Sohar International Headquarters, Muscat, Oman
Overview
The new Sohar International Headquarters is built to become a landmark of Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. The unique geometry was inspired by the ‘Möbius strip’ - a surface with only one side and one boundary, often a symbol of infinity. This surface, supported by a superstructure, twists and folds onto itself, creating a circular 3D shape, reaching to the infinite future. The complex building comprises of offices, a retail bank, data centre, auditorium, banqueting hall and several other functions. The façade is wrapped around by a Mashrabiya screen, which ‘follows the sun’ and changes its solidity level with the orientation.
Key Design Features
Unique building geometry featuring a Möbius-shape where all upper floors behave as one fluid space.
Patterned mashrabiya screen wrapping around the glass façade, optimised to change its solidity depending on the solar exposure of the façade, making sure the building is protected from unwanted solar gains, yet provides adequate daylight levels to its occupants.
Bespoke ventilation concept, whereby extract air is drawn through the ‘cavity’ between the glass façade and the floors, thus picking up solar heat gain to help keeping the building cool in the hot dry climate.
The building includes a Tier III Data Centre with a 50 cabinet data hall and supporting network rooms.
Press Release
To mark the 49th National Day of Oman, and with Sohar International Bank’s new vision of changing banking services to better serve its customers and exceed their changing expectations, the Sohar International unveiled the progressive design of its new headquarters in Muscat:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4l7BBCw4KM
Project Size:
67,500 m²
Project Value:
Confidential
Project Status:
Completion expected 2023
Client:
Sohar International
Architect and Engineers:
Calatrava International
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