Education City Convention Centre, Qatar by Arata Isozaki, Tokyo
As part of the Education City in Doha, Arata Isozaki, Tokyo has designed a new convention centre. The conceptual design of the centre was developed to incorporate a large “Sidra tree” has very strong roots, which allow it to flourish in the harsh climate of the desert. The tree is a symbol of strength and growth, serving as an icon to the people of Qatar as well as the emblem of the Qatar Foundation.
The idea is that the “Sidra” will form an appropriate and impressive entrance to the 40,000m2 Qatar National Convention Centre which is being built behind them. This bit of the job is so specialised that it has been let as a self-contained package to Belgian steelwork specialist Victor Buyck, which is building it, and to consulting engineer Buro Happold, responsible for the structural design.
The two trees grow out of two concrete bases, positioned a third of the way along the facade. Each has four main branches that are about 7m in diameter at the base, and 4m at the top. A pair extends towards the far end of the deck; the other inclines towards the centre section. A glass facade will be inserted between the branches, suspended from the deck above, so half will be on the outside and the rest inside.
The deck has to take considerable loads. The extreme angle of the branches means that something like 6,000 tonnes of the structure wants to fall outwards and pull the deck apart. It also has to be stiff: any movement at all and that glass facade will crack.
Read more: http://www.building.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=3137052#ixzz0ewfhyWIP
To be completed in 2009, the building will become the largest convention centre in the Middle East. The centre will feature several performing halls, including a 2,500 seat theatre, an exhibition hall and banquet facilities for up to 7,000 people.
Construction Cost: $720,000,000.00 USD
Concept Architect of the Convention Cnetre : Arata Isozaki, Tokyo
Design/Executive Architect : RHWL Architects, London/ Berlin
Via [Building]
February 8, 2010 - Category: Architecture, Latest - Posted by: Chantal - Comments: 1
February 16th, 2010 at 9:28 am
I wonder if yamasaki will continue as they owe money to the original designers in the states for this as well as other projects it’s a shame what greed can do