Artyzen Hotels & Resorts To Make Debut In Shanghai

/in , /by
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Artyzen Hotels & Resorts and Artyzen Habitat, Shanghai Lingang New City, 2021.

Artyzen Hotels & Resorts and Artyzen Habitat, Shanghai Lingang New City, 2021.

Shun Tak Holdings Limited subsidiary, Artyzen Hospitality Group (AHG), recently announced its third and fourth hotel signing in Shanghai within six months. Following the September 2015 signing of Artyzen Habitat and citizenM Hotels at the Hongqiao Shanghai MIXC development, AHG now confirms the debut of Artyzen Hotels & Resorts and a second Artyzen Habitat that will be co-located at the Shanghai Lingang New City.

The management agreement for the two new hotels was signed with Shanghai Lujiazui Xinchen Investment Co. Ltd, one of Shanghai’s key enterprise groups, which will oversee their 2021 completion. Lingang New City is one of six main developments that play an important role in the expansion of Shanghai. The new Artyzen Hotel and Artyzen Habitat will be situated in a vibrant area of the city, facing the famous Dishui Lake and connected to the line 16 metro station.

The two hotels are to be part of a mixed-use development consisting of a standalone convention centre, ballroom for social events, retail, various food and beverage outlets and serviced apartments. The development will complement the overall eco-system of the location, targeting business, MICE, family leisure and extended stay market.

Surrounded by Government buildings, office blocks, commercial facilities and the Polar Ocean Park, it is just 30 minutes drive to Pudong International Airport and Shanghai Disney Resort. Robbert van der Maas, President of Artyzen Hospitality Group, said, “The signing of Artyzen Hotels & Resorts and Artyzen Habitat in Lingang New City is a milestone for the group – it marks the debut of our upscale brand, Artyzen Hotels and Resorts with a strong owner Lujiazui Xinchen Investment Co. Ltd.”

“The Lingang location is rich with undiscovered local culture and history. In the early days, it was a traditional fishing village and port for the salt trade. This intriguing heritage will be celebrated in our hotels and shared with our guests” says Mr. van der Mass. The two new hotels will bring the Group’s core philosophy of ‘Art’, ‘Culture’ and ‘Emotional Wisdom’ to life in unique and contemporary ways, to provide culturally rewarding guest experiences and celebrate the regions heritage as a traditional fishing village.

Artyzen Hotels and Resorts is a high-end lifestyle hotel concept where local or regional traditions relating to craftsmanship, cuisine and culture are reflected upon then reinvented to create a contemporary design aesthetic and sensibility that weaves its way throughout every aspect of the hotel. It is a platform where the hotel plays a role in sharing and sustaining the local culture by immersing both guest and staff in a cultural discovery. The Lingang New City site will have circa 300 units.

Artyzen Habitat is a community-inspired hotel concept that caters to a new generation of traveller. Fuelled in part by insights distilled from the Airbnb phenomenon, the development of the Artyzen Habitat brand has focused on delivering upscale accommodations in a home-like environment and a public area that is active, efficient and social spaces that form the perfect eco-system for dining, working, mingling and relaxing, while generating revenue and buzz at the same time. The Lingang New City site will have circa 350 units.

Milan’s Torre Arcobaleno restoration is completed to mark Expo 2015.

/in , , , /by
Reading Time: 2 minutes

DCIM105GOPROThe modernisation work of the famous Torre Arcobaleno (Rainbow Tower) at Porto Garibaldi has been completed and was recently presented, under the patronage of Milan City Council and in association with the Rete Ferroviaria Italiana and Gruppo FS Italian e-railway authorities.

Dating back to 1964 and once upon a time an anonymous water reservoir on the site of the important FS Milano Porta Garibaldi railway station, the Tower was first renovated ahead of the football World Cup held in Italy in 1990, a project that turned a downtrodden public works into a highly recognisable urban beacon. Since then, the Torre Arcobaleno has been a highly significant building for the city, a distinctive symbol of Milan’s colour and creativity, and has gradually become known as a major landmark.

A number of top companies came together with those handling the first refurbishment since 1990 to enable this unusual urban structure – clad with more than 100,000 coloured ceramic tiles – to regain all its original brightness of 25 or so years ago to mark the amazing presence of Expo 2015. The partner firms in the Torre Arcobaleno renovation project, carried out with the supervisory approval of the City of Milan Public Works and Urban Furnishing Department as the guests of the Italian State Railways, were Bazzea – B Construction Technology, Condor, Fila Solutions, Mapei and Marazzi.

Now as then, in 1990, the project was prepared and the works organised by the Architecture Division of the Milan firm Original Designers 6R5 Network, represented by Francesco Roggero, Albino Pozzi, Rita Alfano Roggero and Kiyoto Ishimoto. The renovation – all the costs of which were met by the project’s partner companies and architects – is a gift to Milan and the millions of visitors it will be welcoming during Expo 2015. The works were completed in just 71days, employing 37 workers.

The colours of the Torre Arcobaleno express the desire to inhabit our planet intelligently.

The colours of the Torre Arcobaleno express the desire to inhabit our planet intelligently.

The Torre Arcobaleno forms part of the Wonderline project by Original Designers 6R5 Network, which has been running for a number of years, linking initiatives in the world of art and architecture with the theme of Colour. The colours of the Torre Arcobaleno express the desire to inhabit our planet intelligently, creating a harmony between technology, nature, innovation and tradition. The Garibaldi zone of the nearby Piazza Gae Aulenti is the acknowledged nerve centre of the city’s Business, Fashion and Modern Architecture scenes.

The zone, now restyled by futuristic skyscrapers, has adopted the Torre Arcobaleno as its “Colourful Ceramic Totem”, there to remind people of Italy’s Master Potters and the craft origins of an industry famous all over the world for its Italian Excellence.

APCREC8 Takes Business to the Next Generation

/in , , /by
Reading Time: < 1 minute
APCREC8 is organised by Inlever Insights.

APCREC8 is organised by Inlever Insights.

The 8th Asia Pacific Commercial Real Estate Cooperation Forum China (APCREC8) intends to step outside the box by dropping out of the traditional commercial property framework and cross-referencing successful “community economy” models.

Expect dialogue sessions and talks from leading manufacturers, designers and e-commerce operators that aim to shed light on how to attract and retain next-gen customers. Pop-up expert teams will also share ideas and discuss the industry’s concerns.

Over 400 commercial property developers, principals from leading architecture design groups, creative retailer founders, community app and advanced solution providers are expected to attend the event, which takes place at the Shanghai Marriott Hotel, Luwan, China, from May 24 to 25, 2016. The event is organised by Linver Insights.

For more information, click HERE.

 

Banyan Tree Group Expands Into Australia With $150-million Venture

/in , , /by
Reading Time: 2 minutes
The view at dusk.

The view at dusk.

The Banyan Tree Group (BTG) recently announced plans for its first branded residences in Australia. The AUD150-million project and its 76 luxury freehold private residences will set a new precedent for the Brisbane property market.

Initial interest from buyers has been strong, thanks to the 2200-square-metre Kangaroo Point site’s views of the CBD, river and botanic gardens – in addition to its convenient location, proximity to amenities and the strong reputation of the Banyan Tree brand.

Taking its cues from the iconic location, the landmark building will feature a striking exterior, with three undulating wave structures. Each Banyan Tree Residence property is unique in its design, with the vision for Banyan Tree Residences Brisbane the result of a collaboration by the group’s in-house design team and Woods Bagot, an international design practice with offices in Australia.

Commenting on the development, Executive Chairman Ho Kwon Ping said, “The city was a natural choice given its 2.2 million residents and $135-billion-dollar economy. As the leader in the country’s infrastructure boom, there are strong growth projections for Brisbane as it continues to transform and evolve. Construction is slated to commence in the second half of 2016, with completion expected in late 2018. We are looking forward to bringing the Banyan Tree brand of international luxury lifestyle to our Brisbane development.”

Unit interiors at the new Residence.

Unit interiors at the new Residence.

Banyan Tree Residences Brisbane will include 76 freehold private residences over 10 levels: four penthouses (three with rooftop infinity pool and private garden terrace), 27 three-bedroom apartments and 45 two-bedroom apartments.

Owners will enjoy a secure lobby with 24-hour Banyan Tree concierge service, onsite Banyan Tree Spa and retail Gallery, premium dining venues and an exclusive rooftop garden with private function space, barbeque facilities, daybeds and an expansive infinity pool. The property will also feature additional private function spaces, gymnasium, and a secure underground car park. Residents will also enjoy proximity to some of the city’s best dining and cultural precincts, as well as schools, universities, hospitals and transportation.

Lobby View 160129

A view of the lobby.

Banyan Tree Residences Brisbane owners will receive access to the range of premium Banyan Tree services such as membership to the Banyan Tree Sanctuary Club, which entitles them to exclusive discounts and privileges through the group’s global network of resorts and spas and access to the Banyan Tree Private Collection, an exclusive destination club with a portfolio of villas in stunning locations like Tuscany and Provence.

One of Hong Kong’s Largest Public Art Hoardings Takes Centre Stage at H Queen’s

/in , /by
Reading Time: 3 minutes
The building’s unique architecture provides maximum flexibility and eco-friendly features to accommodate a range of exhibition and entertainment needs

The building’s
unique architecture provides maximum flexibility and
eco-friendly features
to accommodate a range of exhibition and
entertainment needs

Henderson Leasing Agency Company Ltd., as a wholly owned subsidiary of Henderson Land Development Company Ltd. (collectively called “Henderson”) as well as the leasing and marketing agent of the development H Queen’s (HQ), has announced a new public art programme Time & Scale: 10 Hong Kong artists at HQ in preparation for the 2017 launch of its latest development.

 

“Over the years, Henderson has witnessed the growth in Hong Kong’s art and cultural landscape. The art scene has transformed dramatically in recent years and we hope to inspire conversation about the role of Hong Kong on the global art stage through compelling pieces by Hong Kong talents,” says Kristine Li, Assistant General Manager of Henderson Leasing Agency Company Ltd.

“HQ is a game changer. The building incorporates an historic setting with an advanced modern design and a premium tailored space that capitalises on the urban backdrop of Central. Committed to forging a creative community and making Hong Kong a more vibrant place to live. HQ presents this programme to bring art closer to the general public.”

To be unveiled on 21 March during Hong Kong’s period of art celebration when connoisseurs globally flock to the city, Time & Scale: 10 Hong Kong artists at HQ is the first time 10 of Hong Kong’s most notable artists have joined forces to create captivating artwork on the building’s hoarding

This select group of established and emerging contemporary artists were invited to answer the question of what it takes to make or change a culture and have their responses showcased in one of the largest scale public art hoardings seen in Hong Kong HQ’s hoarding, an art platform widely visible to the public until the last quarter of 20 comprises three sections, Queen’s Road Central (measuring 12 metres x 5 metres), Pottinger Street (36 metres x 3 metres) and Stanley Street (2r2metres x 3 (metres). Artist   featured inclue Frog King (Kwok Mang Ho),

Lam Tung pang, Ho Sin Tung, Bosco Law, South Ho, Damon Tong, Esther Poon, Stanley Siu, and Peggy Chan.

Designed by renowned architect and artist William Lim of CL3 Architects, and occupying a prime location on 80 Queen’s Road Central, HQ will b an architectural icon and a showcase for the city’s top artistic and ifesetyle ventures.

With an emphasis   on   spaciousness, functionality, eco- friendliness and energy efficiency, HQ is specially designed ideal kthspaces for art exhibitions, as well as floors dedicated for exclusive   retail and dining establishments.   Situated   in the   centre   of   Hong   Kong’ s   art   and   lifestyle hub, the award-winning building offers esthetes and gourmets around the world an unparalleled contemporary experience.

Featured Artists
The outdoor exhibition will feature works by celebrated Hong Kong artists, including Frog, King (Kwok Mang Ho) and, Lam Tung-pang.

An iconic landmark design with all glass mullions at the podium portion to create a glass box effect

An iconic landmark design with all glass
mullions at the podium portion to create a glass box effect

Since 1967, Frog King has exhibited his works in over 3,000 art events worldwide. In 1998, he   received the coveted Hong Kong Arts Development Council Emeritus Fellowship award, and also represented 5th Venice Biennale in 2011. In 2015, his works were featured in Mobile M+: Live Art presented by West Kowloon Cultural District

An MA graduate of Central St Martins College of Art, London, Lam Tung-pang is recognised for his paintings and sculptures that interpret social content   using a combination of traditional and modern techniques. He has received numerous scholarships and awards including The Schoeni Prize -Sovereign Asian Art Prizes (2006) and Young Artist of the Year – Hunting Art Prize, U.K. (2005).

From 21 March, the Stanley Street façade will double as a canvas for Lam’s drawing that incorporates old and new images of Hong Kong. The HQ public art programme will also present works from 8 emerging artists. Representing the next generation of contemporary artists, Ho Sin Tung, Bosco Law, South Ho, Damon Tong, Esther Poon, Stanley Siu, Tony Ng and Peggy Chan will apply their creative visions t the foot tunnel adjacent to HQ.

Living Free
The site-specific art forms will range   from intricate illustrations to photography and mix media collages to colrful yarn installations. Many of the exhibits will feature interactive elements to engage and connect passersby.

Accelerate the Move to BIM for Infrastructure with Enhanced Autodesk InfraWorks 360

/in , , /by
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Autodesk, a leader in 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software, recently announced that it is enhancing its Autodesk InfraWorks 360 product by including new Road Design, Drainage Design and Bridge Design Modules at no additional charge or separate subscriptions.

These advanced capabilities were previously found separately in vertical Autodesk application modules. By including these features in the core InfraWorks product, users will no longer need to purchase modules individually.

A rendering of the E16 Highway in Norway created in InfraWorks 360 by Autodesk customer, COWI. Image courtesy of COWI

A rendering of the E16 Highway in Norway created in InfraWorks 360 by Autodesk
customer, COWI. Image courtesy of COWI

InfraWorks 360 is Autodesk’s next generation BIM for Infrastructure offering that enables true parametric modeling in spatial context. It uniquely offers customers the benefits of maintaining a BIM workflow through planning, design, construction and operations of infrastructure assets. Many customers worldwide like Parsons Brinkerhoff, VHB, David, Evans & Associates, Soethe Cursino (Brazil), and others have leveraged the power of InfraWorks 360 to optimise their project delivery process.

AutoCAD Civil 3D users are also now able to attach InfraWorks 360 to their traditional CAD-based workflows and improve their productivity through enhanced BIM workflows. The seamless interoperability between InfraWorks 360 and Civil 3D provides customers an unparalleled opportunity to fuse BIM’s contextual visualisation capabilities with detailed CAD design in their projects.

“We’re constantly working to expand the capabilities of InfraWorks 360 and help customers improve their project workflows. By integrating more functionality into the core InfraWorks 360 product at no additional cost, we are lowering the barriers to adoption for customers and helping them to accelerate their move to BIM for infrastructure,” said Gianluca Lange, Head of Sales for Architecture, Engineering and Construction, Autodesk ASEAN.

Existing users InfraWorks 360 simply need to update their version of InfraWorks 360 to gain access to the complete package. New subscribers to InfraWorks 360 will also immediately have access to all the capabilities available within the InfraWorks 360 portfolio.

Beyond including these new Road Design, Drainage Design and Bridge Design Modules at no additional cost: Students, teachers and schools worldwide can take advantage of free* access to InfraWorks and other 3D design tools and curricula via the Autodesk Academic Resource Center

Interested users can access a free* 30-day trial of InfraWorks 360 via Autodesk.com.

A Glimpse Into the Workplace of the Future

/in /by
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Millward Brown's Singapore office.

Millward Brown’s Singapore office.

Real estate consultancy JLL recently released a report that revealed a growing number of companies are using the design of their workspaces to express their company culture and values to employees. Rather than the faceless cubicles of the past, today’s offices are being designed to engage workers, drive financial benefits and grow business performance.

“Companies have spent a significant amount of time refining strategies to increase engagement through the efficiency of their workplace and effectiveness of their employees,” says Grant Morrison, Director of Workplace Strategy, Asia Pacific, JLL. “But many are realising they may have been undervaluing the only resource with unlimited potential – their workforce. In response, we’re seeing a trend toward looking at organisational culture and creating workplaces with a personality and expression to match, thus making employees more likely to be engaged when they spend time in the office.

JLL’s report, Fully Engaged, introduces the concept of “workplace expression” as being the final piece of the “3 E’s” of employee engagement. Significant gains have been made over the last two decades in the first two “E’s” – efficiency and effectiveness. Adding the final piece – expression – to the mix can create a dynamic and compelling environment that reconnects employees to their purpose, directs renewed energy and engagement, while driving innovation and productivity to new levels.

The benefits of an engaged workforce and the problems associated with disengagement are well documented. Recent studies peg the cost of disengagement in the U.S. at $450 to 500 billion a year. Conversely, research shows organisations with engaged employees experience almost 150 percent higher earnings per share compared to their competition. Companies that have taken the next step, however, are reaping even more benefits. Those who have actively developed their culture returned more than 500 percent higher revenue and 750 percent higher income.

Research shows organisations with engaged employees experience almost 150 percent higher earnings per share compared to their competition.

Research shows organisations with engaged employees experience almost 150 percent higher earnings per share compared to their competition.

Said Morrison, “Culture is intangible and hard to actively measure, yet it’s easy to sense when you walk into an office. Workplace expression shifts the office from being a passive background to an active cultural lever used to shape employee perceptions, motivations and behaviours. Allowing it to become a location where a company’s vision and mission manifest itself can easily transform a place to work into a best place to work.”

Morrison continued, “This is particularly relevant to companies in Asia given that many countries in the region are battling with high attrition rates among staff and a highly competitive environment to recruit the best candidates. Workplace is increasingly a key differentiator.”

For more information, download the ‘Fully Engaged’ report here.

Flanagan Lawrence tops the competition for Szczecin Summer Theatre

/in , /by
Reading Time: 2 minutes
The back of the stage is enclosed acoustically by curved glazed screens.

The back of the stage is enclosed acoustically by curved glazed screens.

The award-winning practice has designed an acoustically optimised outdoor performance space, located in Kasprowicza Park, Szczecin, Poland. The brief called for design proposals to maximise the flexibility of the 1976-designed theatre for a variety of performances on the stage, and to add a new roof to enclose both the stage and the audience.

The underside of the roof, which covers the stage and front of auditorium, will enhance and project the natural acoustic for orchestral events. This is achieved by a roof, which is structurally independent of the existing arch, and is formed by a curved truss that serves as the edge beam to a single cable net structure. This net supports a series of inflated fabric roof panels and suspended acoustic reflectors. Two additional trusses span the stage to support the load of the lighting grid.

Jason Flanagan, Design Director at Flanagan Lawrence.

Jason Flanagan, Design Director at Flanagan Lawrence.

Said Jason Flanagan, “The doubly-curved roof form follows the natural slope of the amphitheatre on the existing hillside to retain the views across the park, and then dramatically lifts over the stage to provide the necessary height for the performance area.”

The back of the stage is enclosed acoustically by curved glazed screens, which offer picturesque views out to Rusalka Lake and create a scenic backdrop to performances. Flanagan Lawrence’s proposal will also up grade the 2,500 seat structure with additional facilities including a box office, bathrooms, a café and a refurbished backstage area. The original structure, including the concrete arch, was designed by Zbigniew Abrahamowicz and opened in 1976.

Can your building environment affect the way you think and perform?

/in , , /by
Reading Time: 3 minutes

We know green buildings conserve natural resources, minimize environmental impacts and improve the indoor environment, but do you know it can also positively affect your cognitive performance? A recent study reveals it all.

The study was conducted at the Total Indoor Environmental Quality Laboratory at the Syracuse Center of Excellence in Syracuse, New York.

The study was conducted at the Total Indoor Environmental Quality Laboratory at the Syracuse Center of Excellence in Syracuse, New York.

SINGAPORE — Improved indoor environmental quality doubled participants’ scores on cognitive function tests, according to a new study by researchers at the Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s Center for Health and the Global Environment, SUNY Upstate Medical University and Syracuse University . The study was released in Singapore on December 4, 2015 . Primary support for the study came from United Technologies (NYSE: UTX) and its UTC Climate, Controls & Security business.

“The Impact of Green Buildings on Cognitive Function” study found that employees’ cognitive performance scores averaged 101 per cent higher in green building environments with enhanced ventilation compared to a conventional building environment.

“When it comes to the decision-making ability of green building occupants, intelligence is in the air,” said John Mandyck , United Technologies Chief Sustainability Officer. “We know green buildings conserve natural resources, minimize environmental impacts and improve the indoor environment, but these results show they can also become important human resource tools for all indoor environments where cognitive abilities are critical to productivity, learning and safety.

“The payback for improved indoor environmental quality far outweighs the investment, considering that more than 90 per cent of the costs associated with a building are related to the people who work within it once construction is completed,” he added.

Study participants’ cognitive function was measured daily within the environmentally controlled space at the Total Indoor Environmental Quality Laboratory at the Syracuse Center of Excellence.

Study participants’ cognitive function was measured daily within the environmentally controlled space at the Total Indoor Environmental Quality Laboratory at the Syracuse Center of Excellence.

“The results of this study signal that we should place equal importance on the improved indoor air quality provided by green buildings, not only for health reasons, but also to improve cognitive function and productivity,” said Tan Boon Kuan , group general manager, Carrier Singapore.

The double-blind study evaluated the cognitive performance of 24 participants who experienced conditions in a laboratory setting that simulate those found in conventional and green buildings, as well as green buildings with enhanced ventilation. Researchers measured cognitive function for nine functional domains, including basic, applied and focused activity levels; task orientation; crisis response; information seeking; information usage; breadth of approach; and strategy.

The largest improvements in cognitive function test scores occurred in the areas of crisis response, information usage and strategy.

  • Crisis response scores were 97 percent higher for the green environment and 131 percent higher for the green environment with enhanced ventilation and lower carbon dioxide levels compared to the conventional environment.
  • Information usage scores for green and enhanced green environments were 172 and 299 percent higher than in the conventional environment, respectively.
  • For strategy, green and enhanced green scores were 183 and 288 percent higher than the conventional environment.
Scientists controlled indoor environmental quality to simulate conventional and green building conditions.

Scientists controlled indoor environmental quality to simulate conventional and green building conditions.

The Center for Health and the Global Environment at the Harvard Chan School and SUNY Upstate Medical are launching a second phase of research, which will move from the lab into real buildings across the United States . This research will also be supported by a gift from United Technologies.

The full report is available at www.CHGEHarvard.org/COGfxStudy and www.theCOGfxStudy.com . Follow the discussion on Twitter using the hashtags #COGfxStudy and #IntelligenceInTheAir.

Arup bags top structural engineering award for Singapore Sports Hub

/in , /by
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Singapore Sports Hub shines in the night. Image courtesy of Arup.

Singapore Sports Hub shines in the night. Image courtesy of Arup.

Arup, a multidisciplinary engineering and consulting firm with a reputation for delivering innovative and sustainable designs, was recognised with the highest accolade at the The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) Structural Awards 2015 on 13 November 2015.

The Singapore Sports Hub, for which Arup was the structural engineer, won the Supreme Award for Structural Engineering Excellence. This is the highest accolade of the ceremony and is given at the judges’ discretion, to the project that has distinguished itself from all submissions in 2015, and for being the finest global example of structural engineering design in the year.

Stunning retracting roof at Singapore Sports Hub in action. Image courtesy of Arup.

Stunning retracting roof at Singapore Sports Hub in action. Image courtesy of Arup.

The Singapore Sports Hub is home to the world’s largest free-spanning dome of 310 metres, the approximate width of four A380 aeroplanes parked wing to wing. The roof, which covers the 55,000-seat sports stadium, also sets new benchmarks in efficiency of design and material usage, utilising a third of weight of steel normally used in a span of this size.

“It is a rare honour to have worked on and led the design for the Singapore Sports Hub – a fantastic project, with contributions from so many talented people. I am elated with the recognition the project and team have received, and am particularly proud of the work Arup has done on the National Stadium roof. Working under intense pressure, the team delivered exceptional technical work with a brilliant outcome. They pushed the boundaries of technology and thoroughly deserve this recognition,” said Andrew Henry, Project Manager at Arup.

The firm also won in four other categories: the Award for Sports or Leisure Structures, again, for the Singapore Sports Hub; the Award for Arts or Entertainment Structures for the Vegas High Roller in the USA; the Award for Regional Groups for the SSE Hydro in Glasgow; and the Housing for Low-Income Communities project in El Salvador was presented with the Award for Sustainability.

For more information on The Structural Awards 2015, visit www.istructe.org/structuralawards/2015/home.