Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, is also the federation’s largest city with a population of more than 2.3 million. Unlike its sister emirate of Dubai, the skyscrapers of Abu Dhabi do not compete for superlative height. At 1,251 ft. / 381 m., Burj Mohammed Bin Rashid is the tallest building in the city. The residential tower is the taller of two in the large mixed-use center-city complex known as the World Trade Center Abu Dhabi, designed by the British firm Foster + Partners, which combines apartments, hotel rooms, and office space with a large souk-inspired mall.
The tower was inspired by its desert setting in both its design and structure. Its gently waving shape and sheer reflective façade evoke the impression of a mirage. Energy efficient features incorporated into the facade such as a ventilated three-skin façade with layers of shading reduce the sun’s glare and keep out the heat.