Vitreous force of nature

The extravagant construction consists of a rhombic steel structure with floor-to-ceiling glazing and a column-free interior. The solar control glazing ipasol (special type) protects the interior from the torrid sun.

The skyline of Qatar’s capital has a new eye catcher. In co-operation with the Munich-based architects, SIAT Architekten und Ingenieure GmbH, an office tower was created that replicates nature – the “Tornado Tower” in Doha’s high-rise quarter, Westbay. The clear lines of the trapezoidal glazed facade give the tower its extraordinary appeal. The corset-like, rhombic steel frame and the floor-to-ceiling, slightly bluish glazing give the tower its distinctive appearance.

Elaborate architecture

The bearing elements are the outer steel construction and a tubular core of reinforced concrete in the centre of the tower. Both are connected by way of top panels that are made of reinforced concrete and in spite of their low weight, they are capable of bearing heavy loads, thereby making columns in the interior unnecessary. This design provides for maximum usable interior space of up to 2,000 square metres, depending on the storey. Most of the 50 storeys are housing offices, but there are also several restaurants, a cafe, and a fitness centre at the mid-level, as well as smaller shops on the ground floor.

Characteristic colouring with solar protection

A special solar control glazing protects from the intensive solar radiation. The ipasol special type is slightly bluish and gives the tower its characteristic colour. As a special request from the building owner, this “special glazing” features an extremely low solar factor (g-value = 24%) and effective thermal insulation (Ug = 1.1 W/m2K) at a light transmittance of 38 per cent. For the entrance façade, ipasol neutral 70/39 was used, which features high light transmittance (tL = 66%), low total energy transmittance g-value = 38%), and high colour neutrality (Ra,D = 92). The floor-to-ceiling glazing allows plenty of daylight to enter into the building. The glass parapet, the tower’s “crown”, is made of laminated sheet glass.

Elaborate illumination

Even at night-time, the monumental building cannot be missed. The lights on the points of the intersection of the rhombic steel framework can be individually controlled and they illuminate the dynamic shape of the building in 35,000 different colour combinations. Therefore, the “Tornado Tower” is a visible landmark of the desert state by day and at night.

Credits board

Tornado Tower



Object address: Majlis AL Tawoon Street, Westbay Doha, Qatar

Building owner: Qatar Investments & Projects Development Holding Company W.L.L.

Building company: Six Construct – Midmac JV,

P.O. Box 32263, Doha, Qatar

Architect: SIAT – Architekten und Ingenieure GmbH, Munich and CICO Consulting Architects Engineers, Qatar

Glass product: ipasol "special type", entrance facade is made of ipasol neutral 70/39, and the parapet facade is made of laminated sheet glass

Glass processing: Interpane Plattling

The “Tornado Tower” in daylight. The rhombic steel frame and floor-to-ceiling glazing give the tower its distinctive appearance. Illustration: supplied by Tornado Tower







At night, lights illuminate the “Tornado” in different colours. Illustration: supplied by Tornado Tower

The solar control glazing ipasol (special type) protects the interior from the intensive solar radiation. It gives the tower its characteristic colour. Photo: Interpane

For further information, please contact:

Interpane Glas Industrie AG

Rainer W. Schmid

Phone: 0 52 73 / 809-221 / Fax: -238

E-Mail: pr@interpane.com

pr nord corporate communications

Marc Everling

Phone: 05 31 / 7 01 01-0 / Fax: -50

E-Mail: m.everling@pr-nord.de