Emirates NBD Headquarters (Formerly BNP Paribas)

Project Description

BNP Paribas intended to construct a Head Office building at the Banks Area, 5th district in New Cairo to regroup headquarters staff from three existing locations in Central Cairo. The design project was awarded to the Joint Venture of ECG and Orascom Construction Industries.

The project was implemented on 25% of the area (1,795 m²), with a built-up area of (12,500 m²). The building comprised two basements, garden level, ground floor and six typical floors.

The building layout was inspired from the dung rolling scarab beetle sacred to the ancient Egyptians as it seemed to emerge from nowhere. The apparent “self-creation” of the scarab beetle resembled that of the Egyptian God of the Sun, who created himself out of nothing. The scarab beetle therefore served as a symbol of regeneration and creation; conveying ideas of transformation, renewal, and resurrection. The ellipsoid shape of the said beetle shaped the building layout. The building encompassed two above ground wings of six floors connected by a hall lobby and external bridges. These floors comprised retail branch, safe room, reception, offices, archiving areas, training center and meeting rooms.

Basement levels were constructed to extend the plot area for car parking and ancillary accommodation, the central vault, security room, maintenance areas, prayer rooms, IT and data rooms. The difference in levels between north and south roads was smartly used to create a breathtaking garden floor at level (-4.40m). This was to accommodate mainly restaurant, kitchen, fitness center, ancillary…etc. The well-sorted palm trees, lawns and water springs naturalized the surrounding and perfectly recalled the oasis ambience.

Energy conservation was considered from the very beginning. The energy losses were limited to the minimum by insulating building facades, glazing, walls, roofs and floors. Solar gains have been managed taking into account sun trajectory in winter and summer, building orientation and shading.