The SOM-designed Cayan (formerly Infinity) Tower—the world’s tallest twisting tower—has opened in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The 75-story residential building features a dramatically rising helix shape for a distinctive addition to the city’s skyline.
The reinforced concrete structure consists of a hexagonal floor plate rotated around a circular core, giving apartments on the lower portion of the tower different views from those on upper floors. MEP systems are situated in the core, allowing straight vertical paths for infrastructure; locations of perimeter columns vary from floor to floor.
Saudi Arabia-based Cayan Investment & Development was the real estate developer. Also on the Building Team: local design consultant Khatib & Alami and primary contractor Arabtec Construction.
All images: Courtesy Cayan Partners
Related Stories
| Sep 26, 2011
Janus Elevator products spins off monitor controls
Elevator fixture line to operate independently of safety edge and communication business.
| Sep 26, 2011
Copper helps serve and protect Lightning Alley
Copper grounding upgrades add protection and reliability to Florida Sheriff's Department.
| Sep 23, 2011
ABI turns positive after four monthly declines
On the heels of a period of weakness in design activity, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) took a sudden upturn in August.
| Sep 23, 2011
Wall Street adage proving true for the office market
Sale prices for office buildings enjoyed a moderate bounce to the upside, following the financial crisis of 2007 - 2008.
| Sep 23, 2011
$5M pledge renewed for Habitat for Humanity
The five-year commitment, which will run through 2015, includes $5 million of donated interior and exterior locks and keys for homes built with Habitat for Humanity homeowner partners and volunteers.
| Sep 23, 2011
Under 40 Leadership Summit
Building Design+Construction’s Under 40 Leadership Summit takes place October 26-28, 2011 Hotel at the Monteleone in New Orleans. Discounted hotel rate deadline: October 2, 2011.
| Sep 20, 2011
Jeanne Gang wins MacArthur Fellowship
Jeanne Gang, a 2011 MacArthur Fellowship winner described by the foundation as "an architect challenging the aesthetic and technical possibilities of the art form in a wide range of structures."
| Sep 20, 2011
Francis Cauffman wins two IDA design awards
The PA/NJ/DE Chapter of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) has presented the Francis Cauffman architecture firm with two awards: the Best Interior Design of 2011 for the W. L. Gore offices in Elkton, MD, and the President’s Choice Award for St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Paterson, NJ.
| Sep 19, 2011
Portland team hired as LEED and commissioning consultants for $5.5B downtown sustainable project in Qatar
The $5.5 billion sustainable downtown regeneration project underway by Msheireb Properties will transform a 76 acres site at the centre of Doha, Qatar’s capital city, recreating a way of living that is rooted in Qatari culture, attracting residents back to the city center and reversing the trend for decentralization.
| Sep 16, 2011
Chicago Architecture Foundation partners with seven renowned architects to re-imagine Chicago neighborhoods
Design on the Edge presents plans created by seven teams of nine Chicago-based architects to reimagine seven of the city’s neighborhoods to encourage street life, retail districts and dense housing around the existing “L” transit system.
