Out on the tiles: Qatar tower takes shape

Barcelona – A design studio has won a competition to develop a unique tower in the city of Doha, Qatar. It will use ancient design traditions to form a modern building.

The Alpha Project by architect studio Xavier Vilalta Studio, is an independent ecosystem that combines advanced building design and ancient heritage.

The skin of the building is based on a traditional Arabic decoration technique in which a set of five differently shaped tiles forms a ‘girih pattern’. The design moulds in with the surrounding environment, taking full advantage of the available natural resources. Energy is harnessed from wind, while water and the sun are the main power sources.

For more on how modern buildings can be integrated with their surroundings, read our story about Barrio de Los Paracaidistas in Mexico City.