Imagine standing next to Dubai’s tallest tower in the world, asking you to build another skyscraper next to it. Imagine what building could be next to the Tower of Al Khalifa? Asked this question, CNN US has been investigating a skyscraper project that will be capable of standing next to the magnificent Al Khalifa Tower.
The challenge of building high-rise skyscrapers next to Dubai’s Al-Khalifa Tower has always been on the minds of city officials and world-renowned designers. This was the challenge facing Dutch architectural firm UNStudio, when it received a proposal to build a new tower on Sheikh Zayed Road in front of the 4-meter-high tower of Al Khalifa.
The founder and chief architect of UNStudio, Ben van Berkel, says: The state-owned development company Wassel did not make any specific proposal about the height of the project. Van Berkeley recalls that at the meeting, the client emphasized a “strong and sustainable concept” and a structure that could communicate with the local area.
The Tower will be completed on Aug. 2, and Van Berkeley is confident that it will provide the client’s desired conditions as well as a distinct look. The $ 2 million, 2m-tall skyscraper will be built using a sophisticated, asymmetrical design inspired by the Italian Contrapposto style – commonly used in classical sculpture art – and aims to provide a dynamic look.
The building will also be one of the tallest ceramic profiles in the world, made of clay-based materials and has a lacquered coating of fin-shaped tiles. According to the architects, these materials are very important for energy efficiency due to the high heat of the Gulf region and the city of Dubai, as they reduce the need for air conditioning.
Benefits of Ceramic Materials
Van Berkel says that ceramic materials can be beneficial to the environment in addition to the building. While glass profiles reflect heat loads around them, ceramic materials “not only protect the heat from entering the building but also reduce the heat load in the urban areas around the building.” The architect also has other reasons for the usefulness of ceramics, he said. Ceramics can be stronger than concrete, yet soft enough to create “extra-creative” shapes.
Design Another notable feature is the use of ceramics in this building. Architects claim that the shape and composition of the ceramic fin reflects sunlight into rhythmic patterns to exhibit a building look as if it is breathing. A similar effect is created at night by LED lights on the back of the facade. Also, the valves that are installed during this building increase the air circulation in the building immensely.
The tower will be occupied by a branch of luxury Mandarin Oriental chain hotels, as well as offices and private apartments and multiple rooftop pools. A pedestrian bridge will also connect the building to the Khalifa Metro Station. Van Berkeley says the sensitivity about connecting the skyscraper to public transport infrastructure was because the ordering company was considering a building that its residents would be living in for a long time.
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