dwp to design one of thirty towers set for Saraya Abu Dhabi
design world partnership (dwp) has won a contract from aabar Investments to
provide the architecture, environmental and interior design services for a 41
storey luxury residential tower in Saraya Abu Dhabi. Saraya 1, as the tower
will be called, will be situated near the Arabian coastline within the 'Lagoon'
Precinct providing uninterrupted vistas of the waterfront and foreshore
districts.
dwp’s UAE-based design team, led by Toufic Zaidan, have striven to reduce the
effect on the operational energy demands and emissions of the building as well
as ensuring its occupants wellbeing and comfort. Located within the
master-planned community development of Sorouh Real estate PJSC under the
project SARAYA, the tower will respond to the local climate aiming to reach
Gold LEED certification. According to Zaidan, “The smooth and slim undulating
tower echoes the water it faces. Its curvilinear facade will vary in colours
and shades according to the sun’s location and intensity. This intensity of
climate has also made us look at the energy efficiencies and sustainability of
its design.”
The location was used as to coordinate the high performance, energy-efficient
high-rise design, impacting on orientation and boundary and defining the
building’s shape. The overall façade utilises state-of-the art glass curtain
walls with thermal insulation and the use of green and low-VOC building
materials. The design team incorporated further energy efficiencies through the
use of enclosed balconies that can optionally open up.
Indoor air quality improvement with air filtration systems and natural
ventilation, waste reduction and recycling strategies; the design of the
structure and use of materials are all incorporated into the architectural DNA
of the building. The sustainable use of water in such an arid environment is
extremely important. The building collects and reuses rain water and façade
condensation, it also has a grey water treatment facility for recycling and
reuse.
Saraya Abu Dhabi will consist of 30 towers, that will include residential and
commercial buildings ranging from 10 to 40 stories and hotels spread over
120,000 sq m. The project will be completed in phases. The construction of the
towers will be completed in two phases, by 2010 and 2013.