Telenor 345 Campus

Location: Islamabad,Pakistan
Design firm: ARCOP
Typology: Other
Years: 2013–2017
Status: Complete

Facade facts

Facade summary: A modular facade featuring rustic local stone bases,ribbon-like double-glazed curtain walls, and prominent cantilevered fair-face concrete overhangs.
Documented intention: The architects aimed to make the building emerge from the landscape, reducing its visual and environmental impact. Passive design was a key driver, aiming to control thermal gain in Islamabad's harsh summer climate through material selection and self-shading geometries.
Street relationship: Instead of presenting a monolithic street wall, the facade recedes and steps down into the natural topography,establishing a non-imposing,landscape-oriented transition zone.
Climate relationship: The envelope actively responds to Islamabad's hot summer climate. Massive stone structures store heat during the day, while the deep cantilevers shade glass bands from high-angle solar rays.
Window pattern: Horizontal ribbon glazing separated by concrete slab overhangs, establishing a continuous rhythmic band around courtyards.
Glazing: Double-glazed units (DGU) with Low-E coating
Depth: Deep, defined by structural cantilevers and recessed glass planes.
Rhythm: Strong horizontal rhythm created by alternating bands of concrete slabs and dark glass units.
Local Stone: Local Stone — Lower base walls and vertical circulation masses — Split-face,rough-hewn random ashlar masonry
Fair-face Concrete: Fair-face Concrete — Structural slabs and horizontal roof projections — Smooth,board-formed texture
Double Glazed Glass: Double Glazed Glass — Office zones and central courtyards — Low-E coated,slightly tinted
Aluminium: Aluminium — Mullions,frames,and exterior screens — Powder-coated
Stick Curtain Wall: Thermally-broken aluminium stick curtain wall framing high-performance insulated glass units.
Dry-Hung Stone Cladding: Natural local stone cladding mechanically fastened to concrete substrate with thermal insulation backfill.

Description

The facade is defined by its horizontal layering and tectonic contrast. The lower levels are grounded by thick, split-face local stone walls which provide substantial thermal mass. In contrast, the upper workspace floors are enveloped in high-performance ribbon window curtain walls. These glazed volumes are deeply recessed under massive, smooth cantilevered concrete slabs that act as integral passive self-shading devices. Metal screens are applied to specific orientations to further mitigate solar gains.

Visual analysis

The visual composition sets up a dialogue between weight and weightlessness, craft and industry. The rough texture and earth tones of the local stone ground the building, while the smooth grey concrete bands and reflective glass ribbons provide a modern, horizontal thrust.