The third annual Emporis Skyscraper Award was awarded to Kingdom Centre, which was chosen from 350 new skyscrapers. Kingdom Centre is situated in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It is already a landmark of 21st Century architecture chosen out of a distinguished group of contenders.
Emporis Skyscraper Award 2002
Kindgdom Centre in Saudi Arabia is nominated as winner
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Winning Design
Kingdom Centre, the new tallest building in Saudi Arabia, is a mixed-use tower with a unique design chosen to symbolize the city of Riyadh: a simple elliptical tower topped with a curved opening where a 60-meter observatory bridge spans an inverted caternary arch. The striking triangular opening is visible from nearly all parts of Saudi Arabia's capital city. This futuristic design springs from the intent of the building's client, Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal of the Saudi Royal Family, who wished to build an elegant icon with a simple and structurally expressive form. The tower's symmetry respects the traditions of Islamic art, which is known for its range of geometric forms. The skyscraper's four entrances separate the major uses inside: 13 floors of office space at the bottom (including a five-story atrium and a business center on the 14th floor), a 10-story Four Seasons Hotel above the offices, 5 levels of luxury apartments and condominiums, and the headquarters of Kingdom Holding Company on the 30th floor just below the inverted arch. A podium completes the symmetry with two side wings, featuring a shopping mall anchored by Sak's Fifth Avenue. The award presentation for Kingdom Centre will be held in Spring 2003. Runners-up for the Emporis Skyscraper Award 2002 were Post Tower in Bonn, designed by Murphy/Jahn Architects; and 111 Huntington Avenue in Boston, designed by Childs Bertman Tseckares Inc.