HIGHER COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY AZRI ARCHITECTS
Muscat, Oman 2017 Luka Pavelka, Ellen Bond
Higher College of Technology (HCT) is a public college operated by the Ministry of Manpower of Oman. It was the first Higher Education institution in Oman. Currently, it is the second largest higher education institution in Oman (after SQU) catering for over 10000 students studying in various programs. The extension project was comissioned by the Ministry of Manpower and it covers an area of 94.000 m2 next to the existing campus, with new buildings for research centers, incubators, workshops, consultancies and new engineering departments.
An open terrain plan design was applied. The focus was placed on the open spaces, courtyards, atriums and natural features. Buildings are designed by combining two layers. The ground floors are reflective of the traditional and classical form of fortresses and the upper floors of the future and technology. Also represented in the materials, there is a visible distinction between the two. By separating them, a terrace floor was opened.
Bukha fort, Khasab fort and Rustaq castle in Oman
The buildings are connected by a network of open spaces, corridors, gardens and water features - falaj (Omani irrigation system).
The main enterence to the central open area and the corridor network from the administration building.
