Page 12 - Inside K&A - March 2019
P. 12
AWARDS
LA PERLE AQUA
THEATER, UAE
"THE 1,300-SEATER
PURPOSE-BUILT AQUA
THEATRE REPRESENTED
A DEEPLY COMPLEX AND
CHALLENGING PROJECT FOR
THE MEP TEAM, AND IS AN
OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF
BEST PRACTICE, INNOVATION
AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY
TEAMWORK."
Mansour Kharoub, Associate
Principal HVAC, UAE
A BREATHTAKING are hidden from view inside
CONSTRUCTION PROJECT FEATURES the 5-metre deep pool thanks
CHALLENGE A theatrical masterpiece, part to the creation of billions of
of Al Habtoor City. micro bubbles; rainfall can be
As lead designer of La Perle simulated across the entire
aqua theater in Al Habtoor City, Key components performance area; and a
Dubai, we drew on our global » A stunning 1,300-seat aqua spectacular waterfall plays a
design resources to deliver theatre, one of only three in role in rapidly refilling
the plumbing elements of the the world, that hosts Dubai’s the stage.
project using international first permanent show, La In a country where water is
best practice techniques, Perle, by legendary Creative at a premium, it was essential
with a focus on sustainability, Director Franco Dragone that every effort was taken
efficiency, safety and reliability. » Complex design challenges
included a stage that to recycle water as much as
Given their critical nature, the transforms in seconds from possible in order to minimize
robustness of the plumbing a dry platform to 300 mm waste. All systems are
systems is essential, enabling water-filled pool (and back connected and the water is
them to meet expected levels again) using 2.7 million liters of constantly treated in the filter
of performance on a daily water to simulate effects such room using different grades
basis every single day, except as rainfall and floods of sand, while chorine levels
for four weeks when detailed » MEP innovations included are carefully monitored by the
maintenance takes place. special ‘air curtains’, which facilities control systems.
As a result, the techniques forcibly but seamlessly All aspects of the plumbing
and technologies used are separate the wet performers’ systems were designed to
tried and tested – similar to zone (which exceeds enable easy accessibility for
those used in a commercial 30˚C) from the audience regular maintenance, which
swimming pool but on a zone (which requires a also plays a vital role in
considerably bigger scale. temperature of 24˚C)
without affecting the show’s maintaining the quality of the
The SFX pump room uses performance and the water and preventing risks of
multiple strategies to deliver audience experience germs and infection.
different effects: performers
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