Architect:
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
LLP (SOM), New York
Main contractor:
Besix Group NV, Brussels
Structural engineer:
Werner Sobek, Stuttgart
Developer:
Signature Hotels Management
Company SPC, Bahrain
Fabricator:
Jungbluth Alu Partners, Herstal (BE)
Reynaers systems:
bespoke solution based on CW 86-EF and CW
50-SC, CP 96, CS 77-F6
Waleed Alabbas, Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain
Bespoke solution from Reynaers for
iconic waterfront hotel
When architect practice Skidmore, Owings
and Merrill (SOM) was tasked with designing
an iconic waterfront hotel for the prestigious
Four Seasons, it turned to Reynaers to make
its visionary glass façade a reality.
Situated on a 12-acre private island in the
capital city of Manama, Bahrain, the hotel
was an ambitious project: a 68-storey ‘city
gateway’. A strong composition of glass,
concrete piers and suspended volumes, the
newly-completed building combines an urban
resort aesthetic with intimate spaces. It’s said
to be a statement of the city’s potential – a
kick-starter for regional development and an
inspiration for what can be achieved.
Working with SOM and con tractor Jungbluth
Alu Partners, Reynaers stepped in to bring a
quality focus to a bespoke solution. Based on
its CW 86-EF, CW 50-SC, CP 96 and CS 77-FP
systems across full-height windows, doors and
curtain walling, Reynaers shaped a custom
glass and aluminium façade that added to the
hotel’s striking appearance, while maintaining
a peaceful atmosphere.
“It’s not very often that you design the
masterplan and then get to build on it. And
there aren’t many standalone hotel projects
either,” said project architect Thomas Behr. “We
are building a relationship with the city and
powdercoated aluminium-ceilinged portico,
which continues into the lobby.
SOM designed its first project in Bahrain,
the United Gulf Bank, nearly 30 years ago.
At the Four Seasons Hotel, the stakes were
particularly high – to design an iconic
waterfront hotel on a prominent 432,000m2
plot, known as Bahrain Bay, that didn’t yet
exist.
The impact of the 200m tall tower is softened
by a series of pavilions for the spa and
conference facilities on either side, as well as
a Mediterranean-style garden planted with
olive trees and wild flowers.
Commissioned by Signature Hotels
Management Company SPC, the project
began in 2004 with a masterplan for
reclaimed land arranged from the mainland
in concentric circles – with the Four Seasons
Hotel at the heart of the plan. It’s situated on
its own private 12-acre island accessible by
bridge or boat. Behr explained: “The building’s
design is informed by the need to make it
striking on an urban scale, yet intimate for
guests so it feels like a resort.
“It is a very strong design when you look at it
in the Bahrain skyline because it is so simple.
The concrete clad piers and walls are very
dominant. It makes a statement, it’s a kind of
gateway to the city,” said Behr.
With a skypod restaurant suspended at the
top of the building, the guest bedrooms in
the middle and the lobby at the bottom, the
tower’s base feels the most resort-like thanks
to clever landscaping.
Interesting textures and patterning on the
concrete walls, as well as the limestone-clad
podium, create an earthy, natural finish.
The entrance appears more futuristic
through the addition of an external bronze
Each bedroom has full-height windows
overlooking the bays, while aluminium panels
throughout the building visually connect
the disparate levels. In all, as Behr explained,
The Four Seasons Hotel was a very important
project to get built: “With all the difficulties
Bahrain went through as a result of the global
economic crisis, many projects got cancelled.
This is the first major project since, and has
kickstarted a new wave of development.”
Lead engineer Roland Jungbluth, from
façade contractor Jungbluth Alu Partners
(JAP), selected Reynaers’ aluminium systems
because “the company has a long-standing
good relationship with Reynaers and the
service is very proactive”.
JAP is a specialist façade company that
provides technical solutions for the external
building envelope in the fields of design,
engineering, work management and
construction. It is known for its cost-effective
and flexible methods, including erecting
onsite factories for each project. The company
has completed projects all over the world
including the 300m Aspire Tower in Doha, the
Qatar National Convention Centre and Ferrari
World in Abu Dhabi, all in partnership with
Reynaers.
www.reynaers.co.uk
Page 79 - Archetech
SOM’s 273-bedroom hotel opens up a new
world of luxury in Manama and is already
being heralded as one of the most iconic
buildings to punctuate its changing skyline.
By using Reynaers’ quality systems, the Four
Seasons Hotel will not only inspire a new age
of development in Bahrain, but will also stand
the test of time.
we hope this project is part of the legacy, and
that it leads to other projects like it.”