African project
Lumen Square – Kenya
Sustainable design goes hand-in-hand with socially conscious design. “We are sourcing
high grade building materials as well as high grade finishes locally as best as we can
to reduce the carbon footprint as well as support local businesses. Most of the steel
reinforcement used on site is LEED certified. There will also be a provision for cyclists
and showers to encourage building users to cycle rather than use a vehicle, again in an
effort to reduce the carbon footprint,” says Virdi.
Atelier International Architects brought on board a Sustainability Consultant who did
rigourous 3D energy modelling on Lumen Square to ascertain that they will get LEED
accreditation. The great thing about this project, the Sustainable Consultant informed
Virdi, is that there was minimal tweaking from the initial concept which was already
‘green’. “Certification was a matter of formality, because in essence we already had
a green building before we brought on the consultant,” he says. Lumen Square has
achieved a Silver LEED rating, however, the architects are told that by the time it is
complete it will probably reach Gold.
What does all this mean? “We are constructing a modern, exciting building at an
average construction cost that has been designed cleverly and optimally for its climate
to use less energy and have a minimal carbon footprint. After all is said and done, this
building will use 50%