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Kenshington Krystal
The resulting form is an amalgam of both visions: it is an efficient and unique structure that resembles an abstract 'K'.
"The plan was very straightforward. Basically, it's just a rectangular building that emulates a 'K'. It's very efficient this way," says Yuen. "The façade cuts in and out like the cuts on a crystal.... It's a simple form but it's very powerful, very bold."
Location, location, location
The location of DMC is unique because all of the recent focus, in terms of iconic mixed-use developments in Dubai, has been on Downtown Burj Dubai, Waterfront, Business Bay and Festival City. Put simply, it's all been about 'New Dubai'.
Relatively little emphasis is being placed on developments on the more traditional side of the Creek. According to Yuen, "DMC is like a natural extension of the Creek."
What is particularly interesting is that despite all of the fanfare surrounding the developments in New Dubai, DMC is approximately 1.5km away from the most populated areas of the city: Bur Dubai, Deira, and Jumeirah.
Not only is DMC geographically unique, but in financial terms, it's the first of its kind. "The fact that [DMC] is the first commercial freehold development on the oceanfront is phenomenal. Dubai's first commercial freehold development was Jumeirah Lake Towers, which is nowhere near the ocean," says Ravani.
"I like the building's location very much because you can look back to the Creek, Deira and Bur Dubai and you can identify that this is the Old Dubai," say Yuen. "But, if you look forward, you can see all the new developments of New Dubai."
The facade
Despite regulations that the facades of buildings on the island must be blue, green or grey, KRE is petitioning Dubai Municipality for something that will distinguish itself among a sea of marine tones.
"We're hoping to use a black glass façade," says Yuen. Black glass is not currently featured on any building in Dubai-although P&T have designed one other building considering the material-but perhaps the most recognisable black glass façade is Chicago's Sears Tower.
"It's a very rich colour. Black is very assertive. It gives you a corporate feel...the Sears Tower is a world-class example...," says Ravani. "Kensington Krystal needs to stand out as a landmark tower, it's very important that we don't fall into the normal colour range of blues and greens."
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