The 12-storey building contains the headquarters and offices for an important property development company; retail shops are located on the ground floor. The principal objective was a sustainable design to temper the intense sunlight while providing natural light to the interiors; re-interpretations of traditional mashrabiyyas were developed. The east and south façades are clad with projecting aluminium and ceramic panels arranged to resemble fish scales; the panels are affixed by an innovative technique that provides ventilation to the exterior walls. For additional protection from the sun on the east, north, and south façades, the glazed panels of insulated, reflective glass are silkscreen-etched with patterns of yellow-coloured dots.
Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture
