Smart tower shows the way forward (hktdc.com)


	Hong Kong cybertect James Law foresees a future where technology and architecture merge

	Described as the world's most intelligent apartment building, the iPad redefines space as we know it (artist impression)

Hong Kong cybertect James Law has designed what is reported to be the world's most intelligent apartment tower.

The iPad, now under construction in Dubai, will showcase how we will live in the 21st century, and how technology will impact on our lives. It is being developed for Omniyat Properties, the real estate development arm of UAE- headquartered Almasa Holdings.

A London-trained architect, Mr Law coined the term "cybertecture" to symbolise a futuristic concept of design which merges technology and architecture. He started his business, James Law Cybertecture International, on January 1, 2001 – the date strategically chosen to mark a new era of design.

In 2006, Omniyat Properties invited Mr Law to Dubai, where international design luminaries Sir Norman Foster and Zaha Hadid are also reshaping the skyline with their innovative projects, and invited him to design an intelligent tower. He had seven days to come up with the concept.

"On the way back I started sketching in the plane, and just by chance I was listening to my iPod," Mr Law said. "It was a simple, elegantly designed piece of technology and, I thought, a great analogy of what this building should do – which is touch our relationships with people, monitor our health, and help with daily tasks."

Lifestyle features

The iPad is, in effect, a highly intelligent empty shell where "lifestyle enhancements" are invisibly integrated. These include such features as ambient lighting that changes colour to alert the occupants of an incoming phone call or email; walls that move to redefine a space; a bathroom that checks one's weight, blood pressure and temperature; and virtual artworks by subscription. Some apartments rotate to provide a continuously changing outlook, and if you don't care for the view, simply swap it for an alternative such as the New York skyline.

The iPad is a 26 floor building containing over 231 intelligent apartments due for completion in late 2009. At home, the occupants can watch movies while in the spa (iMedia Jacuzzi); play their choice of music while swimming laps (iUnderwater Concert); relax and rejuvenate at iOxygen Bar; or lounge on poolside iDeck Chairs where ultrasonic speakers ensure your music won't disturb others.

While they're away, iPad residents can command their home to function for them (iToggle), or tune into a life-size video linkup to their living rooms (iFamily).

Future direction

James Law Cybertecture is designing other intelligent projects around the world, all "lifestyle-driven". "The true direction of future architecture is not just about hard space, but what those spaces can do for us intellectually," Mr Law said. "Stereotypes will change. We'll no longer have a living room, kitchen or bedroom, but a living space, cooking space, (and) sleeping space."

His design team of over 100 people includes multimedia, IT and audio visual specialists based in Hong Kong, and contract staffers in satellite offices in Dubai, Macau, Seoul and Abu Dhabi. Prototypes of each building are built and tested in the Chinese mainland before being shipped to their future destination, which is increasingly likely to be in the Middle East, India, Korea and the mainland.

"I can see that (cybertecture) will be prolific around the world, as this is definitely what future buildings will be about," Mr Law said. "In Hong Kong we have lots of technology companies who are willing to support us, as they see opportunities for partnerships in this exciting roll-out."