RW Armstrong provided Interior Design, Lighting and FF&E services for the new Headquarters of the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD).

The 6 different natures of Abu Dhabi Emirate, i.e. desert, sabkha (salt flats), dunes, oasis, mountains and sea were the main inspiration in creating the design. Abu Dhabi is the largest of seven Emirates which occupying almost 87% of the country’s total area. Sabkha (salt flats) line much of the Abu Dhabi’s coastline, but inland the emirate is comprised of sand and gravel desert.

To the south, the dunes of the Rub Al-Khali (Empty Quarter), the largest sand sea in the world, rise from the flats and stretch for hundreds of miles across Saudi Arabia. Mountainous terrain in the east of the territory runs along the Oman border. Jebel Hafeet, which towers over the city of Al Ain, rises to an impressive 1180 meters above sea level, while Abu Dhabi’s coastline is peppered with more than 200 islands. The Emirate’s other principal city is Al Ain, which has sprung up around seven oases on the Oman border.

These different and diverse natures provided the concept for the different departments of the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi. The design had to be functional and comfortable as a workspace, it had to deliver an educational message of the hidden richness, diversity and uniqueness of the natural environments of Abu Dhabi, and it had to shed light on the importance of EAD’s role in preserving the environment.

The total built-up-area of approximately 12,000 sq.m. divided over 3 floors and RW Armstrong introduced 2 different themes per floor, representing 2 different departments where each side shall have its special forms, textures, color schemes, incorporated in the flooring, ceiling, façade, and furniture.

RW Armstrong also used the application of special recycled decorative materials. Each floor has 3 main wings: 2 wings for the divisions (each has separate reception, meeting room, support spaces, themed staff lounge and a “museum like” exhibition in the main corridor).

The 3rd wing is public/VIP with digital gallery space for scientific or artistic EAD related exhibitions, a training center that is used as one space or as three subspaces for multi-purpose use, a VIP management suite, conference rooms, board rooms, dining room, majlis and offices for VIP guests.