With its target to create an efficient, sustainable facility to meet global health and safety standards, construction formally took off recently on the multi-billion naira Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria (SCBN) headquarters complex in Lagos, already being touted by its promoters as one of Nigeria’s green and energy efficient buildings that optimizes space and up-to- date technology.

The design of the building was midwifed through a design competition sent to a few selected firms of architects. The competition was eventually won by FMA Architects Limited after meeting SCBN major goals, which include maximising the site’s development potential and value as well as replacing the existing SCBN building with a minimum 10,000 square metre new facility and creating a design that satisfies the Leadership In Energy & Environmental Design (LEED green building rating system for core and shell development) for the gold rating.

Specifically, the building will have a total office space approximately 10,000 square metres. The first phase is a 14-storey tower block and the second phase is the six levels of structured car parking at the rear. In between both phases there will be a migration from the existing head office building to the new tower block after which the existing head office building will be demolished to make place for the car parking facility. It is being built by Messrs Cappa & D’Alberto as main contractor within the present site of the head office on Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island.

The first phase is however preceded by a contract to cover ‘enabling works’. These represent works that had to be done to ensure first and foremost that the headquarters continued to function with limited disturbance to the staff members and public to be followed by a seamless transition from the first phase of construction through the migration period before the construction of the second phase commences.

Estimated to cost N7.2 billion, piling started by Trevi Foundation in September last year while actual construction started in the same period. The completion for both phases is expected to last 58 months, ending in 2015. Other consultants are structural engineers - Morgan Omonitan and Abe Unlimited (MOA), services engineers - CA Consultants Limited, quantity surveyors - Tillyards Nigeria Limited.

But, according to FMA Managing Partner, Mr. Roti Delano,  “the building is designed to meet LEED Green Building Rating System, which is a set of performance criteria for certifying the sustainable design and construction of core and shell buildings. The intent of LEED is to assist the creation of high performance, healthful, durable, affordable and environmentally sound buildings.

“The new SCBN head office was therefore designed to meet the requirements of Gold LEED rating. The designed emphasis was placed on sustainability, reducing pollution and energy consumption. This is reflected in the materials used throughout the building particularly for the curtain wall and choice of mechanical, electrical and plumbing equipment.”

He said that the structure would be reinforced concrete secant diaphragm wall and cast in situ bored piles with ground beams substructure carrying a reinforced concrete frame (columns and beams), shear walls and solid slab construction. The ground and first floors houses the reception and retail banking units while the second to 13th floors will house offices, technical rooms and other staff facilities. The 14th floor is the executive floor while the roof houses the balance of the building services. Four lifts and two staircases service the floors. A fifth lift is dedicated to the car park.

The exterior of the building is clad in a combination of composite aluminium panels on insulated walls and high performance solar glazing / spandrel panels (double glazing). Office floors will have raised floors to accommodate cables. Suspended ceilings are in acoustic metal panels. Offices will be partitioned using frameless glazing panels and plasterboard sheets. Walls will generally be tiled or painted. Interior design is based on the clients ‘general Offices Workplace Standards –version III, which demands great attention to detail while ensuring a superlative working environment.

Among the projected services are sanitary, hot and cold water, drainage, central air conditioning, raw and clean power, IT, lighting, fire-fighting, CCTV etc all linked to a central Building Management System that is located in the sub-basement. The building also harbours service yard for generators and diesel storage, rain water harvesting, sewage treatment plant, garden to plant rare plant species, fence upgrade, gate houses, roads & paving, lighting, CCTV and drainage.

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Source: The Guardian