Sustainable development and innovation for a continent and a country that are increasingly looking towards the future: the headquarters of Free, a Senegalese telecommunications company in Dakar, designed by Progetto CMR as a green oasis, is a representative piece of a city that has grown chaotically chasing modernity and it is now trying to rethink itself by adopting the dictates of urban planning and contemporary architecture: respect for the environment, energy efficiency, brand identity, flexibility and ergonomics.
The Free headquarters, designed by Progetto CMR together with the local partner Most, can be considered as an emblem of the modern Diamniadio area in Dakar (Senegal) where it stands. The building appears as a modern architecture with a strong presence of greenery, 5,400 sqm designed to flexibly accommodate 250 workers, open to the city through the telephone company’s flagship store on the ground floor.
The external entrance also hosts an outdoor work area in contact with greenery, a shaded area cooled by an artificial waterfall. Inspired by the dictates of contemporary green architecture, nature accompanies the development of the entire structure up to the terrace-garden on the third floor, around which a gym, a kindergarten for the children of employees and a coffee area are arranged, as well as the executive offices on the upper floor.
Moreover, for what concerns the environmental sustainability, a tank for the rainwater collection is designed for allowing a dual system of water management, respecting, as well, the still typical local cultural relationship with this element.
In addition, the architectural design wants to express Free’s technological spirit and corporate identity, symbolized through the zigzagging lines that cross the building which will enlighten the structure at night: symbols of speed and connection, this lines also summarize the concept of the interior spaces, conceived as flexible, functional, dynamic and ergonomic spaces.
Text by Gabriele Masi.
