• Bahar Towers house the Abu Dhabi Investment Council. Ravindranath K / The National
    Bahar Towers house the Abu Dhabi Investment Council. Ravindranath K / The National
  • Umbrellas connected to motors open and shut depending on where the sunlight is, to create an eco friendly building. Ravindranath K / The National
    Umbrellas connected to motors open and shut depending on where the sunlight is, to create an eco friendly building. Ravindranath K / The National
  • The Bahar Towers consist of 25 storeys. Ravindranath K / The National
    The Bahar Towers consist of 25 storeys. Ravindranath K / The National
  • The towers’ designer, Abdulmajid Karanouh, says local designers need to move away from western templates. Ravindranath K / The National
    The towers’ designer, Abdulmajid Karanouh, says local designers need to move away from western templates. Ravindranath K / The National
  • Construction work reaches the top, with a fine view of Abu Dhabi all around. Ravindranath K / The National
    Construction work reaches the top, with a fine view of Abu Dhabi all around. Ravindranath K / The National
  • The 2,000 umbrella-like elements follow the sun, opening by closing to block out heat, while allowing in light. Andrew Henderson / The National
    The 2,000 umbrella-like elements follow the sun, opening by closing to block out heat, while allowing in light. Andrew Henderson / The National
  • A close-up of the framework on the Bahar Towers. Andrew Henderson / The National
    A close-up of the framework on the Bahar Towers. Andrew Henderson / The National
  • Skyscrapers with glass facades have huge surface areas and absorb great deals of heat – especially in the UAE. Andrew Henderson / The National
    Skyscrapers with glass facades have huge surface areas and absorb great deals of heat – especially in the UAE. Andrew Henderson / The National
  • The Al Bahr Towers in Abu Dhabi use a solar shading system that features a computer-controlled facade made up of thousands of translucent untis. Andrew Henderson / The National
    The Al Bahr Towers in Abu Dhabi use a solar shading system that features a computer-controlled facade made up of thousands of translucent untis. Andrew Henderson / The National
  • Almost complete - the Bahar Towers. Delores Johnson / The National
    Almost complete - the Bahar Towers. Delores Johnson / The National
  • The towers are located on the corner of Saada and Salam Streets in Abu Dhabi. Delores Johnson / The National
    The towers are located on the corner of Saada and Salam Streets in Abu Dhabi. Delores Johnson / The National
  • Despite the umbrellas being closed to keep the heat out, a small opening allows enough light in. Silvia Razgova / The National
    Despite the umbrellas being closed to keep the heat out, a small opening allows enough light in. Silvia Razgova / The National

Property

In pictures: Building Abu Dhabi’s iconic Al Bahar Towers

Liz Claus

May 18, 2014

  • English
  • Arabic

The towers may have won design awards, but its designer says that sustainability is a tricky thing.

TechnologyAbu DhabiProperty