MECCA | Abraj Al-Bait | 601m | 1972ft | 95 fl | T/O [Archive] - Page 7

Biff

Aug 5, 2010, 2:14 PM

well .. I have a question for them ..

in about 100 years or what ever .. this enormous building is going to be demolished

and the standard procedure for that is by series of explosives
how will they do such violent action that near to the holy Haram of Ka'aba ??

It isn't even finished construction and you are already worried about how in the future they will have to demolish it with out damaging it's surroundings......wow, talk about the ultimate in "Glass half empty" kind of attitude.

I don't believe they even design buildings with the concept of how they will be demolished in the future.

sammyg

Aug 5, 2010, 4:00 PM

It isn't even finished construction and you are already worried about how in the future they will have to demolish it with out damaging it's surroundings......wow, talk about the ultimate in "Glass half empty" kind of attitude.

They're going to pull it down because it's ugly as sin, not because it's in bad shape.

Crush_Buds

Aug 6, 2010, 8:39 AM

And yet they continue to build it.....

I like it more everyday.

John Hinds

Aug 6, 2010, 9:01 AM

NEW RENDERS

http://www.alriyadh.com/2010/08/03/img/796954909616.jpg

Could they make this thing look any more tacky if they tried. :yuck:

Ehrgeiz91

Aug 7, 2010, 12:35 AM

I like it more everyday.

Same. And I also don't think it's tacky... A lot of middle-eastern architecture is a little over the top by western standards. I think the design (particularly after seeing the newer nighttime renderings with the lights) is beautiful. Not sure I'd want it right outside the most important holy site in the world for my religion, but...

TANGELD_SLC

Aug 8, 2010, 7:43 AM

I must admit, I thought that it was tacky and ugly and absolutely hypocritical for this tower to be built. But it has by and large grown on me and I quite like it. I think it will age well also. Imagine how this building will be perceived in, say, 200 years from now. I think it will go hand-in-hand with the Kaaba.

KingsFan#1

Aug 8, 2010, 7:52 PM

looks like crap

what is it for?

wrab

Aug 9, 2010, 12:03 AM

.....what is it for?

You can find that info very easily by looking at the first entry on the first page of this thread.

Dr_B2

Aug 9, 2010, 11:20 AM

I think it will age well also. Imagine how this building will be perceived in, say, 200 years from now. I think it will go hand-in-hand with the Kaaba.

well .. Ka'ba is the holiest place for muslims in the past 1400 years,
and muslims believe it has been the holiest place in earth since many many thousands of years .. even before the prophet Abraham himself

so .. I am pretty sure nothing will be "hand-in-hand" with the Ka'ba .. any where in the future :)

muppet

Aug 9, 2010, 12:00 PM

I think the renderings look terrible.

The buildings in reality though look great, in detail and in scale.

SkyscrapersOfNewYork

Aug 9, 2010, 12:21 PM

I think the renderings look terrible.

The buildings in reality though look great, in detail and in scale.

really?i think massing is my problem with it...

JDRCRASH

Aug 9, 2010, 12:53 PM

That last rendering was absolutely terrible.

Troubadour

Aug 10, 2010, 6:47 AM

NEW RENDERS

http://www.alriyadh.com/2010/08/03/img/796954909616.jpg

:lmao: Barad-dur meets Caesar's Palace.

GulfArabia

Aug 10, 2010, 7:45 AM

shot by loooty

(10 Aug 2010)

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/7882/48765088351ac24b5a28b.jpg

Lecom

Aug 10, 2010, 6:50 PM

Nice. How are the other three clock faces progressing?

GulfArabia

Aug 10, 2010, 8:39 PM

Nice. How are the other three clock faces progressing?

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/3450/mct01.jpg

they'v just announced today that the one in front will tick tomorrow (first day of ramadan)

hartss

Aug 11, 2010, 4:17 AM

Wow is that gaudy!

NutmeG

Aug 11, 2010, 2:46 PM

my god looks fake as hell and it has the eye of mordor at the top

Traynor

Aug 11, 2010, 4:49 PM

I find it funny that there are so many haters of this building. All the comments of "gaudy", "hideous", "tacky" and so on, are all subjective opinions and rather arbitrary when you think that the same could be said of Notre Dame de Paris or any other cathedral you can think of.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6d/Back_of_Notre_Dame_de_Paris.jpg/450px-Back_of_Notre_Dame_de_Paris.jpg
(Courtesy Wikipedia found here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notre_Dame_de_Paris )

Or even the famous Big Ben... It's pretty tacky and overly ornamented in comparison with today's predilection for sleek glass boxes.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/Clock_Tower_-_Palace_of_Westminster%2C_London_-_September_2006-2.jpg/220px-Clock_Tower_-_Palace_of_Westminster%2C_London_-_September_2006-2.jpg
(courtesy Wikipedia found here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_ben )

phoenixboi08

Aug 11, 2010, 5:38 PM

Didn't you get the memo? Apparently we're not supposed to like it because it's in the Middle East :koko:

I completely agree with you.

I find it funny that there are so many haters of this building. All the comments of "gaudy", "hideous", "tacky" and so on, are all subjective opinions and rather arbitrary when you think that the same could be said of Notre Dame de Paris or any other cathedral you can think of.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6d/Back_of_Notre_Dame_de_Paris.jpg/450px-Back_of_Notre_Dame_de_Paris.jpg
(Courtesy Wikipedia found here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notre_Dame_de_Paris )

Or even the famous Big Ben... It's pretty tacky and overly ornamented in comparison with today's predilection for sleek glass boxes.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/Clock_Tower_-_Palace_of_Westminster%2C_London_-_September_2006-2.jpg/220px-Clock_Tower_-_Palace_of_Westminster%2C_London_-_September_2006-2.jpg
(courtesy Wikipedia found here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_ben )

qwho

Aug 12, 2010, 4:28 PM

So, it's always 10 after 2?

wrab

Aug 12, 2010, 8:14 PM

Will the clock be giving an official time for things like the start of Ramadan?

Yael

Aug 12, 2010, 8:40 PM

This is one big-ass clock!!!
It's impressive how huge this project is, I hope to see more projects for
Saudi Arabia.:upload_71700:

kw5150

Aug 12, 2010, 10:48 PM

I find it funny that there are so many haters of this building. All the comments of "gaudy", "hideous", "tacky" and so on, are all subjective opinions and rather arbitrary when you think that the same could be said of Notre Dame de Paris or any other cathedral you can think of.

Or even the famous Big Ben... It's pretty tacky and overly ornamented in comparison with today's predilection for sleek glass boxes.

Yes, but that is the stucture that was needed for those buildings at the time to make them stand up.....and the extreme ornamentation was a reflection of the design at the times and was usually associated with wealth and power. This was all happening in a time of dispair for many people in europe. I see some parallels here. This thing appears, as many educated people have dubbed it: tacky, ticky tacky, tack on, gawdy architecture. It was produced by a client with eyes on profit who is obviously trying to prove something to someone, somewhere. Im just saying this building does not really seem pure at all and may be representing something negative to the people who live there.

NYC2ATX

Aug 13, 2010, 3:10 AM

While I see all your points of view, I have to side somewhat with the non-haters. To be honest, it doesn't look as gaudy in reality as the renderings might have you believe.

Aside from what these towers symbolize to some (obnoxious wealth & power), one must remember, firstly, that clock towers have always been know to be symbolic and monumental in modern civilization, and secondly, massive and rapid development is a universal symbol for a nation on the rise (Dubai, anyone?) ...Saudi Arabia is most definitely a nation on the rise, and Mecca being one of its most sacred cities, the place is severly lacking in an image to those outside the muslim world. It needs an icon people will notice.

While the underlying styles and subtle architectural notes may not impress every architecture critic, all these towers say to me are "Saudi Arabia is on the rise. World, take notice!"

What horrifies me far more is the thought of 40 more identical towers going up right next to this one. :sly:

GulfArabia

Aug 13, 2010, 3:58 AM

Yes, but that is the stucture that was needed for those buildings at the time to make them stand up.....and the extreme ornamentation was a reflection of the design at the times and was usually associated with wealth and power. This was all happening in a time of dispair for many people in europe. I see some parallels here. This thing appears, as many educated people have dubbed it: tacky, ticky tacky, tack on, gawdy architecture. It was produced by a client with eyes on profit who is obviously trying to prove something to someone, somewhere. Im just saying this building does not really seem pure at all and may be representing something negative to the people who live there.

the building is an endowment, all the money earned from this project goes to the maintenance of the 2 holy mosques in saudi arabia.

GulfArabia

Aug 13, 2010, 4:00 AM

What horrifies me far more is the thought of 40 more identical towers going up right next to this one. :sly:

that (book shelf) render was not approved

GulfArabia

Aug 13, 2010, 4:01 AM

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4883788596_dfe5782a0f_z.jpg

testing started yesterday

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4883203453_3da9e16c96_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4883193071_1dc2197f0e_z.jpg

kw5150

Aug 13, 2010, 6:05 AM

the building is an endowment, all the money earned from this project goes to the maintenance of the 2 holy mosques in saudi arabia.

Where is the proof in that statement? I find that kind of hard to believe.

GulfArabia

Aug 13, 2010, 6:35 AM

Where is the proof in that statement? I find that kind of hard to believe.

the project's full name is "abraj al bait endowment" google it

Saudi Arabia Ministry of Endowment - Abraj Al Bait
http://www.zawya.com/projects/project.cfm/pid60000001480

Makkah Time a new alternative for GMT - Arab News
10 Aug 2010 ... The King Abdul Aziz Endowment Project, which overlooks the Holy ... of the Abraj Al-Bait complex, part of the King Abdul Aziz Endowment ...
http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article99369.ece

Abraj Al Bait, comprising seven elegant towers, is part of the King AbdulAziz Endowment of The Two Holy Mosques, and is an architectural landmark created to ...

its also written in arabic on the building at the entrance, right under the clock (white large) and on the cock face (small writing).....:

http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/5223/5893612807590406669.jpg

Ehrgeiz91

Aug 13, 2010, 8:07 AM

http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/5223/5893612807590406669.jpg

I know this picture has been shown before but I just wanted to say WOW - stunningly beautiful IMO. And it looks just as good in the real pictures. Can't wait to see this finished.

I know a lot of you disagree, but I can't help but like this project.

alex1

Aug 13, 2010, 6:21 PM

I find it funny that there are so many haters of this building. All the comments of "gaudy", "hideous", "tacky" and so on, are all subjective opinions and rather arbitrary when you think that the same could be said of Notre Dame de Paris or any other cathedral you can think of.

Or even the famous Big Ben... It's pretty tacky and overly ornamented in comparison with today's predilection for sleek glass boxes.

one of the reasons for the ornamentation in your photos was listed above. The flying buttresses were necessary to keep the structures standing, for exmaple. Western art and architecture has moved away from overdone aesthetics though, which is why you're getting a backlash from certain people.

I think that many people on these boards tend to believe that worldwide art follows a certain linear pattern. Obviously, that's not the case. Different places have retained a regional art and this building offers us a case study to how ornament rich the Middle East can be in terms of art and design.

For those of us who think that more is more, we might not like this building's aesthetic and that should be okay. Conversely, we should also understand and appreciate why the building is so richly decorated.

StoOgE

Aug 13, 2010, 7:05 PM

one of the reasons for the ornamentation in your photos was listed above. The flying buttresses were necessary to keep the structures standing, for exmaple. Western art and architecture has moved away from overdone aesthetics though, which is why you're getting a backlash from certain people.

I think that many people on these boards tend to believe that worldwide art follows a certain linear pattern. Obviously, that's not the case. Different places have retained a regional art and this building offers us a case study to how ornament rich the Middle East can be in terms of art and design.

For those of us who think that more is more, we might not like this building's aesthetic and that should be okay. Conversely, we should also understand and appreciate why the building is so richly decorated.

It's not really the ornamentation that is a concern. It's that the base of the tower looks like a Vegas hotel mixed with any number of stuco cladded cheapy high rise condos.

I think the scale of the clock is off compared to the rest of the building as well, but it certainly isn't the ornamentation on top that is at issue for me, it's the general blandnes and scale of the rest of it.

Were this building about half it's size and the clock tower better proportioned it might look fine.. but when you compare it to the rest of the "worlds tallest" it just looks clunky.

GulfArabia

Aug 13, 2010, 8:25 PM

vegas stole our islamic and arabian architecture, NOT the other way around (we were here first). think about it.

unlike vegas this building is just a hotel for PILGRIMS. and not gamblers (alcohol and gambling is illegal in the kingdom, thank god)

alex1

Aug 13, 2010, 10:00 PM

It's not really the ornamentation that is a concern. It's that the base of the tower looks like a Vegas hotel mixed with any number of stuco cladded cheapy high rise condos.

I think the scale of the clock is off compared to the rest of the building as well, but it certainly isn't the ornamentation on top that is at issue for me, it's the general blandnes and scale of the rest of it.

Were this building about half it's size and the clock tower better proportioned it might look fine.. but when you compare it to the rest of the "worlds tallest" it just looks clunky.

We have different concerns then. I think the proportions are quite effective (as brutalized as they seem). This building's goal wasn't to look light and airy, that much is obvious. i more or less like to stay away from debates on what the right balance might have been, as that's a subjective and arbitrary topic, but what I can tell is that the designers of this thing wanted to create a monumental and imposing building. They were successful in doing that.

I guess I don't get the Vegas thing either. Yeah, a Vegas hotel might have a similar expression (that looks "cheap"), but many hotels there are rarely a true expression of place (instead a shallow visual reproduction of elsewhere). The building in Mecca is at least true to regional and religious motifs/aesthetics.

I only wish they adapted existing Islamic art/architectural motifs in a fresh way. Also, they could have pushed a more inspiring site plan, one that did less damage to the existing street scape, which seems so intimate and functional.

Lecom

Aug 13, 2010, 10:19 PM

The central tower looks great. The side towers are quite tacky, especially in their midsections.

texcolo

Aug 14, 2010, 4:41 AM

I kinda like it, but it looks like it belongs on Klingon or Arrakkis.

GulfArabia

Aug 14, 2010, 10:12 PM

by othman:
http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/9900/4890227729a2c750e536b.jpg

Witty Nickname

Aug 15, 2010, 1:48 AM

Ugggh. What an eyesore this entire project is.

SD_Phil

Aug 15, 2010, 2:32 AM

I've been periodically checking in on this project but only because of the height. The design itself is lacking any really interesting features and felt, from the beginning, like a resort hotel in Las Vegas or Macau. Now that it's nearing completion...it looks even more so.

Aleks

Aug 15, 2010, 3:55 AM

many off-topic posts deleted!

please stick to the topic, which is, the construction of the Abraj Al-Bait. I understand the occasional question/examples about projects in the area but come on people. some of these posts don't even relate to the project at all. also, if your post is something we've heard 4 times per page for the last 6 pages then try saying something a little different to start a good conversation. or if it's meant to instigate then please don't post at all.

also, a reminder, please properly credit photo sources. A link to the website or name of the photographer, please credit them.

GulfArabia

Aug 15, 2010, 5:12 AM

GulfArabia

Aug 15, 2010, 1:11 PM

Shot by Othman:

http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/9739/48910776169e60b6b745b.jpg

OneWorldTradeCenter

Aug 15, 2010, 1:41 PM

can you change the thread's name to:

MECCA | Abraj Al-Bait | 601m | 1972ft | 95 fl | U/C
:)

I agree!

They made sigificant progress here.

GulfArabia

Aug 18, 2010, 3:33 AM

http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/4746/490224226710641fe1c3b.jpg

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/1410/40210421974342115619227.jpg

looks really great :cool:

BStyles

Aug 18, 2010, 3:05 PM

I don't care what anyone thinks. The clock tower is beautiful.

austin242

Aug 18, 2010, 3:08 PM

I hear ya :tup:

ChicagoChicago

Aug 18, 2010, 3:10 PM

I must say, this building is growing on me. I hated it at first. Now, I get it. I don't love it yet, but I understand its place.

Innsertnamehere

Aug 18, 2010, 3:38 PM

I don't care what anyone thinks. The clock tower is beautiful.

+1000000000000

gnmpf74

Aug 18, 2010, 6:14 PM

I don't care what anyone thinks. The clock tower is beautiful.

10000% Agreed:tup:

jowens

Aug 18, 2010, 10:57 PM

[QUOTE=BStyles;4951489]I don't care what anyone thinks. The clock tower is beautiful.[/QUOTE

I agree with you in the day time. Now at night................:no:

GulfArabia

Aug 20, 2010, 5:59 PM

Count the cranes (30?)

http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/2606/39376908.jpg

BStyles

Aug 22, 2010, 12:56 AM

Looks like someone planted seeds on this ch-ch-ch-chia pet.:haha:

NYC4Life

Aug 23, 2010, 5:21 PM

Such a large complex, surprised it hasn't taken longer to built.

JDRCRASH

Aug 23, 2010, 5:27 PM

It's not the clock itself i have a problem with. It's the green night-lighting.

Northwest

Aug 23, 2010, 8:03 PM

Credit where credit is due. This is a super-supertall, and many credits to the engineers and workers who made it happen.
As it nears the final stages, pictures are appreciated! :)
Thanks everyone!

xboarder84

Aug 24, 2010, 9:18 PM

Does anyone know what is being built on the opposite side of this tower? In the past few photos you can see a bunch of cranes and it looks like a big base is being constructed. Anyone know?

GulfArabia

Aug 25, 2010, 12:21 PM

New pics by ashiqulhuur, one of the side domes is placed now :)

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/8481/4924505389007fdea4f1b.jpg

http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/9682/49245059798926b96ed3b.jpg

http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/7446/4924506257fb7507fa57b.jpg

http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/4039/49250989307943bdd158b.jpg

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/1884/4925101852528a79c833b.jpg

http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/5191/4925102368b636053346b.jpg

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/3093/492510284648a75d4778b.jpg

http://img693.imageshack.us/img693/1083/492510331055690235aeb.jpg

patriotizzy

Aug 26, 2010, 6:53 AM

NEW RENDERS

http://www.alriyadh.com/2010/08/03/img/796954909616.jpg

I can't help but see the resemblance to this building.

http://www.middle-earth.be/Fotos/F28.jpg

Troubadour

Aug 29, 2010, 11:10 PM

I can't help but see the resemblance to this building.

http://www.middle-earth.be/Fotos/F28.jpg

Minas Morgul. Yup, that about covers it. :yes:

GulfArabia

Sep 1, 2010, 3:29 PM

taken from the SCC forum

NEW PICS

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/4947738901_8942c21f95_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/4948327142_8b2f7252c2_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4152/4948326858_88bcf762bb_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4947737985_73968452f8_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/4947737233_eabb42aca5_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/4948325668_ef8c49c719_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/4948324272_637fac3363_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4948324068_6f97e7cee8_z.jpg

GulfArabia

Sep 1, 2010, 3:39 PM

check this !

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/4948321684_b50d9f85ba.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/29070131@N02/4948321684/)

GulfArabia

Sep 1, 2010, 3:42 PM

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/4948317968_0576435d6f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/29070131@N02/4948317968/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/4948318542_d82b9d931a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/29070131@N02/4948318542/)

BStyles

Sep 1, 2010, 4:01 PM

Maybe the other faces of the clock tower are supposed to tell international time.:haha:

SkyscrapersOfNewYork

Sep 2, 2010, 5:05 AM

i think blue lighting would have served this atrocity well...

Crush_Buds

Sep 2, 2010, 6:22 AM

GulfArabia

Sep 4, 2010, 9:54 AM

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs599.snc4/57958_150236754998012_107491822605839_309337_2581539_n.jpg

last friday:
1.5 Million prayed in Makkah (Holy Mosque)
1 Million prayed in Madina (Prophet's Mosque)
1/4 Million prayed in Occupied Palestine (Al-Aqsa Mosque)

:)

we need more skyscrapers:

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/1963/65473169.jpg

this will be built right behind the current towers, Abraj al-Bait will have 27 towers, part of a plan to accommodate 10 million pilgrims instead of 4 million. thats a huge ENDOWMENT project which all profits goes to the maintenance of the 2 holy mosques.

ThisSideofSteinway

Sep 4, 2010, 1:26 PM

The country's flag is green. Makes perfect sense for the clock to match the flag for such an icon.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Royal_flag_of_Saudi_Arabia.png
http://images.allrefer.com/reference/world/flag-images/saudi-arabia-flag.gif

If I recall, the green color was the color of Muhammad's tribe (the Quraysh), and that's why it's such a ubiquitous thing in Muslim cultures.

GulfArabia

Sep 4, 2010, 7:48 PM

If I recall, the green color was the color of Muhammad's tribe (the Quraysh), and that's why it's such a ubiquitous thing in Muslim cultures.

Green has no meaning in Islam.

OneWorldTradeCenter

Sep 5, 2010, 3:08 PM

:previous: Green is the colour of Saudi Arabia's flagg.

How tall is this tower actually now? At German Wikipedia someone told me that it is 508m (1,667ft), same height as Taipei 101.

ThisSideofSteinway

Sep 5, 2010, 8:48 PM

Green has no meaning in Islam.

Right, there's no official meaning or importance, but because of its origin green ended up being something of an ancillary symbol (much like the star and crescent).

GulfArabia

Sep 5, 2010, 9:18 PM

Right, there's no official meaning or importance, but because of its origin green ended up being something of an ancillary symbol (much like the star and crescent).

yeah the "star and crescent" came from the Ottoman Empire, not the religion.

GulfArabia

Sep 8, 2010, 10:38 AM

Please change thread name to:

MECCA | Abraj Al-Bait Endowment | 601m | 1972ft | 95 fl | U/C

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/4970162787_ff869021f8.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/29070131@N02/4970162787/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4150/4970775502_87ef00c879.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/29070131@N02/4970775502/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/4970162903_16133abd48.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/29070131@N02/4970162903/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/4970163871_9c238bc47f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/29070131@N02/4970163871/)

mrnyc

Sep 9, 2010, 1:59 PM

what the? so they just rebuilt a tall, islam inspired version cleveland's terminal tower complex? :shrug:

http://buzzardbook.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/terminal-tower.jpg

GulfArabia

Sep 9, 2010, 8:23 PM

can you for once stop comparing ?

Pizzuti

Sep 9, 2010, 8:39 PM

what the? so they just rebuilt a tall, islam inspired version cleveland's terminal tower complex? :shrug:

http://buzzardbook.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/terminal-tower.jpg

Yes, they do look alike, amusing.

There are millions and millions of buildings on Earth and there are not millions and millions of possible building shapes; every one is bound to resemble something else. A spired tower with smaller buildings around it is not horribly outlandish, is it?

Traynor

Sep 9, 2010, 8:49 PM

what the? so they just rebuilt a tall, islam inspired version cleveland's terminal tower complex? :shrug:

http://buzzardbook.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/terminal-tower.jpg

^Which itself is modeled after St.Mark's in Venice, built in 1514... So what's your point?

My point is: Practically every design riffs on some other design, that's just the way the world is.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/Venice02.jpg/390px-Venice02.jpg
(Courtesy Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Mark%27s_Campanile )

Obey

Sep 9, 2010, 9:24 PM

You can find endless amounts of buildings that look like the Abraj Al-Bait or seem to be the inspiration of it...

jowens

Sep 9, 2010, 10:05 PM

What does the writing in arabic above and below the clock say?

mrnyc

Sep 10, 2010, 9:09 PM

^Which itself is modeled after St.Mark's in Venice, built in 1514... So what's your point?

My point is: Practically every design riffs on some other design, that's just the way the world is.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/Venice02.jpg/390px-Venice02.jpg
(Courtesy Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Mark%27s_Campanile )

huh? umm, whats the point? on ssp? really? :haha: wait, was something deleted here or were you really asking me in particular what my point is???

ok my point is i was born in cleveland and so of course it immediately resembles the terminal tower complex to me. and yes the tower part was inspired by st marks in venice. and every other similar tower in italy. lets go back to shinbum too. maybe nepal? yadda. but much much more than all of that pedantic other backtracking -- it resembles the terminal tower complex.

it was surprizing thats all. thats my point. sheesh.

otoh if i you didnt mean me in particular then i apologize :cheers:

muppet

Sep 10, 2010, 11:13 PM

actually Cleveland Tower is inspired by Seville Cathedral in Spain, the biggest gothic cathedral in the world. Ironically enough it was originally constructed as a Moorish mosque - just look at the main minaret/tower:

http://www.kieron.org/pics/stu_stag/Seville%20cathedral%20tower.jpg http://www.hicker-stock-photography.com/images/600/seville-cathedral-542.jpg
www.kieron.org/pics, www.hicker-stock-photography.com

http://www.chss.iup.edu/kpatrick/Great%20Lakes/32,%20Terminal%20Tower,%201930,%20Cleveland,%20OH,%20May%202005.jpg
www.chss.iup.edu/kpatrick

brian.odonnell20

Sep 10, 2010, 11:15 PM

that building in ohio doesn't even look like this building. You're taking the broadest similarity and applying it to this. Do you understand how many buildings in the world look the same just because of their general shape? stupid post.

muppet

Sep 10, 2010, 11:21 PM

The Seville Cathedral minaret is one of the most copied forms in architecture, you will find nineteenth century versions all over Europe and NA

Manhattan Life Insurance Building
http://www.essential-architecture.com/SPAIN/SP-SE/CHURCH-giralda_tower.jpg http://www.nyc-architecture.com/GON/GON-Manhattan_Life_Insurance_Building.jpg
www.essential-architecture.com, www.nyc-architecture.com

Kelvingrove Art Gallery

http://www.essential-architecture.com/SPAIN/SP-SE/CHURCH-giralda_tower.jpg http://www.yourlocalweb.co.uk/images/pictures/20/74/kelvingrove-art-gallery-and-museum-204676.jpg
www.yourlocalweb.co.uk

Glasgow City Hall

http://www.essential-architecture.com/SPAIN/SP-SE/CHURCH-giralda_tower.jpg http://www.clas.wayne.edu/multimedia/usercontent/Image/Geography%20and%20Urban%20Planning/Study%20Abroad/scotland_2002/Glasgow_City_Hall.jpg
www.clas.wayne.edu

Warsaw Palace of Culture

http://www.essential-architecture.com/SPAIN/SP-SE/CHURCH-giralda_tower.jpg http://www.destination360.com/europe/poland/images/s/palace-of-culture.jpg
www.destination360.com

Electric Tower, NYC

http://www.essential-architecture.com/SPAIN/SP-SE/CHURCH-giralda_tower.jpg http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/200802/images/third/Giralda_IH155142.jpg
www.saudiaramcoworld.com

Aleks

Sep 11, 2010, 1:53 AM

bravo, that was an awesome conversation. i'm glad we haven't had this discussion before. comparisons are fine, but stupid fighting which completely derails the thread is not allowed. Go chat on fb or PM for that.

now quit trolling or people will start getting suspensions.

Visualize

Sep 11, 2010, 7:41 AM

last friday:
1.5 Million prayed in Makkah (Holy Mosque)
1 Million prayed in Madina (Prophet's Mosque)
1/4 Million prayed in Occupied Palestine (Al-Aqsa Mosque)

:)

we need more skyscrapers:

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/1963/65473169.jpg

this will be built right behind the current towers, Abraj al-Bait will have 27 towers, part of a plan to accommodate 10 million pilgrims instead of 4 million. thats a huge ENDOWMENT project which all profits goes to the maintenance of the 2 holy mosques.

While unfortunately still relatively symmetrical, I really like the clustering of the Abraj Al-Bait complex, and with these additional buildings it will be even better. It's keeping in theme with the organic nature of the city's development, and the irregular lines of the holy site itself. Some of the other renderings with commie block buildings and grids look horrendous and sterile when contrasted with the rest of the city.

I'm very surprised though that after 911 a supertall would be built right on top of a Muslim holy site. Balls.

malec

Sep 11, 2010, 9:22 PM

Update. This thing is really huge!

Thanks to Ashiqulhuur, these are from Eid

http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/119/4976912887813123b4bdb.jpg

http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/5263/4976912187a85c381448b.jpg

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/9416/49775187844148157e06b.jpg

In front of the building

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/8616/49775213781016677b85b.jpg

Abraj base is the one on the left. They cover the street close to the tower in the back as to protect from accidental falling construction matrials.

http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/8299/49775231122988355336b.jpg

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/223/497752411283c5e56a35b.jpg

GulfArabia

Sep 15, 2010, 8:15 AM

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/1135/49727984074a3ab37ee0b.jpg

http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/3707/49728195551ae444be1cb.jpg

new pictures at night :cool:

GO_UAE

Sep 15, 2010, 8:51 AM

Mystical ! Mashallah

JBoston

Sep 15, 2010, 3:10 PM

The more I visit this thread the more I want to visit Mecca. So cool!

Dylan Leblanc

Sep 16, 2010, 3:19 AM

Can anyone who is familiar enough with this project tell me which names match with which towers? Obviously I know the name of the tallest tower, but I can't match up the names for six other towers.

1. Safa Tower
2. Marwah Tower

3. Qibla Tower
4. Maqam Tower

5. ZamZam Tower
6. Hajar Tower

Each pair in the list have the same height and number of floors, so I can figure out which groups of towers they are by looking at the rendering, but I don't know which one is on the left and which is on the right.

I have also seen the Maqam Tower refered to as the Sarah Tower. Which is the correct name?

To correctly mark each tower on a map I need to know which one is which.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wT5L5FO8jbc/TGvP8zSdQ4I/AAAAAAAAA9s/8Il6gvSvSXs/s400/Makkah%20Clock%20Royal%20Tower%20Hotel.jpg

GulfArabia

Oct 4, 2010, 3:21 PM

i just came back from there with "iPhone" photos :) i will upload them later today

Photos from Article: http://www.compositesworld.com/articles/besting-big-ben-a-marvel-in-makkah%282%29

http://www.compositesworld.com/cdn/cms/1010_CT_EI3.jpg

http://www.compositesworld.com/cdn/cms/1010_CT_EI2.jpg

a closeup of the clock face indicates the huge scale of the project (note the workman in the lower right-hand corner). Source: Premier Composite Technologies

http://www.compositesworld.com/cdn/cms/1010_CT_EI4.jpg

To test the design, a quarter clock face was built near Premier Composite Technologies’ facility. Erection of its nearly 50 parts, took six days and a crew of 12 and was the means to train installers. The section later was shipped to Makkah for incorporation into a clock face. Source: Premier Composite Tecchnologies

http://www.compositesworld.com/cdn/cms/1010_CT_EI5.jpg

Drilling and LED insertion in the quarter clock face took eight people more than eight days, using injection molded 30 percent glass polybutylene terephthalate tubes bonded with Gurit’s Spabond 340 LV epoxy adhesive. Source: Premier Composite Technologies

Besting Big Ben: A Marvel in Makkah

Rising above Islam’s holiest city, the 610m/2001-ft tall Makkah Clock Royal Tower is the focal point for the nearly complete Abraj Al-Bait hotel complex opposite the Grand Mosque of Makkah (Mecca) in Saudi Arabia. A key part of the Development of King Abdul Aziz Endowment (DOKAAE) project, devised to upgrade the mosque environs, the clock tower is the world’s largest — almost five times the size of London’s Big Ben.

read more : http://www.compositesworld.com/articles/besting-big-ben-a-marvel-in-makkah%282%29