KAFD, Villas in the Sky by Helen Betts

Helen Betts | all galleries >> Saudi Arabia: Life in the Desert >> Riyadh Architecture >> Riyadh's KAFD > KAFD, Villas in the Sky

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21-NOV-2015

KAFD, Villas in the Sky

This is part of the new King Abdullah Financial District, right now a giant construction site. Tim thought we could drive around there, but there was no way, so I had to be happy with shots from the freeway.

This building is known as Villas in the Sky, a residential/office/retail complex that is actually completed but not occupied.

The KAFD will consist of 59 towers in an area of 1.6 million square meters for multiple uses. It is considered to be a "window to modernity" in the kingdom since there will be no separation of the sexes in the complex, unlike everywhere else and especially in ultra conservative Riyadh. A very interesting article that discusses this project and others is here http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/13/arts/design/13desert.html?adxnnl=1&pagewanted=all&adxnnlx=1368285519-dDLdOrrJq0dBnkPfnS4Qjw&_r=0

Majdoul “Twisting” Tower, posted earlier:

Nikon D810 ,Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
1/320s f/8.0 at 70.0mm iso100 hide exif

Full EXIF Info
Date/Time	21-Nov-2015 14:16:23
Make	Nikon
Model	NIKON D810
Flash Used	No
Focal Length	70 mm
Exposure Time	1/323 sec
Aperture	f/8
ISO Equivalent	100
Exposure Bias	-0.33
White Balance
Metering Mode
JPEG Quality
Exposure Program
Focus Distance

other sizes: small medium original auto

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Zoltán Balogh		06-Feb-2016 15:16
Wow, amazing architecture! V

Pieter Bos		22-Jan-2016 19:13
Great architecture! ~V

victorswan		11-Jan-2016 16:06
it is rich in such buildings there nice image Helen BV++

Dave Petersen Photography		11-Jan-2016 14:50
Two fantastic examples of incredible architecture and both photographed beautifully. Your photos really are an eye opening look at this unique place and are most enjoyable to view. Voted+

Karen Moen		10-Jan-2016 01:24
Beautifully captured detail, with the date palms adding a nice frame. Voted.

Marisa Livet		07-Dec-2015 19:43
Original and amazing. I always appreciate your captions and explanations, besides the photos.

Carol Rollins		27-Nov-2015 14:25
That building looks like it could fold down into itself. Great capture Helen. Still so sorry about your darn toe! Hopes for a quick recovery.

bill friedlander		27-Nov-2015 01:42
Looks like it is collapsing under it own weight. I am enjoying all the smart alecky comments. V

John Hamers		26-Nov-2015 20:39
Great image of this remarkable building, Helem. I hope you will recover soon !!!V

carabias		26-Nov-2015 15:56
Oh, such a beautiful location, Helen! V

Alexander Kazakov		26-Nov-2015 13:08
Nice form! V

Isabel Cutler		26-Nov-2015 12:00
Looks like someone stepped on it!...and I see that others have made a similar observations. Hope your surgery goes flawlessly and that your recovery is painless. I think I'd feel a bit reluctant to eat turkey as well. .

David Lewins		26-Nov-2015 11:08
Excellent capture!

marie-jose wolff		26-Nov-2015 10:24
I like the very special shape of this building! V

danad		26-Nov-2015 08:32
Just like a mirage in the desert by a hot summer day ! V.

Ton, Ben & Rob Nagtegaal		26-Nov-2015 08:25
I hope you are better soon. Beautiful image Helen.

Tom LeRoy		26-Nov-2015 08:19
A great addition to this crazy array of artistic and somewhat odd buildings. Wish you a speedy recovery! V

Gerard Koehl		26-Nov-2015 07:37
Encore une belle tour aux formes spectaculaires. V

barbarajoy		26-Nov-2015 07:27
Another amazing building so well captured but another sad "foot" story. Sorry about the toe and all the best for a successful op and recovery.

Julie Oldfield		26-Nov-2015 04:35
I am so sorry to hear that. I hope the surgery goes well and you feel well soon. I don't think I could eat the turkey either. Very cool architecture. I like the composition with the trees. V

Nirvan Hope		26-Nov-2015 02:28
I think the architects are in competition for the designing the strangest building (I bet they enjoy the creativity involved)! Great documentation of this phenomenon.

pkocinski		25-Nov-2015 23:50
Did you drop that frozen turkey on this building too? It's all "wavy" :-) Hope you're better quickly!

Graeme		25-Nov-2015 22:55
Another great looking building, Helen.V Get better soon!

William Barletta		25-Nov-2015 22:51
This is what happens when an overweight giant sits on the top of the building ~V~

Martin Lamoon		25-Nov-2015 21:11
Looks like someone has happened down the top and it has crumpled! v

Jim Coffman		25-Nov-2015 21:11
A very cool building but I think the heat warped it. :))