Aldar HQ is the best futuristic design of 2007 according to BEX, and the most interesting architecture, building and structure design in A’ Design Awards 2013 competition. The building is located in Masdar, a Smart City in the desert, about which I wrote here. The ideal circle looks incredible.
source: private archive
What is the symbolism of the building?
The circle symbolises unity, stability, and rationality. It is also the infinity symbol without a beginning or end, a symbol of perfection, an ultimate geometry symbol. It represents the entirety which covers space and time. A drawing by German mathematician, Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa, in which a man marks two points of support on a circle, served as an inspiration for the designers’ concept of setting depth of the circle.
The pentagram included by Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa in his work, Three Books of Occult Philosophy
source: www.archdaily.com
source: www.archdaily.com
Designing round buildings
The structure was designed by MZ Architects from Qatar. According to the framework, the structure was supposed to resemble an open clam shell buried in desert sand. In ancient times people inhabiting these lands lived off gathering molluscs. Architects, inspired by the symbolism of the Circle and the Sphere, used geometrical, round shape in their building designs from the very beginning. Round shape of a tholos, a Greek temple with a circular plan instead of square or rectangular one, is nothing unusual in Greek architecture. As well as that, it was used later in Roman structure typology.
In 1784 Boullée invented his most emblematic design – the Cenotaph for Isaac Newton, which took the form of 150 metres high, large ball set on a round base and reflecting the universe. However, the structure was never built, and it remained a sketch.
Throughout the whole contemporary history of architecture, designers created round buildings – round towers as well as domes and balls, used especially for developing planetariums and theatres. Round shape has always been used in designs of grounds and floors with traditional building elevation and a roof. However, nobody attempted to build a structure with entirely circular elevation. Such idea would normally remain a sketch. Until now it seemed to be impossible!
source: private archive
source: private archive
source: private archive
Sustainable buildings in Abu Dhabi
The design was prepared in accordance with SILVER level of American LEED green building rating system. It is one of the first green office buildings in Abu Dhabi, which consists of recyclable materials such as steel, concrete, and glass. It includes urban cooling system as well as economical lighting and water systems. The building maximises natural light, and meeting places and offices are located on the circumference of each floor. An underground automated system collecting waste from the whole building is also used. This is the first system of this kind in Abu Dhabi, sucking the waste directly to a local dump station for the purpose of recycling and pressing it. It is also one of the most energy-efficient buildings in the area of the whole Emirates. This building certainly may be called a Smart Building.
Lack of roof – how is it possible?
Unlike conventional four-sided buildings, a round building is an architectural challenge questioning typical roof construction. This three-part building is based on its element resembling a zipper, a continuous wall of glass and a structural tape which connects two main surfaces. We can see a smooth, continuous surface which is vertical as well as horizontal – the side and the front, the window, and the roof. A side element, a structural „skeleton” of the design, perfectly combines the facade with the roof, giving the building a monolithic shape.
source: private archive
Basic information
The building with the area of 62 000 m2 is 110 metres high. It has 25 floors, 12 passenger lifts and 2 service lifts. The circular structure is mainly the head office of the largest construction company in the Emirates – Aldar Properties and Development. Apart from offices, in the building there is a hotel, a restaurant, and a centre for research. The cost of the investment was 270 million dollars. The construction was completed in 2010.
Read more about a Smart City in the desert – Masdar.
source: private archive
source: private archive
source: private archive
source: private archive
source: private archive
