Pearl within the Sail - tall emblem tower

Tall Emblem Structure Competition in Za`abeel Park Dubai, for the XI ThyssenKrupp Award. Simple yet distinctive design, taking into consideration the history of Dubai and the U.A.E. region from the beginning of the nation where people have been using traditional Dhow sail boats to dive for pearls. I proposed a concept of a sail gusted by the winds of the Arabian Gulf, frozen in such a way that the poetry of movement would be appreciated by all around. The sail is engulfing a pearl-like structure which is atop the proposed tower and accommodates the four levels of the "Sky Cafe" with an astounding view onto the waters of the Arabian Gulf. One side pure white representing a sail, the other soft organic traditional Mushrabiya wrapping around the two slow speed, double level, panoramic elevators located in the front facade, providing a beautiful view onto the whole of growing Dubai. The Tower will soar 170 meters into the sky making it a visible landmark. With a floor to floor height of 4 meters for the viewing terraces between the podium and the “sky café” on the top, the buildings structure will consist of a simple in design core of reinforced concrete surrounded by a “Mushrabiya” like steel structure organically wrapping three elevations.
The Complex is ecologically oriented and designed to actively correspond to the seasons of the area in which it is going to stand. The whole of the building will be self sufficient by producing a percentage of its demand for energy. There will be solar panels incorporated on the elevations throughout most of the height, recessed within the “Mushrabiya” placed just behind the panoramic elevator shafts, using the most of the sun as these elevations are directed in such a way that they are using the rays of the sun from dusk till evening time.
The double layered glass “skin” under the “Mushrabiya” steel structure covering the two low speed, double floor panoramic elevators as well as on the rear of the towers’ elevation with a view onto Za’abeel Park, help in reducing the maintenance cost of energy consumption.
The advantages of the partially “green” rooftop on the podium are an efficient answer to building temperature control. When rainy season comes the water from the roof top podium would go through a rainwater purifying system which then will be used in toilets of the building as well as water used for the green areas around.

The 11th ThyssenKrupp Competition with its site location at Za`abeel Park, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.