Rising to a height of 413m, the AI Hamra Tower dominates the skyline of Kuwait City as the second tallest building in the Middle East region. The geometry expresses a remarkable visual dynamism which responds to its environmental context and the Client's leasing strategy. The resultant twisted form demanded complex analysis to identify dominant load combinations and structural behaviour. Innovations included developing a pre-construction program to offset subsequent creep twisting. Hydraulic actuators were used to install an opposite twist by warping the climbing formwork system prior to casting each core level, with precision monitoring using GPS.

"The judges were impressed by the obvious intricate structural analysis and design that has taken place, enabling the architectural concept to be coupled with an optimal structural solution in delivering the Client's vision. The resultant solution was not only effective but blended into the architectural expression; a fine example of engineering as an art form."