Reaching new heights

ONE Limassol

Limassol, Cyprus

Europe’s tallest residential seafront tower, ONE Limassol is a landmark building for Cyprus.

Our client, Pafilia Property Developers, is a pioneer in the country’s real estate sector. With ONE Limassol, the company aspires to redefine the skyline with a building that is double the height of any other structure in the city, and realise an architectural masterpiece that sets the benchmark for future luxury development.

We used our international engineering experience and the local resources available to deliver a landmark development for Cyprus

Our energy specialists used a thermal model to advocate passive design strategies

55% of units sold within one year of launch

Challenge

We encountered several challenges on this project. These included achieving our client’s ambitious vision while adhering to local building constraints, and delivering cost effective engineering to minimise the solar impact of the hot Mediterranean climate.

Solution

Combining significant tall buildings experience gained on projects around the world with knowledge from previous work in the immediate region, the Buro Happold team was able to align our client’s aims with the local resources available and develop efficient engineering solutions. For example, our structural engineers simplified the tower’s geometry down to a series of flat elements to avoid costly and complicated 3D formwork, without compromising the architect’s vision.

Our energy specialists built a thermal model of the building to enable them to demonstrate to the architect and facade consultant how sustainable, passive design strategies could be used to reduce solar gain. As a result, shading louvers and balconies have been incorporated, which will improve interior comfort levels while reducing the need for mechanical plant and ultimately lowering running costs.

Taking cost effective design one step further, our MEP engineers proposed the use of a centralised, combined heating, cooling and hot water generation solution that takes advantage of both heat and cooling recovery to increase the energy efficiency of the building. It also eliminated the requirement for unsightly condensing units on the apartment balconies.

Value

Our experts combined their international experience with local skills and technologies to provide solutions that are both viable and elegant. With 55% of units sold within one year of the project launching, there is no doubt ONE Limassol is set to be another success story for Pafilia.