Ten years with Calatrava

Each year the entity CTBUH rewards to the best skyscraper in the world, and which it carries a decade proving its usefulness.

(Edición en Español)

Hi, I burn in wishes to arrive to the month of November, in particular, hope fervently to arrive to the day 12, do you know why? If you have thought in the 70th anniversary of the Nobel Prize of medicine Alexander Fleming, you have not success, and it is not that I do not respect or revere properly to the father of the penicillin, without which we would live in a world very different (and worse), that day I will enjoy something more inspiring and enjoyable: has come into my hands the invitation to the ceremony for the 14th awards of the CTBUH (Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat).

I love this ceremony for several reasons, first because it is a place where engage in high-level business, and, in the best of the cases, also are made great friendships, we must not lose sight that the meeting is organized by (nothing more and nothing less than) the Illinois Institute of technology. The second because the meeting with Mies Van der Rohe and his best work is always amazing: The Crown Hall, headquarters of the school of architecture of the Institute and headquarters, also, of the awards ceremony. The third (and no less important) because you receive a commemorative book of the event. The fourth (and last) because among the nominees each year, at the end of the event, will be selected the best tall building in the world (wow).

If you want to know more ... Touch here!

The treble of steel

The triple function of the steel in decoration can be enjoyed anywhere of the world... for button, three samples in Croatia, Belgium and New Zealand.

(Edición en Español)

Hi, we have little time, and should make the most this, for once I'm going to go straight to the point, without preambles or bagatelles. I've spent a few days in a hotel that you will want to know, it is called Hotel Lone, is a luxury resort with a quality with the highest standards of comfort, and you know that I, Rodolfo, presume of a high conception of the luxury, comparable only to that I have of the quality, I come from a family with a vocation of humility but with a millennial surname.

I was, at the Monte Molini in Rovinj, Croatia, enjoying the wonderful hotel with form of "Y", designed by the architecture Studio 3LHD for Maistra Hotels with the healthy intention of being the first in the country to membership of the Design Hotels Group. They put in the hands of the architects in 2006 an area of 22.157 square meters where to build 29.407 in just 6.147 square meters of surface. I could tell you that I saw as did reality this beautiful ship (the facade composed of horizontal strips perfectly simulates a cruise, reducing even the dimension of higher plants to achieve this effect) but I don't like to boast.

You are to ten minutes to the city centre, but you will not need to go to it for nothing, the complex opened in the year 2011 has 248 rooms of which 12 are suites of luxury, their surfaces have between 33 and 129 square meters (do not need to tell how many has the suite). Three fantastic restaurants (L, On and E) enliven your idle stomach with all kinds of wines and Mediterranean food. Of course, they also have an extensive area destined to worship you, nothing more and nothing less than 1,700 square metres of spa, Finnish sauna, heated swimming pool, gyms specialized, therapeutic areas and a large etcetera. Pools of over 1,000 square meters (even for children), terrace of 2.350, up to ten conference rooms (the largest for 650 people), gardens outside and a swimming pool with infinity edge.

I ventured in my role as detective and I discovered that every detail of the hotel was thought out and designed to be unique. A great team was in charge of every aspect, Numen/For Use created the furniture, I-Gle the staff uniforms, the artist Silvio Vujičić the fabrics in the rooms, the lobby for the innovative Ivana Franke, Spa for Studio 92, and finally, Kappo study was commissioned to the landscape around the hotel. Thanks to this team have achieved what they wanted: give a unique identity to the building, they have succeeded and its customers have granted the certificate of excellence from TripAdvisor this year, 2015.

To remember something sometimes just look at the ceiling (I don't know if you has happened on occasion, I happens to me). After having entered in the wonderful hotel lobby, from whose central point is reached the rest of rooms, a mild Flash forced me to elevate the head. "Clear", I thought, "I had forgotten the original ceiling of steel!", and immediately I began to study it: a grid of rectangular and square shapes where the white predominates, but have many pieces of different colours giving enhancement to the set, including rows of hidden luminaires that provide the desired light atmosphere. If you are interested, the company responsible for these pieces of stainless steel is called The Inox in Color (nice name). The inspiration became in presence and I remembered something related with the steel, a place I had still not visited.

I went ahead my departure from the Hotel (forgive me Lone) and I immediately went to Belgium, where another wonder created by the group of artists and architects of Gijs Van Vaerenbergh was waiting for me. A former mine of coal, converted to cultural centre and of studies, the C-Mine, these seasoned professionals have made a singular structure of steel: a labyrinth (as you read it). It has an area of 1,400 square meters, weighs 186 tons and is consists of vertical modules of steel 5 mm thick, welded together (so that nobody can making traps). The originality of the proposal is not only the material with which it is made, too its own idiosyncrasies. Its height, up to 5 metres at some points, suggests the ingenuity of the creators, forming arches in some segments and in other open spaces and practicing openings to distract the brave caught up looking for the exit.

Bolliger + Grohmann were patients to assist the architects in the development of the structural design, as well as veteran Meuwes Laswerken, the entrepreneur who made reality the labyrinth. The creation of this metallic element was made possible by informatics (of new) designers using Boolean transformations, which are computer and mathematical operations that provide only two parameters: zero and one, or true and false. I.e. applied to the metallic swarm a model whereby delete and add geometric figures, my surprise are capital. The welds can be practiced either discontinuous or continuous, it occur in different ways, this is due to the function of the welding, to the ambient to which it is subjected and the load being carried, in other words, if an area does not require... why waste time and money on weld?

Alarmed by the texture of the metal in the labyrinth I needed to find another building with a different steel, and I found one, a little farther than I thought: in the city of New Plymouth, New Zealand (already was again with the suitcase in tow). There have built a Museum in honour of the famous filmmaker Len Lye, which have invested 11.5 million dollars (10.30 million euros), the Pattersons Associates architectural firm raised a fantastic facade that seals a landmark in the city. Sinuous curves of concrete abruptly mark the outside appearance, but, as if it were a spectacle, these curves are wrapped with a plated stainless steel, is already, I had found a different steel.

I declared that time as the triplet of steel, because in a short space of time had witnessed of three fantastic ways of working with it, what gives this material to the construction cannot measure or quantify. The building has a height of 18 meters, boasts with 3,000 square meters built and opened its doors last July 25 I know that other proud parents of the creature are the developers (Cleveland Construction) and the manufacturers of panels (Rivet), who also contributed with the formwork for walls of concrete moulds. From the street you can enjoy the magnificent view of this facade, as if it were alive, as if it were part of a film. This is only achieved with stainless steel and with the expertise of its professionals. But already I'm going I have hurry (remember?), Bye Bye.

The best Water Park in the World, in Tenerife

If you want to enjoy of imagery and summer the best place is in the Canary Islands, the largest water park in Europe.
(Edición en español)

Hi, that I like to lose myself in the world is something that you know, and not because I have hinted you in one of my multiple appearances in the media and audio-visual media, no, is because my deference to you, dear readers, is close to the fidelity. I am, Rodolfo, supporter of good negotiation and of my faithful friends. One of these friends lives in a paradise, I have already spoken on occasion of the Canary Islands.

With the (good) excuse for a study on the material without which nothing would be possible in this world, the water, I have called my Italian friend (Stefano, of course) who resides in Tenerife, between the two, we have devised a route around the island where re-discover its wonders (which are not few), and whose climax has been the object of my study, a place where the water takes a prominent role, so much that it is the main star of the entire complex, I talk about, of course, of the Siam Park, the Europe's largest Waterpark (almost nothing) and the best in the world according to Tripadvisor (I believe them).

The Kiessling family has been the developer of the complex, one of the families most popular on the island if we talk of the tourist sector, they have also one of the zoos most important of Spain, the Loro Park (whose success has been perpetuated for forty years), and the luxurious Hotel Botanico (where I stayed, of course), the two in the Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife. At the beginning of century, they decided to go one step further and build another theme park, this time on the coast of Adeje, in the south of the island. In 2004 they put the first stone and finished its construction in 2008 with an investment of 62 million euros (68 million dollars).

They did not had the courtesy of inviting me to the opening on September 15, 2008, with the attended of the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand, but as I am not a spiteful, I already forgave them long ago (when I finished my future and splendid construction, perhaps I return the treatment). The presence of the Princess was not casual, the style of the park is Thai and was designed by Professor Ruetai, Professor of the University of Bangkok, no one better to transfer the essence of the religious symbols and the beliefs from that part of East, as far as atmosphere and sculptures is concerned, clear.

The park is distributed in 185,000 square meters and is prepared to support the visit of 7,500 people per day. Its exotic oriental decor is distributed throughout the complex, making allusions to the different generations, and the place is become a true site of entertainment for the family. To carry the construction out, Kiessling travelled half the world in search of ideas to make the best water park that you could dream, thus was born Siam Park, incidentally, Siam is the name of a Kingdom that disappeared in 1932, it covered several countries in Asia and its capital was Ayutthaya, Bangkok today.

Jose Luis Olcina, engineer of roads, canals and ports and Philip Mayfield, another professional with extensive experience in the engineering of the water, were hired to lead the work on the complex, they are the primarily responsible of part of the success. However, Christoph Kiessling, director of the complex, directed and supervised all the work, from the first sketch provided by the Professor Ruetai, Mr Olcina and the company Proslide Technology Inc., responsible this latter of the water installations in much of the Globe, in fact, claim to be pioneers in the major inventions in slides since 1986 (you will have to believe in theirs).

Another actor important, and Italian as my companion, is the designer Paolo Bonanno, he had complete freedom to create the decoration of the Park, and he had to travel to Thailand and Cambodia for the inspiration "in situ", a success if I may add. One feature of this park is the implementation of the highest technological quality in its facilities, intended to mark the difference through the excellence and the quality (not seems wrong way) respecting to the maximum the environment. 600 cubic meters of water extracted from the sea are filtered per day, treated in a desalination plant and are used in all the areas of the park, finally, is used for irrigation water.

Siam Park offers also spaces multidisciplinary for events, conventions, musical and even a surf school (obviously, I do not need). It includes, how it could be otherwise, restaurants, bars, a beach and shopping areas where to take something to remember (photos not, of course). To alleviate the great consumption of energy that characterizes a park of this size, possess the unique natural gas plant of the Islands (curious that there are no more, right?) this is used for to temper the water of the slides.

They are aware that the best commercial product of the Islands is the Sun, and have decided to support the renewable energy with the investing in the funding of SOLTEN II, and the generating up to 756 kW of energy by this means, even if their idea is to reach 2,035 kW in a second project. If we talk about the price of the entry only costs 39 euros (19 for residents) and, with luck, can rent the cabin by (just) 400 euros/night, you won't regret it, believe me. But, as you can see, I detour from my main goal very quickly, the element natural par excellence and constructive by necessity.

It is said that the water is liquid gold, and this is a great truth. The water not only moisturizes and refreshes, also is part of all the industrial processes. Any scientific or technological advancement would not exist without it. Rationalize it has become an obsession, so this water park is an example of what we should do. No matter the amount of water that we use, what matters is to use properly and, above all, that we do not lose a drop. We will use a proper installation and suitable materials. The basic criteria: we will (always) seek the shortest route for pipelines, the lowest possible pressure (using the gravity) and will not store more than necessary. The speed of the water is measured in meters per second, if this speed is too high can cause breaks in the pipes and if it is low will produce deposits.

The water is transported by pressure, more exactly by the difference of pressure between two points, so when we raise water we should beat the atmospheric force, the weight of the liquid and the friction with the walls of the pipes. A few years ago the University Carlos III of Madrid, conducted a study on how the trees transport the water... this trees can to raise over 100 metres by suction, with studies like this someday we transport water without the need for high energy consumption. With its latest addition, the Shinga attraction, Siam Park includes in its interior a whopping sixteen different ways of enjoying the water... Do you want to enjoy with the water in the neck? Bye bye.

The Sky of Moscow

The sky of Moscow is not so far as it seems... just need to know how to get there.

(Edición en español)

Nikolai likes to look at the sky, he feels closer of the truth, of the honesty, of the dignity human (obviously, is young). Understood perfectly that the ancient cathedrals were built high and beautiful, from a distance, these buildings (such as the Saint Basil's Cathedral) beautify the space, from the proximity imposed, leave you speechless. Now, beginning the twenty-first century (only have spent 15 years), the need to get to heaven is more linked to the use of that space and not to design or beauty, but Nikolai find more inspiring the second option.

Nikolai is studying the master of architecture in the Rudn (University in Moscow, Russia), is very popular because also studied many people from other countries, all a cultural mix. His best friend is a Spanish woman, he never remembers very well her region...is Extremadura, Murcia or Catalonia? And she does not like, "the Spanish women are rare, which importance will have in to born in a corner or another?" Nikolai thinks sometimes, but with Sandra (her name is this) everything is always new and difficult also.

But Nikolai thinks that the difficulties give meaning to life, he accompanies Sandra (and she accompanies Nikolai) in the breakaways by Moscow. "This city is unique, with its own personality and a frightening cold", says she. One of their favourite sites is the international business centre of Moscow (Moscow City), this Centre was planned by the Government in 1992, in Presnensky district, to the West of Moscow, on the Bank of the Moskva River. They feel very close to this place, among other things because like them, the site has a promising future, and eager to exploit it (aside, of course, have approximately the same age).

They spend hours contemplating and analysing the different towers, improve mentally the buildings and give them different uses, and, when they can, assail to the operators or the users of the buildings. They do not like the Evolution Tower and the Imperia Tower, they worship the Mercury City and the Naberezhnaya Tower, they entertain much with the Capital city (with its set of volumes), but they love the Federation Towers. Before of visiting the site for the first time already knew that their architects were Mr Peter Schweger (from ASP Schweger Assoziierte Gesamtplanung GmbH, Hamburg) and Mr Sergei Tchoban (of NPS Tchoban Voss Architekten BDA, Berlin).

The complex consists of two towers and an antenna that fits in the middle. The highest Tower reaches 374 meters and, although it is not yet in operation, soon it will do so, becoming the largest skyscraper in Europe, the antenna will reach 506 meters of height when it is completed and the date for completion is 2016, although it is likely it is delayed. The constructions are born from a base where are located the vestibules of apartments, offices, restaurants and various shops, below this, four underground floors for engine rooms, various services and parkings.

The buildings are of mixed use: residential and office, the promoters boast that you no need to leave the resort to make life complete (if you so wish, clear). From the base, two structures with form of a equilateral triangle (with slightly curved walls) go narrowing while it rise to sky, the lower reaches the 63 plants, has 244 meters high and was put into operation in 2008. Nikolai likes to call each building by its name, the "small" is the tower Zapad and tower Vostok the least "small", Sandra likes to merge them and always speaks of the Federation complex, which has 443.000 square meters of floorspace in total.

The structures are of a reinforced concrete of extreme hardness, the double of the conventional, achieving a greater slenderness and durability. The foundations of the complex are composed of 14 thousand cubic metres of concrete and, according to its website, have earned their record in the Guinness Book of the records. When two buildings of different sizes (and weights) are anchored to the same point, we should choose to make sure that there will be no displacement by the differential movements. This can be achieved of two ways: separating the two structures in such a way that function independently, or anchoring its foundations in a big (and stable) slab immovable (in theory). In this building, they chose the second.

The Vostok Tower has 93 flooring of height and includes, in its interior, offices of type A + (with one of the most important banks of the globe), luxury apartments, a hotel five star Grand Hyatt Moscow, restaurants, boutiques and it will have a public viewpoint on floor 87. The engineer Thornton Tomasetti count us, there will are footbridges on the 32 and 64 floors. Also he speak that every 25 to 30 plants are stabilizers, which ensure that the movements of the structures, caused by winds or earthquakes, will cause the least possible damage. For the construction and the design have been taken into account all the parameters of security, as well as the forecasts by computer techniques.

The facades have also received special treatment. In first place this facade is decorated with the abstract image of clouds, to create the feeling of buoyancy in the skyscrapers. The windows are panoramic (from floor to ceiling), some plants reaching the 5.5 meters of height and 1.83 meters wide. Do not have anything that obstructs the view of the city, a great idea, of course. But the glasses have a very special secret: are filled with argon. This is achieved through the inclusion of the gas in the intermediate Chamber between two or three glasses.

The argon is a noble, odourless, colourless, and tasteless gas. It is used because it is denser than the atmosphere, and therefore offers a greater resistance to thermal conductivity, and an insulating better than air chambers. The principal fear facing is the impact that it will have if the gas escape, well, the argon gas is non-toxic, in fact, exists in the air naturally in a rate of 2 percent. The argon also minimizes the condensation that accumulates on the glass by the temperature difference between the two faces, so if you have a glass with argon and it is tarnished, you are calling the manufacturer. A last data, also reduces the transmission of sound even in 3 decibels.

Nikolai and Sandra are not say bye bye when they finish the course and she had to return to her country of origin. "We will again be together" promised him, "you can be sure" assured her, in their hearts the passion of the youth, in their minds the freshness of the intelligence, in the future a great incognito.