The design of the parallelogram-shaped structure in Abu Dhabi responds to the path of the sun for passive cooling.
Excerpted from designMENA:
Contrasting with the many twisting, turning shaped buildings in the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company’s (ADNOC) new headquarters embodies a ‘less is more’ philosophy.
The exterior frame of the 75-story tower is clad in granite to convey a sense of permanence to reflect the company’s ethos, according to the design team.
The sides rise to an architrave free of the building mass, creating the image of a monumental arch rising next to the Arabian Gulf. The tower’s simple, classic form serves as a recognizable focal point for people traveling to and from the city, said the architects.
To provide the best solar orientation, HOK designed the headquarters in the shape of a parallelogram.
The tower’s north side faces the waterfront and is fully glazed to offer views and take advantage of the limited direct sunlight. The south side, where sunlight is stronger, incorporates finely produced glass with sun shades.
Cladding the east and west sides in granite screens the 65-story glass core from harsh sunlight. These strategies, combined with efficient building systems, help achieve LEED Gold certification standards.