MySansar

Pictures: Inside the Badshahi Mosque

2013-03-24T19:00:00.000+05:30

Inside The Badshahi Mosque or the 'Royal Mosque' in Lahore, Pakistan

Built by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1671 and completed in 1673.
It is the second largest mosque in Pakistan and South Asia and the fifth largest mosque in the world.

Specifications

Capacity 100,000

Main Prayer Hall - 5,000
Courtyard and Porticoes - 95,000

Dome(s) 3
Minaret(s) 8 (4 major, 4 minor)
Minaret height 176 ft 4 in (53.75 m)

Construction (1671–1673)

Construction of the Badshahi Mosque was started in May 1671 and was completed after two years in April 1673.

The Badshahi Mosque was built opposite the Lahore Fort, emphasising its stature in the Mughal Empire. It was constructed on a raised platform to avoid inundation from the nearby Ravi River during flooding. The mosque's foundation and structure was constructed using bricks and compacted clay. The structure was then clad with red sandstone tiles brought from a stone quarry near Jaipur in Rajasthan and its domes were clad with white marble.

Inscribed in a marble tablet on the entrance of the Badshahi Mosque are the following words in Persian:

“The Mosque of Abul Muzaffar Muhy-ud-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir, Victorious King, constructed and completed under the superintendence of the Humblest Servant of the Royal Household, Fidai Khan Koka, in 1084 A.H.”

Architecture and design

The architecture and design of the Badshahi Mosque closely resembles that of the smaller Jama Mosque in Delhi, India. Its design was inspired by Islamic, Persian, Central Asian and Indian influences. Mosque is bold, vast and majestic in its expression.

The steps leading to the Main Prayer Hall and its floor are in Sang-e-Alvi (variegated marble). The Main Prayer Hall is divided into seven sections by means of multi-foil arches supported on heavy piers, three of which bear the double domes finished externally in white marble. The remaining four sections are roofed with flat domes.

The interior of the Main Prayer Hall is richly embellished with stucco tracery (Manbatkari), fresco work, and inlaid marble.

The exterior is decorated with stone carving as well as marble inlay on red sandstone, specially of lotiform motifs in bold relief. The embellishment has Indo-Greek, Central Asian and Indian architectural influence both in technique and motifs.

The skyline is furnished by beautiful ornamental merlons inlaid with marble lining adding grace to the perimeter of the mosque. In its various architectural features like the vast square courtyard, the side aisles (dalans), the four corner minarets (minars), the projecting central transept of the prayer chamber and the grand entrance gate, is summed up the history of development of mosque architecture of the Muslim world over the thousand years prior to its construction in 1673.

The north enclosure wall of the Mosque was laid close to the Ravi River bank, so a majestic gateway could not be provided on that side and, to keep the symmetry the gate had to be omitted on the south wall as well. Thus, a four Aiwan plan like the earlier Jama Mosque in Delhi, could not be replicated at the Badshahi Mosque.

The walls were built with small kiln-burnt bricks laid in kankar, lime mortar (a kind of hydraulic lime) but have a veneer of red sandstone. The steps leading to the prayer chamber and its plinth are in variegated marble.

The main prayer chamber is very deep and is divided into seven compartments by rich engraved arches carried on very heavy piers. Out of the 7 compartments, three double domes finished in marble have superb curvature, whilst the rest have curvilinear domes with a central rib in their interior and flat roof above. In the eastern front aisle, the ceiling of the compartment is flat (qalamdani) with a curved border (ghalatan) at the cornice level.

The original floor of the courtyard was laid with small kiln-burnt bricks laid in the Mussalah pattern. The present red sandstone flooring was laid during the last major refurbishhment (1939–60). Similarly, the original floor of the main prayer chamber was in cut and dressed bricks with marble and Sang-i-Abri lining forming Mussalah and was also replaced by marble Mussalah during the last major repairs.

There are only two inscriptions in the Mosque:

On the main gateway entrance
Kalimah in the prayer chamber under the main high vault.

Dimensions

Courtyard: 528 ft 8 in (161.14 m) x 528 ft 4 in (161.04 m) (area: 278,784 sq ft (25,899.9 m2)) (the world's largest mosque courtyard) (compared to 186 ft × 186 ft (57 m × 57 m) for the main platform of the Taj Mahal), divided into two levels: the upper and the lower. In the latter, funeral prayers can also be offered.

Prayer Chamber: 275 ft 8 in (84.02 m) x 83 ft 7 in (25.48 m) x 50 ft 6 in (15.39 m) high, with its main vault 37 ft 3 in (11.35 m) x 59 ft 4 in (18.08 m) high but with the merlons 74 ft (22.555200 m). (area: 22,825 sq ft (2,120.5 m2))

4 Corner Minarets: 176 ft 4 in (53.75 m) high and 67 ft (20 m) in circumference, are in four stages and have a contained staircase with 204 steps (compared with 162.5 ft (49.5 m) for the minarats of the Taj Mahal).

Central Dome: Diameter 65 ft (20 m) at bottom (at bulging 70 ft 6 in (21.49 m)); height 49 ft (15 m); pinnacle 24 ft (7.3 m) and neck 15 ft (4.6 m) high.

2 Side Domes: Diameter 51 ft 6 in (15.70 m) (at bulging 54 ft (16.46 m)); height 32 ft (9.8 m); pinnacle 19 ft (5.8 m); neck 9 ft 6 in (2.90 m) high.

Gateway: 66 ft 7 in (20.29 m) x 62 ft 10 in (19.15 m) x 65 ft (20 m) high including domelets; vault 21 ft 6 in (6.55 m) x 32 ft 6 in (9.91 m) high. Its three-sided approach steps are 22 in number.

Side Aisles (Dalans): 80 in number. Height above floor 23 ft 9 in (7.24 m); plinth 2 ft 7 in (0.79 m).

Central Tank: 50 ft (15 m) x 50 ft (15 m) x 3 ft (0.91 m) deep (area: 2,500 sq ft (230 m2)

Download Link: PPT

Siri Fort Stadium - Dissertation On Indian Architecture

2013-02-07T17:19:00.001+05:30

This document is about the Dissertation of Indian Architecture on Siri Fort Stadium at Siri Fort near Hauz Khas, New Delhi.

The SIRI FORT STADIUM had been constructed to serve as a competition and training venue for the Common Wealth Games, 2010. The architect firm Peddle and Thorp designed the stadium and was constructed by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). Around 329 crores had been spent on it.

This Dissertation contains:

Introduction of Siri Fort Stadium
Materials and Structure
Planning: Plan, Section as well as Construction details
Comparative analysis
Implications on society
Conclusion
Bibliography

Download Link: PDF

Well Foundation: A Case Study on Metro bridge construction in Delhi

2013-02-04T22:58:00.000+05:30

This presentation is about the construction of Well Foundation for Delhi Metro at Kalindi Kunj Bridge which connects Delhi and Noida.

This presentation contains:

Components of Well Foundation
Case Study of Metro Bridge Construction
Plan, Section as well as Construction details
Problems Faced in Construction

Download Link: PDF

The Google Science Fair 2013 Launched

2013-01-31T13:52:00.000+05:30

Introduction

Google Science Fair is an international, online science and technology competition that encourages students between the ages of 13 to 18 to be curious, ask questions, and perform science experiments to answer those questions.

In partnership with CERN, The Lego Group, National Geographic, and Scientific American, Google invites these students to post their science projects online so that they may compete for prizes, scholarships, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Its website says "We're looking for ideas that will change the world."

Google Science Fair 2013 launched on January 30.

Important Dates:

The project deadline for the competition - April 30
The finalists/Science in Action Award will be announced in June.

Interested students and teachers visit googlesciencefair.com to learn more.

Winners of Google Science Fair

1. Brittany Wenger
Grand Prize Winner, 2012 Global
Neural Network Cloud Service for Breast Cancer

2. Iván Hervías Rodríguez, Marcos Ochoa, Sergio Pascual
15-16 Age Group Winner, 2012
The Hidden Life of Water

3. Jonah Kohn
13-14 Age Group Winner, 2012
Good Vibrations

4. Bonkhe Mahlalela, Sakhiwe Shongwe
Science In Action Award Winner, 2012
Simplified Hydroponic Methods for Swazi Subsistence Farmers

5. Shree Bose
Grand Prize Winner, 2011
AMPK and Cisplatin Resistance

Video: RapeDhani a Short Film

2013-01-31T11:49:00.001+05:30

Watch this amazing video I just watched it and sharing with you guys. Its a must watch video for everyone irrespective of age or sex.

Seeking a change in country's law and order will not help, We must seek change in our mentality.

RIBA Norman Foster Travelling Scholarship for Architecture Students

2013-01-21T13:48:00.000+05:30

The 2013 RIBA Norman Foster Travelling Scholarship has been announced and is inviting applications from schools of architecture around the world. A £6,000 (RS 5,11,583) will be awarded to one student by a panel of judges which includes Lord Foster and the President of the RIBA.
Students from all Schools of Architecture worldwide are invited to apply for this £6,000 scholarship, which funds international research on topics and in locations of the student's choosing.

The topic of the research should however, relate to the survival of our cities and towns and fall under one of the following themes:
• learning from the past to inform the future
• the future of society
• density of settlements
• sustainability
• use of resources
• quality of urban life
• transport

The Deadline for Applications:
Friday 26th April 2013.

Eligible Students:
• must be enrolled in a School of Architecture with RIBA or CAA validated degree programmes or from a specially invited school or architecture centre
• must have successfully completed at least the first year of a Part 1 degree.
Each school only can submit one application produced by one student.

How to Apply:
Each school is invited to submit one application from one of its students. Each school chooses its own method of selecting its student but the completed application form must be signed by the Head of School.

The Application:
• one completed application form signed by the student AND the Head of School and
• one A1 'poster' presented as a pdf file detailing the proposal (topic, objective, locations).

Applicants are restricted to 500 words for the poster submission and the file size should not exceed 5 MB.

Additionally, applicants may submit video submissions as additional supporting material with a maximum duration of 2 minutes.

Application Form Download Link:
RIBA Norman Foster Travelling Scholarship Application Form 2013

http://www.architecture.com/Files/RIBAProfessionalServices/Education/Awards/ApplicationForm2013.doc

About the Scholarship:
The RIBA Norman Foster Travelling Scholarship has been running since 2007.
The spirit of the scholarship is based on Lord Foster's own experience as a student of architecture:
'As a student I won a prize that allowed me to spend a summer travelling through Europe to study first hand buildings and cities that I knew only from the pages of books. It was a revelation - liberating and exhilarating in so many ways. Today it is my privilege to fund the RIBA Norman Foster Travelling Scholarship, which I hope will have a lasting legacy - offering the chance for discovery and the inspiration for exciting new work - for generations to come.'
Thanks to the generosity and support of Lord Foster and Foster + Partners, the scholarship has supported six students seeking the same inspiration.

Awarded Students:
2012: Thomas Aquilina, Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture
2011: Sahil Deshpande, Rizvi College of Architecture, Mumbai
2010: Andrew Mackintosh, Scott Sutherland School of Architecture, Aberdeen
2009: Amanda Rivera, Universidad del Bio Bio, Chile
2008: Faizan Jawed Siddiqi, Rizvi College of Architecture, Mumbai
2007: Ben Masterton-Smith, Bartlett School of Architecture, London

ACE TECH 2012 in Pictures

2012-12-09T20:44:00.003+05:30

ACE TECH 2012, an Exhibition of Architecture, Construction and Engineering Consultants at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi organised by Economic Times from 6 to 12 december 2012.

Click on the Link to View Full Album and Slide Show

Jamia Millia Islamia Annual Convocation 2012

2012-11-23T18:03:00.005+05:30

The Annual Convocation of the Jamia Millia Islamia was held yesterday at 3:00 p.m. in lawn of the Ansari Auditorium. Lt. Gen. MA Zaki, Chancellor, Jamia Millia Islamia presided over the annual convocation. It began with the singing of the Jamia Tarana and ended with the National Anthem.

Vice Chancellor Mr. Najeeb Jung presented report and achievements of the university and congratulated students on their achievement and wished them happiness and success in life.

Degree of ‘Doctor of Letters’ (Honoris Causa):

On this occasion, the University conferred the Degree of ‘Doctor of Letters’ (Honoris Causa) on Dr. Ashok Seth, a famous cardiologist, chairman of cardiovascular sciences and chief cardiologist and chairman of cardiology council at the Fortis Group of Hospitals. Dr Ashok Seth's pursuit of excellence in the field of cardiology has been instrumental in putting Indian medical science on the world map. He has contributed to the growth, development and scientific progress of interventional cardiology.

Dr Ashok Seth has performed one of the highest numbers of angiographies and angioplasties in the world, which has been acknowledged by the Limca Book of Records. He was also awarded the Padma Shri in 2003 for his contribution in the field of cardiology.

Lt. Gen. M.A. Zaki presented the honour to Ashok Seth. Dr Ashok Seth accepted the honour and said, “Dil Ki Baat 8 Minute Mein Nahi Kahi Ja Sakti”. He urged students to follow principles and ethics while pursuing their respective careers and wished them the very best. He said he was proud to become an alumnus of such a glorious institute as Jamia Millia Islamia.

For the first time a live video of the proceedings of the convocation was streamed live on Jamia’s website www.jmi.ac.in.

A total of 4179 degrees/diplomas were awarded to students who have successfully completed post-graduation, graduation and diploma from different faculties/departments/centres of the university in the academic session 2010-11.

The University also handed out 142 gold medals to the toppers of different courses as also awarded 204 Ph.D. degrees to research scholars.

Click on the link to see more photos: Link to Fullscreen Slideshow

Students of Faculty of Architecture after the Convocation

Plastics: An Economical Synthesis of Aesthetics and Function

2012-11-18T14:59:00.000+05:30

Plastic is the general common term for a wide range of synthetic or semi synthetic organic solid materials suitable for the manufacture of industrial products.

Plastics are typically polymers of high molecular weight, and may contain other substances to improve performance and/or reduce costs.

PPT ON PLASTICS: Download Link

Presentation Transcript of Plastics

1. PLASTICS“An economical synthesis of aesthetics and function”

2. Introduction Plastic is the general common term for a wide range of synthetic or semi synthetic organic solid materials suitable for the manufacture of industrial products. Plastics are typically polymers of high molecular weight, and may contain other substances to improve performance and/or reduce costs. The word derives from the Greek (plastikos), "fit for molding", ]. It refers to their malleability, or plasticity during manufacture, that allows them to be cast, pressed, into an enormous variety of shapes—such as films, fibers, plates, tubes, bottles, boxes, and much more. India produces about 4.00 lac of tonnes per year.

3. Characteristics of Plastics Plastics are divided into two distinct groups: thermoplastics and thermosets. Thermoplastic-meaning that once the plastic is formed it can be heated and reformed repeatedly. e.g-Celluloid is a thermoplastic. This property allows for easy processing and facilitates recycling. Thermosets- can not be remelted. Once these plastics are formed, reheating will cause thematerialto decompose rather than melt. Eg.- Bakelite, poly phenol formaldehyde, is a thermoset. Plastics can be very resistant to chemicals.-some of solvents easily dissolve plastics, other plastics provide safe, non-breakable packages for aggressive solvents.

4. Plastics can be both thermal and electrical insulatorThermal resistance is evident in the kitchen with plastic pot and pan handles,coffee pot handles, the foam core of refrigerators and freezers, insulated cups,coolers and microwave cookware.The thermal jackets that many skiers wear is made of polypropylene and thefiberfill in many winter jackets is acrylic or polyester.

5. Generally, plastics are very light in weight with varying degrees of strength.Applications of plastics from toys to the frame structure of buildings, or from delicate nylon fiber , which is used in bulletproof vests.

6. •Plastics can be classified by their chemical structure, namely the molecular units that make upthe polymers backbone and side chains.•Common thermoplastics range from 20,000 to 500,000 in molecular mass, while thermosetsare assumed to have infinite molecular weight.• These chains are made up of many repeating molecular units, known as "repeat units", derivedfrom "monomers"; each polymer chain will have several thousand repeat units.•The vast majority of plastics are composed of polymers of carbon and hydrogen alone or withoxygen, nitrogen, chlorine or sulfur in the backbone.•Some plastics are partially crystalline and partially amorphous in molecular structure.•semi-crystalline plastics include polyethylene, polypropylene, poly (vinyl chloride),polyamides (nylons), polyesters and some polyurethanes.•Many plastics are completely amorphous, such as polystyrene and its copolymers, poly (methylmethacrylate), and all thermosets.

7. History The history of manufactured plastics goes back more than 100 years.Their usage over the past century has enabled society to make huge technological advances. Although plastics are thought of as a modern invention, there have always been "natural polymers" such as amber, tortoise shells and animal horns. Alexander Parkes unveiled the first man-made plastic at the 1862 Great International Exhibition in London. This material -- which was dubbed Parkesine, now called celluloid -- was an organic material derived from cellulose that once heated could be molded but retained its shape when cooled. Parkes claimed that this new material could do anything that rubber was capable of, yet at a lower price. He had discovered a material that could be transparent as well as carved into thousands of different shapes. In 1907, chemist Leo Hendrik Baekland, while striving to produce a synthetic varnish, stumbled upon the formula for a new synthetic polymer originating from coal tar. He subsequently named the new substance "Bakelite." Bakelite, once formed, could not be melted. Because of its properties as an electrical insulator Bakelite was used in the production of high-tech objects including cameras and telephones.

8.  Plastics served as substitutes for wood, glass and metal during the hardship times of World War’s I & II. After World War II, newer plastics, such as polyurethane, polyester, silicones, polypropylene, and polycarbonate joined polystyrene and PVC in widespread applications. From daily tasks to our most unusual needs, plastics have increasingly provided the performance characteristics that fulfill consumer needs at all levels. Plastics are used in such a wide range of applications because they are uniquely capable of offering many different properties.

9. Raw materials Basic raw materials used in making of plastics are:1. Petroleum2. Lime stone3. Salt4. Sulphur5. Cellulose from cotton and wood6. Air7. Water8. Oil and natural gas.

10. Most plastics are made from crude oil (coal and natural gas can also beused), Crude oil is found deep underground and by drilling deep down intothe rock oil is brought to the surface and then shipped or piped from theproducing regions to refineries .The crude oil is then refined to make petrol, diesel and motor oils for carsand lorries. Out of every 100 litres of oil refined, 10 litres are used to makeplastic.To make plastics, the atoms that make up oil are pulled apart and separated.They are then joinedback together in long thin chains of atoms called polymers. By changing theorder ofthe atoms in the polymer chains, different kinds of plastic can be produced.Plastic is then moulded into thousands of different shapes. There are threemain ways ofmoulding plastic, by injection, heat or being blown. .

11. Process showing manufacturing of plastics from crude oil

12.  Casting-mould of different materials such as lead –antimony ,sheet metal, clay or POP are used to cast plastics into required shape without application of any pressure.

13.  Extrusion - Plastic pellets or granules are first loaded into a hopper, then fed into an extruder, which is a long heated chamber, through which it is moved by the action of a continuously revolving screw. The plastic is melted by a combination of heat from the mechanical work done and by the hot sidewall metal. At the end of the extruder, the molten plastic is forced out through a small opening or die to shape the finished product. As the plastic product extrudes from the die, it is cooled by air. water used for object and tubes.

14.  Injection molding - In injection molding, plastic pellets or granules are fed from a hopper into a heating chamber. An extrusion screw pushes the plastic through the heating chamber, where the material is softened into a fluid state. Again, mechanical work and hot sidewalls melt the plastic. At the end of this chamber, the resin is forced at high pressure into a cooled, closed mold. Once the plastic cools to a solid state, the mold opens and the finished part is ejected.

15.  Blow molding - Blow molding is a process used in conjunction with extrusion or injection molding. A chilled mold is clamped around the tube and compressed air is then blown into the tube to conform the tube to the interior of the mold and to solidify the stretched tube. Overall, the goal is to produce a uniform melt, form it into a tube with the desired cross section and blow it into the exact shape of the product. This process is used to manufacture hollow plastic products and its principal advantage is its ability to produce hollow shapes without having to join two or more separately injection molded parts

16. Types of plastics1. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE)2. High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)3. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)4. Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)5. Polypropylene (PP)6. Polystyrene (PS)7. Thermosets8. Thermoplastics9. Elastomers

17. ThermosetsThermosets are hard and have a very tight-meshed, branched molecular structure.Curing proceeds during shaping, after which it isno longer possible to shape the material byheating.Further shaping may then only be performed bymachining.Thermosets are used, for example, to make lightswitches.

18. ElastomersWhile elastomers also have a crosslinkedstructure, they have a looser mesh thanthermosets, giving rise to a degree ofelasticity.Once shaped, elastomers also cannot bereshaped by heating.Elastomers are used, for example, toproduce automobile tires.

19. ThermoplasticsThermoplastics have a linear or branchedmolecular structure which determines theirstrength and thermal behavior; they areflexible at ordinary temperatures.At approx. 120 - 180 C, thermoplasticsbecome a pasty/liquid mass. The servicetemperature range for thermoplastics isconsiderably lower than that for thermosets.The thermoplastics polyethylene (PE),polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polystyrene(PS) are used, for example, in packagingapplications.

20.  PETE Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE) is hard, tough and has good gas and moisture barrier properties making it ideal for carbonated beverage applications and other food containers. its high use temperature allows it to be used in applications such as heatable pre-prepared food trays. its heat resistance and microwave transparency make it an ideal heatable film. HDPE High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is used for many packaging applications because it provides excellent moisture barrier properties and chemical resistance. General uses of HDPE include injection-molded beverage cases, bread trays as well as films for grocery sacks and bottles for beverages and household chemicals.

21.  PVC Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) has excellent transparency, chemical resistance, long term stability, good weatherability and stable electrical properties. Pvc products can be broadly divided into rigid and flexible materials. Rigid applications are concentrated in construction markets, which includes pipe and fittings, siding, rigid flooring and windows. PVCs success in pipe and fittings can be attributed to its resistance to most chemicals, imperviousness to attack by bacteria or micro-organisms, corrosion resistance and strength. It is used in wire and cable sheathing, insulation, film and sheet, flexible floor coverings, synthetic leather products, coatings, blood bags, and medical tubing.

22.  LDPE Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) is predominantly used in film applications due to its toughness, flexibility and transparency. LDPE has a low melting point making it popular for use in applications where heat sealing is necessary. LDPE is also used to manufacture some flexible lids and bottles, and it is widely used in wire and cable applications for its stable electrical properties and processing characteristics. PP Polypropylene (PP) has excellent chemical resistance and is commonly used in packaging. It has a high melting point, making it ideal for hot fill liquids. Polypropylene is found in everything from flexible and rigid packaging to fibers for fabrics and carpets and large molded parts for automotive and consumer products.

23.  PS Polystyrene (PS) is a versatile plastic that can be rigid or foamed. General purpose polystyrene is clear, hard and brittle. Its clarity allows it to be used when transparency is important, as in medical and food packaging, in laboratory ware, and in certain electronic uses. Expandable Polystyrene (EPS) is commonly extruded into sheet for thermoforming into trays for meats, fish and cheeses and into containers such as egg crates. EPS is also directly formed into cups and tubs for dry foods such as dehydrated soups. Both foamed sheet and molded tubs are used extensively in take-out restaurants for their lightweight, stiffness and excellent thermal insulation.Other Plastics There are many other plastics beyond the most common ones described above, for example nylon, ABS copolymers, polyurethanes, and polymethyl methacrylate.

24. Environmental issues related with plastics Recycling of Plastics: It has been the most important issue today scenario because most of the plastics are non Bio-Degradable in nature .

25.  Plastics are durable and degrade very slowly. In some cases, burning plastic can release toxic fumes. Also, the manufacturing of plastics often creates large quantities of chemical pollutants. Prior to the ban on the use of CFCs in extrusion of polystyrene (and general use, except in life-critical fire suppression systems; see Montreal Protocol), the production of polystyrene contributed to the depletion of the ozone layer; however, non-CFCs are currently used in the extrusion process. Thermoplastics can be remelted and reused, and thermoset plastics can be ground up and used as filler, though the purity of the material tends to degrade with each reuse cycle. There are methods by which plastics can be broken back down to a feedstock state.

26. Air pollution:Some people try to dispose of unwanted plastic items by burning them on bonfires in the garden. However, burning plastics can create lots of choking black smoke which can pollute the air we breath. In a modern EfW incinerator plastics can be burnt without causing pollution as the smoke is filtered and cleaned before it is released into the air.

27. Uses of plastics Common uses of plastics Plastics versatility allow them to be used in everything from car parts to building construction. Plastics help make your life easier and better. Plastic is shatter-resistant. In each case, plastics help make your life easier, healthier and safer. They help major appliances - like refrigerators or dishwashers - resist corrosion, last longer and operate more efficiently. It helps save energy. In fact, plastics can play a significant role in energy conservation. Plastic bag manufacture generates less greenhouse gas and uses less fresh water than does paper bag manufacture.

28. Plastics as a Building MaterialToday, plastics materials are so widely used inthe building industry that it would be difficult toenvisage the construction of any building withoutthem.The Building and Construction sector -currentlysecond largest user of plastics in Europe -isexpected still to grow substantially in the future.Plastics have over the years become amaterial of choice for achieving economic andenvironmental balance between technologicalchallenges and functional design.

29. Plastics in Building and Construction applications plastics for decorative laminates plastics for drainage and irrigation pipes plastics for drinking water pipes plastics for electrics and electronics plastics for fittings plastics for floor and wall coverings plastics for insulation materials plastics for roofing plastics for sewer pipes and ducts plastics for waterproofing plastics for window and door profiles

30. Features and Advantages in Building and Construction durability, corrosion resistant cold, heat and sound insulation for energy saving and noise reduction cost efficiency light weight maintenance free innovation applications with unlimited choice of surface, colours and materials for creative design recyclability

31. Building with plastics saves energy and money, and protects the environment Plastics are a very important material in the building sector. In fact, roughly 20% of all the plastics used are used for products in the building industry. And after packaging, the building industry is the second highest user of plastics. Plastics are also very light and they require very little maintenance (they do not rust or rot). This makes them ideal for the construction industry. Housing is the second biggest consumer of energy. Plastics make great insulators and sealers which helps enormously in improving energy efficiency and reducing harmful C02 emissions.

32. Uses of plastics in Architecture On the basis of classification of plastics Polyethylene Terephthalate Because of its heat resistance capability & microwave transparency ,it is being used in roof making purposes
33. PolypropyleneThese are though materials used in fatigue resistance, chemical resistanceand electrical insulation properties.used as storage tanks,switches & seal ofdoors & windows

34. High Density PolyethyleneHigh density polyethylene sheets are similar to polypropylene sheets in termsof usability. It has a lower melting point & heats more uniformly.Used for storage tanks, industrial containers, fish boxes etc.Due to its flexibility & leak proof joints it is used over rough terrain.

35. Polystyrene The insulating ability of polystyrene  prevents heat generated inside buildings makes it an ideal material for energy efficient building products particularly being soaked into the ground and is when combined with its other properties: particularly effective in improving the performance of under floor heating Sound absorbency which increases sound systems insulation particularly when used in  In floor slab the system is completed by combination with harder building materials such as concrete; the placement of reinforcing bars between the blocks in both directions, EPS is non toxic, does not contain CFCs, reinforcing mesh above the blocks and can be 100% recycled, Versatile in that it concrete to fill the channels, encapsulate can be moulded, shaped and cut into the rebar and mesh to form the structure virtually any shape or pattern of the floor slab. Fire-retardant. All polystyrene used in building products is fire-retardant and will not propagate or contribute to the spread of fire

36. Low Density PolyethyleneLow Density Polyethylene (LDPE) is predominantly used infilm applications due to its toughness, flexibility and transparency.LDPE has a low melting point making it popular for use inapplications where heat sealing is necessary.LDPE is also used tomanufacture some flexible lids and bottles
37. Sprayed PolyurethaneIt is a type of plastic which is used on the roof to prevent it from leaking

38. Thermoset plasticsDurable Scratch resistant .High hardness ,Antibacterial ,Anti-UV function,antiflammability .Ceramic feel Soft closing feature

39. ThermoplasticsAdvanced framing techniques Pultruded Glass Reinforcedcreate structurally sound buildings. PolyesterInsulation material to improvethermal resistance or R-value

40. Elastomers Mainly used in door, window and car to give airproof propertiesEPDM SealingStrip

41. PVC one the major components in Building construction PVC Properties for a Building Moisture proofing,corrosion-resistance and free from deformation; Multiple chamber system design ensure thermal and sound insulation,fire retardance. Galvanized steel reinforcement enhance high strength and stability for the window system Easy assemble, green environmental protection Glazing beads in various size are available to accommodate the different thickness of glass.

42. PVC windows and doors

43. Roofline productsPVC does not warp or rot and is highly resistant, making it ideal for rooflinedrainage, cladding, fascias, soffits and bargeboards

44. GRP - Glass Reinforced Plastic GRP is a very high strength composite material made from plastic reinforced by fine fibres / strands of glass •Key Advantages; * Design flexibility - The material can be moulded into virtually any shape; * High strength impact resistant; * Vast range of RAL colours and textures available; * Ideal for internal and external use (material is water proof); * Fire retardant chemicals can be incorporated into the material; * Speed of installation; * Can be cost effective when manufactured in volume.

45. On the basis of applications in buildingsplastics for decorative laminates High Pressure Laminates for flooring & Counterparts

46. Plastics for drainage and irrigation pipes plastics for drinking water pipes

47. Plastics for electrics andelectronics & fittings

48. plastics for insulation materials Theses types of houses are: Fire-resistant, and wind- resistant. Also it is highly sound resistant, making for a peaceful home in even the busiest areas. Foam insulation form

49. plastics for roofing

50. plastics for waterproofing

51. plastics for window and door profiles

52. Plastic Panels Plastic Panels for the Dairy Industryfor the Car Wash Industry

53. Exampleswalls of polycarbonate divide and define spaces in both houses. The degree of opacityare used to vary the effects of light and shadow.

54. 216 Alabama and 1603 Random RoadNewyork,U.S.AArchitect: Dan Rockhill, Kent Spreckelmeyer, Studio804, Newyork,U.S.ALexan (polycarbonate) from GE Structural Plastics

55. The data centre at YouBet.com is enclosed by YouBet.comcurved acrylic panels fastened to the stud wall San Fernando Valley, Calif.with hat channel clips (below). Workstations Architect: Lorcan O’Herlihy Architects (Lorcan O’Herlihy,(right) are enclosed with single sheets of heated Plastics suppliers: Hastings Plasticsand bent acrylic (workstations); Fisher Lumber (curved wall); Crommie Construction (contractor)

56. By using green translucent polycarbonate on the exterior layer ofthe facade and white translucent polycarbonate on the interior, theeffect changes from inside to outside. Green Glen,San Francisco,Calif.Architect: Pfau Architecture(Peter Pfau, principal)

57. IBM E-business Center for InnovationChicagoArchitect: Design Office (George Yu and Jason King, principals), LosAngeles; Hellmuth, Obata, & Kassabaum, Chicago .NorthwesternTerrazzo & Flooring (acrylic terrazzo)

58. Acrylic terrazzo flooring (middleleft, bottom left) gives depth to floorsurfaces and reflects lightthroughout the space. Fiber resincoat closets and a reception deskenclosure, made by sameprocess, yield different effects whencompleted.

59. “The creative possibilities are endless."

PPT: Yamuna Biodiversity Park by SN Sharma

2012-11-17T17:35:00.002+05:30

'Yamuna Biodiversity Park' is located close to river Yamuna, Jharoda, Wazirabad.
It is actually 1km away from the main stream of Yamuna but still in its Basin. It was a part of the flood plain during some 30-40 years back.
DDA acquired land in 2001-2002 and planned biodiversity park in 2003. The area is low lying used to get seasonally flooded and long spell of standing water has turned soil more saline(pH=8.9).
For developing park two pronged strategies were adopted- physical and biological interventions.

PPT: Yamuna Biodiversity Park by SN Sharma: Download Link

Burj Al Arab, Dubai: Design, Construction and Analysis

2012-11-16T18:06:00.001+05:30

Introduction: The Burj Al Arab is a 7 star luxury hotel located on the sandy beach of Jumeirah, Dubai. It is the only 7 star hotel in the world and it is also the worlds tallest hotel at 321 meters above sea level.

It was designed by Tom Wright of WS Atkins PLC and stands on an artificial island 280meters away from Jumeirah beach. It is connected to mainland by a curving private bridge. It was designed to symbolize Dubai’s urban transformation and to mimic the shape of an Arab Dhow.

The Burj al Arab (Arabian Tower) hotel is built in the shape of a modern yacht sail to reflect Dubai′s seafaring heritage combined with a modern aspect moving forwards into the future. It accommodates 202 one, two and three bedroom suites.

Features:

It is 321 metres high and is the tallest stand-alone hotel structure in the world.
It is built 290 metres off the Dubai coast on a triangular, man made, landscaped island with sides of 150 m in length built off the sea bed in 7.5 metres of open sea.
The gross area of the Burj al Arab is 1.2 million square feet with 28 double height space floors, each floor is 7m high.
The island is protected by special hollow concrete armour units.
The concrete structure, with exposed diagonal steel wind bracing, is triangular in plan founded on 250 concrete piles which penetrate the sea floor to a depth of more than 40 m.
The atrium is the tallest in the world at 182 metres high.

Burj Al Arab, Dubai — Presentation Transcript

1. BURJ AL ARAB Omar CantuSilvia CarrollDong Ho Kim Kevin Kim
2. The Design• Resembles a sail• Shipping history• Dubai monument• Built on private island• Tallest hotel in the world• Underwater restaurant only accessible by submarine• Architecture Firm: W.S. Atkins• Based in Surrey, England• Project Lead Architect Tom Wright• Engineering Firm: Al Habtoor• Construction began 1994 with planning and was completed in 1999
3. The Structure• Exoskeleton Frame
4. The Structure• Trusses
5. The Structure• Central Spine
6. The Structure• Membrane
7. In Construction• Concrete Superstructure
8. In Construction• Bracing
9. Analysis-Trusses • Braces steel frame diagonally • Resists Lateral Loads • Reduce Moment and Deflection
10. MultistructureAnalysis-Bracing Bracing In Tension • Braces the exterior steel frame • Resists Lateral Loads • Resists Overturning
11. Analysis-Spine • Lateral loads are transferred from steel frame to central spine • Spine unifies the steel and concrete structures
12. Analysis-Frame Whole loads are first passed from reinforced concrete in multistory frame to main steel exoskeleton, and then to the foundation.
13. Lateral Loads
14. Lateral LoadsWithout Bracing With Bracing
15. Moment DiagramWithout Bracing With Bracing
16. Atrium Membrane • Façade for worlds tallest atrium • Material – Teflon coated Fiberglass • Supported on arched trusses • Trusses supported by cross braced steel rods • Anchored at the bottom, mezzanine at the top • Reduces glare and allows diffused lighting into atrium
17. The Foundation• Foundation is a piled raft• 250 bored piles using friction• Each is 1.5m and 35m long• Bored through sand• Resists earthquakes
18. The Referenceshttp://archnet.org/library/sites/one-site.tcl?site_id=4407http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/545499.stmhttp://www.ameinfo.com/news/Detailed/29264.htmlhttp://www.anvari.org/cols/Burj_Alarab.htmlhttp://www.burjalarab.hcareers.co.uk/http://www.egypteng.com/projectm/burj.asphttp://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=107803http://www.habtoor.com/engineering/http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0001338.htmlhttp://www.jumeirahinternational.com/?source=404http://www.skypage.comhttp://www.structurae.net/http://www.thecityreview.com/skyterra.htmlAuthor. “Shady Character” World architecture, Apr 2000Halford, M. “Chicago Beach Resort Development, Dubai.” Concrete, July/August 1997McBride, R. “Burj al Arab.” Architecture, Aug 2000Talarico, W. “Designing with structural fabrics.”Architectural Record, Sept 2000.
19. Thank You

PPT: Dubai and its Architecture

2012-11-12T11:51:00.001+05:30

Construction on a large scale has turned Dubai into one of the fastest growing cities in the world.

Some of the worlds amazing buildings and structures are here in Dubai like Burj al-Arab, Burj Dubai, Palm Islands, The World (archipelago), etc.

PPT: Dubai and its Architecture: Download Link

Dubai Architecture — Presentation Transcript:

1. DUBAI: one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates on the Persian Gulf

2. Demographics: Dubai is unusual in that its population is comprised mainly of expatriates A quarter of the population reportedly trace their origins to neighbouring Iran Dubai is also home to some 100,000 British and other western expatriates

3. Language and religion: The official language is Arabic but English, German, Hindi are also widely spoken Islam is the majority religion of the Emiratis and while a vast majority of the locals are Sunnis

4. Economy: Oil reserves in Dubai are less than one- twentieth those of Abu Dhabi, and oil income represents a small proportion of the emirates income. A majority of the emirates revenues are from tourism.

5. Real estate and property: Today, Dubai is an important tourist destination and port (Jebel Ali, constructed in the 1970s, has the largest man-made harbour in the world). The governments decision to diversify from a trade-based but oil-reliant economy to one that is service- and tourism- oriented has made real estate more valuable
6.  Construction on a large scale has turned Dubai into one of the fastest growing cities in the world

7. Burj hotel: The Burj al-Arab (Tower of the Arabs) is a luxury hotel in Dubai Was briefly marketed as "the worlds first seven-star hotel"
8.  it is the tallest building used exclusively as a hotel. It stands on an artificial island 280 m The client wanted a building that would become an iconic or symbolic statement for Dubai
9.  It was built to resemble the sail of a dhow The interior of the hotel is dominated by a massive atrium formed between the V shaped structure and its fabric sail Other features include a helipad, suspended near the top of the building
10.  interior guest space is a compilation of lavish and luxurious architectural styles from both the east and the west
11.  hotel boasts of 8,000 square meters of 22- carat gold leaf 24,000 square meters of 30 different types of marble
12.  The building becomes not only an icon for Dubai but symbolizes the growing importance of capitalism as well
13. The atrium is so large !
14. The building accomplishes some of its goals becoming a recognizable architectural form serving as an icon for Dubai symbolizing the on-going architectural transformation symbolizing the wealth of the community

15.  The property boom is largely driven by many projects planned for Dubai. Off-shore such as Palm Islands and The World (archipelago).

16. Palm Island: palm trees will shelter nearly 500 apartments, 2 000 villas, 25 hotels and 200 shops of luxury. will be completed as of the end of 2005. Hundred twenty-five kilometers of coast additional will be thus created.

17. The World: With broad of Dubaï, nearly 300 artificial islands, seen sky will form a planisphere. If you want to acquire one of these islands, it will cost some to you between 6,2 to 36,7 million dollars. should be completed at the end of 2005

18.  The aspirations of the ruling sheikh are reflected by the ultra-modern architecture of the city ,such as Burj al-Arab located on its very own island in the Persian Gulf and currently the tallest hotel in the world.

19. Dubai Marina. new city, of a total cost of 10 billion dollarsIt will be able to lodge 120 000 people. Three principal towers will be set up and will

20.  Emaar Properties is currently constructing what will become the worlds tallest structure, the Burj Dubai. The final height of the skyscraper is a closely guarded secret , but estimates so far point to a height upwards of 810m. Burj Dubai is expected to be completed in 2008
21. Madinat Al Arab: Here the representation of the one of the districts of the future greater sea front in the world, Dubai Waterfront. This sight accounts for the architectural ambition and the spectacular development of real constructions with Dubaï.

Reliance Communications teamsup with WhatsApp in India and offers various prepaid plans

2012-10-16T10:41:00.001+05:30

Reliance Communications has launched various prepaid plans after teaming up with WhatsApp in India.

New Prepaid Plans:

1. My College Plan: Group SMS @5 Paise
Details: Students can call and SMS within their specified group at just 5 paise and also broadcast a message in the campus through a SMS to the entire college group for just Rs 3 by texting the message to 51112.

2. WhatsApp Plan: unlimited usage of WhatsApp and Facebook @Rs 16/month.

How to Subscribe:

My College Plan: SMS SUB to 51111
WhatsApp Plan: SMS "WA" or "WhatsApp" or "FB" or "Facebook" to 53739.
No data charges applicable for WhatsApp or Facebook access through these packs.

Top Ten Hotels of the Future

2012-10-13T17:28:00.002+05:30

Look at the top ten hotels of the future that are truly out of this world!

#10 - Hotel Burj Al Arab

Considered the first and only 7-Star hotel in the world, the Hotel Burj Al Arab was designed to resemble a billowing sail of 321 meters. Dominating the Dubai coastline, in the evening it offers extraordinary views, encircled by choreographed color sculptures of water and fire. This all-suite hotel offers chauffeur driven Rolls Royce, discreet in-suite check in, private reception desk on every floor and a team of highly trained butlers who provide around-the-clock attention.

#9 -The Inflatable Space Hotel

The Commercial Space Station Skywalker , designed by Bigelow Aerospace, Las Vegas is an inflatable space hotel. With a preliminary phase launched in 2007 from Russia and an anticipated completion date of 2015, the hotel will be positioned 515-kms above Earth. Not only is the hotel inflatable, so is the cost of a room. While the anticipated price tag of the project is only a paltry $500 million, the room rates are expected to run as high as $1 million per night. Business men, try to claim that cost on your next expense report!

#8 - Hotel Pods

When the London-based Thomson Holidays released the report "2024: A Holiday Odyssey," the prominent UK tour operator predicted that hotels of the future will be constructed on foldable pod constructed on stilts, which could be installed anywhere in the world. The pods would be self-sustainable, and guests could actually design their own rooms by projecting their favorite images on the walls. If and when a specific destination was no longer desirable, due a lessening in tourist demand or in the case of terrorism, the pod could simply be packed up and moved to a new location. Sort of like folding up ones’ tent for the space age!

# 7-Waterworld

No, not the Kevin Kostner’s 1995 movie! Sited in a dramatic lagoon-like quarry in Songjiang, China , this 400-bed resort hotel is uniquely created within the natural elements of its environs. Subterranean public areas and guest rooms add to its distinctiveness. Rock climbing and bungee jumping are unique sporting activities not usually associated with your standard hotel, but the resort also offers guests the standard fare including cafes, restaurants and sporting facilities

#6 - The Voyager V1

Little is known about the Voyager V1 as a hotel of the future that comes in the shape of an 185 metre ferris wheel. Advance notices lack descriptive detail, but indicate it will be located in Abu Dhabi and based on its preliminary architectural renderings, it appears that it will conceptually live up to its name!

#5 - The Apeiron Hotel

Still in its design phase, this hotel would be the second (self-awarded) 7 star hotel to be built in Dubai. As already mentioned, the Burj Al Arab Hotels is the first self-proclaimed 7 star hotel in that location. It boasts over 350 luxury apartment suites, and its décor will be jungle-themed. The hi-tech futuristic hotel exudes extensive luxury and comfort with its own private lagoon, beaches, restaurants, cinemas, retail shopping, art gallery, spas and conference facilities. Its out of the world design is mesmeric enough to deliver a spell-bound experience for all visitors.

#4 -The Poseidon Undersea Resort

Bruce Jones who has spent much of his career designing ground-breaking submarines for the rich and famous, is now redirecting his expertise to the hotel industry on a private island in Fiji. Surrounded by 5,000-acre lagoon, the hotel’s accommodations will include luxurious 550 square feet large suites. Anyone wanting to stay at Poseidon (which will feature submarine usage for all guests) will have to ante up $15,000 for the underwater experience, or $30,000 for a couple sharing a room. The package includes private plane transport from a Fijian airport to the resort. Here, tourists in addition to submarine piloting can indulge in para-sailing, deep reef excursions, scuba diving, sea-tracking on the sea floor, water sports, , and cave exploration.

#3 -The Lunatic Hotel

For those of us who have always dreamt of honeymoon on the Moon, your wish might need to be bestowed on your children or perhaps your children’s children. A hotel satellite under the self-effacing name of the Lunatic Hotel will be constructed by designers Hans-Jurgen Rombaut of the Rotterdam Academy of Architecture in the Netherlands and Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo. However their tentative completion date is scheduled for 2050. The cost of launching tons of steel and water to the Moon is still a major challenge, but according to Rombaut, a good portion of the construction materials can be manufactured right on the Moon itself, using existing minerals and ores. However, with the cost of inflation one can only imagine the kind of deep pockets one will need to check-in to Lunatic. Rombaut is anticipating that a two-week stay in his low-gravity leisure centre will probably cost as much as a mortgage on a house (in an upscale neighborhood, of course)!

#2 -Death Star Lunar Hotel Complex

Hotel Full Moon

Why wonder if we’ll ever check into a hotel on the moon, when if Heerim Architects have their way, lunar hotels can be built right here on Earth? Ultramodern-chic will be coming to Azerbaijani capital of Baku with two "lunar inspired" projects, one of which (Hotel Full Moon) looks an awful lot like the Death Star from Star Wars sagas and the other, the Hotel Crescent, designed as its counterpoint. Whether or not the name “Death Star” will be a draw or detriment, these two hotels are uber-futuristic and will certainly add to the tourism one of the world’s fastest growing economic meccas. While construction dates continue to be postponed and both hotels seem like pipe dreams, one could only wonder when and if they actually do open, if they will become home to royalty and dignitaries, the likes of Princess Leia and her Jedi entourage!

Hotel Crescent Moon

#1 - Aeroscraft: The Flying Luxury Hotel of Tomorrow

The Aeroscraft is a gigantic 400-ton blimp designed to carry passengers in its spacious luxury liner-type facility. The flying hotel is equal in size to two football fields and is airlifted by 14 million cubic feet of helium, huge electric and hydrogen fuel cell powered propellers and six turbofan jet engines. The hotel will be able to accommodate 250 passengers while soaring 8,000 feet above the ground, and will provide tourists with hi-tech amenities in its guestrooms, casino, restaurants and staterooms.

Aeroscraft: The Flying Luxury Hotel of Tomorrow

While all of these futuristic hotels will be shaping future travel, Glen Hiemstra , founder ofFuturist.com believes there are other factors that will define the hotels to come. He believes “that robotics will be one of the most significant technologies to affect the hotel industry in the future," says Hiemstra. He envisions a hotel where robots can do the majority of the cleaning and check-ins. "But the really far-out science fiction scenario is with nanotechnology," he says. (In short, nanotechnology is the ability to manipulate and manufacture things at the molecular level.) "In 2025 or 2030, we might be able to have rooms reconfigure themselves to whatever guests want, whether it's a king-sized bed and a couch, or a single bed and a desk."

While checking into the future sounds a lot like an episode out of the TV-show, The Jetsons,with all the innovation and appeal built into the future design, décor and amenities, it sounds like we better start making our reservations now, as there may not be any rooms at the inn, when the future rolls around!

ICC World Cup Twenty20 2012 Final in Pictures

2012-10-08T19:36:00.001+05:30

West Indies is the champion of ICC World Cup Twenty20 2012. West Indies did it. They shown the cricket world their power and existence. Catch the pictures from Final between West Indies and Srilanka.

Pics: Apeiron Island Hotel, Dubai

2012-10-06T17:11:00.000+05:30

Apeiron Island Hotel is Dubai’s US $350 million project, it’s the hi-tech and futuristic 7 star Hotel.

The Apeiron Island will be 300m from the coast of Dubai and the top two floors of the hotel will even feature a temperature-controlled butterfly jungle with tropical species – talk about luxury travel.

The project is valued at over 500 million U.S. dollars and has a stretch of over 200,000 square meters on the level. Future hotel will be located on an island and will be the second 7-star hotel after Burj Al Arab. With height of 180 meters above the hotel will be equipped with350 suites, private beaches, hi-tech equipment, conference rooms, underwater restaurant, shops,cinemas and art galleries.

Architect: Sybarite Architects

Other Names: The Rollmop, The Pringle, and The Funnel

Underwater Restaurant

Apeiron Island Hotel, Dubai: Concept, Design and Facilities

2012-10-06T17:00:00.000+05:30

Apeiron Island Hotel is Dubai’s US $350 million project, it’s the hi-tech and futuristic 7 star Hotel.

The Apeiron Island will be 300m from the coast of Dubai and the top two floors of the hotel will even feature a temperature-controlled butterfly jungle with tropical species – talk about luxury travel.

The project is valued at over 500 million U.S. dollars and has a stretch of over 200,000 square meters on the level. Future hotel will be located on an island and will be the second 7-star hotel after Burj Al Arab. With height of 180 meters above the hotel will be equipped with 350 suites, private beaches, hi-tech equipment, conference rooms, underwater restaurant, shops, cinemas and art galleries.

Architect: Sybarite Architects
Other Names: The Rollmop, The Pringle, and The Funnel

The Apeiron Dubai - Key Facilities:

Crescent Lagoon
An underwater sculpted landscape with colourful corals & sea water plant life cultivated to create a unique & surreal world. Fish and crustaceans will be introduced to complete the array of life and colours. At night, the lagoon will be lit with concealed underwater light sources to create a dramatic & different experience for the diver or snorkeller.

Level 00
Boat jetty in building atrium & access to private beach, gardens, fresh water pools & crescent lagoon. Building atrium is over 50m high.

Level 00 & -01 (under the beach)
A Health Club & Spa containing private saunas, steam rooms, treatment rooms, massage rooms, several fresh water pools at different temperatures located outside as well as inside with different lighting at night. Large windows from Level -01 Spa offer the opportunity to look into the lagoon and see the coral & fish; day and night.
Sculpture & art gallery lit by natural refracted light through pools above.

Level 09
Helipad located 55m above the Arabian Gulf with bridge access across to the ninth floor of the hotel.

Level 11
Outdoor garden with views down the atrium through the building to the sea below & boat jetty as well as views out to sea. Dramatic surroundings with the remainder of the building lifting from the garden level, full size palm trees & fresh water pools. Pools in turn light the restaurant & art gallery below.

Level 28
Double height rooftop Butterfly Jungle level with a unique backdrop of the Arabian Gulf nearly 200m below. The temperature & humidity would be artificially controlled to make it a very relaxing & unique space. The introduction of colourful butterflies would add to the surreal surroundings.

Entertainment
The hotel will also contain a number of private clubs, private cinemas, luxury boutiques, conference rooms, restaurants with menus from all around the world. Restaurants & bars (alcoholic & non alcoholic) distributed throughout building from Level 28 to the underwater restaurant at Level -01.

The Apeiron Hotel Dubai - Statistics:

Total Floors: 28 above ground
Total Suites: 438
Suite Sizes: 180m² - 750m²
Bbuilding Height: 185m
Gross Floor Area: 300,000m²
Site Footprint Area: 26,500m²
Passenger Lifts: 14
Service Lifts: 8
Distance off shore: 300m (building design as powerful within a landlocked site)
Wind Load Factor: 350km per hour
Construction Cost: $350m US Dollars est.
Structure: Steel, Reinforced Concrete
Hotel Rating: 5 Star Deluxe (7 Star Unofficially)

The Aperion - Floor Description & Breakdown
Level -3 Parking (optional road access via bridge or tunnel)
Level -2 Mechanical & Electrical Plant, Waste, Fire Pumps, Laundry, Parking
Level -1 Spa, Health Club, Sculpture Gallery, Restaurants, Bars, Club
(all double height spaces - views into arrival jetty, lagoon & pools)
Level 0 Ground Floor, Double Height Lobby & Luxury Boutiques
Level 1 Void from double height space below
Level 2 Luxury Boutiques & Bar
Level 3 - 7 16 Suites
Level 8 14 Suites, Double height Cinema & Bar
Level 9 14 Suites, Helipad + Sky Reception
Level 10 Mechanical & Electrical Plant, Restaurants & Art Gallery (under pools)
Level 11 16 Suites, Garden, Swimming Pools & Juice Bar
Level 12 - 19 24 Suites
Level 20 22 Suites
Level 21 20 Suites
Level 22 - 23 18 Suites
Level 24 12 Suites
Level 25 10 Suites
Level 26 8 Suites
Level 27 Restaurant & Bar
Level 28 Butterfly Jungle & Bar

Concept:

OMG Oh My God Movie Review: Don't Have Blind Faith

2012-10-05T14:03:00.002+05:30

Director: Umesh Shukla
Producer: Ashvini Yardi, Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal
Writer: Bhavesh Mandalia, Umesh Shukla
Cast: Mithun Chakraborty, Paresh Rawal, Akshay Kumar, Mahesh Manjrekar, Govind Namdeo
Rating: ***

"OMG: Oh My God!" is based on a Gujrati play named "Kanji Virrudh Kanji" by Bhavesh Mandalia.

Oh My God is about a man (Kanji) who does not beleive in God and when there is an earthquake in the city nothing or nobody is harmed but Kanji's shop is destroyed. The insurance company dismisses his claim saying it's an act of God. So, Kanji decides to sue God and the court accepts his case.

The film sets out to make a few caustic comments about reducing God into an industry through a set of fraud godmen who have to defend the almighty against Kanji in court. You spot glimpses of real life in the various holy personalities played out by Mithun Chakraborty, Govind Namdeo and Poonam Jhawar. These characters, though, could seem half-baked. Despite that flaw, the film still manages to regale because of two reasons.

First, OMG makes its point without fuss and without going over the top. Provoking as the subject is, the film was clearly not intentioned to insult faith. It is a script idea that could have easily gone wrong. Films adapted from plays often tend to get too melodramatic. OMG avoids that trap.

Secondly, the film works for its lead pair. Akshay and Paresh share crackling chemistry as God and the man who will finally learn to accept the concept of God as a positive presence in life. Together, the two actors lend the film its biggest USP.

Review: Believe in God but not blindly. Instead of following regular faiths of visiting temples, dargah or other religious places come out and help those who are in needs.

Delhi celebrates Vishwakarma Puja

2012-09-19T03:20:00.000+05:30

Vishwakarma Puja or Vishwakarma Jayanthi is celebrated by all artists, craftsmen, and weavers. The festival is observed on September 17, the birth anniversary of Vishwakarma - "the God of Architecture".

It is believed that on this day the forefathers invented the plough and gifted it to humanity. The plough represents both the artisan trade as well as agriculture and therefore becomes the representative symbol of the ancient Indian civilisation.

Vishwakarma is known as the divine engineer of the world and is worshipped not only by the engineering and architectural community but by all professionals. It is customary for craftsmen to worship their tools in his name.

He had built several towns and palaces for the gods. Among them were Svarga (Heaven) in the Satya Yuga, Lanka in the Treta Yuga, and Dwarka (Krishna's capital) in the Dwapara Yuga.

An Appeal to a Naroda Convict By Najeeb Jung

2012-09-18T23:26:00.001+05:30

I am encouraged to write this open letter to you deriving inspiration from Sanjiv Bhatt’s letter to the Chief Minister of Gujarat.

Communal violence has been our bane but normally those participating in it are the lumpen of society. But, you are an educated professional, a gynaecologist, a mother and a loving wife, so your willing participation in the gruesome large scale murders at Naroda Patiya stunned us.

What struck me was that through years of your practice as a gynaecologist you have given life and birth to our species.

You have looked after sick women and children who may otherwise not have survived. Then what happened?

Message
But now I am sure you will reflect on your actions. Hatred can get us nowhere, and the only way to stop such gruesome behaviour as perpetuated by you and your friends is to bury the politics of so called grievance. This can be done either through individual restraint or where that restraint is absent through the dispassionate and swift action of the law in imposing sanctions on the violent.

Therefore I salute Judge Jyotsana Yagnik. Too often in India, the powerful and the politically connected have been allowed to get away with murder. By sentencing you for nearly 30 years in prison Judge Yagnik sent out two very important messages. First, that the history of impunity that has scarred this republic, where men have killed in full public view without punishment, is not something people should take for granted. Judge Yagnik has proved that when judges and courts commit themselves to measured justice, the impunity that makes this violence possible vanishes.

The second very notable thought that comes through the judgment is that Judge Yagnik refrained from exacting the death penalty on you and your comrades even though Naroda Patiya met the criterion of “ the rarest of rare” crimes: because she was opposed to the death penalty. This judgment was about due process and punishment, not blood vengeance. The concept of an eye for an eye would make us all blind and that is the significant difference between you Mayaben and Judge Yagnik. Overtaken by naked ambition and hatred for other humans you betrayed professional modernity and your medical oath for barbarism, while the judge tempered justice with mercy.

I do not wish to make a point on, and I presume no one in India wants to revisit the details of the gruesome story of Naroda Patiya and the events in Gujarat of 2002. We loath the likes of Bajrangi who wallowed in pleasure while describing his actions during those dark days. In contrast the man whose pregnant wife was savagely killed refuses to talk about it. As do so many others who relive the nightmare every day of their lives, their tragedy evident in their eyes.
Justice

We wish to purge ourselves of the prison of this memory by confronting it, by bringing the guilty to book, by doing what the South Africans did, by walking the path of truth and reconciliation. To quote Nelson Mandela, “ As I walked out of the door toward my freedom I knew that if I did not leave all the anger, hatred and bitterness behind I would still be in prison”. But truth first: no real reconciliation can come from the sort of willed nostalgia that the apologists for Gujarat government wish to inflict upon us.

Through this open letter to you Mayaben, I also wish to address the champions of Indian Industry who hailed Gujarat as a modern miracle. It’s really sad that these champions, for 30 pieces of silver and a few acres of land, wish to forgive mass murder of a kind that makes humanity hang its head in shame. I would expect no responsible human being to be encouraging us to “move on” from Naroda Patiya and the Gujarat killings without justice being done.

Atonement
It’s also amazing how with your record of actions in 2002 you continued to receive patronage from the highest in your party. Despite your obvious involvement, and now proven guilt, you were made a minister. But then yours is not an individual case and the fact represents two things, one the never- ending violence of bigotry and two the belief of the criminal and the powerful that they will get away with anything. The Naroda Patiya verdict is a reminder that this belief is misplaced.

I also take this opportunity to address all those so- called educated young men and women — the young professionals (now coming from all religions and faiths) who recently have been found indulging in plans to perpetrate terrorist violence. Let them transform their thinking. Let them seek out love and hope that like the monsoon rain will nourish our beloved land and banish the angry vicious heat of mutual disrespect and dislike. It is not religious pride or the construction of mosques, temples and churches that is important. Nor are notions of persecution, and Jehad but the fact that we as a nation need now to seek out a fresh dimension to our lives.

Targeting government installations, killing prominent people of other faiths or flinging bombs here and there will not build India but scar all of us.

Frankly, Mayaben, I feel for you as I feel for all those families who suffered by your actions as also for those families whose loved ones are now in jail, misled by the likes of you and your ideologues.
So there is only one ‘praischit’ for you.

You must reveal the names of your handlers, those mysterious men who planned these riots and inspired you to such madness. While Judge Yagnik may have punished you under law, the Lord will forgive you only if you reveal the full truth.

Najeeb Jung is the Vice Chancellor of the Jamia Millia Islamia
Source: Mail Today