New York architects [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] have completed a hotel that straddles a race track in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Called The Yas Hotel, the project consists of two towers linked by a
bridge over the racetrack and is covered in a glass and steel canopy.

The building is now open to the public following a pre-opening during the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix at the end of October.

More information about the project in [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.].

Photographs courtesy of [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.].

Here’s some text from Asymptote:
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THE YAS HOTEL: Design Text
The Yas Hotel, a 500-room, 85,000-square-meter complex, is one of
the main architectural features of the ambitious 36-billion-dollar Yas
Marina development and accompanying Formula 1 raceway circuit in Abu
Dhabi, UAE.

Asymptote envisioned an architectural landmark embodying various key
influences and inspirations ranging from the aesthetics and forms
associated with speed, movement and spectacle to the artistry and
geometries forming the basis of ancient Islamic art and craft
traditions.

Of architectural and engineering significance is the main feature of
the project’s design, a 217-meter expanse of sweeping, curvilinear
forms constructed of steel and 5,800 pivoting diamond-shaped glass
panels.

This Grid-Shell component affords the building an architecture
comprised of an atmospheric-like veil that contains two hotel towers
and a link bridge constructed as a monocoque sculpted steel object
passing above the Formula 1 track that makes its way through the
building complex.

The Grid-Shell visually connects and fuses the entire complex
together while producing optical effects and spectral reflections that
play against the surrounding sky, sea and desert landscape.

The architecture as a whole “performs” as both an environmentally
responsive solution as well as an architecture of spectacle and event.

The entire jewel-like composition of the project responds visually
and tectonically to its environment to create a distinct and powerful
sense of place as well as a breathtaking backdrop to the Formula 1 and
other events that the building will celebrate.

The Yas Hotel is designed to be a significant landmark destination on Yas Island for Abu Dhabi and the UAE at large.
Asymptote: Hani Rashid & Lise Anne Couture

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Posted by Natasha Lyons from dezeen.com