The Furthest Leaning Tower Uses Custom GKD Mesh For Solar Shading
Project Name: Capital Gate Tower, Hyatt Hotel
Location: Abu Dhabi UAE
Architect: RMJM Architects
GKD Metal Fabric: Custom Tigris 2100
One of the most obviously striking elements of the Capital Gate Feature Tower is its signature lean, leaning 18 degrees westward, more than four times the lean of the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Showcasing international architecture firm RMJM’s incredible engineering capabilities, the design has earned Guinness World Record recognition.
Advanced engineering methodology was used to create the tower including the world’s first recorded use of a ‘pre-cambered’ core, which according to AJ Welch at e-architect online “…contains more than 15,000 cubic meters of concrete reinforced with 10,000 tons of steel.” In addition to the core, the building also features a steel diagrid, which allows for the absorption of gravitational energy created by wind and seismic loading.
The architects at RMJM state, “A sculptural stainless steel ‘splash’ flows down the front and at low level, forms the hotel entrance canopy, flowing over the existing grandstand and acting as a solar shading device…”
The distinctive stainless steel ‘splash’ that descends from the 19th floor, was constructed utilizing a custom version of GKD’s metal mesh Tigris and eliminates over 30 percent of the sun’s heat before it reaches the Capital Gate building. The splash also twists around the building towards the south to shield the tower as much as possible from direct sunlight.
The dynamic steel façade also uses a glass roof to allow natural light to enter the interior. The architects further state that, “Exterior lighting is designed to minimize both light pollution and energy consumption, based on a combination of low-level landscape lighting with façade lighting comprising a net of compact LED clusters integrated into the design of the steel glazing system.”
The structure offers exclusive office space, as well as Abu Dhabi’s first 5-star Hyatt Hotel. Peter Fulton, Managing Director, Hyatt International quoted, “We are fortunate to have been given the opportunity to showcase our hotel in one of the Middle East’s most significant developments.”