OIII architects: commercial bank of ethiopia proposal

commercial bank of ethiopia by OIII

dutch firm OIII architects received a special mention for their proposal in the competition to design the commercial bank of ethiopia.

the city’s pattern of public roads, squares and parks is carried through into the CBE’s design. by connecting five towers to each other around a central atrium, a space is created which continues into the bank’s immediate surroundings. glass façades enclose the atrium but, recessed against the towers and therefore in the shade, offer a transparent and open view into the heart of the CBE.

the round base of each tower forms a public space – similar to traditional villages, ethiopian landscapes and caves. the towers (A, B, C, D and E) form a harmonious unit individually and together.

the external round shapes are visible from the inside of the building. several external facades cut through the cylinder-shaped towers vertically, creating an uninterrupted facade around the building and emphasising the towers.

the 5 cylinders each have separate facilities

how each of the cylinders are connected