Category Archives: hotel

manila bay hotel

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The Manila Bay development includes 2 Hotel types in the Carlson portfolio of hotels. The 5 star Radisson Blu and 3.5 star Park Inn brands. A unique feature of the design is the Radisson Blu façade overlooking Manila Bay. The sites orientation towards Manila Bay created great opportunities for hotel guests to view “post card” sunsets over the water. The design looked at maximizing the views to Manila Bay, whilst minimizing westerly sun impact on hotel rooms. A pixelated façade screen was developed, mimicking the colours of Manila Bay and acting as a sun screen to reduce the heat loads on the building. The buildings long wavy facade, optimized the number of hotel keys with direct views of the harbour, reflecting the nautical theme of the development.

Client – SM Properties
Location – Manila Bay, The Philippines
Status – Schematic Design 2011
Site Area – 21,228m2
GFA – 40,000m2 (Radisson Blue)
GFA – 14,500m2 (Park Inn)
Keys – 276 (Radisson Blue)
Keys – 344 (Park Inn)
Heights – 9 to 12 levels

crone partners

crone partners

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renzo piano’s “the shard” in london

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Renzo Piano’s “The Shard” in London is an inspirational and awe inspiring piece of modern art and architecture.

Located in the London bridge Quarter, adjacent to the Burrows Market, the scale of the project is massive at 87 levels. Over 306m tall the building is the tallest building in the European Union and was jointly developed by Stellar Property and the state of Qatar. The Shard started construction in 2009 and reached practical completion in November 2012. The building is set to open in June 2014 and the viewing platform is open to the public now.

From the 72nd level viewing platform you can see the start of the “New London Architecture” government initiative, changing the face of the city, by promoting high rise buildings in London. The Shard, the Transistor, Gherkin and Cheese Grater to name a few of the modern buildings popping up in London. Over 200 high rise buildings are planned for London, 80% of which will be residential buildings. The initiative promotes higher density living in London and new public domain experiences.

What is even more impressive about The Shard, is Renzo’s understanding of architectural details. Beautiful glass curtain wall facade systems, float delicately in space at the edges of the building. Corners of the building are light and recessive. The edge of the building is detailed with articulated joints and sleeved stainless steel pipes which frame the building with colour and light.

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finger wharf

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The Finger Wharf is a wharf in Woolloomooloo Bay, Sydney, Australia. The structure is the longest timbered-piled wharf in the world, and was completed in 1915.

The Finger Wharf was an operational working wharf for much of the 20th century. By the 1970s, new container ports with larger wharfing facilities and cruise liner terminals around the city meant the usage of the wharf declined. By the 1980s the wharf lay derelict and empty and in 1987 the state government decided to demolish the Wharf.

A new marina and resort complex was approved to replace the wharf in Woolloomooloo Bay, but when demolition work was due to begin in January 1991, locals blocked entrance to the site. Unions imposed a Green ban which stopped demolition crews from undertaking work.

Due to such a strong public outcry it was decided that the existing wharf would instead be renovated into a boutique hotel, featuring 104 guestrooms, loft-style suites and private residencies. Walker Corporation undertook that renovation. The hotel features several restaurants and bars, including the popular Water Bar, frequented by many visiting local and international celebrities. The hotel was officially launched as “W Sydney – Woolloomooloo” and it was W Hotels’ first property to be launched outside of the United States. The hotel’s licensing to Starwood Hotels & Resorts expired in 2007 and re-branded as “Blue Hotel”, managed by Taj Hotels & Resorts. Notable residents include actor Russell Crowe and media personality John Laws.

Text courtesy of Wikepedia.

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