The Burkina Faso Ecobank office project is located in the central business district of Ouagadougou.
With the intention to create a symbolic landmark building, the concept comprises a ‘U’ shaped main tower with an entrance atrium and stepped planted terraces at the upper levels. The wide entrance forecourt provides a generous space which flows into, and is contained by, the atrium volume. Shade trees, seat walls and a central water element define the spatial experience and sense of place.
A signature aspect of the architecture and performance of the project will be the ventilated façade and green planted terraces. The integrated design approach includes a performance façade, energy reduction and landscaping.
In response to the dynamic, vibrant local culture, the landscape design concept attempts to establish a unique, iconic & contemporary African character.
This is a three dimensional, textured canvas of landscape elements which defines and frames the building located at a prominent intersection in Ouagadougou.
Both soft landscaping (trees and planting) and hard landscaping (paving, furniture and embellishment) are considered in terms of their specific character and contribution to the climate, local sense of place and context.
The planting program for the site is based on consideration of the hot, dry climate and limited rainfall typical of the savannah region. Indigenous trees and plants have been selected wherever possible with the addition of suitable shrubs, textured grasses, groundcovers and architectural accent plants. The architectural plants are used to reinforce the axial approach and circular focal entrance geometry.
Planting at upper terrace levels provide outdoor relaxation space and background greenery to interior spaces.
Palms of various species, carefully selected for individual, form and character are the primary vertical ‘markers’ in the entrance court. The landscape is further defined by feature palms, sculpturally rounded feature shrubs and spiky accent plants set in planted beds including Acacia trees and indigenous grasses.
The perimeter interface is layer with tree planting, hedges and shrub borders.
Parking and paths are defined with massed planting including groundcovers and grasses in linear beds and geometrically defined blocks.
The upper terraces have asymmetrical planted island beds built up off the slab, with edges defined with low seat walls and planted with shrubs, groundcovers and grasses.
The project is in the competition adjudication stage as of Dec 2023.