Project Overview
Rising 122 m above the Mediterranean coast, Mercury Tower, a mixed-use development in St. Julian’s, Malta, redefines the skyline with its bold, twisting form. Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the 31-story mixed-use tower features a dramatic 12-degree rotation between the 10th and 12th floors, a design move that demanded precision, speed, and durability. Precast concrete delivered on all three requirements through the expertise of Istanbul-based precast concrete manufacturer Fibrobeton Yapi Elemanlari San. Ins. Tic.
Doing the Twist
The tower’s complex geometry presented significant challenges. Each façade panel was unique, eliminating repetition and making conventional methods impractical. Precast glass-fiber-reinforced concrete (GFRC) panels provided the solution. Manufactured in a controlled environment with custom molds, the panels achieved millimeter-level accuracy and preserved the building’s sculptural intent. This approach ensured consistency across hundreds of custom components while maintaining Zaha Hadid’s vision.
Beyond geometry, the project faced logistical and environmental hurdles. Located near the sea, Mercury Tower required materials capable of withstanding harsh marine conditions. The GFRC panels, paired with a metal substructure treated with advanced anti-corrosion coatings, delivered long-term resilience. Large panel sizes and weights posed lifting challenges, but the lightweight nature of GFRC simplified installation. Rigorous surveying and preplanned connections maintained tight tolerances throughout, minimizing on-site adjustments and reducing risk.
Precast concrete accelerated the construction schedule by shifting complex fabrication off-site, reducing both weather-related delays and the labor difficulties typically encountered with alternative building materials. It also supports sustainability goals: insulated GFRC panels improve thermal performance, while the tower’s rotated form—brought to life with precise precast concrete engineering—acts as passive shading, reducing solar gain. From an aesthetic standpoint, precast concrete offered unmatched versatility, creating a sleek, contemporary façade that complements the restored historic façade at street level. The use of precast concrete also simplified cost control and quality assurance. Factory production ensured uniform standards, and advanced parametric modeling streamlined coordination. The result is a façade system that meets the project’s structural and environmental demands while elevating its architectural expression.
Thanks to the efficiency, durability, and flexibility of precast concrete, Mercury Tower stands as a symbol of design ingenuity and resilience along Malta’s coast.
Mason Nichols is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based writer and editor who has covered the precast concrete industry since 2013. |