[malec]

Dubai International Financial Centre launches DIFC Lighthouse Tower

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) announced the launch of DIFC Lighthouse Tower, a landmark 400-metre luxury office tower that will be constructed in the heart of the DIFC District, adjacent to the famous 'Gate' building.
United Arab Emirates: 1 hour, 50 minutes ago PRESS RELEASE

http://www.ameinfo.com/images/news/7/38747-MORNINGVIEW.jpg
Environmentally sensitive design to set benchmark for energy conservation.

The gross floor area of the project will be 90,000 square metres.

A beacon of modernity, the Lighthouse will be characterised by special external lighting features that will distinguish it from all other high-rise buildings in Dubai. As well, the approved environmentally sensitive design of the tower will include provisions for various applications for renewable energy, reduced carbon emissions and energy saving techniques.

His Excellency Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman, Governor of DIFC, said:
'The launch of the DIFC Lighthouse Tower, the newest landmark on the skyline of Dubai comes in line with our objective with the ongoing expansion of the DIFC and concomitant growth of the emirate, this tower will help meet the burgeoning demand for high-quality office space in the heart of our thriving community.'

He continued: 'The unique design of this slender tower will make it stand out, especially at night, when the external lighting will serve, like a lighthouse, to attract the admiration of residents and visitors alike. We are particularly proud of the project's environmentally friendly and sensitive design, which will set a new benchmark for energy conservation in the region.'



http://i9.tinypic.com/2dr6lp3.jpg

http://i12.tinypic.com/2ngh2z8.jpg

http://i16.tinypic.com/2gw9xf7.jpg

http://i5.tinypic.com/2vxrw52.jpg

[Dougall5505]

it looks like the index

[DUBAI2015]

Looks like a taller, thinner version of the Index with the center removed, then replaced by a circuit board. (but I still like it. 9/10!)

[AltinD]

http://i16.tinypic.com/2pzfm89.jpg

[Aleks]

somebody posted a thread bout this a while ago i remember...
i didnt like it back then and i dont like it now
i do like the fact that its an enviormentally friendly building

[Stephenapolis]

Nice concept on being enviromentally friendly. But the degin looks like a waste of building materials.

[malec]

somebody posted a thread bout this a while ago i remember...
i didnt like it back then and i dont like it now
i do like the fact that its an enviormentally friendly building

It was just a proposal back then but now has been announced and should be built (hopefully)

[malec]

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/5249/render1hh8.jpg

[Nowhereman1280]

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/5249/render1hh8.jpg

Nice, I like the detail on the front, very futuristic!

[malec]

One more render, now larger and clearer:

http://www.difc.ae/press_centre/archive/2007/images/376.JPG

[nezzybaby]

do we know how much power the turbines will generate... will the building be self sufficient for electricity?

[MGW]

it looks like a building that would be considered mundane on Couruscant--meaning it's wicked sick here. B/c they call it the Lighthouse Tower, they should have something fancy like a rotating light near the top or something--something cliche that Dubai would do (ex.--the tower w/ the sundial on the top):tup:

[NYguy]

One more render, now larger and clearer:

http://www.difc.ae/press_centre/archive/2007/images/376.JPG

I liked it until I realized the top half was open. Seems unusually thin for an office tower though. They should build two, and make the world's highest suspension bridge.

[malec]

^^ Yes it'll have to be open otherwise the windturbines would be useless up there. BTW you can see they've incorparated the DIFC logo into the design :)
http://www.difc.ae/

[Rise To The Top]

Lovely... one of the better designs out of Dubai.

[JBinCalgary]

coooool

[StatenIslander237]

thats a cool building. Dubai is freakin' psycho.

[malec]

Amazing renders at http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=998


Atkins strives for low carbon precedent

Low carbon commercial towers may one day become a reality in Dubai thanks to international consultants Atkins, whose Middle East operation is currently undertaking the concept design for ‘The Lighthouse’, located in the heart of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). In setting a new benchmark for Dubai, the 400-metre luxury office tower aspires to be a low carbon commercial building which aims to reduce its total energy consumption by up to 65% and water consumption by up to 40%. This will be achieved through the use of passive solar architecture, many low energy, low water engineering solutions, recovery strategies for both energy and water and building integrated renewables – including large scale wind turbines and photovoltaics. During the development of the design Atkins will map and manage the embodied energy content of the building and select materials from sustainable sources, so that impact on global resources is controlled. Already this is leading designers to consider a steel frame solution for this structure. Additionally, features such as floorplates interconnected by micro-atria and the inclusion of inter connecting vertical gardens are being actively considered to enhance the social aspects of this building. From the early stages of the project, Atkins will work closely with DIFC to establish and rigorously evaluate options for achieving a low carbon building before making final recommendations. Inspired by the rectilinear context and simple minimalist lines of the existing DIFC precinct, as well as the client’s requirement of creating a ‘lighthouse’ for DIFC, the building generates active energy through three integrated 29m diameter wind turbines. To optimise performance and operational periods, the turbines have windward directional wind vanes or limited yaw and the spandrel glazing sections of the south facing vertical façade incorporate 4000 photo voltaic panels. This unique building, with a total construction area of 140,000 sq m, will become a working prototype for low carbon towers within the region and a model for more sustainable developments in the future. Features: 400m high; 66-storey commercial office tower; three 29m diameter, 225 KV wind turbines; 4000 PV spandrel panels; 84,000 sq m of commercial space as well as basement and podium parking, convention centres, retail, environmental visitor centre and a park connecting to the DIFC central spine.

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/998_1_1000%20Atkins%20Lighthouse%201.jpg

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/998_2_1000%20Atkins%20Lighthouse%202.jpg

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/998_3_1000%20Atkins%20Lighthouse%203.jpg

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/998_4_1000%20Atkins%20Lighthouse%204.jpg

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/998_5_1000%20Atkins%20Lighthouse%205.jpg

[Stratosphere]

I like it. It looks elegant and unique, like some sort of monument. The opening on the top part is there to house the windturbines and also to reduce wind pressure.

[M.K.]

:notacrook: :notacrook: :notacrook: TOP COOL. Amasing Tower.
Too futuristic, very uncommon. I like the wind turbines and the appearance seems a motherboard with fibra optic circuits. Well done chosen this design. PERFECT to me, but seems not a lighthouse. The light source is in complete tower, not only in top. Seems to be a building planet of Star Wars. I like a lot, mainly the renderings. I hope the reality quite similar to that. :tup: :tup: :tup:
But resembles the shape of Index and a monumental fabric power plant tower. :banana: :banana: :banana:

[Thskyscraper]

Look good IMO. I like the detail that the tower has, gives it a plus.

[DUBAI2015]

Looks like if the Index and the John Hancock center had babies.

http://i2.tinypic.com/vhucrt.jpg

+

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/John_Hancock_Center.jpg/450px-

=

http://www.difc.ae/press_centre/archive/2007/images/376.JPG

[JManc]

i like this one.

[KevinFromTexas]

Nice. It almost looks like twin Transamerica Pyramids leaning towards each other. Take one of the above renderings, (especially the last one malec posted), and scroll it so that you only see about the top half of the tower.

[Carpetking]

looks great,i like it

[M.K.]

Is there 2 equal threads for the same tower??? :shrug: Seems to be


I

[observer]

What's old is new....this is same floor plate diagram of Montgomery Wards office building (now condos) in Chicago. Brilliant design when it was conceived (decades ago). I'm surprised it has taken this long for someone to use it again.

[malec]

From Imre:


24/Aug/2007

Lighthouse Tower

soil testing , they didnt know the name of the building but the clients are DIFC and Atkins:)

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/3166/imresolt141ka0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/8586/imresolt166rv3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/5488/imresolt146tj6.th.jpg (http://img511.imageshack.us/my.php?image=imresolt146tj6.jpg)http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/2426/imresolt160fn5.th.jpg (http://img177.imageshack.us/my.php?image=imresolt160fn5.jpg)http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/5026/imresolt161ni6.th.jpg (http://img177.imageshack.us/my.php?image=imresolt161ni6.jpg)http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/8117/imresolt162ao1.th.jpg (http://img207.imageshack.us/my.php?image=imresolt162ao1.jpg)http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/3010/imresolt163pq3.th.jpg (http://img503.imageshack.us/my.php?image=imresolt163pq3.jpg)http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/6379/imresolt164xn7.th.jpg (http://img177.imageshack.us/my.php?image=imresolt164xn7.jpg)
http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/9336/imresolt165nm3.th.jpg (http://img260.imageshack.us/my.php?image=imresolt165nm3.jpg)http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/7038/imresolt167fa4.th.jpg (http://img207.imageshack.us/my.php?image=imresolt167fa4.jpg)

[M II A II R II K]

There still seems to be a delay in construction. There doesn't appear to be much activity taking place there now.

Nice looking design BTW.

[malec]

^^ That was just some initial soil test. Construction is to begin in November or so they say.

[FLBlake]

What does a no carbon building actually mean? How do you do that? I didn't know carbon was bad.:shrug:

[MolsonExport]

This one is one of the better one's to come out of Dubai

[M II A II R II K]

This one is one of the better one's to come out of Dubai

Yea I was thinking that. Would be cool if we got one like that too over here.

[malec]

It looks like this has started. See that core in the top centre of the picture? Well the lighthouse plot is across the road on the left and looks like there's a big hole over there. I won't move the thread though until we have a better picture of what's going on.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3254/2958826132_8be8b4025a_o.jpg

[M II A II R II K]

This should be one that'll be great to watch, particularly if they use those colours.

[malec]

Nice pictures from Nader at picasa.

http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/2734/helicoptertour01nov0812bg5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/helicoptertour01nov0812bg5.jpg/1/w1600.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img389/helicoptertour01nov0812bg5.jpg/1/)

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/7056/helicoptertour01nov0812ed4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/helicoptertour01nov0812ed4.jpg/1/w1600.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img517/helicoptertour01nov0812ed4.jpg/1/)

[malec]

New height.

Height is 402 meters with 64 floors !

Source:

Thank you for your e-mail.

Last month, one of our Editors has spoken with Shaun Killa, a member of
Atkins. They have given him the information. It seems for us the best and most
recent source we have at the moment.


Kind regards,

Emporis Data Research Team
http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=lighthousetower-dubai-unitedarabemirates



Also piling is going on in full swing according to Imre anyway. He said he couldn't get pictures. Maybe there are some more nice aerials on flickr.com

[BrownTown]

Thats a terrible idea IMO. The whole wind turbine thing makes no sense. The amount of energy required to build this massive building will be more then those turbines will ever produce. Would make alot more sense to just not build the top half and build some windmills somewhere else if what you really cared about is the environment. And since Dubai clearly doesn't give a crap about the environment they should just build the whole thing all the way up.

[gttx]

So the market slowdown hasn't affected plans for this tower? That would be awesome....this has to be my favorite project (well, maybe second to the Burj) going up in Dubai.

[Zerton]

Finally something from Dubai that I like. The engineers could take some tips from the Bahrain World Trade Center:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2359/2139274930_5c7be4866d.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/obscure_persona/2139274930/

I saw a documentary and getting the blades in place on vertical supports was more challenging than originally thought.

[M II A II R II K]

Glad this one is going ahead.

[Aleks]

What was the original height?

[ZZ-II]

400m, can't remember any older plan

[malec]

I think within 2 months we will know whether this gets built or not (or at least have a better idea)


Bid deadline extended for Lighthouse tower in Dubai

* Published: 20 January 2009 08:47
* Author:Colin Foreman | More by this Author
* Last Updated: 20 January 2009 13:02

The closing date for bids for the contract to build the Lighthouse tower at Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC) has been extended by one month to 18 February.

http://www.meed.com/news/2009/01/bid_deadline_extended_for_lighthouse_tower_in_dubai.html

[Dac150]

Are they looking for a contractor?

[malec]

Yep :)

[malec]

Update. Let's hope stuff is actually happening here and they are not just lying around like on the burj al alam site.

20/February/2009

Lighthouse Tower

http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/6918/imresolt043jg0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/6195/imresolt057fh1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[colemonkee]

Is that mid-rise in the background the Ritz-Carlton? It looks pretty nice, and decidedly reserved for a Dubai building.

[malec]

Yes it is. It's almost done I think.

[malec]

Rumours are saying that DIFC will cancel this project and buy in the index instead.

[Jobohimself]

Hideous, just what I've come to expect from Dubai.

[GO_UAE]

Hideous, just what I've come to expect from Dubai.

And this Kids is a fine example of Jelousy in its purest form :whip:

[malec]

Hideous, just what I've come to expect from Dubai.

Are you crazy? There are certainly a good number of hideous towers which have come out of Dubai but this is not one of them, this is one of the best supertalls anywhere I think. The base could do with some work but the rest is pure awsomeness as they'd say. :D
Anyway it's probably not going to get built. I always thought it would be cancelled but now it makes sense to just buy into another tower as the rumours are suggesting.

[JDRCRASH]

Yeah theres nothing wrong with these towers themselves.....

[malec]

Update

04/04

There were workers but what they were doing, I have no idea:

http://i44.tinypic.com/14lrr15.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/2sbnbsx.jpg

[malec]

Deadline for the main contractor bid extended again. I don't see why they would do this if they do not want to build the tower. Maybe they are negotiating the price or else trying to find the cheapest contractor.


DIFC extends Lighthouse tower contract

by Sarah Blackman Apr 12, 2009

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Authority has extended until April 30 the deadline for bids for the contract to build the Lighthouse tower.

DIFC has already extended the deadline several times this year – the original deadline was the end of March.

Prospective bidders include the local Al Basti and Muktha and Arabtec Construction, Lebanon's Arabian Construction Company (ACC), the local and UK firm Dutco Balfour Beatty, the UK-based Laing O'Rourke, and the local and Australian company Nasa Multiplex.

The contract involves the construction of a 320m-high office tower with a gross floor area of 90,000m2.

source:
http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-4894-difc_extends_lighthouse_tower_contract/


By the way I don't know but the best sources still say 402m is the height so I won't change yet.

[Jobohimself]

And this Kids is a fine example of Jelousy in its purest form :whip:

I'm not jealous at all, I'm just stating my opinion. Dubai is usually form over function, and this supertall is certainly no exception.

[Aleks]

Whatever it is. It looks amazing and I'd rather have this skyscraper than many many boring boxes out there. I really hope they go through with this.

[Ehrgeiz91]

I'm not jealous at all, I'm just stating my opinion. Dubai is usually form over function, and this supertall is certainly no exception.

What's wrong with being form over function. I mean of course to a degree the building must serve it's purpose, but part of the beauty and popularity of Dubai is it's wonderfully unique style and architecture which is so far ahead of it's time.

There are buildings that must be built solely for function and ones that "merely" have aesthetic qualities. But I don't see anything wrong with that. :)

[malec]

Here is a picture as of May 9th. Looks like piling is finished and waiting for the main contractor, if they decide to build it at all that is.

http://www.up.ae/uploadedImages/Property_Portfolio/Limestone_House/Construction_Update/LH-May09-Pic4.jpg

[Aleks]

I hope they go through with it. At first I hated it but it's a pretty nice building.

[malec]

An update but from a few days ago.

http://i39.tinypic.com/2rcbzv8.jpg


In this picture you can see where the cores will be (if they ever decide to build the rest of it)

http://www.up.ae/uploadedImages/Property_Portfolio/Limestone_House/Construction_Update/LH-May09-Pic4.jpg

[Dac150]

So lets say that this project doesn't come to be, in addition to many others that are still up in the air. What exactly is done with these holes and pilings? I would imagine that another project or developer would take over the site eventually, however are these pilings not set according to the structure that they are put in place for?

[malec]

^^ Who knows, they might build it later when they have the money.

Anyway, an update from about a week ago.

http://i28.tinypic.com/vdo878.jpg
http://i28.tinypic.com/fao768.jpg


Also some nice goodies, diagrams, etc.

http://architecturelab.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/holcim_africa_08_03b.jpg

http://www.holcimfoundation.org/T869/A08AMbr-gallery.htm#prj


Some news about bids for the main contract, unfortunately one needs a subscription.

http://www.meed.com/news/2009/07/firms_bid_to_build_landmark_lighthouse_tower_in_dubai.html

Firms bid to build landmark Lighthouse tower in Dubai

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Authority is considering commercial bids from at least three companies for the contract to build its Lighthouse tower.

[JDRCRASH]

Dude, with the Credit markets still in shambles, i'm surprised this project found the money.

[malec]

^^ Have they? I will only believe it when the main contractor arrives and starts work. In Dubai piling is always done by a separate contractor which is what you see finished here. :)
All the article says is various contractors have bid for the project, who knows if the owners will pay for it yet.

All of these big towers are having problems getting a main contractor. With the pentominium I think they're still deciding whether to build it now or try and wait and build it later. The developer of burj al alam wants to build now and keeps requesting bids from contractors but nobody will build for what they're willing to pay.

[malec]

I don't know if anything is going on.

03/September/2009

Lighthouse Tower

http://i26.tinypic.com/20uxqwh.jpg

http://i27.tinypic.com/ori78h.jpg

http://i25.tinypic.com/1zbapth.jpg

[malec]

A few workers here.

15/October/2009

Lighthouse Tower

http://i38.tinypic.com/295rb0w.jpg

http://i33.tinypic.com/15rbi9y.jpg

http://i34.tinypic.com/2h6dria.jpg

[malec]

On Hold, don't know why they don't cover those pile caps in plastic like everywhere else.

25/December/2009

Lighthouse Tower

http://i50.tinypic.com/2hgzjmr.jpg

http://i46.tinypic.com/f4fdjo.jpg

http://i45.tinypic.com/2ebs608.jpg

[Ronnie Yau]

This project is so DEAD!!!

[OneWorldTradeCenter]

:previous: I thought that one is already cancelled....

[blacktrojan3921]

I really do hope that this project doesn't go dead, it really looks fascinating. Still; with no photo updates for the past year it does seem really likely it's dead.

[OneWorldTradeCenter]

Those images are from 2009, and in 2010 they filled the pit with sand. That means, this project is DEAD!:yes: