The 25-story Casablanca Finance City Tower has become the first project to be completed in the newly-established Casablanca Finance City, a new business district being developed in Morocco's Anfa District.
The Casablanca Finance City Tower’s design draws on the openness of the surrounding area, which gave the designers the opportunity in an otherwise dense city to highlight the relationship between the building and the natural environment.
“The Casablanca Finance City Tower and its innovative design was conceived to have long-lasting impact and to signal a new era of economic prosperity for Morocco,” said Morphosis Founding Partner Thom Mayne in a release. “This tower brings together a range of global industries in the heart of the country, galvanizing international investment in North Africa, while also providing a template for the future development of the district as it continues to grow.”
A brise-soleil system wraps the building to protect against the sun while allowing the building to harness external elements to regulate natural light, air, and temperatures internally. The facade draws inspiration from traditional geometric patterned mosaics and wooden latticework screens characteristic of Moroccan architecture.
A tapered crown tops the 400-foot structure, while at street level the building engages the lower urban landscape with exterior public programming that invites the community into adjacent public spaces. This allows the building to serve as both a symbol of the city’s development and as a social hub that nurtures an active street life in the district.
Casablanca Finance City Tower is designed to achieve all LEED Gold certification.
Related Stories
High-rise Construction | Apr 17, 2015
Construction begins on Goettsch Partners-designed Nanning China Resources Center Tower
The tower's design is derived from its multiple uses, which include 170,000 sm of Class A office space, 5,000 sm of boutique retail, and a 45,000-sm luxury Shangri-La hotel.
High-rise Construction | Apr 16, 2015
Construction begins on Seattle's Tibet-inspired Potala Tower
Construction on the 41-story Potala Tower in Seattle finally kicked off following a ground-breaking ceremony seven months ago.
High-rise Construction | Apr 6, 2015
Melbourne tower will light up depending on weather
The tower will be illuminated by 164-foot-tall beams of LED light based on weather updates from the Bureau of Meteorology.
Multifamily Housing | Mar 31, 2015
Plans for a new condo tower in New York create a ‘communal ecosystem’ for residents
The conceptual plans for a 700-foot-tall, 65-story condominium tower in New York City were unveiled in early March by its architect, Perkins+Will.
High-rise Construction | Mar 24, 2015
Timber high-rise residential complex will tower over Stockholm waterfront
The four towers, 20 stories each, will be made entirely out of Swedish pine, from frame to façade.
Healthcare Facilities | Mar 23, 2015
Can advanced elevator technology take vertical hospitals to the next level?
VOA's Douglas King recalls the Odyssey project and ponders vertical transportation in high-rise healthcare design.
High-rise Construction | Mar 16, 2015
NBBJ creates 'shadowless' skyscraper concept for proposed UK development
A team of architects from the London branch of NBBJ used computer algorithms to generate a dual-tower design that maximizes sunlight reflections to eliminate the buildings' shadows.
High-rise Construction | Mar 16, 2015
Mexican Museum tower caught in turmoil to break ground this summer in San Francisco
Millennium Partners said it will break ground on the 53-story residential and museum tower while the lawsuits go through the appeals process.
Cultural Facilities | Mar 13, 2015
New Orleans observation tower to feature 320-foot double-helix gondola ride
Tricentennial Tower will take visitors on a 300-year journey through the city's history before landing them at the top for a 360-degree view of the Crescent City.
High-rise Construction | Mar 12, 2015
Developers confirm Renzo Piano’s contribution in Sydney harbor overhaul
If the entire development is approved, One Sydney Harbour will be Piano’s second project in Australia.