Located at the heart of the KAFD, the Plot 1.15, known as the KAFD World Trade Centre, is masterplanned by Gensler as an iconic architectural landmark and gateway for international trade. Gensler has been commissioned by the Riyadh Investment Company and Saudi Bin Laden Group after winning an international design contest for the tower.
According to the client brief, the 300m tall tower offers 1.5 million square feet of office space. The super-tall tower is distinct for a ‘Vertical Wadi’; a formal and organisational spine that links the tenants and offers a living environment at the heart of the tower. Vertical Wadi helps in effectively splitting the floor-plates. Four tenants will be assigned per floor. Each floor will have their own front door into the atrium areas and access to views of the city.
The Vertical Wadi is designed to create a formal and organisational structure to the tower by connecting all internal functions and slashing the building mass in two. The entire structure is broken down into office zones of 12 floors and business communities of three levels. A high proportion of managed amenity space, ranging from a full conference auditorium to executive club areas and business lounges are featured at the tower. An observation deck at 300m will allow the general public to experience the building.
The KAFD World Trade Centre is distinct for the monolithic façade, which is derived from the early design concept driver of the building – a solid rock, cleft in two to create a Wadi. The façade is actually formed from a series of repeating modular GRP moulds, even though it appears to be random.
The interior volumes of the building are animated and interconnected, promoting meeting and exchange. Primarily clad in back-painted glass of varying tones and transparency, the interior space benefits from a smooth and gradually intensifying colour experience.
The King Abdullah Financial District will house the large community of professionals working within the financial sector and related industries, hosting the headquarters of the Capital Market Authority, the Stock Exchange, banks, financial institutions.
