H.H Sheikh Suroor Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan
DBI Design
Aurecon
Arabian Construction Company
Hotel & Residential
Metal screens, Stainless steel columns
Stainless Steel
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Etihad Towers
Project Summary
Grankraft provided metal screens with a bespoke design of unique patterns and various customised shapes and structures which have been used as internal partitions and the balustrades of the feature staircases. The pattern was carefully integrated into the framing with a concealed mechanical fixation detail to enhance the beauty of the mashrabiya pattern.
Furthermore, all stainless steel column cladding (32 in total) was fabricated by Grankraft and are most prominent in the hotel lobby, where they feature in the 12m high space from where visitors have uninterrupted views to the Arabian Gulf and beyond. The cladding consists of 1.5mm thick stainless steel (grade 316 mirror #8 finish) sheets which are rolled to diameters varying from 900 to 1500mm. Whilst the panels for this project have been relatively small, with sizes varying from 150 to 1500mm long, we are able to produce panel sizes up to 3000mm long and accommodate seamless design concepts. For the Etihad tower design the horizontal joints were limited to 1500mm and are intentionally expressed. The number of vertical subdivisions of the cladding depended upon the diameter of existing concrete columns but were limited to two or four vertical joints. Our know-how and expert craftsmen were key to achieving an even surface appearance without weld or stud marks. A particular feature of the columns are the onyx granite inlays. The polished stainlesssteel harmonises with the other materials chosen by the designer to create spaces that undergo dramatic transformations creating a rich journey as guests move throughout the hotel.