by Sophie She
Architecture Insights: The Story Behind Abu Dhabi’s Pineapple-Looking Buildings
4 Feb 2024
Have you ever wondered what a traditionally inspired, techno-driven eco-building looks like, or do you struggle to envision the fusion of something earthy yet hi-tech? Well, meet Al Bahar Towers.
Designed by Aedas Architects, these towers boast a revolutionary responsive facade inspired by traditional Islamic designs. Overlooking the Eastern Mangroves, the 150m-tall Al Bahar Towers are the headquarters of the Abu Dhabi Investment Council.
In extreme weather conditions, the Masharabiya shading system defies nature and establishes a new benchmark for sustainable and culturally sensitive urban architecture.
The weather forecast for Abu Dhabi typically includes intense sunshine, with temperatures consistently exceeding 35 degrees Celsius and a zero per cent chance of rain. These extreme conditions challenge architects who prioritise environmental design and conscious engineering. The harsh weather-intense heat and glare — as well as sandstorms that could compromise building integrity, can make creating a comfortable indoor environment a little complex. Aedas Architects addressed this challenge in their design for Al Bahar towers by drawing inspiration from the traditional Islamic “mashrabiya” shading device. These are ornamental wooden lattice screens with geometric designs, traditionally used to cover windows and are a hallmark of Arabic architecture dating back to the 14th century.
Completed in June 2012, the towers feature the Mashrabiya shading system developed by Aedas Architects' computational design team. This system uses a parametric description to simulate the operation of the facade panels in response to sun exposure and changing angles throughout the year. The shading system, which looks like a curtain wall, is positioned on an independent frame, two meters away from the building's exterior on a separate frame. Each triangle in the system is coated with fibreglass and programmed to respond to the sun's movement, reducing solar gain and glare. In the evening, all screens are closed.
Photo: Inhabitat
The screens' dynamic movement, guided by the sun, reduces solar gain by over 50 per cent, decreasing the need for energy-consuming air conditioning. This system reduces reliance on energy-intensive air conditioning and artificial lighting and significantly decreases operational carbon. Due to area restrictions, traditional water harvesting methods were not feasible, leading to the optimisation of low-energy fans and pumps. The indoor lighting system was revamped for efficiency with local lighting control systems and low lighting to personalise workspaces and reduce overall energy consumption.
The system's light-filtering capability allows architects to use more naturally tinted glass, improving views and reducing reliance on artificial lighting.
This innovative approach to sustainability and cultural sensitivity earned the towers the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver rating and the 2012 Tall Building Innovation Award from the Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, recognising the successful integration of architectural form, structure, systems, and sustainable design strategies in the project.
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