Architecture

Dubai's striking O-14 development has solid solar credentials

Dubai's striking O-14 development has solid solar credentials
Dubai's innovative O-14 office tower has a perforated concrete shell which acts as its structure and facade: over 1,000 holes in the shell provide light, shade, air and views and assist passive solar technology
Dubai's innovative O-14 office tower has a perforated concrete shell which acts as its structure and facade: over 1,000 holes in the shell provide light, shade, air and views and assist passive solar technology
View 18 Images
The O-14 is scheduled for completion in Spring 2010
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The O-14 is scheduled for completion in Spring 2010
O-14 office tower
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O-14 office tower
Dubai's innovative O-14 office tower has a perforated concrete shell which acts as its structure and facade: over 1,000 holes in the shell provide light, shade, air and views and assist passive solar technology
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Dubai's innovative O-14 office tower has a perforated concrete shell which acts as its structure and facade: over 1,000 holes in the shell provide light, shade, air and views and assist passive solar technology
O-14 office tower by RUR Architecture of New York and the Creek Side Development Company of Dubai
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O-14 office tower by RUR Architecture of New York and the Creek Side Development Company of Dubai
Dubai's innovative O-14 office tower has a perforated concrete shell which acts as its structure and facade: over 1,000 holes in the shell provide light, shade, air and views and assist passive solar technology
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Dubai's innovative O-14 office tower has a perforated concrete shell which acts as its structure and facade: over 1,000 holes in the shell provide light, shade, air and views and assist passive solar technology
Dubai's innovative O-14 office tower
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Dubai's innovative O-14 office tower
O-14 office tower
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O-14 office tower
The O-14 was created using high-strength, self-consolidating concrete cast around steel mesh reinforcement
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The O-14 was created using high-strength, self-consolidating concrete cast around steel mesh reinforcement
The O-14 was created using high-strength, self-consolidating concrete cast around steel mesh reinforcement. The holes are achieved by introducing computer numerically cut polystyrene void forms into the mesh rebar matrix
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The O-14 was created using high-strength, self-consolidating concrete cast around steel mesh reinforcement. The holes are achieved by introducing computer numerically cut polystyrene void forms into the mesh rebar matrix
The concrete shell of Dubai's innovative O-14 office tower provides an efficient structure that frees the core from the burden of lateral forces and creates highly efficient, column-free open spaces in the buildings interior
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The concrete shell of Dubai's innovative O-14 office tower provides an efficient structure that frees the core from the burden of lateral forces and creates highly efficient, column-free open spaces in the buildings interior
The concrete shell of Dubai's innovative O-14 office tower provides an efficient structure that frees the core from the burden of lateral forces and creates highly efficient, column-free open spaces in the buildings interior
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The concrete shell of Dubai's innovative O-14 office tower provides an efficient structure that frees the core from the burden of lateral forces and creates highly efficient, column-free open spaces in the buildings interior
The concrete shell of Dubai's innovative O-14 office tower
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The concrete shell of Dubai's innovative O-14 office tower
The concrete shell of Dubai's innovative O-14 office tower provides an efficient structure that frees the core from the burden of lateral forces and creates highly efficient, column-free open spaces in the buildings interior
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The concrete shell of Dubai's innovative O-14 office tower provides an efficient structure that frees the core from the burden of lateral forces and creates highly efficient, column-free open spaces in the buildings interior
O-14 office tower
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O-14 office tower
O-14 office tower
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O-14 office tower
Dubai's innovative O-14 office tower has a perforated concrete shell which acts as its structure and facade: over 1,000 holes in the shell provide light, shade, air and views and assist passive solar technology
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Dubai's innovative O-14 office tower has a perforated concrete shell which acts as its structure and facade: over 1,000 holes in the shell provide light, shade, air and views and assist passive solar technology
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View gallery - 18 images

Dubai can lay claim to some of the world’s most outlandish buildings with more on the way, and many are also at the forefront of innovation in eco- and- environmentally friendly design. Joining their ranks is the 0-14 (‘oh-14’), a 22 storey, 300,000 square-foot commercial building perched on a two-storey podium in Dubai’s Business Bay. It's defining feature - a lace-like concrete exoskeleton peppered with more than 1,000 holes - provides both the building’s structure and its facade, delivering shade, light and air, plus stunning views of the Bay and skyline.

The O-14 was created using high-strength, self-consolidating concrete cast around steel mesh reinforcement. The holes are achieved by introducing computer numerically cut polystyrene void forms into the reinforced steel mesh matrix. The holes, are modulated according to structural requirements, views, sun exposure and luminosity.

According to creators RUR Architecture of New York and the Creek Side Development Company of Dubai, the concrete shell provides an efficient structure that frees the core from the burden of lateral forces and creates highly efficient, column-free open spaces in the buildings interior.

The lack of conventional columns and walls also allows maximum flexibility in the 21 stories of custom-designed office spaces and an open public space has been created at the base of the tower for some welcome relief from the harsh Dubai sun.

Between the shell and the glazing is an almost one meter deep space which acts as a ‘chimney’, allowing hot air to rise and effectively cooling the surface of the window wall behind the shell. This passive solar technique reduces energy consumption by 30 per cent.

Upmarket shopping will link the O-14 to the Waterfront Esplanade at promenade level and the four levels of parking for over 400 cars is below ground.

The project has generated international interest because its innovative design stands out among the generic office towers built in Dubai’s current building boom, but with everything from rotating skyscrapers to seawater vertical farmson the agenda, O-14 will certainly face some stiff competition on that front.

The O-14 is scheduled for completion in Spring 2010.

Via RUR Architecture via arcspace.com

View gallery - 18 images
1 comment
1 comment
gormanwvzb
This sounds like a great project. In the emirate of Abu Dhabi, they are building a green "city" called Masdar. It will house about 40,000 people and 50,000 daily commuters. The 10MW photovoltaic power plant is now online. I read about at http://cleanerairforcities.blogspot.com/2009/06/masdar-green-city-for-abu-dhabi.html Let's hope that the UAE as a whole will continue its foray into "green" building!
Eds note: you can also read about Masdar on gizmag: http://www.gizmag.com/go/8162/