KBC Central

Karyatides Developments,

Strovolos, Nicosia

KBC Central is located at the gateway to Nicosia.

During the design process, the plot zoning & orientation dictated the direction that was taken in achieving the overall & final look of the building & its landscaping. A concrete basement & core were integrated into a full steel structure from the GF and up. The building envelope (primary skin) is made up of a thermal structural curtain wall modular system with specialized double glazing. The shading system (secondary skin) is both a functional & aesthetic addition to the building made up of an aluminium profile section (light in weight and maintenance-free), offset 60cm from the building (that allows for accessibility for maintenance and cleaning of the external glazing modules). It was important to avoid having vehicle access to the basement parking areas in front of the building. The roof of the building is visually sloped towards the South to achieve maximal solar absorption for the incorporation of photovoltaic panels & necessary Energy Efficiency as well as to give the building its dynamic lines.

Energy Efficiency & Sustainability
A key factor in the design process was orientation, the sun path (during the four seasons) and prevailing winds. Rules & regulations set by the governing bodies in Cyprus (directly linked with EU standards) limited every new building to a minimum energy efficiency category rating “B”.

A fresh air system has been incorporated to keep the internal workspaces from becoming unhealthy. All the proposed HVAC systems as well as the automation & lighting systems have been incorporated with energy efficiency as a basis. Sound engineers have also been involved in the design process regarding internal working spaces, to minimize sound pollution from the outside/unwanted echoing/sounds transferring from to room to room and through piping to other areas of the building.

Year of Construction

2017

Year of Design

2015

Size

5500 sq.m. / 6 Floors

Collaborations

Client / Developer: Karyatides Developments

Structural: N. Konnarides & Associates

Mechanical & Electrical: ME & EL Engineering Consulting Services

Lighting Design: Archtube

Acoustics: Ioannides Acoustics

Landscape Architect: George Socratous

Photo credits: Charalampos Artemis

 

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