CONSTRUCTION of Al Hamra, Kuwait’s tallest carved skyscraper has been progressing well, and is on course to be completed in the third quarter of 2010, as per its targeted date.

Rising 412 m in height, Al Hamra will create a dramatic focal point that is visible throughout Kuwait. Its stunning design has been created by Skidmore Owings and Merrill (SOM), while the international firm Turner Construction is its project manager.
Commenting on its remarkable progress, during which an entire floor is completed in just nine days, a spokesperson for its developer, Al Hamra Real Estate Company, says: “Not in any way deterred by the present global crisis, construction of the Al Hamra project is well under way. Work is presently at the 50th floor level, which is at a height of 233 m while construction of the north side of the tower has reached the 38th floor at a height of 182 m.”
Presently, there are 1,200 construction workers and 35 engineers specialised in different fields involved in the construction, according to him.
Commenting on the design of the tower, a spokesperson for SOM says: “With the aim of maximising views and minimising solar heat gain on the office floors, a quarter of each floor is chiselled out of the south side, shifting from west to east over the height of the tower. The result reveals a rich, monolithic stone at the south wall framed by the graceful, twisting ribbons of torque walls, which define the iconic form of the tower. The building’s appearance resembles a subtle, elegant modern sculpture or an enshrouded figure with its delicate glass veil reflecting the profile of the peninsula. The resultant form will provide transparency on the north, east and west sides towards the Gulf and near-complete opacity on the south side against the severe desert sun.
“The solid south wall is generated in order to decrease the solar radiation, while openings are based on the relationship of the envelope and its position in relation to the sun. The geometry of the interior wall is generated and responds to the need to minimise solar heat gain. This wall not only protects the building from critical environmental conditions but also takes on the role of the structural spine of the building. The point at the apex of the tower not only resolves this complex geometry of the carved flared walls but also implies the continuation of the sculptural form infinitely upwards.”
The tower will welcome tenants with a soaring 24-m-tall lobby with a high articulated lamella structure, which supports the tower above and articulates the space below. The geometry of the lobby area is generated by applying the principles of a lamella structure, according to the spokesperson. “The structure provides continuity from the building to its footing and acts as a strengthening component while being completely integrated with the structure,” he adds.
On each floor of the tower, a sky-bridge connects the two wings and presents a dramatic spatial experience with deep sculpted windows in the south wall. These windows provide dramatic views south towards the city, the peninsula and the infinite desert beyond. The tower is expected to offer the larges office area in Kuwait – 2,400 sq m of built-up area of which 1,800 sq m is leasable per floor. These offices are arranged with an optimal and flexible floor plan. Other highlights of the project include:
• Sky lobbies on the 28th and 52nd levels, serving as transfer floors, fully-equipped business centre and a spacious employee lounge with a 7-m-high ceiling;
• Sky floors on the 71st and 72nd providing the highest business address in Kuwait;
• Sky lounge on the 74th level (351 m high) providing a unique dining experience;
• Sky corridors connecting both wings of the tower floors with breathtaking views;
• Forty state-of-the-art elevators;
• Fibre-optic backbone allows unlimited future development ensuring a smart building;
• Advanced building automation system and IT telecom networking;
• Luxury six-level shopping center accommodating the highest concentration of international luxury brands and nine VIP cinemas;
• One-of-a-kind outdoor roof garden on top of the luxury shopping centre; and
• Exceptional outdoor landscape plaza of 6,000 sq m. (See Scaffolding & Formwork).