Al Bahar Tower

By
Avik Munshi (UC 1710)
 Al Bahar Towers
19th ST
Abu Dhabi, AB AE

Official
Al Bahar Tower 2
Name
Complex
Al Bahr Towers
Name
Former /
ADIC Headquarters Tower 2, Abu Dhabi
Other
Investment Council Headquarters Tower 2
Name
Type Building
Status
Country
Completed
United Arab Emirates
Facts
City Abu Dhabi

Street
Address / 19th ST East Ring Road
Map
Building Proposed 2008
Office
Function
Start of Construction 2009
Structural
Steel & Concrete Completion 2012
Material

Regional Ranking #252 tallest in Middle East

City Ranking #22 tallest in Abu Dhabi
 Companies Involved
Owner Abu Dhabi Investment Council
Developer Abu Dhabi Investment Council

Design Architects Aedas;

Mace

Associate Architect Diar Consult

Structural Engineer Arup

MEP Engineer Arup

Main Contractor Al-Futtaim Carillion

Height: Architectural 145.1 meter / 476 feet
Figures
Height: Occupied 120.0 meter / 394 feet

Height: To Tip 147.0 meter / 482 feet

Height: Observatory 120.0 meter / 394 feet

Floors Above Ground 29

Floors Below Ground 2

# of Elevators 9

Top Elevator Speed 5 m/s

Tower GFA 56,000 m² / 602,779 ft²

Development GFA 100,080 m² / 1,077,252 ft²

# of Parking Spaces 804

 Design Concept

• Client’s Need: Defining characteristic of Islamic

architecture

• Starting point was two cylindrical towers; a

circle producing the most efficient form in terms
of wall to floor area whilst also creating the
greatest volume with the least surface area.
Design Concept
 Design Concept
• The circular plan form was articulated to reduce
solar exposure on the most heavily exposed
elevations.

• The form of the towers was then sculpted around

the core, narrower at the base and at the top, but
broader around the intermediate floors.
 Design Concept

• The crown of the tower was

cut at an angle to maximise
solar gain for roof mounted
photovoltaics.

• Sky gardens were

introduced in the most
heavily exposed southerly
elevation to further reduce
solar gain while providing
an amenity space for users.
Design Concept

Rendered
Top
Floor
 Design Concept
• The “mashrabiya” is a popular form of wooden
lattice screen found in Islamic architecture as a
device for achieving privacy while reducing glare
and solar gain.

• Mashrabiya at the Al Bahr towers by developing

a series of translucent umbrella-like components
(material: polytetrafluoroethylene) which open
and close in response to the movement of the
sun.
 Design Concept

• The screen operates as a curtain wall, sitting two

meters outside the buildings’ exterior on an
independent frame.
 Design Concept

• Each triangle is coated with fibreglass and

programmed to respond to the movement of the
sun as a way to reduce solar gain and glare.
Design Concept
 Design Concept
• At night they will all fold, so they will all close, so
you’ll see more of the facade. As the sun rises in
the morning in the east, the mashrabiya along
the east of the building will all begin to close and
as the sun moves round the building, then that
whole vertical strip of mashrabiya will move
with the sun
• Each unit is driven by a linear actuator to open & close,
in response to pre-programmed sequence.

• The whole system is protected sensors that open or close

the units in case weather conditions change.

• The effects of this system are global: reduce glare,

improving daylight penetration, less use of artificial
lighting, and over 50% reduction in solar gain, reducing
CO2 emissions by 1,750 tons per year.

• Geometric patterns making up this giant screen include

1,000+ mobile elements.
Construction
Construction
Construction
Construction
Thank You