KCB VENTURE 1 final

TRENDS & INTEL
NEW HEIGHTS
Redefining
Nairobi’s
skyline
450
The KCB Plaza is a
21 storey building
including a car park
that can accommodate
450 vehicles on five
parking levels
U
pcoming KCB Bank Plaza has been
recognised as the leading
commercial building in
Kenya and the
region by a
panel of experts. The panel consists
of pioneers in the architectural
field included Shamla Fernandez
from Kenya, Janfrans van der
Erden from the Netherlands and
Dr. Allan Kenneth Birabi from
Uganda. Announced earlier this
year, the Plaza is celebrated by the
association for its sustainability
efforts. The structure contains a
natural ventilation system that
maintains a zero dependency
on automated systems for
cooling support; instead, the
structure is supported by the
sky courts and atrium design.
The striking design of the aluminum shading
fins provides a natural mechanism to
reduce indoor temperatures. Innovative
accents are pronounced throughout the
Plaza including an apparatus that can
harvest rainwater and treat it. The
Plaza preserves the theme of modern
design using solar power beams to
reduce electricity costs. Construction
began in December 2010 and
concluded in 2015. Located in the
fast-developing financial district
in Upperhill, the Plaza is in the
company of Britam Insurance,
UAP Insurance, the World Bank
and Nairobi Hospital. The
unique capabilities of the Plaza
to express pioneering design
while using environmentallyfriendly
techniques makes it a
real standout in the Kenyan
market.
“To enhace day lighting, there is
extensive use of light reflecting
metallic silver finish on the solar
shading fins, use of high light
transmittance glass and louvered
horizontal shading.”
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