CTBUH Journal International Journal on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat Tall buildings: design, construction and operation | 2012 Issue II Capital Gate, Abu Dhabi Securing Iconic Structures Environmental Performance of the TTDI Developing Rotterdam’s Skyline Talking Tall: The Skyscraper Index Debating Tall: Is UNESCO Going Too Far? Tall Buildings in Numbers: Occupiable Telecommunication & Observation Towers Inside News and Events CTBUH 12 Case Study: Capital Gate, Abu Dhabi “From the beginning of concept design, the reflecting the building’s proximity to the water • Four hundred and ninety foundation piles and the city’s sea-faring heritage. were driven 20 to 30 meters underground architects and engineers integrated many By integrating with the National Day to support the structure and counter Grandstand – one of Abu Dhabi’s most stresses. The piles, which were initially in passive and active sustainable systems into compression during construction to 02 This Issue historic structures – Capital Gate underscores 46 Helsinki: Developing a Finnish support the lower floors of the building, are the bond between the traditional and Capital Gate, its most visible sustainable modern that is characteristic of Abu Dhabi’s now in tension as the stresses caused by Jeff Schofield feature is the “splash,” which twists around the developmental approach. the overhang have been applied. • The vertical and horizontal cross-sections of Author the tower are all unique Steve Watts, CTBUH Trustee Vernacular for the High-rise? Jeff Schofield, Associate building towards the south to shield itself as First of its Kind RMJM • Asymmetric shape – no two rooms are the Floor 27, Monarch Office Tower much as possible from direct sunlight.” There are several innovations within the same (see Figure 2); every single pane of PO Box 6126 project’s design, including the dramatic Dubai the 12,500 panes of glass on the façade is a UAE Throughout history, a strong link has existed between iconic architecture and exhibitions. 18-degree westward lean, which has earned it different size although each pane is Antony Wood t: +971 4 702 7626 One of the best known examples is Paris’ Eiffel Tower, which was built as a visual symbol of the the title of “world’s furthest leaning man- triangular f: +971 4 329 6444 Exposition Universelle, World’s Fair of 1889. More recently cities like Seville have used made tower” from the Guinness book of world e: [email protected] • Floor plates change shape and orientation www.rmjm.com powerful and innovative architecture as a way to highlight the cultural significance of their records (see Figure 1). It is also the first exhibitions. building in the world to use a pre-cambered to create the distinctive “overhang” moving from “curved triangular” to “curved Jeff Schofield core with a built-in lean of 350 04 CTBUH Latest Since moving to RMJM Dubai in 2005, Jeff Schofield rectangular,” while increasing in overall size The Concept aesthetic splendor and technical excellence to millimeters that has been has lent his design expertise to a variety of large scale engineered to straighten with and migrating from east to west as they building developments, including mixed use, In 2005, the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions celebrate human achievement and reflect the hospitality and high-rise projects. the addition of the upper progress up the tower Company (ADNEC) was created to drive dynamism of Abu Dhabi. As an Associate at RMJM, Jeff leads the effort in floors. And it is the first building • Capital Gate is one of few buildings in the providing sustainable solutions to all design projects in forward the development of Abu Dhabi’s Capital Gate is the result. in the world to use vertical world that use a diagrid structure; it also the office. He has developed a holistic approach to events sector. Plans were created with RMJM Antony Wood, 48 CTBUH Young Professionals design that integrates sustainability, structure and The tower’s curvaceous shape draws strongly post-tensioning of the core to features two diagrid systems, an external architectural expression with the built form, in order to to build a state-of-the-art exhibition centre on the sea and desert – two elements that counter movement and diagrid defining the tower’s shape and an provide meaningful solutions for high-quality building which would be the largest in the Gulf region designs. Jeff seeks to design in a contemporary yet have great resonance in Abu Dhabi. The support stresses created by internal diagrid linked to the central core by contextual manner, to create modern sustainable and provide world class facilities for live events building’s form is meant to represent a buildings using the latest technology. the building’s overhang. eight unique pin jointed structural to flourish in Abu Dhabi. swirling spiral of sand, while the curved CTBUH Executive Director Committee Launches Jeff currentlyyg lives and works in Dubai. He began his The construction also members. career in New York City and pursuedpursued his prprofessionaofessional It was strongly felt that the entire canopy, known as the “splash,” which runs over adopted a variety of • All 8,250 steel diagrid members are prapractice for momorere than 15 yearsyears in PariParis,s, FraFrannce. JJeffeff hahass development required a signature tower, a the adjoining grandstand and rises on one projecttm managementmanagement andanddd designdesign expexperienerienceeo ononan a leading-edge approaches to different thicknesses, length and rangerange of high profile proprojects. Jeff hahass specific cutting-edge structure with a futuristic design, side of the building, creates a wave-like effect, experienexperiience inin sustainabsustaini abble designdesiign andd proproject create the desired result, orientation ® managementmanagementot ooff large-sarge-sescaleep ppubublic projects throughoutthroughout including: Ambitious Agenda Europe,Europe, U.S.A and the Middle East. 05 Debating Tall: Is UNESCO Kevin Brass Going Too Far? 49 CTBUH Research 06 Global News Development Initiative: Figure 1. Typical section © ADNEC Figure 2. Typical hotel floor plan © ADNEC 12 | CapitaCappitiitatatal Gate,Gateaatttee,,A AbuAbub DhabiDhhhaabibi CTBUHBUUHH JournaJouJouournarnrnanal | 2020111 IssueIIssssusueueue IIII CTBUH Journal | 2011 Issue II Capital Gate, Abu Dhabi | 13 Highlights from the CTBUH An Update global news archive Payam Bahrami 51 CTBUH on the Road 18 Securing Iconic Structures “In sophisticated urban planned environments, designer with understanding the exposure to which could have been avoided, if only be a key to minimizing negative interactions CTBUH events around the threats. For example, a building near a designers had taken a more open-minded with security. Site confusion can lead to anger. security should be subtle, but allow for the proposed or existing mall will make criminal approach during the design process. Roadways are integral to the project, but incidents more likely. In similar fashion, simple and cost effective techniques, such as Case Study potential for heightened threats. The key is to integrating a train or metro into a large using a serpentine access road, can create high-rise project could increase exposure to Preparing for the Future elegant and effective solutions to reduce the world. find a suitable balance between security and chemical or explosive attacks, while the To prepare for tomorrow’s uncertainties, potential for a vehicle to approach a building Sean Ahrens Stephen Yas preserving the designer’s vision. A security creation of a building near a government today’s international planners should start by at high speed. facility or embassy may escalate the tertiary evaluating the site and potential setbacks and Counter terrorism and counter surveillance Authors terrorism risk. standoff distances from the façade of the techniques are extremely beneficial to Sean A. Ahrens, Practice Leader/Manager program for any structure should employ a The type of building and its tenants may also building. Even with constricted site layouts, identifying an aggressor. For this reason, Aon Fire Protection Engineering there are opportunities that can be explored. Security Division variety of controls to deter, delay, detect, deny affect risk rating, which can change over time. building layout, whenever applicable, should 1000 Milwaukee Avenue, 5th floor Understanding the risks early in the process Setback can be achieved through a number afford natural sight lines to allow the Glenview, IL 60025 and respond to threats, as well as mischievous of programming elements. To increase the 12 Capital Gate, Abu Dhabi United States will assist organizations in making decisions. detection of an intruder. As a result, affect of clear space, the perception of setback t: +1 847 461 9359 The planner should ensure that the security landscaping is extremely important. Trees and f: +1 847 953 7793 or potential accidental acts.” analysis provides specific guidance and can be somewhat masked through other foliage that can obscure sight lines 51 Diary [email protected] architectural programming, such as the www.aonsecurity.com This paper emphasizes the importance of integrating security programming into building recommendations on vehicular access, should be discouraged. Lighting, the number design, allowing for different uses and threat levels for the life of the building. Security security placement of cameras, access control creation of multi-tiered planting areas, water one deterrent to crime, may become features, structures and natural boulders.