Overview
The African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIMBANK) is a Pan-African Multilateral financial institution established in 1993, by African Governments, African private and institutional investors as well as non-African financial institutions and private investor for the purpose of financing, promoting and expanding intra-African and extra-African Trade.
APS are appointed as Architects for the design and construction of Afreximbank's permanent Southern Africa Regional Office and Trade Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe.
The Harare Afreximbank Africa Trade Centre (HAATC) is an agglomeration of buildings, consisting of a hotel, office block and conference and exhibition centre, all clustered around a sheltered public space that is partly internal and partly external in nature. The interelationships between the different buildings and the interactions between its occupants within the main public space, makes the scheme unique locally and regionally.
The covered square or street, is envisioned as the heart of the scheme, and a conceptual microcosm of the ‘Trade Centre’ - providing a regional ‘melting pot’ for trade, business and ideas exchange. This space will be the first and last thing guests encounter when they arrive or depart from the HAATC, and is imagined as one of the most memorable and impor- tant spaces, allowing people from di erent back grounds the opportunity to comfortably network and socialise in a spectacular triple volume space.
The raw and honest use of finishing materials, reflect the rich cultural heritage of the region and its people. This is contrasted against the con- temporary use of steel, glass and concrete which acknowledge current regional achievement, and projected ambition in a global economic market.
The architectural aesthetic is manifested by dynamic cantilevering forms, and projecting sun screens (providing a reactive and distinct aesthetic to each elevation) - and of note is the interplay between organic curved forms, horizontal lines and fritted and feathered facade edges.
Construction is underway and will complete in early 2025.