Architect and Builder Magazine South Africa May/June 2014 | Page 28

Challenges in creating a
fully glazed façade were
enormous as the climatic
influence created all
sorts if issues with the
working environment

HVAC
The underfloor mechanical air conditioning
system addresses both energy efficiency and
good indoor environmental quality. The system
supplies cool fresh air from the raised floor,
which then absorbs warmth as it rises and is
extracted at ceiling level, thereby effectively
preventing the build up of pollutants.
The architectural vision and mechanical
design of the building has ensured optimal
indoor environmental quality for those working inside the building so as to promote
health and wellbeing. Building users have
access to striking external views, ample natural
daylight and care has been taken to specify
paints, wood products and carpets that contain
no harmful compounds that could possibly
be inhaled by tenants when working inside
the building.
Further to this, the building has been
designed to also provide quality outdoor
environments: a private roof garden, propogated with only endemic vegetation, and
overlooking the harbour and Cape Town City
bowl, provides a space for tenants to relax or
work outdoors. A small herb garden helps to
contribute to the daily food prepared in the
buildings kitchen and composting units will,
in turn, recycle organic waste generated in
the kitchen.
In addition to the low flow water fittings
that have been specified to promote water
efficiency, a grey water system has also been
installed to save potable water. Waste water
from hand wash basins and showers will be
collected, and treated within the grey water
system, and reused for flushing water in
the toilets.
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No.1 Silo