Munich. Designworks, the innovation studio of the BMW Group, has been chosen by real estate developer Magnom Properties to collaborate in developing an emotionally engaging design for the façade of the new Forbes International Tower in Egypt. The tower aims to be a significant achievement in sustainable urban development in the Middle East. Architects Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill intend to create a modern relationship between architecture and the environment with the construction of the 230-meter (755-foot)-tall building. To align with this vision, the Designworks team will merge elements such as reflection, illumination, and digital interactivity into their design to establish a seamless sense of connection between the building, the environment, and the building’s inhabitants and visitors.
Designworks will also oversee the design of a continuous user journey across all physical and digital touchpoints of the EV charging park. For this project, the team will draw on the BMW Group’s experience design process, which prioritizes customer needs. CEO of Magnom Properties, Maged Marie, states: “The collaboration with Designworks perfectly complements our goal of creating an exceptional experience that incorporates innovative technologies to provide visitors with a completely new perception of the building, from both the exterior and the interior.”
The 55-story business tower, planned in partnership with Forbes, will form part of Cairo’s new administrative and financial district. With a total space of more than 100,000 m2 (328,000 sq. ft.), it will set a new standard for sustainable architecture. The main objective is to minimize the building’s carbon footprint and achieve the highest ecological construction certifications.
“The BMW Group was the first car manufacturer in the world to have its own environmental protection officer, and today, sustainability is at the core of the company’s focus – extending far beyond automobiles,” remarks Holger Hampf, head of Designworks. “As a BMW Group subsidiary, we are proud to be involved in the design for the Forbes International Tower. We firmly believe that high-quality design can contribute to changing customer mindsets and behavior, promoting more responsible action.”
The Forbes International Tower in Egypt is scheduled to be completed in 2027. Similar commercial towers of this kind are also being planned in the United Arab Emirates and in Saudi Arabia.
If you have any questions, please contact:
BMW Group Corporate Communications
Michaela Martinus
Spokesperson Designworks
Telephone: +49-160-963-13773
Email: Michaela.Martinus@bmw.com
Steven Wörns
Spokesperson BMW Group Design
Telephone: +49-151-601-16992
Email: Steven.Woerns@bmw.com
Media Website: www.press.bmwgroup.com
Email: presse@bmw.de
About Designworks
Designworks is the BMW Group’s innovation studio and a global creative consultancy at the intersection of design, technology and innovation. The “Architects of Future” focus on mobility, product and digital life design, as well as strategic design consulting. The formerly independent creative studio was acquired by the BMW Group in 1995. Designworks acts as a driving force for all brands of the parent company and as an innovation driver for a large number of clients from various industries, such as IT and consumer electronics, aviation technology, the medical and environmental sectors, and the lifestyle and sports industries.
The studio was founded in 1972 in Malibu, California by Chuck Pelly. Holger Hampf has been at the helm of the consulting agency since 2017.