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With a height of 1,453 feet, the world's tallest buildings now rise above the skyline of Kuala Lumpur. They are called the Petronas Towers, and, inevitably, they have become the symbols for the astounding growth that has taken place in Malaysia over the last two decades.
The Petronas Twin Towers and the sky bridge connecting them define a record-breaking gateway to the commercial heart of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The 452 m towers are 7 m taller than Chicago's Sears Tower, and
are equivalent to 95 stories each. Concrete strengths up to 80
Mpa (11,600 psi) are used in the central core and perimeter
columns. Structural steel is used in the pinnacle, the sky
bridge and the long-span floor beams that support
concrete-filled metal deck.
The floor-plate of the Tower is designed based on geometric patterns common in architecture of Islamic heritage. It is composed of two rotated and superimposed squares with small circular infills. These geometric figures have been described by architects as symbolising unity, harmony, stability and rationality - all important principles of Islam.
Like the exterior design, the Towers' entrance design was also inspired by the country's cultural heritage, incorporating contemporary Malaysian motifs adapted from traditional handicrafts such as songket and timber carvings. The overall character of the building is high-tech and international but distinctively Malaysian.
Nestled between the Petronas Twin Towers is the six-level Suria KLCC - Malaysia's premier shopping destination. Overlooking the magnificent KLCC Park, Suria KLCC promises hours of leisurely pleasure. The towers also include prayer rooms called suraus, enabling Muslim office workers to pray while kneeling toward Mecca.
The intelligent building concept used by the towers dates to the 1980s when the telephone services were deregulated and integrated-services digital network (ISDN) standards were set. The Twin Towers have three major networks: Building Control System, Fire Alarm System, and Building Security System. Each tower has a control station as well as separate primary and secondary fire control stations that use the same physical media as the building networks, but operate independent of the main network in case of a software failure.
The skybridge is an essential functional component linking the
Twin Towers to facilitate movement between the two towers. The
58.4 meters double-decked skybridge is located at levels 41 and
42 joining the sky lobbies situated in both towers.
The towers complex includes an art gallery, an 840-seat concert hall, and an underground parking lot. They were built on a former horse-racing track.
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