Berhan Bank Headquarter Addis Ababa office, Ethiopia commercial property, African HQ design images
Berhan Bank Headquarter Addis Ababa Building
Commercial Accommodation design by Söhne und Partner Architekten / Image Consultancy PLC
post updated 14 February 2024
Design: Söhne und Partner Architekten with Image Consultancy PLC Addis Ababa
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Berhan Bank Headquarter, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, northeast Africa
Rendering by MISS3
29 June 2023
Berhan Bank Headquarter Addis Ababa Design
Berhan Bank Headquarter
Location: Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
Year: 2023
Rendering: MISS3
In cooperation with: Image Consultancy PLC Addis Abeba
What: Competition entry
The architectural competition for the design of Berhan Bank’s headquarters in Addis Ababa aimed to unite all departments under one roof and create state-of-the-art facilities with a prestigious design. The result is a building that embodies the bank’s vision and is a symbol of a growing, aspiring company.
Simple structure great effect
To achieve a clear separation between the different functional units, we opted for two cuboid towers and a low connecting volume. The basic structure of the building also allows for a simple realisation in terms of structural engineering and a fast, efficient construction. The unique character of the building is created by the special facade design, which ensures a high recognition value and gives the building its identity.
On 45 floors, the 210 m high main tower offers space for offices of the bank. The smaller tower will house various facilities as well as a day care centre and rentable office space. The podium houses the bank’s premium branch, the retail area and a food court.
Plaza, lobby and mall
A spacious forecourt directly on the main road is both a meeting point and a representative location. It is terraced and follows the terrain. A playful, lively landscape with shaded areas and a fountain is created. The landscaped square will be provided with shady areas. Several cafés and restaurants as well as the bank’s “premium branch” face the forecourt and invite passers-by and visitors to linger. The public mall extends over four floors, which are connected by a light-flooded atrium. A skylight naturally illuminates the entire area and offers a view of the tower reaching into the sky.
The main tower presents itself to the square via a bright, two-storey-high lobby and emphasises the bank’s forward-looking identity through modern furnishings and natural materials. The core of the tower is highlighted by the wooden cladding, which picks up on the facade fins. “BERHAN” means “light”.
In keeping with the bank’s motto “There will be light”, one can observe at night on the front facade of the towers how a ray of light rises along the tower and “grows” into the sky like a flower. This embodies the bank as a growing, aspiring company.
Vertical fins on the facade protect the building from the sun and the climatic conditions. The depth of the fins depends on the orientation of the facade to the sun. As a result, the appearance of the building envelope changes depending on the viewing angle and contributes to the special appearance of the building. Green terraces on the roofs of the buildings offer space to relax and a spectacular view over the city.
Competition information:
Name of the awarding authority: Berhan Bank S.C.
Competition type: the competition is an anonymous, single-stage project competition.
Competition Brief
Berhan Bank has depended on the use of various business premises since its establishment. Renting was not limited to the branches but also affected the head office departments as there was no single building available to accommodate all the bank’s needs. The current facilities at China-Africa Friendship Square are located in three different buildings.
Some facilities are dispersed to other locations. To remedy this, the construction of a separate main building was envisaged long before a suitable site was acquired in the Central Business District on a rental basis.
The aim of the project to build its own head office building was not only to bring all departments under one roof, but also to provide state-of-theart facilities to achieve the set goal of attaining the status of a preferred bank in terms of customer experience and integrity. Owning its own head office building will also have a significant impact on continued business expansion and growth and will be a viable asset that will add value to the business.
Architectural Competition Timetable
Launch: 9 January 2023
Deadline for submission: 3 April 2023
Judging of entries: 4 to 22 April 2023
Award ceremony: 29 April 2023
Public exhibition of entries: 2 – 16 May 2023
Opening of the competition: 6 May 2023
Judges
Ato Alebel Desta Architect
Ato Getachew Mandefro, Architect
Ato Kirub Gebreyesus Architect
Ato Kenmos Tesfaye, Structural Engineer
The following stakeholders are also nominated as alternate jury members.
Dr Girma Begashaw
Eng. Seblewongel Assefa
Ato Solomon Alemseged
Eng. Yewubdar Gebeyehu
Berhan Bank Headquarter Addis Ababa office design images / information from Söhne und Partner Architekten
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Northeast Africa
Ethiopian Architecture
Recent Ethiopian Building design by Söhne und Partner Architekten on e-architect:
United Bank of Addis Ababa
Design: Söhne und Partner Architekten with BET architects
image from architect
United Bank of Addis Ababa Building
Ethiopian building designs on e-architect:
Addis Ababa Stadium
Design: LAVA with JDAW
picture from architect
Addis Ababa Stadium Building
British Council Building in Addis Ababa
British Council in-house architects
photo © James Brittain
British Council Building Africa
Another Ethiopian Building on e-architect:
Melaku Center, Tigray
Architect: Xavier Vilalta
Ethiopian Building
Comments / photos for the Berhan Bank Headquarter Addis Ababa – New Ethiopia Architecture design by Söhne und Partner Architekten / Image Consultancy PLC in Africa page welcome.
