The National Investment Corp (NIC) has awarded Dewan Architects the design and supervision works of the Abu Dhabi Yacht Club.
The offer presented by Dewan Architects and Engineers was rated the best in an architectural competition in which other well-known design firms had taken part. Deemed to be the region's leading yacht club, the upcoming landmark features an exclusive architectural design at a distinct location heading the breakwater area.
Built atop a high platform, the structure will have a spectacular view of the city on one side and the waterfront on the other, creating an exotic mixture of panoramic sea views within the comfort of creative interior designs.
"The architectural concept for the project has been derived from the 'Sailing Knot' and the building will shape up in a flexible way to include different innovative spaces and elements intermediated by a cone-shaped aquarium representing a binding link in the 'knot'," said Muhanad Al Assam, regional director.
"The three-storey aquarium, which will include various marine species belonging to the Arabian Gulf, will be one of the grandest aquariums in this part of the world," he added.
He said that with regard to the design, the company has taken into account the club's surroundings and is focusing on the heritage of Abu Dhabi, where sailing and yachting have always been popular.
With simplicity and transparency, the Abu Dhabi Yacht Club will embody the clearness and splendour of the Gulf waters. As yachters are passionate about the spaciousness of the seas, the yacht club is also internally designed to include spacious areas through the use of space frames and structural trusses, which significantly decrease the number of internal structural columns required.
The project is expected to be handed over by the end of September 2006, coinciding with the handover of the luxury residential villas project undertaken by the National Investment Corp in the same area.
Al Assam said that apart from the Abu Dhabi Yacht Club, Dewan Architects is also contributing towards creating other architectural landmarks in Abu Dhabi.
"We are currently working towards completing the final design works of the 'Arabian Palace' themed Fairmont Hotel and Resort which will also be on the Abu Dhabi breakwater," he added.
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