AMMAN — Situated in a residential area in one of Amman’s more exclusive
neighborhoods, Abdoun, The Capital Bank VIP branch is an example of elegant
architecture that displays a unique relationship between solidity and absence.
اضافة اعلان
Designed for Jordan’s Capital Bank clientele, the 1,100-square-meter
project started in 2015 and was completed in 2018. It was designed by Paradigm
Design House, which provides architecture and interior design services.
Paradigm Design House is a collaboration between architects and
designers founded in 2010. Their main aim is to transform creative potentials
brought by design opportunities into reality. They employ an integrated
approach in which design, research, and professional skills come together in
order to deliver a unique and personal product.
The main design concept for the Capital Bank was to create a branch with
a “boutique” experience, introducing hospitality, luxury, privacy, and a sense
of belonging to the conventional bank experience.
By replacing traditional teller counters and waiting areas for customers
with units of individual office boxes, the “boutique” experience was achieved.
The firm also specifically designed the lobby and reception areas to
accommodate customers’ needs and comfort.
The design of the building was strongly influenced by nature. This
natural theme was incorporated by placing separate masses for the offices
within the main mass of the building, creating defined spaces with a strong
geometrical identity, and a central void.
The void takes the form created by masses going around a double volume
void that allows an inner courtyard to form, influenced by Japanese Zen
gardens. It is emphasized by a crystal chandelier flowing above a sculptural
olive tree that acts as a focal point for the entire space, in addition to the
artwork layer, all connecting through the circulation corridor.
The internally shifted masses translate into dynamic shifted blocks on
the main entrance and side façade, with a transparent glass curtain wall on the
main elevation that opens to the inner court, allowing the fluidity of space to
continue inside and make it visible outside.
LUCEM translucent concrete panels were used for the main elevation,
giving the facades a unique identity. These concrete panels are made with fiber
optics through which light can pass.
The Paradigm DH Team also decided to use plain concrete panels without
fiber-optics to cover non-translucent parts of the façade using the same
cement-sand mixture. They still maintained a similar surface finish, matching
the color of the stone used on the facades to maintain its harmony with the
residential surroundings.
The remaining side and back facades have minimal treatment with minimal
openings, and were clad with Taffouh stone in order to respect the adjacent
neighbors’ privacy as well as the branch users’ privacy, while maintaining the
alignment with the local vernacular stone architecture.
The 14 meter-high stairwell was clad with mechanically fixed translucent
concrete panels, keeping the supporting structure exposed from the inside with
the lights that illuminate the translucent concrete, with vertical lights along
the full height of the stairwell.
The main idea behind the design was nature flowing through the building,
especially with the design of the staircase, where it takes the form of light
and shadow. Although the building contains huge masses of concrete, the
architects and building engineers were able to make it light through
translucency and the usage of light.
Paradigm Design House has received various awards for their design of
the Capital Bank branch, including winning the innovative architecture category
in the German Iconic Award 2019, the Arab Architects Awards for the first prize
of Commercial and Workspaces, the
Best Public Service Architecture - Jordan,
and the second place prize in the global architecture and design award “Rethink
the Future 2018.”
Read more property
.jpg)
.jpg)
