Hotel Cobra - The Gateway of Ras Al Khaimah
"Ras Al-Khaimah Gateway Project"
Ras Al Khaimah - UAE

Sheik Saud and Rakeen of Ras Al-Khaimah has appointed the Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta (http://www.snoarc.no/) (famous from Bibliotheca Alexandrina and Oslo
Opera House) the prestigious task of creating an iconic gateway building for the new capital city of Ras Al-Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates. The
approx. 300,000 m2 complex will contain a Congress Center, Exhibition Halls, Shopping Center, 5+ Star Hotel, 5 Star Hotel, and a 4 Star Hotel.
Construction will start in 2008/2009 with completion in 2011.

From Snøhetta's website:
Snøhetta has been commissioned by the Ras Al Khaimah investment Authority and RAKEEN to undertake the architectural design for the Gateway
project in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. Situated in the desert 150 km to the east of Dubai this landmark project will mark the gateway to the
emirate and form the entrance to the new planned capital city of Ras Al Khaimah.

The urban master plan for the city is currently being under taken by the Netherlands based architectural practice OMA. The Gateway project is
situated at the entrance to the city and will form a landmark for the city entrance.

The architectural expression for our proposal is inspired by the surrounding desert and mountain landscape. This concept provides for an infinite
variety of naturally shaded, intimate and protected spaces, around which the multiple uses associated with the development are woven. The
undulating architectural landscape is resolved in a dramatic landmark tower marking the main gateway plaza. This 200 m high tower will be the
setting for a 5 star plus hotel affording panoramic views across the emirate, to the gulf and mountains beyond.

The programme calls for a mixed-use development comprising a conference centre, exhibition centre, hotels and retail space. In total it is
expected to be 270 000m2 of build area. In addition there will be substantial areas of associated garden and landscape. Externally the building
will be clad in ceramic panels, this will be developed together with Ras Al Khaimah ceramics, one of the world leading producers of ceramic
products.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/cityw/Architecture/RAK_Natt_MIR4small.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/cityw/Architecture/RAK_oversiktsbilde_rken_FINALE_MIRs.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/cityw/Architecture/RAKoversikt3_editcopysmall.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/cityw/Architecture/RAK_Uttrykk_MIR5small.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/cityw/Architecture/Tower_Oasis_revidert_MIRcopysmall.jpg

creepy design. i dont like snakes coming outta the sand.

Very very nice project. However it doesn't look like there are too many windows on the side of the building which is facing the "camera". Does anyone know?

P

amazing :)

Very very nice project. However it doesn't look like there are too many windows on the side of the building which is facing the "camera". Does anyone know?

P

Yeah, doesn't look like its many windows there. I guess we need to wait and see the real renderings when they come.

it looks nice

This looks great. The sides are probally going to be made from glass

Does any body know who is going to develop it ? and where in RAK ?

Facade study, The Gateway Project
A facade study investigating cladding concepts for the shell-surface of The Gateway Project in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE.

The shell-surface is populated by a generative component. (2x2m) This component is driven by a set of rules. Each instance of the generative component analyses its own global orientation and position on the overall geometry of the structure and changes accordingly.

The component has two variables; its aperture (view and daylight) and its depth (shading). The aperture and depth of the component decreases towards the edge of the structure to facilitate a clean cut. Maximum aperture occurs when the component is vertical and facing north. Minimum aperture occurs at edges and when the component is horizontal, reflecting the more intense solar heating.
The size of the aperture is also driven by program requirements. The aperture is gradually changing across the surface between these extremes creating subtle changes and interesting micro contextual variations of the pattern.

As this is an associative parametric model, all the instances of the generative component change, in real-time, according to changes made to the overall geometry. The rules driving the generative component can also be changed or adjusted at any given time resulting in a real-time feedback in the viewport. When the model is properly set up, one can easily investigate an array of different options without doing any additional modeling.

Due to a high degree of complexity, (all instances of the generative component are unique) this cladding concept turned out to be too expensive to implement in the project.

http://www.potentialarchitecture.net/img/projects/img46fcbcd6dd3b9.jpg

http://www.potentialarchitecture.net/img/projects/img46fcbcd6e997e.jpg

http://www.potentialarchitecture.net/img/projects/img46fcbcd6d858e.jpg

very interesting. I doubt the real thing would look like that.

A very nice video is avaliable at the architects homepage now. Can't link you directly there since its been previewed in flash, but go to this site: http://www.snoarc.no/ (Then; Projects > Location > Ras Al Khaimah > Gateway Project > Videos) :)

Facade showen in the video is different than the previous facande studies. Looks good though!

Video screenshots:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/cityq/Projects%20and%20developments/HotelCobra2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/cityq/Projects%20and%20developments/HotelCobra4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/cityq/Projects%20and%20developments/HotelCobra7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/cityq/Projects%20and%20developments/HotelCobra1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/cityq/Projects%20and%20developments/HotelCobra5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/cityq/Projects%20and%20developments/HotelCobra6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/cityq/Projects%20and%20developments/HotelCobra8.jpg

The latest renderings, and bigger renderings. :)

edit: gone

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Can I get the name of Main contractor and MEP contractor?

New renderings updated in the first post.

Here you have the large renderings, enjoy!
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/cityw/Architecture/RAK_Natt_MIR4Medium.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/cityw/Architecture/RAK_Natt_MIR4Medium2.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/cityw/Architecture/RAK_oversiktsbilde_rken_FINALE_MIRM.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/cityw/Architecture/RAKoversikt3_editcopyMedium.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/cityw/Architecture/RAK_Uttrykk_MIR5Medium.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/cityw/Architecture/Tower_Oasis_revidert_MIRcopyMedium.jpg

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UAE has such a unique building style
I love it very much!!!!
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UAE has such a unique building style
I love it very much!!!!
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yes, if they actually build it

Has construction started, or was it canceled? :?

Another chance to take money of new unsuspecting investors and then build f*ck all!

any news? :?