The project for the Central Bank of Azerbaijan on a site on Heydar Aliyev Prospect in Baku is based on an economical high-rise typology. Enhanced with a transparent atrium between the two East-West oriented high-rise slabs, the polygonal geometry of the building has a sculptural twist which offers the following advantages:
Creation of differentiated office spaces in floor plan development and views.
Dynamic shaping of the atrium space between the tower slabs acting as a communication forum with informal meeting spaces and short connections between the functions of the two towers.

A basis for optimizing the full benefits of sustainable energy concepts, such as solar gain, passive sun protection and natural ventilation for cooling and heating as well as natural daylighting.

The atrium is conceived as a “Vertical City”. Numerous Interchange Platforms inscribed between the towers create “urban” spaces in the atrium which is divided in several sections like city quarters. “Short circuit” stairs and ramps connect like streets the various office floors across the atrium. In addition to these horizontal elements, the atrium contains vertically connected hanging gardens and a daylight reflecting cone, bringing light and green parks into the Vertical City. This new typology fosters a dynamic internal communication culture within the large structure.

Planning:

COOP HIMMELB(L)AU Wolf D. Prix & Partner ZT GmbH
Design Principal/ CEO: Wolf D. Prix
Project Partners/Leaders: Reinhard Hacker, Johannes Behrens, Michael Beckert (until 2013), Hartmut Hank (until 2011), Frank Stepper (until 2009)
Project Architects: Martin Neumann, Reinhard Hacker (until 2013), Matthias Niemeyer (until 2012)
Design Architects: Karin Miesenberger, Luzie Giencke (until 2011), Jörg Hugo (until 2010)
Project Assistance: Roßner Julia
Project Team: Anar Alijev, Thanos Anastopoulos, Jonathan Asher, Tyler Bornstein, Jan Brosch, Timo Carl, Vanessa Casto-Veléz, Daria Conte, Jasmin Dieterle, Simon Diesendruck, Johannes Elias, Morteza Farhadian, Jan-Ruben Fischer, Francois Gandon, Tinari Giacomo, Sergio Gonzalez, Alexander Haid, Emanuele Iacono, Martin Jelinek, Airat Khusnutdinov, Matt Kirkham, Quirin Krumbholz, Christian Labud, Megan Lepp, José Lopez Cervantes, Steven Tze Chung Ma, Luis Muniz, Maria Nardelli, Martin Neumann, Eric Ross Olson, Andrea Parenti, Magaldena Piekarz, Jan Rancke, Rimantaite Akvile, Krishna Jois Rashmi, Donna Riedel, Pete Rose, Shima Roshanzamir, Angus Schoenberger, Eckhardt Schwerdtfeger, Dieter Segerer, Viktorie Senesova, Stephan Sobl, Denise Sokolowski, Anja Sorger, Andrea Stollenwerk, Crystal KH Tang, Jürgen Tiltmann, Josef Tröster, Siim Tuksam, Lutz Wache, Anna Wasserthal, Philip Wilck, Eva Wolf, Guiseppe Zagaria, Rodica Apostoiu, Matthias Bornhofen, Matthew Davis, Özcifics Dorukan, Ivanov Dimo, Benjamin Feenstra, Henry Fenzlein, Masha Hupalo, Kerstin Gschwandtner, Sarah Miller, Olivia Mladek, Reza Moghaddamnik, Magnus Möschl, Viet Hong Nguyen, Sayjel Patel, Tania Pimentel, Arndt Prager, Stefanie Rathgeber, Achim Reifer, Pietro Rosato, Song Seung Chul, Stefanie Theuretzbacher, Charlotte Weyher, Olivia Wimmer, Simon McKenzie, Giacomo Pala, Quiddale O`Sullivan, Joshua Thomas, Novka Cosovic, Aric Yarberry, Elena Ballossino, Mentensz Rymar, Dov Feinmesser, Marina Andronescu, Julian Eichiner, Emanuele Mozzo, Risa Kakami
Model Building: Paul Hoszowski, Nam La Chi, Vincenzo Del Monaco