GOETTSCH PARTNERS DESIGNS ABU DHABI’S SOWWAH SQUARE
New five-building complex will be centered on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange

CHICAGO – (June 6, 2008) – Goettsch Partners (GP) has been commissioned by Mubadala Development Company to design Sowwah Square, a new business center on Abu Dhabi’s Sowwah Island in the United Arab Emirates. The project totals 3,125,500 square feet of office space and features an iconic stock exchange building surrounded by four office towers, all overlooking the water. In addition, the project integrates two levels of retail and two underground parking structures. Abu Dhabi’s recently published urban framework plan, entitled Plan Abu Dhabi 2030, has designated Sowwah Square as the city’s new central business district.



Sowwah Square

The centerpiece of the development’s first phase will be the business center, which will include:

A 233,000-square-foot stock exchange building
Four Class A office towers totaling 2,892,500 square feet
Parking for 5,200 cars
250,000 square feet of retail
The complex emphasizes a sustainable design approach throughout and looks beyond the LEED certification process to integrate both active and passive sustainable design strategies.



Stock Exchange

As the distinctive new headquarters of the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, the stock exchange building is an iconic, four-level facility. Glass-enclosed with a roof the size of a football field, the building rises 90 feet above a 160-foot-diameter water feature on massive stone piers. The four granite piers house the stairs, mechanical risers and service elements for the exchange. The building projects an image of strength and solidity as it overlooks the water facing back toward the city’s existing downtown.

Office Buildings

Four office towers frame the stock exchange building: two at 31 stories and the other two at 37 stories. The first full office floor of each building starts 110 feet above the ground level, providing a highly transparent, open lobby and elevating the views on all tenant floors. A landscaped plaza connects the four buildings and the exchange at grade.

Retail and Parking

Beneath the plaza, a two-story retail podium weaves through the development, providing upscale shopping along the waterfront. At the north and south boundaries of the site, two parking structures, partially submerged, serve the complex with more than 2,600 parking spaces each.



Sustainable Design

Sustainability is a main focus of the development, and the design of the complex integrates many sustainable initiatives, including:

· Ventilated, double-skin facades in order to insulate the buildings against extreme temperatures

· Active and passive solar shading to further control light and heat gain

· 27,500 square feet of photovoltaic panels on the roof of the exchange to capture solar power for use throughout the project

· Condensation collection from cooling coils to supply the water feature and provide irrigation

· Active lighting controls to balance natural and artificial light

James Goettsch, president of GP, stated, “Sowwah Square will establish the major new business center in Abu Dhabi and serve as a hub for the Middle East. As the city continues its rapid development, the project will set an international standard of design and technical quality.”



Construction commenced on the site of Sowwah Square in summer 2007, with the full development scheduled for completion in 2010.

Sowwah Square Abu Dhabi development images / text from Goettsch Partners



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Sowwah Square Abu Dhabi - page : adrian welch / isabelle lomholt