The Luminary, Dar Es Salaam

OVERVIEW

DESIGN CRITERIA

The Luminary brief  was to design a high quality, functional workplace that reflect inspiration and innovation from the driven local environment.  A work life less ordinary to Dar Es Salaam.

The building had to attract international clients, so a high standard of quality is expected. The client makes their own concrete, so concrete has to be the main structural material.

 

The Luminary Accommodation & requirements:

1. Four storey height limit
2. 150+ Parking
3. 4,400 m² minimum of Rentable office space
4. Café for 100 people
5. Building efficiency
6. Helipad
7. Site area 2,546m²

THE LUMINARY PROJECT GOALS

1.Sustainability.

2.Articulation of building form to reduce scale and respond to corner location

3.Shaded lush landscaped outdoor spaces

4.Full disabled, equal access

5.Comply with British Building Regulations

6.Comply with British Fire Regulations

7.Clearly defined vehicle circulation.

8.To be the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified building in Tanzania.

CHALLENGES

1.Integrating a café with the office building while creating separation and security for these two separate tenants purposes.

2.Parking numbers and vehicular circulation

3.Sustainability

4.Procuring high caliber materials due to location

5.Integrating interesting outdoor and indoor space

MARKET

There is a high demand for good quality office environments in the Masaki area. Masaki  is a fast growing expat area but the offices there are of low quality and do not meet the expectations of the tenant requirements. Evoke Luminary, designed by Registered Australian and British architects will set a new threshold of standards of office space in the area.

LOCATION & SITE

TANZANIA & DAR ES SALAAM

Tanzania is in East Africa, south of the border of Kenya. Dar Es Salaam is the largest city and an important port located on the Indian Ocean with a mixture of African, Indian and Arabic influences within its culture.  Dar Es Salaam is also the fastest growing city on the African continent.

MASAKI AREA

The site is located on a coastal peninsular in an area called Masaki on Haile Selassie Road. It is a prestigious and desirable spot with many of the diplomatic embassies and expats living in this area.  There are also many restaurants and bars and Coco beach within 30 minutes walk which is popular with locals at weekends and evenings. There area also many Hotels with private beaches nearby.

THE SITE

The site sits on the corner of Haile Selasie Road and Chole road. Opposite, is a popular Hotel and Libyan restaurant called Epi’Dor.

 

 

DESIGN CONCEPT

 

The building’s architectural concept evolved from local climate, culture, environment and responds accordingly.

Fine and elegant overhanging cantilevers have been designed to lighten the appearance and shade the building from afternoon sun rays. The Brise soleil on the front elevation is a design feature that reflects the vibrant city of Dar Es Salaam and responds to spirited movement along Haile Selasie Road. These shading devices are to be constructed of perforated aluminium mesh that twist towards and the angle of the morning sun rays, creating shading while still maximizing daylight.

The building form articulates and steps  to reduce the perceived scale, creating a hierarchy of form that responds to the surroundings with interesting internal and external spaces for people.

A dramatic sculptural feature wall to the south façade creates a dazzling Tanzanite charm that creates an iconic landmark feature as it faces towards Chole road. Alluring silver travertine stone washes through the building guiding you inside.

 

DESIRABILITY AND SUITABILITY FOR TARGET MARKET

 

A soft neutral colour palette of grays and whites create a sophisticated environment for office workings, featured with silver travertine stone which presents a natural and rich feeling. Local Makongo timber is also used to compliment.

The location within the Masaki area and on Haile Selasie Road makes it an ideal location for workers living in the area.  The integrated café and outdoor shaded spaces make a perfect setting for office working during lunchtime, during the day and early evening.  This promotes a hardworking, professional environment with a good work life balance.

A soft neutral colour palette of grays and whites create a sophisticated environment for office workings, featured with silver travertine stone which presents a natural and rich feeling. Local Makongo timber is also used to compliment.

The location within the Masaki area and on Haile Selasie Road makes it an ideal location for workers living in the area.  The integrated café and outdoor shaded spaces make a perfect setting for office working during lunchtime, during the day and early evening.  This promotes a hardworking, professional environment with a good work life balance.

TENANT UNITS

Tenant spaces can be arranged to suit tenant needs if they require open plan or more private offices (which are popular in Dar Es Salaam). Evoke Luminary has different partitions available from full height 30 minute smoke protection, 2m height partitions for shared air conditioning and also low level partitions for semi privacy open plan areas.  The Luminary has been designed for flexibility, taking into account different tenant situations. It is ideal for banks, call centers, oil companies, construction companies and many more.

 

SAFETY & SECURITY

 

1. The office area completely fenced off
2. Electrical sliding gates for vehicular access
3. A 24 hour private security company will be employed at the gates with toilet and shower facilities provided. Also Massai. Maasai are a local tribe that are accepted in the community as noble piece keepers.
4. CCTV
5. Controlled entry of café and office
6. Full disabled access. Wheelchair ramps, disabled WC on each floor. Non‐discrimination and free opportunities for all. This sets very high standards in Tanzania.
7. International Fire Consultant appointed to comply with Part B of British Building regulations.
8. Helipad for emergencies and office managers.
9. Abseil window cleaning hooks embedded on roof

SUSTAINABILITY

 

1. The first LEED certified building in  Tanzania. (Leadership in Energy and Environment & Design) and awarded Gold rating.
2. Winner Of International Property Awards – Best Office Development in Africa & Best Office Development in Tanzania
3. Airblade handryers use less energy in toilets and duel flush toilets incorporated
4. Bicycle space provision
5. Space and charge sockets for electronic cars for future use
6. Low e glass with a U- value of 1.7. Reduces air conditioning consumption.
7. Conservation of existing trees and a large tree a design feature in front of the café with extended landscape area.
8. Fully double glazing (rare in Tanzania) for climate control
9. Solar shading of cantilevers for afternoon sun and aluminum fins shade low angle sun. No need for blinds inside.
10. LED lighting and long life lights
11. No uplighting to hinder on local nature
12. Local materials and all doors solid local Makongo timber from sustainable sources.
13. Solar panels cover Level 4 roof . which are capable of supplying 10% of the entire buildings electricity. Overall energy savings predicted on the building is 38% which means an annual saving of 38% cost.
14. Water feature with water blade and full flushing rate of WC 4.5 liter / flush. An estimated 33% Reduced water use is predicted against and average baseline building.
15. Landscape designed with water features, lush gardens, and terraces. Hard and soft landscaping that integrates with the building
16. Recycle bin provisions on each floor.
17. Building designed and oriented to angles of the sun for climate control
18. No smoking building

INNOVATION

 

 

1. Diamond shaped glazing.

2. The shading devices are designed to block different angles of the sun at different times of the day. This helps cool the building while maximizing day lighting.

3. Building designed and oriented to angles of the sun.

4. Raised floor which is almost unknown in Tanzania.

3. Feature staircase with roof light above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Russell M. Henderson is a practicing RIBA Chartered Architect based in Tanzania, East Africa.

Russell (Architect Russell) also makes videos on YouTube , TikTok  Instagram & Skillshare  sharing thoughtful, honest and pragmatic knowledge while working and living abroad.

Architect Russell Uncensored is podcast talking about an architect’s life unfiltered. The education of 7 years to controversial topics such as RIBA and ARB, to unusual architect experience abroad like in Bangkok and Tanzania. This is content never before released on any platform and you can only get it here first. The truth through the eyes of Architect Russell, unfiltered and uncensored.

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