Zaha Hadid has unveiled Crest, a temporary installation in the grounds of London’s V&A Museum as part of the London Design Festival 2014. Crest is an experimental sculpture that tests new design and construction technologies applied to a material of minimal thickness; investigating the relationship between formal arrangement and structural performance. Designed as a temporary installation which will remain at the V&A during the London Design Festival, Crest will then be taken to Dubai to be installed at the ME Dubai hotel.
Zaha Hadid said of the installation, “Crest explores the relationship between surface and structure, transforming the planar water surface of the V&A courtyard’s pool into a curvilinear form, creating a compelling interplay with light and reflection. This experimental sculpture tests the limits and possibilities for a new construction technique involving the assembly of aluminium panels into a pre-stressed flat plate which is then lifted into a self-supporting structure. Crest is designed as a demountable sculpture to be installed at the ME Hotel, Dubai; establishing an intriguing dialogue with the formal dichotomy inherent within the hotel’s design.”
“What hadid has done is experimental and pushes the boundaries of her key design signature. this comes at a significant time for the brand, firstly with a slow move east to dubai – which is set to become one of the most visited cities in the world within the next 20 years”, said Tony Cortizas, vice president of brands for ME. “Crest signifies a connection between east and west but the most exciting part of the story today is the design aspect which is a key defining part of our brand and we are very excited about working with someone of zaha hadid’s stature on this project.”
images courtesy of LUKE HAYES and ED REEVE