Kiwis' design starts to take shape in desert

Moller Architects have respected local traditions in their design for a new parliamentary complex in Oman. Photo / Supplied

Construction work has started on Oman's imposing new parliament buildings, designed by New Zealand firm Moller Architects.

The Auckland architecture firm scored one of the world's top international design competitions for the buildings at Al Bustan in the city of Muscat.

Gordon and Craig Moller said that in October, three buildings had started rising on the crescent-shaped site at Wadi Kabir near the Gulf of Oman.

The first stage would be finished next year.

"We don't know why we won, but His Majesty, the Sultan of Oman, chose our design and we think that was because of the clarity of the planning and the response to Oman's traditions," Gordon Moller said.

Of the 35 architecture practices who entered, eight were shortlisted before Moller was picked two years ago. Gordon Moller designed Auckland's Sky Tower and the firm designed the Macau Tower.

Craig Moller said his firm had responded to a call to design buildings which respected local and regional architecture traditions as well as creating a structure which fitted the country's development aspirations.

"The brief was specific about the height of the buildings, no more than 50m. A hotel down the coast was the reference point for that height. An international-style design for these buildings was clearly unsuitable," Craig Moller said.

The design of the structures and cladding recognised the heritage of Oman, and the Mollers said the building elements were mass load-bearing walls with carefully placed openings to control light and security.

Limestone, plaster-cladding finishes, bronze windows and door frames, and carved timber doors to ceremonial entries are features of the structures.

After Moller Architects won, a 1.5m by 1.5m scale model of the buildings was made by Craig Prentice of Christchurch and flown to Oman.

Gordon Moller said the designs had a strong Islamic flavour, and although a rear clock tower was 50m, the buildings ranged in height from 15m to 30m for the main building.

The Mollers designed three parliamentary buildings: the Majlis Oman, or main ceremonial building, with an 18m-wide internal promenade like a wide street; Majlis A'Dawla, or upper house, on one side; and Majlis A'Shura, or lower house, on the other side.

All are linked by courtyards, walkways, gardens, water features, colonnades, tiling lawns and other landscaping features.

The Mollers, who have visited the site a number of times, said the buildings were half a kilometre long, and they found it difficult to explain the size and scale of the project.

Tower cranes were up and ground works were being carried out on the site where jebel rock was excavated to create a flat 250,000sq m building platform.

OMAN WONDER
* 101,000sq m of floor space.
* $750m job on three buildings.
* To be finished by 2012.
* Designed by New Zealand firm Moller Architects.