Structural
Two existing concrete framed office structures in the V&A Waterfront underwent extensive structural alterations to allow for their conversion into a 5-star boutique hotel. The innovative structural design created a central atrium between these two existing structures for the entire height of the hotel. The atrium includes two levels of suspended walkways, a concrete spiral staircase, a structural steel and glass lift shaft, and a roof structure.
Mechanical
The HVAC system incorporates two water chillers that recover the heat, which is normally ejected into the atmosphere during the cooling cycle, and use this heat to generate hot water. When air conditioning is not required, the chiller will operate as a heat pump and generate hot water at one-third of the cost of using conventional electric water heaters. A guaranteed hot water supply is provided by three separate means of generating hot water – two independent heat recovery chillers and electrical backup elements in the 4000-litre hot water storage tanks.