Building Project of the Year: Development of the Waha Office Building for Omrania

22 June 2016

The eye-catching and energy-efficient facades on the Omrania & Associates headquarters make the building one of a kind

Entrant: Omrania

Developer: Omrania

EPC contractor: Hashem Contracting & Trading Company

Consultant: Omrania

Architect: Omrania

Project management: Omrania

Financier: Private

The Waha office building in Riyadh is more than simply a workplace. With a modern and strong visual appearance, the building symbolises Omrania’s values of contextual, green and functional design, while providing an inspiring space where people can thrive.

Its unique form was influenced by the triangular, challenging site. The shape of the site, along with the surrounding mix of land uses, was a major consideration throughout the design process. Maintaining the privacy of near-by residential properties was a priority and the result was a building that sits in harmony with its surroundings.

An adaptable and efficient floor plan allows the building’s tenants to use the space according to their needs. The design’s commitment to sustainability is demonstrated by the building’s energy and water efficiency, the reduction of the urban heat island effect, and the use of locally sourced materials. Its multi-layered facade system controls the sun’s glare and provides visual privacy for both occupants and neighbours.

Evocative of moving grass in the wind, a concertina pattern of vertical polychromatic external shading fins protect the transparent facades and bring a memorability and dynamism to the building that contrasts with the static look of traditional office places.

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