Firstbank of Nigeria Sede Corporativa by Marwan Zgheib

Firstbank of Nigeria Sede Corporativa by Marwan Zgheib is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award de Plata in Diseño de Arquitectura, Edificación y Estructuras Competition Category.

PlataArquitectura· 2026

Firstbank of Nigeria Sede Corporativa

by Marwan Zgheib

Client: MZ Architects

A' Design Award de Plata Winner in Arquitectura Category

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Verified Award Winner

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The Design

About Firstbank of Nigeria Sede Corporativa

Firstbank of Nigeria es una torre de sede corporativa ubicada en Eko Atlantic City, Lagos. El edificio revestido de vidrio se eleva 252 metros y ofrece 115.000 metros cuadrados de superficie construida sobre un litoral ganado al mar. La forma esbelta se definió mediante estudios de viento y análisis solar para limitar la ganancia térmica. Los acristalamientos de alto rendimiento y los elementos de sombreado exterior conforman una envolvente sensible al clima, adecuada al entorno costero tropical. Los sistemas inteligentes del edificio regulan la luz, la temperatura y el consumo energético. Las plantas de oficinas flexibles y los espacios comunes compartidos responden a las necesidades cambiantes del negocio.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Plata

Firstbank of Nigeria Sede Corporativa ha ganado el A' Design Award de Plata, un reconocimiento extraordinariamente prestigioso concedido a diseños de gama alta, magníficos e impresionantes. Los ganadores de Plata son obras tremendamente brillantes y sumamente creativas que ilustran la destacada experiencia, el talento y la agudeza de sus diseñadores. Se espera que Firstbank of Nigeria Sede Corporativa sea una obra maravillosa y emblemática, notablemente profesional y profundamente innovadora. Este diseño ganador del A' Design Award de Plata es una invención muy notable y admirada que beneficia y hace avanzar las fronteras del arte, la ciencia, el diseño y la tecnología. Firstbank of Nigeria Sede Corporativa es una creación enormemente envidiada que evoca deseos, aporta sentimientos positivos y despierta asombro y admiración.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: A sculpted, glass-clad tower rising from Eko Atlantic’s reclaimed shoreline, the FBN Headquarters merges environmental intelligence with corporate identity. Its slender form, high-performance facade, and green-certified systems create a climate-responsive landmark that symbolizes institutional evolution while redefining Lagos’s vertical and coastal urban future.
Dimensions & Packaging: Total height: 252 meters.
Total built-up area: 115,000 square meters.
Tags: High-rise architecture, Sustainable design, Climate-responsive façade, Mixed-use tower, Corporate headquarters, Eko Atlantic City, Parametric design, Green-certified building, Urban landmark, Innovative office design
Production Technology: The design was developed through an integrated process combining environmental analysis, wind studies, and solar optimization to inform the tower’s massing and façade strategy. Multidisciplinary coordination guided the integration of structural and building systems. High-performance glazing, external shading, and energy-efficient solutions shaped a climate-responsive envelope tailored to Lagos’s coastal conditions and sustainability objectives.
Design Challenge: The greatest creative challenge was designing a landmark tower that balances Lagos’ rapid urban growth with coastal environmental conditions. Internally, the design had to reflect cultural identity, corporate prestige, and user well-being. Externally, constraints included coastal wind loads, tropical climate, local building regulations, limited high-performance material options, and integrating advanced sustainable technologies. Iterative simulations and collaborative workshops overcame these obstacles to achieve an elegant, resilient, and functional design.
Research: Applied architectural research. Objective: to design a resilient, future-focused headquarters suited to Lagos’ coastal context. Methodology combined site analysis, climate studies, and iterative design development. Data were gathered through environmental assessments, performance simulations, and stakeholder consultations using digital modeling tools. Participants included architects, engineers, and client representatives. Results informed massing, façade, and sustainability strategies. Insights strengthened environmental performance, business identity, and long-term urban impact.
Inspiration: Inspired by the meeting of land, ocean, and sky at Eko Atlantic, the tower draws from the fluidity of the shoreline and the clarity of modern finance. Its vertical form reflects resilience, transparency, and renewal, translating First Bank’s legacy into an architecture shaped by light, horizon, and aspiration.
Project Duration: The project was launched in March 2025 and is located in Eko Atlantic City, Lagos, Nigeria.
Operation Flow: The tower is designed to operate intuitively, guiding visitors through clear, welcoming entrances into light-filled public and corporate spaces. Smart building systems automatically regulate light, temperature, and energy use, adapting to daily and seasonal changes. Flexible office layouts allow spaces to evolve with business needs, while shared amenities encourage interaction, productivity, and well-being. The result is a comfortable, efficient environment that performs seamlessly for employees and visitors alike.
Team Members: Architect: Marwan Zgheib