#PROJECT: MASDAR CITY

[nxthenx]

Hmmm... really interesting... just read some articles for Masdar HQ... really great and ground-breaking project...

[Imre]

Cityscape Abu Dhabi

[Parisian Girl]

http://www.constructionweekonline.co..._in_abu_dhabi/

[bizzybonita]

Masdar opens future energy forum in Spain

on Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Masdar, Abu Dhabi's initiative dedicated to future energy solutions, laun?ched the European Future Energy Forum (EFEF) in Bilbao, Spain, yesterday, as the first spin-off of the World Future Energy Summit (WFES).

Masdar's Chief Executive Officer Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber delivered the keynote speech in which he underlined Abu Dhabi and Masdar's commitment to open, global co-operation in the field of renewable energy.

"In the past two years, the World Future Energy Summit has initiated collaborations and dialogue around renewable energy policy, investment and innovation", said Jaber.

"Based on our experience and success, we have brought this platform to Bilbao, where the renewable energy industry has experienced growth in recent years, as the first of many opportunities to share knowledge."

[must7]

Everything about Masdar is a builder's dream come true, however, reality is very dirty !

We hope Masdar is able to do economically viable project, however, one that beats my understanding is that why is the Masdar city based on dredged material (reclaimed some 15 years back under KF2 project !). Why did they not get a land besides Al Falah etc in place of having it just opposite an expanding airport !

[jorge antar]

UAE wins bid to host Irena HQ
Gulf news
By Abbas Al Lawati, Staff Reporter
Last updated: June 29, 2009, 19:23



Sharm Al Shaikh, Egypt: The UAE has won the bid to host the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) in Abu Dhabi after Germany and Austria pulled out of the race on Monday.

Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, thanked the countries that attended the Sharm Al Shaikh deliberations and extended their support for the UAE. He particularly appreciated the stance of Germany and Austria, which supported the UAE's quest to host the headquarters.

"The contest was strong, but it was fair and transparent," he said. The European countries withdrew after it emerged that an overwhelming number of states would vote for the UAE.

Reacting to the decision, Razan Al Mubarak, Managing Director of Emirates Wildlife Society, in association with the World Wide Find for Nature (EWS-WWF), said: "We are pleased to learn that Abu Dhabi was selected to host the Irena headquarters. The decision shows a clear recognition of the increasingly important role being played by emerging economies in the climate change and clean technology debate."

Thom D. Bohlen, AIA, LEED AP, Chief Technical Officer, Middle East Centre for Sustainable Development, said that the win will make the UAE the hub of development for future renewable technologies. "This is a monumental feat for Abu Dhabi and the UAE. It is a watershed event for the Country to become the hub for the development of future renewable technologies and their implementation across the world in a concerted effort to mitigate the effects of climate change," he said.

Gulf News readers were also ecstatic at the outcome in Sharm Al Shaikh. Saleh Hamed, an Emirati IT professional, said: "I am happy ... but I don't like the fact that there was so much competition... Having an international agency based here will stimulate research, development, increase employment and benefit us immensely."

Asma Abu Baker, an Emirati student, said: "It is a step forward for the world. We need to include the rest of the world, including the Middle East, to help in solving global problems."
Nazeer Kunchali, who sent an online comment, wrote: "It would be wonderful ... Irena's headquarters are going to be in the UAE."

Irena's home in Abu Dhabi would allow the UAE to become the centre of a future renewable energy industry and expertise. If the work of Irena goes according to plan, new technologies and research in the field of renewable energy would be coming out of Abu Dhabi. When more states decide to make the transition away from fossil fuels and to renewable energy, Abu Dhabi could become the global centre for all things related to the field.

Irena would also bring to the UAE a new industry which will be accompanied by an influx of energy experts, students, supporting industries and jobs. Renewal energy projects in Germany, for example, have brought 300,000 jobs since 2002, and started thriving industries.

The agency's presence in the UAE would also bring environmental awareness in the region, which has the world's biggest per capita emissions of CO2. Expertise on renewable energy will be shared with neighbouring countries and lead to a possible reduction in pollution.

The winning bid also means that the UAE will retain its place as a major energy exporter when the fossil fuel era is over and replaced by a time of renewable energy reliance, as the country could eventually export renewable energy.

[Parisian Girl]

Masdar Swiss Village to break ground Q1 2010

by Sarah Blackman Aug 6, 2009

Swiss Village will break ground at Masdar City early next year, Construction Week has learned.

The project, set to be 200,000m2 of built up area, will serve as a home for the Swiss embassy, as well as the firm’s educational offerings and residential and commercial buildings.

“For Switzerland and Abu Dhabi, it's about creating links for tech transfer and wider co-operation, mutual brand association,” said co-founder and CEO of the Foundation of Global Sustainability Nick Beglinger, who is also a partner of Maxmakers, a real estate and infrastructure advisory firm based in Zurich, Switzerland.

The news follows Tuesday’s events when Swiss Village Association (SVA), an expert in clean technology, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Masdar to develop the project.

“Masdar and Swiss Village go to the limit of what is today technologically feasible. Their aim is to set a reference case of what is achievable today - and that's 100% renewable energies, nearly zero waste, and a zero carbon balance,” Belginger added.

The development will be built in accordance to the Minergie sustainable building standard, which was launched by SVA, and is part of phase one of the world’s first carbon-neutral community, Masdar City.

The project is expected to be completed in line with phase one, which is set to be finished between 2011 and 2012, according to Beglinger.

Maxmakers has acted as Masdar's strategic and financial advisor since 2006.

http://www.constructionweekonline.co...round_q1_2010/

[bizzybonita]

Masdar City in Abu Dhabi - Infrastructure Package - Phase 1

Client: Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala)

Actual Value: 1.6bn USD

Contractors: Main Contractor: Al Jaber Trading & Contracting Co. W.L.L.


Consultants: Main Consultant: Foster + Partners

Main Consultant: Mott Macdonald (PRT System)

Category: Infrastructure

Project Duration:

From: Q1 2009 Actual
To: Q1 2012 Actual

Status: Construction

Scope: The project calls for construction of the first phase of infrastructure package for Masdar City in Abu Dhabi.

Schedule: In July 2009, Mott Macdonald was awarded the consultancy contract for a Personal Rapid Transport system (PRT), as cars will be banned from the city.

[bizzybonita]

Masdar City in Abu Dhabi - Masdar Institute of Science & Technology (M.I.S.T)

Client: Masdar City

Actual Value: 500m USD

Contractors: Main Contractor: Al Ahmadiah Contracting & Trading

Main Contractor: Hip Hing Construction Company

Consultants: Main Consultant: ETA Ascon

Main Consultant: WSP Group

Main Consultant: CH2M Hill (Project Manager)

Project Type: Educational facilities

Project Duration:

From: Q4 2008 Actual
To: Q4 2010 Actual

Status: Construction

Scope: The project calls for construction of Masdar Institute of Science & Technology (MIST). The institute will offer graduate programmes in renewable energy.

Schedule: A joint venture of Al Ahmadiah Contracting & Trading and Hip Hing Construction Company was awarded the main construction contract in August 2008. Construction is in progress and expected to be completed in 4th quarter of 2010.

[Dubaiiscool:)]

GERMAN GIANT: BASF will also have an office in Masdar City upon completion of construction. BASF, the German chemical giant, is the preferred supplier of construction materials and system solutions to the development of the first carbon-neutral city.

BASF will be working to reduce energy demand using a number of its sustainable and energy-efficient construction solutions as an "invaluable partner," according to Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar. The city, only a marathon's distance from Abu Dhabi, once completed could be the world's first zero-waste and carbon neutral city- and 100 percent powered by renewable energy.

This new partnership will allow Masdar City to utilize a number of solutions that BASF provides. Polystyrene and polyurethane insulating foams will provide thermal insulation, while phase-change materials can assist air-conditioning.

Phase-change materials are a new type of integrated heat storage material, which works within gypsum or drywall. It works to absorb, store and release heat-effectively working to move energy loads to later times, such as during summer nights, taking advantage of off-peak utility prices and night air.

White roofs have been in the news in the U.S., but black pigments from BASF could play an important role in roof coatings by absorbing minimal solar radiation, keeping buildings cooler.

Carbon neutrality efforts demands green materials-for the biggest project, sustainable construction products are not only expected to be efficient but additionally to work toward an emissions-free goal. The German company could also provide sustainable concrete solutions, such as new admixtures that can lower carbon emissions by up to 60-percent.

BASF will also have an office in Masdar City upon completion of construction. The company will not be the only German firm taking a stand in the sustainable development of the city, as Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft will be working on the Sustainable Cities Research Center.

Masdar City is attracting some of the most prominent companies and institutions-including the International Renewable Energy Agency's decision to place its global headquarters there. The city could be a step forward not only in design and construction, but in the further research and development that will be fostered there. (Reuters)

Link: http://www.arabianbusiness.com/56550...to-masdar-city

[barrak]

Giant umbrellas, with a design based on the principles of sunflowers, will provide moveable shade in the day, store heat, then close and release the heat at night in the plaza of a new eco-city in the United Arab Emirates.

The ‘sunflower umbrellas’ are one aspect of the winning design by the international practice Laboratory for Visionary Architecture [LAVA] for the city centre for Masdar in the UAE - the world’s first zero carbon, zero waste city powered entirely by renewable energy sources.

Masdar is a planned city located 17 kilometres from Abu Dhabi. A government initiative, the city is being constructed over seven phases and is due to be completed by 2016.

The design for the city centre, now revealed, includes a plaza, five-star hotel, long stay hotel, a convention centre and entertainment complex and retail facilities. LAVA, a firm of just two years standing, won the design in an international competition against several hundred entries and strong competition from some of the world’s most high profile architects. Founder Chris Bosse said: "Masdar City is the world’s most prestigious project focusing on sustainable energy design. It is the city of the future and a global benchmark for sustainable urban development. We believe in the Masdar slogan 'One day all cities will be like this'".

The solar powered ‘sunflower’ umbrellas capture the sun’s rays during the day, fold at night releasing the stored heat, and open again the next day. They follow the projection of the sun to provide continuous shade during the day and can be used anywhere in the world including deserts said Bosse.

Masdar City will be a showcase in all things sustainable and some exciting elements include a magnetic public transport system which includes individual pods that drive you to your destination using solar power, sustaining the city's car-free policy; Building façades which can be angled to offset or optimise solar glare; Materials on wall surfaces which respond to changing temperatures and contain minimal embedded energy; Water features that can be stored underground during the day and at night trickle or flow strongly, triggered by passersby; Interactive light poles, inspired by the oasis fire, that transform the plaza into a 3-dimensional interactive media installation; Interactive, heat sensitive technology that activates lighting in response to pedestrian traffic and mobile phone usage; and Roof gardens that integrate food production, energy generation, water efficiency and the reuse of organic food waste.

East and west are fused in the plaza design inspired by both the oasis, as the epicenter of Arabic nomadic life, and the iconic piazza of historical European cities. The organic forms created by the forces of natural erosion in geographical landmarks such as great canyons and wadis are the design inspiration behind the key buildings in the city centre.

[docc]

Amazing. We're looking at history in the making!

[bizzybonita]

i hope from my deep heart all humidity will disappear after seen this renders !

[Adam2707]

Bizzy, what do you mean by that?

Very, very cleaver design. Every time I look at this thread I remind myself of what a huge leap froward this will be for urban design and what an amazingly 'smart' city this will be. There's just no other project that can even compare to it. A population of 40-50,000 living completely on renewable energy without the use of cars. Amazing planning..

Is there any activity on the site?
Masdar HQ should be progressing by now.

[Chrisel]

www.worldarchitecturenews.com







The future wellbeing of cities around the globe depends on mankind’s ability to develop and integrate sustainable technology. Masdar City is the city of the future; positioned at the forefront of integrating sustainable technology into modern architectural design.

Rome, Athens, Florence; most great historical cities have had the plaza, forum, or square at their epicentre – where the life, values, ideals, and vision of the population evolved. Equally, the centre of Masdar must be an iconic beacon that attracts global attention to sustainable technology.

Laboratory for Visionary Architecture see Masdar Plaza as “The Oasis of the Future”: a living, breathing, active, adaptive environ; stimulated by the social interaction of people, and spotlighting the use and benefits of sustainable technology.

The “Oasis of the Future” is conceived as an open spatial experience. Whereby, all features; whether hotel, conference, shopping, or leisure, offer the highest quality of indoor and outdoor comfort and interaction. As in the case of an oasis, the Plaza is the social epicentre of Masdar; opening 24-hour access to all public facilities. Interactive, heat sensitive technology activates low intensity lighting in response to pedestrian traffic and mobile phone usage.

[Adam2707]

Taken from a YouTube Vid.

[The-King]

amazing capture adam, what are the buildings U/C? Is it the Masdar HQ?

[transman]

this is how civilisation should have been like.

[Adam2707]

Originally Posted by The-King

amazing capture adam, what are the buildings U/C? Is it the Masdar HQ?

I try to work it out but couldn't find much info. I don't think that the contract have been given for Masdar HQ yet but not too sure.
I think that its mainly just the infrastructure that is U/C at the moment.. but who knows, maybe.

[UAE'er]

Originally Posted by Adam2707

I try to work it out but couldn't find much info. I don't think that the contract have been given for Masdar HQ yet but not too sure.
I think that its mainly just the infrastructure that is U/C at the moment.. but who knows, maybe.

this is just a guess, but I belive its the Masdar Institute, a friend who is working on his PhD with masdar told me he will be teaching/working there in 2010 when the campus is completed. so i guess its that building (the campus was suppose to open in late 2009)