One Airport Square

Setting new standards for sustainable developments in West Africa

We brought our international expertise and local market knowledge to bear on this highly complex project, supporting our client to achieve its ambitious goal to deliver one of Ghana's most eco-friendly developments.

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One Airport Square Project summary

Client

Laurus Development Partners

Location

Accra, Ghana

Key partners

Mario Cucinella Architects, Aecom, BDSP Partnership

Services provided

Project and programme management, Consult

Sectors

Offices, Retail, Commercial

Locations

Sub-Saharan Africa

Project timeline

Start date
April 2012
End date
February 2015
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Project story

Our appointment to One Airport Square saw the completion of the first green star rated commercial building in West Africa and Accra's premier corporate address. The project also helped cement our reputation in Sub-Saharan Africa as a company that has delivered some of the most complex and technically challenging projects in the region.

The developer, Laurus Development Partners' had originally planned to project manage the scheme, but due to its complexity they appointed us to manage the project from design through to construction and final handover, working closely with the client.

We brought a high level of expertise and attention to detail to the project, using our experience of high-end developments and employing creative solutions to all project management and construction challenges, including managing the complex logistical and design challenges for the build.

By bringing together the numerous contractors, partners and the client, we ensured the delivery of not only an exemplar development, but one that was delivered safely and to the highest levels of sustainability.

Project stats

2,500 sq m of retail space
30-40% estimated energy reductions
£21m reduction in cost through value engineering

Points of note

A sustainable structure

We brought our environmental expertise to the project to ensure that One Airport Square incorporated the highest standards of sustainability, deploying cutting edge technology to save power and water, earning the development Ghana’s first Green Star rating 4 certification (equivalent to the UK's BREEAM assessment). This forward-thinking approach to office development is a real first for the region and is one we are proud to have delivered.

Focus on quality

We maintained a focus on quality throughout the project by employing design mock-ups, close team collaboration and frequent inspections. We also ensured that high safety standards were implemented and regularly monitored to minimise risks to workers on site.

Deploying creative approaches to address challenges

We first undertook a thorough audit of the project, contracts and programme to help clarify roles, processes and deliverables. This process gave us clear sight of the key construction challenges ahead, such as the striking reinforced concrete diagonal grids on the front of the building.

Planning for a complex delivery

Many of the materials for the project had to be imported from outside of Ghana, which meant that the team had to carefully plan the logistics for the build as lead times for delivery were long and had to be carefully synchronised with procurement. We worked closely with our client and the professional services team to ensure that we had the right materials on site at the right time in the construction programme.

“This has been a hugely challenging, but incredibly rewarding, project for us to work on. Achieving the completion of the highly complex structure on One Airport Square has significantly escalated the profile and competency of Mace as a valuable partner of choice within this developing market.”

Nick Demain Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, Mace

“This is a major milestone for us. People said it could not be done in Ghana and today, 26 days ahead of schedule, we have all proved them wrong, and we wouldn't have been able to achieve this without Mace's expertise and support.”

Carlo Matta Chief Executive, Laurus Development Partners

Tags:

project and programme management consultancy retail offices

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