Cayan Tower, Spiral skyscraper in Dubai Marina, United Arab Emirates
Cayan Tower is a skyscraper in the Dubai Marina neighborhood of the United Arab Emirates, rising to a height of 306.4 meters with 73 floors. The high-tech architecture style creates a complete 90-degree rotation from ground level to the top of the building.
Construction began in 2006 but had to pause due to flooding at the building site. After an 18-month interruption, the tower was completed in June 2013.
The tower represents modern Arabic architectural innovation through its geometric transformation, standing as a testament to Dubai's engineering capabilities.
The building is served by eight elevators that handle transport through the rotating structure. Most residential units feature reconstituted wood flooring and kitchen elements designed to avoid direct exposure to sunlight.
At completion, the tower held the record as the tallest twisted building in the world. The full 90-degree rotation spreads evenly across the entire height of the residential structure.
Location: Emirate of Dubai
Inception: 2013
Architects: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
Official opening: June 10, 2013
Architectural style: high-tech architecture
Floors above the ground: 73
Elevators: 8
Height: 306.4 m
Website: http://cayan.net/cayantower
GPS coordinates: 25.08689,55.14522
Latest update: December 5, 2025 16:36
Architecture does not have to follow straight lines and right angles. This collection presents buildings that stand out through their form: domes, spirals, tilted facades or organic structures that recall animals or plants. From Gaudí's mosaic covered works in Barcelona to the stacked concrete cubes of Habitat 67 in Montreal or the conical trulli of Alberobello, these structures demonstrate alternative approaches to construction. Some emerged from technical necessity, such as the temporary cardboard cathedral in Christchurch after the 2011 earthquake. Others are artistic statements: the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao with its titanium plates, the Dancing House in Prague or the cubist houses in Rotterdam. In Đà Lạt, the Crazy House transforms tree trunks and caves into habitable spaces, while the Atomium in Brussels represents a magnified iron crystal. These structures attract visitors but also raise questions about function and livability. The Longaberger Basket Building in Ohio takes the form of a seven story basket. The Lotus Temple in New Delhi uses concrete shells to form 27 petals. The Aldar headquarters in Abu Dhabi resembles a circular coin. These buildings expand the definition of what architecture can be.
Contemporary skyscrapers push the boundaries of vertical architecture with structures that challenge gravity through rotations, twists, and spirals. These buildings reflect advances in structural engineering and allow for residential, commercial, and cultural structures with facades that sometimes rotate 90 degrees from base to top. The Cayan Tower in Dubai stands out with its 1,014-foot height and a full rotation across 73 floors, while the Shanghai Tower reaches 2,073 feet thanks to a twisted shape that reduces wind pressure. These structures can be found worldwide. The Absolute World Towers in Mississauga, Canada, feature wavy designs that earned them the nickname Marilyn Monroe Towers. In Prague, the Dancing House impresses with its curved glass walls contrasting with surrounding historic architecture. The Soumaya Museum in Mexico City displays an asymmetric form covered with thousands of hexagonal aluminum panels. The Lakhta Tower in Saint Petersburg and Capital Gate in Abu Dhabi complete this international selection, illustrating how contemporary architects transform city skylines through engineering feats that combine aesthetics with structural performance.
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