Gulf Construction Online - Sculpturally inclined

Kuwait

Sculpturally inclined

01 December 2007

Construction work on what is expected to be Kuwait’s tallest sculpted tower, which rises to 412 m is proceeding on schedule with concrete work now in progress on the 13th floor as the stunning landmark soars skywards.

Al Hamra Tower as it is known – in the centre of Kuwait City – combines an iconic structural form and offers breathtaking views overlooking the Arabian Gulf. Scheduled for completion in early 2010, the project has been challenging in terms of its architecture and implementation. It currently has more than 800 construction workers on site with an average of one floor completed every nine days.
The development aims to transform an old Kuwaiti landmark – Al Hamra and Firdous cinemas – to a luxurious architectural landmark that reflects the growth and modernisation of Kuwait, Abdulaziz Al Humaidhi, assistant general manager of Ajial Real Estate and Entertainment, tells Gulf Construction.
Located at the Al Magwa’a Al Shargi area in Kuwait City, the project includes an office tower, the base of which anchors a mixed-use complex that includes a shopping mall for luxury goods, a multiplex, a gourmet cafe court and facilities for a spa and health club. The development covers a 10,978 sq m site at the intersection of Abdulaziz Al Sager (Al Hilali previously) and Jaber Al Mubarak streets. In addition, a 7,000 sq m area has been allocated for the multi-storey parking facility to serve the centre and the surrounding area, and a landscaped plaza. The total built-up area is more than 290,000 sq m.
The office building resembles an elegant modern sculpture with a striking cloak-like façade which unfolds as it rises, with the delicate glass veil reflecting the profile of the peninsula. The project also boasts the largest office space under one roof in the country with each floor covering an area of approximately 2,400 sq m.
The developer Al Hamra Real Estate Company has roped in some of the best expertise in the construction of landmark buildings to create Kuwait’s latest masterpiece: Skidmore Owings & Merrill (SOM) is the designer, Turner Construction is the project manager and Ahmadiah Contracting is the main contractor of the development, which is being built at a cost of more than KD150 million ($543 million).
“In a bid to maximise the Gulf views and minimise solar heat gain on the office floors, a quarter of each floor plate is carved out of the south face, shifting from west to east at each level throughout the height of the tower,” explains Donald Williams, an associate with SOM. “The geometry reveals a rich, monolithic stone at the south wall framed by the graceful, twisting ribbons of the flared walls and defines the iconic form of the tower – a modern sculpture with the illusion of a subtle and elegant twist and resembling an enshrouded figure. The solid south wall is generated in a manner that minimises solar heat gain. This wall protects the building from critical environmental conditions and also serves as the structural spine of the building. The point at the apex of the tower not only resolves this complex geometry of the flaring walls but also implies the continuation of the sculptural form infinitely upwards.”
The 412-m-high tower with a total area of more than 195,000 sq m is a reinforced concrete building consisting of 77 levels (equivalent to more than 100 storeys in a typical high-rise) primarily offering office space but also including retail, food and beverages, spa and parking facilities.
The mall, also a reinforced concrete building, consists of six levels (two below grade and four above) with a total area of over 37,000 sq m. The luxury high-end retail shopping facility includes 56 retail outlets as well as 23 food and beverage offerings, a nine-screen multiplex cinema, and parking facilities. The facade of the shopping mall has been carefully designed to be continuous with, and complement, the tower cladding. Located at the nexus of major roadways in the central business district, the vehicular and pedestrian traffic patterns have been carefully planned to ensure visibility and access to the tower and shopping components.
The parking structure, a reinforced/precast concrete building, consists of 11 levels – two below grade and nine above – with a total area of 6,000 sq m and a capacity of more than 1,800 parking stalls. Primarily designed for the users of the Al Hamra complex, the facility will also be open to public use.
The tower opens onto a soaring 20 m-high lobby entrance offering some 900 sq m of column-free space, with delicate structural vaulting, providing an elegant introduction to the offices above or the shopping beyond.
“The geometry of the lobby area is generated by applying the principles of lamella structures, which is elegantly resolved. The structure is a major design element of the tower simultaneously providing continuity from the building to its footing and serving as a completely integrated strengthening component,” Williams points out.
“The first office floor starts at 35 m above ground to ensure views from each office space. On each floor of the tower above, a corridor connects the two wings of the typical office floor plate. This bridge presents a dramatic spatial experience with sculpted windows in the south wall providing dramatic views south to the expanse of the city, the peninsula and the desert beyond. Two spacious sky lobbies located at the 28th and 52nd floors separate the tower into three zones and two executive floors complete the stacking of the tower at the top. At the top of the tower, inside a 70 m-high spire, a private restaurant and lounge will provide the best dining experience available in the Gulf region,” says Al Humaidhi.
He continues: “Through the use of delicate glass and metal for the office floors and the monolithic stone cladding of the flared walls, the building will provide optimal visibility from the north, east and west to the Arabian Gulf and near-complete opacity south against the severe glare and heat of the sun.”
To build one of the most remarkable high-rise structures in the region, the planners have sought the best in quality finishes, applied state-of-the-art technology, maximised flexibility in terms of office space, optimised the provision of amenities, addressed safety and security issues.
The finishing and furnishing have been specifically chosen to reflect the high-end, modern, clean comfort of the interior being targeted. Even though the different floors of the mall aren’t consistent in form and shape, Duccio Grassi – the Italian designer commissioned for the works of the mall’s interior design – has designed using noble materials such as black marble for the neutral piers separating the shopfront, lavish stone flooring, onyx and black glass cladding and specially-designed signage.
“We are pursuing a higher level of design to the point that even toilets are finished in luxurious stone, giving them a feel of luxury normally associated with hotels. This extravagance extends to the car-park lobby and interior as well. To maintain the uniformity of the interior, Duccio Grassi has developed tenant shopfront design criteria, which would allow the tenant the freedom to design his own area yet blend with the mall’s finishing,” Al Humaidhi points out.
Al Hamra Tower will adopt state-of-the-art ‘smart building’ technology as a built-in backbone network that will offer maximum flexibility by integrating all voice, data, access control, surveillance, fire alarm, and building automation systems.
Some of the innovative features and facilities of the tower include: raised access floor system in office areas; flexible office space from 350 to 1,750 sq m; business centres in the sky lobbies and sky lounge with conference and presentation facilities as well as dining facilities; health club and spa with indoor pool, state-of-the-art equipment, facilities and dedicated service; and a roof garden, which is expected to be the first of its kind in Kuwait. It will feature the latest in video surveillance, access control systems and biometric technologies to provide high-level security.
Eight express elevators, eight local elevators, two service elevators, and three VIP elevators will provide smooth and rapid access to the various levels of this striking high-rise.
A facilities management system will ensure access to and smooth operation of all the services and facilities that the complex offers.
The outdoor landscaped plaza will be a dramatic setting of shade, canopies, palm trees, green shade trees, lush planting and water features to cool it during the day and provide a popular meeting place at night – thus creating a sense of anticipation for the interior environment as the visitor enters what is expected to be a trendsetting icon of modernity and affluence.