Holcom Headquarter, Beirut

The Holcom Headquarters project brings together two brands belonging to the Lombardini22 Group: L22, in charge of the architectural design and art direction, and DEGW Italia, offering consultancy and design services in the workplace.

Offering views across downtown Beirut on one side and the highlands around the city on the other, this office building combines cutting edge sustainable design with clever use of local materials, Italian design values and Mediterranean culture, in one perfect mix.

Constructed on a quadrangular base, the structure has one oblique side that fits neatly into the sloping ground, while the rest of the building extends over seven levels, housing numerous companies and sub-holdings belonging to Holcom. The project consists of two large, separate blocks that are connected together by a central structure, allowing a diversified layout of functions and spaces. The ground floor entrance on the northeast side leads to a large hall, providing access to a semi-open area with pools of water surrounding a coffee bar. The third floor is divided into three parts – a central area set back in a connecting wing to create two spacious tree-lined terraces, while at each end, two office blocks with interior patios allow natural light and air to flow in. And the top floor houses two penthouses, which interact through a spacious terrace that is covered by a steel structure supporting photovoltaic panels.

On the west side is a reinforced concrete staircase with overhanging steps cut diagonally across the façade that is clad with sheet metal and stone. The parapet made of solid aluminium sheets is similar to those on the upper terrace and fire escape, creating a single line winding down from the top floor to the ground floor.