|
Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) and Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC), the emirate's leading tourism asset developers, have broken ground on their new waterfront headquarters.
Being built adjacent to Maqta Bridge, the main gateway to Abu Dhabi, the headquarters was designed by Singapore's Surbana Consultants.
It is being positioned to secure the Gold Award based on the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (Leed) "green building" standard.
"When completed, this state of the art Class A office development will set the benchmark for architectural excellence and sustainable design in Abu Dhabi, and possibly the entire UAE," said Shaikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, chairman of ADTA and TDIC.
Win-win outcome
"We believe that urban developments should not come at the expense of care for the environment. Through the adoption of a modernistic, elegant and yet holistic approach towards design, we believe we will deliver a win-win outcome for both development and environmental needs."
Scheduled for completion in 2009, the nine-storey beachfront building, which will also contain a number of serviced offices for third party tenants along with three levels of underground car parking, will be built around a central courtyard.
The building was designed to benefit from several eco-friendly energy conservation features.
There is a Building Integrated Photovoltaic roof to harness solar energy to power some of the complex's operations, as well as ample green decks at the rooftop level of adjoining blocks to reduce heat transfer into the building.
Lush landscaping and water features will surround the building, which will also be complemented by a timber-decked jetty lounge, floating bridge and floating office.
The building will also house a number of cafes, restaurants and shops to allow for al fresco seafront dining and will be enhanced by a TDIC exhibition display area, a multi-purpose hall and auditorium and gymnasium.
|
