{{short description|Hong Kong-born Emirati architect}} {{Infobox architect | name = Hazel Wong | image = | image_size = <!-- if image is smaller than 250px --> | alt = | caption = | birth_name = <!-- only use if different than name --> | birth_date = <!-- {{Birth date|YYYY|MM|DD}} (if dead) {{Birth date and age|yyyy|mm|dd}} (known date) {{Birth year and age|yyyy|mm}} (known month) {{Birth year and age|yyyy}} (known year) For living people supply '''only''' the year unless the exact date is already WIDELY published, as per WP:DOB. --> | birth_place = Hong Kong<ref name="Ames">{{cite web |last1=Ames |first1=Nick |title=Architect Hazel Wong "never copies" designs |url=https://www.commercialinteriordesign.com/thoughts/architect-hazel-wong-never-copies-designs |website=Commercial Interior Design |access-date=8 December 2018 |language=en}}</ref> | death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (death date then birth date) --> | death_place = | other_names = | nationality = | alma_mater = | spouse = | partner = | children = | parents = | awards = | practice = Associated architectural firm[s] | significant_buildings = Emirates Towers<ref name="Ames"/> | significant_projects = | significant_design = | signature = | website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} --> | embedded = <!-- For embedding other infoboxes in this infobox --> }}
'''Hazel Wong''' is an architect. She lives and works in the United Arab Emirates.<ref name=":7">{{Cite news|last=Munyal|first=Panna|date=21 December 2019|title=Inside the Dh55m Dubai penthouse with views of the Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa|work=The National}}</ref>
==Life and work== Hazel Wong was born in Hong Kong.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|last=Ames|first=Nick|date=8 March 2017|title=Architect Hazel Wong "never copies" designs|url=https://www.commercialinteriordesign.com/thoughts/architect-hazel-wong-never-copies-designs|access-date=24 November 2020|website=Commercial Interior Design}}</ref> She lived in Canada and the United States before taking up her current place of residence in the United Arab Emirates.<ref name=":8" />
=== Emirates Towers === Hazel Wong designed the Emirates Towers in Dubai in 1998,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sell|first=Christopher|title="Emirates Towers architect spills her secrets on design"|url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/emirates-towers-architect-spills-her-secrets-on-design-213054.html|access-date=8 December 2018|website=Arabian Business}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=17 December 2006|title=Business Bay welcomes the launch of Hazel Wong's West Wharf|work=Middle East Company News Wire}}</ref> which were completed in 2000.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|last=SooudAl Qassemi|first=Sultan|date=12 December 2017|title=Emirates Towers: Nerve centre of UAE|work=Gulf News (United Arab Emirates)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=O'Neill|first=Jane|date=9 June 2020|title=Architect Hazel Wong collaborates with Palma Holding on affordable housing project|url=https://www.commercialinteriordesign.com/projects/47417-architect-hazel-wong-collaborates-with-palma-holding-on-affordable-housing-project|access-date=24 November 2020|website=CommercialInteriorDesign.com}}</ref> In 1996, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, initiated a competition aimed at the creation of the two largest towers in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.<ref name=":1" /> This competition led to the collaboration with Hazel Wong which resulted in the Emirates Towers. The Emirates Towers complex was the tenth tallest building in the world at the time of its completion.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|last=Denman|first=Seline|date=22 April 2020|title=Jumeirah Emirates Towers turns 20: here are 20 facts to know about the Dubai landmark|work=The National}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite journal|last=Simpson|first=Danielle|date=1987|title=The Masterpiece|journal=Columbia: A Journal of Literature and Art|pages=22}}</ref>
The taller tower, known as Emirates Tower One, contains offices and stands at 350 meters;<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> with 54 floors.<ref name=":3" /> The shorter tower, known as Emirates Tower Two, serves as a 56 floor<ref name=":3" /> hotel and stands at 305 meters.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> Both buildings are topped by a 43.7m tall needle.<ref name=":1" /> They are connected by a two-story shopping complex known as the Boulevard.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> The office tower houses a number of financial and government offices such as the Office of the Prime Minister of the UAE, the Executive Council, and more recently the Dubai Future Accelerators Program, as well as a variety of young entrepreneurs and professionals.<ref name=":1" /> The office tower, nicknamed the "White House of Dubai",<ref name=":1" /> witnesses a high profile and diverse clientele.<ref name=":1" /> The hotel features a unique atrium which spans 31 floors.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> The hotel houses the Godolphin ballroom,<ref name=":1" /> a flotation therapy pool room at the Talise Spa, and the Chopard ladies-only floor rendering it one of the first hotels in the UAE to have a dedicated ladies floor.<ref name=":2" /> The towers stand on grounds that span 510,000 square meters or 42 acres.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /> A famous sighting on these grounds are the freely roaming peacocks belonging to the Zabeel Palace.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />
The tower design features equilateral triangles, intended to incorporate traditional Islamic themes in modern architecture.<ref name=":2" /> The earth, sun, and moon are especially important symbols in Islam, thus, this triumvirate was conceptualized in the equilateral triangles that make up the towers.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal|last=Finch|first=Paul|date=15 October 1998|title=Letter from Dubai: Modernity scales the heights|journal=The Architects' Journal|volume=15|pages=30–32}}</ref> The triangles are paneled with aluminum allowing them to capture the changing sunlight, creating different perspectives of the towers.<ref name=":2" /> The aluminum paneling also allows the towers to reflect each other, creating a sense of movement. <ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Ames|first=Nick|date=8 March 2017|title=Architect Hazel Wong "never copies" designs|url=https://www.commercialinteriordesign.com/thoughts/architect-hazel-wong-never-copies-designs|access-date=24 November 2020|website=Commercial Interior design}}</ref> This is in line with Wong's design objectives: "to create the composition and placement of the twin towers to appear to be constantly changing, depending on the point of view and time of day."<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> Aside from aluminum, Wong utilized glass, steel, and concrete in a variety of ways to form the complex roof top geometry and the four legged base of the triangular towers.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" />
=== Serenia Residences === The Serenia Residences are 250 high end homes overlooking the Palm Jumierah and the Burj Al Arab.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|date=9 April 2017|title=Face to face: Hazel Wong, WSW Architects|url=https://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-43844-face-to-face-hazel-wong-wsw-architects|access-date=24 November 2020|website=ConstructionWeekOnline.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Paradkar|first=Shalaka|date=23 February 2020|title=Hazel Wong-designed $15 million penthouse unveiled on the Palm Jumeirah|url=https://www.commercialinteriordesign.com/insight/46296-hazel-wong-designed-15-million-penthouse-unveiled-on-the-palm-jumeirah|website=CommercialInteriorDesign.com}}</ref> The homes are situated on the crescent of the Palm Jumeirah in three buildings which are connected by open spaces and a swimming pool.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite web|last=Ames|first=Nick|date=9 March 2017|title=Hazel Wong designs high-end luxury Dubai homes on The Palm Jumeirah|url=https://www.commercialinteriordesign.com/thoughts/hazel-wong-designs-high-end-luxury-dubai-homes-on-the-palm-jumeirah|access-date=24 November 2020|website=CommercialInteriorDesign.com}}</ref> Since this residential project was inspired by the surrounding landscape,<ref name=":7" /> the design incorporates the natural beauty of the area using large glass windows and doors that let in natural light. These windows also allow for a clear view of the Persian Gulf. The simple design, large windows, and light colors<ref name=":7" /> were intended by Wong to create a "quiet elegance and a timeless feel."<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" />
==References== {{reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Wong, Hazel}} Category:Living people Category:Hong Kong architects Category:Women architects Category:Hong Kong women artists Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
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