominal Archive. This operation deals with the Surrealist Automatic Text, with the Dadaistic Associative Chance, with Duchamp’s Theory of Shifting.

STRUCTURAL CORE AND ORIGAMI Each external view, even if free in space, belongs to the domain of a solid edge. So the primitive plane of a fourth degree surface has been found by the plane tangent to the façade and the plane folding has been gained on it. The four fronts have a precise relationship with their internal space: a basic solid composed by the four primitive folded planes is arranged as a huge tube with external wings, a plan star figure becomes in space a volume similar to an origami, which respect the same geometric rules and the same dynamic energies of the whole solid. The intersection of the four primitive systems in the construction of the solid produces the internal core and four side mega-columns, used as truss transparent buttress.

The Building is externally a membrane solid and internally contains four empty concentric volumes and a hollow core, with the four mega-columns along the solid edges.

From the external skin to the internal core we have the following Architectural Spaces: - external skin thickness; - empty space; - structural core; - the empty volume of the hollow core.

The hollow core contains the facilities and the empty spaces are used as wind chimneys for heat exchange, using the traditional wind towers in a Passive Architecture, with high-efficiency and low energy consume.

The basic stability of the structure is entrusted to the hollow core that is conceived as a system of connected reinforced concrete walls with axial, flexural and torsional stiffness, fit to resist both vertical and horizontal loads thanks to the reciprocal help of the elements. The use of high strength concrete is thought to optimize the structural performance limiting the weight of the structure itself. The plastic needs of the architectural forms can be met using Self Compacting Concrete. The four side steel truss mega-columns are used as buttresses to support the strongest irregularities of the shape.

ELEMENTS AND BUILDING MATERIAL The concept drawings show the elements of the Building: - external skin: stainless micro perforated steel membrane with mirroring finished; - brise-soleil and photovoltaic panels - side mega-columns: steel and colored glass system buttress ; - reinforced concrete internal core; - hollow towers.

The functional Volumes have been added: - Conference Hall for a total of 100 persons ,that can be divided into 3 conference rooms; - Children’s Library and playroom; - Bar Restaurant and Belvedere.

ORIENTATION The skyscraper is placed inside the context of the park making the shape and the system of the internal spaces conversing with the external space and studying different aspects for the possible orientation of the Building. The remarkable aspects for the orientation that we considered are the following:

- Dubai Landscape is perceivable as a skyline with two lines on the horizon: the Water-front (North/West) and the Desert (South/East); - South-East is the direction of hot winds and North-West is the direction of cold winds. - The passage to enter the Building, that linearly crosses it connection the two opposite sides, and its visual perception have been conceived and designed along the Qibla Direction, allowing the ideal and without obstacle view of the Holy Place of Mecca from all the levels.

FACILITIES The functional volumes have been conceived like jewels set in the covering of the skyscraper:

- Level 0: Main Entrance; - Level 6.60: Congress Hall that can be divided into three conference rooms; - Level 41.80 Local Children Library; - Level 60.50 Playroom; - Level 154: Bar Restaurant; - Level 166: Belvedere.

All the facilities areas are served and connected by two main panoramic elevators and an internal third one makes service at the middle-level. The elevators system also contains the staircase and the services and it represent the element for the vertical continuity of the Building. Four Public Areas are placed at the superimposed levels and equally distributed along the total height of the Building; technical and plant facilities and safety areas are located there.