Lab Architecture Studio unveil plans for the Culture Island in Dubai

This comprehensive ensemble of museums, galleries, amphitheatres, restaurants and retail outlets is part of Dubai’s new development, cultural village. The backdrop to the external amphitheatre is of new canals and the islands of culture village, with abras and small ferries circumnavigating the calmer waters. The building forms a striking cantilever over the main road, providing shade and cover for the outdoor gardens and the transportation points. The facades and surfaces of the building are formed out of a transformation of arabic geometry and give a visual and structural integration of this art within the architecture of the site. Its internal organization allows for a continuous flow of pedestrians from the souks to the island, with clear entry points into the museum and art gallery. This flowing sequence also gives access to the main amphitheatre, which can be closed (acoustically and environmentally) or open. This sweeping line of movement terminates at the end of the island, with commercial art galleries, restaurants and cafés supported by bookshops, crafts and retail tenancies.

Undefeated Hakuho dominates Asashoryu

The Associated Press
Hakuho overwhelmed fellow Mongolian Asashoryu on Sunday to finish the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament with a perfect 15-0 record.

Hakuho, who is all but certain to be promoted to grand champion, wrapped up his second straight Emperor's Cup on Saturday, and Sunday's win over sumo's lone grand champion will add to his resume for promotion.
"I want to be a strong yokozuna," Hakuho said. "I had some injuries last year but was able to stay focused and fight my own sumo."
Hakuho won the Spring tourney in March. The Japan Sumo Association will deliberate on Hakuho's promotion to the sport's highest rank on Monday and it is widely regarded that two titles in a row for an ozeki are good enough to be promoted.
Sumo hasn't had two grand champions competing at the same time since November of 2003.
If he is promoted, the 22-year-old Hakuho would become sumo's 69th yokozuna and the second from Mongolia.
In Sunday's final bout, Hakuho and Asashoryu engaged in a long standoff at the center of the ring before Hakuho finally prevailed with an arm throw that sent Asashoryu sprawling to the dirt surface.
Elsewhere, Kaio quickly dispatched fellow ozeki Kotooshu of Bulgaria to finish the tournament with a solid 10-5 record.
Kotooshu, who defeated Asashoryu in Saturday, fell to 9-6.
No. 8 maegashira Asasekiryu had an impressive run and finished with a solid 12-3 record to win the Technique Prize.
Sekiwake Kotomitsuki overpowered ozeki Chiyotaikai to finish with a 12-3 record and improve his chances for promotion to ozeki.
Chiyotaikai closed out with a 10-5 record, good enough to maintain his status at the sport's second-highest rank.

Western Virginia to get first contemporary building

Western Virginia to get first contemporary building
Los Angeles-based Randall Stout Commissioned to Design the Art Museum of Western Virginia. Emerging Architect and Green Building proponent, Randall Stout, has designed the new Art Museum of Western Virginia. To be located in the exquisitely beautiful mountainous landscape of the Shenandoah Valley of Roanoke Virginia, the new museum is a stunning glass and steel structure that forms a metaphorical gateway to the city which is rapidly transforming from an industrial based-economy to one driven by technology information and services. The 82,000 square foot building, which echoes the form of the nearby mountain ranges, will quadruple the size of the museum’s current space. The three-storey structure will house a lobby, galleries, café, gift shop, auditorium and educational spaces on the first floor, galleries and storage on the second level, and a boardroom, director’s suite, and offices on the third level. Sustainable design components include natural day lighting, passive solar, a thermal conserving envelope and a computerized energy management system. The new museum is scheduled to open in the fall of 2008.

Sharon McHugh