Project Name: Stalactite
By Adam Meziou
Location: Al Quoz Industrial Area 1
Function: Entertainment/Gaming Hub
Plot: 18,550 m²
Project Description
Located in an industrial area, Stalactite invites a new audience. The primary focus of the project is to bring in a mass of activities through an entertainment-rich program, starring video gaming and e-sports as the main highlight. The main form is sculpted in such a form that errects tapers from the ground up and from the top of the structure to the bottom; similar to the stalagmites and stalactites of a cavern. This creates a space that evokes a sense of gravity defiance under a largeness of scale. Within these tapers, visitors are taken through a swirl of ramps, which holds several intermediate areas for a quick rest or for certain activities. Through this, an architecture of exploration and curiosity is achieved.
Concept
In order to develop the concept, two main ideas were focused on. Firstly, is understanding the phenomenon of apparent gravity defiant architecture and its spacial qualities. The second idea is derived from the maps and layouts of typical 2D video games. In the majority of these maps, a pattern seems to replicate. The player moves along a path that may diverge into multiple directions, to which the player may decide to either resume the main path, or divert. Stalactite is the product of merging both of said ideas.
Book
https://issuu.com/adammeziou/docs/arch501_finalthesis_adam_meziou
