Bespoke curtain wall solutions used to realise eye-catching
double-skin façade of Sport City Tower.
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Reynaers Aluminium, a leading European supplier of architectural aluminium systems has contributed to the completion of the Sport City Tower project in Doha (Qatar). This impressive high-rise tower makes extensive use of Reynaers’ curtain walling systems CW 50 and CW 86. Bespoke profile solutions had to be developed so that the façade elements could be installed whilst respecting the inclined design on the construction. Sport City Tower is the tallest building in Qatar and was the site for the Olympic Flame during the 15th Asian Games held between 1 and 15 December 2006.
Qatar’s new architectural landmark
The Sport City Tower’s unique design is based on a curved outer shell of glazed aluminium panels and a stainless steel mesh façade built around a central concrete tower. Inside the curved glass façade, four distinct circular structures are grouped around the central spine.
The first 17 floors consist of a five-star luxury hotel including a pool area. At 148m high, there are four stories of presidential suites. The third structure, at 184m high, is a three-story viewing deck and sports museum. Even higher at 202m, another separate three floors house a revolving restaurant with spectacular views of Doha city.
The highest point at 287m – where the Olympic Flame burned during the Asian Games – is shielded from the wind by a glass canopy that rises to 320m. Now it incorporates a laser light show, which is visible throughout Doha and lights up the city’s night sky, as a new architectural landmark and a symbol of the country’s ambitions.
High-performance bespoke solution for inclined façade
The tower features a double-skin façade, which has been designed to a very high specification by Reynaers Aluminium. To meet the aesthetic and technical demands of the curved architecture, Reynaers created bespoke solutions based on its transom-mullion curtain wall system CW 50 and the unitised curtain wall system CW 86. Reynaers’ innovative systems were specified as they are proven to have a great track record, with guaranteed performance even in extreme climates.
“Reynaers provided a total solution for the double-skin façade. We designed the aluminium profiles to suit the project and architectural requirements. Special cascade drainage solutions were developed and extensively tested according to the most stringent European standards for air tightness, water tightness and wind load”, says Frank Goudman, Export Director of Reynaers Aluminium.
Façade construction realised in less than 12 months
The realisation of the Sport City Tower marks the success for Reynaers in the Middle East region. “This is the largest project we have undertaken since we opened our office in Bahrain in July 2004. Winning this prestigious deal within such a short span has proven the confidence our systems enjoy in the market,” says Ali Khalaf, Managing Director of Reynaers Middle East. “The project has been a challenge for all those involved in it – more so because of its fast track nature”, he adds. Commenting on the project, Mr. Ali Khalaf says: “We won the contract in January 2006 and by April we started supplying the profiles and accessories. The Sport City Tower is now externally complete and seeing it in its resplendent glory was indeed a wonderful experience.”
Reynaers’ wining strategy in the Middle East
With its involvement in the Sport City Tower and having completed several other prestigious projects elsewhere in the Gulf region, Reynaers Middle-East is confident it has the experience and the right approach to undertake other high-rise projects.
“What differentiates us from our competitors is that we are a project-oriented total systems solution provider and do not depend solely on catalogue solutions”, says Ali Khalaf. “Another strength is our local production capacity. Reynaers develops the systems, which are locally extruded, insulated and painted. We also provide technical support and back-up solutions.”
Since the start in 2004, Reynaers Middle East succeeded in wining a large number of projects and is being recognised by many architects and project developers as their preferred partner in architectural aluminium solutions.
Reynaers references in the Gulf region include several medium-high structures in Qatar, three towers in the Seef area - all between 18 and 25 storeys - and a 20-storey residential building near Manama’s Marina Club in Bahrain. In Kuwait, Reynaers was involved in the Al-Kazimy, Rasha and Zaina projects. For the Talal Island project in Bahrain, Reynaers secured a contract for more than 90 per cent of the work requirements. In the UAE, Reynaers signed a deal to supply curtain-walling for a 100-m-high commercial-residential building in Khalidiah, Abu Dhabi.
Sport City Tower (Qatar)
Investor: The Sport City Project Committee
Designers: Hadi Sumah Architects, Ove Arup, Arep, Bureau Happold, MaP3
General contractor: Midmac-Six Construct joint venture
Façade fabricator: JAP
Reynaers systems: Curtain wall systems CW 50 and CW 86 – Window system CS 59.
Value: EUR 140 million
Completion: May 2007
Built-up area: 40,000 sq m
About Reynaers Aluminium
Reynaers Aluminium is a leading European supplier of high-quality aluminium systems. The company specializes in the development and marketing of aluminium building solutions (façades, windows, doors, sliding systems, conservatories and brise-soleil). Established in 1965 and headquartered in Duffel (Belgium), Reynaers Aluminium has offices in 26 countries e.g. Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Scandinavia, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. In 2005, the Reynaers Group has realized a turnover of 210 EUR million with 930 co-workers. In 2005 the company sold 20.800 tons worth of aluminium products.
More information: www.reynaers.com
Further information
Olivier Trop
Group Communication Manager
Email: olivier.trop@reynaers.com
Phone: +32 15 308 625