Cloward H2O a Key Contributor to Atlantis, The Palm SEPTEMBER 10, 2008

The highly anticipated Dh5.5 billion Atlantis, The Palm, opening its doors to the public on September 24th is more than simply another holiday hotel. Atlantis is the first true “destination resort” in Dubai with the vision of transporting guests to a dazzling and imaginative world that is all about the ocean and the legend of ancient Atlantis. With its enviable location atop the crescent of The Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis has over 1,500 rooms and suites, numerous dining choices, luxury boutiques, an exciting night club, a Spa and Fitness Club and extensive meeting and function spaces. But what sets this resort apart from all others is the water. Water adventures - both fresh and salt water attractions - are the focal point of the resort.

Cloward H2O, a world-renowned water feature design firm with headquarters in Utah, USA was responsible for the design and engineering of all water features at the resort. This includes all of the freshwater swimming pools, water slides, rivers and interactive water-play areas on the site, all fountain, lagoon and waterfall features, and all aquarium and marine habitats at the resort.

With its 17 hectares of water themed amusement, Aquaventure, the on-site waterpark of over 18 million liters of water is unrivaled in the Middle East. Cloward H2O and the resort’s design team were able to take the idea of the lost civilization of Atlantis and interpret it as a unique water playground with one-of-a-kind attractions. Aquaventure features thrilling new water slides including the 27.5 meter ‘Leap of Faith’ which drops riders through a clear acrylic tunnel submerged in a shark-filled lagoon, The ‘Shark Attack’ spins riders in tubes through darkness before emerging into another acrylic tunnel suspended in the shark tank. In addition are three ‘Master Blaster’ slides that propel riders up and down using high powered jets of water. Surrounding the slide area is a complex river-ride system with the 2.3 km ‘Rapids’ loop that lifts riders in their tubes to an upper level and lets them traverse river sections of high intensity whitewater rapids and waterfalls interspersed with calmer sections and opening up to large zero-entry pools with spacious sun-decks. The ‘Torrent’ area of the river propels riders on a wave surge that can reach nearly 2 meters high. Also on site guests will find a children’s water play area as well as two beautiful resort pools for calmer sunbathing and swimming.

Also integral to the resort, guests and visitors will find an amazing aquatic ecosystem on a scale not seen previously in this part of the world. Throughout the resort, 42 million liters of salt water are home to more than 65,000 fish and sea creatures representing over 250 species. The centerpiece ‘Ambassador Lagoon’ is modeled as the sunken streets and boulevards of the mythical lost world of Atlantis. The habitat features marine life found in the local waters of the Arabian Gulf and surrounding regions. The discovery continues in ‘The Lost Chambers’, bringing guests into close contact with the myth and advanced inventions of the ancient Atlanteans. Each exhibit is dedicated to different sea creatures with the animals on stunning display in these unique spaces. As a separate marine attraction, the dolphins at Atlantis also have their own facility featuring a 4.5 hectare lagoon with three interaction coves, medical and quarantine pools and a state-of-the-art marine mammal hospital. The habitat provides the dolphins with interconnected resident pools, shelter from heat and weather and 26 million liters of crystal-clear seawater.

Cloward H2O is recognized as one of the top aquatic design firms in the world. Their staff consists of an integrated team of designers, engineers, construction and operations professionals with a wealth of technical expertise and experience in aquatic design and life support systems engineering with traditional civil, structural, mechanical and electrical engineering, a dedicated team of people who are truly enthusiastic about what they do. Cloward H2O provides comprehensive design and engineering capability and a strong philosophy of customer service to their clients on projects ranging from swimming pools, spas, waterparks, and theme park attractions, to aquarium and zoo aquatic exhibits and life support systems, lagoons, lakes, rivers and boatways, marinas and fountains. In short – all things water. With over 35 years of successful projects around the globe, Cloward H2O has designed some of the world’s finest resort, aquatic leisure and marine facilities.