Al Bahar Towers Responsive

Façade
Analysis:
The twin towers are located in Abu
Dhabi, due to the extreme weather
conditions of high temperature and
intense sunshine, a crystalline
honeycomb façade was designed to
reduce solar heat gain in the buildings.

The facade was inspired by traditional

Islamic architecture. It creates a
dynamic 'Mashrabiya' which will open
and close in response to the sun’s
movements, ensuring that solar gain is
minimized at all times and reducing
glare.

The screen operates as a curtain

wall, sitting two meters outside
the buildings’ exterior on an
independent frame. Each triangle
is coated with fiberglass and
programmed to respond to the
movement of the sun. In the
evening, all the screens will close.
 The screen reduces solar gain by
more than 50 percent and reduce
the building’s need for energy-
draining air conditioning. It
allows us to use more naturally
tinted glass, which lets more light
in so you have better views and
less need of artificial light.

Criticism:
This device is considered as an adjacent to building shading device in which
it fulfilled all the elements for successful shading, in which it reduced heat
gains during daylight and provided natural illumination by sunlight and
therefore minimize energy cost.
In my opinion what could have been better is to add solar panels on this
screen in which the building could take advantage of solar energy and make
the building more sustainable.

Yassmeen Hany Elshafie

16p9020