Atlantis The Royal | Engineering Marvel on Palm Jumeirah

Location

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Client

Kerzner International

Architect

KPF, IBI Group and DEC Dynamic Design Studio

Project Status

Completed in January 2023

Contractor

Joint venture between Ssangyong & Besix (SBJV)

Awards

CTBUH Middle East and Africa Project of the Year, 2023; ENR: Best Global Residential/Hospitality Award 2023

The elegant mixed-use development has two principal components, one a luxury resort hotel and the other home to magnificent private suites and apartments. Between the towers, forming a grand arch, is the Main Skybridge containing the Royal Mansion and topped by Cloud 22 – the resort’s infinity pool lounge and bar.

In terms of its scale, geometry and form, this is a building like no other. Its power lies in the invisible support provided by the engineering that has made its slender form and transparent silhouette, with its openings, skybridges and cantilevers, possible. WSP contributed extensively to the success of the project, through the delivery of a wide range of disciplines including structural engineering, building services, facades, vertical transportation and environmental services.

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Our challenge was to support the extraordinary vision of the client and architect. We went into the project with no preconceived ideas, drawing on the wealth of knowledge and experience of our global team to help deliver this astounding new building.

Kamran Moazami Managing Director, Property & Buildings, WSP in the UK

Kamran Moazami Managing Director, Property & Buildings, WSP in the UK

Unique and complex geometry

“Our role was to deliver the building’s unique and complex geometry, while also optimizing the design to meet the project budget, minimize construction time and reduce the amount of material used,” explains Andy Veall, Senior Technical Director, WSP in the Middle East. “Our solution was an innovative hybrid structural system and bespoke construction techniques to achieve the skybridges and cantilevers.”

The Main Skybridge, which spans over 105 meters between the two main towers, has a structural steel and composite floor system to reduce its weight and simplify the construction process and logistics. We designed this 1,350-tons structure to be assembled above the podium and then strand-jacked up into position.

The four-storey, 12m cantilevers are efficiently supported by the tower columns through an innovative internal bracing system. Cleverly designed to provide guests with unbroken views, the truss members supporting the cantilevers are concealed within partition walls.

Veall adds: “With our in-depth understanding of the stresses caused by gravity load, seismic activity, wind, temperature and volumetric changes, we were able to satisfy the architectural requirement for the towers to be designed as a continuous structure, without expansion joints, which is unusual in a building of this scale.”

Built to withstand the elements

The building’s long, slender, curving footprint and its coastal location at the tip of the Palm Jumeirah added to the complexity of the design.

While the large voids in the structure’s geometry allow the coastal winds to pass through and reduce the impact on the towers, the long floor plates, core walls and skybridges required additional wind tunnel studies. To ensure the comfort of occupants, our structural and façade engineers worked together closely on the design, to mitigate the wind levels for the balconies and open terraces.

We also carefully specified precise concrete mixes and steel corrosion protection systems, and helped to select the materials used in the façade, to withstand the aggressive saline environment.

The concept was to create the world’s first “high rise” resort with numerous sky courts providing unique indoor/outdoor spaces. While our guests marvel at the spectacular architecture, it must be noted that the journey through its varied spaces has truly resonated with them, bringing new discoveries and experiences.

John Shamon Chief Technical Services Officer, The Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences

John Shamon Chief Technical Services Officer, The Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences

Innovative foundations

Given the building’s large footprint, constructed on reclaimed land with a high ground water level, we needed solutions to limit the depth of the foundation systems. Our geotechnical team devised a unique piling solution which allowed the foundation slab to be cast just above the natural water level and avoided the need for deep foundations. This approach, which minimized the scope of the excavation, shoring and de-watering, was unique in the market at the time.

Efficient structure

Despite the large scale of Atlantis The Royal, the structural design is efficient in terms of material consumption, helping to reduce the building’s overall embodied carbon footprint. The structural team worked closely with Environment & Sustainability colleagues during design and construction, to ensure the project met green building requirements and attained a LEED certification.