Santiago Calatrava's Turning Torso in Malmo

Tuesday, 30 August 2005 10:38

MALMÖ, SWEDEN.-The Turning Torso designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava is the tallest Nordic skyscraper. It was officially opened Saturday. The design of the building is based in form on the sculpture Turning Torso. The residential tower is meant to be seen as a freestanding sculptural element posed within the cityscape. The equivalent in the tower of the sculpture’s steel support is the nucleus of internal elevators and stairs, through which the box units communicate. The tower consists of nine stacked cubes each turned slightly to achieve a 90-degree twist. The top six cubes will be 147 luxury apartments while the bottom three cubes will have office space. Santiago Calatrava stated after receiving a prize from the local authorities: "There was a wish to get something exceptional. I also wanted to deliver something technically unique." One of the exhibition rooms, entitled “Art and Architecture”, will show how the building evolved through sketches and watercolors. On show too will be the Calatrava sculpture that inspired the building’s design. The exhibition will also illustrate the history of housing, showing the housing shortage of the 1920’s and typical home comforts of the 40’s and 50’s. The “Technology and Construction” room invites visitors to enter a virtual elevator for a 38-second ride to the 54th and top floor of HSB Turning Torso. The exhibition will be a superb opportunity for the public to experience the unparalleled view from HSB Turning Torso while learning about the building’s evolution and the development of housing in the 20th century.

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