Altair, Modern skyscraper in Colombo, Sri Lanka
The Altair building consists of a 68-floor vertical tower and a 63-floor leaning tower, reaching a height of 240 meters over Beira Lake.
Construction of this residential complex started in the early 2010s, faced a five-year interruption, and finally reached completion in March 2021.
The building combines residential spaces with retail areas, reflecting the evolution of urban development in contemporary Sri Lankan architecture.
The structure contains 400 residential units, nine high-speed elevators, two service elevators, and 40,000 square feet of retail space at street level.
The sloping tower incorporates a diagrid system that eliminates the need for internal columns while maximizing natural light and air circulation.
Location: Colombo
Architects: Moshe Safdie
Architectural style: modern architecture
Floors above the ground: 68
GPS coordinates: 6.91889,79.85444
Latest update: May 27, 2025 12:55
This collection brings together major works by architect Moshe Safdie, whose practice is distinguished by particular attention to natural light, outdoor spaces, and the integration of buildings into their surroundings. From Montreal to Singapore, through Jerusalem and several American cities, his projects demonstrate an approach that seeks to reconcile contemporary needs with respect for local contexts. Among the featured works are Habitat 67 in Montreal, an experimental residential complex composed of stacked concrete modules offering each unit its own terrace, and the Marina Bay Sands complex in Singapore with its three towers connected by a 340-meter terrace. The collection also includes several museums such as the Yad Vashem Holocaust History Museum in Jerusalem, the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, and the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa. Other projects like the Salt Lake City Public Library, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City, or the Khalsa Heritage Memorial Complex in India illustrate the diversity of architectural programs entrusted to Safdie throughout his career.
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