Torre Agbar

Infobox Skyscraper
building_name = Torre Agbar


caption = Torre Agbar, 6 January 2007
year_highest =
year_end =
plural =
location = Flagicon|SpainFlagicon|Catalonia Barcelona, Spain
coordinates = coord|41|24|12|N|02|11|22|E|region:ES_type:landmark|display=inline,title
status =
groundbreaking =
constructed = 2001 - 2004
est-completion =
opening = June 2005
demolished =
destroyed =
use = Office, conference, restaurant
antenna_spire =
roof = convert|144.44|m|ft|2|abbr=on
top_floor = convert|128.3|m|ft|0|abbr=on
floor_count = 33
elevator_count = 9
cost = US$130,000,000
floor_area = convert|51483|m2|sqft|0|abbr=on
architect = Jean Nouvel
engineer = Brufau & A. Obiol
contractor =
developer =
owner = Grupo Inmobiliario Layetana
management =
references = cite web
url = http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=1374
title = Torre Agbar - SkyscraperPage.com
accessdate = 2007-11-14 ] cite web
url = http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=100200
title = Torre Agbar - Emporis.com
accessdate = 2007-11-14 ] cite web
url = http://www.geocities.com/medit1976c/agbar.htm
title = Arquitectura Barcelona, Torre Agbar
accessdate = 2007-11-14 ]

The Torre Agbar, or Agbar Tower, is a 21st-century skyscraper at Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It was designed by French architect Jean Nouvel and built by Dragados [ [http://en.structurae.de/structures/data/index.cfm?ID=s0000429 Structurae database] ] . It opened in June 2005 and was inaugurated officially by the King of Spain on 16 September 2005. The Torre Agbar is located in the Poblenou neighborhood of Barcelona and is named after its owners, the Agbar Group, a holding company whose interests include the Barcelona water company Aigües de Barcelona. [http://www.agbar.es/esp/a-9_quienes_somos.asp Agbar corporate Web site]

Design

According to Jean Nouvel, the shape of the Torre Agbar was inspired by Montserrat, a mountain near Barcelona, and by the shape of a geyser rising into the air. Jean Nouvel, in an interview, described it as having a phallic character. [ [http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://www.elpais.com/articulo/cataluna/gran/supositorio/elpepuespcat/20030108elpcat_3/Tes El gran supositorio] Article by El Pais, quote: "The suppository of Agbar rises to the heavens quickly" (Translation by Google)] As a result of its unusual shape, the building is known by several nicknames, such as "el supositori" (the suppository), "l'obús" (the shell) and some more scatological ones. [http://www.websindical.com/atab/noticies/noti28.htm Notícias Agbar] (Includes interview with Jean Nouvel) quote from the Jean Nouvel interview: "In Torre Agbar call the suppository. What do you think? ¡Normal! But I am sure that his phallic character will be diluted when finished. What characterized the tower will be a big vibration of light. Lovers of the mottoes you find another name, sure." ["sic"] ( [http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://www.websindical.com/atab/noticies/noti28.htm Translation by Google] )] It is also somewhat similar in shape to Sir Norman Foster's 30 St. Mary Axe in London, often called "the Gherkin". It has 30,000 m² (323,000 ft²) of above-ground office space, 3,210 m² (34,500 ft²) of technical service floors with installations and 8,351 m² (90,000 ft²) of services, including an auditorium. The Agbar Tower measures 144.4 m (473.75 ft) in height [ [http://www.torreagbar.com/home.asp Torre agbar homepage] ] and consists of 38 storeys, including four underground levels.

Its design combines a number of different architectural concepts, resulting in a striking structure built with reinforced concrete, covered with a facade of glass, and over 4,500 window openings cut out of the structural concrete. The building stands out in Barcelona; it is the third tallest building in Barcelona, only after the Arts Hotel and the Mapfre Tower, both 154 m (505.25 ft).

A defining feature of the building is its nocturnal illumination. It has 4,500 LED luminous devices that allow generation of luminous images in the façade. In addition, it has temperature sensors in the outside of the tower that regulate the opening and closing of the glass blinds of the façade of the building, reducing the consumption of energy for air conditioning. It will house the head office of the Aigües de Barcelona Group (Spanish: "Aguas de Barcelona", English: "Waters of Barcelona").

Gallery

ee also

* 30 St Mary Axe, also known as "The Gherkin", and occasionally as The Swiss Re Tower, is an architecturally similar building in London which opened a year and a half earlier, in April 2004.
* Alain Robert, a famous climber who has scaled the building.

References

External links

* [http://www.geocities.com/medit1976c/agbar.htm Torre Agbar] collection of articles.
* [http://www.torreagbar.com/home.asp Torre Agbar] web page (Macromedia Flash)
* [http://www.factoriaurbana.com/ciudades/edificios.php?id=3&ciudadd=Barcelona Technical information and photos] Spanish

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before = Highcliff
(Hong Kong, China)
after = Q1 Tower
(Gold Coast, Australia)
title = Emporis Skyscraper Award (Silver)
years = 2004|