One of the most distinct architectural expressions in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world, the Kuwait Towers are a cultural icon and a symbol of how geographically small nations can achieve great things. While there are three spheres and three towers, not all of them are for storage. The first tower is 140 meters tall and supports a water-holding sphere. The second tower is 180 meters tall. It also carries a restaurant and a cafeteria. The third tower has no spheres at all. It is used for lighting. The towers hold 4,500 cubic meters of water which then flows into the homes and businesses of Kuwait city. The design is excellent, being both very modern and very Arabic at the same time.
The Kuwait Towers are three towers of reinforced concrete in Kuwait City. The main tower is 187 metres high and serves as a restaurant and water tower. It also has a Viewing Sphere which rises to 123 meters above sea level and completes a full round turn every 30 minutes. The second tower is 145.8 metres high and serves as a water tower. The third tower houses equipment to control the flow of electricity and illuminates the two bigger towers. The towers were designed by Sune Lindström and Malene Björn and were built by a Serbian company. They opened to the public in March of 1979. In 1991, after the liberation, Vic Clarke of Nottingham UK abseiled the Kuwait Water Towers during structural surveys. Mr. Clarke was introduced into Kuwait by Mr. Michael Stewart, of The Stewart Group International, also from Nottingham UK. There was substantial shell, and bullet damage to the exterior of the towers. The interior damage was mainly to electrical gear, mostly lift equipment. Some of the large triangular glazed panels shown in the photograph, were also damaged by shell fire.
Kuwait Tower's view from the Persian Gulf Road
Kuwait Tower's view from the Persian Gulf Road
History
The concept of the Towers with the three spherical architectural wonders was initiated way back in 1962. They finally commenced construction in 1975 and in March this great towers project was finally inaugurated. The Kuwait Towers are among the best structures in the Gulf. The towers numbering three were built for multi-purpose operations. One of these is providing electricity to the suburbs in Kuwait. The needle shaped Tower has this function. The Second, or what we call now the middle tower, stores up to one million gallons. But, one important than these two was to create and built something unique in the world of entertainment of Kuwait. Beyond any doubt, the Kuwait Towers continue to be the first preference of the people of Kuwait, even today.
The concept of the Towers with the three spherical architectural wonders was initiated way back in 1962. They finally commenced construction in 1975 and in March this great towers project was finally inaugurated. The Kuwait Towers are among the best structures in the Gulf. The towers numbering three were built for multi-purpose operations. One of these is providing electricity to the suburbs in Kuwait. The needle shaped Tower has this function. The Second, or what we call now the middle tower, stores up to one million gallons. But, one important than these two was to create and built something unique in the world of entertainment of Kuwait. Beyond any doubt, the Kuwait Towers continue to be the first preference of the people of Kuwait, even today.
