A View From the Other Side: Dubai Plans to Cool Sizzling Sandy Beach

by Mary Anne Simpson, Technology / Energy

Palazzo Versace Hotel

(PhysOrg.com) -- Dubai's out this world's Palazzo Versace located in the Culture Village has hired Hyder Consulting to use their innovative engineering talents to cool off the hotel/condominium resort's sizzling hot sandy beaches. Hyder Consulting has a long-term presence in the Middle East and offers engineering services, including environmentally sustainable buildings, infrastructure solutions, mechanical and electrical expertise. According to Soheil Abedian, president of Palazzo Versace, "We will suck the heat out of the sand to keep it cool enough to lie on." Palazzo Versace will be completed sometime in late 2009 to 2010.

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Hyder Consulting is the supervising engineering firm for Emaar's Burj Dubai, the tallest structure in the world. Hyder Consulting is known for its Ski Dubai a commercial attraction that provides a Nordic Winter experience by recycling snow and employing cutting edge technology to power the entire facility. The Palazzo Versace beach project will use a cooling system of heat-absorbing pipes to be installed underneath the sand and huge wind blowers will send gentle breezes over sunbathers. Temperatures in Dubai can easily hit 122-degrees Fahrenheit during the Summer months, making the sands too hot for most visitors to walk on. The cooling pipes, giant air blowers and cooled pools will offer guests a pleasant beach experience even in the scorching temperatures.

Hyder Consulting has some experience with creating environmentally friendly beaches. In July, 2008 Abu Dhabi Beach reopened after Hyder Consulting renovated the landmark public beach by installing storm water pipelines, sewage treatment, pumping stations and massive infrastructure improvements along with aesthetic improvements. A boardwalk, Galleria, towers and palm trees were added to create a pristine recreation site for Abu Dhabi Beach located adjacent to the crystal clear water on the Arabian Gulf.

Dubai's bigger than life expansion is not without its critics. According to the Daily Mail in the UK, "Each person living in Dubai has a carbon footprint of more than 44-tons of C02 annually" In response to this criticism, a Palazzo Versace spokesperson states, the beach project will be environmentally sustainable.

According to the building plans released by Palazzo Versace, Dubai, the 215 hotel rooms and 169 condominiums will share spas, three restaurants, indoor gymnasium, energy efficient facilities, and outdoor pools, scuba pools, promenade and the "Cool Beach." Twenty-four hour, 7-day security is included. The proposed prices for the hotel and condominiums is not published. If you have to ask...

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