Dubai Skyscraper : Images + Information

Al Mas Tower, Dubai, UAE - Architects: Atkins Atkins was commissioned to provide conceptual design, detailed architectural, structural, landscape and electromechanical design services as well as full site supervision for this 360m high commercial tower. The building is the centrepiece of the Jumeirah Lakes development, 20km south of Dubai, and is host to the diamond exchange facility. Dubai tower images © from Atkins The building is essentially two towers in one – a lower north facing tower and a longer south facing tower – that overlap along their east-west axis. The north tower has a semi-transparent elevation, thereby maximising the cool, ambient northern light; whereas the exterior of the south facing tower has a high performance finish to afford it maximum protection from the heat. Hollowcore pre cast slabs were used throughout for speedy construction. 33 lifts service the building, with superfast vertical transportation of up to 7 metres per second. A state of the art security system has also been integrated, essential for this commodity centre. The distinctive projecting facets of the two-storey steel podium at the base of the tower were inspired by the cut of a diamond. The largest of the eight diamond facets houses the actual diamond exchange, the largest of its kind in the Middle East. Stones can be viewed in the private rooms, with the podium glass being of a specification such that the diamond inspection process will not be influenced by the light. A glass floor of over 15m covers the tip of the exchange, allowing clients to walk on the glass with the lake beneath them. The tower comprises 60 commercial office floors with facilities including: Diamond exchange centre Retail mall Ballroom Health spa & pool Parking spaces for 1,800 vehicles The now complete Al Mas tower features as the centrepiece of the Jumeirah Lakes area. The whole project was Atkins run with construction management undertaken by Faithful & Gould, an Atkins subsidiary. With Atkins supervising other builds in the area, and deepening the relationship with the DMCC, future collaborations are already being discussed.