Construction World September 2015

PROJECTS AND CONTRACTS

ABUJA’S JABI LAKE MALL Jabi Lake Mall is a two-level shopping centre in Abuja, Nigeria on a spectacular site at the edge of a lake. The main entrance features a striking triple volume metaphor for a tree as a focal point and traditional gathering point. >

Jabi Lake Mall will offer 27 000m 2 GLA on completion. Designed by South African architectural practice MDS Architecture for London-based developer Actis, the design is a contemporary take on the concept of a gathering place. Donald McGillivray, the partner heading up the project, says that the shopping centre is one component of an overall master development for the lake which includes a hotel, office buildings and residential apartments. ”The shopping centre is the catalyst for the initiation of the rest of the development. For this reason, a lakeside boardwalk has been incor- porated in the shopping centre design. All the restaurants, cafés and children’s play area face the public boardwalk,” he says. Construction started in January 2014 and the shopping centre is due to be opened to the public in October 2016. The entrance into Jabi Lake Mall is a double volume space, with the tree extending through both levels. A leaf floor patterns has been incorporated into the floor at the ground floor entrance, as if the tree has shed its leaves. The building is two-fronted onto the main

road as well as onto the lake.The interior features floor patterns which evoke typical West African patterns. The muted colour palette has been achieved with water tones and natural materials for serenity. The entrance court is also the main promo- tional court. It echoes the lake through a chan- delier which features bubble-like spheres. Yet, the entrance court offers quite a departure through vibrant colours, in contrast with the muted colour palette elsewhere in the shopping centre. Leaf patterned lighting has been used, as well as bulkhead lighting, recessed lighting and natural light through clerestorey windows.

Jabi Lake Mall will feature water harvesting facilities and insulated walls and roofs. Glazing is properly shaded for greater energy efficiency. Water and sewer treatment plants are part of the design. In addition, recycled, sustainable and locally available materials are being used on the building.

Professional team • Client: Actis (London) • Development manager: Laurus Development Partners (Nigeria) • Architect: MDS Architecture (SA) • Structural engineer: L&S Consulting (SA) • Mechanical engineer, electrical engineer, plumbing & lighting consultant: Chapman BDSP (London) • Main contractor: Bouygues Construction (Nigeria)

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CONSTRUCTION WORLD SEPTEMBER 2015