This month’s American Society of Civil Engineering magazine has a great article about a new skyscraper being built in Kuwait. The Al Hamra Firdous Tower has spiraling hyperbolic parabaloid concrete walls which will reach about 100 stories high.

The fascinating aspect, though, is that the local developer and general contractor team that own and are building the tower began the project with the intent of a 50 story project. Then the Kuwait authorities changed the zoning building height limit from 200 meters to 400 meters.

The risk of building a simple 50 story project pales next to developing a 100 story unique sculpted tower. Just look at the beauty of that form.

And the way it fits but enhances the city skyline.

Finally, I just loved the streetscape view.

So a local developer and GC team up to do a project, then respond to the conditions and up the ante. Great things can happen when we leave the comfort of our normal and venture into the stretched zone.

I hope you take some time this weekend to relax and think deeply. Think about what you do every day…your normal. Then think about what you could do…your best. Move toward your stretched zone.