Global skyscrapers: The inseparable Petronas Twin Towers
Mirror of tradition, growth and remarkable design
The scope, design and idea of development driven by the desire to create a representative building with elements of local traditions became a reality in 1992. The buildings were under construction from 1992 to 1998. The ceremonial opening took place on 31 August 1999. The building was designed by American architect of Argentinian origin, César Antonio Pelli.
The project for the towers is based on Islamic geometry, reflecting the cultural heritage of Malaysia. The basic tower has the shape of an eight-pointed star and contains a massive luxury shopping centre over several floors. The entire structure features a striking combination of steel and glass.
Sky bridge at a height of 170 metres above the ground!
The buildings are unique thanks to their “bridge”, aptly called the “Sky Bridge”, located on the 41st and 42nd floors. The luxurious bridge is at a height of 170 metres and is a respectable 58 metres long. Although the connection of the two buildings by a bridge brings no structural benefits, it does offer a luxurious view of the Malaysian metropolis. And there is truly plenty to see! By linking the two buildings, the facilities of each tower can be shared, such as the conference rooms, prayer halls and restaurants. What’s more, the bridge is an integral part of the evacuation strategy in the case of a fire in the towers. The bridge is accessible for all visitors, but you must book tickets in advance.
Interesting features of the building
The time to construct the Petronas Towers was limited to six years, which is an ambitious performance. The original expected time for project construction was eight years, but in order to speed things up, two construction companies were hired, each of which was responsible for building one tower. There was even some competition as to who would finish the building first, supported by the reward of the right to building the “Sky Bridge”. This led to a race between the Japanese and South Korean consortiums. The second tower (Japanese) won.
Tower number 1 is dedicated entirely to the state petroleum giant Petronas. Tower number 2 houses other leading, mainly multinational corporations.
Don’t forget to visit this luxurious masterpiece when you visit Malaysia, specifically Kuala Lumpur!
