Aedas, one of the world's largest architectural practices has joined up with Arup to design the Abu Dhabi Investment Council Headquarters Towers, a set of twin towers outfitted with a crystalline honeycomb shell that protects the buildings from the sun.
The Investment Council Headquarters will be located near Al Qurum Beach in the eastern district of Abu Dhabi, and the two towers are separated by a lake and a palm reserve. The 25-storey skyscrapers will house 2,000 employees and feature sky gardens and photovoltaic systems.
Aedas and Arup’s design for the financial headquarters takes into consideration both traditional Islamic architecture as well as sustainability. The exterior is covered in a crystalline honeycomb facade that serves to temper heat gain from the sun. The pattern was generated by a mathematically pre-rationalized form which was derived from Islamic designs – it acts as a dynamic ‘Mashrabiya’ that opens and closes in accordance with the sun’s path. Estimates indicated that the screen will reduce cooling loads by 25%.
Each tower will feature a double-height space at the top of the tower for receptions that features asoutherly sloping roof. Both roofs are equipped with photovoltaic systems that will generate around 5% of their total energy demand. The towers will also feature sky gardens that provide visual relief and amenity space for the workers while working to reduce solar heat gain. Landscaping around the towers will include a large body of water and a plantation of indigenous palm trees. The towers are expected to be completed by 2012.
