Dubai: Worlds first air conditioned bus stop

I spent last week in Dubai and really wanted to create a model while I was there.  Unfortunately due to time constraints (too much sightseeing and socialising to be done!) I didn't have much time for modelling.  Shame really as Dubai is full of architectural treats.  I did have time to create a model which was of interest to me, as I am also a building services engineer.

Dubai has created the worlds first air conditioned bus stop!  Not the most sustainable idea, but then again in a place where the temperature can hit 40 degrees it means more people may be encouraged to use public transport.

The model has already been approved in super quick time and is available for all to see in the Google Earth 3D buildings layer.

Picture of the model

3D model (spin around to see the air con unit on the back)

Google Earth model

I arrived in Auckland on Friday for a extended holiday. Hopefully will have a chance to do some modelling while I tour around, watch this space!

Introducing the worlds tallest building, the Burj Khalifa

Due to being a bit overzealous with the sightseeing I haven't had a chance to create any 3D models of Dubai yet, so I thought instead I would share a model of a building which just happens to be the tallest in the world.  For the moment anyway.  The Burj Khalifa which opened in January 2010 stands at 828 metres tall.

I visited the viewing tower on the 124th floor of the Burj Khalifa last night with a friend, and the view was spectacular. You can see for miles, and it makes all of the surrounding buildings (which are already massive) look like models.

The Burj Khalifa currently holds 14 world records which you can see for yourself on the wikipedia page. My friend helpfully suggested another record that it might hold, longest drop for poop from the toilet on the top floor! Although I'm not sure they'll be keen to publicise that.

Wondering what all the fuss is about? See for yourself, here are a couple of photos I took:

The Burj Khalifa on the left.  Entrance to Dubai mall, the worlds largest shopping mall, on the right.

The Burj Khalifa

The view from the viewing platform on the 124th floor

The Burj Khalifa at night

There are already a number of 3D models which have been created for Google Earth and I thought I would share my favourite one with you.  It was created by a fellow Google Earth modeller, and I really hope this one makes in onto the 3D buildings layer.  You may need a plug-in to be able to view the 3D model below, if you can't see it you need the plug-in.

Wokingham's first Google Earth model: The Ship Inn

Ok as promised previously during my short stay in Wokingham I have spent some time crafting a model of one of my favourite pubs.  It also happens to be the first ever 3D model created for Google Earth in Wokingham.  And finally it's the first building you see when driving into the town centre, and what a great building it is too!

The Ship Inn, Wokingham

You can also see it here in 3d:

The Ship Inn

It turned out to be quite a tricky model due to all the extensions, but I'm pretty happy with the final result!

Whistlestop tour of Newcastle

I spent the day in Newcastle delivering a training course to Arup, the world renowned Engineering consultancy started by Ove Arup.  After arriving last night in the midst of a blizzard I took in a few of Newcastle's sights and sounds; the Earl Grey Monument, the old city wall, the Tyne bridge, the Gateshead Millennium bridge and of course most importantly a pub for a pint of Newcastle's finest brown ale.  It definitely taste's better in Newcastle.


The talk was on the use of SketchUp in engineering design, and seemed to go down very well, with everyone impressed at what can be achieved with such a simple to use program.


I made it back to Wokingham this afternoon despite the foot of snow and the fact that the rest of the Berkshire seems to have come grinding to a halt.  I managed a journey of over 300 miles with only minor delays and my mum couldn't make it 3 miles down the road to the school where she teaches at!  My commendations to the railway staff who did an excellent job.


Here are a few pictures I took of Newcastle...

Central Square where the Arupians work.

The famous bridges connecting Newcastle and Gateshead

The snow didn't seem to stop anything up north!

An interesting sculpture outside Central Square called the DNA DL90, it is by artist Abigail Fallis and represents a DNA double helix.

Holidays in Wokingham

I've spent the holidays back in my hometown of Wokingham enjoying many festive beers and far too much food. But in my defence it's hard to cut back on beer in a town with so many great pubs, so why even try?!

In between beers I've also been modeling one of my favorite pubs in Wokingham you might just be able to make it out in the picture. It's turned out to be quite tricky but more to follow soon...