Commercial Bank of Dubai Private Banking Offices, Dubai

Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) facilitates some of the UAE’s most elite clientele. Jumeirah is known as one of Dubai’s most prestigious areas and the project brief called for the development of a private banking office to help find banking solutions for their top-tier customers. Based in a metropolitan Islamic city, CBD has a wide range of customers from all backgrounds – the aim was to create a truly simple, elegant and sophisticated space that received all types of visitors. The 7,000 sq. ft. office space has a main reception, majlis (large informal meeting area typical to Arabian culture), private meeting areas, offices, board room, toilets and pantry.

In terms of the space’s design, FACE A+D approached the project from a truly neutral starting point. Al Nabooda Interiors were responsible for the project’s fit-out requirements. Elegant meeting spaces of various cultures were studied and appropriated to create a stylish and opulent private banking setting that spoke to a multitude of cultures while implying none. Western European material palettes of travertine, onyx and brass are juxtaposed onto Middle Eastern screens and floor patterns evocative of private Arabian meeting areas. Spaces are designed to be bright, roomy and warm creating an atmosphere of comfort and familiarity.

The project uses the language of minimalist detailing and opulent feature FFE selection as its primary design language. Specific lighting conditions and room compositions are perfectly married to create successful spaces of discussion and collaboration.

In general, the most decadent area of the design space is the majlis to house and entertain the most affluent customers of the bank. In particular, the most striking feature of this room frames the entry experience as follows: the first line of sight captures a seemingly suspended floating solid brass geometry which is completely see-through and provides a glimpse of the majlis space; and the entry doors of the majlis are made of solid timber doors embedded with an aluminum mesh finish.