The Capital Gate skyscraper is located in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, and has an 18-degree tilt, making it the most tilted building in the world. The construction of this structure presented workers with one of the greatest challenges of their professional careers.
The height of the Capital Gate Tower is 160 meters, that include with a total of 35 floors. The lower floors are occupied by offices, with a total area of approximately 15,000 square meters, while the upper floors house a 5-star hotel, with an area of 25,000 square meters.
The top of the structure protrudes 33 meters to one side, which posed a real architectural and engineering challenge. It took more than 400 concrete piles to counteract the force of gravity. A steel-reinforced concrete slab, to ensure an even distribution of forces, thereby achieving greater strength.
But it wasn't just the foundation that kept Capital Gate standing. This building features a central core with an inclination opposite to that of the skyscraper, since a traditional core could not support such a structure. The core is deflected by about 350 millimeters.
The technique used to build this core was the sliding formwork, by assembling a steel bar framework and installing formwork to give it the desired shape, which is then filled with concrete. The formwork is then raised to repeat the process.
For its facade, they used some 12,500 smooth, triangular glass panels, which cover an area of about 21,000 square meters. These triangles are arranged to form diamonds, which are connected to each other by a flexible joint that prevents water from getting in, and there are also some drain pipes which allow this liquid to escape in the event of a leak.
The professionals who worked on the construction of this impressive structure used techniques that ensured a reduction in energy use during this complex process.
The building also features a a restaurant with a pool that juts out from the building and that it is suspended about 100 meters above the ground. This surface is located supported by 22 steel struts.
In addition to defying the force of gravity, the Capital Gate is specially designed and constructed to withstand potential earthquakes and resist the strong winds in the area.
Construction began in 2007 and was not completed until 2011; it was in 2010 that Capital Gate was recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world's most leaning building.
