Hadid’s Dubai Opus to host her memorial
Signature work to commemorate the architect’s life
DUBAI // A memorial to the late Zaha Hadid, the award- winning Iraqi-British architect, is being planned for The Opus, a structure she designed in the Business Bay area.
The mirror-like facade of The Opus appears to melt from the inside and is the highlight of the architect’s first Dubai project after her work on the sand dune inspired Sheikh Zayed bridge in Abu Dhabi.
Two 20-storey towers create a cube that reflects surrounding structures. In the void between the towers, 4,300 glass panels each contain an LED light programmed and controlled through an individual IP address.
A rooftop lounge is also to be added to The Opus.
“The profile of the double curved facade was computer modelled to the millimetre in three dimensions by the Zaha Hadid team,” said Mohammed Hmeid, sales and marketing director of developer Omniyat.
The challenge lay in making the void’s dark blue glazing appear as a smooth surface.
“The primary structural steel was manufactured locally. The secondary steel was fabricated in Holland,” said Mr Hmeid.
“The aluminium was curved by hand in Denmark and Holland because of the large quantities required, while the curved glass was produced in three factories in China,” Mr Hmeid said.
“All of these pieces of a very large puzzle came together in the contractor’s assembly factory in the UAE.”
Agnes Koltay, director of specialist external building firm Koltay Facades, was concerned how custom-shaped pieces manufactured in different countries would fit together in Dubai. To tackle this, the contractor developed a detailed 3D computer model. “Each supplier worked from that model and each piece was checked against the model after fabrication,” she said.
“Pieces are laser scanned and compared to the originating model. Without this technology, accurate assembly could not have been possible.”
On the busy worksite, cranes are used to lift glass panels and workers in blue-and-yellow hats complete facade installation.
Building systems are being tested before the base of the building is handed over to those in charge of the interior areas.
The official opening of The Opus is expected to be early next year before which details about the memorial to Hadid will be announced.
The hotel and flats will be ready for use in two years. The project was scheduled for completion in 2009 but was delayed because of the market slowdown and complex design structure.
“We need projects like this to push the limits of technology, inducing research and development,” said Ms Koltay.
“Omniyat’s determination of building this project with Zaha Hadid was always strong, and led to success.” The Opus will enhance the identity of the emirate as do landmarks such as the Burj Al Arab, Burj Khalifa and Cayan Tower, said Janet Bellotto, associate professor and associate dean of the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises, Zayed University.
“The Opus, which captures the legacy of Zaha Hadid, follows a very strong roster of architectural projects,” she said.
“Projects like this continue to distinguish Dubai. The Opus, which pushes the boundaries of design, is a great contribution to the landscape.”