Foster + partners first project in russia celebrates the crystalline structure of copper

Foster + partners present its newly opened RCC headquarters, the team’s first project in Russia, the building reimagines the conventional cellular office to set new standards in quality, comfort, and flexibility. The 15-storey building’s innovative office units are enveloped in an energy-efficient enclosure, which provides a distinctive symbol for the organization in Ekaterinburg.

Image: Foster + Partners

Luke Fox, Head of Studio, Foster + Partners said: “The new headquarters for RCC exemplifies the practice’s commitment to innovation and marks the culmination of a long and fruitful process. Our integrated team developed a holistic vision that is rooted in the way RCC operates, completely revolutionizing the traditional idea of office spaces and creating a flexible modular system that responds to the changing patterns of work.”

RCC is one of the world’s leading producers of copper and the building’s triangulated elements draw inspiration from the crystal lattice of copper. The crown of the building integrates RCC’s new logo – a rebranding that has, in turn, been inspired by the architecture.

Image: Foster + Partners

The starting point for the office floors was to reinvent the headquarters as a ‘house for staff’ – instead of the conventional large, communal workspaces, the rooms are of a more intimate, domestic scale. The practice’s workplace consultancy group analyzed the client’s operations and helped to devise the innovative modular system for these rooms. This was then developed with the in-house engineering teams to enable rapid construction and ensure ideal levels of natural daylight for concentrated work. Each two-storey module comprises a pair of offices, stacked one on top of the other – this is expressed externally through the double-story cladding module.

The modules are arranged in rows on either side of a central hallway, which functions as a breakout space, with lounge seating and views of the city through the glazed lift shaft. At level fifteen, the space is top-lit (through the glass lanterns) to create a flexible space for company-wide gatherings and events.

Image: Foster + Partners

The design targets a BREEAM Excellent rating. Responding to Ekaterinburg’s wide temperature range between seasons – often from +30°C to -30°C – the balance between solid and glazed areas is designed as a reaction to low-level winter sun while mitigating the heat of direct sunlight during the summer. Through the glass, facades overlook the city and the recently landscaped riverbank. The green area reaches the building’s facades and it flows into a private garden for the staff. The landscaping echoes the cellular internal arrangement, with a sequence of ‘external rooms’ that provide peaceful spaces for staff to relax and eat lunch. Further facilities within the building include a video conference room and boardroom, meeting spaces, and an executive dining area.

Jeremy Kim, a Partner, Foster + Partners, added: “Everything from the building structure to the bespoke furniture was designed specifically for the company, illustrating our commitment to craftsmanship,”