Crest installation on the grounds of London's V&A Museum

Zaha Hadid Architects unveiled the Crest installation on the grounds of London’s V&A Museum and it will remain there until it’s moved to Dubai -ME Hotel, also designed by Hadid.- The installation will form a part of the institution’s events for ”London design festival 2014″.

Courtesy of © Luke Hayes

“Crest explores the relationship between surface and structure, transforming the planar water surface of the V&A’s courtyard’s pool into a curvilinear form, creating a compelling interplay with light and reflection. This experimental sculpture tests the limits and possibilities for a new construction technique involving the assembly of aluminum panels into a pre-stressed flat plate which is then lifted into a self-supporting structure. Crest is designed as a demountable sculpture to be installed at the me hotel, Dubai; establishing an intriguing dialogue with the formal dichotomy inherent within the hotel’s design.” Zaha said.

Courtesy of © Luke Hayes

“What Hadid has done is experimental and pushes the boundaries of her key design signature. This comes at a significant time for the brand, firstly with a slow move east to Dubai – which is set to become one of the most visited cities in the world within the next 20 years”, said Tony Cortizas, vice president of brands for ME. “Crest signifies a connection between east and west but the most exciting part of the story today is the design aspect which is a key defining part of our brand and we are very excited about working with someone of Zaha Hadid Architects’s stature on this project.”

Courtesy of © Luke Hayes

Project info:

Project name: Crest
commissioned by: ME by Meliá
Design: Zaha Hadid Architects and Patrik Schumacher
Zaha Hadid Architects: Melodie Leung, Peter Logan, Ovidiu Mihutescu
Structural Engineering: Buro Happold – Rastislav Bartek, James Solly
Fabricator: lite structures