The Burj Alshaya development consists of a pair of towers in Kuwait City, featuring facades that recall traditional Arabic screens. The building comprises two towers, with one containing offices and the other a hotel, connected by a podium topped with a roof terrace. The larger tower is 42 storeys with 650,000 sq ft of offices, containing a new headquarters for retail giant Alshaya. The smaller tower is 22 storeys, containing residential accommodation and 284 room Four Season hotel. The podium contains 22,000 ft2 retail space to serve the functions of both towers, as well as two ballrooms, conference suites, a swimming pool and spa terrace.

Gensler was responsible for the architectural design of the Burj Alshaya development. The design is influenced by regional architectural tradition, specifically the concept of enclosing windows behind a latticework screen called a mashrabiya to provide shade and privacy. A three-dimensional lattice extends across the east and west elevations of the towers and much of the podium. This solar shading reduces the need for mechanical ventilation within the building. The overall aim of the design of the facade is to provide as much daylight as possible to internal spaces while protecting those spaces from the effects of both solar gain and glare.

Designed with the architect Gensler, Newtecnic was responsible for the façade engineering design during detailed design and construction design stages. Newtecnic was subsequently appointed to provide construction support services including the review and approval of contractor’s shop drawings, calculations and physical testing mock-ups.