Where Ornament Meets Minimalism: SOM’s Vision in Jeddah. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), the National Commercial Bank (NCB) in Jeddah is an architectural symphony where monumental modernism meets the poetry of tradition. Led by Gordon Bunshaft, with contributions from Davis Allen, John M. Winkler, Raul de Armas, Michael McCarthy, and Fazlur Khan, the design merges fortress-like solidity with cascading voids and lush hanging gardens, evoking the interplay of light and shadow in the desert landscape.Inside, Davis Allen’s interior vision brings a sense of serene geometry, where marble floors ripple with intricate patterns, custom wood furnishings exude warmth, and planter-integrated seating connects nature with space. Glass-partitioned offices balance openness with intimacy, while bespoke lighting elements echo the shifting desert sun. NCB remains a landmark of regional modernism, where SOM’s unified vision seamlessly wove structure and spirit into a singular architectural statement.

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