Almost every city has its icon building or skyscraper making it the symbol of the city if not the entire country. Kuwait has its “Kuwait Towers” but now this might change, a new iconic tower is emerging. Like everything so big, controversy arises, many people are against it due to the high cost and its “alien” character in a city where no proper city planning has been done, others however are thrilled to have such a monument that would draw international attention. The AlHamra tower is 412m high, one of the 10 highest towers in the world, however this is not the main special characteristic of this tower, its pride resides in it being the tallest “sculpted” tower. It is about time we appreciate design and form over just height. This tower captures it all.
Its southern wall acts as the backbone of the skyscraper, yet it is designed to decrease solar radiation. In a country as hot as Kuwait, creating such an aspect that protects the building against harsh environmental conditions is essential.
It’s a pity how the area around it is very primitive with old 1 and 2 story structures that are an eyesore for everyone passing through the city. In addition to the unfortunate surrounding, the angle at which the tower is situated does not allow much ability for passers by to view the entire monument, it can only be seen fully from a distant angle.
Instead of criticizing the AlHamra tower for being among these buildings, instead, I think its a step to find a solution for everything that should NOT be there.
Below are images taken from AlHamra website, the video from Discovery’s “Build it Bigger” , and the last one from my phone’s camera couple of days ago to show the tower’s recent status.
For details, floor plans, and images please refer to the tower’s web site.
sculptural maquette of tower
Kuwait’s New Skyline
Stage of completion of Al Hamra Tower now
Another new tower that may go under construction if the design was selected according to Dezeen is the new headquarter for BLC Bank in Beirut, Lebanon. The result should come out in two months. Also quoted off Dezeen‘s website, the architect described the project as the following:
“The project consists of the creation of a landmark for the city of Beirut, extending the existing building without destroying it. We created a project whereupon the new structure shares the corner with the existing building and cantilevers above it. The presence of the existing building at the corner of the site was an enigma to us. It had the key position on the site, although it was not necessarily the most appropriate image for the BLC new headquarters. In order to resolve this issue, we created a project whereupon the new structure shares the corner with the existing building and cantilevers above it. In this way, the different expressions of old and new become complementary, working together in symbiosis…”
BLC Beirut- HQ proposal
BLC HQ proposal- photos from Dezeen
A different and very famous skyscraper stretches horizontally as much as the height of the Empire State Building located in Shenzhen, China.The uniqueness of it is its floating impression with a 35m height limit above a very large green space which is open to the public. This skyscraper of the head office for Vanke Co. ltd,with office spaces, apartments, and a hotel.
“The design for the Vanke Headquarters takes care to use renewable and recyclable materials. All the doors, floors and furniture are made from bamboo, which is easily available in the area and quickly renewable, and the carpets throughout the building are made from completely recycled material. Special windows are designed to keep the building cool by blocking solar heat while still allowing plenty of sunlight, lowering the cost of air conditioning. Installation of new furnaces also help enhance comfort, reduce energy bills, and improve indoor air quality. When your furnace is working correctly, you shouldn’t have to worry about your furnace high limit switch location. But when it starts to trip or malfunction, you may need to know about this part and how to fix it. If you need air conditioning repair and maintenance services, make sure to hire professionals like ac repair rochester ny. In addition, the Vanke Headquarters’ roof is covered by solar panels, which will provide up to 15 percent of the office’s electricity. And, in preparation for the future, the building provides electric car parking and charging stations. “I think we design for the future; we cannot design for the past,” Li says. “A good building always provides opportunities for the future.””
-Marcus Schulz, China Daily
Awards:
AIA NY ARCHITECTURE HONOR AWARD, USA, 2010
“GOOD DESIGN IS GOOD BUSINESS” CHINA AWARD, BEST GREEN PROJECT, USA, 2010
Photos and information from: Steven Holl Architects
Vanke Headquarters- horizontal skyscraper
Manhattan’s skyline is at risk of change after the approval was granted recently for the new 67-story skyscraper that will be built in the shadow of the Empire State Building. For years the Empire state building was according to surveys “America’s most loved structure”, and now with the attempt to build such a high skyscraper so close to it has cause a local stir. Probably if it were built anywhere else, we wouldn’t have seen so many objections. Those who voted for it however indicated the increase of jobs and transportation solutions it will provide.
Photo and information: World Architecture News
15 Penn Plaza- New York
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Comment by persian rugs guy — 19 Sep ’11 @ 12:19 pm