The present conditions are the General Regulations that will govern the proceedings of the Architectural Design Idea Competition for the erection of a Tall Emblem Structure in Za’abeel Park in Dubai.
They complement the "Recommendations for International Architectural and Town Planning Competitions" – Unesco 1978 – and conform to the stipulations of the Dubai Municipality and have the approval of the Competition’s Jury and the International Union of Architects, under whose auspices the competition is being held.
These conditions were developed jointly with the Dubai Municipality Department of Planning.
Download Competition Brief and Conditions
Forward
This International Architecture Competition is called in order to select the Architect who will be entrusted with the architectural design idea of a Tall Emblem Structure to promote the new face of Dubai located in Za’abeel Park in the centre of the city, with views over the main transport artery Sheikh Zayed Road and surrounding skyscrapers as well as other relevant areas of the city. The winning proposal may be built subject to the approval and adoption of H.H. the Ruler of Dubai.
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The same structure should serve to promote tourism and other recreational, scientific and cultural activities.
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Its architectural conception must endeavour to create spaces suitable for achieving these aims under optimal ambient and functional conditions.
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It should have a unique state of the art design suited to Dubai’s socio-cultural reality and urban contexts.
Brief
Dubai City
Dubai is a leading regional commercial hub with a state-of-art infrastructure amid a world class business environment. With its strategic location and consistently strong economic outlook, Dubai is the ideal base for multinationals targeting markets in Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa, the Asian Subcontinent and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Dubai is one of the fastest developing cities in the world with one of the highest pace of construction activity. Renowned for its international sporting events, world-class shopping, sun-drenched beaches, luxury hotels and unique blend of traditional and modern architecture, Dubai is easily the hub of commerce and tourism in the Middle East. The city has an exotic flair that buzzes with activity day and night.
Today, Dubai is home to iconic projects such as The Palm islands, Burj Dubai (the worlds tallest building upon completion), and The Burj Al Arab (the worlds tallest and most luxurious hotel) to name a few. It is home to world class events such as the Dubai Desert Classic and the Dubai Open championship in addition to international conferences, meetings and concerts. Dubai is also the pioneer of the highly famed Dubai Shopping Festival. Its impressive and rapidly growing list of skyscrapers make its skyline one of the most impressive in the world.
Strategically located at the centre of the world, Dubai has become a leading business and travel hub, with 90 airlines providing direct flights to over 130 cities worldwide and its very own international airline, Emirates which flies to over 90 destinations worldwide in more than 50 countries.
Dubai, with an area of 3,885 square kilometres, is the second largest emirate in the UAE. Old Dubai is situated along the banks of the Dubai Creek, which divides the city into the Deira district to its north and Bur Dubai on its south, the city ranks as the UAE's most important port and commercial centre.
The people of the UAE are Arab, descended from the tribal confederations dominating the peninsula since before recorded history. Arabic is of course the official language but English is widely spoken and so are Urdu, Hindi, Malayalam and Tagalog from the Philippines. All these groups add to the diversity of the UAE's cosmopolitan society.
The population of Dubai is diverse and multicultural. This is evident from its demographics. According to the census conducted by the Statistics Center of Dubai, the population of the emirate was 1,422,000 as of 2006. 17% of the population of the emirate was made up of UAE nationals. Approximately 85% of the expatriate population (and 71% of the emirate's total population) was Asian, prdeominantly Indian (51%), Pakistani (16%), Bangladeshi (9%) and Filipino (3%). About 3% of the total population of Dubai was categorized as "Western".
Dubai Urban Transformation
The evolution of Dubai over the last 20 years is nothing less than phenomenal. What was once a small trading port is now teeming with highest rate of commercial activity and development in the entire region. Dubai now is a magnet for foreign investment and international business.
Modern Dubai is the product of the past 20 years of intensive development. Prior to that, Dubai was a small trading port, clustered around the mouth of the Creek.
The international trade which flowed from Dubai’s cosmopolitan contracts was the basis of rapidly increasing prosperity. This gave the city an early start in development before the beginning of oil production in the late 1960s.
The successful early development was due in large part to the foresight of Dubai's rulers. During the 20th century the city has benefited from the stabilizing influence of two exceptionally long rules: that of H. H. Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum from 1912 to 1958, followed by that of his son, H H Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed al-Maktoum. For many years prior to his father's death in 1958 Sheikh Rashid has played a leading role in directing the state. Since then he has guided Dubai in its expansion from a small, old-world town to a modern state with excellent communication, and industrial infrastructure, and all the comforts of contemporary life.
As of 1980 Sheikh Rashid played a background role due to ill health but his four sons have continued his policies in exactly the same mould. H.H. Sheik Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Prime Minister and present Ruler of Dubai has continued the legacy and envisioned Dubai to be one of the most developed cities in the world. The recent developments taking place in Dubai are testimony to his vision.
Dubai Climate
Generally Dubai Climate characterize by a long season (6-7 months) of hot and humid climate, and shorter season ( 4-5 months) of pleasant outdoor climate. This has significant impact on building design and managing the spatial organization of buildings, open spaces, and pedestrian environments.
Dubai situated between 22 and 26 degrees north,
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lies within a sub-region of the northern desert belt,
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characterized by scanty and erratic rainfall, high levels for temperature, and humidity,
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Winter and Summer sunshine reaches eight to eleven hours a day.
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Winds: Prevailing light to moderate north-westerly winds, known by their Arabic name shamal, meaning 'north', are associated with mid-latitude disturbances. Along the western coastal plain, sea breezes tend to dominate with light south-south-easterlies at night being replaced by moderate north-westerlies during daytime. This pattern changes on the east coast where the proximity of the mountains results in gusty and less predictable wind shifts. (Wind had its own characteristics and was known by a different name; thus, the main period of storms is Al-Barih al-owd, while the minor storm period is called Al-Barih al-sagheer. The first major Shamal occurring before summer is the Al-Haffar, or the driller since it drills huge depressions in the desert dunes. The second, arriving early June coincides with the dawn star, Thorayya (Pleiades) and is therefore named Barih Thorayya. Near the end of June, the last shamal arrives, known as the Al-Dabaran. It is a violent wind, continuing for several days).
Site
The side is located within the Za’abeel Park and covres approximately 2.00 hectares. It is relatively flat at altitude of approximately 3.00m Dubai Municipal Datum (DMD). The site location is adjacent to the perimeter of the Dubai International Airport Aviation Corridor.
Programme
Basic Concept:
Objectives
- To develop an iconic tall emblem structure that contributes to the new face of Dubai.
- To promote tourism; and other recreational, scientific and cultural activities.
Indicative development program
The competitors shall design a tall emblem structure and consider the following aspects:
- It shall be a tall and unique landmark. The maximum total height of the Structure shall not exceed 170m DMD. It should be noted that the Competition Site is located adjacent to the parameter of Dubai International Airport Aviation Corridor (map available showing indicative height constraints).
- The built form should provide a meaning and symbolizing the significant new face of Dubai and/or refer to its historical development.
- The Structure shall not include commercial offices and residential premises.
- The existing buildings (restaurant, public toilets, and services building) adjacent to the Competition Site must be preserved and incorporated in the vision of the proposal.
- The proposal must preserve, consider and incorporate the landscape elements adjacent to the Competition Site.
- The proposal shall contain up to 2 storey podium for cultural and conference facilities. The latter shall include local children library; and a conference space for a total of 100 persons that can be divided into 3 conference rooms where required. The total floor area for such facilities shall be approximately 800 sq.m. A basement parking for 30 car may be considered as well.
- The proposal shall contain a café (total floor area 150 sq.m) at higher appropriate altitude with additional viewing outdoor platforms as per the designer suggestion. The café can be on 2 levels.
- The design of the library and café shall be conceptual at this stage (shell and core- showing entrance, major circulation and spaces).
- The designer may consider any appropriate innovative forms, construction technique, and materials.
- The proposal shall be responsive to local climate condition and the green building principles where appropriate; townscape and scenic aspects; and wind-force and seismic aspects in the region (we shall provide more info about the wind and codes….etc).
The floor areas are indicative. It is our intention not to provide further details to the participants in order not to limit the design flair of the participants in the competition.
The following mapping and photos are available on the Competition website as well:
Related Structural Guidelines:
In accordance with the current Dubai Municipality document 'Building Regulations and Specifications' the following data shall be observed:
- Wind Load: according to British Standards: BS6399, Part 2, 1995; or CP3: Chapter V: Part 2, 1972. And the basic wind speed in the Emirate of Dubai is taken as 45m/s.
- Seismic Load: according to (UBC) Uniform Building Code – USA - Chapter 16: Division lll to V, 1997. Intensity factor for Zone (2A). Soil factor (Se) for coastal area; and (Sa to Sd) for rocky and mountain areas.
- At future detail design stages of the proposal, the Site shall be subject to geotechnical investigation.
Regulations
Type of Competition and Language
The Competition will be an International open, Ideas, Single Stage, Public, Anonymous, Preliminary Design Competition.
The official language of the Competition will be English. However, the webpage will be available in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese.
Competition Promoters
The Group promoting the competition is ThyssenKrupp Elevator, working in collaboration with the Dubai Municipality. The winning proposal may be built subject to the approval and adoption of H.H. the Ruler of Dubai.
Prizes
First:
$ 100,000 (one hundred thousand US dollars). The Dubai Municipality may commission the winner to carry out the final design where appropriate. (See section Post-Competition)
Second:
$ 50,000 dollars (fifty thousand US dollars).
Third Prizes:
There will be three third prizes each worth $20,000 (twenty thousand dollars).
All competitors who submitted acceptable projects will receive a diploma accrediting their participation.
Prize-winners will be subject to international tax regulations for the amounts of the award, to be handed over to the winners in Dubai.
Schedule
The following stages and deadlines will be attended to:
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Opening Registration period:
April 22nd, 2008
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Registration period closes:
31st August 2008
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Period for Questions:
September 1st-October 1st
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Answers to be provided by:
October 31st, 2008
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Last date postage of projects to secretariat:
January 31st, 2009
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Last date reception of projects at secretariat:
February 28th, 2009
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Announcement of results:
May 2009
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Competition exhibition:
May 2009
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Award Ceremony in Dubai:
May 2009
At the same time, a period of questions via the internal area of the web will also be opened up between the September 1st and October 1st. These questions and answers will be posted on the internal area of the web and considered an addendum to the competition programme.
The periods indicated cannot be reduced. If, through “force majeur”, the award had to be made a later date, the decision will be made public.
Questions are to be made in English.
Competitors
Any architect, or any team of architects, with completed degrees and authorized to practice in their respective countries and/or registered in any Association or Society thereof, may enter the competition.
The very fact of entering the competition implies that the participant knows and irrevocably accepts all the provisions of these competition conditions.
No person forming part of the Promoter Groups, Jury, Coordinators, their members, collaborators, colleagues or employees or close relatives may enter the competition, nor may they make any professional contact with any participants in the Competition phase.
Registration
Registration will be carried out on-line at a web developed specifically for the competition::
www.thyssenkrupp-elevator-architecture.com
Each participant will receive confirmation of registration via electronic mail.
Competitors will need to fill out a registration form on-line, attaching an image of their national identity document/passport and also documentary proof of their right to practice their profession in their country.
There is no registration fee.
In the case of a team entry, one member should be mandated to lead the group.
Submission of Entries
All projects will be presented in English. The metric system will be used. Color is permitted.
The projects will be presented using a maximum of 5 rigid A1 Panels, which will contain a brief descriptive memorandum and graphic documentation necessary for defining the proposal. The written description of the project is limited to 5 A4 pages.
A CD Rom containing all the drawings, plans and report will also be sent to the secretariat. The drawings and plans should be submitted as high-resolution pdf files (300 dpi). The description as a Word Document.
The sealed identification envelope should also be sent with the entry.
The Information should be sent to the Coordinating Office of the Award:
Rupak Manvatkar/Louisa Kellie
DUBAI OFFICE - Head Office
ThyssenKrupp Elevator (UAE) LLC
Al Sayegh (Al Durrah # 4) Building, Office 203,
Street No. 55, Al Garhoud,
P.O.Box 27278 - Dubai,
United Arab Emirates
Tel:(+971) 4 286 5277, Fax: (+971) 4 286 5489
Procedures for Guaranteeing Anonymity
Each architect or group of architects will only be allowed to present one proposal. This should be identified with a password which will have a maximum of 5 digits and will be chosen by the members of the team.
A sealed envelope identified with the password should also be included with the names of the team members and collaborators, DNI or passport, address and contact telephone numbers. The envelopes will be controlled and sealed by a Notary of Dubai, who will have received from the Award’s organising body a list of the accepted competitors so that, upon the awarding of the prizes, it will be possible to ensure that the winning teams have been correctly registered.
The identification code should be on all the documentation and CD Roms provided.
Lodgement of Submission
No preliminary design dispatched by the Post Office of Origin after 24.00 h on January 31st 2009 will be accepted. The relevant postmarks will certify this date.
Disqualifications
Any preliminary design will be excluded from the competition
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If it has been sent in outside the time limit.
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If it shows flagrant inaccuracies, incomprehensible aspects or basic contradictions.
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If it fails to comply with the programme as regards atmospheres, functions and capacities.
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If the competitor reveals his identity to the Promoter or Jury or attempts to influence the latter’s decision.
Only the Jury may disqualify an entry. All entries must be presented to the Jury and the reasons for possible exclusion contained in the report of the preliminary examination that will be presented to the Jury by the Professional and Technical advisor.
Technical Committee
The Technical Committee will be appointed by the promoter (the number of members of which will depend on the number of entries submitted) to assist in answering the competitors’ questions, check that the entries fulfil the mandatory requirements of the competition and make a short report on each to the jury. This report will be presented by the Professional and Technical Advisor.
The identification code of projects will be recorded by the Technical Committee and masked by a serial number which alone will be visible to the Jury.
The Technical Committee will take no part in the adjudication process nor may it eliminate any entry. It will simply point out to the jury any deviations from the programme or regulations.
The Technical Committee will be under the control of the Professional and Technical advisor.
Jury Operations
Jury
Honorary Chairman
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Municipality.
Vice - Honorary Chairman
H.E. Hussein Nasser Lootah
Director General of Dubai Municipality
Chairman
Javier del Pozo Portillo
Chairman of ThyssenKrupp Elevator Business Unit Southern Europe, Africa & Middle East
Members
Jaume Duró y Pifarre
Former Chairman, International Union of Architects
Rafael de la Hoz Castanys
Architect
Dalila ElKerdany
Architect
Nabil Gholam
Architect
Zaha Hadid
Architect
Imad Hassan
Architect
Josep Luis Mateo
Architect
Tarek Naga
Architect
Antonio Ortíz García
Architect
Alfonso Vegara
Architect
Cino Zucchi
Architect
Deputy Jury Members
Roxy Binno
Architect Dubai Municipality
UIA representative to be assigned
Secretary
Roxy Binno
Architect Dubai Municipality
Deputy members must be present at all sessions to replace a titular member should this be necessary.
Roxy Binno will also act as professional and technical advisor to oversee the smooth running of the competition.
At the opening session, jurors will also be asked to certify that they have no knowledge or been involved with an entry. Should a juror have knowledge of an entry, he/she should abstain from voting on that entry.
There will be a quorum with the presence of a majority of members.
All decisions will be adopted by a simple majority of votes.
In the event of a tie, the Chairman’s vote will decide.
The Jury’s decisions will be firm, irrevocable and unappealable.
No person alien to the Jury or Organization will have access to the Preliminary designs presented until the final decision has been given, except at the Jury’s request.
At the end of its deliberations and prior to opening the identification envelopes, the jury will sign its report that will include their motivation for their choice of winners.
Judging Criteria
The Preliminary Designs submitted to the Competition will be evaluated by the Jury in accordance with the following criteria and relative levels of importance:
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The visual and scenic character of the design and its integration in the townscape aspects and urban context.
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Efficiency and functionality of the design especially accessibility, safety, security, etc.
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Structural integrity of the proposed tall structure.
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Cost and implantation effectiveness.
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Any adverse environmental effects.
(This valuation will be made subjectively by each member of the Jury, to the best of his or her ability and knowledge, without having to substantiate it.)
For the better judging of the Preliminary Designs, the Jury is free to call upon the advice of experts.
The experts consulted must not have been advisors to any competitor.
Documentary proof of this circumstance, as well as their reports, must be provided.
Competition Results
The Competition cannot remain without a winner.
The jury is required to distribute all the money set aside for Prize.
Once the Final Decision has been given, the Notary, in the presence of the Promoter, Jury and Coordinators will open the envelopes with the names of the team members in order to reveal the identities of the authors of the Preliminary designs.
If any identification were to contain a false statement, the relevant entry will be declared ineligible. In this event, the Jury is empowered to make another award, keeping to the order established in the Final Decision.
Before dissolving, the Jury has to sign a certificate with the Final Decision covering the list of the Prizes, as well as the critique of each Prize-Winning design.
All the Jury’s decisions will be made public within 24 hours following the Final Certificate’s signing.
The Promoter undertakes to accept the Jury’s decision and pay all the Prizes at the Prize-giving ceremony, held following the Final Decision, in Dubai.
Prize-winners will be invited by the Promoter to attend the prize-giving ceremony in Dubai.
Competition results will be sent to the UIA. The results and the jury report will also be made available to all competitors.
Exhibition
All entries will be exhibited in physical or electronic form. The Exhibition will take place in Dubai during a period of at least two weeks. The dates and venue of the exhibition will be communicated to all the participants and the UIA.
Copyright
The copyright of the projects will belong to the authors of the same, although ThyssenKrupp Elevator reserves the right to use the projects for publication in the press, exhibitions, etc. Images of prize-winning entries will also be published by the UIA in their newsletter and website.
The author of the preliminary design placed first will keep his copyright and his work may only be used by the Dubai Municipality when he has signed the corresponding contract for drafting the corresponding design with the former.
No other preliminary design, whether Prize-Winning or not, may be partially or totally used without the author’s formal consent.
Post-Competition
Subject to the approval and adoption of H.H. the Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Municipality may engage the winner to prepare the final design and documentation of the winning proposal.
Download Competition Brief and Conditions