Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, a giant single site solar park in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is set to become even bigger courtesy of a new 700-megawatt solar extension. A contract to build the extension was awarded over the weekend. The additional construction will give the park the ability to generate 5,000 megawatts by 2030 after construction is completed. Following the construction, the solar park will cover around 215 square kilometers, and be capable of reducing carbon emissions by 6.5 million tons per year. At the center of the facility will stand an enormous 260-meter solar tower, the tallest in the world. The bid for developing the project’s fourth phase was awarded to a consortium consisting of Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power and China’s Shanghai Electric. The solar park first became operational in 2013, with a meager 13-megawatt solar first phase. Earlier this year, the second 200-megawatt phase became operational, while a third 800-megawatt phase will start operations by 2020, when the newly announced fourth phase will begin construction. The facility generates its solar power using a number of lenses and reflectors which concentrate the sun’s rays to heat fluid, which produce steam and drive a turbine: An approach which is more flexible than regular photovoltaic solar plants.

Dubai unveils plans to build the world’s first underwater luxury vessel resort, reported The Arabian Business. Valued at US$ 680 million, The Floating Venice will be located in The World islands, 4 kilometers offshore from Dubai and will bring an authentic Venetian experience to the Middle East, the developer Kleindienst Group said in a statement. This floating resort has a capacity of up to 3,000 guests daily, with accommodation, restaurants and recreation split over four decks, one of which is underwater. Guests will arrive by boat, seaplane or helicopter to the main Piazza San Marco where they can check-in at the underwater lobby. Gondola's imported from Venice will transport guests to their cabins through the winding canals, or alternatively a short stroll through canal side walkways and bridges will take them to their awaiting cabins. The developer said there will be a range of 414 bespoke cabins, alongside boutique hospitality spots and traditional artisanal shops. Throughout the year The Floating Venice will be a celebration of culture and the arts, where traditional festivals such as Carnivale di Venezia, Binnale di Venezia and Festa del Rendentore will bring the resort alive with the flair and heritage of Venice. The Floating Venice also offers 24 pools, some of which will have acrylic bases giving views of the coral reefs below. Over 37000 square meters of corals will be planted around The Floating Venice as well as 12 floating beaches. A collection of 12 restaurants and bars offer a variety of entertainment, three of which are underwater while the resort will also feature the world's first floating underwater spa. Kleindienst Group said the Floating Venice is designed to have a lifespan of at least 100 years. Construction is scheduled to begin early in 2018 with completion by the fourth quarter of 2020.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced the shortlist of 6 projects competing for the Stephen Lawrence Prize. Now in its 20th year, the prize is the highest honor in the UK awarded to projects with a construction budget of less than US$ 1.3 million, reported the Archdaily. Previous winners of the award include House of Trace by Tsuruta Architects (2016); The Fishing Hut by Niall McLaughlin Architects (2015); House No 7 by Denizen Works (2014); Montpelier Community Nursery by AY Architects (2013); Kings Grove by Duggan Morris Architects (2012); and St Patrick's Primary School Library and Music Room by Coffey Architects (2011). The 2017 shortlist is: • The Compound, Birmingham / BPN Architects. Former textile factory turned into an art venue, a workshop and a client's home. • Fallahogey Studio, Kilrea, Northern Ireland / McGarry-Moon Architects. Studio space set within the garden of the architects’ award winning house. • Houseboat, Poole, Dorset / Mole Architects with Rebecca Granger Architects. A new nautical-inspired house overlooking Poole harbor. • Peacock House, Aldeburgh, Suffolk / BHSF Architekten with Studio-P Suburban. Courtyard home complete with studio space for a private art collection. • Silver House, Swansea, Wales / Hyde + Hyde Architects. Concrete, timber and steel layered family home overlooking the Bristol Channel. • Wolfson Tree Management Centre, Tetbury, Gloucestershire / Invisible StudioTwin timber buildings to house equipment and staff facilities at the National Arboretum The winner of the 2017 Stephen Lawrence Prize will be announced alongside the RIBA Sterling Prize at a ceremony on October 31st in London.

Zaha Hadid Architects just won an international competition to redevelop one of Europe’s fastest growing ports in Estonia’s bustling capital of Tallinn. The Masterplan 2030 will oversee a comprehensive and long-term redevelopment strategy for the Old City Harbor and reconnect disparate parts of the city into a more cohesive whole. Pedestrian friendly design, improved public transit access, and increased public space are part of ZHA’s redevelopment plans, as is sensitivity to the city’s historic fabric. An uptick of cruise ships and ferries to the Port of Tallinn has accelerated the demand for better passenger services as the port moves beyond just cargo needs. ZHA’s aim is to redevelop the port into a more attractive and easy-to-traverse urban space. The design will combine Tallinn’s innovative digital information technology with the charms of Tallinn’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s best preserved medieval cities. “We’re honored to work with the Port of Tallinn, developing unique solutions to create these important connections for the Old City Harbor’s long-term vision,” said Gianluca Racana, Director at Zaha Hadid Architects. “Supported by its network of new pedestrian routes and public transport links, the master plan reinvents a familiar space in Tallinn and reconnects the city with its harbor, enabling residents to reclaim a part of the city that is currently difficult to access and designed only for transit.” The new master plan is centered on a central pedestrian promenade with branching pedestrian footpaths that connect disparate parts of the city and link the ferry and cruise terminals to the city center. In addition to the emphasis on connectivity, the design preserves the city’s urban fabric from existing vistas to the sizing of new city blocks. The flexible and mixed-use civic spaces will provide cultural, entertainment, shopping, and hotel amenities to the over 5 million visitors to the port every year. The master plan for the Old City Harbor is expected for completion by the end of 2017. ■ Zaha Hadid died of heart attack on 31 March 2016, aged 65.

Book lovers, we’ve found your dream destination – the world’s largest bookstore just opened in Tehran, Iran. The Book Garden is a gigantic green-roofed building measuring 14.300 square meters that has 19.300 meters of shelves packed with millions of books. The project is part of a larger 65.000 square meters complex that features several movie theaters, science halls, classrooms, a prayer room and a restaurant. The Book Garden aims to encourage Iranian children to be “active and creative through modern methods and equipment,” said Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani. “The opening of the Book Garden is a big cultural event in the country, so that our children can make better use of this cultural and academic opportunity,” added Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf. Mehr News reports that the Book Garden was first pitched in 2004 to cater to fans of the city’s annual International Book Fair. After construction was completed last spring, organizers spent the past few months stocking the facility with books. According to Real Iran, there are more than 400,000 titles available for kids alone. One of the centers even has shorter shelves to ensure younger kids can reach the educational resources. The Book Garden is now the biggest bookstore in the world, according to the Guinness World Records. Until now, Barnes & Noble along Fifth Avenue in New York City held the record.