Orange Village: Office Buildings, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
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Architects: Koffi & Diabaté Architectes
- Area : 18181 m²
- Year : 2022
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Photographs :François Xavier-Gbré
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Manufacturers : Fiandre, Cotto d’Este, Ecophon, MALERBA, Placo, Saint Gobain Gyproc
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Lead Architects : Guillaume Koffi, Issa Diabate
Through an architectural approach anchored in sustainability, the architects chose to design an imposing building with futuristic style on 7 levels in the form of rings of 68 diameter meters. With a double skin holding both thermal and aesthetic functions, the new Orange Côte d’Ivoire headquarters is innovative in its shape, suggestive of a golf ball, a subtle reminder of Abidjan’s renowned Riviera golf course.
In a form of a natural extension of the neighboring vegetal axis, the building stands tall by the lagoon in an architecture that aims to materialize the group’s dynamics and overall offer, all the while enhancing and highlighting the local know-how. Going beyond the concept of the classic workplace, the challenge for Koffi & Diabaté was to create a building designed as a place of exchange and creativity, reflecting the DNA of the group.
Indeed, the ambition of this project was to assert the leadership position of Orange through an innovative and timeless building, one that would translate the group’s presence and reach in West Africa. From the entrance, the atrium opens to the central garden, which serves as an immediate landmark for visitors and provides natural light to the entire building. The garden level hosts the conference center, shared meeting and training rooms, the restaurant, and the gym. On the upper floors, workspaces are divided between individual offices, small meeting rooms, and large co-working spaces (with private areas specifically designed for small group meetings or individual cubicles).
From level 4, each floor is equipped with outdoor spaces that allow employees to enjoy the majestic surrounding panorama all the while working or relaxing in the open air. The top floor of the headquarters, with a breathtaking view of the lagoon shore, houses the offices of the top management. The quality of the concrete walls led the architects to directly expose the rough-cast concrete structure. The use of concrete in its materiality brings a minimalist touch highlighting the duality of the building’s language, a subtle discourse between authenticity and hyper-connectivity.
Urban strategy and territory integration. Orange Village seeks, through the design approach, to highlight the urban landscape of Abidjan, becoming a reference building that structures, organizes, and sheds light on the Riviera Golf neighborhood’s urban master plan park. With its variable and tiered levels designed with respect to local urban planning regulations, the three-story building on the main entrance gradually rises to reach a five-story level on the lagoon side. The added extensive greenery on the roofs and fences also contributes to the building’s integration with its immediate surroundings.
A strong environmental ambition. The approach of this project is part of a strong energetic and environmental strategy aimed at reducing energy consumption. The concern for the durability of the structures is reflected in the nature of the chosen materials for the most exposed structures on the façade. A sophisticated 40,000m² double skin, consisting of 4,000 pieces, provides passive protection from direct sunlight and limits the amount of heat coming in from outside.
The headquarters building is the first part of the Orange Village project, a complex that will integrate, in the long term, an urban park: a multifunctional, green and open public space, integrating playgrounds and relaxation areas, with the vocation to foster the notions of “sport, health and good living” for the inhabitants of the Riviera Golf.
A project designed entirely in “BIM”
The Orange Côte d’Ivoire headquarters project was developed using a new working method: the “Building Information Management” or “BIM” system. This is a method implemented to organize the information of the work, projected in the form of a digital model.
With this system of full modelling of buildings, and usable throughout their life, the project of the headquarters of Orange Côte d’Ivoire has been delivered with its digital model. This model will be used during the operating phase to simplify the maintenance of the project by the client.
About Koffi & Diabaté Architectes
Created in 2001, the Koffi & Diabaté Architectes office is structured around its two partners and a team of 45 people who strongly believe that the notions of sharing and exchanging are the foundation of open-mindedness.
The office works on a wide range of projects, from residences to corporate offices, housing estates and real estate programs, in Côte d’Ivoire and West Africa. The partners’ goal is to build modern, quality buildings, all the while considering their clients’ lifestyles and cultural identity.
