Jeddah Tower Residences
Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Client: Abyaar Real Estate Development Co.
Sector: Residential, Hotel
Status: Concept
Sovereign Tower Residences is a high-end luxury residential tower proposal to be developed on a site in north Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The design provides a Built Up Area of 55,000 sq. metres, including 2,848 sq. metre of luxury retail. In addition, there is a 2,090 sq. metre Clubhouse and rooftop pool.
- The design will provide for:
- 64 lateral apartments
- 10 duplex apartments
- 5 prime penthouses
- 1 super prime penthouse
Jeddah is situated at the middle of the eastern coast of the Red sea at the latitude of 29.1 north and the longitude 39.07 east. As a coastal city, the humidity is high during the summer season when it lies under the effect of humid and hot air coming from India. Humidity reduces during winter as the area is influenced by the effect of a moderate air mass coming from North Africa. Rain is very scarce, mostly light showers accompanied by thunderstorms, usually during winter and spring.
The proposed development will aim to minimise effects of high solar radiation and glare which can make living conditions uncomfortable. It will make optimum use of the site's commanding views to the sea.
The form of the tower is oval in shape presenting the narrow side to the prevailing winds. The main entrance to the tower is accessed from the vehicular drop-off set in an elegant landscaped garden. Parking is located in the basement via discreet ramps. The large and spacious triple height reception space links to boutique retail outlets and restaurants located around the base of the tower.The design intent comprise of two principal elevations each of a quite different character.
Facade Type A:
The metallic facade is formed of an open-looking screen of double storey hexagonal openings bounded by large triangular forms facade in a golden metallic finish. The triangular panels are clad in a translucent metal mesh. Each triangular form appears to extend a full storey height.
Facade Type B:
The "white" facade is formed from a more solid and diffusely reflective material and contains small glazed openings on a regular spacing.
Each principal facade is traversed by an expressed diagonal structure sitting in the facade plane. The facade then forms a doubly curved surface between these mega-grids to articulate the large diamond pattern in three dimensions.
The tower structure comprises a principal diagrid (mega-grid) perimeter tube with a secondary bracing system (diagrid) to augment the integral stiffness of the tube in the final fully clad structure. The bracing members spring from ground floor level at quarter point spacing around the circumference and embrace the tower repeating in plan configuration at mid height and the top of the tower with vertical intersections at the quarter and three quarter points.
Full height lift and stair cores further enhance the lateral stability of the tower and in combination with the tube and bracing elements enable the section sizes to be optimised.
The structural form suggests reinforced concrete construction to sympathise and interact with the architectural concepts, although structural steel solutions for the framing would be equally acceptable but potentially open to a more volatile price and delivery market. High strength concrete is envisaged for all elements to minimise section sizes and maintain optimum stiffness. The basements are likely to be of diaphragm wall construction propped by a base raft and intermediate floor plates.
The core will in all probability be constructed by slip or jump forming methods with pockets and anchorages to receive the post tensioned floors cast in as the construction progresses. The core and primary columns will generally be taken down through to the basement structure although some transfer structures may be required beneath the diagrid.
The plan configuration of the reinforced concrete core will assist in maintaining the vertical alignment during the slip or jump forming. The floors, columns and diagrid construction will follow the core with appropriate temporary works ensuring no tension elements are permanently generated and also providing working platforms for the cladding installations. The use of post tensioned floors will help speed the construction cycle.
The diagrid tube comprises a series of raking columns generally on a grid of 5.7 metres around the floor perimeter and extending 8.0 metres through two storeys. The section sizes reduce through the building height.
Internally the floor plates comprise a core area with a regular column grid of approximately 10 metres supporting post tensioned flat slab to aid service routing with perimeter down stand edge beams. Externally the floors are supported by the integral three-dimensional diagrid structure.
