Aldar Headquarters building, Office building in Al Raha Beach, United Arab Emirates
The circular tower reaches 121 meters (397 feet) in height and features a diagonal steel grid that eliminates the need for internal support columns. The convex facade encloses 23 floors of office space with continuous glass windows spanning the entire perimeter of each level.
MZ Architects completed this 23-floor commercial tower in 2010 as headquarters for Aldar Properties in Abu Dhabi. The design concept emerged from a competition where numerous international architecture firms submitted proposals. Construction took four years and required specialized engineering techniques for the curved steel structure.
This structure represents Abu Dhabi's position as a center for architectural experimentation in the Middle East and serves as a widely recognized landmark of modern urban development at Raha Beach. Engineers and architecture students throughout the Gulf region use it as a reference project for innovative building techniques.
The tower contains 12 passenger elevators and 2 service elevators plus a comprehensive management system for security and maintenance. Visitors can view the exterior from adjacent Raha Beach or from Al Raha Beach Road, as it houses private office space without public access.
The diagrid structural system marks the first application of this engineering technique in United Arab Emirates construction. The exoskeletal structure distributes the entire weight of the tower across its outer shell, creating flexibility in interior space design without load-bearing walls.
Location: Abu Dhabi
Inception: 2010
Floors above the ground: 23
GPS coordinates: 24.44111,54.57528
Latest update: December 1, 2025 11:45
Circular architecture has fascinated builders since ancient times. This collection brings together Roman amphitheatres like the Colosseum, medieval towers such as the Round Tower in Copenhagen, baroque domed structures and modern constructions. The circular form offers practical advantages for acoustic properties, structural stability and optimal space usage. The selected buildings serve various functions: religious temples, fortifications, observatories, museums and event venues. Each example demonstrates how architects have adapted the circular form to local conditions and cultural requirements. From ancient stone structures to contemporary skyscrapers, this selection documents technical evolution across centuries.
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.
This collection brings together high rises and structures from different continents that redefine conventional building standards through their exceptional architecture. From the spiral rotation of Turning Torso in Malmö to the distinctive form of the CCTV Headquarters in Beijing, these buildings showcase innovative approaches to construction and design. The selection includes Burj Khalifa in Dubai, currently the world's tallest building at 2,717 feet (828 meters), as well as Marina Bay Sands in Singapore with its distinctive rooftop terrace. The collection also presents cultural facilities such as the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao by Frank Gehry with its sculptural titanium facades and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Additional examples are the Absolute World Towers in Mississauga, known as the Marilyn Monroe Towers for their twisted structure, as well as Shanghai Tower, which rises 2,073 feet (632 meters). The Guangzhou Opera House and the Helix Bridge in Singapore demonstrate the diversity of contemporary architectural solutions. Each of these structures combines technical innovation with architectural vision and shapes its city's skyline. From historic skyscrapers like the Empire State Building to modern developments like Bosco Verticale in Milan with its planted facades, this selection offers insights into the evolution of high rise construction worldwide.
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