project:
DESERT ICE, city emblem structure
client:
ThyssenKrupp Elevator
author:
UPI-2M
status:
competition 2009.
location:
Dubai, UAE
publications:
Jutarnji list, 22.7. 2009. – 2009.
LIVINGSTONE magazine, 10/09 – 2009.
ARCHIWORLD magazine, 10/09 – 2009.
Symbol of Dubai = the self-sustainable iceberg icon presenting new technology of self-sustainable energy production (patented) used for building an “ice town” in the “desert” = DESERT ICE = an iconic tall emblem structure that contributes to the new face of Dubai and promotes ecological conscious, scientific prosperity, tourism and other recreational and cultural activities. As a part of already existing landscape structure of Za’abeels Park, the “ice city” emblem is fully integrated by respecting the existing topography of the site and by treating the project as an additional park element in larger scale (sculpture). The part of the site surrounded with adjacent roads (21 and 6 Street) is marked by a group of towers and the remaining part of the site is treated as a “foyer” towards the towers and towards the requested facilities (conference, local children’s library and café) – this is also the viewpoint from which one can experience the “ice skyscraper town” in front of the “Dubai’s skyscraper town” located in 310 Sheikh Zayed road. The highest tower is also a belvedere with café and viewing platform on top. Represented emblem is designed by consolidating unique self-sustainable energy production with strong message of civilization future vision for coexistence with nature. The whole entity has basis in natural circular water process and uses two basic local environmental elements – the sun and the water – the sun energy preserved through water accumulation. In its outer expression it is inspired with iceberg preservation as the most iconic example of climate changes and global warming, but also with strong local cultural elements (wind tower, tent, dug out habitat, ornament…). It is represented by 10 towers in each of which the whole technical system for self-sustainable energy production is integrated, except for the solar system which is integrated into a canopy flowing between the towers. The produced energy is used for building an ice envelope (façade) around each tower which represents a symbol of preserving the environment and stopping the climate changes. The principle of integrated self-sustainable energy production (patent) uses pumped storage hydroelectric power plant production as a basis (the system containing two water reservoirs at different height levels – the water from upper reservoir flows down and runs over water turbines which produce electric power and falls into lower reservoir), only the energy for pumping up the water to the upper reservoir is created through the system of solar photovoltaic generators (solar collectors) whose surface is defined by a dynamic calculation considering the average number of sunny days and all other relevant climate elements at the specific location.
