Gensler, a global company specialising in architecture, design and planning, has announced that its team in the Middle East has completed one of the largest interior design projects in the region to date. 

 

Gensler recently finished the design development work for a 25,000-sq-m luxury commercial space for Riyad Bank’s new headquarters located within the King Abdullah Financial Center (KAFD) in the Saudi capital Riyadh. 

 

Spanning ​​79,266 sq m, Riyad Bank Tower extends over 52 floors offering a variety of spaces, including executive floors, top floor lounges, rentable floors, office floors as well as space for Riyadh Academy and other facilities.

 

In this vibrant tower, the bank headquarters will be located on most floors, with the exception of only nine. This building features a variety of impressive facilities, including a prominent double-height atrium, three additional 'loft lounges', a unique experience centre, a multi-purpose hall, as well as flexible workspaces housing a variety of executive options. 

 

Three floors also provide a diverse experience to enjoy multiple options in food and drinks.

 

According to Gensler, the design of the tower's interior spaces was inspired by the brand's story 'The Life Fund', highlighting the focus on providing comprehensive solutions, preserving core values, and creating a thriving community within the tower. 

 

This concept was built on Riyad Bank's values: trust, professionalism, challenge, and boldness, stated the top architect. 

 

Based on these values, the Gensler design team worked to embody the values ​​of Riyad Bank in all environments within the tower, as a celebration of the bank’s efforts that have positively impacted the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over the past decade..

 

The tower's main themes - man and technology - are embodied across multiple aspects of the design; The human side is characterized by natural materials and light colours, while the technological side is characterized by bright colors and manufactured materials. These contrasting elements ultimately converge to create a harmonious and meaningful experience for everyone who visits the bank's headquarters.

 

In April 2021, a 264-m-tall, architecturally complete 52-storey tower joined Riyad Bank's properties. With the interior design completed, the bank's new headquarters will be an ideal home for its 5,165-strong team. 

 

The interior design services were implemented in collaboration between the Dubai and Abu Dhabi offices, as well as the signboards and unique road guidance systems by a team in Singapore, highlighting the deep experience and excellence of the Gensler team in achieving the project’s success. 

 

From 2009 to 2013, Gensler's London office led the design of the tower, reflecting the firm's global capabilities and close collaboration. Over a period of 42 weeks, starting in June 2021, Gensler teams worked in collaboration with Riyad Bank to formulate the main concept, prepare plans and develop the design for this exceptional project.

 

Marcela Munoz, Senior Interior Designer and Project Leader at Gensler Middle East, said: "We are proud to have been chosen by Riyad Bank to provide comprehensive interior design services, including signboards and guidance systems for the exceptional new headquarters in KAFD. This project breathes new life into an existing building with a dynamic character, and upon completion of the interior fit-out work, the headquarters will bring together the bank’s employees in a cohesive and cohesive community."

 

"Incoming employees and tenants are expected to benefit from carefully designed commercial spaces, combining sustainable elements and technologies. Advanced, which will enhance productivity and promote health and wellness at the same time," she added.

 

Staco and G-Floors - Gensler's exclusive software tools for designing workspaces - were leveraged to understand the best ways to organise departments and carefully plan the floor program. Thanks to these tools, the performance goals set by the client for their new headquarters were achieved with unparalleled efficiency.

 

According to her, the project seeks to achieve Platinum certification from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design system (LEED). 

 

The client's goal was to source 30% of all materials used in the project from the Middle East, with the aim of supporting local suppliers and reducing logistical challenges and greenhouse gas emissions. In order to achieve these goals, the Gensler team worked diligently with a group of sub-consultants to select the best furniture, materials, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering systems, with the aim of achieving the sustainability goals of Riyad Bank’s headquarters with high efficiency, she explained.

 

A wide range of health and wellness facilities have been integrated into the interior floor design of the Riyad Bank headquarters. 

 

These facilities included dedicated gyms for men and women equipped with showers, lockers, and refreshment outlets, in addition to a health clinic and four private rooms for mothers equipped with all amenities, such as furniture, sinks, and refrigerators. Food and beverage facilities have also been distributed across the tower's floors to facilitate quick and easy access, she added.

 

Jose Vaine, Principal Director of Workplace Design, said: "Gensler’s history with this wonderful tower extends for more than ten years, and we are grateful for the trust the new owner has placed in us in this wonderful project."

 

"Our teams worked flawlessly close with the Riyad Bank team to complete the project design development, we are confident that the Riyad Bank headquarters will emerge as one of the best commercial spaces in the region over the coming years," he added.-TradeArabia News Service