The building was designed and built around the LEED green building program framework, with Prodesign Engineering Consultants Ltd as the LEED BD+C: NC consultant, taking the lead role in the overall LEED design, management and documentation. For Prodesign’s Director, Mr Vikramsing Bhujun, this comes as another great achievement, “PwC Centre being the first LEED v4 – certified building in Mauritius and the first building in Moka Smart City.”

The site selection and positioning of the building were determined after a proper risk assessment, while encouraging public transportation, and earmarking preferred parking spaces for fuel efficient and low emission vehicles and for those participating in car sharing. Bicycle racks for the equivalent of 5% of building occupants have also been included. The project consists of adequate outdoor spaces with low water-requirement native plants, contributing to the biodiversity while reducing irrigation demand. The overall water consumption was reduced by an impressive 54%. The building’s energy performance has been greatly optimised, with Prodesign carrying out advanced energy modelling and using dynamic simulation tools from the outset of the project, so that the architectural and building services elements could be enhanced during the conceptual and detailed design phases. Building fabric with low thermal transmittance like ‘eco block’ and high-performance glazing have been selected to subsequently decrease cooling demand of the building.

Extensive simulations were done to determine the most optimal envelope characteristics, with the right balance between performance and cost.

Local and regionally sourced materials were favoured. High efficiency lighting fixtures and a VRF HVAC system with inverter technology have been installed to further reduce energy consumption. Throughout the building, the use of daylight was maximised, and all these measures have resulted in an outstanding energy savings of 32% over the ASHRAE 90.1 baseline, and even more when compared to Mauritius benchmark. When addressing the preservation of the ozone layer, non-CFC refrigerants have been chosen. The overall result is a highly efficient office building that has minimal impact on the environment.

SERVICES PROVIDED:

• Foul drainage above and below ground
• Plumbing installation and cold water supply
• Firefighting services
• Air conditioning system
• Sprinkler system
• General ventilation and extraction
• Toilet ventilation
• Electricity generation plant
• Low voltage distribution system
• UPS
• External & emergency lighting
• Earthing, bonding
• Lightning protection
• Telecommunications and data
• CCTV, access control, security detection and alarm system
• Lift system