One Airport Square
Accra, Ghana
One Airport Square is a 39,500 m2 mixed use development, located in the Airport Area of Accra. The development comprises commercial office space over seven floors, coupled with retail development and exhibition space at ground level.
The building has some striking architectural features that give the development a unique look in its context. Large structural slabs project beyond the façade outline on each floor level also act as external terraces whilst providing effective horizontal shading from the tropical sun. Relatively narrow floor plates wrap themselves around an atrium, thus permitting full natural ventilation across the entire building.
ChapmanBDSP were appointed as MEP and Environmental Consultants. We undertook extensive environmental analysis to optimise the design of the overhangs at every floor level in combination with evaluating different glazed façade configurations. A total reduction of over 30% in active cooling was achieved through these passive design measures.
One Airport Square is registered to be certified as a 4-Star development under GreenStar (SA), adapted to the Ghanaian context. This will be the first Green Star certified building in Ghana.
| Location | Accra, Ghana |
| Type | New build mixed use development |
| Size/Area | 75,000 m2 |
| Our Role | Environmental Consultant |
| 1. | Natural Ventilation |
| 2. | First GreenStar certified building in Ghana |
| 3. | Facade analysis as cooling strategy |
| 4. | Reuse of rainwater and grey water |
| Client | Laurus Development Partners |
| Architect | Mario Cucinella Architetto |
| Structural Engineer | Politecnica |
| Cost Consultant | Aecom |
| Main Contractor | Micheletti |
Best Office Architecture, Africa 2012-2013. International Property Awards Africa |
"One Airport Square was determined by a work of integrated design that balances architectural and engineering considerations in order to reduce energy consumption of the building and optimize the use of natural light. The most advanced technologies are balanced with the local tradition, using the most efficient design. All of this is brings to a new idea of beauty: the ecological beauty."