Configuration and Concept

Analysis of the rectilinear site suggests that two linear buildings running parallel to Mawlood Mukhless road provides the most efficient footprint configuration that would also benefit from natural daylight and ventilation. The linear buildings would shield an inner street sheltered from direct sunlight, which forms the ‘heart’ of the building, similar to the traditional Arabian ‘souk’. Dual poles are created at either end of the ‘street’ consisting of main entrance reception and ‘public dealing hall’ to the east, and a private canteen opening out onto a soft landscaped oasis to the west. These poles act as magnets drawing people past the diverse activities as they move along the ‘street’.As a concept, one block is ‘static’ and the other ‘dynamic’. To the north, the static linear block anchors the building on the site and provides a solid face to any future development to the north. The southern block becomes expressive and is the signature of the building. Resembling the smooth aerodynamics of a plane, the block grows out from the elevated south-west corner of the site growing to a pinnacle as it reaches Mohamed Ali Janah main road creating a landmark feature that will be seen from all approaches to the site.A greeting point of the main reception is located to the left (south side) with the additional front of house accommodation set behind. This provides a clear welcoming point where visitors sign in before being allowed access further into the building