Sculpting with water at Al Raha Beach

Al Raha Beach, the extensive new Arabian waterfront city that is being built east of Abu Dhabi island, will house a population of some 120,000 - the majority of whom are expected to live, work and relax in and around this iconic urban water environment.

"Water will be a key motivating theme for each element of Al Raha Beach," emphasized Michael Cox, ALDAR's Project Leader.

"We require original and inspirational water features, that will link our entire series of 'Arabian water villages' with unique fountains, pools and waterfalls highlighting the individual character and style of Al Raha. We are confident that WET Design will deliver this, based on the company's initial concepts and considering its impressive international portfolio of water feature designs."

WET Design was founded in 1983 and has now some 150 professionals in its team. It is best known for creating 'The Fountains of Bellagio' at the famous Las Vegas hotel - turning the owner's basic concept into a prominent 2.5 hectare lake featuring 1,000 different expressions of water movement, with more than 4,000 white lights as illumination.

The company has also carried out many other major water design projects across the United States and worldwide, including three water elements and the entrance fire towers at the Burj Al Arab and the design of the 2002 Olympic cauldron in Salt Lake City, Utah.

WET Design has been appointed to join the Al Raha Beach design team, with the brief to develop cutting-edge water design features that will be complementary to each of Al Raha Beach's very different construction themes.

Teresa Powell, WET Design's Vice President, commented: "It is our vision to present water features at Al Raha Beach that express the value and preciousness of water in Arab culture, as well as presenting moments of surprise and sublimity.

"We look forward to the challenge of creating vibrant scenic attractions that offer expressions of public art as well as nourishment for the individual spirit."

Construction of the Al Raha Beach water features is scheduled for completion in July 2009.

Overall master planners for the Al Raha Beach Development are Esquisse Australia, with infrastructure designed by AECOM/Maunsells Middle East.