Toronto-based ZAS Architects Inc., part of the ZAS Group of Companies, has revealed its winning design for the Promenade Marina + Beach Towers in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Image: Courtesy of ZAS Architects Inc. Extra Large Image

Charleston · 2008.0521
The restoration and adaptive reuse of the 1802 Anderson House in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, is complete. Architect Whitney Powers, principal of Charleston architecture firm Studio A, designed the project, which transformed the 7,300-square-foot (680-square-meter) house into office space for the Medical University of South Carolina's College of Pharmacy.

The Federal-style house had been altered in the mid-19th century in the Greek revival style; this combination of styles was maintained to show the house's evolution over time. A rooftop balustrade that was not historically significant was removed, solving a long-term leakage problem. Ground level and piazza enclosures were removed to return the piazza to a more historically accurate appearance.

Another Studio A adaptive reuse project underway in Charleston is the conversion of an 1826 house for the College of Charleston's School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Culver City · 2008.0520
Dan Meis, FAIA, has announced that he will merge his Culver City, California, firm, Meis Architects, with international architecture firm Aedas, based in the United Kingdom.

Meis has designed such high-profile sports projects as the Staples Center in Los Angeles; SafeCo Field in Seattle, Washington; and Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is currently designing a new NFL Stadium in Los Angeles. Aedas has architects in 35 offices worldwide, with design centers in Hong Kong, New York, and London.

New York · 2008.0508
Construction continues on the Dwyer, an adaptive reuse of the 19th-century Dwyer Warehouse for high-end apartments, located in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. The architect on the project is James McCullar & Associates. The warehouse was originally built to provide furniture storage for the carriage trade, and had partially collapsed prior to renovation.

In addition to residential lofts, the building includes retail and cultural spaces and a rooftop terrace. The original high ceilings have been retained, and the interior has been opened for daylighting and ventilation. The new lobby will include Devonian sandstone.

Dubai · 2008.0507
The winning design for the Promenade Marina + Beach Towers (rendered above) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, has been revealed by the ZAS Group of Companies, which includes ZAS Architects Inc. of Toronto, Canada, plus offices in Vancouver and Dubai. The project will comprise five residential towers and associated retail space, totaling 670,000 square meters (7.2 million square feet).

The towers will range in height from 45 to 60 stories, and will be located on either side of the peninsula-like Dubai Promenade. Structural skins of diamond-grid lattice will allow for column-free floor plates. Concrete central cores and concrete outrigger beams will provide lateral stability.

Bridges, canopies, and elevated strips of parkland will create a three-dimensional terrain. The development will also include a four-story podium with restaurants and other commercial space. The developer, Nakheel, intends for the project to achieve a LEED Silver rating at minimum.

Roskilde · 2008.0507
Erick van Egeraat Associated Architects, based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, has revealed its winning design for a new incineration line in Roskilde, Denmark. The facility will produce both electricity and heat for the Roskilde district.

A 100-meter- (330-foot-) tall spire will rise over the lower portions of the building, shaped to echo the surrounding angular factory roofs. The raw umber-colored aluminum outer facade layer will be perforated with laser-cut circular openings. The facade will be backlit at night to symbolize the energy production taking place within. An inner facade layer will provide all necessary openings for daylight and air circulation. Completion is expected in 2013.

Dallas · 2008.0506
The second phase of construction on a worship facility for Watermark Community Church in Dallas, Texas, has been completed. Master planned and designed by the Dallas office of Omniplan, the 2,100-seat expansion joins an 11.5-acre (4.7-hectare) campus that already includes an eight-story office tower renovated to house church programs.

Phase III of the campus will consist of a 250,000-square-foot (23,000-square-meter) complex that includes a 3,500-seat auditorium, a 500-seat multipurpose room, a 350-seat chapel, and a 20,000-square-foot (1,900-square-meter) "town center" lobby. Omniplan's design team includes Tip Housewright, principal-in-charge.

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