Dubai has quite a share of Skyliners whose architecture and silhouettes are completely distinctive than any other place. These skyscrapers include the Burj al Arab hotel, the hollow eye (Museum of the future), and the twisted Cayan Tower. Another iconic building will soon be joining the collection of skylines in Dubai.
It is a $1 billion One Za’abeel project of a Japanese architect Nikken Sekkei. The building will resemble a giant capital “H” and will rise high above Dubai’s business district. The design of the building will feature two podium-mounted skyscrapers of length 300 and 235 meters, respectively. These podiums are joined by a 228-meter steel bridge which will be constituted as a tower in itself, and it will exceed the height of Seattle’s Space Needle architecture.
More about the structure of “The Link”
According to the state-owned developer of Dubai, the bridge of “The Link” will be the longest cantilever in the world. More than 60 meters of this bridge will be extended beyond the towers into the open sky. The structure of 9,000 tons is assembled in seven sections, along with the horizontal slide of 25 meters above the ground level. It happened before the entire structure was being jacked in its position, i.e., at the height of around 100 meters and then the towers were secured. Four or five sections of the construction are set in its position, and the completed bridge will be lifted in its place, by the end of this year.
High wire act
It is a complicated task, as it takes place above the busy six-lane highway, which has been shut for the crucial constructions of the building. The building will be the greatest attempt that took place in Dubai, and this would not be possible without the coordination and planning of the Dubai Municipality and Road and Transport Authority (RTA).
The design of the construction is awarded prizes such as the “Best Innovative Project of the Year” at the Construction Innovation Awards ceremony. According to industry experts, the designs represent a step forward in the development and creativity of the industry. Sophisticated modeling tools and advanced engineering and construction practices have made the development of the design in a way that it was supposed to.
The digital design of the construction
ALEC, the lead engineer, made a 4D model of the design of the building, and this helped him to ensure that each contractor is working efficiently. This model was integrated with 3D models of each section that has to be built, such as the concrete, the steel frame, and the mechanical systems.
This project completely explains how digital designing and planning methods can help in predicting the flaws and problems that can be faced during construction. The 4D model gives a granular picture of each element of the final product and also explains how everything will fit in together even before the beginning of the construction.
A new icon
“The Link” is designed to be a construction that will be jampacked with features like restaurants, an infinity pool, a luxury spa, and an observation deck for a 360-degree view. The construction weighs 13,000 tons after the completion of the interiors. Ithra Dubai believes that “The Link” will become an iconic landmark of the city and will attract greater attention to the visitors.
