The headquarters for the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) is prominently located along the Corniche, the city’s waterfront boardwalk, ushering in a transformation of the company’s workplace. The 75-story building houses multiple Directorates in a flexible, open-plan configuration for general staff and glass or wood veneer modular walls for senior managers and directors. The typical floor layout zones offices to the north side of the building taking advantage of the daylight and of the spectacular views to the sea. Conference rooms, lift lobbies and restrooms are zoned toward the south-facing façade which features a double glazed exterior skin, protecting the building occupants from harsh solar exposure.
In contrast with the company’s original 1970’s headquarters composed mostly of enclosed offices, the new interior office design promotes more collaboration and transparency for its new generation of employees. A universal plan module integrates exclusive grids for the metal ceiling suspension system, demountable walls, lighting, HVAC, audio-visual and fire suppression devices. This modularity in design allows ADNOC to reconfigure without much disruption to operations.
The offices feature high-end custom designed workstations and case goods. Made of American walnut veneer, the desk surfaces appear to float over the quartz surface return while featuring a waterfall side panel detail. The reverse knife edge detail, a recurring element in the interior architecture and furniture design, recalls the exterior architrave feature of the tower.
Through a palette of natural stone, wood veneer, and architectural metals, the interior design is a subtle blend of the traditional and the contemporary. It expresses the solidity, permanence and stability of ADNOC within the UAE and the world at large. The design created an environment that reflects the company’s vision of the future while embracing its cultural heritage. Having received LEED Gold certification, the building also promotes ADNOC’s role as a steward of the UAE’s natural resources.
