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16 April 2025
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Apr 16, 2025Building Design
The Minister for Building Safety, Fire and Local Growth will address Housing Today’s Building the Future Conference as a keynote speaker.
Source: Flickr
Alex Norris has been MP for Nottingham North and Kimberley since June 2017 and was appointed to the role last year, after a shift of responsibilities within the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
The minister’s role includes building safety, regulations, the Grenfell Inquiry response, local and regional growth, investment zones.
His keynote speech will be part of the conference’s deidcated building safety stream. The conference will also involve dedicated specification, sustainability and skills sessions.
This year’s Building the Future Conference, which Building Design is co-hosting with sister titles Building and Housing Today, will take place on 2 October at a new venue, 155 Bishopsgate in the City of London.
On top of bringing together the Building, Building Design and Housing Today audiences under one roof, there will also be exclusive content from industry partners such as Build UK, The Housing Forum, The G15, and UKGBC.
>> Building the Future Conference: Buy your ticket today
The day-long conference will be followed by a shortlisting party for the 2025 Building Awards and Architect of the Year Awards.
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Developer Proposes 373-Meter Supertall Skyscraper In San FranciscoTexas-based developer Hines has submitted plans for a new supertall skyscraper in San Francisco that, if approved and built, could become the tallest building on the U.S. West Coast. Rising to a height of 1,225 feet (373 meters), the proposed tower at 77 Beale Street would surpass both the 1,100-foot (335 meter) Wilshire Grand Center in Los Angeles and the 1,070-foot (326 meter) Salesforce Tower in San Francisco, also co-developed by Hines.
Part of a broader redevelopment of the former Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) campus, the project would also include the restoration of two historic buildings at 215 and 245 Market Street, the conversion of an existing office building at 25 Beale Street, and the creation of a new park. In total, the mixed-use development would encompass 1.6 million square feet (148,644 square meters) of office space.
The supertall may ultimately be renamed 200 Mission, in keeping with earlier plans which were revealed in 2021. Pickard Chilton is listed as the master-plan architect for the broader site, but an architect has yet to be selected for the 77 Beale design.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie voiced strong support for the proposal, calling it a chance to revitalize a vacant downtown block with a dynamic mix of housing, office, retail, and public space. If realized, the project would mark a significant milestone for the city’s skyline and serve as a catalyst for downtown renewal.
Learn more at Dezeen.
Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat
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18 July 20252 min readDeveloper Proposes 373-Meter Supertall Skyscraper In San Francisco
Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat
18 July 2025
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Baron Property Group And Largavista Secure $388.5M In Financing For Their 46-Story Residential Tower In Long Island CityThe LargaVista Companies and Baron Property Group secured a $388.5 million construction loan for their long-delayed 46-story residential tower at 30-25 Queens Boulevard in Long Island City. The financing package, announced today, June 30 was backed by Starwood Capital Group, Blackstone Real Estate Debt Strategies, and Gotham Organization, with advisory services from HKS Real Estate Advisors and DIA Capital Group.
The financing is a crucial milestone for the project, which had stalled for years following the start of preliminary site work in 2019. With the capital now in hand, the developers are poised to resume construction on the 25,177-square-foot property, situated at the corner of Queens Plaza East and Queens Boulevard, west of the Sunnyside Yards rail yards.
The 525-foot-tall, CetraRuddy Architecture-designed tower will span approximately 511,000 square feet and yield a total of 561 residential units, consisting of 451 market-rate rentals and 110 for-sale condominiums. A total of 169 apartments will be reserved as affordable housing, which will make the development one of the more inclusive large-scale residential developments in the area.
In addition to residential, the project will also include about 21,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space, activating the streetscape at one of Long Island City’s busiest transit nodes.
Residents will have access to a sprawling set of amenities designed to bring Manhattan high-end norms at better affordability. They include:
A rooftop pool nearly 500 feet above street level
Full-size basketball and pickleball courts
A fitness center and meditation studio
A game room and co-working lounge
Outdoor grilling stations
A solarium and pet spa with kitchen and dining area
“The vision has always been to bring Manhattan-quality living to an emerging, more affordable neighborhood,” Baron Property Group President Matthew Baron said. “Long Island City is diverse, transit-connected, and steadily growing—and this project shows our commitment to that kind of environment.”
Read also: New York City lays out plans for the largest mass timber residential project on Staten Island
Although pile driving and excavation began years back, the 46-Story tower at 30-25 Queens Blvd Long Island City had remained largely dormant until this year. With new financing secured and new renderings released, expectations now are for a restart of full construction activity, possibly as early as later this summer. The development team is envisioning a phased construction schedule, with occupancy now anticipated in 2028.
Only feet away from the Queens Plaza (E, M, R) and Queensboro Plaza (7, N, W) subway stations, the building offers direct access to Midtown Manhattan in about 15 minutes. That convenience, along with luxury amenities and lower prices than Manhattan, is bound to entice renters and buyers as well as the tower.
With financing now secured and design plans reaffirmed, Baron Property Group and LargaVista Companies are set to realize one of Long Island City’s most ambitious residential towers—one that pairs affordability, design, and luxury amenities on a scale rarely achieved in outer-borough developments.
Read also: Empire Wind Construction Resumes After $5B Project Endures Month-Long Halt Costing $50M Weekly
Location: 30-25 Queens Boulevard, Long Island City, NY
Site: Corner of Queens Plaza East and Queens Boulevard (25,177 sq ft)
Height: 525 feet, 46 stories
Total Area: 511,000 square feet
Projected Completion: 2028
Construction Loan: $388.5 million
Lenders: Starwood Capital Group, Blackstone Real Estate Debt Strategies, Gotham Organization
Total Units: 561
451 market-rate rentals
110 for-sale condominiums
169 affordable housing units
Commercial Space: 21,000 sq ft ground-floor retail
Rooftop swimming pool (500 ft above street level)
Full-sized basketball and pickleball courts
Fitness center and meditation studio
Co-working lounge and game room
Outdoor grilling areas
Pet spa and solarium with kitchen/dining
Subway Stations: Queens Plaza (E, M, R) and Queensboro Plaza (7, N, W)
Travel Time to Midtown: 15 minutes
Proximity: Adjacent to Sunnyside Yards rail tracks
Initial Site Work: 2019
Financing Closed: 2025
Construction Restart: Summer 2025 (projected)
Occupancy: 2028 (projected)
Read also: Bravo Property Trust finances New York residential tower
Construction Review Online
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30 June 20254 min readBaron Property Group And Largavista Secure $388.5M In Financing For Their 46-Story Residential Tower In Long Island City
Construction Review Online
30 June 2025
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Major Fire Breaks Out In 280-Meter Residential Building In Dubai MarinaA major fire broke out late Friday in the 280-meter Marina Pinnacle tower in Dubai Marina, prompting the safe evacuation of all 3,820 residents from 764 apartments, according to the Dubai Media Office (DMO). Dubai Civil Defence teams battled the blaze for six hours, with no injuries reported.
Authorities are coordinating with the building's developer to provide temporary housing, while medical and mental health support has been made available on-site.
Originally completed in 2011, this is reportedly not the first fire at this building. In 2015, a kitchen fire was started on the 47th floor and spread to one additional floor before being contained.
Learn more at NDTV.
Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat
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16 June 20251 min readMajor Fire Breaks Out In 280-Meter Residential Building In Dubai Marina
Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat
16 June 2025
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Building Safety Minister To Address Building The Future ConferenceThe Minister for Building Safety, Fire and Local Growth will address Housing Today’s Building the Future Conference as a keynote speaker.
Source: Flickr
Alex Norris has been MP for Nottingham North and Kimberley since June 2017 and was appointed to the role last year, after a shift of responsibilities within the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
The minister’s role includes building safety, regulations, the Grenfell Inquiry response, local and regional growth, investment zones.
His keynote speech will be part of the conference’s deidcated building safety stream. The conference will also involve dedicated specification, sustainability and skills sessions.
This year’s Building the Future Conference, which Building Design is co-hosting with sister titles Building and Housing Today, will take place on 2 October at a new venue, 155 Bishopsgate in the City of London.
On top of bringing together the Building, Building Design and Housing Today audiences under one roof, there will also be exclusive content from industry partners such as Build UK, The Housing Forum, The G15, and UKGBC.
>> Building the Future Conference: Buy your ticket today
The day-long conference will be followed by a shortlisting party for the 2025 Building Awards and Architect of the Year Awards.
Building Design
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16 April 20251 min readBuilding Safety Minister To Address Building The Future Conference
Building Design
16 April 2025
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Unstudio'S Wasl Tower In Dubai Draws From Classical Art With Sinuous Contrapposto PoseSet to become one of Dubai’s most impressive new landmarks, UNStudio‘s Wasl Tower is nearing completion and continues to transform the city’s skyline with its sinuous form and advanced facade of ceramic fins. With structural design by Werner Sobek, the supertall tower rises 302 meters and draws on classical art’s ‘contrapposto’ stance — its twisted form suggesting a figure mid-stride. Currently in the final stages of construction, the project has been photographed by Nils Koenning, offering a unique glimpse into the next generation of mixed-use skyscrapers in the UAE.
Located on Sheikh Zayed Road, the project sits at a critical urban intersection in Dubai, linking the world-famous Burj Khalifa with the newer City Walk development. Its prominent placement along Sheikh Zayed Road ensures high visibility, especially as it stands opposite the Burj Khalifa without any other tall structures to compete with. A new pedestrian bridge connects the building to the Burj Khalifa metro station, extending accessibility while reinforcing its role as a node within Dubai’s ever-evolving infrastructure network.
images © Nils Koenning
With one of the tallest ceramic facades in the world, the Wasl Tower in Dubai pushes the limits of facade design by blending tradition with performance. The architects at UNStudio and engineers at Werner Sobek cloak the tower in a lace-like grid of ceramic fins, crafted from low-tech glazed clay. This surface works to both reduce heat gain and enhance interior daylighting. Each fin is precisely angled at 12.8 degrees, a figure determined through parametric modeling to optimize shading and light diffusion. This outer skin is thus a passive cooling system which responds to the desert climate and offers a tactile visual identity that reads as both futuristic and traditional.
The Wasl Tower in Dubai introduces an unusual vertical seam that functions as a ‘vertical boulevard’ — a stacked procession of outdoor balconies and green terraces that run up the spine of the building. Crowned by a series of rooftop infinity pools, this seam brings a new level of permeability to high-rise living in a desert context. It also forms a crucial axis for public engagement, with programmatically rich zones that house dining, entertainment, and hospitality functions suspended far above the city.
Dubai’s Wasl Tower is a 302 meter skyscraper designed by UNStudio with structure by Werner Sobek
With its Wasl Tower in Dubai, UNStudio draws inspiration from classical sculpture, rotating along its vertical axis in a dynamic contrapposto pose. Its complex geometry is supported by three massive 300-meter shear walls, which are linked by four strategic outriggers. This structural system enables an open and adaptable floorplate, meeting the demands of its mixed-use program — including office spaces, apartments, and a hotel — while allowing the building to gracefully twist and face multiple directions.
The project becomes a living element within the nightscape through its responsive lighting system designed by Arup. Hidden behind the ceramic fins, the system pulses with light patterns that mimic the tempo of urban life. During the day, the same ceramic system moderates solar exposure. At night, the tower becomes a glowing presence powered in part by PV panels integrated into the adjacent car park structure. The lighting concept flows from exterior to interior, especially in the tower’s public areas and sky lobby.
the building’s sculptural form is based on contrapposto and rotates along its vertical axis
To navigate its complex, multi-functional interior, UNStudio and Werner Sobek employ a layered vertical transport strategy. A total of seventeen elevators — including five for services — support the distinct programs within the tower. Express lifts connect major hubs like the ground floor, spa, sky lobby, and rooftop, while separate lift groups serve office workers, hotel guests, and residents. While streamlining circulation, this system enhances user experience by lending direct, efficient access between public and private zones.
As the Wasl Tower nears its anticipated completion later this year, Dubai prepares to welcome a new icon which actively engages with its climate, culture, and infrastructure. With its ceramic cloak, kinetic silhouette, and environmentally responsive features, the tower signals a forward-thinking future for high-rise design in the desert metropolis.
it features one of the world’s tallest ceramic facades made from low-tech glazed clay
ceramic fins provide shading and reflect light deep into the building
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02 April 20254 min readUnstudio'S Wasl Tower In Dubai Draws From Classical Art With Sinuous Contrapposto Pose
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02 April 2025
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Terraced Cityzen Tower By Zaha Hadid Architects Set To Rise In Tbilisi, GeorgiaZaha Hadid Architects has unveiled Cityzen Tower, an ambitious mixed-use development in Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi. Located at the intersection of Mikheil Tamarashvili and University streets, the tower will comprise residential apartments, commercial spaces, and leisure amenities. Cityzen Tower is designed to rise on the site of the former military headquarters of Soviet forces in central and south Caucasus. Positioned within the evolving Cityzen community in Tbilisi’s Saburtalo district, the project benefits from proximity to the city’s Line 2 metro system, major universities, commercial hubs, and emerging residential developments. Marking ZHA’s first project in Georgia, Cityzen Tower is scheduled for completion in 2028.
visualizations © Negativ
The design team at Zaha Hadid Architects envisions the Cityzen Tower as a new civic hub in western Tbilisi, Georgia, to accommodate the city’s growing population. The masterplan features interconnected pedestrian pathways, public plazas, and lush gardens, spanning 23,000 square meters of outdoor spaces to encourage recreation and community engagement. Cityzen is strategically positioned adjacent to Tbilisi’s expansive 36-hectare Central Park. Retaining 250 mature trees from the existing site, the development embraces green urbanism, offering residents direct access to botanical gardens, woodlands, and sports facilities.
ZHA’s Cityzen Tower is set to be a new mixed-use development in Tbilisi, Georgia
The design of Cityzen Tower by Zaha Hadid Architects reflects Tbilisi’s rolling hills and meandering river valleys. The tower serves as an architectural bridge between urban life and nature, featuring cascading landscaped terraces that extend into Central Park, creating inviting outdoor spaces for cafes, restaurants, and communal activities. As Cityzen Tower ascends, the terraces evolve into social spaces for the office floors, while the upper residential levels offer private balconies with sweeping views of the city and park. The tower’s design transitions from an expansive communal base to a refined, diamond-shaped residential footprint, ensuring optimal natural light and panoramic vistas for every apartment.
the project offers 23,000 square meters of landscaped outdoor spaces to the city
Zaha Hadid’s Cityzen Tower prioritizes environmental performance, with extensive solar and wind analysis shaping its 42-story form. The structure optimizes natural ventilation, while extended balconies and external louvres reduce heat gain in summer and enhance passive solar heating in winter, cutting overall energy consumption. Cityzen Tower continues Tbilisi’s tradition of expertise in concrete construction. Targeting LEED Gold certification, the development emphasizes locally recycled materials and a sustainable procurement strategy. Rainwater collection and reuse will be implemented through an on-site reservoir, while native vegetation requiring minimal irrigation will be used throughout the complex.
cascading terraces connect with the park and provide outdoor spaces for cafes and restaurants
Cityzen Tower’s design is inspired by Tbilisi’s rolling hills and river valleys
project info:
name: Cityzen Tower
architect: Zaha Hadid Architects | @zahahadidarchitects
location: Tbilisi, Georgia
client: Cityzen
completion: expected 2028
visualizations: © Negativ | @negativ_va
design: Patrik Schumacher ZHA project director: Manuela Gatto ZHA project associate: Yevgeniya Pozigun ZHA project architects: Takehiko Iseki, Massimo Napoleoni ZHA project leads: Armando Bussey (Design), Bowen Miao (Facade), Maria Avrami (BIM), ZHA technical coordination: Kutbuddin Nadiadi ZHA project team: Alicia Hidalgo Lopez, Armando Bussey, Besan Abudayah, Bowen Miao, Catherine McCann, Charles Walker, Ignacio Fernandez De Castro, Jessica Wang, Jose Pareja Gomez, Kutbuddin Nadiadi, Laizhen Wu, Manuela Gatto, Maria Avrami, Massimo Napoleoni, Panos Ioakim, Takehiko Iseki, Thomas Bagnoli, Yevgeniya Pozigun ZHA analytics & insights team: Uli Blum, Danial Haziq ZHA sustainability team: Aleksander Mastalski, Aditya Ambare, Carlos Bausa Martinez, Shibani Choudhury, Disha Shetty
local architect: Artstudio Project structural engineers: Capiteli facade engineering: FMT Facade Consultants MEP: Zerone landscape consultant: Artstudio Project animation: Render.ge LEED consultant: Sustainable Engineering Ltd
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13 March 20253 min readTerraced Cityzen Tower By Zaha Hadid Architects Set To Rise In Tbilisi, Georgia
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13 March 2025
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Som Breaks Ground On Cimc Tower, Planned With Vertical Gardens To Blossom Over ShenzhenSkidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), in collaboration with China International Marine Containers Group (CIMC), has officially begun construction on the CIMC Global Headquarters in Shenzhen‘s Qianhai district. The 53-story, 270-meter-tall skyscraper is poised to become a new landmark in the region. The design was awarded to SOM after winning an international competition, with plans to set new standards for sustainability and innovation in the continually growing city.
As a leader in the transportation and energy equipment industries, CIMC’s new headquarters reflects its industry stature and commitment to sustainability. The SOM design merges high-performance corporate functions with Shenzhen’s natural landscape, resulting in a vertical mixed-use development. The building will be programmed with office space, retail outlets, and conference facilities, introducing new workspaces for more than 60,000 employees.
visualizations by Atchain © SOM
With the design of Shenzhen’s upcoming CIMC tower, the architects at global studio SOM took inspiration by the mountainous landscapes depicted in traditional Chinese scroll paintings. With this influence, the team incorporates three nature-focused amenity zones. At the core of the tower, a central sky lobby will serve as a green gathering area, bringing a touch of nature into the urban space. The building will feature a rooftop garden offering panoramic views of Qianhai Bay, and a tiered podium at the base, blending nature with the surrounding urban environment. Outdoor terraces, walking paths, and lush green spaces are key elements in fostering a healthy, dynamic workspace.
The building’s base is designed as a staggered podium, housing an expansive office lobby and a sunlit atrium. These areas connect to street-level retail and dining spaces, creating a welcoming environment for both employees and visitors. A sunken plaza links the development to Shenzhen’s subway system, facilitating easy access to public transit. From the street level, visitors can take landscaped walkways to the second-floor bridge level, which offers elevated views of the cityscape.
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill begins construction on CIMC global headquarters in Shenzhen
In line with CIMC’s commitment to sustainability and high-quality development in Shenzhen, the design by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) integrates cutting-edge manufacturing technology and environmental strategies. The tower will incorporate energy-efficient systems, such as intelligent daylight sensing, photovoltaic panels, and optimized materials. These efforts aim to meet the highest environmental standards, including Three-Star Green Building, LEED, and WELL Platinum certifications. With the groundbreaking now complete, the CIMC Global Headquarters is on track for a 2029 completion.
the tower will rise 270 meters with 53 stories and serve as a landmark in Qianhai
three nature-infused amenity zones include a sky lobby, rooftop garden, and tiered podium
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13 February 20253 min readSom Breaks Ground On Cimc Tower, Planned With Vertical Gardens To Blossom Over Shenzhen
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13 February 2025
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With A Complete Retrofit, Athens' Piraeus Tower Becomes The First Green Highrise In GreecePiraeus Tower officially opened its doors to tenants and visitors on June 4th, 2024, at the port city of Piraeus in Athens, revealing its award-winning, spring-patterned facade (see more here) designed by PILA. Two months later, the structure’s retrofit was officially completed, earning itself the title of the first green highrise and second tallest building in Greece, marking the starting point of the Athenian Riviera. It stands today as a mixed-used, fully accessible, and sustainable landmark with public open spaces and a contemporary workplace, soaring 88 meters into the sky. ‘This project sets a new standard for urban revitalization in Greece,’ shares Dimitris Andriopoulos, CEO of Piraeus Tower and Dimand.
image © Nikos Daniilidis
Spanning about 35,000 sqm, the first three levels of retail at the Piraeus Tower are already leased to Zara, Zara Home, JDSports, while the third and fourth floor will offer F&B by Nice n’ Easy, and a gym operated by Athlesis. The office levels above will host 2,000 people and are occupied by anchor tenants Dialectica, NorthStandard, and V Group of Companies, among others. The office fit-out for V Group’s headquarters on the 22nd top floor is also designed by the team at PILA. As part of the project, the architects have also designed an elevated walkway from Karaiskaki Square to the park, improving the urban experience and connectivity around the tower. The structure runs atop the port fence, providing unobstructed views of the port. Beyond a typical walkway, it features seating areas for enjoying the view and incorporates green spaces for a more pleasant experience.
image © Nikos Daniilidis
Moving on to the facade design by PILA, a shading structure with vertical and horizontal overhangs encloses the tower. Each vertical fin is horizontally displaced from one floor to the next, creating a spring pattern that wraps around the building. The pattern appears to gently slide from one facade to another, with the resulting visual effect of the facade wrapping around the tower like an immense piece of fabric. This dynamic pattern appears different from various locations, creating a rich visual experience constantly transforming, depending on where one is standing.
image © Yiannis Hadjiaslanis
Designer Thanos Danilof wrapped the facade in a lighting system that features sequences of colors and luminous intensities on all the fins of the Piraeus Tower in Athens. During special occasions, such as the welcoming of the Olympic Flame, the exterior lights up with unique hues, including a permanent sequence appearing warm white. ‘This is chosen after studies were conducted for the best environmental conditions to have a mild intensity that protects against light pollution and energy consumption. The energy required to light up the tower each night is equal to the energy consumed by two home A/C units,‘ notes the team. PILA’s facade has been awarded a 2024 CTBUH Facade Award of Excellence and will be presented at the Barbican Centre in London on September 23rd, 2024.
image © Yiannis Hadjiaslanis
The Piraeus Tower is set to become the first LEED Platinum-certified tower in Greece and has also enrolled in the WELL Core™ program to prioritize the health and well-being of its tenants and end-users. It embraces circular economy principles by separating pre-existing glazing and aluminum from other facade elements, sending them to Saint-Gobain in Romania for recycling, and then returning them to Greece for reuse, resulting in 126 tonnes of recycled glass. Each floor is equipped with smart systems (BMS) that allow tenants to operate independently based on their specific needs.
image © Yiannis Hadjiaslanis
The rooftop features 500 square meters of photovoltaic panels, and the building is equipped with the latest cooling and heating systems. The basements provide 44 parking spaces with charging stations, three generators for backup power, and six water tanks to reuse collected greywater. Lastly, the Piraeus Tower in Athens is conveniently accessible by all forms of public transportation, enabling occupants and visitors to commute easily and access boats, trains, and airplanes for leisure travel.
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13 February 20254 min readWith A Complete Retrofit, Athens' Piraeus Tower Becomes The First Green Highrise In Greece
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13 February 2025
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Excavations Progress Rapidly At Mukaab, Saudi Arabia'S Monumental Cubed SkyscraperSaudi Arabia’s ambitious New Murabba project, announced last year by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), continues its rapid transformation as it moves closer to becoming the world’s largest modern downtown. At the core of megapolis development sits the Mukaab, a cube-shaped skyscraper large enough to fit 20 Empire State Buildings and rising 400 meters high against the skyline. Integrated with immersive digital and virtual technologies, it is slated to become one of the largest built structures in the world upon completion.
Recent reports reveal significant progress for the broader masterplan in Riyadh, with 86% of the excavation now complete. Over 10 million cubic meters of earth have been moved in preparation for the monumental structure and its surrounding podium sites. In keeping with the project’s focus on sustainability, the excavation process has been managed with aims to reduce the impact on local infrastructure. A crucial aspect of this effort is the construction of a temporary bridge over King Khalid Road, which is projected to eliminate approximately 800,000 truck movements on public roads, drastically minimizing disruption to the surrounding area. Read designboom’s previous coverage here.
recent reports reveal significant progress on-site | all images courtesy of Public Investment Fund
Riyadh’s New Murabba mega project was initially announced by HRH Mohammad bin Salman as an initiative of the Saudi Vision 2030 strategy, led by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) authorities. The destination is envisioned to become an iconic global destination while fostering sustainable urban growth. Spanning two million square meters of cultural, commercial, and residential space, the project includes over 104,000 residential units, 620,000 square meters of leisure facilities, and 1.8 million square meters dedicated to community spaces. Anchored by its futuristic vision, New Murabba will create 334,000 jobs and add SAR180 billion (£40 billion) to the country’s non-oil GDP, positioning Riyadh as a leading global hub for innovation and tourism.
The anchoring Mukaab skyscraper, architecturally inspired by a modern interpretation of Najdi design elements, will become the world’s first immersive destination offering a futuristic hospitality experience realized with digital and virtual technology. Inside, it will comprise a futuristic amalgamation of modern day luxuries including fine dining restaurants, retail, and residential living, marked by a monumental towering spiral structure composed of stacked organic forms. The outer dome of the atrium encompassing the tower will be fitted with cutting-edge holographics and virtual reality screens, reflecting surreal, scenic vistas to transport visitors and locals into a ‘gateway to another world.’
New Murabba downtown will be ‘the new face of Riyadh’
the Mukaab skyscraper anchors the new modern downtown development
New Murabba forms part of the Saudi Vision 2030 strategy
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13 February 20253 min readExcavations Progress Rapidly At Mukaab, Saudi Arabia'S Monumental Cubed Skyscraper
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13 February 2025
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Twisting Office Tower By Ini Design Studio Rises Over Tech City In IndiaINI Design Studio presents Shivalik Curv, a 32-story office tower located in GIFT City, Ahmedabad, designed to provide 47,000 sqm of Grade-A office space. Its twisting form, leaning 25 meters over a height of 120 meters, incorporates a 38-degree rotational shift on each level, offering dynamic views of the cityscape. For the tower’s design, the architects were inspired by the fluidity of human movement, establishing a distinct presence within the urban skyline.
The building includes a green terrace on the third level, a 107-meter atrium to maximize natural light, and a rooftop restaurant with panoramic views. These elements are integrated to create an interactive user-centered workspace environment. Sustainable features such as energy-efficient cooling, solar panels, and rainwater harvesting align the design with GIFT City’s focus on eco-conscious urban development, setting an example for sustainable architecture.
renders by Studio Flamebirds, Skill House | all images courtesy of INI Design Studio
The design of Shivalik Curv reflects innovation and modernity within Gujarat International Finance Tech City, India’s first operational Greenfield smart city. The client envisioned a high-performance office tower that would contribute a unique identity to the area. Its rotational geometry, with each floor shifting by one degree, symbolizes movement and progress, resonating with the evolving finance and technology sectors. The curved lines of the building integrate into the surrounding public spaces, promoting collaboration and interaction. The tower’s distinct visual identity is enhanced by landscaped areas and artistic sculptures, fostering a cohesive relationship between architecture and its urban context. Its dynamic form makes Shivalik Curv a landmark for GIFT City, aligning with the city’s aspirations for innovative and sustainable urban growth.
The architectural concept by INI Design Studio combines artistry with functional design principles. The semicircular site and rotational form create a fluid silhouette that reflects movement. Each floor rotates by 38 degrees from the base to the top, generating panoramic views of GIFT City. The facade design emphasizes this rotation while allowing natural light to penetrate office spaces, reducing energy dependence and improving occupant comfort. The flexible floor plans accommodate various tenant needs, from startups to established firms, enabling custom configurations. Curved lines from the building extend into the public plaza and driveway, unifying the design language. A focal sculpture at the driveway reinforces the sense of motion and continuity, complementing the tower’s contemporary design.
the twisting form of Shivalik Curv leans 25 meters, creating a striking skyline presence
The building incorporates a green terrace on the third floor, connecting to a 107-meter atrium that allows daylight to filter into the interior. The rooftop terrace includes a restaurant and amenities, providing views of the GIFT City skyline and the Sabarmati River. Despite its complex geometry, the torsional design is supported by a straightforward structural system with a centralized service core and an exoskeleton frame.
Shivalik Curv integrates environmentally responsive design in line with GIFT City’s sustainability goals. The building employs an energy-efficient cooling system to minimize operational energy use and features solar panels to generate renewable energy. Rainwater harvesting systems reduce water consumption, while the design emphasizes natural daylighting to lower reliance on artificial lighting. The green terrace enhances thermal performance while serving as a space for interaction, contributing to the building’s overall energy efficiency. These interventions ensure a reduced environmental footprint, positioning Shivalik Curv as a model for sustainable office architecture.
each floor of Shivalik Curv rotates by 38 degrees, offering dynamic cityscape views
the facade design emphasizes rotation while maximizing daylight penetration
inspired by human movement, Shivalik Curv reflects fluidity in its design
Shivalik Curv aims to be a model for sustainable office architecture in smart city development
Shivalik Curv’s curved lines extend into public spaces, promoting urban interaction
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13 February 20254 min readTwisting Office Tower By Ini Design Studio Rises Over Tech City In India
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13 February 2025
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Woods Bagot-Designed Six Senses Skyscraper In Dubai Bridges Holistic And Luxury LivingWith architecture by Woods Bagot and and interiors by Mitchell & Eades, boutique hospitality group Six Senses presents a supertall skyscraper that unites ultra-luxury living with a wellness-centric philosophy. Construction on the Six Senses Residences Dubai Marina is already underway in the emirate, slated to stand at 517 meters tall and take the title of the world’s tallest residential tower upon completion in 2028.
Its slender silhouette towers above the Marina skyline crowned with a tapered peak. Within, across its 122 stories, 251 residences ranging from deluxe residences and half-floor penthouses to triplex Sky Mansions will unfold alongside ‘layers’ of communal spaces. Each dwelling offers residents a holistic and sustainable lifestyle experience, infused with biophilia and classical feng shui elements alongside bespoke amenities promoting residential health.
all renders by Mitchell & Eades
Developed in collaboration with UAE-based real estate developers Select Group, architecture studio Woods Bagot, and WSP Middle East, Six Senses Residences Dubai Marina will embrace sweeping vistas of the Marina, Palm Jumeirah, coastline, and beyond across all of its residences. The two- to four-bedroom residences, ranging from 1,977 square feet to 5,773 square feet, are fitted with bespoke timber joinery and delicate bronze accents that cast a warm, golden glow, harmonized with sleek metallic accents. Ample sunlight bathes the interiors, filtering through full-height windows and doors that open onto expansive balconies positioned at opposite ends.
The four- and five-bedroom duplex and triplex Sky Mansions are spaciously abundant, with open-plan programs integrating living areas, study spaces, gyms, and cinema rooms. Residents of the duplex and triplex Sky Mansions, which range from 8,997 square feet to 14,102 square feet, have access to an array of extensive luxury amenities crafted to enhance longevity, wellness, and human connection.
Six Senses Residences Dubai Marina will become the world’s tallest residential tower
Four levels on the upper section of the Six Senses Residences Dubai Marina integrate fitness facilities, entertainment, landscaped social spaces, wellness treatment areas, and more. The Connectivity level embodies a hive of interaction that combines productivity and leisure with a strong sense of community. Amenities include a residents’ lounge, meeting rooms, study area, games room, cinema, and an outdoor gym. The Balance level is curated to offer an all-encompassing fitness and wellness journey where residents can enjoy hydrotherapy treatments and saunas and an infinity pool with sun loungers.
The Longevity level, serene and holistic, features a longevity clinic, crystal sound healing room, hyperbaric treatment rooms, massage treatment rooms, fitness studios, and a gymnasium. At the Horizon level on the 109th floor, the design team has created a retreat from the vibrant cityscape where jacuzzis and a pool are accompanied by a sunrise yoga deck amid landscaped gardens.
slated to stand at 517 meters tall with 122 stories
architecture by Woods Bagot
the project unites ultra-luxury living with a wellness-centric philosophy
the Horizon level is a wellness retreat amid landscaped gardens
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13 February 20253 min readWoods Bagot-Designed Six Senses Skyscraper In Dubai Bridges Holistic And Luxury Living
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13 February 2025
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Som Will Turn Tall Buildings Into ‘Big Batteries’ That Can Store And Supply Renewable EnergyIn May 2024, Energy Vault, a company specializing in grid-scale energy storage, announced a global partnership with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) to transform tall buildings and superstructures into ‘big batteries’ using the technology called gravity energy storage systems (GESS). The partnership was prompted by the energy company’s system named G-VAULT, which is a way of storing energy. It resembles a giant seesaw, a high-tech one in this case, that uses heavy weights that go up and down, and the system employs gravity to store renewable energy. These tall buildings are yet to be built and identified, as well as the location where they would be constructed.
SOM and Energy Vault are expected to use smart computers and technologies like artificial intelligence, robust materials and modern engineering to build a system that can lift these heavy weights. When there’s excess energy (for example, at night), these superstructures use that electricity to lift a very heavy weight up high. When these tall buildings need more electricity, like during the day when there’s more work, they let the weight come back down, and as it falls, it creates energy and supplies renewable electricity. Energy Vault began working with SOM during the last 12 months to optimize the structure, architecture, and economics of its GESS technology.
images courtesy of Energy Vault and SOM | video stills courtesy of Energy Vault, via Youtube
These days, most structures that store extra electricity use pumped hydro storage, which is similar to a water reservoir uphill. The water flows downhill and generates power when the buildings need more electricity, and Energy Vault’s gravity energy storage systems (GESS) work in a similar way, but instead of water, they plan to use giant weights. Unlike pumped hydro, which needs mountains and water, this GESS can be built almost anywhere because it just uses gravity.
SOM and Energy Vault believe this can open up new possibilities for storing clean energy from sources like solar and wind power and add that its systems are built to last for 35 years or more, with minimal upkeep. The clients can choose the size of the system to fit their architectural and technical needs. The use of recycled materials in the system is possible in order to reduce waste, and once installed, these tall buildings have the potential to store and supply renewable energy to power grids for a long period of time without degrading.
SOM and Energy Vault team up to construct tall buildings that can supply renewable energy
To date, Energy Vault has been focusing on their other platform, called EVx, which is the first design for their gravity storage system. They built a 5-megawatt (MW) version of the EVx system in Switzerland to test it out and are now working on creating bigger systems for buildings with multi-gigawatt hours in other countries through partnerships.
These EVx platforms are designed to be modular, so it is easy to add more units and increase the total renewable energy storage capacity. So far, the EVx is currently being developed and deployed via license agreements in China (3.7 GWh announced projects), Egypt, Greece and the 16-country South African Development Community.
the renewable energy in buildings that SOM and Energy Vault will create use gravity to store electricity
SOM is stepping in to help Energy Vault improve their EVx system to make it more efficient by using less energy and cost-effective. This includes designing much taller towers for lifting the weights, with some of them potentially being over 300 meters or 1,000 meters tall. By finding architectural and technical ways to make the system more efficient, they can get the benefits of the energy storage system back quicker.
So far, they expect the carbon payback to be in three to four years. This means the time it takes to offset the energy used to build the system is shorter. SOM has designed many of the world’s most well-known buildings, including Burj Khalifa, Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, Willis Tower, and One World Trade Center.
unlike pumped hydro, the gravity system can be built almost anywhere because it just uses gravity
SOM and Energy Vault believe this can lead to storing clean energy from solar and wind power
project info:
name: Gravity energy storage systems (GESS)
architecture firm: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)
company: Energy Vault
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13 February 20254 min readSom Will Turn Tall Buildings Into ‘Big Batteries’ That Can Store And Supply Renewable Energy
Design Boom
13 February 2025
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