Al-Sharq Lofts - Inspired by Al Sharq Office Complex in Kuwait
MTS has all free content, all the time. Donate to help keep it running.
SCREENSHOTS
Created by Zarathustra
Uploaded: 8th Feb 2014 at 1:07 AM
Updated: 8th Feb 2014 at 5:51 PM by lhb25
Updated: 8th Feb 2014 at 5:51 PM by lhb25
No CC required.
Most skyscrapers don't really make you do a double-take when you see them. Even some of the most interesting towers are really nothing more than a glorified box, and while they may be worth a glance, they're not going to have the visual pop that every Downtown needs some of. Al-Sharq Lofts is not one of these skyscrapers. This building's incredibly narrow structure and the two razor-sharp fins that are its most defining feature ensure that it will stand out in even the busiest of Downtowns.
This building is based off of concept art for a building in Kuwait called the Al-Sharq Office Complex, a building which, so far as I can tell, was never actually constructed. The original building had gray fins and a rainbow-colored array of windows, but since The Sims 2 doesn't really allow as much discretion insofar as windows are concerned as the real world does, I decided that a burnt-orange color for the two fins would help ensure that no matter where it is constructed, it would be one of the most striking buildings in the neighborhood. I also removed the carpark structure that, in real life, was meant to go under the main part of the structure since, let's be honest, it doesn't really add much visual interest to the building, aside from making it a few stories taller (which the game wouldn't let me do, sadly). If you want to see the concept art for the proposed ACTUAL building, this site has quite a few good images: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=474987
The 7 apartments in this building all tend towards a more modern design aesthetic, (only fitting for such a modern building) while still keeping prices low enough so as not to be completely out of reach of many Sims. Starting at $2100 per week, the average apartment in this building is perfectly suited for either a single Sim who enjoys the benefits of a solo urban lifestyle, or a couple who want to keep in touch with the faster-paced life of the city. The top two stories are dedicated to a luxurious penthouse apartment which, while not quite as opulent as some of the buildings I've designed, is perfectly suited for a wealthy Sim who wants everyone to know which one the building they live in is. At $4488 per week, it's also not as expensive as many other penthouse apartments are, making it perfect for a Sim who desperately wants the lifestyle afforded by a home in the sky, but doesn't want a stratospheric price tag to go along with it.
The highest accessible floor is a rooftop bar area, available to all the building's residents- perfect for a weekly cocktail party or a relaxing morning drink while looking out at the cityscape surrounding the building. Also provided for the benefit of tenants is a private library, located on the first real structural level, three stories above the twin fountains and linked pools that dominate the courtyard. The wide courtyard also ensures that this building will be distant enough to be visually striking to every Sim walking by on the street, particularly when seen edge-on. So narrow that it almost disappears into the sky behind it, this building will catch Sims' eyes no matter where they see it from.
While this is certainly a skyscraper suited for placement in a Downtown area, I would recommend not placing it in the heart of the city- instead, find a spot several lots removed from the densest area of your Downtown, and place these lofts there instead. This building's defining characteristic is its silhouette, which is lost if the lot is surrounded too closely by other towers. By placing it a few blocks away, its distinctive shape will stand out better, and while it doesn't change the weekly rates for any of the apartments, the views from all of them will be dramatically improved!
Of course, as is my custom with skyscraper lots, I feel obligated to warn those of you with slower or older computers that this lot won't be the fastest one for you. Still, I designed it on an old, slow computer, so it's certainly playable, and the visual interest that such a distinctive building adds to your city skyline cannot be ignored.
Lot Size: 3x2
Lot Price: $2100 - $4488
Additional Credits:
The exterior of this building is based off of the concept art for the Al Sharq Office Complex in Kuwait, designed by the architectural firm Atkins. So far as I can tell, this building was never actually constructed (if it was, correct me please!) but the design is still impressive, so once again, well done Atkins!
Most skyscrapers don't really make you do a double-take when you see them. Even some of the most interesting towers are really nothing more than a glorified box, and while they may be worth a glance, they're not going to have the visual pop that every Downtown needs some of. Al-Sharq Lofts is not one of these skyscrapers. This building's incredibly narrow structure and the two razor-sharp fins that are its most defining feature ensure that it will stand out in even the busiest of Downtowns.
This building is based off of concept art for a building in Kuwait called the Al-Sharq Office Complex, a building which, so far as I can tell, was never actually constructed. The original building had gray fins and a rainbow-colored array of windows, but since The Sims 2 doesn't really allow as much discretion insofar as windows are concerned as the real world does, I decided that a burnt-orange color for the two fins would help ensure that no matter where it is constructed, it would be one of the most striking buildings in the neighborhood. I also removed the carpark structure that, in real life, was meant to go under the main part of the structure since, let's be honest, it doesn't really add much visual interest to the building, aside from making it a few stories taller (which the game wouldn't let me do, sadly). If you want to see the concept art for the proposed ACTUAL building, this site has quite a few good images: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=474987
The 7 apartments in this building all tend towards a more modern design aesthetic, (only fitting for such a modern building) while still keeping prices low enough so as not to be completely out of reach of many Sims. Starting at $2100 per week, the average apartment in this building is perfectly suited for either a single Sim who enjoys the benefits of a solo urban lifestyle, or a couple who want to keep in touch with the faster-paced life of the city. The top two stories are dedicated to a luxurious penthouse apartment which, while not quite as opulent as some of the buildings I've designed, is perfectly suited for a wealthy Sim who wants everyone to know which one the building they live in is. At $4488 per week, it's also not as expensive as many other penthouse apartments are, making it perfect for a Sim who desperately wants the lifestyle afforded by a home in the sky, but doesn't want a stratospheric price tag to go along with it.
The highest accessible floor is a rooftop bar area, available to all the building's residents- perfect for a weekly cocktail party or a relaxing morning drink while looking out at the cityscape surrounding the building. Also provided for the benefit of tenants is a private library, located on the first real structural level, three stories above the twin fountains and linked pools that dominate the courtyard. The wide courtyard also ensures that this building will be distant enough to be visually striking to every Sim walking by on the street, particularly when seen edge-on. So narrow that it almost disappears into the sky behind it, this building will catch Sims' eyes no matter where they see it from.
While this is certainly a skyscraper suited for placement in a Downtown area, I would recommend not placing it in the heart of the city- instead, find a spot several lots removed from the densest area of your Downtown, and place these lofts there instead. This building's defining characteristic is its silhouette, which is lost if the lot is surrounded too closely by other towers. By placing it a few blocks away, its distinctive shape will stand out better, and while it doesn't change the weekly rates for any of the apartments, the views from all of them will be dramatically improved!
Of course, as is my custom with skyscraper lots, I feel obligated to warn those of you with slower or older computers that this lot won't be the fastest one for you. Still, I designed it on an old, slow computer, so it's certainly playable, and the visual interest that such a distinctive building adds to your city skyline cannot be ignored.
Lot Size: 3x2
Lot Price: $2100 - $4488
Additional Credits:
The exterior of this building is based off of the concept art for the Al Sharq Office Complex in Kuwait, designed by the architectural firm Atkins. So far as I can tell, this building was never actually constructed (if it was, correct me please!) but the design is still impressive, so once again, well done Atkins!
Filename | Size | Downloads | Date | |||||
Al-Sharq Lofts.zip
Size: 3.45 MB · Downloads: 2,435 · 8th Feb 2014 |
3.45 MB | 2,435 | 8th Feb 2014 | |||||
For a detailed look at individual files, see the Information tab. |
Key:
- - File was updated after upload was posted
Install Instructions
Basic Download and Install Instructions:
1. Download: Click the download link to save the .rar or .zip file(s) to your computer.
2. Extract the zip, rar, or 7z file.
3. Install: Double-click on the .sims2pack file to install its contents to your game. The files will automatically be installed to the proper location(s).
1. Download: Click the download link to save the .rar or .zip file(s) to your computer.
2. Extract the zip, rar, or 7z file.
3. Install: Double-click on the .sims2pack file to install its contents to your game. The files will automatically be installed to the proper location(s).
- You may want to use the Sims2Pack Clean Installer instead of the game's installer, which will let you install sims and pets which may otherwise give errors about needing expansion packs. It also lets you choose what included content to install. Do NOT use Clean Installer to get around this error with lots and houses as that can cause your game to crash when attempting to use that lot. Get S2PCI here: Clean Installer Official Site.
- For a full, complete guide to downloading complete with pictures and more information, see: Game Help: Downloading for Fracking Idiots.
- Custom content not showing up in the game? See: Game Help: Getting Custom Content to Show Up.
Also Thanked - Users who thanked this download also thanked:
Packs Needed
Other Information
Number of bedrooms:
– 5 or more
Custom Content Included:
– None
: No Custom Content included
Furnishings:
– Fully Furnished
: Lot is completely decked out in furnishings
Special Flags:
– Not Applicable
Tags
Packs Needed
Base Game | |
---|---|
Sims 2 |
Expansion Pack | |
---|---|
University | |
Nightlife | |
Open for Business | |
Pets | |
Seasons | |
Bon Voyage | |
Free Time | |
Apartment Life |
Stuff Pack | |
---|---|
Glamour Life | |
Celebration | |
H&M Fashion | |
Teen Style | |
Kitchen & Bath | |
Ikea Home | |
Mansion and Garden |
About Me
Sims? What are Sims? I almost always just use this game to create buildings!
You might call me a CC-atheist. While I'll use every cheat code in the book, I won't use anything that Maxis didn't ship with the game in one fashion or another. Ergo, you can rest assured that all my lots are CC-free.
Some creators describe themselves as constantly juggling projects. I suppose I do that too, except I'm really really bad at juggling, so I just throw lots of projects as high as I can, and sometimes forget all about them until they come crashing down on my head!
I won't *exactly* do requests, but since I pivot from lot to lot constantly, if there's a place you hope to see from me, there's a good chance that I've already started it! I make no promises, but feel free to ask about lots you want to see- you might inspire me to finish something!
My lots are my own work- I put a lot of effort into them, so have fun with them, use them for storytelling or making Sim movies, but please don't reupload them, in whole or in part, anywhere, including here on MTS!
One day I will rule the world with an iron fist and all will kneel before me.
You might call me a CC-atheist. While I'll use every cheat code in the book, I won't use anything that Maxis didn't ship with the game in one fashion or another. Ergo, you can rest assured that all my lots are CC-free.
Some creators describe themselves as constantly juggling projects. I suppose I do that too, except I'm really really bad at juggling, so I just throw lots of projects as high as I can, and sometimes forget all about them until they come crashing down on my head!
I won't *exactly* do requests, but since I pivot from lot to lot constantly, if there's a place you hope to see from me, there's a good chance that I've already started it! I make no promises, but feel free to ask about lots you want to see- you might inspire me to finish something!
My lots are my own work- I put a lot of effort into them, so have fun with them, use them for storytelling or making Sim movies, but please don't reupload them, in whole or in part, anywhere, including here on MTS!
One day I will rule the world with an iron fist and all will kneel before me.