Misk Foundation Headquarters, New Saudi Arabia Real Estate, KSA Building Images, Concept Design Architecture
Misk Foundation Headquarters in Saudi Arabia
21 Jun 2022
Architects: Conrad Gargett
Location: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)
Renders: Doug & Wolf
Misk Foundation Headquarters, KSA
Conrad Gargett wins international competition to design Misk Foundation Headquarters for the world’s first non-profit city
Australian architecture firm, Conrad Gargett has won an international competition to design the Misk Foundation Headquarters in Saudi Arabia, which is set to become an iconic centrepiece for the world’s first non-profit city.
Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, “Misk”, announced the proposal of the new headquarters, which will be located in the heart of the Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City within the capital of Riyadh.
The new city was launched in November 2021 by His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, The Crown Prince, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Misk Foundation, with a vision to create a modern, vibrant and environmentally sustainable community for nurturing future leaders.
The primary pursuit of the City and Misk is to empower youth and support innovation and entrepreneurship, as Saudi Arabia transitions from an oil-based economy to a knowledge-based, open and ambitious nation.
“Misk’s commitment to empowering its youthful population underpinned our interest in participating in the design competition,” said Conrad Gargett Managing Director, Lawrence Toaldo.
“We are honoured to be delivering the Foundation’s headquarters, which respects the vision of its Founder, as well as the long-term strategic goals of the Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City.”
The Misk Foundation headquarters is sited on a peninsula formed by deep ravines or “wadi” within the heart of the city.
Every aspect of the new headquarters is specially designed to create an environment which nurtures collaboration and creativity, from beautiful outdoor gardens where people can gather to relax and exchange innovative ideas, to expansive views of the wadi and Riyadh’s skyline which serve to inspire and motivate people to transform the Kingdom for the better.
The distinctive ternary form orientates to Wadi Hanifa as well as the capital of Riyadh and includes approximately 6000sqm of office accommodation wrapping around a central garden and a publicly accessible active ground floor level with café, function room and exhibition space.
An expansive gathering space surrounded by the lush Forum Garden is protected and shaded by an over scaled ‘mashrabiya’ – a horizontal interpretation of the traditional Arabic timber screening device, providing a comfortable place to meet and exchange ideas.
The Foundation headquarters’ office accommodation wraps to enclose, protect and engage with the Forum Garden; its transparent internal courtyard façade facilitating the interaction of staff.
In contrast, the exterior of the building features a protective sculptured enclosing wall, referencing traditional Najd architecture and celebrating the sun’s strength through the ever-changing play of light and shade on its tessellated surface.
“With our focus on environmental sustainability and our ambition to achieve GBCI LEED Gold certification, the new design incorporates traditional design elements with healthy environments that promote the wellbeing of all staff and visitors. We hope that it will become a treasured part of the new city,” said Conrad Gargett Director, John Flynn.
The building will also be seeking an IWBI WELL Gold rating in tandem with the LEED Gold certification. The WELL rating relates to spaces that enhance human health and wellbeing, while LEED is a globally recognised green building rating system.
Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City is located in Irqah neighbourhood, adjacent to Wadi Hanifa, on an area spreading over 3.4 square kilometres. The Misk Foundation Building will be completed in 2025.
Architects: Conrad Gargett – https://www.conradgargett.com.au/
Images: Doug & Wolf
Misk Foundation Headquarters, Saudi Arabia images / information received 210622
Location: KSA – Saudi Arabia
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