CCDI Architecture: Design for China's Future

China Construction Design International (CCDI) is one of Asia’s premier architecture firms. It was ranked as the number one private architecture firm in China in 2004. In 2005 it became the first firm from China to receive an award from the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT). As a new Master Architect Series title, this book demonstrates that design in China is at a truly global standard, is highly influential, and is peaking just as China welcomes the Olympic Games in August 2008. Today, it is among a new breed of Chinese firms making a name on the world stage, with a rapidly growing practice in New York as well as in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen. CCDI has been awarded more than 90 professional awards and is also the fastest growing design firm in China.

Among CCDI’s completed projects featured in this book are office towers, sports arenas, residential complexes and cultural centres, as well as many large-scale planning projects. All projects are based on its core principles of integrated design, which focus on utilizing the resources of a city, technology, environment and local public culture in order to design building solutions to meet the manifold needs of society. The book features chapters on CCDI’s many international standard sporting projects.

Donated by:
UAP KSA-Riyadh Chapter FY 2012-13
c/o President Nelson Inovejas

New Frontiers in Architecture: The United Arab Emirates between vision and reality

Authors:
Oscar Eugenio Bellini
Laura Daglio

A rampant building boom is transforming the desert lands of the Persian Gulf's fabulously wealthy oil-producing countries: they are becoming large metropolitan areas at an exponentially rapid race. The rush for luxury and the race for the biggest, best and most dazzling feed a burgeoning real-estate market where promoters and large commercial companies create visionary and futuristic architecture.

In addition to new luxury towers of record height there are skyscrapers with spectacular rotating sections, almost dream-like qualities of the new forms, and the shaping of enormous artificial islands that change entire coastlines - all part of a general challenge to master, even change, climate and environment.

The planners involved belong to some of the largest international studios, firms that have opened new headquarters in the Gulf - in fact, the entire architectural star system is called upon to give a cultural imprint and to express a new concept of the city and its buildings.

Visionary architecture that creates a new reality: a race to the top, to the spectacular. These forces characterize the unbridled building boom of the United Arab Emirates, which can call into service the world's most prestigious international design studios.

Donated by:
UAP Dubai Chapter FY 2012-13
c/o President Jeffrey Sibug

Class Architecture by Michael J. Crosbie

School buildings are constantly evolving to meet the needs of the next generation of teachers and students. This book presents more than 40 projects from the USA, showcasing leading elementary and secondary school design. Featred projects factor in important design elements including security and safety, new technology, resource centres and energy conservation. They must also accomodate flexible learning environments for a range of student groups. Full-colour photos, plans, drawings and descriptive text accompany the projects.

Donated by:
UAP KSA Riyadh Chapter FY 2012-13
c/o Pres. Nelson Inovejas