Commercial headquarters
Rabat, Morocco

A successful competition entry for the headquarters of a financial institution in Rabat in Morocco. The competition required entrants to demonstrate the best of British, and here the design took the essence of British Classical architecture, placed in an oasis of beautiful landscape. The scheme has a strong axial geometry and plays with mass and volume to break up the façade into a series of elegant elements. The detail is strongly modelled to take advantage of the strong light and deep shadows. There are a series of connecting courtyards to provide a refined flow of spaces, a soothing feel and a separation between users as set out in the design brief. The architectural detail and ornament is a sophisticated blend of the classical and modern, both outside and inside. There is a large courtyard with a cooling and tranquil reflecting pool at its centre. This leads into the boardroon and then through to the garden beyond. There are three linked courtyards in all with discreetly placed lightwells to increase the light and to provide cooling ventilation and a sense of spaciousness. The building looks out over an English style garden with lawns, seating, statuary and water features. At the end of the garden is a circular belvedere or tempietto to provide strong axiality and focus.