Dubai may have its financial troubles. But that hasn’t stopped the country from plucking the moon out of the sky. Designed by Varabyeu Partners for an international design competition, the New Moon will be the center piece of a new landscape park, Zabeel Park, in the City of Dubai. The structure is designed as a crescent, a symbol of energy and power. The building has five levels with an observatory each. These five levels symbolize the Five Pillars of Islam; faith (Shahadah), prayer (Salat), charity (Zakaat), lent (Sawm) and pilgrimage (Hajj). The outward siding of the structure is made of steel frame with different transparency levels and is decorated with Arab calligraphy.

The transparency levels make it possible to control the buildings lighting and air temperatures, ensures circulation of air and protects the insides from direct exposure to the suns rays. This helps create a microclimate in the building and reduces the use of the power supply systems. To further cut energy consumptions, solar panels and batteries should be installed on the exterior of the building. The New Moon was built according to LEED Green Building standards. This is yet another marvel in Dubai; and what makes it cooler? It is environment friendly!

[WorldArchitectureNews]