The headquarters of the Russian Copper Company (RCC) in Yekaterinburg, Russia, has recently been officially inaugurated. This marks Foster + Partners’ first office building project in Russia, aiming to redefine the conventional cellular office layout in favor of a high-quality, comfortable, and convenient modern workspace. The 15-story building is notable for its exceptional energy efficiency and emissions reduction, making it a prominent architectural landmark in Yekaterinburg.
As one of the world’s leading copper producers, Russian Copper Corporation inspired the architect to draw from the triangular chemical structure of copper atoms. This geometric form became the central design motif throughout the project.
The architect’s vision was to create a ‘staff home’ rather than a traditional office with cellular spaces. To achieve this, an in-depth study of the company’s workflow and employee work habits was conducted early in the design process.
Collaboration with the engineering team was essential to ensure optimal daylight levels throughout the office spaces.
The office building’s design stacks every two floors into a spatial module, which is clearly expressed on the building’s exterior façade.
The 15th floor, the top level of the building, features an open and flexible layout designed to accommodate company gatherings and various employee activities. The building was designed to achieve an excellent BREEAM certification.
△ 15th Floor Plan
Due to the wide temperature range at the project site, from -30°C to over 30°C, the architect carefully analyzed the balance between solid and glass materials used in the building. This ensures a warm interior in winter and a cool environment in summer.
△ Material Diagram
△ Material Diagram
On the ground floor, a small internal garden was designed to offer employees a natural space for relaxation and rejuvenation.
△ Ground Floor Plan
The building also includes a video conference room, several small meeting rooms, and various negotiation spaces to support collaboration.
△ Floor Plan View
Technical Drawings
△ 13th Floor Plan
△ 14th Floor Plan
△ North Elevation View
△ West Elevation View
△ Short Section
△ Long Section
Project Information
Architectural Design: Foster + Partners
Area: 18,450 m²
Year: 2021
Photographer: Oleg Kovalyuk
Manufacturers: Irline, Mobil, Solo
Owner: Russian Copper Company
Design Team: Norman Foster, David Nelson, Spencer de Grey, Luke Fox, Angus Campbell, Jeremy Kim, Jonathan Parr, Mike Holland, Stefan Bench, Dimitri Chaava, Julija Cholopova, Louise Clausen, Amy Company Butler, Patrick Crocock, Elisa Fernandez Ramos, Charlotte Gallen, Raphael Giacomuzzo, Michelle Hudson, Martin Kehoe, Paul Kennedy, Alena Kereshun, Anton Khmelnitskiy, Annabel Knightley, Andy Lister, Sarah Lister, Yuen Nam, Connie Luk, Maria Mallalieu, Luke Moloney, Aleksejus Nevemdomskis, Charlie Parford Plant, Mariia Pashenko, Stelios Psaltis, Dina Timartseva, Harry Twigg, Vincent Westbrook, Michael Woodrow
Engineers: Andrew Jackson, Andrew Coward
Project Team Members: Paul Kalkhoven, Armstrong Yakubu, Sarah Villar-Furniss, George Fereday, Thouria Istephan, Matthew Burger
Co-Architect: P. M. VostokProekt
Mechanical, Electrical, and Piping Consultant: Foster + Partners / P. M. VostokProekt
Kitchen Design: Cini Little International
Facade Engineer: Priedemann
Vertical Transportation: D2E
Lighting Consultant: Jason Bruges Studio
Traffic Engineer: MIC
Acoustic Engineer: Sandy Brown
Landscape Design: Hyland Edgar Driver
Main Construction Contractor: A1
Location: Yekaterinburg, Russia
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