Dubai 2014 firework display breaks world record: Guinness

DUBAI: Dubai shattered the world record for the largest ever pyrotechnic display on New Year’s Eve with a show involving more than half a million fireworks, Guinness World Records said Wednesday.

“Ten months in planning, over 500,000 fireworks were used during the  display which lasted around six minutes, with Guinness World Records  adjudicators on hand to confirm that a new record had been set,” the Guinness  website said.

The display spanned 94 kilometres (58.4 miles) of the Dubai coast, which  boasts an archipelago of man-made islands and Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest  tower, Guinness said.

Enough fireworks were launched in the first minute of the display to break  the previous record, set by Kuwait in 2011 with an hour-long show of 77,282  fireworks.

The main displays took place at Burj Khalifa and the luxurious Atlantis  hotel located in Palm Jumeirah, one of three palm-shaped islands.

US firm Fireworks by Grucci designed the display, Guinness said, using 100  computers and 200 technicians to synchronise the pyrotechnics at a reported  cost of around $6 million (4.3 million euros).

Dubai boasts the world’s tallest tower, its largest man-made island and one  of the world’s busiest airports. 

It set its latest record in May last year with Dubai, Princess Tower,  recorded by Guinness as the world’s tallest residential building.

Dubai has been vying to become a permanent fixture on the world map of New  Year celebrations, staging spectacular shows since the opening of the 828-metre  (2,716-foot) Burj Khalifa tower in 2010. AFP

Fireworks explode from the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower, in Dubai on January 1, 2014 to celebrate the new year. Dubai kicked off New Year with a dazzling bid for a new world record to cap those the Gulf city state already holds for its mammoth property developments. The glittering fireworks display that lasted around six minutes spanned over 100 kilometres (60 miles) of the Dubai coast, which boasts an archipelago of man-made islands and Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower. 

Modern Architecture - Blossoming Dubai

Designed to resemble a blossoming flower, Greek architecture firm Petra Architects recently submitted "Blossoming Dubai" to the Zaabeel Park Tall Emblem Structure Competition.

 This beautiful and crazy building is designed to resemble a blossoming flower, Greek architecture firm Petra Architects recently submitted “Blossoming Dubai” to the Zaabeel Park Tall Emblem Structure Competition.

 They based their design on the form of a blossoming flower. the tower is equipped 
with two elevators running on spiral rails (spiral of the most simple geometry turning 
135 degrees while ascending 138 meters). These lifts ascend from lower ground floor 
(where the visitors enter) to the cafeteria level and the viewing platform above. 
apart from the previously mentioned elevators that can cover all visitor access 
(including disabled access), there are also two staircases fitted in the spiraling elements 
of the building. the latter can be used on an emergency case.

 Main building access is on the ground floor and through the two symmetrical structures located on each side of the tower’s base. one of the structures houses the children’s library while providing (through skylights) an excellent view of the tower above. the children have the chance to use both the enclosed library as well as part of the park outside. The conference rooms are located on the lower ground floor offering a more controlled environment. All this area is flooded with natural light from skylight-like holes on the ground above while framing views of the tower. The building’s cafeteria is located 135 meters above ground and provides a 360 degree view of dubai and the surrounding zaabeel park. there are also two staircases connecting the cafeteria level with the viewing platform above providing a connection between the two

The tower is equipped with two elevators that run on spiral rails which turn 135 degrees and ascend 450 feet (138 meters). The lifts ascend from the lower ground floor (where the visitors enter) to the cafeteria level and the viewing platform above. There are also two staircases fitted in the spiraling elements of the building which can be used in case of an emergency.

Bandra Ohm residential tower by James Law Cybertecture

Inspired by the symbol Ohm (Ω), Bandra Ohm is a 140m tall residential tower in India, with fluid swimming pools on balconies, designed by world renowned architect James Law of James Law Cybertecture International.

The design of the tower is also inspired by the ripple result generated by water droplets, which is also known as the capillary wave. The ripple effect encourages fluidity that shows in the tower’s construction.

 The shape and the ripple pattern can remind one of an abstract representation of the symbol Ohm (Ω). The tower design is trying to recall the essence of the space by creating a large gap in the middle with a special designed clubhouse form. With almost 30 floors of residential units, Bandra Ohm intends to provide a good living setting and experience to the residents.

  The design concept of the tower is inspired by the ripple effect generated by water droplets, which is also known as the capillary wave. The image of the ripple emphasizes fluidity and this idea is reflected in the tower’s design. The outline of the tower demonstrates the fluidity and dynamic nature of the ripple.

The outline and the ripple pattern can be conceived as an abstract representation of the symbol Ohm (Ω). The tower design is trying to recapture the essence of this space by creating a large void in the middle along with a special designed clubhouse form. With approximately 30 storeys of residential units, Bandra Ohm aims to provide a luxurious living environment and experience to the residents.

Dubai is one of those cities that are home to some of the most amazing skyscrapers. It had been constructing a number of iconic towers throughout the city. These extraordinary buildings have made Dubai an interesting place in the Middle East. It has become one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the region.

Dubai Crescent Moon Tower

 The number of extraordinary buildings in Dubai are increasing every year. And, most probably, the city is going to present another exclusive structure within a few years. This crazy structure is supposed to be a crescent shaped tower - The Crescent Moon Tower.

America based design company Transparent House has presented this exclusive design for the structure. The Crescent Moon Tower is supposed to be erected in Za'abeel Park in Dubai. This Tall Emblem Structure will be a unique structure in the world. - The Crescent Moon Tower is an architectural design project submitted to the 11th ThyssenKrup Elevator Architecture Award by Transparence House, a California-based firm . This idea was developed and rendered because of the challenge to design a tall emblem structure for Za’abeel Park, a park that is located in the north-east of the Dubai World Trade Centre. This unbelievable building is designed not only to symbolize the Dubai as part of the Islamic world, but also shows the technology and economic development in Dubai.This Crescent Moon Tower boasts a 33-storey down-turned half moon on the banks of the Caspian Sea. It is designed to accommodate a children’s library, a conference facility, a restaurant, multiple cafes, and an open-air observation platform. Though it was just a proposal, there’s a big possibility that it will be built immediately. It is said to be completed by the year 2015 along with its sister project called the Full Moon Hotel – resembling the Death Star from Star Wars which was been proposed. It can accommodate a 220-hectare site that was formerly a storage hub for the industry. This place now has been cleaned up and prepared for offices, hotels, homes and services for 50,000 Baku residents and 48,000 workers.

 According to the design company, this unique structure will identify Dubai as belonging to the Islamic world and will also be a manifestation of the modern level of technical and economic development of Dubai. It will signify the new face of the city and promote its tourism, recreational, scientific and cultural activities.

The Crescent Moon Tower is proposed to boasts 33-storey down-turned half moon on the banks of the Caspian Sea. It will accommodate a children’s library, a conference facility, a restaurant, multiple cafes, and an open-air observation platform. Everything is intended to make the building a multipurpose destination, popular among the locals and tourists alike 

Crescent Moon tower in Dubai is only a proposal. However, keeping Dubai's madness towards iconic buildings one can expect to see the building in reality in the coming years. If it is erected in real, this amazig tower will bring Dubai to a new phase, that's for sure.

Palm Islands Dubai

 ^ Due to its immense scale and unique shape, The Palm, Jumeirah and The Palm, Jebel Ali are visible from space with the naked eye. 

The creation and development of The Palm is an unparalleled feat of design and engineering. The Palm is destined to be like no other place on earth.
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^ The brilliance of The Palm is both in its tribute to the date palm tree, referred to as 'bride of orchard', and in its ideal geometry for creating maximum beach frontage.

Each island will add 60 kilometres of shoreline to Dubai, increasing the UAE's beachfront by an extraordinary 166%.
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^ Rocks weighing a total of 7 million metre cubed (per island) are being brought in from sixteen different quarries throughout the United Arab Emirates. 
The Palm comprises approximately 100 million cubic metres of sand and rock.
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^ If all the fill materials used to build one Palm island were placed end to end, a wall two meters high and half a metre thick could circle the world three times.
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^ Dredges play a prominent role in building The Palm. Sand is first dropped into place and piled at a specific angle of repose, ensuring it will hold its place.

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^ After the initial dumping of sand, a dredger brings the sand level to the surface with a process called "rainbowing", which literally sprays the sand into proper position.
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^ The Crescent surrounds the island and acts as a breakwater - able to withstand a 4m wave. It is built from the bottom up, beginning with the sand, geotextile fiber, small rocks, and then medium sized rocks, once above water.
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^ Expert Divers examine rock placement underwater to ensure correct positioning. Divers are also used to review placement of geotextile.

Over 100 studies from transportation, marina design and water supply to technology and civil works have been completed to assess and ensure The Palm's feasibility.
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^ Where do all the trees that the islands will require come from? 
Over 12,000 Palm trees will be grown on a nursery in Jumeirah, Dubai.
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^ From crabs to shell fish, reefs, coral and rocks, the Arabian Gulf is full of marine life. The Palm will help stimulate its development by adding nutrient rich materials. Residents and visitors will delight in snorkelling, scuba and diving in this rich resource.