A Headquarters That Moves with Purpose
Location
United Arab Emirates
Client
Qanawat
BUA
5,800 sq.m
YEAR OF COMPLETION
2023
Qanawat Headquarters represents a forward-looking response to the changing dynamics of work and human interaction in a post-pandemic world. Located in Dubai Studio City, the project redefines the traditional office as a living, breathing ecosystem that merges nature, technology, and community. Rising four floors high, the headquarters is designed with sustainability and innovation at its core, powered by solar energy and naturally illuminated through internal courtyards and gardens.
The design concept reinterprets the traditional Arabic courtyard, historically a space of exchange and dialogue, as the central heart of the building. This core promotes interaction, ventilation, and daylight penetration while symbolizing transparency and collective growth. The concept also integrates post-pandemic principles — reduced density, increased personal space, and contactless technology — to ensure safety without compromising human connection. Natural light, shaded vegetation, and sustainable materials foster an environment that nurtures both creativity and well-being, embodying the spirit of resilience and adaptability.
The building’s program is vertically organized: the top two floors are dedicated to Qanawat’s executive and operational spaces, while the lower floors accommodate flexible workspaces for start-ups and creative enterprises. A network of interior gardens, terraces, and green corridors encourages social interaction while maintaining visual and thermal comfort. The ground floor hosts communal amenities such as cafés, restaurants, and open plazas spaces designed to bring people together in an atmosphere of collaboration. Wider corridors, staircases, and one-way movement systems enhance circulation and safety. Solar panels crown the roof, ensuring energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.
Qanawat HQ stands as a model for the future of workplaces where sustainability, safety, and social connection merge to create a human-centered, adaptive architecture.