INNOVATIVE DESIGNS

Foster and partners: information and photographs The designs of two of foster + partners’ most recent projects—the comcast innovation & technology center and the united arab emirates pavilion at the 2015 milan expo—have been revealed. The former is a contemporary reinterpretation in the sustainable masdar city masterplan in abu dhabi as a site-specific pavilion for the 2015 milan expo. it is proposed as a $1.2 billion, 59-story, 1,121-foot tower that will neighbor comcast corporation’s global headquarters in center city philadelphia. it will become a dedicated home for the company’s growing workforce of technologists, engineers, and software architects. The glass and stainless steel tower of the comcast center is anticipated to be the tallest building in the united states that is not located in either new york city or chicago. It is an innovative and sustainable model for mixed-use, high density development, which uniquely combines spaces for high tech research and development with recreation facilities and a significant public reception space – a window on philadelphia. While the so-called “urban chamber” embraces the city at ground level, it is immediately connected to the public transportation system that is located below ground. On top of this, the extremely adaptable loft-like spaces and studios are built for a dynamic manner of working, which will serve as an engine for the city’s transformation into the type of leading technological center that is now associated with silicon valley. The dramatic canyon-like entrance defined by two undulating 12-meter-high walls will welcome people inside, and the channels between the high walls will provide intuitive circulation, naturally leading visitors to the auditorium, exhibition, and restaurant spaces. foster+partners’ design of the proposed pavilion maximizes the opportunities presented by an elongated site. the firm was chosen once again to create the national pavilion for the United Arab Emirates. The walls continue in a succession of parallel waves all the way across the 140-meter site, which unifies the visitor spaces within a dynamic formal language that was supposed to mimic the ridges and texture of sand dunes. The texture of the walls was derived from a scan that was taken in the desert, and during building, materials were chosen to replicate the various hues of sand that can be found throughout the emirates. This was done in order to express a unique feeling of location. The grc panels are held up by a steel frame, which can quickly be dismounted and reassembled in the event that the pavilion has to be moved inside the UAE at some point in the future. Interactive displays, digital presentations, and augmented reality gadgets assist to bring the tale of the emirates to life. In addition, there is an unique exhibit that celebrates Dubai’s selection as the host city for the 2020 expo. The design intends to achieve LEED Platinum status by using both passive and active sustainability features, such as collecting rainwater on the roof garden and incorporating solar cells into the structure. Please visit globalhop.indiaartndesign.com in order to see the photographs.