Dubai wants to build a Carbon Neutral Pyramid that can House 1 Million people

Every time I hear Obama (or any other American President) talk about how American innovation is the best in the world, how America is the greatest country on the face of the planet, the most free, the most technologically advanced, the most democratic, the most ingenious; I seriously start laughing because those lines would only work on Americans who've never travelled much. Or as George Carlin (R.I.P) said it, it's only called the American dream because you have to be asleep to believe it.

Countries like Dubai (with there Petro dollars ironically) want to build what only the Mayans and Egyptians constructed; incredible feats of architecture able to weather the test of time. A pyramid built to be a city, a metropolis with a carbon-neutral super-structure interlaced with a transportation system that would run vertically and horizontally alleviating any need for cars. They also claim that it will be capable of running completely off the grid by utilizing steam, wind, and other natural resources.

Back in 2008 Dubai-based environmental design firm Timelinks released these eye-catching renderings of the gigantic eco pyramid - aptly named Ziggurat. The ginormous pyramid is expected to cover 2.3 square kilometers and will be able to sustain a “community” of up to 1 million people. Now that's what you call forward thinking, innovation and an advancement in architecture. I can't even imagine the air transfer mechanicals involved with one million in one monolithic building. Let alone the other mechanical systems, sewage etc. with Dubai's weather, in that heat it would take a nuclear powered air conditioner to keep such an installation cool. Where there's money, there's a way!!!



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Architecture: A fascination of mine - Red Enamel Swimming Pools across the Globe

A dreamy past-time of mine is architecture and real estate in it's many forms. My dream house would be a sprawling Andalusia type mansion with crimson-colored mud walls reminiscent of the Moorish styled buildings of Europe. To acentuate this architecture would be a 105 foot long swimming pool paved with red enamel and similarly-hued mosaic tiles, the pool water would give off a rosy tint providing a visual allusion that would be most alluring. I was inspired by the Murano Oriental Resort in Marrakesh Morocco. The tiling is what gives the water a blood-red illusion; and to me...that is fly.







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Chateau de Moissac - 17th century architecture of the finest craftsmanship

The Chateau de Moissac



The Chateau de Moissac in the village of Moissac-Bellevue is a property that I fell in love with, because it exudes something that is so regal, elegant and timeless even if it's architecture is steeped in the traditional designs of 17th century France. The sheer magic of space and secret hiding places thoughout bedrooms and drawing-rooms would for me be an endless fascination. The estate has terraces and ponds extended by soothing landscapes as far as the eye can see.



It was for me a refuge of ancient stone, looking at these photos propelled me to another time period. It was easy to be captivated by it's theatrical backdrop, with its majestic flight of stairs and it's vast drawing-rooms and dining-rooms opening out to the gardens. It's imposing kitchen, it's bedrooms and bathrooms extending upwards to the attics. The building was rewarded for its exemplary restoration in June 2008 by the "Prix des Vieilles Maisons Françaises" sponsored by Emile Garcin.









All Photographs by:
Henri Del Olmo
Bernard Touillon
Patrick Van Robaeys

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Architecture: Solar City Tower - Rio Olympics 2016

Via: www.rafaa.ch



For the upcoming 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Swiss studio RAFAA propose the competition entry ‘Solar City Tower’ that—packed with solar panels and sustainable features—wants to help make Rio’s Olympic Games the first ever zero-carbon games.



From the brief of the international architecture competition: The project under consideration should be located in the bay of the city of Rio de Janeiro on the Cotonduba Island, which is the obligatory approach for aircraft landing and will comprise a vertical structure which will seek to become a symbol for those arriving in Rio, creating an image potent enough to enable Rio to triumph in its bid to host the summer Olympics in 2016. The challenge, therefore, consists of designing an observation tower which will become a symbol welcoming all those who visit Rio de Janeiro, whether they arrive by air or sea.“

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On the Edge of Singapore: $6 billion - Marina Bay Sands Skypark hotel

Via: designboom.com




55 storeys up, this infinity pool could glide you straight over the edge of Singapore, if not the world. It's part of the $6 billion Marina Bay Sands Skypark hotel, which just opened this week. The pool itself is three times the length of an Olympic-sized pool, and is the largest pool in the world at that height reportedly.

Another world record has been broken, with the hotel also becoming the most expensive hotel—knocking Abu Dhabi's Emirates Palace Hotel off it's pedestal, which cost $3 billion to build back in 2004. The pool runs across three of the hotel's towers, which feature indoor canals, casinos, shops, theaters and a museum. As well as the hotel rooms you'd expect. Don't expect to be staying here on your next visit to Singapore though, as entrance to the casino alone costs $70.



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By 2010: “10 technologies we were promised but never got”

Via: gizmodo.com



Gizmodo.com had this interesting story about “10 technologies we were promised but never got” in the past 100 years. Some of these things are plain crazy and when you weigh in all the things that weren’t promised compared to what we do have now, we can’t be mad, especially when some places still don’t have running water or electricity!

Cities Under Domes: The architect and all-around visionary R. Buckminster Fuller believed that one day, cities in cold-weather regions could be encased under temperature-controlled Geo-Domes. Fuller argued back in the ’60s that such a dome over New York City would pay for itself in 10 years, as there would be no more need for snow removal. In addition to temperature control, the domes were also supposed to contain germ filters that would have prevented us from getting sick too.

The Videophone was promised (and it exists)


A company called ACN makes the phone...lol

The Burj Dubai: The world’s tallest skyscraper unveiled

Via: gizmodo.com



Well, well, well...it appears Dubai is down but not out. The unveiling (as it were) of the new Burj Dubai tower was heralded by yet another seen from space fireworks display (which again was incomprehensible to anyone looking at it from ground level, as well as the same climaxing-obelisk fireworks we saw in Asia on the New Year. Comparisons to the Tower of Babel (literally "Gateway of the Gods") is easy to see here.



The tower—which officially is 2717 feet tall (828 meters)—and when it was inaugurated the developers launched it with all they got. The people who attended the ceremony couldn’t stop cheering in awe. I don’t blame them. Watch the whole video to see the lighting effects just before the final fireworks. It looks as if it were designed by aliens lol.

I'm headed for Asia: CHAI Living, Boutique Hotel in Shanghai

Via: creativehunt.com



A 1932 Art Deco building in Shanghai has been renovated and turned into a stylish small boutique hotel within a residential building. Hotel guests live together with local residents door to door, making this a unique place where you feel you are in local Shanghai. It's Dope...

Designer Ole Scheeren: Residential complex in Singapore uses hexagonal configurations

Via: www.oma.nl



Designer Ole Scheeren and the architects at the Office for Metropolitan Architecture have unveiled new images of a residential project for Singapore, comprising of long low apartment blocks stacked in hexagonal configurations. The project is called "The Interlace" and it will consist of 31 interconnected six-storey blocks stacked around communal gardens, containing 1,040 apartments. The arrangement allows for communal spaces, roof gardens, terraces and balconies.

Architecture in Bangkok: The Maha Nakhon Tower

Via: maha-nakhon.com

This is contemporary architecture at it's finest, especially when it’s as innovative as the 77-storey maha nakhon tower which is to be built shortly in downtown bangkok. Designed by oma’s ole scheeren, the extraordinary structure is an architectural statement that transcends the traditional formula of a seamless, inert, glossy totem, and instead actively engages the city with its intricate pixilated and carved façade of stacked surfaces, terraces and protrusions.



The 150,000 sqm complex will feature luxury retail space, apartments and hotel accomodation: 200 single-level and duplex homes for ritz-carlton residences plus 150 rooms for the bangkok edition. it will have a boutique hotel collab from new york-based hospitality guru Ian Schrager and Marriott. The Maha Nakhon will be the city’s tallest building when completed in 2012. Location: thanon narathiwat [bangrak].

Bercy Chen Studio: THE PENINSULA RESIDENCE

Via: sweetbakerygoods.com/architecture



This house is simply amazing and truly beautiful. Introducing THE PENINSULA RESIDENCE. Bercy Chen Studio contributed their design skills for the remodel of a 1980’s waterfront house that looks over Lake Austin in Austin, Texas. From the architects: Through the use of glass and steel.

The Citadel | Floating Apartments

Via: inhabitat.com



Here is an interesting project. Not sure about other cities on the east coast but it’s been raining so much in New York over that last few months these apartments might be needed soon. The modern day Noah’s Arc for people this time! Designed by the dutch firm Waterstudio, The Citadel – Floating Apartments will house 60 units.