asymptote architecture: the yas hotel, abu dhabi

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 architecturenew 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