- Diagrid structure largely eliminates the need for internal columns.
- Intelligent lifts group people together by destination, minimising unnecessary stops.
- Advanced 3D models and close working enabled a super-fast construction schedule.
A perfect circle at the water's edge, Aldar's new headquarters is the centrepiece of Al Raha Beach, an exclusive new city on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi. Refreshingly modern, its geometric shape symbolises unity, stability and rationality.
The elegance of this 23-storey building belies its complex steel structure and super-fast construction schedule. To meet the tight deadline, the project team worked closely together, using advanced 3D models developed by Arup.
The striking shape of Aldar's headquarters is achieved through the use of a structural diagrid – a diagonal grid of steel. The first of its kind in the United Arab Emirates, it largely eliminates the need for internal columns to support the building.
The result is a spectacular, uninterrupted view of the Abu Dhabi coastline through fully glazed facades. Intelligent lifts group passengers together by destination, minimising the space needed for lift systems and further increasing the building’s open feel.
Developed in line with the US Green Building Council LEED® rating system, Aldar's headquarters includes efficient cooling, lighting and water systems. It is also intended to use a subterranean vacuum waste collection system. The first of its kind in Abu Dhabi, the system sucks rubbish directly to a local waste transfer station for recycling and compacting.
In order to meet this deadline, the project team worked closely together. This allowed a significant overlap between the design and construction phases. Within three months of the design team's appointment, piling work had started on the site. The concrete cores were completed within a year. The steelwork was erected up to the fourth floor within 14 months of the project start.
The collaborative approach also allowed Arup to design the building with the most efficient means of construction in mind. Concrete elements, such as stairs and columns, were pre-cast. Even whole bathrooms were prefabricated. This not only saved time, but also improved quality, because fitters did not have to work around other parts of the construction.