Al Bahr Towers

Thanks to Gadgetkid for reminding me of this challenge. Posting a couple days late as had no data in the mountains. We were off today as three public holidays have been rolled into one.

These are the Al Bahr Towers in lit up for National Day weekend. These are two 29-storey, 145m–high towers, one tower houses the new headquarters of the Abu Dhabi Investment Council (ADIC), an investment arm of the Government of Abu Dhabi. The other serves as the head office of Al Hilal Bank.


The distinguishing feature of the towers is their protective skin of 2,000 umbrella-like glass elements that automatically open and close depending on the intensity of sunlight. Inspired by the 'mashrabiya', geometrically-designed wooden lattice screens that have been used to fill windows of traditional Arabic architecture since the 14th century, the 'intelligent' façade of the Al Bahr Towers is dynamically controlled by a building management system. The adjustable shades help reduce interior heat gains caused by sunlight by around 50 percent. The eco-friendly towers are one of the first buildings in the Gulf to receive the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver rating.