Capital Gate
Abu Dhabi
2009
Capital Gate Tower is a mixed-use skyscraper and hotel complex that stands as one of Abu Dhabi’s most recognisable architectural landmarks. Leaning 18 degrees westward, four times more than the Leaning Tower of Pisa, it achieves this remarkable form through a pre-cambered central core and a steel diagrid exoskeleton that work in harmony to ensure balance, strength, and stability. Supported by deep foundation piles and reinforced concrete, the tower embodies the seamless fusion of structural innovation and architectural expression.
As part of the design team, I was commissioned to develop the entrance canopies for both the hotel and office components. The concept was driven by simplicity and precision, creating minimalist forms that align with the geometry of the exoskeleton while enhancing the arrival experience with lightness and clarity.
