Oman HQ Building Out to Tender

Design proposals for innovative Administrative HQ and investors’ offices for Salalah Free Zone Company LLC (SFZCo) at Salalah Free Zone in southern Oman have gone to tender.

Working with UK engineers Rodgers Leask Limited and Abu Dhabi-based Samer Engineering Consultancy Group LLC, Stephen George & Partners has been working closely with SFZCo to develop proposals for their new Administrative Headquarters building and flexible office accommodation for business investors.

The Headquarters building is the first part of a major development that will see over 1,500 hectares developed by SFZCo around the Port of Salalah a major transhipment hub to form one of the region’s biggest free zones. Comprising masterplanned zones for industrial developments, warehousing, offices, education together with residential and leisure elements.

The building itself is designed around a central agora offering secure shaded areas for investors and SFZCo members to meet and do business, The building is a showcase for the Company and sets the standard for further development in the Free Zone. Designed to have good environmental credentials, the emphasis has been on passive design and the building features massive highly insulated structure with extensive shading. Opportunities have been taken to employ solar PV to support cooling installations while extensive landscaping and areas of water are used to reinforce the concept of a sheltered and enclosed oasis.

One of the major features of the design is the main tower which features an observation deck and a marketing suite. 360 degree views of the city, ocean and free zone areas are all designed to help SFZCo attract investors to the area. The building lies on the flight path to Salalah Airport and the desire to have a building that would be instantly recognisable from the air was a significant factor in influencing the development of the design.

Construction is expected to start in autumn 2012.