andrew bromberg of Aedas masterplans ALJ headquarters in jeddah

andrew bromberg of Aedas masterplans ALJ headquarters in jeddah
image © AsymmetricA

located in the city of jeddah, saudi arabia, andrew bromberg of Aedas has designed the corporate headquarters for abdul latif jameel. currently in construction and scheduled to be completed in 2018, the company is the largest independently owned toyota distributor in the world.

jeddah is the largest port city located on the red sea and is the main gateway to mekkah
image © AsymmetricA

sited within a prime 21-hectare site north of al-badad, the historical area in jeddah, the vast plot is owned by ALJ and contains a range of existing uses including a vehicle service center, workshops and general offices, training centers. over the years, facilities have been added to meet the business demands and this overhaul will see the site is undergo a new masterplan.

the two façades of the complex are used as a buffer for the working ‘living’ spaces of the complex. influenced by the traditional buildings in jeddah, these ‘protective’ plaster faces are more solid in appearance, and limit the penetration of the harsh western light into the building as well as mitigate the noise from the busy streets.

office floors are stacked in clusters of three with intermediate interaction zone floors where users can have more
casual meetings or breaks
image © AsymmetricA

these faces evolved to independent ‘l-bar’ volumes, which contain all support services including cores, conference facilities, canteens, a gym, prayer rooms and toilets. it allows adjacent offices, separated by an atrium, maximum efficiency through open planning with ultimate flexibility of space. in contrast to the bars facing the streets, the office space is contained in a soft, flowing, and highly transparent skin, reflecting the ethos of the company. the building is topped with a podium roof with a communal garden as well as a running track that meanders in and out of various spaces within the development.

night view / the building will anchor the northwest corner of a 21-hectare master plan also developed by the company
image © Labtop Rendering

developed with sustainability at its core, the project is designed to optimize its relationship to the intense desert sun. western oriented glass is minimised and the heavy massing resists heat penetration. the open office spaces are protected from the light by overhangs and outdoor decks. additionally, the stepped glass elevation allows overshadowing and vegetation is planted on all roof surfaces and terraces to further mitigate solar gain and enhance user comfort.