Dubai International Financial Centre launches DIFC Lighthouse Tower

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) announced the launch of DIFC Lighthouse Tower, a landmark 400-metre luxury office tower that will be constructed in the heart of the DIFC District, adjacent to the famous 'Gate' building.
United Arab Emirates: 1 hour, 50 minutes ago PRESS RELEASE

http://www.ameinfo.com/images/news/7/38747-MORNINGVIEW.jpg
Environmentally sensitive design to set benchmark for energy conservation.

The gross floor area of the project will be 90,000 square metres.

A beacon of modernity, the Lighthouse will be characterised by special external lighting features that will distinguish it from all other high-rise buildings in Dubai. As well, the approved environmentally sensitive design of the tower will include provisions for various applications for renewable energy, reduced carbon emissions and energy saving techniques.

His Excellency Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman, Governor of DIFC, said:
'The launch of the DIFC Lighthouse Tower, the newest landmark on the skyline of Dubai comes in line with our objective with the ongoing expansion of the DIFC and concomitant growth of the emirate, this tower will help meet the burgeoning demand for high-quality office space in the heart of our thriving community.'

He continued: 'The unique design of this slender tower will make it stand out, especially at night, when the external lighting will serve, like a lighthouse, to attract the admiration of residents and visitors alike. We are particularly proud of the project's environmentally friendly and sensitive design, which will set a new benchmark for energy conservation in the region.'




http://i9.tinypic.com/2dr6lp3.jpg

http://i12.tinypic.com/2ngh2z8.jpg

http://i16.tinypic.com/2gw9xf7.jpg

http://i5.tinypic.com/2vxrw52.jpg

Sooo beautiful!!! the design is speechless.

man thats a hot building! and when it starts getting built i will keep you updated from my bedroom lol! GO DIFC!

From the Atkins website:


400m
66-storey commercial tower
84,000 sqm of office space
140,000 sqm of total built up area
Basement and podium parking
Convention centres
Retail
Environmental visitor centre
Three 29m 225KV wind turbines
4000 PV spandrel panels (solar panels basically)
Aims to reduce its total energy consumption by up to 65%

location has changed slightly and its now behind the gate as apposed to the side in thsese renders

:) very interesting design. nice! when it should be completed?

due to break ground ASAP as it has endorsement from rulers court

wonderful tower but it looks similar to the Index

SA Boy, so is this going to be right next to the al fattan tower? That's where the render shows it but the render doesn't show al fattan. I remember you said the location of al fattan in my 3D model was wrong so I'd like to know.

This is what seems to be the case now:

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/8012/bigfatmapwhitezk3.jpg

Fantasticaly beautiful design

holy crap, awesome

This will be perfect with The INDEX tower just down the road.

wow!!! it reminds me on Egyptian monuments or somethin'

it's pretty and it's structure has resemblence to that of INDEX.this will be a wide tower as well.

wow another 400m tower to add density

From what i can see, there this is the onyl available space behind the gate for it. i put in limestone house (union properties) and the previous location as gathered from the photos.

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/6099/newms1.jpg

Awesome tower...but doesn't make sense...as in it doesn't seem to have a lot of space to rent or sell units. Seems that its just for show more than money making.

Actually it should be behind the limestone house and next to the tower you have marked. The marked tower is a different one called currency house I think (or al fattan tower)

Alrite, i changed the location. It seems its going to be hard for construction vehicles to enter and exit the building sites now! those offices will have to go!

http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/2394/new11111kl2.jpg

click for large image
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/2518/new11111xs7.th.jpg (http://img294.imageshack.us/my.php?image=new11111xs7.jpg)

66 floor? less then the index (86 fl) that is "only" 306m

The top third is there to hold the turbines or fans.

Beautidul design

The tower has a great design, the facade looks wonderful with the icon of the DIFC.

Very beautiful design. :eek: But I take issue with top third of empty lattice, so reminiscent of the previous Freedom Tower. :ohno: This technique of using lattice to artificially swell the height mark by 50% , brought about with the excuse of fan turbines, is as lame as using long spires. A real 400m supertall should have around 90-100 floors, not 66.

It kinda resembles the index tower.

From Architect's website:

http://i16.tinypic.com/2pzfm89.jpg

WOW ! amazing nice design

Go Dubai :banana:

unreal......:drool:

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/5249/render1hh8.jpg

amazing design! brilliant

Is the top, the "transparent" section occupiable?

it faces the sunrise and the sunset, simply iconic :)

Malec, its first location was next to the substation opposite emiretas towers but its moved behind the gate somewhere now. I havent seen a new location for it but belive its on the site of the horrible spotty tower

Love the design.. but ok, is this building really going to be built?
If it does, anyone knows more or less the completition date?

WHOAAA !!! another supertall .. this tower is just STUNNING .. looks like a more stretched up version of the INDEX . n u know wot .. i think this cud set another record .. .. THE TALLEST 66 STOREY BUILDING .. :nuts:
n i like the the energy generation thru wind turbines .. jes like the Bahrain Financial Harbour ..
wonder wen teh construction begins ..
:banana:

Malec, its first location was next to the substation opposite emiretas towers but its moved behind the gate somewhere now. I havent seen a new location for it but belive its on the site of the horrible spotty tower

It's like this, the new render shows the location really clearly I think, it's just that it has omitted certain towers so that they don't get in the way. Actually now that I think of it the spotty tower was probably a proposal for this site rather than for the one it's on now.

And an even clearer render:

http://www.difc.ae/press_centre/archive/2007/images/376.JPG

I remember when I first saw this tower in the ATKINS (the architect) stand in CITYSCAPE 2006 Exibition, held in early December 2006.

I took a picture of the poster displayed and a guy from ATKINS said to me: "This is copyright infrigement", to which I replied: "I don't think so ... since it is publicly displayed". Hi smiled (more like frowning actually) and said "It's not a problem ...".

I asked him if the project was real, meaning if it was something to go through and not just a fancy concept. He didn't took that very well either ... :D

That is one HOT tower!

WOW! superb design!! it mixes Arabian Traditional design and modernity..!! great!!

Is the top, the "transparent" section occupiable?

:bash:
not unless you want to live in a wind turbine :lol:

State of art building :cheers:

Damn man Dubai realy kicks but with another supertall!!! It has a nice design and it generates its own power!!!!!!!!!!

Cheers Dubai cheers cheers!! :cheers:!

:bash:
not unless you want to live in a wind turbine :lol:

Height cheat? :lol:

^^ Even without the top section, it is still taller then any building you have in your city :lol:

Height cheat? :lol:

How could it possibly be cheating? It does not use its unoccupied area to break any records. You know, there can be legitimate reasons for unoccupied parts of a building besides just adding height, such as completing an aesthetically pleasing design, creating wind dampening shape, or like this one, producing power. Should every tower in the world regardless of size have to have floors to the very top just so you won't worry about it cheating in a non existing race? This building isn't claiming to be the tallest anything, it's not "stealing" any records from anyone, so who cares?

It looks very nice, when they will start to build it?

Very Arabian Style..Great tower! Great Dubai!

4 the first look i thought it was from south-east asia
i think design is strange something 4 dubai though it looks like The Index tower but taller, i like 2 things in this tower, the first is the 3 wind mills at its top, they exploited wind power at high altitudes 2 run them and get energy, the second is DIFC slogan that printed on its glass and around wind mills

another *typical* dubai tower
;-)
great design, I like it!

Great design. Not to sure about have 2 similar tower close to each other. Will they be 'facing' the same direction?
Really like the idea of having the wind turbines to create its own energy. Makes it a very 'green' building.

http://web19.golf514.server4you.de/images/stories/laasow/20060914_1560_laasow_fertig.jpg

however it would beat the tallest wind turbine in the world. to centre of rotor the fuhrlander laasow tower in germany is 160m, the rotor being 90m in diameter.

I like it. Very unique.

Awesome, looks like building from Unreal Tournament ;)

simply stunning. Dubai will have some of the worlds great skyscrapers. and there SO TALL! not 200-300m but 400m,500m and beyond. its putting rest of world to shame.lol

http://web19.golf514.server4you.de/images/stories/laasow/20060914_1560_laasow_fertig.jpg

however it would beat the tallest wind turbine in the world. to centre of rotor the fuhrlander laasow tower in germany is 160m, the rotor being 90m in diameter.

To put this into perspective, the diameter of the rotor is the same as the footprint of the Burg Dubai!! :D

That is one MONSTER of a turbine, very interesting how it was errected. Google it and see...

Great design. Not to sure about have 2 similar tower close to each other. Will they be 'facing' the same direction?
Really like the idea of having the wind turbines to create its own energy. Makes it a very 'green' building.

No they'll not face each other, almost at a 90 degree angle

My "cut&paste" take on the location and the way it fits into SZR's skyline. its going to look great when its done! :)

http://i17.tinypic.com/42sty4n.jpg

Amazing renders at http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=998


Atkins strives for low carbon precedent

Low carbon commercial towers may one day become a reality in Dubai thanks to international consultants Atkins, whose Middle East operation is currently undertaking the concept design for ‘The Lighthouse’, located in the heart of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). In setting a new benchmark for Dubai, the 400-metre luxury office tower aspires to be a low carbon commercial building which aims to reduce its total energy consumption by up to 65% and water consumption by up to 40%. This will be achieved through the use of passive solar architecture, many low energy, low water engineering solutions, recovery strategies for both energy and water and building integrated renewables – including large scale wind turbines and photovoltaics. During the development of the design Atkins will map and manage the embodied energy content of the building and select materials from sustainable sources, so that impact on global resources is controlled. Already this is leading designers to consider a steel frame solution for this structure. Additionally, features such as floorplates interconnected by micro-atria and the inclusion of inter connecting vertical gardens are being actively considered to enhance the social aspects of this building. From the early stages of the project, Atkins will work closely with DIFC to establish and rigorously evaluate options for achieving a low carbon building before making final recommendations. Inspired by the rectilinear context and simple minimalist lines of the existing DIFC precinct, as well as the client’s requirement of creating a ‘lighthouse’ for DIFC, the building generates active energy through three integrated 29m diameter wind turbines. To optimise performance and operational periods, the turbines have windward directional wind vanes or limited yaw and the spandrel glazing sections of the south facing vertical façade incorporate 4000 photo voltaic panels. This unique building, with a total construction area of 140,000 sq m, will become a working prototype for low carbon towers within the region and a model for more sustainable developments in the future. Features: 400m high; 66-storey commercial office tower; three 29m diameter, 225 KV wind turbines; 4000 PV spandrel panels; 84,000 sq m of commercial space as well as basement and podium parking, convention centres, retail, environmental visitor centre and a park connecting to the DIFC central spine.

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/998_1_1000%20Atkins%20Lighthouse%201.jpg

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/998_2_1000%20Atkins%20Lighthouse%202.jpg

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/998_3_1000%20Atkins%20Lighthouse%203.jpg

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/998_4_1000%20Atkins%20Lighthouse%204.jpg

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/998_5_1000%20Atkins%20Lighthouse%205.jpg

:cheers:, thank you malec.

Nice good looking tower...my question...

?how practical?

wow those were great pics. i just realised that the white design in front of the windows is the logo for difx!!!

nice job dubai! theyve managed to make everyone think this is new cutting edge design, when most should see its just a copy of john hancock center. its even got X's throughout the structure. damn this building makes me sick to look at.

/\ you are weird, the X brace is a structural thing, i think, dude its so different to Hancock, how can you even say such a stupid thing!

The Xs on the tower are actually the DIFC logo. I think it's cool how they've managed to incorparate this into the design. Normally this type of thing results in the tackiness factor increasing but it's the opposite here.

I just say what I feel, its so simple.
Its ugly anyways, but if I only just disliked the design I wouldnt have said anything. if a mod doesnt want negative posts about a tower they should say it, until then thats my opinion, thanks.

It is a beauty ! I really like it, but i wish it could have floors until the very top of the tower.........

that is one freakin cool ass building...the idea with the turbines...brilliant!!

Has construction began on this project

AWESOME¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡


Nice and enviromental friendly design¡¡¡¡ :banana:

that's what dubai and the world shoul do¡¡¡

nice job dubai! theyve managed to make everyone think this is new cutting edge design, when most should see its just a copy of john hancock center. its even got X's throughout the structure. damn this building makes me sick to look at.

yes it looks JUST like the john hancock tower. theyre both black, they both have occupiable floors all the wya up to the top of the building, theyre both the same thickness, they both have the same eco-friendly design, they both have antennas at the top, theyre both the same height, and they both have the same facade.

yes it looks JUST like the john hancock tower. theyre both black, they both have occupiable floors all the wya up to the top of the building, theyre both the same thickness, they both have the same eco-friendly design, they both have antennas at the top, theyre both the same height, and they both have the same facade.

Your completely right luv2bebrown, how could we have overlooked this!! :wallbash:

/\ you are weird, the X brace is a structural thing...


As malec said, those "X braces" are not structural elements, they are the logo of Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). :cheers:


... I still don't understand though how Rizzato came to the conclusion that this building ressambles the Hancock Centre in any way.

As malec said, those "X braces" are not structural elements, they are the logo of Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). :cheers:


... I still don't understand though how Rizzato came to the conclusion that this building ressambles the Hancock Centre in any way.

Perhaps it was the basic 2D shape. Wait this is far less la chucky.

I reckon they put the hole John Hancock Tower through one of those new giant 3D replicator machines out of Star Trek and plopt it down in the middle of Dubai :shocked:

nice job dubai! theyve managed to make everyone think this is new cutting edge design, when most should see its just a copy of john hancock center. its even got X's throughout the structure. damn this building makes me sick to look at.

Dude, i just said that in the post above yours.

I cant believe i didnt see this one before, a beauty :D


John Hancock tower and this one has about as much resemblance as any two kubic skyscrapers in the world. Your have to overlook almost all architechtural elements to call them similiar :O

I dont want to take anythin away from the tower, my opinion really holds no water anyways...its just seriously, theres a striking resemblance in those pics [at first glance]. last night :cheers: really brought the good shit and now I see this tower as purely unique

Good on ya mate! :)

SUPERCOOOLLLL TOWER!!!!! :banana2:

It does resemble the JHC a bit because both have this sort of shape:

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/8987/untitled1aw4.jpg


In fact the index looks more like the JHC since it's also bulky (not saying that's a bad thing of course)

As malec said, those "X braces" are not structural elements, they are the logo of Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). :cheers:


... I still don't understand though how Rizzato came to the conclusion that this building ressambles the Hancock Centre in any way.

I was refering to the X-brace of the Hancock.

frikkin beautiful

this is the first thing in all of dubai, that I don't hate. (some tower designs are nice yes, but what an awful place) Hopefully this tower marks the start of a new environment-freindly movement in dubai (I certainly hope so)

So different from all the other towers:) I like it.

priceless!

When is the construction starting for this monster tower?

man this is one hot skyscraper... go Dubai! :banana:

there's one tower and im dying to know the name of it. i dont know if its in dubai or not but i think it is. The front tapers back as it gets higher and then at the very top there's a rectangle shape hole (i guess for an observation deck or something) that goes through the hole building... can anyone help?

nevermind. i figured out what building it was. it was the shanghai world financial center. i dont know why i thought the tower was in dubai

When is the construction starting for this monster tower?
Monster tower? :crazy: Do you realize this is actually just an average ~250 m 60-something-floor building, only with ~150 m of cheating latticework added on top of it to make it look as if it were a 400 m 100-floor supertall when it's not?

Excellent design. A real breath of fresh, if slightly sandy, air. :)

I just showed the renders to someone and they said that it looks like a cheese grater. And it kind of does (and yes, i know that 122 Leadenhall is nicknamed the Cheese Grater).

wow i really like the 1st render... finally something that doesn't look tacky

U/C??

Don't think so!

This really is a favourite of mine.It's very beautiful.

U/C??

no.

U/C??

no it's not ;)

Great googly moogly! I just geekgasmed on meself!

Dreamy design!

24/Aug/2007

Lighthouse Tower

soil testing , they didnt know the name of the building but the clients are DIFC and Atkins:)

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/3166/imresolt141ka0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/8586/imresolt166rv3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/5488/imresolt146tj6.th.jpg (http://img511.imageshack.us/my.php?image=imresolt146tj6.jpg)http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/2426/imresolt160fn5.th.jpg (http://img177.imageshack.us/my.php?image=imresolt160fn5.jpg)http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/5026/imresolt161ni6.th.jpg (http://img177.imageshack.us/my.php?image=imresolt161ni6.jpg)http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/8117/imresolt162ao1.th.jpg (http://img207.imageshack.us/my.php?image=imresolt162ao1.jpg)http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/3010/imresolt163pq3.th.jpg (http://img503.imageshack.us/my.php?image=imresolt163pq3.jpg)http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/6379/imresolt164xn7.th.jpg (http://img177.imageshack.us/my.php?image=imresolt164xn7.jpg)
http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/9336/imresolt165nm3.th.jpg (http://img260.imageshack.us/my.php?image=imresolt165nm3.jpg)http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/7038/imresolt167fa4.th.jpg (http://img207.imageshack.us/my.php?image=imresolt167fa4.jpg)

cant believe this one is actually happening soon. such a grand design.
then again all designs are grand AND happen in Dubai.
ta imre

It looks OK to me but it seems too damn skinny to be an office tower. I'm use to seeing office towers that are "fat" like the old WTC, IFC, ICC, Sears Tower or SWFC.

oh my god this is amazing this is one of the best towers in dubai which is u/c.

Soil Testing is not UC ;)

Yes soil testing now but I do think it'll be a good while before it's properly under construction. All those solar panels, new technologies, etc

but it will be under u/c in the bigining of 2008

Very futuristic and -in line with current public opinion-enviormentally friendly design. This will be a monster when it's completed. Imagine how extremely large those difc logos will be... :o

currently undergoing Soil Investigations and out to tender soon with a Q1 2008 start date

This is one of the best designs ever made!!! Its awsome end sexy END ecological to... pure exellence style. The best of all HIGHRISE-BUILDINGS!!!

:) :nuts: :)

This is my version I made for SimCity 4, download on Simtropolis.com here (http://www.simtropolis.com/stex/index.cfm?id=18694).

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/5352/horsduvrenm3.th.jpg (http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/5352/horsduvrenm3.jpg)
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/6237/finaldnc3.th.jpg (http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/6237/finaldnc3.jpg)
http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/7825/finalnoi2.th.jpg (http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/7825/finalnoi2.jpg)

wow this one is fabulous!

It's a very mode Omegasis building, can't wait until it is finished.

it's pretty and it's structure has resemblence to that of INDEX.this will be a wide tower as well.

The shape is literally the same

I didn't realize that this building had wind turbines on the upper levels, I think I like this building now.

Sweet! Renders helped showcase an amazing amount of detail and planning with this building even though at first glance it looked plain.

Can't wait to see this one rise up amongst everything else!

16/Oct/2007

Lighthouse Tower

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/3217/imresolt302rd9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/4270/imresolt303lo3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/7672/imresolt313rx7.th.jpg (http://img139.imageshack.us/my.php?image=imresolt313rx7.jpg)http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/6348/imresolt314up2.th.jpg (http://img153.imageshack.us/my.php?image=imresolt314up2.jpg)

fantastic. great model

this one's awesome. if it get's built it's gonna be a work of art. ultra-modern yet classy.

Thank you Imre, this photos are perfect.:)

This tower is stranger, but is very futuristic. Only a bad thing, the last 100 or 150 meters don't have habitable floors, isn't? It's a waste of space of the tower, but it doesn't matter, the tower looks great.

gr8 projects

Thank you Imre, this photos are perfect.:)

This tower is stranger, but is very futuristic. Only a bad thing, the last 100 or 150 meters don't have habitable floors, isn't? It's a waste of space of the tower, but it doesn't matter, the tower looks great.

It isn't a waste of space, three huge wind turbines are up there to produce electricity for the tower.

18/Oct/2007

Cityscape 2007 , Atkins

Lighthouse Tower

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/6935/imresolt041bm5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/5733/imresolt043df9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/9882/imresolt044mq7.th.jpg (http://img181.imageshack.us/my.php?image=imresolt044mq7.jpg)http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/8828/imresolt045ol6.th.jpg (http://img88.imageshack.us/my.php?image=imresolt045ol6.jpg)

It isn't a waste of space, three huge wind turbines are up there to produce electricity for the tower.

Oh men!! Sorry, I didn't know that... it's great that!! Thanks!

This is my version I made for SimCity 4, download on Simtropolis.com here (http://www.simtropolis.com/stex/index.cfm?id=18694).

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/5352/horsduvrenm3.th.jpg (http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/5352/horsduvrenm3.jpg)
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/6237/finaldnc3.th.jpg (http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/6237/finaldnc3.jpg)
http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/7825/finalnoi2.th.jpg (http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/7825/finalnoi2.jpg)

Did you make it? Wonderful:banana:

I also have it in my city;
http://xs320.xs.to/xs320/07424/NewBakaCity.png.xs.jpg (http://xs.to/xs.php?h=xs320&d=07424&f=NewBakaCity.png)

I'm going now, watching IDOLS4!!!:lol:

from the Atkins brochure:

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/5362/save0015rd0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

That air ventilation system seems pretty smart. Strange if not all skyscrapers in Dubai have their air-intakes high up...

When do people expect this building to be finished?

^^ Those are NOT air ventilation systems, those are electricity producing wind turbines

how good is this tower? going to be a fav of mine. such a great concept. hey so is site being prepared now?

^^ Those are NOT air ventilation systems, those are electricity producing wind turbines
I believe he was refering to the ventilation diagram above. My initial reaction was to laugh too though, lol.

Wonderful Tower.:cheers:

Do they start the construction already?

still a preposal!

still a preposal!

Wait till spring 2008... ;)

If it's still a proposal why does it say prep in the thread title. DON'T DECEIVE ME!!!:( I like this tower, I hope it gets constructed.

they're already prepairing the site :)

favorite dubai building

I hope they start soon. if they start 2008, it will not be finished until 2011 or 2012 or maybe longer. but then, the DIFC area combined with SZR will look literaley like a city from space. :cool::yes::uh::shifty::|

I believe he was refering to the ventilation diagram above. My initial reaction was to laugh too though, lol.


Ofcourse:) On the atkins brochure it shows how they will infiltrate the cold air high up and exfiltrate at the bottom. I was commenting that I thought it was strange that this was not normal practise in such warm countries.

^^ For what I know, usually the intake units of the A/C systems are on top.

wow, Dubai impresses me more and more everyday

I hope they start soon. if they start 2008, it will not be finished until 2011 or 2012 or maybe longer. but then, the DIFC area combined with SZR will look literaley like a city from space. :cool::yes::uh::shifty::|
this one will go up quick like Index. 2 years max construction. should be done by 2010.

They could make an SWFC style observation deck.

28/December/2007

Lighthouse Tower

still nothing

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/4074/imresolt047kp2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

dumb question

If there were some they would be posted. Stop asking dumb questions!

almost 3 months since the last update... what's going on, still nothing? no action on site? (:

Changed the title. No work happening

^^ Right!! Maybe soon :hm:

Taken from my trip (early feb):
imagine the mighty lighthouse just behind the gate:
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff108/ekajllahsram/070.jpg

There is a tower, looking like the Lighthouse Tower, anyone know who this one is called?? :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

Index :D

Lol i am surprised at how people see the similarities between the Light House Tower and the Index, they are very similar but isnt Light House tower thinner?

probably thinner and narrower but definitely taller :D

I can't wait until construction commences, it would be an extraordinary building!

probably thinner and narrower but definitely taller :D

not probably...it IS thinner and taller :)

http://www.atkinsdesign.com/html/projects_offices_difc.htm

Here somethig that i found from ATKINS website that building is 350 M and 50 floor and having 29 M diameter wind turbines and 3000 spendril panels.

^^i just checked again,it says 360m tall

Hmm, Wikipedia says construction is estimated to have begun at March, 17th. I wonder if it did.

Anyway, I have a short question for those people here who reside in Dubai. Does the wind in Dubai have a tendency to always come from the same direction? If not, the concept of the wind turbines seems rather silly to me. Why even have them if they only work like ten percent of the time?

Client: DIFC
Project Description: Low-carbon commercial tower with lighting features that accommodates offices, retail, convention centers and car parks.
Location: Dubai, UAE
Architect: Atkins ME

Finally Dubai started thinking green. This is the first environmentally friendly building in Dubai and will be a prototype for future low carbon developments in the region. This commercial office building will be 400m high with 66 storeys. Part of te southern facade will be covered with 4000 PV panels and will have 3 29m diameter, 225 KV wind turbines at the top of the building (much better than having them centimeters away from your office like the BWTC)...

The building will incorporate passive solar systems as well as low energy, low water engineering solutions. Materials will be selected carefully from sustainable sources leading designer to consider steel frame structure as a solution. Vertical gardens and micro-atria are being considered to enhance social aspects of the building and improve the interior qualities.

The lighting feature is important to the client because the building is aimed to be a new landmark with something special that will make it stand out at night, hence the idea of the lighthouse.

The commercial building aims to reduce its total energy consumption up to 65% and water consumption up to 40%... beating BWTC's 15% energy reduction. The project is still in its concept design and the good thing is that the client is involved in the design process because of their sincere interests in achieving a real environmentally friendly building... I just hope that more wealthy developers catch up with this trend.

link: http://search.netscape.com/search/imageDetails?invocationType=imageDetails&query=Lighthouse+Tower&img=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.difc.ae%2Fpress_centre%2Farchive%2F2007%2Fimages%2F376.JPG&site=&host=http%3A%2F%2Fbash-mohandis.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F06%2Flighthouse.html&width=103&height=150&thumbUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fimages-partners-tbn.google.com%2Fimages%3Fq%3Dtbn%3AxpTuTKkYxzNH8M%3Awww.difc.ae%2Fpress_centre%2Farchive%2F2007%2Fimages%2F376.JPG&b=image%3Fquery%3DLighthouse%2520Tower

Does the wind in Dubai have a tendency to always come from the same direction? If not, the concept of the wind turbines seems rather silly to me. Why even have them if they only work like ten percent of the time?

Not just Dubai; but more places on Earth than not have prevailing winds. There are many places where you can count on wind almost always being in one or two directions. I've never been to Dubai, but as it on desert near the sea, it should be that half of the day the winds blow in from the sea and half of the day they blow out to the sea. The turbines will be designed to catch both of these wind directions I presume.

Hmm, Wikipedia says construction is estimated to have begun at March, 17th. I wonder if it did.

no it didn't start ^^, don't trust wikipedia with Construction-start dates

no it didn't start ^^, don't trust wikipedia with Construction-start dates
Well, if I trusted them I wouldn't have asked, would I? ;)

Not just Dubai; but more places on Earth than not have prevailing winds. There are many places where you can count on wind almost always being in one or two directions. I've never been to Dubai, but as it on desert near the sea, it should be that half of the day the winds blow in from the sea and half of the day they blow out to the sea. The turbines will be designed to catch both of these wind directions I presume.
Hmm, makes sense I guess. Meteorology isn't exactly my strongest point, I was just going by what wind power plants are normally constructed by, as in being able to turn into changing winds. But my expertise on the design of wind power plants is pretty much limited to nothern Germany, where we have rather erratic wind patterns, so I guess it makes sense to have more static models in regions where wind patterns are more predictable.

^^ Most of the windmills that can change direction are the little ones that are like 50 feet tall for pumping water and the like. Very near the surface, winds are more erratic; in most areas once you get a couple hundred feet off the ground you have more steady prevailing winds. Thus said, there certainly are some places (perhaps northern Germany like you said...I don't know personally) that don't have as predictable winds. But there are lots of places that are very steady. I live about 30 minutes drive from an area that has very strong winds that are very predictable. The whole valley has been filled with wind turbines, and they are ones that don't swivel...but they are almost always turning :cheers:

Oh man I am so hoping that this tower becomes reality
How many towers never go to UC from APP??? I am getting affraid to never see this one in the APP list

looks very much like the index tower....hopefully it doesnt end up being as ugly....the index is like a modern commie

I like the Index, it is not cladded yet though.

Pretty close to the index as well is it not?

Press Release
Source: Hill International

Hill International Selected as Project Manager for The Lighthouse in Dubai
Friday, 30 May 2008 8:46 am ET


MARLTON, N.J. & DUBAI, United Arab Emirates--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hill International (NYSE:HIL - News), the global leader in managing construction risk, announced today that it has been awarded a contract from the Dubai International Financial Centre Authority to provide project management services during design and construction of The Lighthouse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The three-year contract has an estimated value to Hill of approximately AED9.8 million ($2.7 million).

The Lighthouse has been designed as a low carbon commercial tower and aims to reduce its total energy consumption by up to 65% and water consumption by up to 35% compared to the current Dubai standard design. The high-end commercial skyscraper will reach 400 meters (1312 feet) and contain a gross floor area of more than 100,000 square meters (1.1 million square feet). Construction is expected to begin in November 2008 and be completed by April 2011. The total construction cost is estimated at AED1.0 billion ($272 million).

“The Lighthouse is unlike any other skyscraper in the world,” said Raouf S. Ghali, President of Hill’s Project Management Group (International). “Hill is proud to be a participant in such an innovative project,” Ghali added.

Hill International has 2,000 employees in 70 offices worldwide providing program management, project management, construction management and construction claims services. Engineering News-Record magazine recently ranked Hill as the 10th largest construction management firm in the United States. For more information on Hill, please visit our website at www.hillintl.com.

This press release includes certain statements that fall within the definition of “forward-looking statements” under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, overall economic and market conditions, competitors’ and clients’ actions, and other conditions, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, including those risks identified in Hill’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, such statements should be considered in light of these risks. Any prediction by Hill is only a statement of management’s belief at the time the prediction is made. There can be no assurance that any prediction once made will continue thereafter to reflect management’s belief, and Hill does not undertake to update publicly its predictions, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All currency conversions shown above were made using the exchange rate in effect as of the date of this press release.

(HIL-G)

Source: Hill International


http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080530/20080530005375.html?.v=1

great news, can't wait :cheers:

OMG, :cheers::cheers::cheers: great great great! It will be the climax for Dubai. A full ecological skycraper! Another juwel in the massive skyline of many fascinating skycrapers!

great find LOVEROFDUBAI :)

wow any other building with the company's logo would look TACKY, this one is NOT TACKY!!! That is ingenious how that is done. Huge fan blades at the top will they produce weird rushing noises???

So another 6 months of Delay, these DIFC guys are really funny! :nono:

And 1 billion sounds cheap for such a tower. It's not a Marina appartment box, Lighthouse has a challenging design and high environmantal standard (at least that's what they say).
Well, at the end it doesn't matter how much it costs... oh wait, maybe Hill has a percentage fee of the construction cost! :lol:

better a delay than no tower :)

30 May 2008

Lighthouse Tower

http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/3994/imresolt206ts4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/1020/imresolt207sr0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

can't see the 2nd pic imre

can't see the 2nd pic imre

here it is:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3018/2539983683_5a992449c5_o.jpg

OMG totaly criminal :lol: in Dubai they blast on new crapers like it is filling a glass with water!:nuts:

Another craper that will have a amazing impact on the skyline that for the moment allready huge is!




NB: Imre like always a great job on the right time on the right place.

Keep up the good work guys!

the tiger time lol great update imre :)

here it is:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3018/2539983683_5a992449c5_o.jpg

Thats a weird render because I cant see the windtribunes. Are the tribunes deliberately neglected or are they canceled?

ive added lighthouse tower to june1 diagrams.
ive worked out roof is approx 275m high.
80m wide at base, 40m wide at top.
each x = 40m

i think this has to be my favorite project in dubai, and one of my favorites in the world !

Do they build anything original?

This is a basic rip off of the now dead Australian architect Harry Seildler's original design for Grollo Tower. It uses so many cues from the design.

http://www.seidler.net.au/graphics/027_DT01.jpg

it has similarites av, but really nothing the same. lighthouse has large x with wind turbines. dont think seidlers did/
anyway its good that this is actually goning happen not collect dust on architects floor.

I don't see much similarities. The STRUCTURE of the tower is TOTALLY DIFFERENT, and only a visually impared person can claim otherwise.

It is impossible to build something that doesn't have any resemblance to anything designed before. A better comparison for this building is probably the index, but each is completely different. Instead of looking for something to compare it with look for things that make it different, like the shape, design and use.

The structures are different, and the facade pattern of the lighthouse comes from the DIFC symbol so you cant say that was copied.

Any news on this?

The structures are different, and the facade pattern of the lighthouse comes from the DIFC symbol so you cant say that was copied.

Let's say it was inspired.

Any news on this?

Work is due to start in november I think.

Ok, hope it's right !!!

Looks like this might have started already :banana:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3254/2958826132_8be8b4025a_o.jpg

Very cool

Something new and unique... and it will look great in Dubai, of course.

sorry to sound stupid but where are we looking in above photo?

^^ Can't tell you direction Cul but the very top of the photo shows the central DIFC and one of the Emirates Towers. That might give you bearing.

See that large core coming out of the ground? To the left of that there's a big hole, that's where the lighthouse tower is.

Do they build anything original?


http://www.seidler.net.au/graphics/027_DT01.jpg

at least we build stuff

It is impossible to build something that doesn't have any resemblance to anything designed before.
Yes you can... but usually they are ugly, wierd shaped buildings. :bash:

-the only good building is CCTv tower from Beijing.

Very interesting building, just like the Index is really dig this shape. I'd love to see a WTB with these kind of concrete side supports and living/office space in the flat space between them. Terribly un-aerodynamic, but one can dream :)

at least we build stuff
Amen. :okay:

Is Zetas Contractor Company won a foundation Work for this tower ??

^^ Yes, not only they won but they are working also.

From Nader on Picasa

http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/2734/helicoptertour01nov0812bg5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/helicoptertour01nov0812bg5.jpg/1/w1600.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img389/helicoptertour01nov0812bg5.jpg/1/)

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/7056/helicoptertour01nov0812ed4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/helicoptertour01nov0812ed4.jpg/1/w1600.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img517/helicoptertour01nov0812ed4.jpg/1/)

If all of these recent projects (Anara, Lighthouse, 1PA, 1Dubai, Pentominium, etc.) get realized, this is gonna be one mind blowing site. Imagine cruising into the city from the desert freeway during sunset.

^^ Anara and Pentominium are nowhere near the other towers you mentioned.

"Nowhere near" seems like a bit of an overstatement.

^^ Well 20km away. More than enough to not be part of the skyline at all.

hehe.

Gee you're right! I saw this photo (http://i33.tinypic.com/242sgh1.jpg) and forgot that it can't be the "main block" of Sheik Zayed Road to the right :)

^^ I hope you aren't being sarcastic, because those buildings are indeed definitely not the "main block" on SZR, nor are they anywhere near them.

Wind turbines!!! I like it a lot...
:banana::banana::banana::banana:

I loooooove this tower!

Freaky ????? :hm:

Now 64 floors and 402 meters high !! ??

http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=lighthousetower-dubai-unitedarabemirates

shortened???

Dubai issues tender for Lighthouse office tower

* Published: 25 November 2008 12:39 GMT
* Author: Colin Foreman
* More by this Author
* Last Updated: 25 November 2008 16:15

Selected contractors have been invited to bid by 19 January for the contract to build the Lighthouse tower at Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC).

The prospective bidders include the local/UK Al-Naboodah Laing O'Rourke, Lebanon's Arabian Construction Company (ACC), the local Arabtec Construction, the local/UK Dutco Balfour Beatty, and the local/Australian Nasa Multiplex.

The contract involves the construction of a 320-metre high office tower with a gross floor area of 90,000 square metres.

The tower has been designed to reduce its energy consumption by up to 65 per cent and water consumption by up to 40 per cent.

This will be achieved by using devices such as awnings, a series of low energy and low water solutions and recovery strategies for the energy and water used.

The building will also feature integrated renewable energy sources, including wind turbines and 4,000 solar panels (MEED 27:04:07).

The client is the DIFC Authority.

http://www.meed.com/news/2008/11/tenders_issued_for_lighthouse_at_dubai_financial_sector.html

R


320 meters???? :bash:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3184/3066713381_59a2375e97_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3065/3067553092_a58407effd_o.jpg

This also moved

ta en algodon pero ahy nomas

Great, the next one under construction !! :okay:

man it is gorgeous...

Stunning beautifull tower in a stunning beautifull city!

Height is 402 meters with 64 floors !

Source:


http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=lighthousetower-dubai-unitedarabemirates

Stunning beautifull tower in a stunning beautifull city!

I elso said that before !


:D

no pics but ZETAS drillers still there , so I think piling in full progress.

so the height is reduced to 320 now?!!
how about they just not build it at all, what 320 building gonna do these days in Dubai?!!
I am sick of these height deductions u here everywhere, its like we are going back word!! in time !:ohno:
I think Burj Dubai will be lonely for a loooong time until he see a friend raising near by!:ohno:

I think 402m is the height for the moment. Great to hear that stuff is still happening Imre.

good news imre :).

btw...who said it will be 320m?

omg this tower is so nice!!

any updates on the foundation work?

Interesting design

I actually thought it's up already

^lots of clueless posts there buddy

I love this Tower so much!!! :banana::banana::banana::banana:
Has there been any ground work on this project yet?

20/February/2009

Lighthouse Tower

http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/6918/imresolt043jg0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/6195/imresolt057fh1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Thanks imre to have a spot on that place!

Nice to see two pilling machines and two cranes at that side. I hope they doing something during working hours....

Without Imre most of the threads will be useless (including some other good forummers). Many thanks for the updates on the site.


Good that ther is still some activity.

:banana:.

well this is good news :)

another tower more then 400m has raised in Dubai...

its like a dream girl!!!! love it.....

Hope it's soon above ground !

I was checking the interactive map of Dubai and I can't find where is the location of the 'Lighthouse Tower'. Anyone knows?

next to the Gate Village or just opposite the Ritz Carlton and Limestone House

Yes but that's the old location. The newest render (today's one) shows that it has been moved. Here is what I mean:

http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/2346/bigfatmapwhitezk3jr5.jpg

http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/3263/ritzvl2.jpg

Are we talking about somewhere near the beach and west to the Jebbel Ali Palm?

^^ no this one will be built in Ras al Khaima BUT will belong to Dubai.

Ok thanks.

no, this one will be built in Ras al Khaima... Clever. Too subtle for some, a good chuckle for others. :lol:

What a fantastic tower, i really can't wait.

ohhhhhhh. That kool.

^^ no this one will be built in Ras al Khaima BUT will belong to Dubai.

Is that true, any confirmations?

^^ Yeah, the Official announcement will be released in 26 days time.

^^ OH Altin, you made my day. lol