'Wave' design for ambitious Bahrain project

Located in the heart of Bahrain Bay, the new development of Raffles City in Manama, capital of the Gulf state of Bahrain, will offer 4,300,000 sq. ft. of mixed use residential and retail space. The design by Rafael Vinoly Architects for the ambitious project is formed by four separate sites that gradually slope downwards towards the seafront promenade, architecturally linked by a series of ‘waves’ which emanate from the waterfront and culminate with four concave leaning towers.

The multi-billion-dollar project, which is expected to be completed in 2012, promises to transform the Bahrain Bay skyline with its distinctive design. Raffles City will be a landmark waterfront development, combining luxury living, fine dining and exclusive shopping in one uniquely designed location in Manama.

Three curved high-rise towers form part of the ‘wave’ design, which will incorporate luxury apartments and two-storey penthouse suites with views overlooking both the Arabian Gulf and Bahrain Bay itself. A fourth tower, which sits slightly in front of the other three, will encompass serviced apartments. Forty-seven apartments sitting below the towers comprise the development's most exclusive residences, each featuring a private swimming pool, landscaped terraced courtyard. and driveway to a parking garage.

The terraced arrangement of these villas affords unrestricted views to the centre of the bay. The design is inspired and derived from souks, or markets, which are the hive of commercial activity in Arabic culture.