a giant tent in Astana

Another interesting building for tonight's entry.

Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan is shaping to be the new modern architecture centre of the world, soon to surpass Dubai.

The UK architect firm Foster + Partners has designed a giant tent to be built in Astana.

The Khan Shatyry entertainment centre in Astana will become a dramatic civic focal point for the capital of Kazakhstan, the soaring structure, at the northern end of the new city axis, rises from a 200m elliptical base to form the highest peak on the skyline of Astana. The 100,000sqm centre’s unique concept - to provide a sheltered environment embracing an urban-scale internal park, shopping and entertainment venue - was developed in response to the harsh climate of extreme weather in both winter and summer. The building will become a lively public space and an unprecedented amenity for the people of Astana which can be used throughout the year.

Held by a mast, the vast tent-like cable net structure is clad in ETFE, a material that allows light to wash the interior spaces while sheltering them from extreme weather conditions. A park steps up the height of the building in undulating terraces providing public space and green oases for the visitors. A tropical water park weaves its way through the landscape and its wave pools, river and waterfall are lit by roof lights that are seamlessly integrated into the design. The highest terrace is a viewing deck which will offer dramatic views over the park.

At the core of the building is a large flexible space that will form the cultural hub of the centre, accommodating a varied programme of events and exhibitions. Complemented by 40,000sqm of retail space with a wide range of cafes, restaurants and cinemas, as well as ample covered car park facilities, the Khan Shatyry will offer leisure facilities for all.

Artist's impression



*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

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I had an interesting day today. This morning after I ate a little of my packaged processed turkey slices for breakfast, I had a drink of water from my large water bowl on the deck which my human had just replaced with fresh water out of the tap. Then he encouraged me to get into the catnip. Is that what you call a pusher?

Tonight Emily came over and made dinner of Hokkien noodles with cooked Chinese BBQ duck, bok choy, snow peas and puff tofu. She also brought all the ingredients over. I had a nice cuddle with her.

I ate all my dinner tonight

Falling Water

Two years ago I wrote about Frank Lloyd Wright and Falling Water.

Well, it seems that Brad Pitt also appreciates fine architecture. Angelina Jolie arranged a private tour of Falling Water for Brad as an early 43rd birthday present.

I think it was a very nice present.

See - MSNBC



*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

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Today was even warmer. Devi came over in the afternoon and she and my human had beer and watched The Omen (remake). I was outside napping on the deck, until my human called me to go inside as he claimed it was cooler. I went on strike as Devi wouldn't let me sit on her lap.

a new beacon in Paris

A new tower called the 'Phare' (beacon) will soon be built in the La Défense business district in Paris, to be completed by 2012.

It will be built by a Los Angeles architectural firm called Morphosis which won a design competition.

The tower will be 68-storeys and stand at 300 metres high (shorter than the 320m Eiffel Tower).

The building/tower will include a 60m high atrium, gardens, cafes, shops and an observation deck and sky restaurant. One of the environmental features of the building will be a wind farm on the top and a curving facade to prevent solar overheating.







I think it looks like a giant cat scratching post.

*for The Ongoing Barks of a Well Read Dog, check out Shamus (who is continuing Cammie's legacy)

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Today was another quiet day. My human watched Boo which was a very scarey movie, which I enjoyed as my human needed me to protect him.

We're watching Crash right now. It's a very heavy film.

sleeping in a drain pipe

When my late brother Fatty and I were younger and we lived in another suburb, in a town-house complex, we used to check out the drain pipes. Our humans used to get worried that we'd get lost or worse, washed away.

Some other cats in the neighbourhood used to sleep in the drain pipes. How uncouth!

Now some humans have taken to sleeping in a drain pipe.





Actually it's a hotel - dasparkhotel

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I have been eating more lately, not just chicken as this morning I even had some cheese and ham. Tonight I ate enough to keep my human happy.

There was that big horse race on today, but I won't write about it this year as I decided not to pay attention to it this time.

Pyramid of Peace

I've previously written about interesting buildings.

The Pyramid of Peace which opened last month in the Republic of Kazakhstan is quite astounding. It was designed by Foster + Partners (who are well know for their 'gherkin' in London, and the top of the Reichstag in Berlin).

The pyramid is 62 metres high with a base of 62 metres by 62 metres.

See - Foster + Partners - Palace of Peace and Reconciliation (for pics)

For more kitty thoughts, check out Camilla and think well wishes for her.

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This morning I tried to get my human to stay home with me. I wanted him to play chase or ball with me, but he decided to go to work anyway.

Tonight, Emily came over for lamb curry and I had lots of lap time with her.

I didn't feel like dinner tonight, but I've eaten lots over the last two days.

Bangkok - farewell Don Muang, welcome to Suvarnabhumi

Sometime ago, I wrote about the opening of a new railway station in Berlin.

Now for something much bigger. A giant airport.



Flight passengers arriving to and departing from Bangkok will now do so at the brand spanking new Suvarnabhumi Airport which boasts the world's largest single terminal building, at 563,000 sq m, as well as the tallest control tower.

The former Don Muang Airport is now closed.

My human who has passed through the old aiport many times, reckons that it may have been getting old (over 90 years old), but it was cosy and familiar.

Now that the major Asian hubs such as Hong Kong (Chek Lap Kok) and Bangkok have relatively new airports, it won't be long before Singapore decides whether Changi needs to be upgraded.

Links
- Suvarnabhumi Airport
- Bangkok Post news report
- BBC News

*For more kitty thoughts, check out Camilla. Please continue to think well wishes for my dear friend Camilla.

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Not much to report today. You know the routine. One different thing that did happen was that when my human returned home from work, Sue B was with him and she came over for a quick cup of tea and approved of the furniture re-arrangement. I didn't even sit on her lap.

That's all.

living in a cube

Yesterday I wrote about a box (Police Box, which is a TARDIS in disguise) which is bigger on the inside compared to the outside.

Tonight, I want to write about another box. It is a house that is basically a cube.

It might look quite boring on the outside, but can be quite functional on the inside.

Check out what one architect did - Boyd Cody Architects (flash site, click on work, complete, then alma rd).








*For more kitty thoughts, check out Camilla.

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My human remembered to leave the radio turned on for me, so today was less boring. It did get very cold though and has been raining since this afternoon.

Emily doesn't seem to be visiting tonight. Perhaps she doesn't love me anymore. Well, she will have more time tomorrow night to make up for it, as my human has just told me he is travelling to Melbourne for work and will return on Sunday. Hmmmpppphhhhhhh!

I guess that means that my computer will either go with him, or be switched off, so I won't be able to update my blog until Sunday.

keisercat@wildmail.com

Berlins neuer Hauptbahnhof

Europe's largest railway (train) station was opened on Friday, 26 May 2006 with first trains arriving and departing on Sunday, 28 May 2006. It is the new Berlin Hauptbahnhof (on the site of the former Lehrter Bahnhof)





It took eight years to build and will handle some 1,100 trains a day.

Berliner Morgenpost (vom 27.05.2006)

My human told me that one of the best things about travelling in Europe is going by train. He has caught the train from Munich to Berlin, and from Berlin to Prague. He reckons the best trips are those going through the mountains in Switzerland.

He also told me that there are some grand train stations in Europe and it is fun to check out the all the activity going on there. Not only that, in Autumn and Winter, there are always hawkers selling roasted chestnuts, even in Rome (where it is warmer).

*As always, please check out Cooper and Camilla who always have interesting things to say.

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Today was a cool day. I had some lap time with my human and he fell asleep for two hours around midday (he claimed he was still sore and tired after lifting things on Friday when Emily moved out).

We were watching the football game on TV when Martin (the back neighbour owned by the two great danes Barney and Sophie) came over for a quick visit in the early afternoon (he has another job interview next week). Then Neil came around to rummage through his boxes in the garage for things, though I did get to lie on his lap for a few minutes.

Then Merlin's humans Kim, Jordan and Liam came over. When Neil left, my human and Jordan went to the movie theatre to see X-Men: The Last Stand, which they very much enjoyed.


Angel - flying is a cool power. Flying with wings even cooler.


Mystique, Magneto, Pyro and some new mutant who can "multiply" himself

Then they stayed for dinner of Mongolian lamb and rice. I did have some time on Kim's lap before they left.

keisercat@wildmail.com

the Brooklyn Bridge and Mount Everest

My friend Jeter Harris who is a very sweet kitty from New York suggested that I write about the Brooklyn Bridge (as it is the Bridge's birthday today), so I shall. You should check out Jeter's Catster diary. He writes phonetically and is fixated on vindaloo, but in a nice way. I like his "vindaloo... skip to my loo" hee hee hee...

Okay, the Brooklyn Bridge was opened for use on 24 May 1883 and still remains a prominent New York landmark. It is one of the most filmed bridges on TV and film.


Still spectacular after all these years

My human had hoped to cross the Brooklyn Bridge entering New York from the New Jersey Turnpike one time, but it was actually not on the route.

Now about Mount Everest. There was a mass climb to the summit of Mount Everest just recently. A British climber, David Sharp was left to die while over 40 people climbed past.

You'd think they had enough compassion to try and do what they could for Mr Sharp. Their higher priority was to reach the summit. I think it would be better to be remembered for trying to help a dying man, and possibly save his life than to be remembered for reaching the summit.

Sir Edmund Hilary was not impressed. Neither am I.

See - New Zealand Herald


Life is cheap on the way to the world's highest mountain

*As always, please check out Cooper and Camilla who always have interesting things to say.

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My human came back from work with Sue B, and fresh smaller raw chicken wings for me. After I had my wing for dinner I wanted to sit on her lap, but she wouldn't let me. So I sat on my own chair. Then Elizabeth (from Melbourne) arrived bearing gifts including a very special wine. She liked the new doorbell - which plays the Lions football club song when pressed (even if her own team is Geelong).

They had a drink and then went out for a special Peking duck dinner. Hmmphhh...

Emily came home late. She went to practice her golf swings with Saber's human Lyn. Then my human came home and Sue B and Elizabeth popped their head in the door. There was not a catty bag for me with duck. Another Hmmphhh...

keisercat@wildmail.com

the Empire State Building turns 75

One of the greatest art deco buildings, the Empire State Building has turned 75.



The building took 410 days to build by 3,400 workers (14 of whom died during its construction), many immigrants, during the Depression.


you can see the Chrysler Building in the distance


you wouldn't want to be scared of heights


no hard hat

President Herbert Hoover opened the building on 1 May 1931.

For some 40 years, it was the world's tallest building.

The Empire State Building has 102 storeys, with the 86th floor holding an observation deck. My human told me that the views are spectacular, and any visit to New York is not complete without checking out the views from the building.


panoramic view from the observation deck
(for a bigger version click here)

Link - Empire State Building: official internet site

*As always, please check out Cooper and Camilla who always have interesting things to say.

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Today was another normal work day, so I was deprived of my human's company and his lap for much of the day. Not to worry, I am making up for it now. We're going to watch Supernatural tonight. I may be brushed.

keisercat@wildmail.com