Design Blending Form and Function

DESIGN BLENDING FORM AND FUNCTION 027 | Dubai - United Arab Emirates Price: UAE 50 AED, Bahrain 5 BHD, KSA 50 SAR, Kuwait 4 KWD, Oman 5 OMR, Qatar 50 QARSAR, IT 15 Euro. 15 IT 50 QARSAR, Oman 5 OMR, Qatar 4 KWD, Kuwait 50 SAR, KSA 5 BHD, Bahrain AED, 50 UAE Price: Emirates Arab - United 027 | Dubai

Focus: New trends in Italian design

Special Ten years of Compasses

Tim Power Architects Mario Cucinella Architects Marco Zanuso Jr Gambardellarchitetti Massimo Mariani Harquitectes Ivan Paradisi Archea Associati Mario Pagliaro Fadi Sarieddine Bruno Palmegiani Nada Debs 027 DESIGN BLENDING FORM AND FUNCTION

Publisher Board Art Director Text Review Publisher [editorial] 22 Design: blending form and function - Andrea Pane Marco Ferretti Ferdinando Polverino De Laureto Rania Shalabi e.built Srl - Italy e Francesca Maderna Neal Putt Via Francesco Crispi 19-23 Team and Publishing Coordinator 80121 Napoli [essays] 25 10 years: a brief history of Compasses - Giovanna Russo Krauss, Damiana Treccozzi Scientific Director Andrea Del Gaudio Photographer phone +39 081 2482298 es Andrea Pane [email protected] Sharif Nazal fax +39 081 661014 34 The Compasses experience - Two interviews by Andrea Pane [email protected] Sandra Zarneshan mobile +39 335 5889237 41 Creativity and expertise. The graphic design of Made in Italy - Francesco E. Guida, Luciana Gunetti Associate Editor Middle East Scientific Committee Ivan Parati Advertising Sales Director Gulf Countries Representative David Chipperfield Luca Màllamo Build LLC [focus] 50 A global approach: Tim Power between architecture and design - Cloe Piccoli Odile Decq Associate Editor Italy Souk Al Bahar f Massimilano Fuksas Maria Vittoria Capitanucci Advertising Sales Agency Old Town Island Burj Khalifa District 56 In between. Marco Zanuso Jr - Maria Vittoria Capitanucci Hans Ibelings Agicom Srl Dubai - UAE 64 Well tempered design. A conversation with Massimo Mariani - Pietro Belli, Massimo Mariani Farida Kamber Al Awadhi Correspondents Viale Caduti in Guerra, 28 William Menking Brazil Ana Carolina de Souza Bierrenbach 00060 Castelnuovo di Porto (RM) [compasses] is a supporting member of 70 Half a Century for Cobra - Maurizio Perticarini Italo Rota Beatriz Mugayar Kühl Media & Advertising 74 With wood in the heart: Ivan Paradisi’s furniture - Francesca Bellecci, Maria Vittoria Capitanucci Livio Sacchi Nivaldo Vieira de Andrade Mobile UAE : + 971 567890149 Yehuda Safran China Massimiliano Campi Mobile Italy : + 39 3358225239 78 A[C]ross design: Mario Pagliaro’s philosophy - Damiana Treccozzi Karl T. Ulrich Emirates Annamaria Giangrasso Phone Italy + 39 069078285 Compasses n.27 - 2018 82 Talking with Bruno Palmegiani, the myth of Police sunglasses - Maurizio Perticarini Cristiano Luchetti [email protected] Printed in Italy by Rossi Srl Editorial Staff France Laurence Bassières Skype: agicom.advertising Nola (Napoli) Giovanna Russo Krauss Nicolas Detry [architecture & plan] 86 One Airport Square: an opportunity for a sustainable urban project - Jenine Principe Damiana Treccozzi Claudia Tamburro SUBSCRIPTIONS March 2018 ap ISSN NUMBER: 2409-3823 [email protected] India Ingrid Paoletti To subscribe 94 An always elsewhere - Maria Gelvi Japan Matteo Belfiore please send your contacts The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability 102 Cristalleries Planell Civic Centre - Federico Calabrese, Ana Carolina de Souza Bierrenbach Editorial Board Kuwait Sikander Khan by e-mail to for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained Paola Ascione Morocco Laurence Bassières [email protected] in this publication are not necessarily those of the Francesca Capano New Zealand Alberto Calderoni publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist [experiences] 108 Ventura’s Adventures - Yara Dakkak Maria Vittoria Capitanucci Palestine Cristina Bronzino Decree of the Court of Naples advice before acting on information contained in this ex publication, which is provided for general use and Concrete Treatment - Ivan Parati Paolo Giardiello Portugal Teresa Ferreira n. 58 / 20-12-2016 may not be appropriate for the reader’s particular 112 Serkan Gunay Spain Federico Calabrese circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is 116 An historic mansion block in the heart of old Beirut - Ciara Philips Achraf Ibrahim Camilla Mileto Cover Image acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in Dubai Belle Époque - Anna Cornaro Massimo Imparato Fernando Vegas Courtesy of retrieval system or transmitted in any form with - out the 120 Ferruccio Izzo Turkey Serkan Gunay Marco Zanuso Jr and Corraini Edizioni permission of the publishers in writing. 124 A meticulous and multilayered approach - Ciara Philips Laura Lieto UK Pietro Belli Giovanni Menna Michele Pasca di Magliano 126 Walking through the oasis of design - Excerpt from the exhibition catalogue by the curator Noor Aldabbagh Linda Nubani USA Randall Mason Ivan Parati Linda Nubani Gennaro Postiglione [materials & interiors] mi 128 Rooted in the history of the place. The green flavour of the Benci House - Giovanna Russo Krauss Titti Rinaldi 136 A touch of Italian style in Japan: the new Piaggio store in Tokyo - Daria Verde Saud Sharaf [smart food] sf 142 Blending form and fruition - Ferdinando Polverino De Laureto Giovanna Russo Krauss [rewind project] Sydney Opera House, ground plan and conceptual drawing. Damiana Treccozzi

morphing the line: jörn utzon and its plateaus

Sydney, Opera House. Jörn Utzon It is the direct relationship of the earth line with its pos- relation with the original sense of the founding act. From sible modif cations, acts to making it a usable surface, the layers to the abstract planes, the platform is the Platforms and plateaus: ideas of a Danish that generates the initial platform shape. The antique f rst human architectural behavior that morpheses the architect architecture is essentially doing platforms or precints. ground, it is the esplanade which identif es itself as a Original text by Jörn Utzon, They are together referable to the def nition of a board- human act in the landscape, such as the tumulus in the published on Zodiac 10, Milan 1962. ed or elevated dominion, with particular characteristics: forest for Loos. an enclosure that goes through the landscape, a launch So, thinking through the drawing, the groud line can 10 years: pad for the eye, or a representative precint where the move varying the intensity, modifying its parallels, symbolic form is brought as on a tray. and can create a space holded between its differenc- It is the appropriation of a place through a ‘position’, es. From the treading f oor to its submitted squares, a site chosen for the construction, even in its tectonic to its sky-lines: a dynamic look kept inside of its function of a ‘basement’. From the temple that rises horizontal views. from the artif cial plateaux, that born from the earth, with To design by layers, by superimposition. “The mobility its step layered passages, up to supply base for the of the components – the earth and sky lines – makes columns, to the platform as an absolute base, tray or the modif cation possible”. The morphing and compo- theatre for the spectator. sition process is concentrated in a line, and the exist- The mastabas in Mexico, as Jörn Utzon describes, are ing interrelations are easily perceivable. The clarity immersed in an uniform landscape and constitute a par- relationship is all played on the binomial that the ticular concretion of it. They work as a rising mechanism abstract ‘tray’ builds with its surroundings – the ‘plat- to the ritual platform. form’ really is a scene – , a place of overlooking and In ancient time the landscape was spotted by related a place overlooked from afar. It is starting point but an constructions that talk together -and today they still ending, too. Thresholds of a huge environment. conserve this power of relationship and of structuring of Corrado Di Domenico a space in the buildings net- and imposed their symbolic presence on it. They are a sort of a pre-urban situa- a brief history of Compasses tion of building, or absolute solutions of the space. The smooth horizontal line opposite to the rocky shape of the natural environment: is a dialectic of the artif ce in

architecture & design Conceptual sketches by Jörn Utzon: Platforms, Monte Alban.

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[real estate] 2008 2008 SKY 001 001 ARCHITECTURE

tattooed earth: the promise of a perfect world

Work Look at the architectonic production of the Arab Creek, the historic focal point of life in Dubai. The The Lagoons Emirate in these recent years and refect on the mean- development embodies a bold vision of the future while Developer ing of the term construction as an operation that often building upon its rich past, where traditional souks and Sama Dubai, the international real estate investment and compels, whoever confronts it, to broaden the horizon navigable waterways will co-exist with global business development arm of Dubai Holding signifcant of the term. In fact it does not deal with houses and boldly designed landmarks in a dynamic Location simply registering the magnifcence of the edifces environment set amongst a lush, green waterfront. Dubai, UAE and or the mass in the form of extreme technological Situated in the heart of Dubai, the creek-side develop- advancement; in the Arab Emirates today, there is the ment is being formed by extending the Dubai Creek 2008 2008 Year sensation of a postponement of perception, of a subtle further inland to create a series of seven beautifully 2006 NATURE change in the rules of the game, when we fnd our- landscaped and interconnected islands that encom- Image credits selves facing operations that make the orography, and pass a mixed-use project unique to Dubai. Courtesy of Sama Dubai one could say, the very crust of the earth, real materi- With less than thirty percent of the total area being 003 003 als of the project. used for buildings, the master planned development’s ARCHITECTURE All that came frst was a certain point of reference richly landscaped surroundings are set amongst an un- on which to measure the project, the orography of precedented scale of open space setting. This ensures the earth and precisely the natural conditions, now access to an abundance of large parklands and green becomes an operable condition: that which does not belts teeming with accessible shaded public areas and

Skyscrapers Beyond the skyscraper exist is created by modifying, also radically, that which plazas. The Lagoons also boasts an extensive network does exists. of bicycle tracks, walkways and jogging paths, which All the most important tall buildings have The tall building is the emblem for man’s .We are not speaking of the systems of the new artif- run alongside the project’s winding waterways ٢٠٠٨ and his conquest of the sky. But there are a reference site. The sites of European and American tall numerous other projects that demonstrate cial islands that have contributed to the media luck of Seven vibrant districts will each contain distinct ele- buildings tend to highlight the appear- ways to conquer it. Dubai in the world; regarding how much they represent ments that will combine to offer a holistic living experi- ٣ //:ance and architectural design of the The Plug-in City by Archigram on http building, highlighting the architect’s sig- www.archigram.net/projects_pages/ the radical transformation that they open the road to a ence within islands interlinked by bridges. Al Dana, Al nature. This is the case of the Chicago plug_in_city.html shows a city-enclosure, Spire http://www.thechicagospire. which tends to rise upward in infnite. The new way of intention of contemporary urbanism, in the Sedaifa, Al Jiwin, Al Naama, Al Lulu, Al Hassabi and com designed by Santiago Calatrava or Ville Spatiale by Yona Friedman on http:// move of interest from the expansion of the city to the Dubai Opera House comprise the seven districts that the Shard London Bridge http://www. www.megastructure-reloaded.org/en/ shardlondonbridge.com designed by yona-friedman is a three-dimensional geographic modifcation, it nevertheless deals with the will include a variety of residential units, and corporate Renzo Piano. structure raised from the earth, able to ‘addition’ of a line to the existing coast. In the case of and commercial facilities, juxtaposed with shopping However the sites regarding tall buildings construct and articulate a new way to in Asia are different, in that they focus inhabit the city, taking advantage of height. The Lagoons complex however, the sense of the oper- promenades, and leisure and cultural components in on the identifcation of the building with a The Lindfors Office for the competition ation is more radical in the unhinging, through a clear an environmentally friendly setting. The development luxurious life-style, building a real logic of What if New York City, which assumes an artifcialisation, a new sense of nature. In this case the the market, reinforced by graphics. The imminent disaster for the city, proposes will also include themes of conservation, parkland and sites that best express this characteris- foating homes which build a landscape construction is assimilated to the impression of a tattoo open spaces; boardwalks; resorts; marinas; fve-star tic are the Burj of Dubai’s http://www. and tries to conquer the sky staying on the skin; the result is that of an image with its iconic hotels; commercial towers with large office spaces; burjdubai.com, where there is also a frmly on land; the evocative images of the section showing the work in progress, project are on http://www.studiolindfors. power defnes a new primordial condition. bicycle tracks, walking paths, and jogging tracks; malls and Pentominium’s http://www.pento- com/work/speculative/000100/000100. and outdoor retail promenades on waterfront; as well minium.com where the luxury compa- html. The project Pavements in the sky on nies that make up the holding are listed. http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/sbe/tall- «The Lagoons is a distinctive mixed-use waterfront as luxury villas and uptown apartments. Dubai - United Arab Emirates Price: UAE 50 AED, Bahrain 5 BHD, KSA 50 SAR, Kuwait 4 KWD, Oman 5 OMR, Qatar 50 QARSAR. Oman 5 OMR, Qatar 4 KWD, Kuwait 50 SAR, KSA 5 BHD, Bahrain AED, 50 UAE Price: Emirates Arab - United Dubai buildings/PavementsMain.htm denies project that is being developed by Sama Dubai, the The Lagoons will incorporate a unique work environ- the idea of the skyscraper as a symbol of an isolated conquest of the sky, build- international real estate investment and development with its own Central Business District (CBD), where ing links between tall buildings that could ment arm of Dubai Holding. The self-contained urban multi-national corporations and blue chip businesses accommodate even other activities. The roof of tall buildings become opportunities development anticipates the growing need in Dubai for can establish their headquarters. The centerpiece of The to host other activities: housing cells from a living environment that delivers an unmatched quality Lagoons’ commercial nerve centre will be the breathtak- which one can enjoy a breathtaking view

2 MORPHING on www.architecture.it/hp/copertina/24/ of life within a unique natural setting. ingly designed architectural icon, the “Dubai Towers – default.htm, gardens away from the chaos Underlining the Emirate’s position as a world re- Dubai.” A prominent landmark of this district, the cluster and noise on metropolitan on http:// www. igra-world.com/intro.html or farms with nowned international destination, The Lagoons is of towers will anchor as a bold sculptural presence in the testing laboratories on http://www.inhabi- set to be a landmark development within the boom- city’s skyline. The district’s dynamic high-rise executive

00 tat.com/2007/04/05/skyscraper-farming- farming-reaches-to-the-sky. ing property sector that has developed in the region lifestyle will be complemented by a plethora of exciting There are also those who go beyond the over the past years. nightlife and entertainment options interwoven amongst sky, towards space. The Tate Gallery in London in 2003 launched a competition Designed with a vision to re-establish the heart and waterside cafes and fne restaurants, offering a truly Tate in Space for the design of its head- soul of the city, The Lagoons is situated along Dubai cosmopolitan experience. quarters in space. On http://www.tate. org.uk/space/competition.htm are vis- ible visionary projects. 160 [real estate] 161

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ﺗﺮﮐﻴﺰ [anthology] [focus]

Lie back, Stretch out. And let the world’s leading ﬂat bed* do all the work. In our In the middle ages walls and towers were arranged in a circle around the inhabited nucleus as a defensive mechanism as those of Monteriggioni. However those of San Gimignano, that inspired the suggestive designs of Luois Khan for the Philadelphia centre, were thought Pearl Business Class, you’re always assured of a good ﬂight’s sleep. up for setting and drying the cotton rolls coming from Egypt after they had been dyed garish colors. They world of towersMario Pisani therefore accomplish an economic function.

The image of this tower inspired Borromini’s lantern of etihadairways.com Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza and it has been handed down In Erodono’s tales we read: “in the middle of the sacred since the 500s through numerous incisions. the grand mosque enclosure of Babel there was a thick tower from the base long and wide like a stadium; and on it another one rises and on this still another one and so on: in all eight The Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan the world. Two 75 m high dome are Greek one named “Sivec” with extra overlapped towers. You climb through external staircases Mosque is a symbol of the United on either side of the main one. select quality, the white marble, used that are wound to spiral around each tower: half way up Arab Emirates. The Mosque is the The main Prayer Hall, along with the for the inside, is of two types: “Lasa” the slope, there is a ledge with some seats where you can third biggest Mosque in the world in smaller Prayer Halls and the arcade, is and “Aquabianca” marbles, both from rest. […] Finally in the last tower there is a great temple terms of praying areas allowing about built on an eight metres pedestal, and Italy for wall and floor cladding. in which there is a golden bed. […] There aren’t however 30,000 worshippers of which 9,000 has sparkling crystal chandeliers that All marble cladding on the domes statues of the god”. will be in air-conditioned areas. illuminate the intricately carved ceiling and walls has been installed onto The Mosque has been built on a raised domes; the central chandelier, adorned a developed steel structure sys-

1 SKY ARCHITECTURE embankment at the gateway to the island by hundreds of Swarovski crystals tem in order to modify the original Tower origins come from the desire of our ancestors to of Abu Dhabi. The structural work of and hand made in Germany, is one of shape of the concrete structure. elevate, in memory of those who left us, a voluminous the Mosque started in 1996 and was the largest chandeliers in the world. For the ablutions areas and for the vertical stone. Still today we can see menhir or totem in completed in 2002. The realization of Its walls are clad with textured white floor of the back of house offices, the the eastern world. the finishing works started at January Italian marble and, on the Quibla wall, marble used is “Makrana”, an Indian 2004, further along the external marble the 99 Names of God have been writ- one used to build the Taj Mahal. 00 50 QARSAR. Oman 5 OMR, Qatar 4 KWD, Kuwait 50 SAR, KSA 5 BHD, Bahrain AED, 50 UAE Price: Emirates Arab - United Dubai works and the finishing in the ablu- ten by cutting the marble by water jet The 17.400 square metres white If the hut appears well rooted to the ground and its image tions and in the back of the house. and lit by luminous back lighting. marble floor of the Sahan is in- evokes the relationship with the earth of man’s frst The architectural design of the Mosque The Hall’s columns are made of seam- laid with multi-colored marble re- residence, the tower – archetype of skyscraper – raises as a landmark building focused on less circular white marble, named flecting rich floral designs. itself towards the sky forcing us to look up, on the blue the factors that would make a last- “Sivac”, uniquely inlaid with exqui- The arcades surrounding it comprise a background where it is drawn. ing impression on the worshipper. For site floral patterns of semi-precious series of arches supported by more than example: the dimensions of the cen- stones and mother of pearl. 1,000 columns, clad with white marble tral Prayer Hall are 50x55 m on plan The 5,700 square metres carpet covering and inlaid with semi-precious stones with 33 m clear height to the ceiling. the Main Prayer Hall has been complete- depicting a floral design crowned by The only “intrusion” into this vast space ly hand woven by two thousand Iranian palm tree motifs hand made by Indian is the towering arched structure sup- (Persian) artisans, weights 45 tons and artisans. These arcades are covered porting the base of the main dome 45 m is to be the largest carpet in the world. with 34 domes internally lined with above the floor. In situ reinforced con- The external walls of the Main Prayer colourful engraved GRG as well as cal- Dubai - United Arab Emirates Price: UAE 50 AED, Bahrain 5 BHD, KSA 50 SAR, Kuwait 4 KWD, Oman 5 OMR, Qatar 50 QARSAR. Oman 5 OMR, Qatar 4 KWD, Kuwait 50 SAR, KSA 5 BHD, Bahrain AED, 50 UAE Price: Emirates Arab - United Dubai crete technology was adopted in order Hall were decorated with fifty-three ligraphy from the Holy Koran and are comp COP numero 1 DEF.indd 1 20-05-2008 14:00:25 to minimize future maintenance works panels of Iznik traditional ceramic externally clad with Macedonian white and to facilitate installation of elaborate tiles from Turkey, an art work dating marble topped by marble merlons. finishes and decorations. Long clear back 100 years. Koranic verses have The internal of all domes are made spans and heavy load conditions called been written in calligraphic styles on with glass-reinforced gypsum. The trimmed size: 300mm x 300mm for concrete sections of considerable the domes and over the Iznik tiles. architectural concepts were devel- depth, with beams up to 2,5 m deep, are There are three public entrances to the oped by Moroccan artisans on site into a common feature of the structure. The Mosque and one exclusive to VIP guests. a mould to actual scale, afterwards

3 NATURE ARCHITECTURE 3 NATURE main ring beam supporting the central The main entrance reveals text from the used as a mould for fabrication and dome is 5 m deep and its cross sectional Holy Koran, as well as designs carved mass production of the domes. area amounts to 18 square metres. into the white marble of the arches lead- The area around the Mosque is to Eighty-two domes and four minarets ing to the Sahan (outdoor prayer area). be landscaped with water features, compose the Mosque; the mina- For all external and internal areas, like several pools so reflecting the rets are 115 m tall and the top of the the cladding and the flooring have arcades in water, and parks. 00 high main dome, the central one, is been covered by marble. The white 85 m, making it the biggest dome in marble, used for the outside, is the

34 [anthology] 35 52 [focus] 53

Compasses 2008 0.indb 34 16-05-2008 21:06:13 Compasses 2008 0.indb 35 16-05-2008 21:06:20

compasses COP numero 3.indd 1 5-11-2008 18:16:29 The birth of the magazine the result of a higher poetic intensity Francesca Maderna who, together with pursue an impossible competition with The first two issues of Compasses, scientific committee from the very evolution of its structure and content. issue (“sky architecture” in the first, In 2008 a new architecture and for human living with respect to the Marco Ferretti, is currently at the base online architecture magazines. Indeed, at the time directed by Cherubino beginning, immediately acknowledging The first two issues, published under “morphing” in the second) except for design magazine came out on the biological equilibrium of the planet. of Compasses’ project. Maderna and not only in the quarterly periodicity Gambardella and Lorenzo Capobianco it as an editorial project of quality the direction of Cherubino Gambardella the “focus” which analyses the work publishing scene. It was Compasses, Metropolis, landscape and ecology Ferretti are indeed the fil rouge of the Compasses differs from a newspaper, as deputy director, have set the identity and content. Over the years other are built around the main “project” of a single architect (Koolhaas in the which, starting from the Middle East, were the keywords of the editors magazine, guiding it over this decade, the daily updates on “what’s new” have of the magazine, delineating the path well-known masters and promising section, preceded by the editorial and Emirates in the first, Jean Nouvel in devoted itself to «search for quality presentation of the magazine in the first expanding it through the years and been left to other sources of information upon which the following directors, designers as well as prestigious made of project from all around the the second one). The articles of these differences, specificity in individual issue. Ten years away from that issue it innovating it in the new series, though while Compasses has devoted itself Luigi Prestinenza Puglisi (and Anna scholars have joined Compasses’ team, globe - from Beijing to Madrid, to New first issues demonstrate attention to approaches» in architecture. What is clear that Compasses has remained keeping it coherent. to the world of architecture in a more Baldini as deputy director) and Andrea which from the third issue presented in York - by architecture firms as Steven architectural and urban scale works, the publishers of the new magazine true to these pillars, though enriching In Compasses the past and the future profound way, selecting designs for Pane, would operate, each in their own its colophon to the readers the map of Holl, Boeri studio and Tadao Ando addressed in short articles that wanted from their creature was to draw its own themes over time by widening have always been the faces of a same their meaning, both present and way. its correspondents, demonstrating the as well as Asymptote and Italo Rota. present the designs to the reader by a portrait in movement that focused its gaze on the world of architecture medal, for there is no innovation without future. In the past ten years historic Compasses scientific committee mirrors global network behind the magazine, a This section, which features buildings, accompanying the text with sketches, on a polysemy eclecticism, a portrait by also focusing on the small scale of knowledge and respect of the past and architectures, recent realisations and the transnational quality of the designs network that still goes from North and schools, museums and urban projects, renderings, plans, section and based on rigorous choices in search for interior design and furniture design. there is no life without a tension for renders of futuristic designs have all featured on the magazine. Universally South America, to Europe, to Africa, is punctuated by the “anthology”, photographs of the completed work as newly awaited architectural beauties. The credit of this result goes to the the future. For this reason Compasses found a place on Compasses’ pages, recognised masters of architecture Asia and Australia. “theory”, “focus” and “rewind project” well as from the construction site, this As stated in the first issue, the beauty publishers of the magazine which has withheld from the chronicle of coexisting without effort because of such as David Chipperfield and Peter Taking a closer look at Compasses’ sections, each consisting of a single way providing the reader the knowledge of the designs was to be intended as in 2010, with issue n. 9, welcomed present architecture, not wishing to their inner coherence. Eisemann have joined Compasses’ issues it is possible to delineate an article coherent with the theme of the of the multiple faces of an architecture

26 [essays] 27 ﺧﺒﺮات [experiences]

2009 2009 8 008 ECOLOGIES

٢٠٠٩ signature towers

Zaha Hadid Architects Zaha Hadid’s design for the Signature Towers con- frms the role of Business Bay Development at the Work very forefront of Dubai’s rapidly changing future. Mixed-Use Development Competition Offices, Hotel, Residential, Retail, Bridge, The three towers rise above the creek and project Waterfront Park and Promenade themselves as an icon for the surrounding developments and for the gulf region. The tower’s striking Author Zaha Hadid Architects design creates a new presence that punctures the 2008 skyline with a powerful recognizable silhouette. The 2009 CONTEMPORARY Year fuid character of the towers is generated through an 2006-tbc intrinsically dynamic composition of volumes. The Location towers are inter-twined to share programmatic ele- 004 Dubai, UAE ments and rotate to maximize the views from the site SIGN OF DESIGN towards the creek and neighbouring developments. 007 Client ELEGANCE Dubai Properties, Dubai, United Arab Emirates The design quality of the towers to act as a symbol and icon extends beyond their scale and location. These Project Architect qualities are derived from the boldness of the archi- Chris Lepine tectural concept, from the ‘choreographed’ movement Project Director that combines the three towers in one overall gesture Lars Teichmann and ‘weaves’ with a series of public spaces through Project Team the podium, the bridges and the landscape beyond. Chris Lepine, Stephan Wurster, Eren iraci, Alessio Costantino, David Campos, Hoda Nobakhti ,Chryssanthi Perpatidou, Context Bowornwan May Noradee, Nahed Jawad, Hussam Chakouf, There will, in the future, be a silhouette of towers, Bassam Al Shiekh, Daniel Norell, Tomas Rabl, Don Burusphat Chiara Ferrari, Erhan Patat, Inanc Eray, Ceyhun Baskin, Jose whose pinnacles will represent the hearts of the new Lemos, Josias Hamid, Arianna Russo, Carlos S. Martinez, districts within the greater metropolitan area of Dubai. Judith Wahle, Vincenzo Cocomero and Agata Kurzela On the ground, the Business Bay development site Project architect [competition] will become stitched into the proposed extended road Tiago Correia and infrastructure network of the enlarged metropolitan area. The new pedestrian routes and roads Design team [competition] Ana Cajiao, Saleem Abdel-Jalil, Sophie Le Bienvenu, Hooman passing under and around the Towers’development Talebi ,Mathias Reisigl, Diego Rosales,Tyen Masten, Daewha will extend across the creek, bringing people di- Kang, Renos Constantino, Graham Modlen and Tiago Correia rectly from Sheikh Zayed Road via a grid of major and minor thoroughfares and boulevards. Size and total area: 350,000 m2 above ground and 300,000 m2 below ground Connectivity and Public Space Storeys The site is composed by 4 different parts: (A) central 75; 65; 51. Max height: 357 m circular plot, (B) an elongated park plot, (C) the surface Image credits of the creek on axis of plot A and (D) a rectangular Courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects plot across the creek at the west margin. Connectivity

between these parts becomes therefore central to Euro. 15 IT 50 QARSAR, Oman 5 OMR, Qatar 4 KWD, Kuwait 50 SAR, KSA 5 BHD, Bahrain AED, 50 UAE Price: Emirates Arab - United Dubai the project; in order to produce an articulated design that encompasses both the scale and the different qualities of each of the parts, transforming them into a coherent scheme. The circular shape of the plot and attached vehicular circulation layout creates a barrier of vehicular traffic around the site, generating an island that detaches the plot from the waterfront promenade. By incorporating the design of two new

20 [experiences] 21

2009 006 VALUE OF DIFFERENCE 2010 ICONS 010 AND NATURE Dubai - United Arab Emirates Price: UAE 50 AED, Bahrain 5 BHD, KSA 50 SAR, Kuwait 4 KWD, Oman 5 OMR, Qatar 50 QARSAR, IT 15 Euro. 15 IT 50 QARSAR, Oman 5 OMR, Qatar 4 KWD, Kuwait 50 SAR, KSA 5 BHD, Bahrain AED, 50 UAE Price: Emirates Arab - United Dubai Dubai - United Arab Emirates Price: UAE 50 AED, Bahrain 5 BHD, KSA 50 SAR, Kuwait 4 KWD, Oman 5 OMR, Qatar 50 QARSAR. Oman 5 OMR, Qatar 4 KWD, Kuwait 50 SAR, KSA 5 BHD, Bahrain AED, 50 UAE Price: Emirates Arab - United Dubai

2009 FLUID 2010 2010 MAKING 005 ENERGY 9 009 CITIES

٢٠١٠ Dubai - United Arab Emirates Price: UAE 50 AED, Bahrain 5 BHD, KSA 50 SAR, Kuwait 4 KWD, Oman 5 OMR, Qatar 50 QARSAR, IT 15 Euro. 15 IT 50 QARSAR, Oman 5 OMR, Qatar 4 KWD, Kuwait 50 SAR, KSA 5 BHD, Bahrain AED, 50 UAE Price: Emirates Arab - United Dubai Registered in Dubai Media City. Media City. in Dubai Registered Euro. 15 IT 50 QARSAR, Oman 5 OMR, Qatar 4 KWD, Kuwait 50 SAR, KSA 5 BHD, Bahrain AED, 50 UAE Price: Emirates Arab - United Dubai Registered in Dubai Media City. Media City. in Dubai Registered Euro. 15 IT 50 QARSAR, Oman 5 OMR, Qatar 4 KWD, Kuwait 50 SAR, KSA 5 BHD, Bahrain AED, 50 UAE Price: Emirates Arab - United Dubai Dubai - United Arab Emirates Price: UAE 50 AED, Bahrain 5 BHD, KSA 50 SAR, Kuwait 4 KWD, Oman 5 OMR, Qatar 50 QARSAR. Oman 5 OMR, Qatar 4 KWD, Kuwait 50 SAR, KSA 5 BHD, Bahrain AED, 50 UAE Price: Emirates Arab - United Dubai

and of the long process they require, scale projects such as the Lagoons of first two issues revolved around the main feature it’s not its novelty, but its simple and natural habitats (issues “making cities” and “new plasticity” somehow suggested new trends and promoted geographical areas, where from the design to the realisation. Dubai with the Blobwall installation by main and wide “project” section, from «cultural, social and religious impact, n. 6 and 10). While Gambardella (issues n. 5, 7, 9 and 13). high-quality design, thus improving contemporary architectural design Other sections of the magazine Greg Lynn. the third issue onward “experiences”, independent of the innovative strength addressed prevailing themes such as life and hopefully leading out of the is certainly absorbed but returned in present in the first two issues were “architecture” and “interiors” would of [its] formal elaboration». “sky architectures” and “morphing”, Changing worlds: towards a spreading economic crisis. Another reinterpreted ways, usually deeply “Books” and “Web selection”, both on Widening the gaze: all have their own space, a space Finally, Prestinenza Puglisi introduced inaugurating the long collaboration transitional phase possible answer to that query would bound to local traditions. Moreover, this the topic of the issue, and “dedicated the second series dedicated to multiple articles by the “ideas” section which contains between Zaha Hadid architects firm As time passed by and several issues have been given by the 16th issue as very last aspect was also argued within to compasses”, which featured However, the structure of the magazine architects and scholars on the works of articles about the ideas and issues and Compasses, in his many issues were published, Compasses gained well entitled “New stars”; far from being the following issue, the 18th having unpublished drawings and sketches underwent some changes with established and promising designers at the base of architectural projects, Prestinenza Puglisi covered green a major role within the international an archi-star-addicted magazine, it was as main topic “Situation specific”: in by famous architects interviewed by the passing of the torch between and architectural firms. Only the therefore giving space to more themes such as “nature architecture”, magazine scene. With its 15th issue, the directors’ choice to put emerging Compasses that is considered as Compasses: Massimiliano Fuksas and Cherubino Gambardella and Luigi “focus” was still differing from these historical reflection and theoretical “ecologies” and “design for the future” devoted to the “Design for the future”, architects under the spotlight in order an unavoidable requisite for good Franco Purini. The design aspects of Prestinenza Puglisi who, while still multifaceted sections, placed in the research within the magazine. (issues n. 3, 8 and 15), as well as Prestinenza and Baldini’s aim was that to seize new architectural orientations. architecture which is requested not only architecture earned their space on the maintaining the iconic magazine middle of the issue, as in the first The themes covered by Compasses aesthetic ones such as “contemporary of questioning on where architecture The same approach was followed in to build a relationship with the site’s magazine very early, starting from the layout, divided the index in the sections numbers, clearly standing out at first in these past ten years are many, elegance”, “archiscape” and “colours” was heading for. However no the 17th issue “Emerging countries”, history and environment, but also to second issue which made “interiors & still present: “experiences”, devoted sight thanks to the contrast of its black ranging from the value of difference (issues n. 4, 11 and 12) and themes mainstream replies were provided. A where rather than concentrating on respond in detail and with creativity design” follow the also brand new “real to middle east architectures, “focus”, pages, and this time devoted to a single in the global society to the demand more focused on designing processes plausible response was given by the single designers, they depicted a to the uses to which it is devoted. estate” section, this way combining big “architecture” and “interiors”. While the architecture, an architecture whose of both contemporary icons and such as “fluid energy”, “sign of design”, published projects themselves, which general overview on less known and The selected projects definitely

28 [essays] 29 COLOURS

NEW STARS DESIGN FOR THE FUTURE

2010 011 ARCHISCAPE Interiors: Nendo Unexpected point of view Ma Yansong Mario Cucinella Architects Oppenheim A + D Snøhetta J. Mayer H.

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34 [experiences] 35 9 demonstrate how that combination of been moulded in the awareness opposite direction to that of which it the issue, the interface becomes in light, to which the 22nd Compasses sought to give it a new life. As a together with the social media life in the international scenario. The elements may produce a gorgeous that creativity generates creativity, is accused. After all, this Compasses a metaphor of the vain desire of is addressed. Passing from daylight phoenix arising from its ashes, system and international newsletter, most meaningful innovation has effect both of interest and amazement inspiration, thoughtfulness and that’s era ruled by Prestinenza and Baldini appearing, rather than being, affecting to “Artificial light”, the director wanted Compasses came back even stronger always keeping Compasses followers been the introduction of the “essays”. in the final users. Nonetheless the exactly what a culture building is meant surely represented an attempt to try architecture other than people. But to show how spaces are transformed taking on a totally new guise. Being up-to-date on worldwide design and In fact throughout all its history, 19th issue hosting “Culture buildings”, to do, as the chosen projects show. to grasp contemporary architecture what does a building’s surface say and atmospheres changed as the no longer just a simple magazine, events. every Compasses issue has always started from the very same premises. Speaking of ethics, the very last issue trends, also considering those coming about it? That’s a certainly interesting sequence of projects presented in its brand new editorial team created Nevertheless, the magazine has been dedicated to a single, very These kinds of works were taken into directed by Prestinenza and Baldini, from the least known architects and quest when referring to skyscrapers, both lighting situations. a wide architecture and interior been renewed as well by its new well selected topic which was then account by Prestinenza and Baldini that is the 20th, dealt with “Respect”: geographical areas, thus offering a sort as Raja did. These architectures in design international network named scientific director Andrea Pane. developed across the “focus” and the who believed that they represented if contemporary architecture is put on of guideline for good design through fact tend to homogenise in stressing From the third series Compassesworld in which the journal This Professor of architectural “experiences” sections, set as to give a certainly interesting sample as trial for its designers’ responsibility their issues. verticality. That of course unless their to future challenges is the driving element, yet not the only conservation at the University of a look to the present day and future they usually constitute an exclusive for the destruction of environments Soon after that, Rafi Raja opened a “skins” are capable of conveying more After a two years long time break, means of communication; together Naples Federico II took the reins of panorama. A somehow historical selection to analyse being both their and local identities, then the defence sort of transition stage for Compasses expressive meanings to them, as in the Compasses was finally restarted in with the main magazine, there are the the magazine conferring to it a new glance at the topic was missing, so clients and designers sensitive to the provided by the directors is that one presenting the 21st issue entitled case of the towers presented not by 2016 with its 23rd issue, the first of its C-plusses booklets, which are special structure and approach. Tring to push that was what the essays section educational role that shapes, colours single word titling the issue. All the “Interface”. That is a building’s façade, chance in the issue. Another strongly new era. Still believing in this editorial magazines delivered at international on its scientific contribution rather would have covered: its purpose is and atmospheres actually have on published projects demonstrate how which in fact is that element separating characterizing feature in architecture, project, its publishers Marco Ferretti events and therefore devoted to one than only on its leisure one, Pane that of offering to the readers a critical their users. Compasses has always good architecture totally goes in the indoor from outdoor spaces. In apart from façades, surely is identified and Francesca Maderna persistently specific topic; the new, stylish website reinvented a new role for Compasses framework of the issue’s main focus,

30 [essays] 31 SITUATION SPECIFIC Experiences: The conversion of the Masrah Al Qasba Theatre in Sharjah Büro Ole Scheeren DAP Studio Doriana and Massimiliano Fuksas Farshid Moussavi Architecture Kengo Kuma & associates Magma Architecture Rex Searle x Waldron Architecture SAILING Steven Holl FROM MILAN TO DUBAI Focus: 3 pavilions at EXPO Milano 2015 Kuwait, Brazil and Spain

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INTERFACE Architecture: Telus Sky Tower BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group Alberto Campo Baeza Gnosis Architettura BACK TO THE FUTURE PRAS and M.A.M. Rossi + AiKu OMA Silvio d’Ascia Architecte Zaha Hadid Architects Altromodo Architects 024 | Dubai - United Arab Emirates Price: UAE 50 AED, Bahrain 5 BHD, KSA 50 SAR, Kuwait 4 KWD, Oman 5 OMR, Qatar 50 QARSAR, IT 15 Euro. 15 IT 50 QARSAR, Oman 5 OMR, Qatar 4 KWD, Kuwait 50 SAR, KSA 5 BHD, Bahrain AED, 50 UAE Price: Emirates Arab - United 024 | Dubai | Dubai - United Arab Emirates Price: UAE 50 AED, Bahrain 5 BHD, KSA 50 SAR, Kuwait 4 KWD, Oman 5 OMR, Qatar 50 QARSAR, IT 15 Euro. 15 IT 50 QARSAR, Oman 5 OMR, Qatar 4 KWD, Kuwait 50 SAR, KSA 5 BHD, Bahrain AED, 50 UAE Price: Emirates Arab - United | Dubai 025 Focus: museums awakening, from UAE to the world Saadiyat Island, Nantes, São Paulo

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25 Renata Picone Nicolas Robert

National Media Authority Approval of 2012/8/30 MUSEUMS ٢٥ ۲١

es written by specific field experts. Now the Compasses team over the past it the collection of artworks exhibited explain the terms of this evolution ago, its leading aspiration to spread a simple, commercial magazine, but [essays] 4 1 George Cruikshank, All the world going to see the Great Exhibition: 1851. 2 Pablo Picasso, Guernica, 1937, displayed in the Pavilion of the Spanish Republic at the Great Exhibition in Paris in 1937. 3 Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, German Pavilion at the Great Exhibition in Barcelona in 1929. 4 The Crystal Palace for the Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations in London. (from Dickinson's Comprehensive Pictures of the Great Exhibition, 1852). 5 Sketches by Joseph Paxton for the Crystal Palace with the telegram of the acceptance of the proposal. 6 Interiors of the Crystal Palace without the exhibition stands. 7 The Crystal Palace for the Exhibition of the Industry of all Nations in New York, 1853. Compasses can project to the future thirteen issues, always succeeds in in it or does it have to do with its and its final outcome. Finally comes all over the world the amazing and rather a platform where opposite 8 Interiors of the Crystal Palace during the exhibition. 9 The Crystal Palace in New York on fire. th All the world to see with a mayor awareness of the past. creating new captivating layouts. artistic will which fills its shapes the 26 issue “CONNECTIONS. innovative changes which were and “worlds” meet in time and space, the great exhibition rd Universal Exhibitions and the adventures of modern architecture Its new look perfectly resembles the So starting from the 23 issue and essence? Thus the selected Joining lands and people” where still are happening in the heart of always trying to keep its readers 1851, London: Crowds of people from 1 imposing the adoption of advanced 5 6 through solutions of dimensional around the world gather for the Great technologies. quantity and structural reliability, with Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all The third factor consisted of the notable functionality of spaces and pathways, Nations, organized by England’s Prince economic resources disposed for the yet still achieve speed of execution, all in Albert. The capital of the British Empire works, with the explicit objectives of the service of public representation. novelties introduced in its contents. “EXPO. Sailing from Milan to Dubai”, projects suggest an answer to these the infrastructures, such as bridges the Middle East at an always higher minds open. Hopefully in the future achieves unprecedented global capturing the attention and wonder of In terms of structural and mechanical recognition, not for the stylized profiles the visitors. technologies, the Crystal Palace was a of its traditional landmarks, but for the Thus it is possible to trace a history of highly advanced device. More than being forms of the gigantic Crystal Palace the exhibitions through their “built”, it was assembled and gently Uncoated paper is used for the a bridge between Europe and the questions. “MUSEUMS. Back to the and train stations, become much rate, is still fully respected and new challenges will be undertaken, erected for the occasion (fig.1). Among architecture, and indeed to recount a placed on the Hyde Park green, for countless other publications exploiting history of contemporary architecture future dismantling and then the event, George Cruikshank illustrated (amongst its many possible narrations) reassembling. The approach the clamor in a children’s storybook1. solely through the structures of the accomplished an organic integration of th With biting irony, the artist immediately exhibitions: including works that were structure, form and space, at levels “essays” lending a quite vintage MENA countries, between past and future” is the 25 issue dealing with more than means for transportation perhaps strengthened. In fact, as time as that bringing Compasses beyond seized on the relation between the often decisive in the fascinating previously unseen: the only language “Great Event” and “modern architecture”, adventure of the architecture of our that could manifest the positivist vaunted as the great attractor of the times. Indeed, among many remarkable attitudes of the 19th century towards the masses. products of the exhibitions, there are global future. Further, the Crystal The universal exhibitions that have 2 3 7 8 world and at the command of the highest Palace redefined the relations between aspect to it, rekindled by numerous, future was finally reconstructed, those particular architectures having as they end up being places where has gone by, even more attention specific geographical boundaries, to punctuated the contemporary era have decisional levels of the world’s greatest interior and exterior in the unheard in fact been events of exceptional economic and technological power – the terms of an osmotic rapport, altering significance, going much beyond their building demonstrated that the the role and meaning of the structural service as special occasions of architecture of steel and glass could, shell, while asserting the premise of meeting, engagement and exchange with great success, express a previously unknown spatiality: free, small images while in the other taking advantage of the expedient as a common trait that of guiding civilizations and cultures meet and has been given to other emerging new, broad destinations, starting from between different nations and cultures2. monumentality commensurate with the homogenous and fluid; both undefined The trend towards competition between status of the initiative; that a vast public and “infinite”, given characteristics and the nations and the natural tendency on could accept such architecture, with dimensions from within which it was the part of the host country to treat the enthusiasm; that it could resolve the almost impossible to perceive the limits events as showcases of technical and problem of quality in form and language, (fig.6, 9). sections much more space is given of the EXPO event. Then followed people through time, letting them thus connect. countries too, enlarging the overview Europe and going even farther. scientific achievements within their industrial systems, has almost always 9 risen to flank the virtuous aspirations of The role of architecture in such events promotion and assertion. In this, the the two supreme icons of 20th century flanked by new notions of space – one of the most courageous architectural transnational sharing – a coexistence of has been of paramount importance. planners gained ever greater advantage art and architecture, created expressly against the official eclectic and creations of the past two centuries: the th many ambiguities and contradictions. Indeed it was to the architects – and and margins of maneuver from three for such events: Picasso’s Guernica historicist architecture of the period, that Crystal Palace (fig.9), designed by to the descriptive part of the projects. the 24 issue devoted to “INSIDE. become aware of the past, that is Even though Compasses has gone extent beyond the MENAs (Middle However this very juxtaposition has engineers – that the sponsoring nations key factors.The first was the fact that (1937) and the German Pavilion by of the great commissions for public Joseph Paxton (fig.5), builder of the royal made the Expositions a turning point in turned for the rational and functional the international exhibitions raised the Mies van der Rohe (1929) (fig.2, 3). presentation of the 19th century city. In greenhouses, in conjunction with William the modern history of Western culture, organization of the exposition spaces. challenge of a largely new type of The current article traces only the a second phase, in the early 20th Cubitt, structural engineer, and Charles contributing to the construction and These same professions were also planning, with imposing functional and essentials of the intertwining histories century, the sphere of conflict seems to Fox of Fox, Henderson and Co., consolidation of the identity of a expected to assert the image of the distributional questions. Official of modern and “exposition” architecture, shift to the Modern itself, with the specialists in bridges and railways5. Yet the common trait of the magazine The Art[ist] House”. Through history to say museums. But how have they through several different changes over East North Africa), capturing all those Although the present paper is the civilization that is ever more – and ever main actors of these presentations – the architecture, drawing on the confirmed pausing to examine certain episodes Expositions becoming the stage of This enormous transparent container – more perceived as – not only as leadership of the organizing countries, models of the traditional repertory, was that can be considered exemplary, and conflicts between multiple currents, built entirely in modular format and industrialized, and of mass level, but and of all the others that participated – soon revealed as unable readily taking the Paris Exposition of 1937 as sharing the common will to permanently assembled in only 39 weeks by 2260 also globalized. Thus from a in their desire to achieve self-reference3. respond to such questions, as terminus. The nine decades that defeat 19th century traditions but each workers – would be the main factor in historiographic point of view, entering At the same time the most advanced demonstrated by the 245 projects separate the Paris event from the Great one determined to affirm its own idea of the public and media success of the always is its minimal and elegant and across modernity, a question is adjusted to our consumer society time, from its editorial team members, sites in which planning and design outcome of a collective work between the for a moment into the thorny question of practitioners, in both technological and presented by architects from around the Exhibition of London cover an arc of modernity. Exposition. For Paxton, Fox and the periodization, it could appear formal aspects, have considered these world for the 1851 Exposition, none of complex and tormented issues, particular culture that we would now reasonable to choose 1851, the year of events as important opportunities to which was considered suitable. The however it seems at least possible to Crystal palaces term engineered architecture, it was the the Great Exhibition of London, as the preview a better architecture, a better second key factor concerned the sizes identify two phases. The first clearly The start of this great story is obviously proud affirmation of a radical conception. starting point of the Contemporary Era urban form and life for all, as well as to of the buildings, particularly given the features the entry into conflict of a new 1st May 1851, when the Great In the most important context that one graphic design. Within its fix grid, the instilled into the readers: what makes and how do these changes affect to its Scientific Directors, to its format have been opening to new trends. two authors, par. 1 and 2 are written by of Western culture. present themselves in deliberate self- often very limited times for execution, architecture, that of steel and glass – Exhibition4 opened in London, and with it could imagine – in view of the entire Art Director Ferdinando Polverino a house artistic? Is it the consumer their inner distribution and general and so on, it has never really changed In its tenth anniversary, Compasses Giovanna Russo Krauss and par. 4 and 5 26 [essays] 27 de Laureto, having taken part to for whom the home is thought for, is concept? A wide range of projects its core idea. Today, just as 10 years definitely confirms its nature: not just are written by Damiana Treccozzi.

32 [essays] 33