KUWAIT CITY | Al Hamra Tower | 1,350 FT / 412 M | 77 FLOORS
 

Kuwait skyscraper takes shape
Monday 23 Jun 2008


http://i28.tinypic.com/bg69o4.jpg

SOM designed Al Hamra carves a landmark to overlook Kuwait

SOM’s Al Hamra design for Kuwait’s tallest skyscraper has begun its realisation as, at 34 stories and 161 m high in its construction phase, it is now visible from miles around. Due to rise to 412 m in height, Al Hamra will be the world’s tallest ‘sculpted’ tower and Kuwait’s tallest skyscraper creating a dramatic focal point that is visible throughout the city.

On the outside the tower curves like a curled newspaper to its highest point with the outer north, west and east curve fully glazed and the inner curve a solid sculpted barrier from the harsh desert sun to the south. From inside, the office tower benefits from views across the city and the Arabian Gulf.

The geometry of the interior wall is generated and responds to the need to minimize solar heat gain. This wall not only protects the building from critical environmental conditions but also takes on the role of the structural spine of the building. The point at the apex of the tower not only resolves this complex geometry of the carved flared walls but also implies the continuation of the sculptural form infinitely upwards.

The tower will welcome tenants with a soaring 24-meter tall lobby with a high articulated lamella structure, or membrane, which supports the tower above and articulates the space below. The structure provides continuity from the building to its footing and acts as a strengthening component while being completely integrated with the structure.

Facilities at the tower will include 6 levels of retail; a rooftop garden held above the retail sector; the largest business centre within Kuwait at 2,400 sq m buildup and 1,800 sq m leasable; a Sky Lounge restaurant; 40 elevators to help you reach those dizzying heights; two refuge floors which can be used in an emergency and a multi-storey car park.

With the collaboration of (Turner International) and (Ahmadiah Contr.) SOM hope to reach completion of the project by the 3rd quarter of 2010.

www.worldarchitecturenews.com



Construction pictures from CrazY on SSC from the 17th of August

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http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...1/DSC02621.jpg

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...1/DSC02622.jpg

BEAUTIFUL! I like it alot better than many of the other supertalls going up in the middle east.

I always wanted to see a 3D model of this tower. I never got the shape since all the renderings are from the same angles. I would have to see more of it to really say if I like it or not.

Great tower for Kuwait. Beautiful!

This should be pretty easy to create actually. If you notice ever floor has a variation of the following plan:

http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/8...8698ve7.th.jpg


Just create the entire tower by first copying and pasting a floor with that floorplan (no components), then using a plane to intersect with the tower to get the shape. The corners need to be dealt with seperately but it's not so hard. Just do the same thing but need to watch the curves.

I feel it is difficult to build, but it is really beautiful!

by Thamerium

Woah, that last gif is nice. I also like the first picture. It looks better from that angle. I'm a little undecided on this building though. Can't really make yo my ming of I like it or not. I'll have to wait and see until it's completed or at least has come cladding installed.

^The progress seems steady. On the other hand, the adjacent tower, on the right, seems to have stalled for the whole year.

Looks good so far. There is some issue with the other tower, looks dead or frozen. They are just weathervaning the tower crane.

Maybe it´s the angle but the real building looks better than the rendering. Aren´t there any other renderings?

On the rendering one can see the side with the large windows. What is it going to look like on the side with the smaller ones?

12-12-08
http://i35.tinypic.com/29z369g.jpg

Kuwait's boom is nothing short of impressive.

I've never heard of this tower! I like it!

http://i41.tinypic.com/x4oww1.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/2r3e2k6.jpg

by Yaqoob Al-Nakkas

Updates from 27th of January, Sorry

Wow I really love this building, the design is impressive.

No need to say sorry malec, you're probably the best updater in this entire forum!


I think I'm starting to like this design btw...

I dig this building and thanks for the photos!