COLAB Architecture + Urban Design, in partnership with AECOM-Qatar, announced that it has been selected to design  a 45-storey mixed-use tower in the West Bay area of Doha.

‘Milaha Tower’ is situated on the Corniche Park Road with a programme consisting of retail, office and residential uses totalling 100,000m2.

The winning design of the tower reflects its location, taking inspiration from both land and sea.  The form of the building in plan pays homage to ocean going vessels with a distinct bow.

Nautical light towers or lighthouses influence the Gulf-facing half of the building form in elevation and section.

This influence is evident in the banding of the building elements on the seaward side of the tower and the light beacon featured at the top.

The inland facing half of the building evokes a connection to the land and culture with a heavier stone material rendered with openings in the form of a unique Arabic pattern.

The relationship of the Milaha Tower to the vigorous built-context surrounding the site called for a dominant geometrical form rooted in strong platonic forms found in Qatar culture.

Work on the project is set to begin immediately, with construction scheduled for completion in two years.

Source: http://www.designmena.com/thoughts/aecom-colab-team-design-doha-tower