Exim Tower, giving refreshing look to Dar skyline

THE Exim tower whose construction is shaping Dar es Salaam’s rapidly changing skyline is nearing completion. The development property is designed to offer top of the range office accommodation for the rapidly growing city. The project site is ideally situated at the heart of the city center adjacent to the headquarter building of the Ministry of Home Affairs and has a unique design with projecting terraces that give the building a distinctive profile. Its unique design has already turned the building into a landmark along Ghana Avenue where it is holding its own against such names as Barclays house, PPF Tower, International house and the Movenpick Hotel. In order to exploit the space between existing buildings, the tower is positioned out of kilter to the city’s grid, thus pronouncing its presence along the street’s front. The design and the positioning of the building will afford tenants a commanding view of the Indian Ocean and the surrounding landscape. The Exim tower development will introduce a profusion of greenery to its surroundings. The entire expanse of the site is treated as one giant canvas upon which the landscape designers are creating a tropical environment, which will no doubt positively impact on the area’s microclimate. Large sculptural tropical foliage will be introduced to each floor to literally create hanging gardens. The building’s street front will have a 30.5 meter water cascade which flows into 160-square meter water body. The water feature is a unique mark for the building with an almost refreshing resonance for passersby, visitors and tenants. Parking space has been provided for in three locations with the basement having 18 bays, while a dedicated parking area for the building across the street has a capacity for thirty-seven vehicles. The entrance to the main tower lobby is dominated by a large suspended canopy forming a Porte cohere for the building. Access to the lower is articulated by a large volume, air-conditioned lobby space of 70 sqm. The tower is served by high speed elevators which reduces waiting time. The elegance of the tower is further enhanced by fibre optic signage, woven into the façade mesh, in addition to prominent signage at the street level. The building is fully secured by an automated, centrally monitored security system. The ground floor will be occupied by the project’s client, Exim Bank Tanzania Limited. A high-tech banking hall, as well as two other floors in the building will serve as the bank’s headquarters.

The facade of the Exin Tower buildiung which is in final touches in Dar es Salaam.

The unique design of the building is the terrace which have been designed as spaces for social meetings and discussions. Tenants will have an ample time to enjoy a double height (7m high), open to sky terrace of 50 sqm. They are timber decked spacers, with soft landscape and large trees with glass balustrades to provide maximum openness to view the ocean and the greenery of the grounds below. These terraces are key in projecting the green ethos of Exim Towers. On its completion each floor will be having additional service ducts to enable the inclusion of executive restrooms or larger IT rooms. Service walkways outside the widows meanwhile allow for easy maintenance. Natural light penetration is enhanced by the full height glazing that creates a bright, open workplace while minimizing artificial lighting and hence reducing the energy load. Air-conditioning and climate control will be provided to the office areas by a centralized chilled water cooling system. Roof mounted, air-cooled chillers will chill the water to be circulated to each floor through steel pipe-work and fittings. The building will be provided with cold and hot water services. The main water storage tank will be located in the basement from which the water will be pumped to a water storage tank on the roof.. From the roof tank, the cold water services will serve the restroom area on each floor. An electrically operating water heater will generate hot water which will be channeled to all hot water taps in the building. Each water will be provided with a distribution board that will receive power from the main distribution panel in the basement. Separate metering will enable each floor to be billed individually.

The Exim Tower buiulding as it looks on the other side of it

Cabling for power and lighting will be distributed around the office are by a trucking system located under the floor, in the skirting and the false ceiling. Emergency exit lights with battery backup are placed at points to exit to illuminate the areas in the event of loss of main power. The stairs will feature wall-mounted lights with integral battery packs for continued illumination in the event of loss of main power. A network of trucking under floor in the skirting and above the false ceiling will be provided as distribution routes to all areas. Face plates will be provided at various locations for the termination of data and telephone cabling. The entire building will be protected by the installation of a fully automatic addressable fire detection system. This will comprise a network of smoke detectors, heat detectors, manual call points and sounders linked to the main fire alarm panel located in the manager’s office in the basement floor. A repeater fire alarm panel will be provided at the reception area ion the ground floor. There will be four means of fire fighting installation namely, sprinkler installation, Wet riser installation, Hose reel installation and the installation of hand heat fire extinguishers.