Time Sep

(Jeff_L) #1
89

Utopia rebooted


NOMACOPENHAGEN


A world-class


spin-off


LOUVRE ABU DHABIABU DHABI


Great fortunes like to associate
themselves with great art
but the United Arab Emirates
has mostly channeled its
spectacular wealth into spectacular
structures man-made islands and
signature skyscrapers often built by
migrant laborers working in dubious
conditions. All that applies to the
Louvre Abu Dhabi which opened in



  1. Its larger aim however is as lofty
    as the $1 billion paid to the Paris original
    for the name and contents—namely to
    turn Abu Dhabi into a cultural capital.
    It helps that the Monets and van Goghs
    are displayed in a Jean Nouvel–designed
    complex that is itself a work of art. Its
    signature feature: an aluminum dome


This resort takes hospitality
to a whole new level—below
sea. Following its opening of
the irst transparent-walled
underwater restaurant in 2005 the
Conrad is now on track to unveil an
underwater residence in November.
Known as Muraka (“Coral” in the local
language) the $15 million two-story
hotel villa will be partially submerged
more than 16 ft. below the surface of the
Indian Ocean. “[Maldivians] grow up
respecting the moods of the sea” says
Ahmed Saleem the resort architect.
“This combined with global warming
makes designers think ‘outside of the
box’ in designing structures above and
below the sea.” Guests who don’t want
to wake up encircled by a menagerie of
marine life can choose to sleep in one
of two above-water bedrooms. The
residence will also come with a gym a
bar an ininity pool and an ocean-facing
bathtub all for a reported $50000 per
night.—Casey Quackenbush

After his restaurant Noma received
two Michelin stars and was named
Best Restaurant in the World four
times chef René Redzepi did
something extraordinary: he closed it and
set out to build a new one. The Noma that
reopened in February about a mile down
the road from the original is Redzepi’s
version of “utopia
for a restaurant”; its
on-site 65000-sq.-ft.
farm and three
greenhouses enable
chefs to harvest
ingredients from
their own backyard.
As a result tasting
menus (which start
at $350) feature
only seasonal
local food—it’s
either “seafood
season” “vegetable season” or “game and
forest season.” The dining area a series
of exquisite light-illed rooms designed by
architect Bjarke Ingels is an added bonus.
“Honestly I think our food tastes 10%
better because people love our space”
Redzepi says.—J.Z.


comprising 7850 stars that do with light
and shadow what palm trees do in a
more traditional oasis.—Karl Vick

Marine
menagerie
CONRAD MALDIVES RANGALI ISLAND
RANGALI ISLAND MALDIVES

AN OFFICE
BUILDING
MADE NEW
THE MURRAY
HONG KONG

CULTURAL
COMING-OF-AGE
DESIGN SOCIETY
SHENZHEN CHINA

In a landmark
1960s former
government ofice
building architects
Foster + Partners
have transformed
corporate asceticism
into irst-class
comfort. The tower
opened in January
and offers 336
spacious rooms and
a rooftop restaurant
with panoramic
views of Hong
Kong’s skyline and
Botanical Gardens a
rare green expanse
in a densely packed
metropolis.—C.Q.

In the late 1970s
Shenzhen was a
small town and
the centerpiece of
China’s economic
liberalization.
Today it’s one
of the country’s
wealthiest cities
and this sprawling
coastal arts center
symbolizes its
coming-of-age.
Of note is the unique
collaboration with the
U.K.’s Victoria and
Albert Museum that
sees exhibitions on
the power of design
including pieces from
the V&A’s permanent
collection take
center stage.
—Suyin Haynes
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