Central Bank of Libya

As a key institution and symbol of the financial and economical potential of the new Libya, the Central Bank’s new headquarters shall represent modernity, democracy, transparency and responsibility as well as express the cultural identity of the re-born state.

ACCESS - The main entrance of the Compound is directly linked to the first ring road through a new bridge over the Wadi. This new efficient connection guarantees a high level security access route for all internal and external traffic flows, even during the major rush hours. A second, emergency access links the site to the secondary street hierarchy. This approach allows turning site access more flexible and corresponds to a modern limited risk security concept.

SECURITY - The new building is a potential raid target for all kind of attacks for valuables as well as for symbolic reasons. The principles of the design of the Libyan Central Bank are based on a modern risk security concept, separating the building in two different categories. The Issuing Department, representing the highest risk in terms of valuables is isolated and located inside a self-contained high-security compound on the smaller half of the site. This concept decreases the necessary security effort for the “office-like” part of the building complex which is protected through a moat like security perimeter, which creates a natural distance between the public square and ramp and the bank tower without compromising the banks accessibility and appearance. The building triangular shape optimizes its security aspects in terms of supervision and control up to 25%.

URBAN DESIGN AND INTEGRATION - A downgrading of the fly-over traffic junction of Gurji Road allows adapting road profile and use to its actual urban situation, while a future re-shaping of the Souk Athulatha roundabout will improve the accessibility of the Greenbelt and redirect traffic towards Tripoli’s existing and planned ring roads. Thanks to the sites unique situation and the re-shaping and adjustment of the existing road infrastructure an integrative approach between Architecture and Landscaping has been possible.

The solid, high level security compound will be enclosed by stone reinforced walls, while the other part will be vast and accessible public squares and gardens, covering the two-level underground car park and interacting with the enlarged Greenbelt, recreating the joyful play of light and shadow of Libya’s famous dessert palms. The general architectural and urban concept gives large importance to the access of pedestrians and general public to the building complex by generating a new, representative urban square close to Gurji Road serving also an official, representative main access to the bank tower.

SUSTAIBABILITY - The integrated design approach for the Central Bank of Libya combines all aspects of sustainability such as microclimate, natural landscape, sustainable and local materials, sustainable and closed waste cycle, culture and heritage, health and happiness, intelligent transport systems and short distances as well as a local adapted, low carbon building design to establish a comfortable and civilized working environment.

The “Low-Energy-building” considers the annual energy balance for the building including plug loads, cooling, ventilation, heating and all other building devices should approximate zero. The main topic is to provide for minimized loads, energy efficient systems and renewable resources. Heating and cooling are supplied by a reversible heat pump using the geothermal potential of the ground, which is still influenced by the huge thermal potential of the adjacent Mediterranean Sea. Whenever it is possible the cooling potential of the ground will be used directly.

The roof of the Treasury building is equipped with a photovoltaic plant for power generation and with solar thermal panels for domestic water heating which is demanded in the restaurants. Tripoli’s typical arcades wrap around the building providing sun-shading, while its terraces and hanging gardens permit a relation with the exterior throughout the entire building

DEMOCRATIC INSTITUITION - The Central Bank of Libya is a symbol for national and financial stability and economic potential and is a top-level independent national institution, representing the State of Libya. The architecture of the major building has to provide a spatial solution of democratic openness in the middle of a secure and high-demanding working environment, as well as transmit an image of openness, integrity, honesty, objectivity, transparency and impartiality. An essential design principle for democratic institutions is to allow the sovereign, the people access, turning them tangible, without interfering with the Central Bank’s mission and status.

To achieve this architectural challenge the typology of the main building is based on a triangular form, organizing two levels of office units and a double height public area around a central patio. Spinning this element around the patio generates a spatial organization integrating introverted and extroverted spaces as in a human DNA without ever crossing one another.

In contrast to the outside of the building, the inside is a vertical light-filled atrium made out of carved steel-frame latticework reminding the local Mashrabiya, an element of traditional Arabic architecture evoking privacy, an important element of local culture. Vertical shafts with elevator cores link the public foyer to the semi-public areas, like the exhibition areas, libraries and conference center located on different levels, without breaking the banks inherent security cordon.

COMPETITION TEAM
ECOU / Mörschel Arquitectos / BRS Architects; Transsolar (sustainability); Systematica (traffic); Amarante International (security)