Symbion Uganda Completes Nakasero Towers
After successfully completing a number of projects that involved renovation and refurbishment in the heart of Kampala city, Symbion Uganda was given another task to finish an existing shell of six stories along Nakasero road. In this respect, the project represented designing the interior and finishing the existing shell.
The Symbion architectural team embarked on providing detailed designs for the interior and exterior finishes. As project managers/architects, they guided the client through the selection and procurement of required finishing materials and managed the whole process of implementation through to completion.
This interaction between the architect and client provided a simple concept that illustrates one of the obvious risk factors in the field of commercial architecture, the creation of the artist versus the preferences and requirements of the end user.
On the one hand, the building provided an ideal design opportunity in which the architects’ developed experience can bring creative resolutions and on the other, the client’s excessive basic and everyday functional requirements can prove disastrous for the emergence of a beautiful design.
For corporations that are currently opting to consolidate their operations, Nakasero Towers is one such custom made office building.
Structural Aspect
For Symbion Uganda the simplest way to attain a satisfactory result was therefore to find a happy medium that achieved a balance between both sets of ideas and transforming the task of designing and finishing the building into a mutually accepted project. Simple geometry formed the part of the exterior façade, covered with structural glazing allowing sufficient air circulation in the building.
The use of alucobond’ (aluminum cladding) was carefully proportioned and composed to create an entirely stunning front elevation for the Nakasero Towers. A very minute look would only reveal the genius details within the structural glazing exceptionally done to accommodate the constant air circulation. The use of permanent white wall plaster was carefully selected to balance the overall outlook of the building
Ambience and cleanliness is characterised in all areas of the building achieved by a tasteful selection and balance of materials and colour. The floors and walls comprise of terrazzo, ceramic, granite and marble tiles. Also extensive landscaping and tree plantation enhance the scenery giving a cool natural look and greater value to the building
The Nakasero Towers with 5,500m3 of gross area and 4,500 m3 of lettable space provides flexibility and strong security for the user. The overall appearance of the building is extremely sober and restrained and its composition is based on the relationship between various elements, scale, materials and the infinite space. The building offers an open plan office space that can be easily partitioned to suit user requirements.
Facilities
Facilities include a car parking area, two complete wet and dry fire fighting systems and a 165KVa standby diesel generator installed on-site with ample capacity to run all electrical installations in the building in the event of a power outage. Also a state of the art internet ready voice/fax and data cabling system is provided throughout the building.
The building is designed with security of persons and property in mind. There is a security area with a metallic gate and barriers for clearance. In case of a fire outbreak, there are fire escapes on both wings of the building.
The contractors who were selected on the basis of their track record and proven workmanship, competency and reliability are proud to be associated with this yet, another grand and outstanding development.
Project Team:
Architect Project manager:
Symbion (U) Ltd
Quantity Surveyor:
Orion Assocoates
Structural Engineers:
SKAS
M&E Consultant:
M&E Associates
Main contractor:
Unicon
Aluminium and Cladding:
Tile Center Ltd
