TRIPOLI TOWER
Tripoli, Libya
Client: SSFI
Location: Tripoli, Libya
Building Type: Mixed Use
GFA: 70,000 m²
Status: On hold
With its 45 storeys, the Tripoli Tower stands as a defining landmark within Tripoli’s new Central Business District, reimagining the iconic “arch” from local traditional architecture into bold, sweeping façade elements. These grand arches create a distinctive visual identity, framing a dynamic lattice of diagonal ribs. Beyond aesthetics, the arches provide essential shading, reducing solar heat gain, lowering energy use, and significantly cutting carbon emissions.
-
The project was originally conceived as a “petroleum tower” to accommodate the needs of international oil companies based in Libya, but its design has evolved to integrate retail outlets, 22 floors of office space, 10 floors of serviced apartments and 10 floors for a boutique hotel with an exclusive Oilman’s Club, exhibition spaces, restaurants and four levels of basement parking.
Sustainability is at the core of the design, with features that address the local climate while promoting energy efficiency. The shading facade elements help regulate internal temperatures, reducing reliance on air conditioning and minimising the building’s environmental footprint. The tower’s shallow footprint ensures optimal daylighting, and its advanced shading systems align with the principles of sustainable architecture.
Crowning the tower is an ETFE saddle roof, which turns the viewing gallery on the 43rd floor into a unique and exciting space. The roof comprises eight primary parabolic arches of varying sizes, connected by diagonal braces that support the ETFE infill panels. This lightweight structure enhances the building’s thermal performance while providing a stunning panoramic viewing experience.
Designed to reflect the local culture and adapt to the unique climatic conditions of Tripoli, the Tripoli Tower is a forward-thinking, sustainable addition to the city’s skyline, combining modern aesthetics with responsible environmental design.
