AECOM, Abu Dhabi (Work Experience) 15th Aug - 10th Sep 2010

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22/08/2010 (Sun)
This morning I arrived at work on time at 08:30, I was quickly briefed on what needed to be done throughout the course of the day. I continued to follow on from what I began with on the Reem Island Najmat project, where I completed two blow-up pages showing the extents of certain areas of the masterplan for dimesnioning (part of what is required for a breifing package for an architectural fabric company-shading structures) yesterday evening as mentioned. Once these were complete I began with some contextual illustrative diagrams showing various physical site elements and typologies relative to site pedestrian circulation. Once both of these blow-up plans were finished I had to compile various material (varying scales and context of topography, scale and context by cross sectioning, precedents of possible shading structures etc..) onto an InDesign document to ensure this briefing package was ready for submition as scheduled.

AECOM, Abu Dhabi

19/08/2010 (Thur)
On the 19th, I tested my photoshop skills beyond belief. I had to update a small section of the Al Reem Island, Najmat masterplan (1:1000). I was pleased after opening the photoshop file only to see that all layering and texture styles were implemented to each layer, therefore my work load was dramatically decreased. I had to just import a PDF which was exported from CAD featuring an update of the islands marina (new docking decking dimensions and that of the extended waterfront walkway) had to be re-rendered accordingly. This task took me a fairly long time to complete due to an utter confusion of the files layering extent.
The long awaited weekend began after work. (The location of the development I am working on can be seen below - Al Reem Island)


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AECOM, Abu Dhabi

18/08/2010 (Wed)
Finally, the document was finished. Though, it exceeded the hand in date by a fair amount because of my stress levels taking over... Luckily, the lead architect was in a good mood so he understood my situation. By lunchtime, we finished the task of binding 4 copies and set off for lunch at a fancy restaurant, best baguette I have ever had... As a project assistant, I do not always have work to do. It simply depends on whether or not a specific collegue wants me to help with any work that they are trying to explore or create. After lunch I came back to office and this is precisely what happened, nothing to do but a quick an easy photoshop adjustment to a pavement concept.

AECOM, Abu Dhabi

17/08/2010 (Tue)
Today was the day where you could say 'proper work' for the company began. A graphic design collegue asked me to prepare a large InDesign document showcasing a list of our sub-consultants involved in various projects in order to show to our clientele featuring their vision and portfolio based on various projects. The tedious process involved uploading individual pdf's to a book which later came to the number of 583 pages. Nonetheless it helped me with understanding InDesign to a much higher level, especially when it enabled me to easily remember a number of key shortcuts to save time. This document was not completed on this date, after long hours of importing pdf's and compiling media into acceptable page layouts I only managed to reach page 338, it was a stressful ordeal because 4 copies of the completed document had to be printed off the follwoing morning by 10:00, where we would hand these bounded books to the lead architect on a number of active projects. It was important that we kept to this deadline, so I went home earlier than usual in order to get a good rest, preparing for a long day ahead of me.

AECOM, Abu Dhabi

16/08/2010 (Mon)
Today I spent hours getting health checks at a local hospital in order to proceed further with work, all healthcare payments were paid up front by AECOM which was handy to say the least. Furthermore I had to sign numerous documents regarding company legislation and policies.
No LA work was attempted today.

AECOM, Abu Dhabi

15/08/2010 (Sun)
http://www.aecom.com/

When I finally arrived back home in Abu Dhabi from Muscat Airport at night (14/08/2010), I prepared for work the following morning not knowing what to expect or what was expected from me. All I knew was that I had to start work at 08:30 as a Project Assitant in Aecom's Abu Dhabi Office (Al Jazira Sports Stadium) and work past 17:00 depending on the work intensity for 5 days a week. Luckily, I started work the following morning in the Design & Planning department which comprises of urban designers, landscape architects/planners & environment engineers from across the world.

I have not been involved with the practice long enough to base a detailed anology towards it, however their Abu Dhabi portfolio seems to be very impressive. They typically work on a variety of large scale mixed-use developments throughout the United Arab Emirates, with an innovative and particular focus towards public realm. See website for Company Overview and Project Involvements (Abu Dhabi).

Hopefully throughout this placement, I will not feel like too much of an ant when it comes to work output and recognition in comparison to the rest of the design team.

After meeting the Landscape Director, Mark Khune, I was introduced to the design and planning team. The purpose of the 15th was to become familiar with the workers, studio, computers and networks/software before I could move on to something a little more hands on and technically work related. At the end of the day I was finally given something to do, and that task was to update the networks Hardscape Library by uploading paver samples from a number of local hardscape services through scanning these artifacts and producing their general product descriptions onto AECOM's Abu Dhabi network system.

Entry/Re-entry U.A.E

Masqat Airport, Oman 12/08/10

On Thursday morning I left Abu Dhabi Airport to go to Masqat, Oman, only to return on the same day so that my working visa could pass an authorisation process at Abu Dhabi Airport Immigration. I have just recently been confirmed a start date with regards to my work placement with Aecom on Sunday 15th Aug, in order to start work on this date I had to go through this process. My contract with Aecom is expected to end on Friday 10th Sep. Throughout the duration of my work experience I will upload certain knowledge that I have gained from my time with them, also what work I have contributed to the project/s that I will be assigned to.

Abu Dhabi, U.A.E - Places of Interest

The image above shows the situation of Abu Dhabi, U.A.E in a large geographical context. From 23rd Jun I have been living in Abu Dhabi City Centre, my return to the U.K is expected to be 12th Sep before I begin my third year at Kingston University later on in the month. Hopefully I start work with a built-environment engineering and design company called AECOM as a landscape architect intern shortly. In the meantime I have been exploring some sites that I have particular interest in. Below, a map enables you to identify the location of sites that I have enjoyed experiencing. Most of which, are within a catchment area of three miles from the apartment that I stay at. Take into consideration that the temperature and humidity levels in U.A.E are extremely high regardless of the time of day. In addition, use of public transport requires allot of effort, very very few drivers have the ability to speak English making my seemingly interesting exploration feel slightly unpleasant and long at times. On the other hand I have an oppurtunity to see some unparallel and unique architectural projects far from the U.K. All informed by a range of dissimilar conditions and processes which are set forth by nature and most prominently, man (their culture & religion).



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Please click on each placemark to locate and identify my places of interest. To view a larger map follow this link - http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=100866247167764191047.00048cd5d8b58ecf20478&t=h&z=14

Unless otherwise stated, all images which are used in the following case studies are my own photographs and diagrams.

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Vision Hotel & Apartments
I have pointed out the location of my hotel for the benefit of the reader. Note that all of my recorded sites within an approximate two mile radius were visited on foot from Vision. I had great difficulty in finding these sites because from ground level the arrangement and patterns of building blocks and streetspace seemed considerably intense, yet consistent. The majority of such sites were accidently found by myself. When I now look at the distribution of all of my places of interest from plan, I gain a much better understanding of scale and their relationship in context because urban grain is far more apparent this way. When I venture out to revisit these sites I sometimes check my google map to make sure I go in the right direction. Very useful.

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Water Feature and Clock (Sheraton)
Me and my Dad were walking towards the Sheraton for a meal when I originally stumbled across this attractive looking water feature with an analog clock installation. This landscape case study has little function in its design, however it provides passing drivers and pedestrians with the exact local time (GMT+4:00hrs). I am unsure about project details but I think that this work of art is worth sharing with you.

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Water Feature (Corniche Rd. East Exit)
Again, I do not know who was involved with the design and commissioning of this completed project. I think that this fountain installation is quite remarkable when in close proximation, emitting a progressive atmosphere largely due to the crashing noise of spray meeting pool. It certainly masks the noise pollution coming from Corniche Road (one of the busiest roads in Abu Dhabi).

However when looked upon from a distance the installation appears to be somewhat futile and isolated despite looking big from a close distance. With reference to the google map shown you can see the sites secluded relationship amongst road passageways. From plan this statement might not appear to be true but consider the magnitude of the various site elements. In addition to this, pedestrian accessibility is limited and unsafe, one has to cross Corniche Road in order to properly experience this water fountain. No designated crossings are available making site entrances and exits extremely dangerous as mentioned.

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Water Feature (Sheik Khalifa Energy Complex)
From what may seem like a generic water feature, actually meant a great deal to me.
It is situated at the forefront of Sheik Khalifa Energy Complex main entrance. lt provides vanishing points for those who are intending on accessing the complex and for those who are following the provided linnear pathway running adjacent to the building itself and the carpark. Through this, the Sheik Khalifa Energy company did not want loiter and play to take place in front of its established entrance way since the situation of this bulky structure minimises informal social behaviour from taking place.

Despite the sincere but professional atmosphere it strongly emits, sparks of play are sometimes witnessed by means of wildlife activity. The shallow depth of water in this feature enables local birds to cool down and drink.

I am not particularly fascinated in its design and engineering, perhaps I have seen water features like this all too often. However, it distinctively reminds me of Townshend LA's water features within the completed More London development - one of the first legitimate landscape architecture sites I experienced in Oct 2008, First Sights with Kingston University.

(More London image - www.urbandesigncompendium.co.uk)

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Public square
An attractive square with plenty of planting and flowing water provides an atmosphere which is both up-beat and pleasurable, despite its secluded placement within Corniche Park. From its topography, it seems that little informed its design in terms of form and function, its seemingly 2-D shape gives me the impression that this design could be parked in any space of any environment because it has little in relationship with its surroundings. The parks elements tend to work internally rather than have much of an interest to their external setting.

However, the expansive water channels manage to take away from the sheer concentration of the centre of this square. It remains unclear as to what the main function of these water channels actually are, I admired them by following them around their course but at the same time I do not think that the designer created them in order to encourage this act to take place. Another argument could be that these channels are not pathways atall, they are merely intended for breaking up space into individual areas for an element of privacy whilst leading the eye towards the convergence of such channels.

Regardless of these uncertainties, I think that more emphasis should of been paid towards the physical properties of this park and how people would interact with them. Through this measure, I think that the parks audience will gain a firm understanding of spatial identity leading them away from what seems like a relatively awkward encounter within this given space.

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Public Gym (LifeTrail - Playground Systems)
A long linnear pathway hosts a number of different fitness machines for any individual to have a go at, including exercises that train all muscle groups of the body including partial lunge, calf stretch, upper body stretch and stregthen and many more.

Although these interactive installations are conceptually acceptable, I find that their interface is extremely limited, especially when regarded by the average gym enthusiast. These machines are merely intended for introducing those who are not familiar with exercise commitment by providing variety throughout an easy and fun approach to wellbeing.

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National Bank of Abu Dhabi
This case study is without a doubt one of my favourites for many reasons. Despite it from being another stagnant building I feel that it responds effectively to its surrounding environment, from the sky to particular movement that can be defined along its neighbouring pathways. Such achievements can be clearly identified from the aid of its distinctive exterior materials and the unique composition of the buildings structure, ultimately showing that the design team had a very high interest in acknowledging external human presence and other urban elements.

The facade is made up of polished black stone (likely to be imported marble or granite) and predominantly glass which is faintly tinted.

Either from a fair distance or in close proximity one can see the complete transprancy of the buildings upper levels, giving off an impression that the building isnt even there to an extent. It immediately appears to merge into what is behind the structure itself (sky) or even what is in front of it (other buildings) due to the reflection it emits because of the facing sun. At the top of the building, the composition starts to skew into and then away from each other (glass and polished stone) forming peaks which provide an attractive contrast in texture and colour. At the base of the building, an inward sloping face/facade is most prominant, reflecting practically everything that is in front of it due to its polished surface and acute gradient which essentially informs people of what there is to expect when approaching the building from far away. Through this, because the gradient remains stationary, elements which can be seen vary considerably on the location of the viewer in relation to this mirror effect. Ultimately making those who view this mirror effect closer up see elements that are closer to the building.

An illustrated cross section diagram will be uploaded soon in order to convey this point clearer.

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Skatepark Abu Dhabi
A good place to skate at night when the temperature cools down a bit. Had a lot of fun here this summer! Despite having fun I end up weighing a ton after drinking so much water. Dehydration is not fun, especially out here. I made a short lapse that show the features of this skatepark, it can be viewed further up in this post.

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U.A.E Flag and Pole
http://www.uaeinteract.com/docs/UAE_flag_hoisted_atop_worlds_largest_flagpole/27768.htm
I was extremely interested in this structure when I first came here, even from the 'Corniche' further south it remained huge in appearance. The dismountable pole was imported to Abu Dhabi through the use of aircraft transportation whilst the flag (L=30m,W=15m) was sewn by hundreds of people with special needs as described on the given web page.

Apart from the novelty of having the worlds largest and tallest flag in your home country, this landmark provides everyone with the most unique reference point regarding navigation solutions throughout this area, particularly a high number of temporary Abu Dhabi tourists who struggle to find their way from origin to destination and vice versa are benefitting from this astonishing yet familiar attraction.