HIRA Walraven, Dubai

The new Hira Walraven office in Dubai by Swiss Bureau is inspired by their core business. Their vast MEP line needs to carry the unique brands DNA through the design elements and materials. The client’s wish was to create an industrial loft looking office that needed to be practical and be able to cater to the needs of the staff. The office layout allows numerous teams to utilize one shared space. The space consists of key areas like a double-height reception area, a pantry, a break-out area, the CEO’s office, manager offices, a client lounge, meetings and storage rooms, and one large open workspace area along with back-of-house offices in the factory area.

The design concept behind the project derives from making the invisible visible. The idea here was to acknowledge that MEP design tends to be an aline thought, most times. However, in this project it was crucial that the MEP was at the forefront of the design – making the ‘usually unnoticed’ stand out as part of a cohesive design.

Inspired by the iconic buildings of Rem Koolhaas, polycarbonate has been integrated into the central structure, with cascading light – an effect that provides privacy while at the same time maintaining translucency. It is the beauty of this combination that made this an exciting project.

The blanc canvas of rectangular space, franked by curtain walls at 2 sides of the building was a great opportunity to design while allowing maximum light into the office environment. The decision of a central core structure that emerges from the ground through to the first floor dictated the remaining space plan.  The industrial-style mood, preferred by the client, defined the selection of the material palette – concrete micro topping, plywood, plaster, polycarbonate, wood-effect vinyl flooring and carpet tiles. The warm rustic hues of stained plywood paired with the unique visual effect of the polycarbonate gives the project its distinct identity.

The natural raw materials juxtaposed with refined glass and black powder coated metal, and deep tones of green, blue and orange help to tie in the brand identity with its new original design language. It also incorporated exposed conducts, rubber-wall cladding (client’s product) and PPR pipes as a design feature that turn into lights and reclaimed pinewood finish.

This project has carefully considered environmentally sustainable solutions in all stages of its design and construction. The vast double height curtain wall meant that enough daylight would get into the space without making it too hot in the Dubai summer months. Materials such as plywood with lower VOC glues was used, and its organic nature makes it eminently recyclable or compostable. The plywood manufacturing process achieves a more complete utilization of the log than the lumber manufacturing longevity of the material.

Microtopping is an innovative sustainable material – a union between a liquid polymer and a special cement mixture made by mixing water based polymers that are entirely free of VOC, with natural cement-based ingredients. The application ‘in paste’ minimizes waste, dust, rubber and any kind of debris. In addition to using eco-friendly materials, all joinery and custom items are locally manufactured.