MECCA | Abraj Al-Bait | 601m | 1972ft | 95 fl | T/O

[ATLksuGUY]

not digging the whole Big Ben copy. I know its not a copy, but why not a giant digital clock, and instead of chimes make it a louder version of the classic treo ring. yes, this I would preffer.

[Nate the Great]

i think its a good thing

[Northwest]

Originally Posted by cactus22minus1

FYI: This thing is very visible and fairly recent looking on Google maps.

I know its been a while since your post, but would you mind providing latittue/longitue coordinates to view this project from satellite images? Like a Google maps link?

[Nate the Great]

Originally Posted by Northwest

I know its been a while since your post, but would you mind providing latittue/longitue coordinates to view this project from satellite images? Like a Google maps link?

I was thinking the same thing

[gttx]

Originally Posted by Untitled

Good point about Bethlehem. What about the Vatican?

The Vatican did build one of the grandest structures of all time....500 years ago. At the time, St. Peter's was one of the tallest buildings in the world (~500 feet to the top of the dome) and is still one of the most amazing. Plus, it can call a host of famous designers its architect: Maderno, Michelangelo, Bernini, Domenico Fontana, etc.

This building is somewhat comparable, I would say. I'm not a Muslim, but I understand the importance and the precedent of building one of the world's grandest structures as a celebration of the faith. Like St. Peter's, it is also undoubtedly being built to say "look what we as [insert religion here] can do." Not a bad thing at all, if you ask me.

[Aleks]

Originally Posted by Aimster

with so much oil money I would expect to see more high-rises in Saudi Arabia.

I do not like this project at all. The leaders must be too busy playing buy the European prostitutes to pay any attention to the real designs.

Actually Saudi Arabia is mostly building this because of the near by Holy-Sites. Oil really only affects a small portion of this project and the design was probably not easy to come up with since it had to be fitted to the surrounding area and the clock is a wonderful idea so pilgrims know what time ceremonies start and what time it is in a city that has watches/clocks in some areas.

[leftopolis]

I was about to comment on how the part of the central tower where the clock is--looks wrong/out of place. A quick google search however shows a different version in which that portion of the tower blends nicely. Not sure how to post the pic here, but here's the link:

http://www.dargroup.com/areasofactiv...=21&pageid=108

I wasn't necesarily opposed to the clock idea aesthetically, it seemed to need to taper in that area if that makes any sense. Anyway, the render I'm pointing out here looks much better and it might be the final incarnation which is being built.

[leftopolis]

Yeah, the goofy big-ben feature appears to be a previous design. More renders @

http://www.abrajalbait.com/main.html

It's ironic how something about this building reminds me of the new Palazzo casino in Vegas.

[Northwest]

I for one am glad the gigantic clock tower design appears to have been dropped! Come on now, its almost 2008 and most everyone has a cell phone, watch, or something that will tell the time. The giant public clocks made a lot more sense 100+ years ago, and I still love to see them on historic buildings.

[Tom In Chicago]

I wonder if the design has changed the building height. . .

[Nate the Great]

i still don't see whats wrong with this building

[soory]

{Merry Cristmas}

[leftopolis]

I don't find it intimidating at all--it certainly exudes a power and intensity, yet (in the most recent renders I linked to a few posts up) I still find it inviting. Considering the sheer bulk of a building made up of 7 towers--which individually would be a large building in any city--all on one podium, the disign is realatively gracefull. They've certainly made an effort to maximize views, for example the towers in front are triangular.

It serves to inspire awe, and succeeds at housing thousands under one roof in a location which attracts millions. Where I might critique it is whether it is appropriate for the place. This is afterall a building which will cater to the upper classes, not to the masses. Perhaps there are only 800 parking spaces because most guests will arrive by limo or helicopter. There really is a thin line between the ostentatious spirituality meant for this structure and the kingdoms of gambling found in Vegas. Oddly, this building would not look out of place on the strip IMO. Then there's the 4 story shopping mall across the street from a holy shrine--maybe they will only have stores selling religious goods? Good timeless architecture reflects a local sense of place and I'm not convinced WRT this structure. Perhaps a Muslim who has experienced the Haaj(sp?)/Mekkah would be in a better position to answer.

[Ayreonaut]

I'm really not sure how intimidating it will be, but I just think at night it might look a little like the Eye of Sauron(sp?). I think if the clock's lit up at night, it will be intimidating, but yeah, I guess the building itself isn't

[Tombstoner]

I've not been to Mecca, but I travel through the Gulf extensively and this looks very un-Arab in flavor (leaving the scale to one side). Actually, a bit too "back in the USSR" for my taste.

[Nate the Great]

Originally Posted by leftopolis

I don't find it intimidating at all--it certainly exudes a power and intensity, yet (in the most recent renders I linked to a few posts up) I still find it inviting. Considering the sheer bulk of a building made up of 7 towers--which individually would be a large building in any city--all on one podium, the disign is realatively gracefull. They've certainly made an effort to maximize views, for example the towers in front are triangular.

It serves to inspire awe, and succeeds at housing thousands under one roof in a location which attracts millions. Where I might critique it is whether it is appropriate for the place. This is afterall a building which will cater to the upper classes, not to the masses. Perhaps there are only 800 parking spaces because most guests will arrive by limo or helicopter. There really is a thin line between the ostentatious spirituality meant for this structure and the kingdoms of gambling found in Vegas. Oddly, this building would not look out of place on the strip IMO. Then there's the 4 story shopping mall across the street from a holy shrine--maybe they will only have stores selling religious goods? Good timeless architecture reflects a local sense of place and I'm not convinced WRT this structure. Perhaps a Muslim who has experienced the Haaj(sp?)/Mekkah would be in a better position to answer.

I'd Agree

[cactus22minus1]

Originally Posted by Northwest

I know its been a while since your post, but would you mind providing latittue/longitue coordinates to view this project from satellite images? Like a Google maps link?

Sure, no problem. There is a lot of really interesting things you can see in this view along with this massive(!) project. Like the 'little' swarm of pilgrims.

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie...&t=h&z=16&om=1

[Nate the Great]

Originally Posted by cactus22minus1

Sure, no problem. There is a lot of really interesting things you can see in this view along with this massive(!) project. Like the 'little' swarm of pilgrims.

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie...&t=h&z=16&om=1

Thanks

[Aleks]

Originally Posted by Northwest

I for one am glad the gigantic clock tower design appears to have been dropped! Come on now, its almost 2008 and most everyone has a cell phone, watch, or something that will tell the time. The giant public clocks made a lot more sense 100+ years ago, and I still love to see them on historic buildings.

You're almost right. I really like to see clocks on old buildings not new ones but you have to realize that since this building will be an important factor in the near by temples the developers decided to add a clock so that people would be able to see what time it is (for those who can't afford a watch or cellphone). I know you can ask for the time but it's the same case as other temples, The Blue Mosque has towers where someone would get on top and call the church (temple) followers to ceremonies. Catholic and Christian churches have towers with bells to announce the start of something special or the time (like noon).

Big Ben was almost the same case before just not for religion. As for the design, I'm not really sure about what the exact design is. The one without a clock looks better than the one with the clock. On a diagram (I think the page before or first page) it shows that the clock design was the latest but it seems like people have been talking about the design without a clock.

You gotta admit that the inside of the building (the part that's finished) looks nice though. At first it looked like a cheap design but now I see it's a nice looking project. We need updates.

[BrandonJXN]

For some reason, this looks like The Venetian in Vegas. With more carbs.

[M II A II R II K]

Certainly didn't expect to see a clock tower as gigantic as this appearing anywhere, I wonder if it will have a gigantic chime on the hour to go with it.