Roar has transformed the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre’s (DMCC) Uptown Tower Headquarters into a state-of-the-art office space that brings user experience to the forefront.
Project Overview:
- Design Firm: Roar
- Client: Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)
- Completion Date: February 2024
- Location: Dubai, UAE
- Size: 4,000 m2
- Average population: 200 fixed workstations
- Types of amenities spaces: Pantries, Washrooms, Hospitality Counters, Storage Rooms, IT/Server Rooms
DMCC plays a crucial role as the hub for global trade, dealing in a range of commodities, from gold and diamonds to precious metals, tea, and food. While technology is increasingly reshaping the landscape of trade, its essence continues to rely on human interaction and communication. Roar’s vision for the DMCC Headquarters was clear: create a workspace that emulates the human touch, offering a comfortable and collaborative environment that goes beyond the ordinary office setting.
This office was designed and built to attain LEED Silver.
Pallavi Dean, Founder and Creative Director of Roar, comments:
Our goal was to create a workspace that honours the human dimension of trade, cultivating a supportive and inviting environment that transcends traditional office conventions.
Project Planning
Level 30 was designed as the executive space for senior C-suite team members and His Excellency. Throughout the design, one–on–one meetings were conducted regarding layout, finishes, furniture, and artwork selections. The remaining floors were workshopped, and surveys were carried out among a cross-section of the team.
Project Details
Spanning three floors, Roar’s design connects them with a shared visual language while tailoring each one to the specific needs of its department. The reception areas on each floor display a common theme of quiet luxury and incorporate self-service hospitality bars combined with informal co-working tables where staff and visiting guests can gather for a cup of coffee and a quick meet.
Architecturally, Roar has placed main corridors on each level to intricately weave and connect departments, ensuring that closed offices, meeting spaces, and collaborative niches for focused work and phone calls are thoughtfully integrated, enhancing user agility. A standout feature of the project, the central staircase traverses all floors, joining the various collaboration lounges and encouraging casual encounters among colleagues. In imagining a hospitality-inspired atmosphere, Roar has layered rich, textural materials including tonal veneers, marbles, bespoke carpets, fabric wall coverings, and decorative paints. A wealth of furniture pieces from distinguished design brands – such as Moroso, Poltrona Frau, Salvatori, and Minotti – together with decorative lighting, abundant greenery, and custom artworks were chosen to complete the hotel-like aesthetic. Roar gives human connection and collaboration centre stage through an agile yet lush design, making it an inspiring hub for DMCC’s employees and visitors alike.
Key Products
Furniture
Liberty Task Chair By Humanscale
Copa Copirus-2 Chair By Viccarbe
Babila 2703/A Low Stool By Pedrali
Downtown President High Back Executive Chair By Poltrona Frau
Round Coffee Table By Salvatori
I Beam Black Marble Side Table By Cb2
Round Meeting Table By Andreu World
Russel Lounge Chair / Armchair / 3-Seater Sofa – Semi Round By Minotti
301/6 Graph Meeting Chair By Wilkhahn
Kaori / Mad Queen Armchair By Poliform
Tortuga Lounge Chair By Sancal
Lighting
Finishes & Flooring
Overall Project Results
Change Management
Department changes and additional departments were added to the matrix late in the design process. Special consideration was given to ensure the space did not become overpopulated or lose any of the collaboration or amenities offerings.
Post-Occupancy Outcomes
Feedback has been positive regarding the new working environment, which was designed with hospitality in mind, with carefully considered furniture, artwork, and lighting. The previous workplace was corporate and in a somewhat outdated and dark building.
The resounding success and positive feedback from the client and our peers resulted in winning Commercial Project of the Year at the Commercial Interior Design Awards 2024.
Design Team
Photography
Chris Goldstraw
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