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Hydropolis
Date: 7 February 2006
Hydropolis Underwater Hotel
Hydropolis is structured in three elements: the land station, the connecting tunnel, and the submarine complex. The land station is the reception and welcome centre for the hotel's guests. The connecting tunnel is the lifeline of the complex and not only provides access for guests, but also enables provisioning of the hotel with all the necessary goods. And finally, the submarine complex is the hotel itself with its wide range of unique additional facilities.
The Land Station
The land station is the stage for the arrival and descent into the underwater world, and, respectively, the return to land. A characteristic feature is a woven, dynamically narrowing and expanding semicircular cylinder over a length of about 120 m which arches over a multi-storeyed building and an ample shadowed area.
The upper stories provide space for other important facilities such as a cosmetic surgical clinic and a marine biological research laboratory. This is also the location of the business centre with conference facilities – its situation here avoids potential hustle and bustle which might disrupt the calm and relaxing atmosphere preferred by the hotel guests. This is also the location of the hotel’s management and administration offices.
Edutainment
Hydropolis will a landmark in Dubai‘s skyline. But it is not the physical property that creates the attraction, it is the concept of water. Visitors and especially non-divers will be able to catch a glimpse of the submarine life and will be informed about man‘s last frontier. People will also be able to learn about the history of Hydropolis, it’s development and construction. The Cinema is oriented towards the beach and has an openable screen allowing a real life „finale grande“ of a show by opening the screen and creating a picture frame with Hydropolis
All transports – guests, visitors, staff and goods will be facilitated by a single, highly efficient and safe train system.
An important motto gives occasion for further significant design elements: Hydropolis will be the first and only location in Dubai, where staying out in the open even at the summer temperature levels will be a delight. This will be brought about by artificial clouds of fog, by setting air in motion over the surface of the water in connection with the mild shade of bloating sails and artificial clouds of pneumatic constructions.
These constructions make Hydropolis a dynamic and alternating landmark, and will be enhanced at night by projections and luminous effects:
The ballroom is situated in the most public area of the hotel. This will allow the realisation of events in which visitors who are not also hotel guests can participate. Aside from the spa, this large domed room is the only one which in addition to its reference to water also strives towards the sky. On beautiful nights, a large petal-like skylight can be opened (even at high exterior temperatures the cool air will remain within the volume). Thus, sound and light from outside can be experienced.
A further unique characteristic of the ballroom is the panorama window to the underwater stage which allows for special performances and also constantly visualises the underwater experience. In addition, this area has a further large “eye” to the central hall which can be opened for suitable.
Restaurants, Bars and Shops
The culinary experience has a direct connotation with the Hydropolis experience. Not only the range of food and beverages corresponds to a great extent to the subject of water and the all- embracing concept of mental, physical, and spiritual relaxation, but also the moulding of the architectural hull as well as the interior architecture.
Three restaurants, each with 150 seats, provide a harmonic diversity of culinary theme worlds: the Oriental flair of the Lebanese kitchen, the diversity and lightness of maritime delicacies, and ayurvedic life which addresses all senses.
The Nautilus bar arouses reminiscences of Jules Vernes’ vision of life in the deep sea, the Havana bar with its exquisite cigars and fragrances of water pipes and heavy leather armchairs is situated close to the water line, the Sky bar permits a view not only into the depth of the Hydropolis organism, but also of the breathtaking skylines of Dubai and Palm Island.
Another attraction of Hydropolis are the exclusive shops in the central hall. Most of the items for sale have a direct reference to the subjects of the flora and fauna of the ocean: jewellery, beauty and health products, fashion. Hotel guests and visitors can watch concerts and theatre productions featuring famous soloists and ensembles from the arena steps which are upholstered with comfortable cushions.
Indoor concerts can simultaneously take place in the ballroom. The ballroom can be opened towards the hall for matinees and thus be utilised as a stage. An underwater museum area provides the unique opportunity for high-level artistic events in Dubai; this will also support the perception of Dubai as a first-class cultural venue. A world-famous arts foundation could take over the trustee function for this underwater museum.
The Suites
The heart of well-feeling in the underwater world are the suites. Here, for a few days, guests can literally experience diving into another world, the life elexir of water, an element with which we are both familiar with but also strangers to. Far away from the world of the right angle, dominated by an atmosphere of absolute lightness of colours and materials, light and transparent fabrics, leather, fine woods, discreet illumination with biodynamic light which adjusts itself to the moods and the time of day.
The interior architecture stages the view into sunken garden landscapes and a sunken city – both by day and night the contours and the lights of facing dynamic building structures can only just be diffusely made out. Light objects, and their slow, wavy movement impressions have both a fascinating and soothing effect.
For people still needing to feel comfortable with living under water, there are suites adjoining the hall with windows opening onto the familiar world of a “street”, with daylight and the generous proportions of a multi-storied complex. Individual and external “ocean-villas” in the upper area of the exterior ring have been implemented as pressure-resistant “bubbles”; theme-suites in the elliptical island provide a number of varying spatial experiences.
Theme Pavilions and Pathway
The circular exterior corridor will have the glass skylight just under the surface of water. This strip serves as a circular pathway which will be just above the water level at low tide. The thoroughfare connects floating theme pavilions which are located at a secure distance of about 70 m from the stairways.
Themes for these pavilions are: silentium, e-library, Nautilus docking station, bar, water pipe smoking room, women’s leisure room. Here there is also adequate space for contemplative prayer rooms facing East.
Adequate vents for air intake and exhaust, and elevators for vertical transport are incorporated onto the staircases. Rhythmic expansions make the exterior pathway more interesting, both levels are connected with each other by means of open spaces and small interior gardens.
Underwater world
Within the ring shaped hotel building, a fascinating semi-natural underwater landscape is created, visible from most of the sub-maritime rooms. An LED matrix forms a 3D ornament consisting of dots of light, gripping the viewer both at day and at night. Illuminated glass objects and artificial plants made of optical fibres form additional highlights. A dynamic choreography of water bubbles, swirled sand and carefully deployed lighting effects creates a kind of “underwater fireworks”.
Multimedia atmospheres in the interior
Motifs from traditional Arab architecture, ornamental decoration and landscaping are interpreted using modern means, with maritime themes rounding out the overall arrangement. The different atmospheres alter during the course of day and night, such that the building seems to be a living organism. Varying light patterns, relaxing sounds and pleasant aromas result in an intense experience, liberating guests from their day-to-day structures of perception and evoking multi-layered sensual impressions.
The suggestive atmosphere calls for a contemplative attitude, of being immersed in your inner self. The attendant spiritual clarity and enhanced sense of perception have a beneficial effect on the physical and psychological regeneration of the hotel guests as well as on their powers of judgment and self-reflection.
The architectural design and multimedia setting in the foyer appeal to all the senses at once, meaning that on arrival hotel guests feel they have been transposed into a completely different world. Along the central axis of the hall runs a walkway of illuminated water fountains controlled interactively by motion sensors. The movement of the water and light follows that of each person walking along the path. During the night, ornamental projections dance on the inside dome of the foyer’s roof.
All the hotel rooms have a window offering a magnificent view of the underwater world. The control panel in the room enables guests to change the multimedia setting in front of the window and thus give their environment a personal touch. Moreover, the spatial atmosphere of the suites can be altered via a selection of lighting moods, sound compositions and aromas.
The sea stage is a visual eye-catcher even when there are no performances. The floating platform is surrounded by a ring of water fountains that temporarily shroud it. During the day, the sunlight dances in the dense screen of water, and at night the latter serves as a screen onto which images and coloured/moving light is projected.
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Len van der Walt (T)+27 21 863 1521 |
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