• The Yaz Hotel situated in the heart of the new

Formula 1 circuit in Abu Dhabi. This hotel

designed with modern architectural concept by

New York-based practice architect Asymptote

Architecture.

• The curvilinear form of the Yas Hotel has been

designed, and appears as, an icon of the event,

one which in legacy is sure to encourage Formula

1 success in the UAE capital.

• Its curvilinear grid-shell which is covered with

over 5,300 diamond-shaped steel panels,

containing nearly 5000 LED fixtures is being

announced as the world’s largest LED project

controlled through RDM .

The seemingly effortless curvilinear

geometry comes from extensive laboring

over BIM and parametric models, which were

used to control both the form and the

detailing, resulting in tight tolerances and

the design of a universal joint connection.

Additionally, they were able to reduce the

number of structural members:

Only 10 supports hold up

the entire grid shell. LED luminaires are

integrated into each of the 5,000 fritted glass

panels that make up the faceted surface.

Asymptote worked with

Arup’s lighting team to program the façade

so that at night, the geometry transforms

into a full-spectrum light show.

The jury touted the combination of spectacle and performance. The gridshell is not

only for projecting an idea about high-tech luxury; it also mitigates the demands of

the intense desert environment. For instance, the rooftop swimming pool, a program

nearly impossible if exposed to the desert elements, tucks easily under the steel-and-

glass umbrella. “The thing I like about this project is this idea of dealing with the

climate by having a big shade piece that is a universal grid,” explained Bill Valentine.

Local Architects Dewan Architects & Engineers; Tilke & Partners W.L.L.

Structural Engineers Dewan Architects & Engineers; Arup

M/E/P Engineer Red Engineering Middle East

Façade Consultants Front Inc.; TAW & Partner

Interior Architecture Jestico + Whiles; Richardson Sadeki; De8 Architetti

Lighting Consultants LAPD; Bartenbach LichtLabor; Red Engineering Middle East; Arup

Lighting

Gridshell Engineers Schlaich Bergermann und Partner; Waagner-Biro Group

Gridshell BIM Consultant Gehry Technologies

Gridshell Lighting Consultant Arup Lighting

Gridshell Wind Engineers Wacker-Ingenieure

Gridshell Node Housing Consultant Billings Jackson Design