Design of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is located on Yas Island in United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) capital of Abu Dhabi. It is an amusement park/theme park created for leisure purposes; it is meant to give a unique leisure experience not only in the region but to the whole world as many people visit the place to have fun. The theme park was designed by Benoy for their clients Aldar Properties PJSC which is UAE’s premier company when it comes to both development and management as well as investment. The park is so large with the enclosed area of the theme park measuring 86,000m2 with the building having three levels. The theme park is operated by Farah Leisure Park Management LLC which is a joint venture that brings together Aldar and ProFun Management Group (Gerrity, 2009). Even though the project is massive, the details of the international competition that led to the choice of the architects are scarce. Also, the details on the cost of the building are not clear.

Its construction started on 3rd November 2007 and it took three years to complete it.

It has “the largest frame structure ever built” and the cladding of the 200,000m2 took only 14 months to complete (Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, 2018). The park welcomed the first group of its visitors in November 2010 with the delegation including up to 2000 VIPs with some government officials as well as some of the F1 drivers attending the grand opening (Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, 2018). The ceremony was marked with a spectacular show the later the opening moment that was led by HH Mohammed who is the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince. He was flagged by the deputy commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces.

The Concept and Philosophy

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi was built in honor of Ferrari’s ”passion, heritage, excellence, innovation and performance” (Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, 2018). Every area and attraction within the structure is meant to bring to life particular aspects of Ferrari story. The aspects range from Cinema Maranello with the movie on Enzo Ferrari including the Formula Rosa that captures the power, freedom as well as speed that come with the F1. The park operators, Farah Experiences was not only focused but zealous to show the very best of the brand Ferrari and offer individuals of all ages with a theme park with the most thrilling experience in the Middle East (Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, 2018).

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is a space dedicated to people to have fun. It has state-of-the-art attractions among them, state-of-the-art racing simulators as well as the world’s fastest roller coaster, named Formula Rosa and a racing school where the junior drivers receive driving lessons from the expert drivers. It gives a unique leisure experience that one may not probably get anywhere else (Benoy, 2018). It’s a place where families can go and enjoy some of the best moments of their lives. When the clients Aldar Properties PJSC shared their aspiration for the island, they simply wanted to come up with the best resort destination of choice not only to the United Arab Emirates but to the whole world. When Ferrari World Abu Dhabi was completed it mirrored the aspiration for the Island, it shows a sophisticated mix of ”quality environments, attractions, lifestyle sports, entertainment, major events, living, international brands, local character and flair” (Welch, 2016).

Figure 1: Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. Source: MGS Architecture.

Balance in Design

The plan form a shape of a three-pointed star. The main core of the massive structure is enclosed and has three great claws that extend to the outdoor attractions. In addition to that, the 3D nature of the massive structure was picked from as it resembles the two curves of the several shells of Ferrari bodies. The uniqueness in the design of the building is created by the large roof dips located around the middle of the plan. The funnels that run from the roof create the best environment for the best acceleration rides. Also, since the building is a great attraction for the island, as one nears the structure one is deceived by the massive red roof that features a silver edge.

Figure 2: Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. Source: MGS Architecture

            In addition to that, it is interesting to note that the building was inspired by Ferrari. The external look of the building was meant to show the language and values as well as the passion of the company and its brand the ”Ferrari” (Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, 2010). The architects had a vision to come up with a building that reflects Ferrari’s form. The vision was achieved in the magnificent building through the double curve such as the one on the side of Ferrari GT chassis side. It was well applied on the side of the building that gives it the elevation’s both height and length (Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, 2010).

Figure 3: The double curve GT chassis inspiration. Source: Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

Zoning and Components

Zones

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi building is zoned into six main areas including fast fun, family fun, and shows for everyone, dining area, areas for little champions and the shopping areas. Fast fun include Formula Rosa, driving experience and the Turbo Track among others. Family fun area has Speed of Magic, Tyre Twist, Galleria Ferrari and Tyre Change Experience. On the other hand, ”Shows for Everyone” features La Piazza, the tyre change experience and the Cinema Maranello among others. Away from that, in the space ”For Little Champions,” there are junior training camp play area, Bell’Italia and junior GP among others. The huge structure cannot be complete without dining and shopping areas; it has Ristorante Cavallino and Mamma Rosella while the shopping areas has a main photo booth, Ferrari past and present and finally a Ferrari store.

Figure 4: Open view of Ferrari Abu Dhabi: Source: Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

Components

The central shield area. At the center of the colossal building is the central shied. It resembles a funnel that connects from the roof to the ground. It features large crystal glazed and well-lit funnel that creates a perfect setting for the attractions showcased within the structure. The central shield and the iconic roof is part of the experience of the beautiful theme park.

The massive funnel glazed roof. The roof is made of metal that is well insulated with the main facades making good use of the glass to minimize the thermal load as well as the glare. Also, the roof offers a fifth elevation of the iconic building as it holds the large Ferrari logo that welcomes the passengers flying into the city via the Abu Dhabi Airport.

Figure 5: Funnel glazed roof. Source: Benoy

The tri-form arms. The east and the west arms of the building host the fastest roller coaster in the world. The roller coaster has the theme of F1. It means it can accelerate to the speed of a Formula 1. On the other hand, the southern arm of the building functions as a space for performance and it can hold up to 15,000 people (Welch, 2016). When one moves beyond the western tri-form,

The main entrance and exits The Park has one main entrance which faces the northern façade and links through the Yas Retail Mall. The nice entrance attracts people to the building through the ”Welcome Pavilion.” It is well defined as well lit from the retail centre. In addition to that, the park has five emergency/fire exits. They connect the upper levels to bot the east and the west as well as the northern elevation and providing an escape route to those in the roller coaster bridges to both the east and the west tri-forms.

The roller coasters. The theme park has two roller coasters which maintain the adrenaline raising theme of the park. One of the roller coasters is the fastest in the world and can move up to speeds that exceed 200kph (Gerrity, 2009).

Master Plan

Figure 6: Master plan. Source: Hong Kong Journal

Area Summary

Spaces

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Management suites

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Internal landscaping

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Access for repair and maintenance

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Other areas

Details (Materials Used)

The theme park is a revolution in architecture due to the materials used on both the roof and the facades. Abu Dhabi is very hot and thus presents serious challenges when it comes to materials to use for large structures such as Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. ”Ensuring sustainability, we applied an insulated metal skin roof and efficient glass to reduce thermal loads and glare” (Benoy, 2018).

Facade

Just like the roof of the Ferrari World Abu Dhabi that mainly colored red, the façade too is mainly colored red which is the Ferrari color. Like the funnel roof, the theme park’s vertical façade is made of solar control glass extending up to 6,000 square meters (Welch, 2016). In addition to the solar control glass panes, the exterior also features screen printing. To create an interesting façade, metals with Ferrari-red color are interspersed creating a mosaic that makes it very beautiful. Further, to make the façade more appealing, it is inclined at an angle of ten degrees. To protects the building from heating up in the hot environment, with screen-printed glass that only allows 40 percent daylight transmittance in to the building (Welch, 2016). The façade and the whole theme park shows how much Ferrari has set standards for theme parks and in architecture. 

Figure 7: Facade of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. Source: MGS Architecture

The Roof

The main inclined façade that covers the humongous building stretches over a kilometer in long. It leans by 12 degrees towards the exterior and it pushes up to nine meters (Welch, 2016). The building features a grand funnel roof. The roof makes one of the key focus in the building’s interior. As an architectural element, it is very key in the functioning of the building since it us what links the interior to the exterior. The apex of the cross arches of the basic structure below that creates a ring shape of arches supports the funnel roof.

The concept of the funnel roof that makes the building beautiful since it is glazed. At top of the funnel roof is the up-stand detail that hosts the natural smoke extraction system.

            The funnel roof also features an external solar shading that keeps the heat gain at a minimum. In addition to that the glass roof is a curtain wall that features a double glaze that holds on to the frame through several special connectors. A similar concept has been used on the exterior that has both glass units and solar shading that have been applied facing the exterior. To make good use of the large surface, the surface was fitted with 2,640 solar control glass panes. They were put within the metal frame of the funnel roof at thirty levels with different dimensions of the glass panes.

Figure 8: Ferrari World Abu Dhabi roof. Source: Hong Kong Journal

Site Criteria

Up to 2006, Yas Island was just like any other dessert landscape; it was a flat scrubland that neighbored navigable waters on the eastern end of Abu Dhabi and with the main highway beyond the existing airport just passing close (Welch, 2016). In the northern side, the views stretched beyond the small islands up to the ocean of the Arabian Gulf. As part of the site preparation, engineers created a canal that linked to the edge of the site while on the western end, more canals were created beyond the mangrove reserves that were home to the migratory birds. Even though the island looks like a featureless landscape, it features very few undulations and is not remote as one would expect.

What makes the site even more attractive are the recently laid system of roads marked with bridges that connect to the site of the theme park. Most significant is the ten-lane highway that connect the island and the recently commissioned airport to the core of the city of Abu Dhabi itself. The beauty of the edges of the island are a manifestation of the opportunities that exist in the island. It has sandy shores that slope gently to the waters of the Arabian Gulf. Further, the sea surrounding the island gives an opportunity for the waters to get deep into the core of the island making great and real sense of place making the island a great place to not only to visit but to live in.

Figure 9: Location and context of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

Outcome of the Case Study

The project affirms the connection between the visitors and the rest of Abu Dhabi

The project emphasizes on the need to link a building to the surrounding.

The project is not of a significant scale but instead a massive scale.

Project symbolizes a modern iconic architecture.

References

Benoy. (2018). Ferrari World Abu Dhabi Yas Island, UAE. Retrieved from Benoy: https://www.benoy.com/projects/ferrari-world-abu-dhabi/

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. (2010). Building Journal, Hong Kong, 43 - 49.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. (2018). History. Retrieved from Ferrari World Abu Dhabi: https://ferrariworldabudhabi.com/history/

Gerrity, M. (2009). Abu Dhabi’s Ferrari World Mega Structure Exterior Now Completed. World Property Journal.

Welch, A. (2016, June 9). FWAD : Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. Retrieved from e-architect: https://www.e-architect.co.uk/dubai/ferrari-world-abu-dhabi-building

(n.d.). Retrieved March 20, 2018, from http://www.mgsarchitecture.in/projects/522-world-s-first-ferrari-theme-park-in-abu-dhabi.html