JTI Headquarters | SOM

JTI Headquarters

Surrounded by parkland and built on a former industrial site, the new JTI Headquarters is located in a Geneva district that is home to prestigious international organizations. The design, which ranks among the most sustainable buildings in Europe, consolidates four existing JTI premises within a single landmark building and demonstrates SOM’s commitment to integrated design, sustainability, and innovative workplace solutions.

Courtesy of SOM – photography: Adrien Barakat

The architecture draws references not only from its immediate context but also from Lake Geneva and the Alps, establishing a strong identity amid its illustrious neighbors while responding sensitively to the surrounding low-rise environment. The building’s opposing corners are elevated, which creates permeability through the site, opening it up to the local neighborhood and facilitating direct pedestrian connections to a transportation hub.

Courtesy of SOM – photography: Hufton+Crow

Embodying JTI’s brand values—‘enterprising, open, and challenging’—the design of the headquarters creates a workplace that breaks down corporate silos and contributes to an open and flexible organization. The design team identified three spatial typologies—landscape, social amenities, and dedicated workspace—to govern the way that employees and visitors experience the building.

Courtesy of SOM – photography: Hufton+Crow

A ‘Continuous Landscape‘ concept integrates these three spatial types by creating a seamless experience that weaves through the building, connecting a variety of spaces. These include open plan offices, 66 meeting rooms, 31 collaborative work areas, and 23 coffee points, along with a business center, auditorium, fitness center and deli, plus two roof terraces and several social spaces.

Courtesy of SOM – photography: Adrien Barakat

This pathway is distinguished by a series of art installations by conceptual artist Liam Gillick, a color palette of marble and gray tones, and furniture made of regionally-sourced materials. At the structural level, a torsional tube system, which enables column free office space, provides for maximum internal flexibility and future adaptability.

Courtesy of SOM – photography: Hufton+Crow

Project Info
Architects: SOM
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Area: 37790.0 sqm
Year: 2015
Type: Headquarter, Office building
Photographs: Hufton+Crow, Adrien Barakat, Johannes Marburg

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Kurumoch International Airport and VIP-Lounges | Nefa Architects

Kurumoch International Airport and VIP-Lounges

The architecture and design of the new terminal reflect the space-related status of the city where space launch vehicles are constructed. Kurumoch International Airport is the largest and most promising airport of Volga region and is among the Top 10 leading airports of Russia. The airport is connected by airlines from almost all regions of the Russian Federation, neighboring countries and the far abroad.
The challenge was to create a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing space for business-class passengers with a vivid theme-based concept: for up to 60 people using domestic airlines and up to 50 passengers using international air services.

Courtesy of Nefa Architects – Photography: Ilya Ivanov

The interior of the new international terminal is fully focused on the space-related status of Samara with the largest missile producing plant remaining since the Soviet era. It seems like an architectural volume with business lounges “soaring” under the dome roof in an open space of the airport and representing a huge media screen outside. When inside, passengers can see the reverse of this construction with wires and lighting bulbs in as if they are on board a spacecraft.
The Interiors recreate the aesthetics of the era of space exploration that took place in the 1960s. There is everything here to feel as though you are a hero of the movies about aerospace: a portable smoking cabin with a view on the airfield and the tubes with meals. The soundtracks to famous movies such as “Solaris” and “Star Wars” are played here. Moreover, if one moves closer to the façade glazing, you can hear the sound of boarding aircraft and this just enhances the feeling of outer-space reality.

Courtesy of Nefa Architects – Photography: Ilya Ivanov

The space accommodates two business lounges. Although one concept applies to both domestic and international airlines, the premises are not symmetrical. They form integrity of arrangement. The interior involves a unique structure organizing a space in the form of a flowing, never-ending wall, highlighted by a luminous end and sets the movement of a star track. The whole space is open, but is divided by the podia of different heights into specific zones like the lounge, media, and bar areas.
Lighting solutions use a three-dimensional arrangement with rhythmical circles, glowing ends and up-to-date designer floor lamps, complementing the general concept. The WCs are no exception. The right atmosphere is supported by lighting tricks – you can really imagine yourself in a space cockpit of the future.
Project Info
Architects: Nefa Architects
Location: Samara, Russia
Airport architect: Margarita Kornienko
Vip Lounge architect: Maria Nasonova
Area: 22500.0 sqm
Year: 2015
Type: Interior
Photographs: Ilya Ivanov

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