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Two projects by ZHA finalist for Architizer A+ Awards 2021

Two projects by ZHA has been selected finalists for the Architizer A+ Awards; Opus in Dubai in the ‘Hotels & Resorts’ category and Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah in the ‘Stadium & Arena’ category.

Now in its 9th year, the Architizer A+Awards is the largest global architecture awards program celebrating work from over 80 countries around the world.

Home to the new ME Dubai hotel, the Opus for Omniyat was designed as two separate towers that coalesce into a singular whole—taking the form of a cube. The cube has been ‘eroded’ in its centre, creating a free-form void that is an important volume of the design in its own right. The two halves of the building on either side of the void are linked by a four-storey atrium at ground level and also connected by an asymmetric bridge 71 metres above the ground. The cube’s double-glazed insulating facades incorporate a UV coating and a mirrored frit pattern to reduce solar gain, while the void is created from 4,300 individual units of flat, single-curved or double-curved glass. The high-efficiency glazing units are comprised of 8mm Low-E glass (coated on the inside), a 16mm cavity between the panes and 2 layers of 6mm clear glass with a 1.52mm PVB resin laminate. During the day, the cube’s facade reflects the sky, the sun and the surrounding city; whilst at night, the void is illuminated by a dynamic light installation of individually controllable LEDs within each glass panel. Furniture by Zaha Hadid Design is installed throughout the hotel, and the hotel’s bedrooms incorporate the ‘Vitae’ bathroom collection, designed by Hadid in 2015 for Porcelanosa, continuing her fluid architectural language throughout the hotel’s interiors.

The Al Janoub Stadium in Qatar was inaugurated in May 2019 by hosting the 2019 Amir Cup Final. The first new venue commissioned for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the stadium incorporates an operable roof to shade the field of play. Passive design principles along with detailed computer modelling and wind tunnel testing were employed to maximise the effectiveness of the enclosure for player and spectator comfort. Reflecting Al Wakrah’s maritime heritage, the stadium’s design incorporates local cultural references combined with practical responses to climate, context & functional requirements. Al Janoub’s 40,000 seating capacity for the World Cup will be reduced to 20,000 seats after 2022 - optimum capacity as home ground to the local Al Wakrah Sport Club professional team.

Architizer A+ invites the public to vote for their favourite projects through their Popular Choice portal. Voting is open until 25 June 2021.

Architizer A+ voting portal