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Height rank
Al Hamra Tower
Kuwait City
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Metrics
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Height
412.6 m / 1,354 ft
Floors
80
Official Name
The current legal building name.
Al Hamra Tower
Other Names
Other names the building has commonly been known as, including former names, common informal names, local names, etc.
Al Hamra Firdous Tower
Type
CTBUH collects data on two major types of tall structures: 'Buildings' and 'Telecommunications / Observation Towers.' A 'Building' is a structure where at least 50% of the height is occupied by usable floor area. A 'Telecommunications / Observation Tower' is a structure where less than 50% of the structure's height is occupied by usable floor area. Only 'Buildings' are eligible for the CTBUH 'Tallest Buildings' lists.
Building
Status
Completed
Architecturally Topped Out
Structurally Topped Out
Under Construction
Proposed
On Hold
Never Completed
Vision
Competition Entry
Canceled
Proposed Renovation
Under Renovation
Renovated
Under Demolition
Demolished
Completed, 2011
Country
The CTBUH follows the United Nations's definition of Country, and thus uses the lists and codes established by that organization.
City
The CTBUH follows the United Nations's definition of City, and thus uses the lists and codes established by that organization.
Address
Function
A single-function tall building is defined as one where 85% or more of its usable floor area is dedicated to a single usage. Thus a building with 90% office floor area would be said to be an "office" building, irrespective of other minor functions it may also contain.
A mixed-use tall building contains two or more functions (or uses), where each of the functions occupy a significant proportion of the tower's total space. Support areas such as car parks and mechanical plant space do not constitute mixed-use functions. Functions are denoted on CTBUH "Tallest Building" lists in descending order, e.g., "hotel/office" indicates hotel function above office function.
A mixed-use tall building contains two or more functions (or uses), where each of the functions occupy a significant proportion of the tower's total space. Support areas such as car parks and mechanical plant space do not constitute mixed-use functions. Functions are denoted on CTBUH "Tallest Building" lists in descending order, e.g., "hotel/office" indicates hotel function above office function.
office
Structural Material
Steel
Both the main vertical/lateral structural elements and the floor spanning systems are constructed from steel. Note that a building of steel construction with a floor system of concrete planks or concrete slab on top of steel beams is still considered a “steel” structure as the concrete elements are not acting as the primary structure.
Reinforced Concrete
Both the main vertical/lateral structural elements and the floor spanning systems are constructed from concrete which has been cast in place and utilizes steel reinforcement bars.
Precast Concrete
Both the main vertical/lateral structural elements and the floor spanning system are constructed from steel reinforced concrete which has been precast as individual components and assembled together on-site.
Mixed-Structure
Utilizes distinct systems (e.g. steel, concrete, timber), one on top of the other. For example, a steel/concrete indicates a steel structural system located on top of a concrete structural system, with the opposite true of concrete/steel.
Composite
A combination of materials (e.g. steel, concrete, timber) are used together in the main structural elements. Examples include buildings which utilize: steel columns with a floor system of reinforced concrete beams; a steel frame system with a concrete core; concrete-encased steel columns; concrete-filled steel tubes; etc. Where known, the CTBUH database breaks out the materials used in a composite building’s core, columns, and floor spanning separately.
Both the main vertical/lateral structural elements and the floor spanning systems are constructed from steel. Note that a building of steel construction with a floor system of concrete planks or concrete slab on top of steel beams is still considered a “steel” structure as the concrete elements are not acting as the primary structure.
Reinforced Concrete
Both the main vertical/lateral structural elements and the floor spanning systems are constructed from concrete which has been cast in place and utilizes steel reinforcement bars.
Precast Concrete
Both the main vertical/lateral structural elements and the floor spanning system are constructed from steel reinforced concrete which has been precast as individual components and assembled together on-site.
Mixed-Structure
Utilizes distinct systems (e.g. steel, concrete, timber), one on top of the other. For example, a steel/concrete indicates a steel structural system located on top of a concrete structural system, with the opposite true of concrete/steel.
Composite
A combination of materials (e.g. steel, concrete, timber) are used together in the main structural elements. Examples include buildings which utilize: steel columns with a floor system of reinforced concrete beams; a steel frame system with a concrete core; concrete-encased steel columns; concrete-filled steel tubes; etc. Where known, the CTBUH database breaks out the materials used in a composite building’s core, columns, and floor spanning separately.
concrete
Official Website
Height
Architectural
Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to the architectural top of the building, including spires, but not including antennae, signage, flag poles or other functional-technical equipment. This measurement is the most widely utilized and is employed to define the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) rankings of the "World's Tallest Buildings."
412.6 m / 1,354 ft
To Tip
Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to the highest point of the building, irrespective of material or function of the highest element (i.e., including antennae, flagpoles, signage and other functional-technical equipment).
412.6 m / 1,354 ft
Occupied
Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to the highest occupied floor within the building.
371.4 m / 1,218 ft
Floors Above Ground
The number of floors above ground should include the ground floor level and be the number of main floors above ground, including any significant mezzanine floors and major mechanical plant floors. Mechanical mezzanines should not be included if they have a significantly smaller floor area than the major floors below. Similarly, mechanical penthouses or plant rooms protruding above the general roof area should not be counted. Note: CTBUH floor counts may differ from published accounts, as it is common in some regions of the world for certain floor levels not to be included (e.g., the level 4, 14, 24, etc. in Hong Kong).
80
Floors Below Ground
The number of floors below ground should include all major floors located below the ground floor level.
3
# of Parking Spaces
Number of Parking Spaces refers to the total number of car parking spaces contained within a particular building.
1460
# of Elevators
Number of Elevators refers to the total number of elevator cars (not shafts) contained within a particular building (including public, private and freight elevators).
43
Top Elevator Speed
Top Elevator Speed refers to the top speed capable of being achieved by an elevator within a particular building, measured in meters per second.
10 m/s
Tower GFA
Tower GFA refers to the total gross floor area within the tower footprint, not including adjoining podiums, connected buildings or other towers within the development.
178,061 m² / 1,916,633 ft²
Rankings
-
By function
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-
By material
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#
27
Tallest in the World
#
4
Tallest in
Middle East
#
1
Tallest in
Kuwait
#
1
Tallest in
Kuwait City
#
8
Tallest Office Building in the World
#
1
Tallest Office Building in
Middle East
#
1
Tallest Office Building in
Kuwait
#
1
Tallest Office Building in
Kuwait City
#
4
Tallest Concrete Building in the World
#
2
Tallest Concrete Building in
Middle East
#
1
Tallest Concrete Building in
Kuwait
#
1
Tallest Concrete Building in
Kuwait City
Construction Schedule
2005
Proposed
2005
Construction Start
2011
Completed
Architect
Design
Usually involved in the front end design, with a "typical" condition being that of a leadership role through either Schematic Design or Design Development, and then a monitoring role through the CD and CA phases.
Architect of Record
Usually takes on the balance of the architectural effort not executed by the "Design Architect," typically responsible for the construction documents, conforming to local codes, etc. May often be referred to as "Executive," "Associate," or "Local" Architect, however, for consistency CTBUH uses the term "Architect of Record" exclusively.
Structural Engineer
Design
The Design Engineer is usually involved in the front end design, typically taking the leadership role in the Schematic Design and Design Development, and then a monitoring role through the CD and CA phases.
MEP Engineer
Design
The Design Engineer is usually involved in the front end design, typically taking the leadership role in the Schematic Design and Design Development, and then a monitoring role through the CD and CA phases.
Peer Review
The Peer Review Engineer traditionally comments on the information produced by another party, and to render second opinions, but not to initiate what the design looks like from the start.
Project Manager
The CTBUH lists a project manager when a specific firm has been commissioned to oversee this aspect of a tall building’s design/construction. When the project management efforts are handled by the developer, main contract, or architect, this field will be omitted.
The CTBUH lists a project manager when a specific firm has been commissioned to oversee this aspect of a tall building’s design/construction. When the project management efforts are handled by the developer, main contract, or architect, this field will be omitted.
Other Consultant
Other Consultant refers to other organizations which provided significant consultation services for a building project (e.g. wind consultants, environmental consultants, fire and life safety consultants, etc).
Other Consultant refers to other organizations which provided significant consultation services for a building project (e.g. wind consultants, environmental consultants, fire and life safety consultants, etc).
Commissioning
Façade
These are firms that consult on the design of a building's façade. May often be referred to as "Cladding," "Envelope," "Exterior Wall," or "Curtain Wall" Consultant, however, for consistency CTBUH uses the term "Façade Consultant" exclusively.
Fire
Life Safety
Vertical Transportation
Material Supplier
Material Supplier refers to organizations which supplied significant systems/materials for a building project (e.g. elevator suppliers, facade suppliers, etc).
Material Supplier refers to organizations which supplied significant systems/materials for a building project (e.g. elevator suppliers, facade suppliers, etc).
Elevator
Sealants
You must be a CTBUH Member to view this resource.
Owner
Al Hamra Real Estate Co.
Developer
Ajial Real Estate and Entertainment; Al Hamra Real Estate Co.
Architect
Design
Usually involved in the front end design, with a "typical" condition being that of a leadership role through either Schematic Design or Design Development, and then a monitoring role through the CD and CA phases.
Architect of Record
Usually takes on the balance of the architectural effort not executed by the "Design Architect," typically responsible for the construction documents, conforming to local codes, etc. May often be referred to as "Executive," "Associate," or "Local" Architect, however, for consistency CTBUH uses the term "Architect of Record" exclusively.
Structural Engineer
Design
The Design Engineer is usually involved in the front end design, typically taking the leadership role in the Schematic Design and Design Development, and then a monitoring role through the CD and CA phases.
Peer Review
The Peer Review Engineer traditionally comments on the information produced by another party, and to render second opinions, but not to initiate what the design looks like from the start.
Hyder Consulting; BuroHappold Engineering
MEP Engineer
Design
The Design Engineer is usually involved in the front end design, typically taking the leadership role in the Schematic Design and Design Development, and then a monitoring role through the CD and CA phases.
Peer Review
The Peer Review Engineer traditionally comments on the information produced by another party, and to render second opinions, but not to initiate what the design looks like from the start.
Project Manager
The CTBUH lists a project manager when a specific firm has been commissioned to oversee this aspect of a tall building’s design/construction. When the project management efforts are handled by the developer, main contract, or architect, this field will be omitted.
The CTBUH lists a project manager when a specific firm has been commissioned to oversee this aspect of a tall building’s design/construction. When the project management efforts are handled by the developer, main contract, or architect, this field will be omitted.
Main Contractor
The main contractor is the supervisory contractor of all construction work on a project, management of sub-contractors and vendors, etc. May be referred to as "Construction Manager," however, for consistency CTBUH uses the term "Main Contractor" exclusively.
The main contractor is the supervisory contractor of all construction work on a project, management of sub-contractors and vendors, etc. May be referred to as "Construction Manager," however, for consistency CTBUH uses the term "Main Contractor" exclusively.
Ahmadiah Contracting and Trading Company
Other Consultant
Other Consultant refers to other organizations which provided significant consultation services for a building project (e.g. wind consultants, environmental consultants, fire and life safety consultants, etc).
Other Consultant refers to other organizations which provided significant consultation services for a building project (e.g. wind consultants, environmental consultants, fire and life safety consultants, etc).
Acoustics
Shen Milsom Wilke, Inc.
Commissioning
Façade
These are firms that consult on the design of a building's façade. May often be referred to as "Cladding," "Envelope," "Exterior Wall," or "Curtain Wall" Consultant, however, for consistency CTBUH uses the term "Façade Consultant" exclusively.
Façade Maintenance
Entek Engineering Ltd.
Fire
Geotechnical
Consultancy Group Company
Landscape
Francis Landscapes
Life Safety
Lighting
OVI Lighting
Security
Shen Milsom Wilke, Inc.
Traffic
Parsons Brinckerhoff Consultants Private Limited
Vertical Transportation
Wind
BMT Fluid Mechanics Ltd.
Material Supplier
Material Supplier refers to organizations which supplied significant systems/materials for a building project (e.g. elevator suppliers, facade suppliers, etc).
Material Supplier refers to organizations which supplied significant systems/materials for a building project (e.g. elevator suppliers, facade suppliers, etc).
Elevator
Sealants
(not specified)
Momentive
CTBUH Awards & Distinctions
Best Tall Building Middle East & Africa 2012 Award of Excellence
2012 CTBUH Awards
CTBUH Initiatives
The Middle East: 30+ Years of Building Tall
28 November 2018 - CTBUH Research
Vertical Transportation: Ascent & Acceleration
12 September 2017 - CTBUH Research
Videos
18 October 2012 | Kuwait City
Best Tall Building Featured Finalist: Al Hamra Tower: The Sculpted Tower
The Al Hamra Firdous Tower was intended to stand as an icon to symbolize national pride, while also providing highly leasable office space. To successfully...
Research
20 October 2018
The Middle East: 30+ Years of Building Tall
CTBUH Research
The Middle East region is hosting its first CTBUH International Conference since 2008. In that year, there were 119 completed buildings of 150 meters or...
About Al Hamra Tower
Al Hamra Tower stands as an icon symbolizing Kuwaiti national pride. The form of the building appears to be cut from a prism, a void taken from the center, with each floor plate rotating counter-clockwise around the core. The result is a spiraling geometry that unravels to the top. The void, which shifts from west to east, exposes the solid southern core wall, which is visually distinct from the other glazed and transparent walls wrapping around the rest of the building. Two solid “flared walls” provide the transition between these two conditions, covering the complex geometry of the rotating floor plates.
The southern façade, exposed through the central void, is clad in stone with angled window cuts to respond to the intense solar conditions of the area. The same material treatment is given to the flared walls that cover the curvilinear faces along the edge of the spiral void, only without window openings. The concrete construction of these elements also allows them to act as thermal mass walls, slowing heat gain during the day and releasing stored heat at night. The curved east, north, and west façades are clad in vision glass, providing clear views of the surrounding city and Kuwait Bay while also optimizing the spaces against glare and heat gain.
At the north side of the building is the main lobby, a 24-meter-high space that extends from the building core to the perimeter frame. To increase the area of the lobby, the columns along the exterior slope inwards, forming an intricate lamella structure that is both functional and elegant. At the top of the tower, a 40-meter-high space with a restaurant and observation deck provides far-reaching views of the city. To produce these unobstructed views, a cantilevered steel truss system was employed to support the roof and curtain wall glazing, reducing the necessary columns in the space.
CTBUH Awards & Distinctions
Best Tall Building Middle East & Africa 2012 Award of Excellence
2012 CTBUH Awards
Videos
18 October 2012 | Kuwait City
Best Tall Building Featured Finalist: Al Hamra Tower: The Sculpted Tower
The Al Hamra Firdous Tower was intended to stand as an icon to symbolize national pride, while also providing highly leasable office space. To successfully...
18 October 2012 | Kuwait City
As one of the Featured Finalists invited to present at the 2012 Awards Symposium, Al Hamra Tower provided a diverse array of topics for designers...
10 October 2011 | Kuwait City
Aybars Asci specializes in the design implementation of complex commercial and institutional projects. He presents on the Al Hamra Firdous Tower.
Research
20 October 2018
The Middle East: 30+ Years of Building Tall
The Middle East region is hosting its first CTBUH International Conference since 2008. In that year, there were 119 completed buildings of 150 meters or...
14 November 2013
The Middle East: 20 Years of Building Skyscrapers
Twenty years ago, the Middle East contained only one skyscraper over 150 meters in height. It is now estimated that by the end of 2015...
31 December 2011
Year in Review: Tall Trends of 2011
The annual story is becoming a familiar one: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and now 2011 have each sequentially broke the record for the most 200...
10 October 2011
Al Hamra Firdous Tower, rising 412 meters and scheduled for completion in fall 2011, will be the tallest structure in Kuwait. A new landmark, this...
01 November 2007
Sculpted High-rise The Al Hamra Tower
At 412m tall on completion, the Al Hamra Tower is set to be amongst the tallest buildings in the world. Setting it apart from other...
CTBUH Initiatives
Filter by
28 November 2018
The Middle East: 30+ Years of Building Tall
CTBUH has released a Tall Buildings in Numbers (TBIN) interactive data study examining the relationship between high-rise growth and population in the Middle East.
12 September 2017
Vertical Transportation: Ascent & Acceleration
CTBUH partnered with Guinness World Records to identify the commercial building with the fastest elevator speeds and longest vertical runs.
13 October 2016
Top Company Rankings: The World’s 100 Tallest Buildings
The Council is pleased to announce the Top Company Rankings for numerous disciplines as derived from the list of projects appearing in 100 of the World’s Tallest Buildings.
1 August 2013
Al Hamra Firdous Tower Chosen as Featured Building
The art of high-rise building design embraces, at least in part, how the observer reads the rise of the form from the earth to the sky.
19 October 2012
Awards Symposium Puts Spotlight on Achievement, Future
2012 CTBUH tall building award winners, finalists and lifetime achievement award winners were not attending the annual symposium to talk about record heights and flashy designs.
14 January 2012
CTBUH India: High-rise Building Technology
CTBUH Chairman Timothy Johnson, of NBBJ, and CTBUH Advisory Group Member Ahmad Abdelrazaq, of Samsung, recently spoke at a CTBUH seminar on building technology.
1 January 2012
CTBUH Seminar in India Discusses Technology
CTBUH Chairman Timothy Johnson, of NBBJ, and CTBUH Advisory Group Member Ahmad Abdelrazaq, of Samsung, recently spoke at a CTBUH seminar in New Delhi.
31 December 2011
CTBUH Releases Year in Review: Tall Trends of 2011
The annual story is becoming a familiar one: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and now 2011 have each sequentially broke the record for the most 200 meter or higher buildings completed in a given year. Once again, more 200 m+ buildings were completed in 2011 than in any year previous.
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