King AbdullAh FinAnciAl district riyAdhFor sAudi binlAden groupA VisuAl EssAy of DEsign DEVElopmEnt procEss

Paul Stallan at

parcel 4.04

Design process

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three Design responsesoption ioption iioption iii

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THREE DESIGN RESPONSES

Paul Stallan’s Global Studio at RMJM have worked in both an intuitive and highly rational basis in order to fully understand the architectural and urban potential of plot 4.04.

Paul’s team believe inspired architecture relies on both an artistic response and a scientific and engineered approach to the brief. Both emotive and pragmatic inputs must be balanced to achieve both a functional clarity but also a building that delights us sculpturally.

The teams third principle consideration at this stage in the project is very simply buildability. In short our proposal must be commercially viable meaning that it requires to be built to a budget and within a specified time scale.

Essentially though the architecture has to be attractive and marketable to future clients and positively contribute to the ambitious KAFD masterplan vision. In this respect

we have explored different approaches to three building types we believe are all highly appropriate for plot 4.04.

The imagery captured in the following document is a ‘snapshot’ of our design process. We wanted to evidence the sketches, diagrams, 3d models and collages that have helped us clarify these three design options that the site supports.

The material following is also meant as a visual essay that we hope demonstrates the intensity of our design development process. We wanted to share with you through this additional document our enthusiasm in responding to the KAFD brief.

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Diagrammatically we assessed at an early stage that three approaches were possible;

1. the super block option2. the one tower option3. the two tower option

THREE DESIGN RESPONSES

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1

The Event design provides unique accommodation and space with a difference. To attract investment and interest in the development of this plot we have considered a design approach that offers the public increased choice and the marketable benefits that can be derived from mixed use activity within the single super block building.

For example co-locating small to medium scale businesses in space that has both character and a more social outlook reflects the international trend of the ‘loft office’ concept. Rather than overly repetitive and generic space this design promotes accommodation that can relate to the sky gardens and cafe terraces. The architecture expresses the dynamic of the mixed brief in a sculptural and confident way that will provide KAFD with a distinctive brand opportunity.

The Event relies on two simple ideas in its architectural composition. The design has a sculptural yet simple building base that is externally monolithic in its character yet internally complex. The detail of this base is restrained to establish a setting for what we have referred to as the residential ‘cloud’ on top. The residential units will obviously take full advantage of the great views and celebrate a unique location overlooking the KAFD financial hub.

The building is designed to be widely seen from many vantage points providing an opportunity to develop an event horizon where not only the residents get great views from but where the greater public can see the ‘cloud’ architecturally lit. Internally the beautiful sky courtyards for office workers and residents alike will light up at night to provide additional drama.

SuPER blOckThE EvEnT

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SuPER blOckThE EvEnT

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2

The architecture of the vantage is about the maximisation of the sites potential to command great views over the KAFD central park area and beyond and also to celebrate its unique place in the masterplan as a prominent corner site that has the scope to brand this urban district. Plot 4.04 has a excellent aspect and overall orientation that as designers we would be remiss in not responding to.

A simple sculptural cantilevered form on the top of the building dramatically brands the building and provides a unique viewing platform for a public gallery or exclusive penthouse office or apartment.

The building responds differently to different orientations. To the east the buildings elevation is sculptural and responds to a greater public aspect. To the west the facade is more part of an internal public space created between other buildings.

South the building takes up a diagonal form that tapers quickly from the buildings base to the top to create a dramatic perspective view from the buildings principle vantage point at pedestrian level.

The architectural form of this option is efficiently organised in a tower form using two cores. The option exploits the full height of the development envelope to provide as many high end residential apartments with the best views. From a sales and rental advantage this is a critical consideration. Also the buildings base provides well proportioned office space with increased flexibility through the use of a deeper plan arrangement. Commercially this is both a dramatic and economic design.

ONE TOwERThE vAnTAGE

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3

Oh is short for Office and home. Our design response for two separate and potentially functionally different towers is to create two building forms that are opposite. The residential tower is sculptural and more expressive whilst the office tower is more formal.

One of the key attractions this design presents is for the floorplates in either tower to be very similar. The scope for increased residential or increased office exists by making each tower potentially able to support a mix of both.

The strict separation of functions is easily achieved however given the trend in contemporary life for greater home working and for office space to be more informal reflecting the loft office ideas especially popular for small and innovative business types. Either way the commercial flexibility of this option together with the dramatic architectural expression of two towers on plot 4.04 makes this option an exciting prospect.

The Oh tower will be iconic yet will easily integrate into the formal vision and architectural landscape of the King Abdullah Financial District.

TwO TOwERThE Oh

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