tomorrow’s
world
design analysis
Eastern Star
Rising to a height of 260 metres, Centaurus will be “We also recommended a combined heat and power system
Islamabad’s first skyscraper and the tallest building for the hotel, and the use of waste heat to both heat and cool
in Pakistan. the buildings,” says Paul Medhurst, project manager with
Inspiration for Centaurus came from its location at the Atkins. “This is an iconic signature building for Islamabad
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foothills of the Himalayas. “The contours of the Margala and puts the capital firmly on the world map.”
Hills are reflected in the long, sloping roof,” says Hakim
Khennouchi, design director with Atkins. “This connects
up the different components of the project, extending from
the mall, over an external plaza, to become the roof of the
five-star deluxe hotel.”
It was Atkins’ reputation for creating landmark buildings
that led the client to seek its expertise on the Centaurus project.
They wanted a building that would break the mould for more
than height alone.
Combining a 36-floor hotel, three 23-floor residential and
office towers and a five-storey shopping mall, Centaurus is a
multifunctional building on a scale not yet seen in Pakistan.
Centaurus also incorporates various features aimed at
Crystal Clear
resource efficiency – design elements not normally found in as part of the Carbon
Critical design approach
Pakistan. For example, while it can rain heavily in Islamabad, used in Centaurus, local
materials were used for
water shortages are common, so as well as rainwater interior finishes, along
with shading devices
harvesting, Atkins proposed greywater recycling to provide to reduce the heat gain
and high performance glass.
treated water for landscaping, sprinklers and the toilets.
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