Indeed, there is more than a chill in the economy, both local and global. It’s manifesting as a glacial freeze. How long this fiscal ice-age will last is anybody’s guess? But its negative effects are being felt throughout this land of ours, and the deficit-ridden economies of Europe and the US.
I’m getting into the gloomy stuff again. Enough.
So, in this mid-winter Habitat we’ve assembled a measure of cheer.An example is an architect who practised in the Mother City and is now resident on the east coast of Australia, whose own home is an exercise in utilising and enlarging living space. It’s effectively illustrated, using locally available materials.

Middle Eastern Promise
I was fortunate to visit Abu Dhabi in the UAE in early June and the Emirates capital and nearby Dubai proved to be architectural eye-openers. Of particular note was the Yas Hotel on Yas Island, home to the Abu Dhabi F1 GP circuit, and Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. Although the Dubai property market slowed in 2009 – 2011, it is now picking up and in both Emirates there is little sign of recession today. Tall commercial structures, in various stages of build, are seen everywhere; some bordering on the monstrous but most elegantly proportioned.
The Yas Hotel is perhaps the best example and we plan to feature it before year’s end.

Colin Ainsworth Sharp – colin@habitat-mag.com
June 2011