The innovative, eco-friendly 29-storey twin Al Bahr Towers, serving as the Abu Dhabi Investment Council’s headquarters and Al Hilal Bank head offices, have an exterior composed of 2,000 honeycomb-like elements that are cooled with the world’s largest computerised facade. Opening and closing in response to the sun’s movement, these elements help to reduce interior heat gain by around 50 per cent, with roof solar panels used to heat water.
The eco-friendly towers were some of the first buildings in the region to receive the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver rating. They also came second at the Emporis Skyscraper Award, the world’s premier honorary event for high-rise architecture, for projects completed in 2012.