Arab Architecture – Facades

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DUBAI SUPERTALL WITH ONE
OF THE WORLD’S TALLEST
CERAMIC FACADES
Architects: unstudio
Location: Dubai
UNStudio , working in collaboration with Werner Sobek , have unveiled their designs for
the Wasl Tower, a 300-meter tall skyscraper in Dubai. Centrally located along the main
thoroughfare that connects the Emirates north to south, the Wasl Tower sits directly
opposite the Burj Khalifa and, once completed, will feature one of the world’s tallest
ceramic facades. Inspired by the movement of the city, the 300-meter supertall
building takes on a “ contrapposto ” form, responding to the Sheikh Zayed Road along
which it is sited.
The facade has ribbons of outdoor balconies wrapping up the facade, referred to by the
designers as a “vertical boulevard”
Tying together the interior with the exterior of the tower. The veil of fins .that covers
the façade was designed using parametric design in conjunction with high-tech
engineering to ensure performance in addition to ensure performance in addition to
aesthetics. Taking on a holistic sustainable approach, these ceramic fins provide shading
and also act as a light-shelf, throwing light deeper into building, To match the. pulse of·
the vibrant city, the façade is programmed with rhythmic animation designed by Arup,
which will be powered by PV panels on the low rise parking structure, which sits at the
base of the tower creating a podium for the rest of the building.