As you may have noticed, we’re focusing on architecture and design in the Middle East in the run up to the International Design Forum in Dubai next month.
Here are several renderings, model shots, plans and elevations of Jean Nouvel’s High Rise Office Building proposal for Doha in Qatar.
Work has already started on the 45-storey tower, which is due for completion late in 2008.
The glass-clad building is wrapped in a metal brise-soleil based on a traditional Islamic pattern.
For more design developments in the Middle East, check out our blog for the IDF.
>> more Jean Nouvel on dezeen:
La Philharmonie de Paris by Jean Nouvel (first of three consecutive posts)
100 11th Avenue by Jean Nouvel
More images of Nouvel’s Abu Dhabi museum
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Posted by Marcus Fairs
April 25th, 2007 at 11:19 pm
Horrid!, it’s just as ugly as the Agbar tower, all they did was apply a different skin and crown this abomination with a spire that looks as if taken from one of those biker helmets.
April 26th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
Looks great! Thanks to parametrics a facade like this is totally possible and feasable. Very nice, hopefully the finishing is great. Agbar is not bad either, I saw how the facade has become a new years clock with its controlled lighting system and it looks great. But yes, the Agbar curtain wall at close inspection doesn’t look great.
Overall I like i, but can stop thinking of this tower as the Agbar tower with a condom attatched to it. I love it!
April 26th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
the worlds biggest dildo. nice work.
April 26th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
It’s hard to look at it and not think “condom”.
April 26th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
At first look I thought : the Condom.
At closer look : the Narwhal.
I like the details, but the whole leaves me sceptic.
April 26th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
This is how a wet dream comes true.
April 26th, 2007 at 11:33 pm
Congratulations on your penis
April 26th, 2007 at 11:43 pm
I hope they got thier money back. It looks like crap.
April 26th, 2007 at 11:49 pm
Very intruiging. If you take a HARD look at it, you wonder where the batteries go…
April 26th, 2007 at 11:57 pm
penis. pppppenis.
April 27th, 2007 at 12:09 am
is that a reservoir tip?
April 27th, 2007 at 12:14 am
Does look a bit uncircumcized.
April 27th, 2007 at 12:15 am
Is Abtar there?
No he’s still at work in the giant dildo.
April 27th, 2007 at 12:22 am
I think it looks more like a dildo.
April 27th, 2007 at 12:28 am
The Jetsons are going to love it.
April 27th, 2007 at 12:29 am
Dildo was my first impression
April 27th, 2007 at 12:44 am
Does it vibrate? or does that take an earthquake?
April 27th, 2007 at 1:05 am
After reading all the comments, I am forced to say that it does look like a giant metal penis strapped in a patterned condom. I am really sorry
April 27th, 2007 at 1:05 am
Great design! It will be wonderful next to my Vagina Draw Bridge!
April 27th, 2007 at 1:05 am
Will probably be the most environmentally friendly building because it will probably run on batteries
April 27th, 2007 at 1:11 am
Does it vibrate?
April 27th, 2007 at 1:26 am
The Style is very forward thinking. Like those before me it is not something we are used to. But then again that it the true test of an Arcitect, to push the boundaries of the known and inspire us using new form to accent function.
April 27th, 2007 at 1:31 am
Great detail with the brise-soleil, but I would make my office building more angular. Something just looks funny with that tall a building with that shape. What sort of business will they be doing there?
April 27th, 2007 at 1:37 am
totally looks like a condom. lol
April 27th, 2007 at 1:39 am
Nice, it even has a reservoir tip.Ack!
April 27th, 2007 at 1:45 am
one poorly designed suppository. ouch!
April 27th, 2007 at 1:47 am
Why must it always be phallic.
April 27th, 2007 at 1:47 am
WHOA! Finally my penis is getting built!
April 27th, 2007 at 1:50 am
He is very excited.
April 27th, 2007 at 2:30 am
a man with a small manhood
April 27th, 2007 at 2:41 am
lol !! this is too funny
April 27th, 2007 at 2:50 am
I wonder if it vibrates?
April 27th, 2007 at 3:08 am
Is this intended for earthquake prone regions?
April 27th, 2007 at 3:12 am
It need 2 large domed structures, one on each side…
April 27th, 2007 at 3:15 am
I wonder how they fit the condom… its huge!!!
April 27th, 2007 at 3:19 am
Wow, that giant dildo almost looks like an office building, way to go!
April 27th, 2007 at 3:20 am
It a truely futuristic architecture. Waited to mated by a space invader.
April 27th, 2007 at 3:32 am
This is surely a late April Fools Day joke.
We had a mayor in Montreal (J. Drapeau) who had a phallic fixation building huge towers, but he never made it so overt as this monstrosity.
First impression; Condom
Second impression: Penis with condom
Third impression: Photoshop
April 27th, 2007 at 4:02 am
Wow this is wicked.
April 27th, 2007 at 4:16 am
quite unbelievable actually, the grid pattern work on those windows follows traditionalist Islamic art. A lot of people are saying it has phallic imagery, but the reason it looks this way is that in Islamic architecture, they avert from using straight edges on the top of buildings - in the past it was seen as bad luck or fortune to have jagged edges towards the top of a building, so you’ll find that the roofs of most historic buildings in Islamic countries utilize the ‘dome’ roof. This can be most readily seen in the construction of mosques, which almost always will use the classical dome type roof, and they are blending traditional with the modern, so the modern skyscraper with the traditional dome architecture looks a bit phallic, but it’s merely just a misunderstanding since it’s the rounded top of the building that gives this impression.
April 27th, 2007 at 4:45 am
Cool condom add
April 27th, 2007 at 5:13 am
Looks modern, but the detail in the Islamic motif facade should be noticable from afar, otherwise I agree that with other comments, that it looks like a vibrator.
April 27th, 2007 at 7:36 am
wow, it would be something to meet the woman who owns this dildo.
the patterned metal wrap is impressive. so keep everybody close during the unveiling.
April 27th, 2007 at 8:12 am
“Where do you work mummy?”…
“In this big shiny dildo over there son!”
April 27th, 2007 at 11:43 am
someone: Hi, how are you?
Dildo building employee: Well, fine…
someone: Do you have a job?
Dildo building employee: Well, yes…
someone: Really, where are you working?
Dildo building employee: Ehm, in a dildo!
hahaha, poor people that’s gonna work there!
April 27th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
Did someone get some consulting from Trojan
April 27th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
It looks like the new headquarters for Planned Parenthood.
April 27th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Interesting consept, but looks like the earth had an errection LOL…
April 27th, 2007 at 3:56 pm
Big erection they’ve got there…
April 27th, 2007 at 4:10 pm
wait until they start construction on the parking garages
[IMG]http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w270/kramm118/Untitled-4copy.jpg[/IMG]
April 27th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w270/kramm118/Untitled-4copy.jpg
April 27th, 2007 at 4:39 pm
WANG lol
April 27th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Do you think they’re trying to compensate?
Or maybe they are they trying to say:
“Ours is bigger than yours”
?
LMAO
April 27th, 2007 at 6:27 pm
Ribbed for her pleasure!!!!
Seriously - I love the metal brise-soleil pattern.
April 27th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
People, you’v got it all wrong.. its not a penis, nor it is a condom. Its actually one big erect nipple.
April 27th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
Battries Not Included!
April 28th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
A buckload of architecture… oops!
April 29th, 2007 at 12:11 am
ES UN PROYECTO MUY INTERESANTE YA QUE EXPLORA LA SUPERFICIE DIFERENTE EN LOS EDIFICIOS ES COMO UN TEJIDO QUE RECUBRE LA PIEL DEL EDIFICIO DESDE MI PUNTO DE VISTA ES UN PROYECTO MUY INNOVADOR FELICIDADES AL EQUIPO DE JEAN NOUVEL EN FRANCE!
SALUDOS!!
ATM. ARQ. JUNIOR SAHUER
ARQUITECTURAJSG@HOTMAIL.COM
April 29th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
Is the metal around it to protect it from airplanes trying to crash into it?
April 29th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
well what do you have against dildo? don’t you know that some sculpture like that are absolutely venerate in India (so called “lingam”) because represent the force of the generation : ). However i like very much the surface and its decoration absolutely arab….
Gianluca, architect Italy/Bahrein
April 29th, 2007 at 4:39 pm
I thought this was about buildings? Never the less, nice dildo concept.
April 29th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
mira esta torre jejej
April 29th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
It is the ugliest building I have ever seen.
April 29th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
Felicidades por su proyecto es un edificio muy diferente a cualquier otro,su diseño es espectacular e innovador, pero tiene una gran similitud a un pene gigante, y llama bastante la atencion… esta demasiado bonito………
April 30th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
It´s look like an agresive thing. It´s apear want to hearth somebody. & look´s a himself love.
I´ll hope that the people make project think in the place where is going to be, not only in net.
May 1st, 2007 at 6:13 pm
parece un pene gigante
May 2nd, 2007 at 6:30 pm
“…all the humanity, and all the passengers. Screaming around me .. . . I’m sorry, honestly, I can hardly breathe, I’m going to step inside where I cannot see it. Charley that’s terrible. I, I can’t… listen folks I’m going to have to stop for a minute, just because I’ve lost my voice, this is the worst thing I’ve ever witnessed”.— Herb Morrison, reporting for WLS radio, regards the end of LZ-129 the Hindenburg, 6 May 1937.
May 8th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
is there bushes on the base or just plain turf?
May 10th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
looks like a .. uh.. dildo? lol..
but beautiful work of art.. the patterns are breathtaking
May 11th, 2007 at 6:25 pm
Is not the falus the most significant and powerfull simbols of all time……. i think it is greatbut it true that the real details won’t be as charmfull as it looks in the renderings ..also as a concept..but i would like to see what zaha hadid “has to say” when it comes of the feminin simbol ……
May 11th, 2007 at 9:53 pm
Okay - all towers are phallic.
This one just looks like a silo.
May 12th, 2007 at 4:18 pm
I can’t wait to see this building in winter time, maybe it will shrink!!!
May 14th, 2007 at 9:11 pm
Ribbed… for her pleasure.
May 16th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
Its not vertical enough, VERTICALITY HERE WE COME, SUCK THIS..
May 24th, 2007 at 6:53 pm
LightSaber, I had a similar thought, but it was
“Brise-soleil…for her pleasure”
June 5th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
Yep, there’s no doubt, it looks exactly like a huge ribbed condom….whoever thinks this is beautiful really needs to get out more.
June 6th, 2007 at 11:18 am
The West needs to stand up and take responsibility for the mess they are creating in the MiddleEast. As Architects we have responsibility to produce architecture that responds to site and context and addresses Global Warming Issues and not just develop forms for the sake of developing forms.
Arabs need educating but we as architects also need education in how to educate people. I think really this message needs to go out to the arab leaders, because they need to stand up and realise that the opportunity they have at the moment is a privellage and they need to implement quality control otherwise the entire western world will keep laughing at us arabs!
Told from the eyes and passion of a arabian prince who wants to make a change for our people!
July 29th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
Yeah there is something a bit lacking about it, isn’t there. Maybe the Middle Eastern leaders need to focus more on their proud tradition, and approve only the skyscraper designs that will clearly reflect and display that traditional style.
September 3rd, 2007 at 2:46 pm
Looks great. i would love to know who is carrying out the interior designing of it , like office furniture. I think i can furnish this beautiful structure with high quality furniture.
October 1st, 2007 at 12:33 am
ya…ya..ya a like your design I get more idea from your design,interesting with your concept but I think not different with agbar tower concept why………..? are you lost idea.! love it
November 9th, 2007 at 10:04 am
WELL ALL WHAT I READ IS THAT BUILDING LOOKS LIKE PENNIS OR DILDO OR …… WHAT EVER . IS THAT ALL WHAT U ARE THINKING ABOUT ……… SEX . THATS ALL WHAT WE TAKE FROM THE WEST …… CAUSE THATS ALL WHAT THEY CARE ABOUT …………… I WANT TO TELL THEM TO LOOK PROFFESSIONNALY TO THIS PROJECT ………
November 9th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
Oh please. People, have a closer look at Nouvels Work. There are complete different construction styles between the tower in Barcelona and this one. And b w. cylindrical towers tend to look alike, like sqaure ones two. High rise building always represent a penis.
It’s great how Nouvel develops patterns from constructive work. Have a look at ‘Centre du Monde Arabe’ in Paris.
November 14th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
Where will you ever find a bush large enough to put next to it?
Seriously the surface is beautiful…will I see it in the dark?
How does one enter? Wait, we will dig you an appropriate hole…
We cannot help it. From penises and vaginas we all come.
The resulting forms are built into our visual world.
At least this example is a leveler for all who gaze upon it…we all see “it”, regardless of race, creed or colour!
What would a building shaped like a vagina look like?
January 19th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
hmm… cant help it but i guess jean nouvel’s inspired by men’s love part… uuuu. but the facade is cool though. well, no matter wut ppl say, he’s still one of the world’s reknowned architect. wutever he says or does, the client would say ” aye aye sir!!!” =p
January 21st, 2008 at 10:58 am
…with batteries…?
January 21st, 2008 at 2:19 pm
London gave us gherkin and now Doha gives us the cock. Thanks Nouvel
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:31 pm
I love those comments, guys!
January 25th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
after reading all the comments, I must say…
If you take a look at most of the buildings you can find a resemblance to something… like clouds.
No matter what the building looks like, i like it. Mr. Nouvel is one GREAT architect.
February 9th, 2008 at 12:03 am
It’s awesome very unique, a giant cock in the dunes of the desert. When you arrive from the airport from your long journey and through the heat it looks like a mirage. But it’s no mirage; it is in fact a giant pee-pee.
February 9th, 2008 at 12:11 am
Mmmm, I don’t know if a society that doesn’t allow its women to vote, drive cars, be in public uncovered or be represented as a higher level than animals will appreciate an enormous penis to sprout from the desert. Or maybe it will be okay to show women the total male domination of this region.
February 9th, 2008 at 12:13 am
Magical Giant Penis
February 14th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
When it’s window washing time, a large geyser will emit from the tip and the water will trickle down the sides, lovingly cleansing each and every porthole.
There should also be a donut shaped ring base.
And why is this silvery white in color? Everyone knows that buildings this LARGE are dark in complexion. I mean color.
February 18th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
looks like a cock…
February 28th, 2008 at 6:55 am
i think that this is a very beautiful structure with amazingly intricate details. the brise-soleil is really beautiful, and i love the frosted-like glass behind it.
and i believe the shape is of a normal tower. has anyone ever seen a tower that doesn’t rise upwards? it’s just that this one is round. you guys are just so perverted that your minds only work on cock.
to those who say that this structure looks like their dick or something like that, are you saying that your penises are smoothly round? no cap at all?? how utterly weird and abnormal is that?
i’m sorry for saying so much, but if you people only have cocks running around your heads, please don’t comment here at all. it’s very disrespectful to the one who posted this and most especially to the architect who designed it with great effort. besides it looks more like a cucumber to me, rather than a penis or a dildo.
oh and by the way, using batteries are not actually environmentally friendly. being environmentally friendly means taking into consideration the sources, how to use them, and how to dispose them. this structure was probably designed with “sustainability” in mind.
March 3rd, 2008 at 7:19 am
i think mr. nouvel is really open-minded. i dont mind whatever they call it. i’m just frustrated because i couldn’t zoom in to the floor plans!!!!
and never a single explanation on the design concept! darn!
March 6th, 2008 at 12:35 am
who is paying for that project again? Durex??
March 6th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
I like this one, it has such a smooth surface and nice lines, gj.
Seems like most people here, just discovered their penis being infected with some strange disease.
March 10th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
Its funny that this building got loads of comments just coz it looks like a dong, it wasnt my first impression, it should be pretty cool lit up at night.
March 31st, 2008 at 4:37 am
Holy shit! I thought my balls were big. I am looking for the landscape architecture design - very appropriate would be a labia shaped man-made lake surrounding it with a constant froth of white foam on the surface.
July 6th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
A nice big C**K!!
July 28th, 2008 at 7:42 am
He forgot something very important…………..the BALLLLLLLLLLLS
July 31st, 2008 at 2:33 pm
This is a fanastic project… After that infinite tower in Paris, I must say Jean Nouvel’s Tower projct is exploringthe possibilities that a tower can possess, in cosmology in its archtectural shape, faacde, geometry, detals…. I guess it will continue to develop further therefore applause!
August 1st, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Seriously… can anyone say Pleasure Mesh…. Guess this gives a whole new meaning to the French Tickler….
August 4th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Is Mr Nouvel suffering of some kind of frustration?
It reminds me an episode of HIMYM for those who know.
September 2nd, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Its a bird, its a plane, no its the huggest penis in the world!
October 14th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
what I want to say is these guys who is making fun on this building, you should go and have a look, if you are still joking on it, then I have to say you know nothing about buildings.
November 19th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
can you make the development look like the cover above a table
(the invelope is flying)
March 24th, 2009 at 1:17 am
This building looks like a big penis