In the afternoon we visited ERGA architects, an associating company of DCC. Let me first say that I WANT TO WORK HERE SOME DAY… well maybe a little closer to home. They have done and are doing some amazing work with DCC! Like the stunning 014 building (see below, also called the Swiss cheese building. A few other projects include the Rolex Tower, Al Manara Villa, and the Guardian Towers. The ERGA offices are beautifully designed with splashes of color amongst all glass walls and wood fixtures and furniture. I got excited just walking through the offices. As we entered the building all we could hear was a endless clicking of key boards and mouses. Everyone was had at work drafting on AutoCAD and analyzing structures with SAP2000 (structural analysis program). I was good to see the some of the programs I'm familiar with being used in their professional environment. Thanks for following my adventure, Sean
014 Building! WOW, right!! Definitely a groundbreaking building with it intricate exterior structure with hundreds of different holes in it.
ERGA designer creating foundation systems.
ERGA scale model! I would enjoy trying to complete somthing like this someday!
Our day finished up early so we were home by 3:30. Perfect!, time for a good workout prior to a celebration for Dr. Clememce's Birthday. Let me add that Dr. Clemence living proof of how maintaining a mentally and physically fit literally adds years onto life. He is what I want to be at his age. Haha. So to celebrate, Mr. Yabroudi took us out to Cafe Havana. As we entered the restaurant it was obvious that business was slow. This did not dictate the quality of the food! Our meal was so tasty. They served calamari and coconut shrimp as a appetizer. I was a happy camper! The second I saw grilled salmon on the menu I knew I had to get it. Everyone was happy with their food. The baked lasagna that Pierre got looked killer, and he had no problem finishing the large serving. My salmon was good, I do love my fish! Although it was slightly overcooked and still not as good as my Dad's salmon, it was enjoyable. Conversation at dinner was fun and scattered with stories and jokes told by Dr. Clemence. For dessert, Mr. Yabroudi brought a strawberry creme cake! It was a yellow cake with custard layer filling, topped with a light butter creme frosting and fresh strawberries. Was
the perfect end to to a great meal and birthday celebration!
It was nice drive back to the apartments. Some amazing buildings here!!
What you're learning, the theory, planning process, budgeting and on the site, is priceless. Soak up as much as you can. It will all prove valuable and help propel your upcoming career. I think that's great. We look forward to hear about your day on the site tomorrow (Which is actually already started since it's 9 p.m. here.)
ReplyDeleteHey Dog,
ReplyDeleteI would be interested to know how the engineers and architects get along with each other on the job site. I suppose by the time the first batch of ice-crystal-embedded cement is poured, everything has been worked out.
When it comes to architects and engineers, at what point does the ring announcer, Michael Buffer (of boxing and professional wrestling fame), say:
“In this corner, a team of flamboyant, imaginative, pushing-the-envelope architects who are best known for designing awe-inspiring structures where the laws of the physics simply don’t apply to their thermosphere-scraping, budget-draining ideas. And in this corner, we have group of highly educated engineers conversant in Newtonian calculus, gravity, multi-planer frictional forces, inter-relational fluid dynamics while siphoning exajoules of energy from photons, wind, and algae; whose mission, vision, values are devoted to the notion of – if you can design it, we can build it – who are best known for their prowess in technologic convergence to the point where major cities can be run from the confines of a small black box via wireless technology. “
“Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we are going to witness the most anticipated match in the history of white-collar professionals for the heavyweight championship of Bragging Rights of the World. Are you ready? . . . I said, “Are you ready?” From the center of the universe, in the United Arab Emirate of Dubai, on the shores of the Persian Gulf’s Jumeirah Beach for the thousands in attendance and for the millions watching around the world on electronic devices designed by engineers – LETS’S GET READY TO RUMBLE!”
I guess it’s all in the eye of the beholder, but I’m not a fan of the Swiss Cheese Building. Is there a purpose to the outer façade? From your picture, it’s difficult to say how the building fits into the Dubai skyline. Does it? Does Dubai have building and planning commission that reviews these questions – I can’t imagine that can you build anything, anywhere.
Hey, Happy Birthday to Dr. Clemence! I should have introduced myself when I saw him in Link; I just wasn’t sure it was him – now I am convinced. Sounds like you celebrated in style at Café Havana. I was anticipating some food pictures. I just assume the table was littered with mojitos – haha. The meal sounds great. I know you like your fish – did you try any Talang Queenfish which are native to the Persian Gulf? I couldn’t find any at Whole Foods; we’ll have to stick with our salmon! Sounds good to me. I look forward to the next time I can make it for you and Ellen. You and Ellen can make that strawberry crème cake. Where do I sign up?
I am thrilled to hear that Dr. Clemence has made such an impact on you. I hope you let him know this as well; I’m sure you have. I think it is critical to let teachers and educators know the long-lasting impact they have made on their students since they see their students for such a short period of time.
I understand that Dr. Clemence’s research specialization is in the design and field application of soil anchors, basic properties of soils, and properties of collapsible soils – from SU’s website. Based on the immense foundation pour of the Pentominium, it might be interesting to get Dr. Clemence’s views on the Dubai soil (sand?) and what localized soil issues need to be overcome when building.
It is always wonderful hearing about your work and your fun. I’m guessing that you are traipsing around Fujairah as I post this. Hope your having a ton o’ fun.
With love,
Dad