Petronas Towers: The Architecture of High Construction

by Cesar Pelli, Michael J. Crosbie

In a world with Jumbo jets, microchips and artifical hearts, architecture had appeared to have lost its wonder, but with the building of the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, now the tallest buildings on earth, this has changed and their construction has rightly restored architecture as a world wonder. It is not just because the towers are the tallest that they can make this claim. Their design by Cesar Pelli also reflects a melding of East and West. The towers embody the great spirit born of the American mid-West and now found all over the world. They also reflect the latest technology in making tall buildings, with modern materials such as stainless steel cladding which makes their spires glisten on the horizon. The design of the Petronas Towers began with an international design competition. In June 1991, eight firms were invited to participate. The architects were asked to providee a general plan for the Kuala Lumpur City Centre and a more detailed design for two towers to be occupied by Petronas, the national petroleum company of Malaysia. The Petronas Towers were expected to define a gateway, "a place that people can identify as unique to Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia." It was never discussed that the towers should become the tallest buildings in the world, only that they be beautiful.

4 pages, Hardcover

First published March 23, 2001

Reviews

[Philip]

Beautiful photos with minimal yet informative text.

We lived in Kuala Lumpur during very final construction of the Towers (in fact, my son broke his arm at the newly-opened KLCC playground, and was whisked away to a very "picturesque" local hospital by one of the on-site ambulances always available for falling workers). My office then ended up being in a nearby (and obviously shorter) office tower, and so I had an exquisite daily view looking up at the Towers during all hours of the day and all kinds of weather . So a long personal history with these super-impressive buildings.

[Rachel Bok]

Pretty stunning photography, but rather one-sided descriptions of the functions of the PT (how do you think I was able to get through it in less than 40 minutes?!)