This 24-story office building on King Fahd Road in Riyadh will be the corporate headquarters for the client's company, and its distinctive design will provide the company with enhanced brand recognition throughout the region.

The inspiration for the design comes from the region’s beloved palm trees, which symbolize welcome and relief, Although the concept may be whimsical, the means of achieving the desired aesthetics are grounded in functionality, economy of means, and market suitability, the client itself will occupy only about 45% of the building.

The rectangular floor plate is sized to optimize requirements, leasing permutations, and structural economies. The eccentric core provides open floor plates that address King Fahd Road, and the only deviation from the simple orthogonal geometry of the floor plate is the north-east corner where a curve and the serrated façade combine to produce the illusion of a palm trunk. The roof-top palm frond utilizes PV cells to aid energy efficiency.

All four facades respond differently to solar parameters to minimize heat gain. The serrated north-east façade deflects low morning sun and provides balconies overlooking King Fahd Road; Horizontal louvers on the south-east side control the higher sun; and on the south-west façade the core provides insulation from the low afternoon sun.

The building includes sub-terranian parking, and a mezzanine level to augment ground level retail. The top five floors, which will be used by executives, have access to balconies and a dramatic ‘sky garden’ that commands prime north-west views over the city and mountains.