“The project is being transformed from being non-figurative architecture to an overscale figurative photo-frame. That is, from being a modern, public monument to a postmodern pastiche,” [competition-winning architect Fernando] Donis wrote in an open letter. — Design Mena
Described by an internet commenter as "the St. Louis Arch minus the beauty or finesse," the Dubai Frame project is scheduled to open this month to the public. The somewhat controversial monument, which has not only attracted a scathing load of public commentary but an objecting open letter from the architect who initially designed it, will quite literally frame views of both the old and new Dubai skylines. The $43.5 million rectangular wonder isn't just for viewing from afar; visitors will be able to access a sky bridge inlaid with a 25 square meter glass panel.
21 Comments
Meh.
they're preparing for the Expo 2020
The website shows many better proposals, and some speculating why Zaha was absent from final press release. No surprise that corrupt counties get a third rate monument
Its better than Zaha could ever do
Aside from being an utterly inane concept ...
Architect in row over design of Dubai Frame
DUBAI // City officials are embroiled in a row with an architect over changes to the proposed design of a building in Dubai.
Fernando Donis, a Mexican architect, won a Dubai Municipality competition in 2009 to design a new structure for the city.
Five years later and the authority has released images of a redesigned Dubai Frame, which aside from its shape bears little resemblance to the original design that was to be built in Zabeel Park.
Mr Donis has said the changes constituted a breach of the terms of the competition. He has written an open letter to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to intervene in the affair.
“The tone of the letter and intention to go public is to solicit the intervention of the Ruler of Dubai, as we assume he is not aware of this situation, to hopefully still participate in the process of the project and now make them see that the design alterations they are making – next to unlawful – are misguided,” Mr Donis said.
“The project is being transformed from being non-figurative architecture to an overscale figurative photo frame. That is, from being a modern, public monument to a postmodern pastiche.”
Dubai Municipality’s website says, the building will attract 2 million tourists a year and will be completed next year.
It will be 150 metres tall and 100 metres wide, with a walkway between the two sides of the frame. It will reportedly cost Dh120 million.
Mr Donis said he was offered a contract by the municipality, but one of the clauses stated that he waive his intellectual rights to the project and that he would not be able to use the completed design to promote his own practice.
That, he said, was in direct breach of a clause in the original competition brief, which said: “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.”
Dubai Municipality was not available for comment.
the proposal was a frame. the architect needs to get his head out of his ass. if you detail it right it will not be that bad.....granted its a frame! so naturally its a picture frame sherlock.
No one will realize it's actually a portal until it is too late..heh
ah yes Spoons. when the Annunaki return to claim the oil they will use said portal instead of entering the atmosphere. Those Annunaki (ancient aliens) always up to something.
This was hard to track down, but this website shows images of the original design, as far as I can tell.
You guys, this is a completely different project than what was proposed and if you can't see the differences I really doubt your critical abilities! Sorry to be so harsh, but this is an example of very basic principles of form language that I think architecture students are not being taught these days, and that is hugely problematic.
Very simply: The proposal shows the frame section being an extruded square. The project being built has angled mitered corners. Angled mitered corners recall the traditional shape of a picture frame, and mitered corners are not Modern. In something as simple as this, changing the corner connection completely changes the cultural resonance of the form.
In short, the designer is right to be pissed. I'm planting my flag there, and if someone wants to steal it from me, go for it.
He should be pissed. But the entire project is a joke from concept forward. It's an elevator company promotion: Tall Emblematic Structure in Dubai.
Im still wondering why McDonalds hasn't sponsored the St. Louis Arch and plastered their logo on it.
Agreed, MIles
I really like this one but it's proposed for the wrong location:
And for the life of me I just can't understand why this one didn't get built:
I wonder how it will work structurally, when one tower sways in a storm towards the other the forces in the connection and mid span resistance to buckling have to be immense. so much steel for what? arrogance.
it's Dubai! what do you expect! they're looking for anything that'd seems like "wow" effect! they should've done an opinion survey before they construct this ugly thing!! did you say the designer was pissed? he should be, this thing will mark him forever!
wow he won a $ 100 k just for rendering a frame!!!
There, fixed it with an infinitive-ly better city in the frame.
It is like inhaling a can of Raid.
Donna, you are right, but with the ridiculous premise of the whole thing, does it even matter? It is framing absolutely nothing at all.
Irrespective of the merits of the original concept, I would say that having ones work destroyed does.
^edit^ does matter.
^ Except if your work is shit to begin with.
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