Renderings have been released for a Santiago Calatrava-designed observation tower in Dubai that, according to developers, will be a “notch taller” than the world’s tallest building.
Calatrava worked with Emaar Developments to design the tower of Dubai Creek Harbour. Though an exact height hasn’t been announced, it is slated to be taller than Dubai’s 2,717-foot Burj Khalifa.
The tower will have a slender stem and a oval-shaped bulb at the top. It will have rotating balconies and 10 observation decks, including the The Pinnacle Room, which will provide 360-degree views of the city. Two garden decks will recreate the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
Its shape is inspired both by minarets, the distinctive spire featured in Islamic culture, and by flower buds. Cables will link the building to the ground, which is intended to look like the ribbing of a lily’s leaves. The bud at the top of the tower will light up at night.
“This project is an artistic achievement, inspired by the goal of making this space a meeting point for citizens, not only from Dubai and the UAE but all across the world,” Calatrava said in a statement. “It is a symbol of belief in progress."
Click image to enlarge.
Water collected from a highly-efficient cooling system will clean the structure’s façade. A museum, auditorium, and retail spaces are planned for the base of the tower.
“It integrates not just design excellence but also strong environmental and smart-tech considerations,” Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties, said in a statement. “With the tower, we are delivering a compelling destination that will add long-term economic value to Dubai and the Emirates.”
According to Curbed, Emaar Developments estimated that the tower would cost $1 billion, and that the goal is for it to be completed by the 2020 World Expo that will be held in Dubai.
Click image to enlarge.
Click image to enlarge.
Click image to enlarge.
Click image to enlarge.
Related Stories
| Jan 30, 2014
See how architects at NBBJ are using computational design to calculate the best views on projects [video]
In an ideal world, every office employee would have a beautiful view from his or her desk. While no one can make that happen in real life, computational design can help architects maximize views from every angle.
| Jan 29, 2014
Richard Meier unveils 'urban courtyard' scheme for Mexico City towers
A grand atrium, reaching some 30 stories, highlights the contemporary, bright-white design scheme unveiled this week by Richard Meier & Partners for a new mixed-use development in Mexico City.
| Jan 28, 2014
2014 predictions for skyscraper construction: More twisting towers, mega-tall projects, and 'superslim' designs
Experts from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat release their 2014 construction forecast for the worldwide high-rise industry.
| Jan 23, 2014
Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill-designed Federation of Korean Industries tower opens in Seoul [slideshow]
The 50-story tower features a unique, angled building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) exterior designed to maximize the amount of energy collected.
| Jan 21, 2014
Comcast to build second Philadelphia skyscraper, with Norman Foster-designed tower [slideshow]
The British architect last week unveiled his scheme for the $1.2 billion, 59-story Comcast Innovation and Technology Center, planned adjacent to the Comcast Center.
| Jan 21, 2014
2013: The year of the super-tall skyscraper
Last year was the second-busiest ever in terms of 200-meter-plus building completions, with 73 towers, according to a report by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.
| Jan 3, 2014
World’s tallest vegetated façade to sprout in Sri Lanka [slideshow]
Set to open in late 2015, the 46-story Clearpoint Residences condo tower will feature planted terraces circling the entire structure.
| Dec 31, 2013
BD+C's top 10 stories of 2013
The world's tallest twisting tower and the rise of augmented reality technology in construction were among the 10 most popular articles posted on Building Design+Construction's website, BDCnetwork.com.
| Nov 13, 2013
New AISC Guide for Stability Design of Steel Buildings Now Available
Design professionals now have a valuable new resource on practical applications for stability design
| Nov 4, 2013
Historic shape producer catalogs added to AISC ePubs
The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) has added more historic documents to its online ePubs collection for AISC members. The latest addition is a collection of shape producer catalogs dating back to 1885. The collection is available at www.aisc.org/epubs in the historic shape producer section. This collection is part of AISC's effort to preserve unique industry documents before they are lost to age-related deterioration.
