The global architecture practice believes that the design for the 270 hectare masterplan and more than 1 kilometre-high tower will provide the centrepiece for the future of Dubai's development, altering its skyline forever. As a focus for the city's intermodal transport system, the project will create the most progressive mixed-use development in the world offering both functionality and lifestyle, while evolving the city's infrastructure.
The design has been founded on the influence of Islamic tradition to produce an aspirational display for the region. Described as "Dubai's Capital" by its developers, the project is a dramatic demonstration of tower technology with a design that soars over one kilometre above ground level.
Mark Mitcheson-Low, director in charge of the project and Woods Bagot Middle East Managing Director explains: "The Nakheel Harbour & Tower is a feat of design excellence on all levels and across all disciplines – it is truly a mark of the epoch. The project demonstrates Nakheel's drive to provide a reflection of the future Arabia – a modern, global city of significance rightly assuming its place in the world.
"The design is an example of the human ability to overcome the forces of nature and harness them to create a monument dedicated to past, present and future generations of the Gulf. Nakheel and Woods Bagot have pushed the design envelope with a project that will be central to the development of one of the world's most exciting cities."
The masterplan and tower display all the potent cultural imagery of Dubai in thoroughly modern form. The design represents a powerful symbol of change in the region, and has been developed for the future generations of the UAE who will, ultimately, live, work and play within its confines. Taking its inspiration from the geometric patterns instilled within Middle Eastern architecture, these cultural aspects have been absorbed into the design and synchronised with engineering principles.
From a residential, retail and hospitality element perspective Woods Bagot has endeavoured to explore the Middle East's rich architectural language and express Dubai's cultural vernacular throughout the spaces of the public realm.
The tower itself is an advance in skyscraper design not only in terms of height and stature but in function, as it knits together a blueprint for the mixed-use community of the future. The cylindrical tower is 95m in diameter, but in actuality is four towers encircling an internal void, linked at intervals by ‘sky bridges'. This design mitigates the effects of the wind load, allowing the air to pass freely through the building.
The individual quadrants of the building allow for structural rigidity against the strong winds usually experienced at the higher building levels. Often limiting engineering possibilities beyond 500 metres, the wind will pass through vertical gills, which have been proven in wind tunnel testing to reduce the windload by three-fold. An added benefit of this design is to allow large floor plates at high levels, as the building does not have to taper to counter the wind effect.
The first tower of this kind to reach these heights, the project has been developed through the design intelligence and research of the Woods Bagot design team. Mark Mitcheson-Low explains: "The future-proofing thought process of the design team makes Nakheel Harbour & Tower a model for a sustainable, vertical community. It has the flexibility to adjust and react to the future demands and requirements of its tenants, owners and operators in the way in which they work, live and play. "
At approximately every 25 levels, the sky bridges will bind the building together and delineate the different uses of the building. This provides a structural integrity which, unlike any building before it, affords the tower greatly increased stability and the opportunity to build higher. They also house mechanical, electrical and plumbing services and would provide safe crossing points if one of the towers were disabled due to an emergency.
Each sky bridge will have its own amenities and facilities, acting as gateways to the transport structure. Functioning as communities, the sky bridges will offer people a space where they can still interact and engage with others regardless of the external environment.
The mixed-use building will contain commercial offices, three sections of residential quarters and hotel accommodation with a two-storey observation deck at the top of the tower.