The Al Fanar (Beacon) is a sixty-meter tower located at the entry point to the harbor of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia. It is a piece of art that represents the university and its commitment to the sciences. The tower was built in 2009 and was designed by artists Daniel Tobin, Matthew Tobin, and Jamie Perrow. It has become a symbol of the university, as it soars into the sky and is visible from the coastline of the Red Sea.
The tower’s name, “Al Fanar”, is derived from the Arabic word for “beacon”. It is a reference to the tower’s function as a guiding light for ships entering the harbor. It is also a metaphor for the university’s mission to be a guiding light for scientific research and education in the region.
A Brief History of the Al Fanar and Its Significance to the Red Sea
The Tower has a relatively short history, having been built in 2009 as part of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia. The university was established as a graduate-level research institution with a focus on science and technology, and the tower was designed to serve as a symbol of its commitment to these fields.
It was constructed by the UAP Company. It stands at sixty meters tall and features a dynamic lighting system that can project different colors and patterns onto the tower’s surface. The tower’s shape and design are meant to evoke the image of a lighthouse or beacon, which symbolizes the university’s role as a guiding light for scientific research and education in the region.
The Al Fanar tower’s location at the entry point to KAUST’s harbor also makes it a prominent landmark along the Red Sea coastline. The Red Sea is a significant body of water that borders several countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Sudan. It has been an important trade route and strategic waterway for thousands of years, and its coastal regions have been home to many important civilizations throughout history.
Today, the Red Sea is still an important waterway for international trade, and its coastal regions are home to many industries, including fishing and tourism. The Al Fanar tower serves as a symbol of the region’s continued development and progress in science and technology, and its prominence along the coastline highlights the importance of the Red Sea to the region’s history and future.
Daniel Tobin’s Discovery of the Al Fanar in Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea
Daniel Tobin’s discovery of the Al Fanar in Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea is a fascinating tale of adventure and exploration. Tobin, an experienced diver and underwater photographer, had long been intrigued by the mysteries of the Red Sea and the creatures that inhabit its depths. In 2015, Tobin set out on an expedition to explore the Al Fanar, a remote reef system located off the coast of Saudi Arabia. The Al Fanar had never been extensively studied or photographed, and Tobin was eager to uncover its secrets.
Over the course of several weeks, Tobin and his team made dozens of dives, carefully documenting the reef’s unique ecosystem and the diverse array of marine life that called it home. They encountered everything from tiny nudibranchs and colorful reef fish to massive schools of barracuda and graceful manta rays.