Engineer in award-winning Abu Dhabi towers project
In Abu Dhabi where, like Malta, temperatures peak at well over 38°C, keeping high-rise buildings cool without using massive amounts of air-conditioning is a challenge.
Konrad Xuereb, 37, headed the structural engineering team behind the sustainable Al Bahar towers project, which made it to Time Magazine’s list of the 25 best inventions of the year thanks to its highly innovative technology.
The €200 million project featured alongside such innovations as the NASA’s Curiosity Rover and James Cameron’s Deepsea Challenger submarine.
The towers, which were designed by architects from the London studio of Aedas in collaboration with the engineering firm Arup, feature a façade with intricately designed shades that open and close in response to the sun, reducing heat gain by more than 50 per cent.
Mr Xuereb, an associate with Arup, describes this adaptive façade as a “modular mashrabiya”, a contemporary interpretation of the carved and perforated lattice screens that traditionally provided shade and privacy to Islamic houses throughout the Middle East.
The massive latticework consists of 1,050 triangular fabric panels per tower, arranged in a hexagonal pattern. Each hexagonal cluster acts as a single unit that opens or closes in response to the sun.
“This results in a responsive and dynamic ‘skin’, able to react differently according to the sun’s orientation and to adapt to different external conditions throughout the year,” Mr Xuereb explains.
“It allows for an optimal balance between provision of shade and light penetration.
“Consequently, the appearance of the building itself is always changing, reflecting the natural daily and seasonal rhythms.”
Using less air-conditioning helps reduce the towers’ carbon emissions by an estimated 1,750 tons per year.
Mr Xuereb led the structural engineering team from the concept through to the construction stages.
This included leading the analysis and design of the buildings and coordinating the interface between the adaptive façade and the towers.
The whole development was completed in just over three years, with construction on the site starting in April 2009.
“I was delighted that the project was named as one of the top innovations of 2012. Our innovative solution helped create sustainable high-rise buildings in a challenging climate.
“The beauty of the system conceived is that it can be used for buildings facing similar challenges in other countries, including the Mediterranean region.”
Mr Xuereb is currently reading for a PhD in the field of structural engineering and sustainability at University College London.
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Lexva Vassallo
Nov 27th 2012, 17:09
This is nothing new and such a project has been already carried out successfully and on a large scale some 25 years ago by Jean Nouvel at the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, where 1600 hight tech metal screens filters the light entering the building and also controls the heat within. This creates an interesting geometrical pattern at the same time very reminiscent of Islamic architecture.
Sarah Camilleri
Nov 27th 2012, 23:48
The concept is based on a traditional solution (the mushrabiya). However, the science is new
Margaret Galea
Nov 26th 2012, 17:56
Well done I have seen the towers ,and I always find them interesting, now when I go on holiday to see my children and grandchildren , I will tell my grandsons be proud that this system was invented by a Maltese.
Ronnie Callus
Nov 26th 2012, 14:55
This proves that Malta does not hold 'Cwiec' Maltin as a Minister has told us once in the Air Malta re-structuring.It all depends to whom the bread is given. There is a saying which states 'IL-HOBZ TIEH LIL MIN JAF JIEKLU' that's all the crux Mr.Minister.
Paul Cassar
Nov 26th 2012, 13:33
AND IN THE CITY GATE PROJECT WE RUBBISHED LOCAL ARCHITECTS...............CWIEC MALTIN ?? !!!!!!!!
referring to the new parliament, i think that from what one can see from the outside, the inside is going to rely heavily on artificial lighting because the window openings are not only small but obstructed.
David Smith
Nov 26th 2012, 12:04
How are the fabric panels going to be cleaned and maintained?
Paul Haul
Nov 26th 2012, 12:03
This goes to show how far Maltas Architect and Engineering prowess is recognised world-wide.
Kevin Zammit
Nov 26th 2012, 11:26
I never had the pleasure to meet Mr. Xuereb but I just added him to the list of people that make me proud to be Maltese. I didn't know what a mashrabiya is, so I searched for it on the net and in the close up picture of the towers, my maltese mind spotted the Maltese Cross in the intricate design of the Al Bahar towers facade :-) You must look at it with some immagination though! :)
Well done.
Maria Xuereb
Nov 26th 2012, 11:26
Well done bro!!! Such a beautiful project! Keep up the excellent work!
Marc Storace
Nov 26th 2012, 11:16
Well done !
Matthew Schembri
Nov 26th 2012, 10:53
Congrats. Happy to hear about successful fellow Maltese
Alfie Lewis
Nov 26th 2012, 10:30
A vera prosit is in order
V. Cauchi
Nov 26th 2012, 10:06
The concept of computer modulation affecting directional changes coordinated with the sun's movements raises hope in Malta for the development of concentrated solar power (CSP) technology, given the lack of availability of wide stretches of land over which the sun's rays could be harnessed. This way, even a small, uneven and hilly area, managed by a local council, could be an energy producer.
Mark Busuttil
Nov 26th 2012, 10:02
Awesome!!
André Xuereb
Nov 26th 2012, 09:46
Grea news! Well done.
m busuttil
Nov 26th 2012, 09:09
prosit Konrad keep it up well done
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