This striking visual in Dubai Silicon Oasis is the headquarters of Axiom Telecom, a leading telecommunication company in the United Arab Emirates. Its grandiose presence quite befits the brand identity of this telecom retailer.
Italian architect Marco Mangili Associati had the much-needed audacity to place this abstract mass of concrete, steel, and black glass in the land of Islamic traditional architecture. There is not one hint of mashrabiya or arches on site, which is quite liberating!
Its composition also has got sharp angles on plan, section and elevation. It has tucked-in walls that create the illusion of a suspended but balanced building. The leaning walls create a ‘restless’ shape, which is impressively sculptural from afar.
The weathered steel cladding, visible in burnt orange, acts as a connecting element between the concrete fragments. Furthermore, this headquarters’s structural ingenuity is on full display, giving it raw authenticity. The exaggerated size of the three-story high blocks compared to the human scale gives respect to the tech giant that is Axiom Telecom.
The architects emphasize that besides the design brief from the client, they also added four elements: impact, presence, recognizability, and synthesis, crucial measures in design. What’s synthesis in architecture? It’s a relatively new term to most, borrowed from medicine.
It is where one aspect stimulates, inspires, or feeds into another aspect of design, creating a synthesis, a wholesome, interconnected composition. The smooth transitions between themes, textures, angles, patterns, and spaces in this establishment have truly achieved synthesis.
The building has three main areas. The first and foremost is the primary use of the building, which is production and logistics operations. There is also an area dedicated to operational and managerial offices and conference facilities.
Believe it or not, the third area entails a restaurant, lounge bar, gym, and spa, in case it is unclear that humans use the building. However, the seamless interconnection between the operational and relational spaces makes the complex so easy to maneuver.
The interiors are impeccable, with high ceilings, clear sight lines, and a somber ambiance. At certain times of day, the unconventional openings on the façade create an amazing play of light and shadow indoors.
The spatial design caters to innovative minds, sparks creativity, and creates a utopia for young techies. With the vertical, horizontal, and diagonal elements of varying textures, the spatial layout may come off as haphazard but intriguing at the same time.
Commendably, this establishment has met quite a number of green building requirements. In line with Axiom Telecom’s commitment to minimize its environmental impact, the establishment’s design has achieved a silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating.
Its eco-friendly materials and sustainable finishes achieve this. Also to note, a multitude of energy conservation measures were integrated into its construction process.
It has a main garden with a variety of plants surrounded by water mirrors and lights. Fun fact: the building rises to preserve this garden, which spills to the outside. The courtyard also entails an appealing mix of stone and wood surfaces.
These bring earth tones and the outdoor character indoors. Its expansive glazing and open-plan spaces allow for natural light and adequate ventilation.
Sometimes you’ve got to design with your chest and deal with the criticism later. Regardless, here comes the criticism: As the most iconic buildings are coming up in the UAE, the Axiom Headquarters seems to pay no respect to its context. To be frank, it comes off as a foreign object.
The architects themselves term it as “A stone that comes from far away.” This outlandish approach to design is often mistaken for landmark architecture. The headquarters seem to tread a thin line between iconic and out of place. However, in this case, it is carried out with remarkable finesse.
PROJECT INFORMATION
Architects / Project Managers: Marco Mangili Associati
Client: Axiom Telecom L.L.C.
Completion Year: 2018
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Area: 34,000 sqm
Contractor: China Railway 18th Bureau Group
Project Team: Andrea Ronzoni (Project coordinator and project advisor) – Pasquale Aversario, Barbara Michielutti (Interior design) – Josef Kamelger, Giorgio Visentin, Adele Trimigno (Team) – Consultants: Pslab and Telmotor Spa (lighting consultant) – NEB (AOR, structural and mechanical) – Dynamic Design DMCC (PMO)
Photographer: Tushar Naik
