The new Jian Mu tower which is set to open in China later this year has been described as a "farmscraper". Photo: Carlo Ratti Associati
The new Jian Mu tower which is set to open in China later this year has been described as a "farmscraper". Photo: Carlo Ratti Associati
Hundreds of thousands of people would travel by drone from tower to tower according to proposals for The Link, a self sustainable vertical city project. Courtesy: Luca Curci
Hundreds of thousands of people would travel by drone from tower to tower according to proposals for The Link, a self sustainable vertical city project. Courtesy: Luca Curci
Luca Curci, the architect behind The Link which is a 750-metre high vertical city forest in the heart of overcrowded cities. Courtesy: Luca Curci
Luca Curci, the architect behind The Link which is a 750-metre high vertical city forest in the heart of overcrowded cities. Courtesy: Luca Curci
Dubai's Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest building at 829.8 metres high. AFP
Dubai's Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest building at 829.8 metres high. AFP
Willis Tower, formerly Sears Tower, was the tallest building in the world until 1998. To this day, it is the tallest property in Chicago. AFP
Willis Tower, formerly Sears Tower, was the tallest building in the world until 1998. To this day, it is the tallest property in Chicago. AFP
A view of the Transamerica Pyramid building on August 19, 2019 in San Francisco, California. It was completed in 1972 and was the tallest building in San Francisco until 2018. AFP
A view of the Transamerica Pyramid building on August 19, 2019 in San Francisco, California. It was completed in 1972 and was the tallest building in San Francisco until 2018. AFP
Kuwait's tallest building is Al Hamra Tower, left. AFP
Kuwait's tallest building is Al Hamra Tower, left. AFP
The $5.7 billion Marina Bay Sands hotel and resort, left, (L) is world-renowned and frequently tops world's most beautiful skyscraper lists. AFP
The $5.7 billion Marina Bay Sands hotel and resort, left, (L) is world-renowned and frequently tops world's most beautiful skyscraper lists. AFP
The Evolution Tower is in Moscow, Russia. Formerly known as Wedding Palace and City Palace, its twisted, futuristic form designed by British architect Tony Kettle is what makes it stand out. Getty Images
The Evolution Tower is in Moscow, Russia. Formerly known as Wedding Palace and City Palace, its twisted, futuristic form designed by British architect Tony Kettle is what makes it stand out. Getty Images
While Torre Glories only has 38 stories, it has famously redefined the Barcelona skyline. Alamy Stock Photo
While Torre Glories only has 38 stories, it has famously redefined the Barcelona skyline. Alamy Stock Photo
Formerly known as London Bridge Tower, the Shard is a 72-storey skyscraper that's become one of the most recognisable buildings on the English capital's skyline. AFP
Formerly known as London Bridge Tower, the Shard is a 72-storey skyscraper that's become one of the most recognisable buildings on the English capital's skyline. AFP
Bahrain World Trade Centre was the first skyscraper in the world to integrate wind turbines and has even won awards for sustainability. AFP
Bahrain World Trade Centre was the first skyscraper in the world to integrate wind turbines and has even won awards for sustainability. AFP
Kingdom Centre Tower in Riyadh is the world's third-tallest building with a hole in it. Getty Images
Kingdom Centre Tower in Riyadh is the world's third-tallest building with a hole in it. Getty Images
The Taipei 101, formerly known as the Taipei Financial Centre, is Taiwan's tallest building, and was the world's tallest until 2009. AFP
The Taipei 101, formerly known as the Taipei Financial Centre, is Taiwan's tallest building, and was the world's tallest until 2009. AFP
The Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur were for six years the tallest in the world, until 2004. AFP
The Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur were for six years the tallest in the world, until 2004. AFP
Shanghai Tower in Pudong area, Shanghai is the tallest building in China and the world's second tallest building. EPA
Shanghai Tower in Pudong area, Shanghai is the tallest building in China and the world's second tallest building. EPA
The Chrysler Building has been a key part of the New York City skyline for more than 90 years. Between 1930 and 1931, it was actually the world's tallest building. AFP
The Chrysler Building has been a key part of the New York City skyline for more than 90 years. Between 1930 and 1931, it was actually the world's tallest building. AFP
The China Central Television Tower is in the central business district in Beijing. It's referred to as an 'anti-skyscraper' because of its unique design. AFP
The China Central Television Tower is in the central business district in Beijing. It's referred to as an 'anti-skyscraper' because of its unique design. AFP
The Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning Chinese-American architect I M Pei and the triangular glass building was for a few years the tallest building in the world outside the US. Getty Images
The Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning Chinese-American architect I M Pei and the triangular glass building was for a few years the tallest building in the world outside the US. Getty Images
Home to three schools, Tokyo's Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower boasts a unique cocoon-inspired design. Getty Images
Home to three schools, Tokyo's Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower boasts a unique cocoon-inspired design. Getty Images
Hotel & Casino Grand Lisboa in Macau boasts unique lotus flower-shaped architecture. AFP
Hotel & Casino Grand Lisboa in Macau boasts unique lotus flower-shaped architecture. AFP
The Turning Torso in Malmo, Sweden is the tallest building in Scandinavia, but it was also the world's first "twisting" tower. AFP
The Turning Torso in Malmo, Sweden is the tallest building in Scandinavia, but it was also the world's first "twisting" tower. AFP
30 St Mary Axe is a 41-storey office tower that cost £138m to make. Getty Images
30 St Mary Axe is a 41-storey office tower that cost £138m to make. Getty Images
The Shanghai World Financial Centre is among the top 15 tallest buildings in the world and among the top 10 in China. AFP
The Shanghai World Financial Centre is among the top 15 tallest buildings in the world and among the top 10 in China. AFP
Istanbul Sapphire Tower is among the Turkish city's tallest buildings and was formerly its tallest until 2016. Getty Images
Istanbul Sapphire Tower is among the Turkish city's tallest buildings and was formerly its tallest until 2016. Getty Images
The Lotte Corp. World Tower is the tallest building in South Korea, and the fifth-tallest in the world. Getty Images
The Lotte Corp. World Tower is the tallest building in South Korea, and the fifth-tallest in the world. Getty Images
The Ryugyong Hotel is the world's tallest unoccupied building. It's based in Pyongyang, North Korea. AFP
The Ryugyong Hotel is the world's tallest unoccupied building. It's based in Pyongyang, North Korea. AFP
The Gran Torre Santiago, formerly known as Torre Gran Costanera, part of the Costanera complex, is the tallest skyscraper in South America. Getty Images
The Gran Torre Santiago, formerly known as Torre Gran Costanera, part of the Costanera complex, is the tallest skyscraper in South America. Getty Images
Dubai's Burj Al Arab is the tallest all-suite hotel in the world, one of the most recognisable buildings in the Middle East and only 60m shorter than the Empire State Building. AFP
Dubai's Burj Al Arab is the tallest all-suite hotel in the world, one of the most recognisable buildings in the Middle East and only 60m shorter than the Empire State Building. AFP
New York's One World Trade Centre is the tallest building America and the Western Hemisphere, and the sixth-tallest in the world. Getty Images
New York's One World Trade Centre is the tallest building America and the Western Hemisphere, and the sixth-tallest in the world. Getty Images
For 40 years, the steel-framed, 103-storey Empire State Building was the tallest in the world, until 1971, and remains to this day one of the best examples of Modernist Art Deco design. AFP
For 40 years, the steel-framed, 103-storey Empire State Building was the tallest in the world, until 1971, and remains to this day one of the best examples of Modernist Art Deco design. AFP
The 75-storey corporate headquarters of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, designed by HOK. Reuters
The 75-storey corporate headquarters of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, designed by HOK. Reuters
Construction outside the ICD Brookfield Place building on Al Mustaqbal Street, Dubai Photo: Reem Mohammed/The National
Construction outside the ICD Brookfield Place building on Al Mustaqbal Street, Dubai Photo: Reem Mohammed/The National

World's second tallest building in Russia: designs revealed by architects Kettle Collective

The Scottish architecture company, with offices in Dubai and Oman, is behind the 150-storey Lakhta Centre II

Katy Gillett
Katy Gillett

May 28, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Dubai's 828 metre Burj Khalifa towers over any other skyscraper in the world, but trailing behind that at 703 metres will soon be Russia's Lakhta Centre II, which has been designed by Scottish architecture company Kettle Collective.

A rendering of Lakhta Centre II, to be the world's second tallest building, based in Russia and designed by Scottish architecture firm Kettle Collective.
A rendering of Lakhta Centre II, to be the world's second tallest building, based in Russia and designed by Scottish architecture firm Kettle Collective.

Once it's complete, the supertall 150-storey skyscraper in St Petersburg will be the second tallest building in the world, soaring above China's 632m Shanghai Tower, and will also have the planet's highest occupied floor and viewing gallery, according to Kettle Collective.

The company unveiled its designs on Tuesday for the tower, which will feature an outer layer of spiralling columns within a metal exoskeleton.

The planned development would be located on the outskirts of the Russian port city, alongside Europe's tallest building, the Lakhta Centre (462m), the headquarters for global energy company Gazprom, which Kettle Collective's co-founder Tony Kettle designed when he worked at architectural firm RMJM.

Kettle, a multi-award-winning architect and design principal, says the new tower will be "more than a city landmark" and will be of "national significance, showcasing Russia on the world's stage as an investor in business, innovation and creative thinking.

“The tower is born out of a daring idea that has been inspired by energy in all of its forms, from helical waves generated around deep space quasars to the spirals of wave energy. The outer layer of the building is created from spiralling columns that form an open organic helical diagrid, while the structure is carved out by a series of spiral atriums shared with green vertical spaces.”

Ultimately, Kettle says, the "vision for the tower form is therefore the physical embodiment of energy. It is an exuberant expression of intersecting helical waves creating a dramatic multi-layered spiral form."

Colin Bone, left, and Tony Kettle, middle, both founded Kettle Collective in 2012.
Colin Bone, left, and Tony Kettle, middle, both founded Kettle Collective in 2012.

The award-winning Kettle Collective was founded in 2012 and has studios in Scotland, Dubai and Oman.

The company has worked on numerous projects in the Middle East, including the Dewa Solar Innovation Centre in Dubai, the Port Sultan Qaboos in Oman and numerous museums in Saudi Arabia.

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
Overview

What: The Arab Women’s Sports Tournament is a biennial multisport event exclusively for Arab women athletes.

When: From Sunday, February 2, to Wednesday, February 12.

Where: At 13 different centres across Sharjah.

Disciplines: Athletics, archery, basketball, fencing, Karate, table tennis, shooting (rifle and pistol), show jumping and volleyball.

Participating countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Qatar and UAE.

Petrarch: Everywhere a Wanderer
Christopher Celenza,
Reaktion Books

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ASHES FIXTURES

1st Test: Brisbane, Nov 23-27 
2nd Test: Adelaide, Dec 2-6
3rd Test: Perth, Dec 14-18
4th Test: Melbourne, Dec 26-30
5th Test: Sydney, Jan 4-8

Wicked: For Good

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater

Rating: 4/5

Know your Camel lingo

The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home

Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless

Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers

Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s

Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival

Tamkeen's offering
  • Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
  • Option 2: 50% across three years
  • Option 3: 30% across five years 
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
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