Nerw renderings have been released for a landmark Dubai tower by Santiago Calatrava that aims to rival the 2,700 ft. high Burj Khalifa.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister of Dubai, and Mohamed Alabbar, chairman of Emaar Properties unveiled the design for Dubai Creek Harbour, which evokes the shape of a minaret, a distinctive architectural feature in Islamic culture.
“It has been an enormous honor to participate in this project. My team and I greatly appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with a renowned firm like Emaar Properties,” said Calatrava.
“The building’s design is inspired by the Islamic tradition, evoking the same history that brought the world the Alhambra and the Mosque of Cordoba. These architectural marvels combine elegance and beauty with math and geometry.
“The design of the tower of Dubai Creek Harbour is rooted in classical art and the culture of Dubai itself. It is also a major technological achievement. 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. It is a symbol of belief in progress.”
Mohamed Alabbar said the design will position Dubai Creek Harbour as one of the most desired residential, leisure and tourist attractions in the world.
The building’s numerous observation decks are part of an elongated, oval-shaped bud at the top of the tower.
The slender stem serves as the spine of the structure and the cables linking the building to the ground are reminiscent of the delicate ribbing of the lily’s leaves.
The structure also provides a beacon of light at night, with lighting that will emphasize the flower-bud design of the building.
This project is one of many iconic works designed by Calatrava, including the World Trade Center Transportation Hub, the Calgary Peace Bridge, the Olympic Sports Complex in Athens and the
Turning Torso Tower in Malmö that was recently awarded the Ten Year Award from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH).
Calatrava designed the tower with a large focus on energy efficiency and sustainability. The tower will use a highly-efficient cooling system and the water collected from this system will clean the structure’s façade.
Landscaping and vegetation will encourage solar protection. An integrated shading system and wing doors will also contribute to energy efficiency.
The structure will include ten observation decks, including The Pinnacle Room, which offers 360 degree views of the city and beyond.
Among the various decks are two VIP observation garden decks, made to recreate the splendor of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Eight Wonders of the Ancient World.
The building will also include numerous balconies that rotate outside the façade of the tower.
There will be a café on one of the three public observation decks and numerous spaces throughout the building can be used for events.
The tower’s ground-level Central Plaza will have retail, a museum, educational facilities, and an indoor auditorium.
The tower is located in the center of Dubai Creek Harbour, a six square-kilometer development located on Dubai Creek.
