Marks Barfield Architects

The ITCC is located in the Nakheel district of Riyadh and will be the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s first dedicated IT park and part of the country’s effort to diversify its economy. Marks Barfield was appointed to design four 20-storey landmark towers and help masterplan ITCC Wahat Al-Aamal or Business Oasis, which will also involve building two research and development buildings, two business technology incubator buildings, a library, a mosque, a sports club and clinic. The four towers have glazed scalloped corners and use a double skin façade system to minimise glare and reduce operational cooling loads. The combined geometry of the 4 scalloped corners create a virtual domed public space that is protected from the sun by the shade from the closely located buildings. A gold colour metal mesh outer skin provides a shimmering veil of varying opacity and translucence will provide the buildings with a distinctive character and help protect it from the harsh environment. The ITCC aims to increase the strength of global competition for IT companies in Saudi Arabia, develop the Saudi labour force in IT training, offer research and development facilities and provide a centre for corporate IT company headquarters.