Floors 17 and 18 to house gigantic suspended Atrium
Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) has announced that it has achieved one of the most significant milestones in the construction of the iconic Capital Gate, adjacent to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. A gigantic internal Atrium, including swimming pool and 'tea lounge' has been suspended on the 17th and 18th floors, the halfway point of the 35 storey, 160 metre high tower. The tower now stands approximately 100m high with the central core at level 22 and the external diagrid at level 18.
When complete Capital Gate will lean an astonishing 18 degrees westward, 14 degrees more than the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. By installing a huge number of steel struts, engineers have realised ADNEC's and project architect's (RMJM) vision of the Atrium - creating a cantilevered "tea lounge" and swimming pool suspended 80 metres above the ground at level 18.
Because of its unique posture, the 35 storey Capital Gate is being constructed on top of a 2m deep concrete raft with an incredibly dense mesh of reinforced steel. The extraordinary steel exoskeleton known as the "diagrid" sits above an extensive distribution of 490 piles that have been drilled 30 metres underground to accommodate the gravitational, wind and seismic pressures. The design of the central core, which slants in opposite direction to the lean of the building, straightening as it grows, has never been attempted before.
Commenting on Capital Gate's progress, Simon Horgan, ADNEC Group CEO, said: "When complete Capital Gate will be a modern day icon for Abu Dhabi, recognisable throughout the world. Capital Gate is not about being the biggest or the tallest, it is about advanced technical ingenuity and aesthetic splendour. This is one of the most challenging buildings under construction in the world at the moment but due to the partnership between ADNEC, RMJM and all contractors on the project, ground breaking solutions are being designed on a daily basis."
Tony Archibold, RMJM Project Director, added: "Passing the half-way point in development is a great success and we are now entering a critical period in Capital Gate's development. While we are facing some of our toughest architectural challenges, it is also the beginning of the most exciting stage; where this unique structure begins to take shape."
Capital Gate will house Abu Dhabi's first Hyatt hotel - Hyatt at Capital Centre, a presidential style luxury 5 star hotel which will provide 200 hotel rooms for Abu Dhabi and will serve ADNEC's visitors and exhibitors as well as international business and leisure travellers.
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Capital Gate
Capital Gate, when completed, will lean an incredible 18 degrees (14 degrees more than the famous leaning tower of Pisa). It is being developed by Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) and has been designed by global architects RMJM. Capital Gate forms the centre piece of the Capital Centre development, an AED8 billion (£1.5 billion) business and residential micro city being constructed around the thriving Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
About Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC)
Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) is a strategic international venue development and management company. ADNEC's venue portfolio includes one of the most modern exhibition centre's in the world - the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, and the UK capital's largest exhibition and conference venue, ExCeL London.
ADNEC is creating unique business districts to serve Abu Dhabi's rapid expansion and emergence on the global stage.
Development projects surrounding the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre include Capital Centre (a mixed-use development of 23 residential, commercial and mixed-use towers adjacent to the exhibition centre), Capital Gate (an iconic 35 storey gravity defying feature tower, featuring the 5-star hotel - 'Hyatt at Capital Centre') and a 2.4km Marina zone.
In addition, ADNEC is expanding within the region, with The Al Ain Convention Centre, a residential and business micro city around a state-of-the-art convention centre.
For more information visit www.adnec.ae; www.alaincc.ae; www.capitalcentre.ae; www.capitalgate.ae; www.excel-london.co.uk;
About RMJM
RMJM is a UK-based, international firm of architects, employing 1,200 people across its network of 14 offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the United States. RMJM's expertise and design-led approach is successfully demonstrated in on-going projects in more than 20 countries spanning a wide range of key sectors, from corporate headquarters and waterfront residential developments to major public buildings, university campuses and large-scale regeneration programs. The company currently has US$15 billion worth of construction projects on its drawing boards, including some of the world's most high profile and ambitious projects.
For further Information:
Ben Collins
ADNEC PR & Marketing Manager
T: 971 (0) 2 406 3282
E: ben.collins@adnec.ae
Visit http://www.adnec.ae/press for the latest ADNEC news and images.
Gillian Taylor
RMJM Ltd - Head of Group Communications
T: 00 44 (0) 131 260 3787
E: g.taylor@rmjm.com
Orient Planet, PR & Marketing Communications
P.O. Box 23345, Dubai UAE
Tel: 00 971 4 3988901
Fax: 00 971 4 3988941
Email: info@orientplanet.com
Website: www.orientplanet.com
© Press Release 2009
