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AML Corporate Office
J&A Architects Ltd - Mauritius
Media
Drawings, plans, elevations
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The building comprises seven levels with a gross floor area of 5,000m². Conceptually, both the new offices and passenger terminal are inscribed diametrically opposite, into a circle which establishes an invisible but strong link on the airport compound. The building is like a control tower monitoring airport activities afar. The concept and massing expresses the fluidity of passenger movements and dynamism associated with airports. Curved and sloping wing walls relate to the passenger terminal, which optimizes wind penetration. The landscape has been designed to complement the building form and foster fresh air movements. Its field of photo-voltaic panels and reflective roof add to sustainable design. The South-East and North-West orientation maximises large glazing along the South-Eastern façade, where offices are located and shielded from glare by the cantilevered beams. Additionally, sensor driven dampers have been introduced to regulate natural ventilation and air conditioning with respect to external climatic conditions. The North-Western façade comprising of services has minimal openings, acting as a buffer zone protecting the building from scorching North-West sun. Moreover, the louvres along the façade take advantage of the pressure differential between the front and back to accelerate cross ventilation. The extended wing walls increase the catchment area of the wind and force it into the sensor driven front façade louvres. The atrium acting as a light well draws light into the building core and internal offices, which also works as a temperature regulating body with louvres on the roof and a smoke reservoir in case of fire. Its field of photo-voltaic panels adds to the sustainability of the building. External platforms in expanded GMS extend between curved beams and building has been provided along the curvilinear glazing to be used as Building Maintenance Unit. The main entrance drop-off area celebrates exposed concrete with a translucent polycarbonate canopy, opening on a frame-less glazed door into the building. The latter is enveloped with a blend of elastomeric coatings, timber composite panels and aluminium claddings along the North-Western façade. The South-Eastern façade has been treated with a combination of solar reflective glazing and aluminium and timber composite claddings. It is crowned with a light weight steel truss in white enamel finish which gives the roof a floating effect and ties it to the architectural vocabulary of the airport terminal. The interiors are contemporary. Glass walls and balustrades again emphasize the airport vocabulary, with the main circulation spine gallery depicting the Mauritian Aviation History. The internal partitioning is a mixture of gypsum boards with glazed screen along corridors. Walls have been enhanced with travertine, glass and timber cladding, textured paint, perforated stainless steel and aluminium panelling. Light design has been fully exploited in both the interior and exterior. A halo blue light, symbolising the company emblem enhances the wing walls. The ring beams, cladded in aluminium composite panels is accentuated with a curvilinear LED strip. The LED lighting is picked up again in the oval shaped atrium at each level and is used as feature elements on the executive floors and waiting areas.
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