reiser + umemoto architects: 'aeon II', dubai

new york architectural firm reiser + umemoto have designed ‘aeon II’ an office tower building located in dubai, united arab emirates. with ‘aeon II’, the dubai norm of slick curtain wall clad towers has been put aside in favor of a responsive cladding system in tune with the arid desert environment. the folded plan-form of this 45-story building combines the inherent efficiency of parallel floor slabs with rich sculptural possibilities. there are many benefits to this new configuration. while systematic and rational, each floor plate allows for unique office configurations, ranging from boutique to mid-size. superlative views are created in the tips of the folds resulting in more corner offices. moreover, the folded form creates an inherently stiff outer surface, which frees the cores from the burden of lateral forces and radically reduces the roles of cores in shear capacity.

‘aeon II’ – cladding detail

for the building’s skin a new concept is being proposed. rather than the typical curtain wall solution, they proposed an economical floor to ceiling window-wall assembly which also allows for the creation of the buildings folded forms. the glazing steps rather than wraps and will be entirely standardized. the building’s reticulated skin is made of perforated aluminum panels. these will have a beneficial effect both aesthetically and environmentally, shading the building from glare and heat, yet allowing for directed views from within the offices. the rich variation and quality of the outer fabric is created by following the folded building form. thus while every built element is standard, the openings between are unusual and continuously vary.

‘aeon II’

‘aeon II’

‘aeon II’ – exterior detail

‘aeon II’ – interior detail

‘aeon II’ – interior detail