The Petronas Twin Towers, which soar magnificently over Kuala Lumpur's skyline, are architectural and engineering marvels. These twin buildings, which former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad officially opened to the public on August 31, 1999, are certainly a source of national pride: a splendid symbol of the miracles Malaysians can create. The Petronas Twin Towers, which stand 452 metres tall, have barely been in place for a quarter of a century, but it is difficult to imagine our capital city without them.
The towers have become an integral part of Kuala Lumpur's identity, attracting millions of visitors each year. Their iconic silhouette has graced countless postcards, travel brochures, and social media posts, making them one of the most recognizable landmarks in Southeast Asia. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, the towers have also played a crucial role in Malaysia's economic development, housing numerous international companies and serving as a symbol of the country's modernization and progress.
So, in honor of its 25th anniversary, here are five things you might not have known about this magnificent monument.
The Twin Towers' design was inspired by Islamic art.
The Twin Towers' steel and glass exterior incorporates a variety of Islamic art elements. For example, each tower's floor plate is shaped like an eight-pointed star, inspired by the geometric shapes of two overlapping squares.
This represents the Islamic concepts of unity, harmony, stability, and rationalism.
The incorporation of Islamic design elements extends beyond the towers' exterior. Inside, visitors can find intricate geometric patterns adorning the walls and floors, while the building's overall structure adheres to principles of Islamic architecture. This fusion of modern engineering and traditional Islamic aesthetics has made the Petronas Twin Towers a unique architectural masterpiece that resonates with Malaysia's cultural heritage.
Each Twin Tower was designed by a separate contractor.
Due of the six-year timetable for completing the Twin Towers, the government divided the work between two different contractors.
Tower 1 (the west tower) was built by a Japanese consortium led by the Hazama Corporation, while Tower 2 (the east tower) was erected by a South Korean consortium led by Samsung C&T Corporation, which also built the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
Given the exorbitant cost of importing steel, the towers were constructed in a more cost-effective but novel manner, utilizing super-high-strength reinforced concrete.
Both builders did an excellent job constructing the towers, with an average development rate of one level every four days. And, because to their efforts, the milestone was completed on schedule in 1998.
The Skybridge serves a very functional role.
You may connect the Twin Towers' Skybridge with breathtaking views and fantastic selfies, but the 170m-high, double-decker structure also serves another purpose.
The Skybridge, located between the 41st and 42nd floors, serves primarily to assist evacuation from one tower to another in the event of a fire or other emergency.
Fun fact: the sky bridge was slid into place between the towers rather than being solidly fastened to them on both sides!
The Twin Towers hold several world records.
The Petronas Twin Towers were formerly the world's highest structures before being surpassed by Taiwan's Taipei 101 (502m) in 2003.
Today, the world's tallest skyscraper is Dubai's Burj Khalifa, standing at 828 meters, with Kuala Lumpur's Merdeka 118 coming in second at 679 meters.
Nonetheless, the Twin Towers remain the world's highest twin towers, with the JW Marriott Marquis in Dubai following closely at 355 meters.
Our national landmark also has a number of outstanding world records. For example, the skybridge is the world's tallest two-story bridge, with foundations that are 120 meters deep.
Despite no longer holding the title of world's tallest building, the Petronas Twin Towers continue to break records in other areas. The towers boast the world's highest double-decker elevators, capable of traveling at speeds of up to 6 meters per second. Additionally, the buildings feature the world's highest swimming pool, located on the 38th floor of Tower 2, offering swimmers a truly unique experience with panoramic views of the city.
The Twin Towers had a lively entertainment career.
Because of its majestic majesty, the Twin Towers have been featured in several films from around the world. Their most noteworthy appearance is perhaps in the 1998 film Entrapment, starring Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones, in which the towers play a role in a very dramatic theft.
Other films that may have included our cherished local landmark include Don: The Chase Begins Again (2006), Viral Factor (2012), Independence Day: Resurgence (2016), and the Kollywood film Kabali (2016).
They have appeared in prominent video games like as Hitman 2: Silent Assassin and Just Cause 2, as well as movies.
