the yas hotel, abu dhabi, uae 2007–2009
by asymptote: hani rashid + lise anne couture
image courtesy asymptote architecture


the yas hotel, abu dhabi, uae 2007–2009
by asymptote: hani rashid + lise anne couture
image courtesy asymptote architecture


the yas hotel, abu dhabi, uae 2007–2009
by asymptote: hani rashid + lise anne couture
image courtesy asymptote architecture

new york based asymptote architecture is nearing completion of their yas hotel project,
in abu dhabi, uae. the yas hotel is a 500-room, 85,000-square-meter complex which is
due to open on october 30, 2009 to coincide with the formula 1 etihad airways,
abu dhabi grand prix.

the yas hotel is part of the ambitious 36-billion-dollar yas marina development
and accompanying formula 1 raceway circuit, which is also near completion.

the main feature of the project's design is a 217-meter expanse of sweeping, curvilinear
forms constructed of steel and 5,800 pivoting diamond-shaped glass panels. this grid
shell component affords the building an architecture comprised of an atmospheric
like veil that contains two hotel towers and a link bridge constructed as a monocoque
sculpted steel object passing above the formula 1 track that makes its way through
the building complex. the grid-shell visually connects and fuses the entire complex
together while producing optical effects and spectral reflections that play against the
surrounding sky, sea and desert landscape. the architecture as a whole 'performs' as
both an environmentallyresponsive solution as well as an architecture of spectacle
and event.


the yas hotel, abu dhabi, uae 2007–2009
by asymptote: hani rashid + lise anne couture
image courtesy asymptote architecture


the yas hotel, abu dhabi, uae 2007–2009
by asymptote: hani rashid + lise anne couture
image courtesy asymptote architecture


the yas hotel, abu dhabi, uae 2007–2009
by asymptote: hani rashid + lise anne couture
image courtesy asymptote architecture


the yas hotel, abu dhabi, uae 2007–2009
by asymptote: hani rashid + lise anne couture
image courtesy asymptote architecture


the yas hotel facade with glass panels
image courtesy asymptote architecture


the yas hotel facade with glass panels
image courtesy asymptote architecture


construction of the yas hotel
image courtesy asymptote architecture


construction of the yas hotel
image courtesy asymptote architecture


construction of the steel facade frame
image courtesy asymptote architecture


construction of the facade
image courtesy asymptote architecture


the yas hotel interior
image courtesy asymptote architecture


the yas hotel
image courtesy asymptote architecture

project credits
lead architects -
asymptote architecture:
principals hani rashid + lise anne couture

selected consultants -
local architects:
dewan architects & engineers, abu dhabi
tilke & partners w.l.l., dubai

structural engineers:
dewan architects & engineers, abu dhabi
arup, new york

grid-shell engineers:
schlaich bergermann und partner (sbp), stuttgart
waagner-biro, vienna

mep engineer:
red engineering middle east, dubai

façade consultants:
front inc., new york
taw & partner, hamburg

grid-shell building information modeling (bim) consultant:
gehry technologies, los angeles & new york

interior architecture:
jestico + whiles, london
richardson sadeki, new york
de8 architetti, bergamo, italy

lighting consultants:
lapd lighting design, hertfordshire, uk
bartenbach lichtlabor gmbh, innsbruck, austria
red engineering middle east, dubai
arup lighting, new york

grid-shell lighting consultant:
arup lighting, new york

link bridge engineers:
arup bridge, new york
centraal staal, groningen, the netherlands

landscape design:
cracknell landscape architects, abu dhabi