Aldar HQ Building - Permasteelisa Group

The disc-shaped Aldar HQ building was the world’s first circular skyscraper when it was completed in 2010.

The iconic building is located on Al Raha Beach in Abu Dhabi, UAE. It is the headquarters of Aldar Properties and provides open-plan office accommodation, integrated services and spectacular views of the city, canal and sea.

Brand: Permasteelisa Gartner Middle East

Architect: MZ & Partners

Contractor: Aldar Laing O’Rourke Construction

Developer: Aldar Properties PJSC

Façade consultant: Arup

The project

The concept

The circular shape of the main building is achieved using triangular façade units, each composed of four triangular glass panels, with irregularly shaped units at the perimeter. The size of the façade units varies at each floor, which increased the overall complexity of the project.

What did we do?

We designed, engineered, manufactured and installed 30,500 sqm of unitised glass façade, aluminium composite sheet cladding and glazed skylight. The aluminium composite cladding in front of the diagrid members is part of the main façade’s unitised system and creates the building’s distinctive diamond-shaped pattern.

Key facts

Year completed

2010

Building height

110m; 25 storeys

Total façade supplied

30,500 sqm of unitised glass façade, aluminium composite sheet cladding and glazed skylight

Adobe Stock