It became an object of both fields, showcasing the expansion and blurring of their respective limits in order to form a combined product. The curved glass skin became one of its most complex components to be executed in record time. A concrete structure would have required unwanted internal supports and entailed time-consuming and costly on-site construction work. Therefore, the team developed a complex external diamond-shaped steel structure, called a diagrid, which achieved the striking shape of the building.
The first of its kind in the UAE, the diagrid allowed the creation of structural efficiency and stability appropriate to the circular building. This diagrid system eliminates the need for internal columns to support the building which would compromise the aesthetic appeal as well as the views from within.
This improved the building's efficiency, providing layout flexibility for tenants. All panels on one floor are then exactly the same size with the same angle change at each joint due to the equal chord lengths along the circular line in plan. The rate of change of size of panels increases as one moves further away from the equator of the building with the top and bottom of the building being an exact mirror image of the other.
To further increase the repeatability of panels the joint sizes were sized so that the same panel could be utilized over a number of theoretically geometrically different floors without being able to visibly see the change in joint width.
This exercise allowed the initial architectural vision to be created with approximately ten panel sizes instead of the original 10, sizes that would have been theoretically needed before the geometry refinement. This three faceted building relies on its zipper-like element, a continuous glass and structural band that stitches the two main facets together, creating a slim continuous surface that is both vertical and horizontal, side and face, window and roof.
THE PROCESS With a fast track construction schedule of 30 months that was meant to meet the opening of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix, architects, engineers and the many experts on board worked with a collaborative effort and helped smartly run the intricate overlap of design and construction with its new challenges and complexities.
This contractual joint venture arrangement was key to the successful design and construction of the project. An innovative method of Analysis and Drafting was adopted during the construction of the Aldar HQ building. Download PDF. Above Ground The number of floors above ground should include the ground floor level and be the number of main floors above ground, including any significant mezzanine floors and major mechanical plant floors.
Below Ground The number of floors below ground should include all major floors located below the ground floor level. Height Floors Official Name The current legal building name. Other Names Other names the building has commonly been known as, including former names, common informal names, local names, etc. Status Completed. Architecturally Topped Out. Structurally Topped Out. Under Construction. On Hold. Never Completed.
Competition Entry. Proposed Renovation. Under Renovation. Under Demolition. A mixed-use tall building contains two or more functions or uses , where each of the functions occupy a significant proportion of the tower's total space.
Support areas such as car parks and mechanical plant space do not constitute mixed-use functions. Mixed-Structure Utilizes distinct systems e. Composite A combination of materials e. Examples include buildings which utilize: steel columns with a floor system of reinforced concrete beams; a steel frame system with a concrete core; concrete-encased steel columns; concrete-filled steel tubes; etc. Official Website. Architectural Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to the architectural top of the building, including spires, but not including antennae, signage, flag poles or other functional-technical equipment.
To Tip Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to the highest point of the building, irrespective of material or function of the highest element i.
Occupied Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to the highest occupied floor within the building. Floors Above Ground The number of floors above ground should include the ground floor level and be the number of main floors above ground, including any significant mezzanine floors and major mechanical plant floors.
Floors Below Ground The number of floors below ground should include all major floors located below the ground floor level. Top Elevator Speed Top Elevator Speed refers to the top speed capable of being achieved by an elevator within a particular building, measured in meters per second. Tower GFA Tower GFA refers to the total gross floor area within the tower footprint, not including adjoining podiums, connected buildings or other towers within the development.
Throughout the modern history of architecture, architects have also been designing and realizing circular-based buildings, round towers as well as domes and spheres used notably in the development of planetaria and theatres. The circular shape has always been used in the ground and floor plans with the traditional building elevation and roof.
However, no one has attempted to build a structure completely circular in elevation. Such an idea would normally be left on sketches.
When challenged to create an iconic structure on Al Raha beach, Marwan Zgheib decided to create a simple building that would possess the calm, ideal beauty of classical architecture while also having considerable expressive power, a building that would compete with the iconic architecture of the UAE and create a sense of place and identity for the area.
To attain this end, Zgheib first had to select from natural forms, under the guidance of a concept of regularity. Accordingly, he was inspired by the clam shell which has deep meaning for Abu Dhabi with its seafaring heritage, as well as the symbolism of the geometric round shape, and imagined two giant circular curved walls of glass mirroring an open clam shell.
An extremely pure geometrical but daring design was born: a round skyscraper with a curved glass skin covering the area of four football fields. To bring the massive circular concept to life, the issues of visual stability, harmony and dynamism proved to be crucial.
The golden section is not merely an aesthetic proportion important to artists, but an omnipresent cosmic principle that induces structural differentiation. Indeed, this ratio appears in the works of nature such as the human body, the bodies of animals, plants and crystals and is naturally preferred by the human mind and eye. The proportions of the Greek temple reflect the pleasing aesthetic ratio of the golden section. Accordingly, the architects were able to locate the two points of stability of the circular facade; the two points of the circle where the building will meet the earth thus creating the perfect balance.
Unlike the conventional four sided buildings, the circular building challenges the approach to construction by questioning the typical roof structure.
This three faceted building relies on its zipper-like element, a continuous glass and structural band that stitches the two main facets together, creating a slim continuous surface that is both vertical and horizontal, side and face, window and roof. The striking shape of this building is achieved through the use of an external structural triangular diagrid — a diagonal grid of steel. The first of its kind in the UAE, it allowed the creation of structural efficiency and stability appropriate to the circular building with greater flexibility than a conventional rectangular form.
This diagrid system eliminates the need for internal columns which would compromise the aesthetic appeal as well as the views from within.
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