QIIB HEADQUARTERS ​
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The Architectural scheme seeks to provide a framework for international Islamic banking that seeks to remain grounded within the region’s specific culture.
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Forming a strong identity for the project, the scheme comprises the qualities of both an intimate courtyard and an efficiently programmed high-rise structure. Externally, façades have been designed to mimic the edge carvings of gold ‘coins’, ensuring a visual association between the building and its function.
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Made of a hollow cylinder of these stacked coins, the 16,000 square meter project has been designed to encourage communication among the building’s various occupants. In order to maximize this interaction, the scheme utilizes an elevated garden shaded with a long span bridge that brings together staff, clients and administration.
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Within the ‘courtyard’ of the design, the garden forms a shared space for informal relaxation, while private roof terraces on upper floors can be used by staff working higher up the building. The scheme also contains a number of shared amenities, such as a dining facilities, Multi-purpose hall and prayer hall that interact with the garden as an outdoor extension.
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The ‘window’ is a 4 story high opening which is appropriately located to doubles in function as the Mihrab to the prayer hall across the courtyard and as a visual invitation to look inside the building and its ethical banking practices. It also allows for the prevalent north wind penetration through the courtyard which conditions the micro climate within the building mass.
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Despite sharing a common base that contains a public banking hall, internal programs are allocated at specific location to ensure a necessary level of privacy. Functions with less demand for unusual spatial requirements are located in the higher part of the towers. Here, the repetitive floor plates allow for a greater degree of flexibility.
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Finally, the ‘bridge’ is 33 m long span structure, on the seventh floor, which acts as the board meeting room while offering shade and protection to the garden and assets below. It is a visual symbol of authority for the entire building below and a reminder of the bank’s mega capabilities.