Petronas Towers
Dublin Core
Title
Petronas Towers
Subject
Skyscraper
Description
The Petronas Towers are twin towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, designed by renowned Argentine architect César Prelli. They held the title of tallest buildings in the world from their completion in 1998 until 2004, and remain the tallest twin towers in the world.
The building design is notable for its combination of modernist and traditional Islamic motifs, a concept central to postmodernism that Jencks describes as Double Coding. The building's cross-section was modeled after the Rub el Hizb, a recurring symbol in Islam, and the spires were influenced by traditional Malay architecture, all expressed through contemporary stainless steel and glass construction. While the monumental building may appear to outsiders as an icon of progress and technology (fitting with modernist values), Malaysians can recognize it as a reflection of their culture. At the same time, the building is a domestic political statement – the nation's culture is carefully defined by the law, and the initial design (which did not incorporate this Islamic symbolism) was rejected by the government for not adequately reflecting Malaysian culture.
The building design is notable for its combination of modernist and traditional Islamic motifs, a concept central to postmodernism that Jencks describes as Double Coding. The building's cross-section was modeled after the Rub el Hizb, a recurring symbol in Islam, and the spires were influenced by traditional Malay architecture, all expressed through contemporary stainless steel and glass construction. While the monumental building may appear to outsiders as an icon of progress and technology (fitting with modernist values), Malaysians can recognize it as a reflection of their culture. At the same time, the building is a domestic political statement – the nation's culture is carefully defined by the law, and the initial design (which did not incorporate this Islamic symbolism) was rejected by the government for not adequately reflecting Malaysian culture.
Creator
César Pelli
Source
https://www.petronastwintowers.com.my/design-and-structures/
Publisher
Conner Tomlinson
Date
09/22/2019
Contributor
Conner Tomlinson
Format
Digital Image
Type
Architecture
Files
Collection
Citation
César Pelli, “Petronas Towers,” COM/ENG 395, accessed January 20, 2025, https://com395.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/items/show/77.