Dubai - Arab Today
The emirate can now lay claim to yet another Guinness World Record after becoming the home of the world's largest vertical maze.
The 55-storey tall Maze Tower is located just off Sheikh Zayed Road in the heart of the Dubai Financial District.
The building, developed by the Al Rostamani Group, features an eye-catching front and rear facade of balconies that make up an intricate maze.
"Guinness World Records is thrilled to recognise and honour the Al Rostamani Group on the creation of such an iconic and unique tower that has contributed to the growth and transformation of the region,” said Talal Omar, country manager for Guinness World Records Mena.
"It is through innovative projects such as The Maze Tower, that Dubai has earned itself the reputation of being at the forefront of design and development.”
The maze itself is not just a random pattern but a real puzzle.
The design uses the changing level of natural light and shadow during the day, as well as natural Brazilian Verde Bahia stone, to create a striking facade.
The stone is used throughout the exterior and the dark greenish hue of the building corner posts is achieved using a water jet treatment which creates an even, matt surface.
A lighter colour is used to emphasise the Maze and is achieved using a flame technique that roughens the surface and creates a lighter, more reflective surface.
"We always wanted The Maze to look like it was carved out of one massive piece of rock; with the constant play of light and shadow to render it alive” said Hassan Abdulla Al Rostamani, vice chairman of Al Rostamani Group and The Maze Tower Conceptualiser.
The tower boasts the Maze Eye- an 8 metre circular video wall at the top of the building which can beam images great distances.
The maze pattern can also be lit up in different colours and there is also a garden floor in the middle of the building and a roof top maze garden.
Source: The National