Usually representing spirits, ancestors or the primordial couple, these figures were placed in shrines and treated with great respect. Through a wide range of style, scale, belief and function the couples depicted share a timeless, serene equality necessary to the continuity of their societies.

The Mauritius Commercial Bank Ebene / Jean Francois Koenig Architect

Architects: Jean Francois Koenig
Location: Quatre Bornes Mauritius
Interior Décor: Jean Francois Koenig Architects - Space Planning + Interior Design.
Project Year: 2010
Photographer: Jean Francois Koenig
Website: www.jfkoenig.com

Engineers/Specialists: Arup Sigma - Structural Engineers, Arup Sigma - Cladding Engineers, Arup Sigma - Accoustics, Audiovisual, IT, Arup Sigma / Proburo - Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing Engineers
Sustainability rated: GREEN STAR
Design status: Complete
Site area (m²): 28042
Footprint (m²): 480
GFA (m²): 10942
Density: 0.39
Building Costs: 40,000,000 EUR
Building Costs / m² GFA: 3655.639
Primary Energy (kWh/m²a) :9646
Cooling Energy (kWh/m²a): 1.52

- 25 August 2015
- Edwin Seda Kililo Mtamu
Commercial Centres , Commercial , Contemporary African Directory , Contemporary , Sustainability ,

Few projects within Mauritius pride themselves in having a keen sense of contextual performance and impact. The Mauritius Bank Building has had a marked influence, not only on The Mauritius Commercial Bank as a brand , but to the wider public of Mauritius. People have reacted very positively to the building and identify it to representing themselves . Its instantly recognisable shape has become an icon. And that can be a good feeling for any designer.

The new building is an ellipse which sits on 4 travertine clad pillars themselves resting on championship golf lawns covering the roofs of the service areas, staff canteen and kitchen. The requirement for an auditorium and lecture theatre informed the design for the need of a sloping floor generating the lower half of the elliptical shape. The upper half of the ellipse accommodates double mezzanines on both sides connecting management on the top floor with departments on the lower two floors.

The building has done well to focus on social and ethical responsibilities of the occupants in a remarkable way. By raising level of facilities available to all, including a one size for all desk, irrespective of salary structure, the architects have succeeded in creating less hierarchical working environment. The further success is seen in the open planning , naturally lit with floor to floor height glass and airy building providing excellent office working environment caring for staff and large floor plates creating easy communication between work groups with moreover last 3 floors visually connected.

The project prides itself in being the first in the southern hemisphere to be granted British Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) certification. The building was chosen to represent the best of the architecture of the continent of Africa amongst a total of 5

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