ArchShowcase Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Crystal Towers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia by Henning Larsen ArchitectsMarch 18th, 2011 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: Henning Larsen Architects Within a new financial district in Saudi Arabia’s capital city, the Crystal Towers are located in a unique location between the Financial Plaza – the financial centre of the masterplan – and the Wadi – a verdant pedestrian thoroughfare.
The orientation of the two 18 and 26-storey Crystal Towers creates a visual and physical link between these elements which feature prime office and retail facilities. The two towers are connected through a raised podium that allow direct passage between the Financial Plaza and the Wadi, creating a clear and dramatic entrance to the lobbies and providing a shaded outdoor meeting area. As the two towers have separate lift cores, the building is well-suited to accomodate two flagship tenants and a number of additional tenants. Due to massive solar exposure in the desert climate, recessed, scaled, crystalline apertures are calculated to minimise solar heat gain and associated cooling requirements while optimising views to the surrounding plaza and landscape. To root the building in the region and contribute to a sustainable approach, a light local stone cladding with a long lifetime and low maintenance costs has been used. The project is designed to achieve LEED Certification upon completion of construction Contact Henning Larsen Architects
Tags: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Categories: Henning Larsen, Offices, Retail facilities |