Text: Irina Malkova OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS, DUBAI SOMETHING TO PLAY MANY CITIES ON THE PLANET ON PART OF TECHNOLOGICAL NEWS AND ENGINEERING FICTIONS WHICH AT THE FIRST LOOK, ALL WERE SEEKED. However, no one has ever attempted to make snow go in the 40-degree heat directly from the sky. NOBODY AND NEVER, EXCEPT FOR THE HEART OF EUROPE PROJECT ORGANIZERS.
The heat - the worst enemy of the Emirates - the organizers promise to conquer in 2016. In order to find out how this will happen, we met with Mr. Joseph Kleindinst, the head of the construction company Kleindienst Group, and went to the bulk islands of The World, 4 kilometers from the Dubai coastline, to personally verify how the construction of the next Dubai miracle is going.
On the appointed day, a snow-white Majesty 56 yacht was waiting for us at the marina in Dubai Marina. Mr. Kleindinst, a pleasant gentleman in a dark gray suit, with kind and smart eyes, was already waiting for us inside. Two meters tall, lean and European-intelligent ... Born in Vienna - the cultural capital of Europe - he seemed to embody the whole sum of the qualities of a true European: culture, intelligence, good breeding and easy adventurism.
Probably, it was this adventurous streak that made him believe in the implementation of such a grandiose project. Having lived in Dubai for almost 12 years and launched projects such as K Properties, the European Business Center and ABC Business Center, he radiated confidence that this unique complex of its kind would be affordable for him. Most of all, his enthusiasm was striking - with such enthusiasm only people who are immersed in the business completely and without a trace speak.
“I hold all the important negotiations and meetings on the islands. Yes, even if there’s no well-equipped office there right now, and in general construction work is in full swing, but all contractors and investors should come here and feel the very atmosphere of this place. In addition, all future employees that we’re recruiting and looking for all over the world, we also bring here so that they can see The Heart of Europe with their own eyes, "says Joseph.
First among equals
So what will the Heart of Europe project be? On six small islands poured directly on the open sea (part of The World complex, Nakheel General Developer), a hotel resort will be created that combines the best architectural and cultural traditions of Europe. Each island of the project will embody a place - Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, Monaco or St. Petersburg. The main island, Europe, will be designed taking into account the architectural styles of Vienna, Rome, Andalusia and the French Riviera. The islands will be connected to each other, and any guest staying, say, on the island of Germany, will be able to cross the bridge and stay in another "European country".
Moreover, according to the organizers, the most expensive hotels, which will be classified as 7-star, are planned for construction on the island of Monaco and, no matter how hard to guess, the island of St. Petersburg.
The main task of the organizers is to achieve the full authenticity of each island with the original environment, whether it be architecture, cuisine, culture or traditions. For example, on the island of St. Petersburg there will be restaurants serving Russian cuisine in which all staff will speak Russian. And you can find a similar restaurant only in the city of St. Petersburg and nowhere else in the world. In Monaco, the Cote d'Azur and SantTrope will be recreated with its fashionable art de vivre lifestyle. The island of Germany will be distinguished by German flavor, the island of Sweden by Stockholm comfort, and on the island of Switzerland, as is expected from the most prestigious ski resort, it will snow!
Lords of the weather
Weather management is perhaps the most important feature of the project. Until now, one could only hear about how jet planes dispersed the clouds before the next military parade, but about how it would snow in the heat right from the sky ... It turns out that this is possible. As Joseph said, climate control technology was commissioned by the German research institute Fraunhoff, one of the world leaders in environmental research. This technology has not yet been used anywhere in the world, and The Heart of Europe will be the first. The essence of the innovation is as follows: the circulating air from the hotels through the ventilation openings will enter the street, and the water condensed on the walls of the pipes will be cleaned and then sprayed in the air using special nozzles, which will create the effect of real rain. Previously, to lower the summer temperature from 50 to 27 degrees, they simply blew cold air, here the cold air will be transformed into snow and rain.
“This technology has been replicated thousands of times on computer simulations within the walls of the Fraunhoff Institute, so we can confidently say that everything will work out,” says Joseph. “Tired of the heat on the beach, a tourist can walk 50 meters and enjoy the snow or rain in the middle islands. Sitting in cafes under the roof and sipping a latte to the sound of rain, you will be transported to the aesthetics of Vienna or the atmosphere of Stockholm. Not all people have been to Stockholm or St. Petersburg, you know? And here they can even feel the scent of this city " .
By the way, in order to fully reflect the European spirit, the main currency of the islands will be the euro, not the dirham. In addition, street artists will work on the streets of this or that island, which scouts are already looking for in the original cities. These lucky people, who will not only be invited to stay on the islands, but also become holders of a resident visa and get an official place of work, will have to convey the spirit of their country with their work. And the cultural program promises to be the richest in all of Dubai.
Classical concerts, ballets and theatrical performances will be designed to entertain the audience no worse than in London or Vienna. One of the conditions of the organizers is that what will happen on the islands should not be copied in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. The exclusivity of all events will be monitored by a special department.
“You see, people should have the feeling that they are not on tropical islands on the high seas, but in the heart of European capitals. Therefore, our main task is to make people believe that they are in Europe for at least a couple of days!”
Well, Mr. Kleindinst wanted to believe from the first minutes, but internal doubts did not leave. What if this is all just a skillfully recreated layout? What if snow will pour in from a special spray, like at the Olympic Games in Sochi? Suddenly, everything will look like a toy imitation of architectural styles, like in Las Vegas? Fantastic illusions, large-scale scenery, spectacular tricks - all this in rich colors, to the music and with the right presentation? However, Joseph with the confidence of a real futurist refuted all our suspicions. "This project should be the pride of the Emirates, and the ruler of Dubai himself, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, personally monitors it." Well, all of us can only be patient and wait two more years, in 2016 to reach out in the summer and feel cold melting snowflakes in the palm of our hands.
