Dubai has always been a hub of modern architecture and innovation, and the Visa CEMEA Headquarters building in Dubai Internet City is no exception. Designed by Brewer Smith Brewer Group (BSBG), this 100,000 square feet building is a shining example of a modern, hybrid work environment that offers multiple types of workspaces and collaboration zones to encourage innovation. The facility, which can accommodate up to 750 employees, features formal and informal meeting rooms, basement parking, focus booths, mother’s rooms, bicycle racks, prayer rooms, bespoke catering and cafes, a 10,000 square feet innovation center, as well as a University Campus that hosts training and educational programs for Visa employees, clients, and partners.
The ‘workplace of the future’ building was completed in June 2021, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic that occurred midway through the project build. This accomplishment is a testament to the dedication and hard work of all those involved in the project. The building has won numerous awards, including Best Office Architecture and Office Development in Dubai at the International Property Awards and Best Office Architecture and Office Development at the Arabia Property Awards 2020.
One of the most striking features of the building is its glazed façade. The architect chose Guardian SunGuard® Double Silver (DS) Steel Grey T, a coated solar control glass that provides a distinctive steel grey neutral appearance, for the façade. The glass covers more than 8,000 square meters of the building’s exterior and offers high performance in terms of visible light transmission, solar protection, and thermal insulation. This combination of benefits makes it the ideal choice for this project. As SunGuard® Double Silver (DS) Steel Grey T is supplied on clear substrate, this means a more efficient manufacturing process, which in turn means better value for customers in terms of product quality, cost, and availability.
Additionally, a specific section of the building façade that is highly exposed to the sun is glazed with Guardian SunGuard® SuperNeutral (SN) 30, a coated solar control glass that combines relatively high natural light transmission with very high solar protection. The glass also helps reduce building energy consumption by limiting the need for artificial lighting and air conditioning. The preferred choice of glass for this project was Guardian SunGuard DS Steel Grey T because it combined excellent performance with the aesthetic requirements that the architect desired.
Guardian Glass worked closely with the architect throughout the project, providing several potential glass solutions for the façade, as well as product samples, datasheets, and technical support. This partnership ensured that the building’s glazed façade not only looked stunning but also provided the required functionality and performance.
The Visa CEMEA Headquarters building in Dubai Internet City is a prime example of how innovative design and sustainable solutions can be seamlessly integrated to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing building. Guardian SunGuard® solar control glass played a vital role in achieving this feat.
Source: www.guardianglass.com with additional information added by GlassBalkan.
