slovenian-based firm OFIS architects has proposed 'all seasons tent tower' as part of
the mercedes benz hotel tower competition for the city of yerevan, armenia. the concept
of the project joins two terraced cylindrical towers connected in the ground floor,
embraced with a green tent-shape layer. the higher tower will be used as a restaurant,
pool, spa, fitness centre and bar. it will also house a hotel and apartments along with
a business centre, shops and a garage. the lower structure which extends outwards from
the main tower will serve as housing and exhibition hall as well as garage.

as the city of yerevan is situated in a region prone to earthquakes, the main driver when
deciding on a suitable structural system for the building was safety during earthquakes.
the vertical structure, which resists gravity load and forces resulting from earthquake action,
was rationalized to reinforce the tower's concrete cores and composite columns. the two cores
on the inner perimeter of the taller tower are required to ensure structural stability, one core
in the case of the lower tower. at the base, the outer walls of the cores are 160 cm thick.
due to the terraced shape of the building, the columns on the outermost perimeter are inclined
towards the centre of the building. those on the innermost perimeter are inclined in 3D space
to form a mesh. the core wall thickness and column dimensions are reduced with the height
of the building.


the tower against the city skyline


main entrance facing mt. ararat

the volumes of the two towers are positioned and designed in a way that creates a
dominant view from the city.


tent tower's interchanging skin - winter

the facade skin covers the terraces of the towers, creating openings and full-structural
elements. it is made from a metal mesh that represent elements of the landscape. it also
corresponds to the different seasons. in summer the mesh is covered by greenery that
is planted at the fence of the tower's terraces. in the winter time, it is white, partially
covered with snow.

special care has been taken to optimize environmental conditions and minimize the energy
demands of the tower. the external facades will feature a high performance skin with an
adaptable external shading device to reduce solar gains in the summer. a concrete slab
embedded pipe system provides cooling without draft problems and in winter comfortable
heating. in the summer, the cooling of internal spaces is achieved primarily through the use
of the slab system. during winter, the fresh air will be heated inside the units and distributed
into the rooms using the displacement ventilation principle.


elevation - north facade

the energy supply system is based on natural resources. photovoltaic cells are integrated
into the atrium roof to generate power for the tower.


elevation - south facade


l: west elevation
r: east elevation


a new yerevan landscape


lobby towards the shopping centre


lobby towards the hotel


section plan


programmatic plan


programmatic plan

programmatic plan


site plan


site plans