General Article

International Journal of Sustainable Building Technology and Urban Development. 31 December 2018. 239-257
https://doi.org/10.22712/susb.20180023

ABSTRACT


MAIN

  • Introduction

  • Methodology of the research

  • Office buildings in Cairo historical background

  •   Office buildings in Cairo from 1976-1986

  •   Office buildings in Cairo from 1986-present

  • Office buildings in Cairo samples

  •   The development of office buildings design in Cairo

  •   The development of office buildings envelope design in Cairo

  • Recommendations

  •   General recommendations concerning the office buildings design

  •   General recommendations concerning the office buildings Envelope

  • Conclusion

Introduction

The Egyptian building stock encompasses about 12 million buildings, nearly 60% of buildings are residential, and 40% are commercial [1], Figure 1. The Commercial sector, which includes office, retail and education is the fastest growing segment. Office buildings in Cairo has witnessed an undeniable growth in numbers, and sizes. The concept of office buildings as known nowadays is defined as spaces in which organizational or administrative work is done by users of a certain organization or employees, to support the work of this organization or company. Thus, the main purpose of office buildings is to provide the work place and environment for workers.

The office building design has gone through many influences that reshaped its concept globally. These influences affected the office buildings in many stages and formulated new design standards; including architecture plan, building envelope, safety and security, mechanical and natural lighting/ventilation integration, building materials, structural design, modules, and site selection. Nowadays the majority of office buildings design follows special standards either architectural or environmental standards to enhance the productivity of employees and the reputation of the organization [2], illustrated in Figure 2, general office building design standards according to Europe.

http://static.apub.kr/journalsite/sites/durabi/2018-009-04/N0300090405/images/susb_09_04_05_F1.jpg
Figure 1.

Building stock patterns in Egypt 2018 [1].

http://static.apub.kr/journalsite/sites/durabi/2018-009-04/N0300090405/images/susb_09_04_05_F2.jpg
Figure 2.

General design standards of office buildings nowadays [2].

Methodology of the research

A historical background of office buildings in Cairo was analyzed to conclude the impetus for its design development and how it affected the envelope design. This is accomplished through the comparative analysis of office samples built in Cairo since 1948 until 2016 on a time-line. Illustrating how this development affected the Buildings’ Envelope Design Major Variables (Form/Shape, Building Materials, Colors and Textures, and Envelope Green features). To conclude the pros and cons of this development and general recommendations for improvements. See Figure 3.

http://static.apub.kr/journalsite/sites/durabi/2018-009-04/N0300090405/images/susb_09_04_05_F3.jpg
Figure 3.

The methodology of the research.

Office buildings in Cairo historical background

Office buildings concept that is known in Cairo nowadays has not been identified since the beginning of the twentieth century. By the beginning of the twentieth century and the presence of different constitutions; the necessity of having office spaces triggered. No functionally office buildings were constructed; thus, other building types were transformed into office buildings, i.e. factory halls and old residential buildings. Modifications had to be made to match the new function, which had its drawbacks on health conditions, waste in space, disrupted circulations, and lighting issues. This affected the process of work and the abilities of employees to work and to be productive. The design of public buildings in the beginning of the twentieth century was controlled by foreign architects; the architecture in Egypt at that time was a combination of English, French, Italian, Belgium and Egyptian architecture. After the World War I, the Egyptian architects have returned from abroad after finishing their postgraduate studies. By the return of the Egyptian architects, a new Egyptian architecture era started.

Several office buildings have been already completed by that time, characterized by simplicity and pure geometrical forms. But all these offices were cellular office spaces (i.e. in which each individual office space is separated using walls, partitions and doors), not open space plans (i.e. in which multiple workstations are located in the same space and not separated or separated using light partitions) as common nowadays. One of the first office buildings was designed by “Aly Labib Gabr” after his return from abroad is the (Misr weaving and textile company office building), and (Misr insurance company office building) designed by “Mahmoud Ryad” in 1948 [3], located in El-Tawfeekya, which is now Misr petroleum company headquarters, its plan was a triangular shape plan, see Figure 4 and Figure 5.

Later “Abu Bakr Khairat completed his famous (Mobile building) in 1958 [4] located in garden city. The plan was (T) shape with one of its wings curved with the side facing the Nile, it was cellular spaces plan design, as illustrated in Figure 6 and Figure 7. And (Al-Ahram) office building designed by “Naoum Shebib” in 1968 [4] located in Al-Galaa street in the down town, see Figure 8.

http://static.apub.kr/journalsite/sites/durabi/2018-009-04/N0300090405/images/susb_09_04_05_F4.jpg
Figure 4.

Misr insurance company office building designed by Mahmoud Ryad in 1948.

http://static.apub.kr/journalsite/sites/durabi/2018-009-04/N0300090405/images/susb_09_04_05_F5.jpg
Figure 5.

Misr insurance company office building, cellular units plan.

http://static.apub.kr/journalsite/sites/durabi/2018-009-04/N0300090405/images/susb_09_04_05_F6.jpg
Figure 6.

Mobil office building designed by Abu Bakr Khairat in 1958 [5].

http://static.apub.kr/journalsite/sites/durabi/2018-009-04/N0300090405/images/susb_09_04_05_F7.jpg
Figure 7.

Mobil office building (T) shape, illustrating cellular units plan [6].

http://static.apub.kr/journalsite/sites/durabi/2018-009-04/N0300090405/images/susb_09_04_05_F8.jpg
Figure 8.

Al-Ahram office building designed by “Naoum Shebib” in 1968 [7].

Office buildings in Cairo from 1976-1986

Starting from 1976 a new design for office buildings started in Cairo, which has been already known all over the world for many years before [8]. These were office buildings designed for rent with the most advanced facilities and services, i.e. air conditioned, interior false ceiling, using aluminum curtain walls, private parking areas, security system, fire alarm system, telex and facilities, which were totally new for the Egyptian market. This type of building met success and the demand for such types was increasing. By 1980, changes occurred in the Egyptian investment market, the price was high for the Egyptian investment companies and banks to rent or buy spaces within these office buildings that are already constructed. By the end of 1980, several buildings were already under construction and had to be finished to avoid extra costs, an example of such buildings is “the Nile tower” office building (1980-1982) and “Cairo plaza” office building (1979-1983) which has been upgraded concerning structural, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC repair, in addition to applying new cladding to the external envelope [8] as shown in Figure 9, Figure 10, and Figure 11.Most of the buildings during this period were designed by foreign architects or consultant firms.

http://static.apub.kr/journalsite/sites/durabi/2018-009-04/N0300090405/images/susb_09_04_05_F9.jpg
Figure 9.

Cairo plaza towers before applying new cladding [9].

http://static.apub.kr/journalsite/sites/durabi/2018-009-04/N0300090405/images/susb_09_04_05_F10.jpg
Figure 10.

Cairo plaza towers with the new cladding [10].

http://static.apub.kr/journalsite/sites/durabi/2018-009-04/N0300090405/images/susb_09_04_05_F11.jpg
Figure 11.

Cairo plaza tower typical floor plan, illustrating open-space design [6].

Office buildings in Cairo from 1986-present

Due to the increase in prices of the energy and electricity, research started to focus on how to optimize the energy consumption in buildings, and due to the growth in public awareness of climate change and the need to reduce GHG emissions, there is a rapid level of acceptance of green building practices worldwide and consequently in Egypt as well; there has been an increase in the numbers of buildings that have registered green building rating systems such as “LEED”. In Egypt, there are 15 buildings that acquired LEED certifications since (2007-2016) excluding LEED-EBOM, and 26 buildings registered to different programs, including one building registered for LEED v4 O+M EB in New Cairo [11]. In Cairo, there are 10 LEED certified projects, the first LEED certified office buildings in Egypt; is the “HSBC Bank” located in the smart village - Cairo Alexandria desert road, which has been awarded LEED NC 2.2 – Gold in 2010 [12], see Figure 12. While the latest LEED certified office building is “The Egyptian Mud Engineering and Chemicals Company - EMEC headquarters” located in El-Shorouk city, which has been awarded LEED NC 2009 in 2018 [12], see Figure 13.

http://static.apub.kr/journalsite/sites/durabi/2018-009-04/N0300090405/images/susb_09_04_05_F12.jpg
Figure 12.

First LEED certified Office building in Cairo: HSBC Bank headquarters [15].

http://static.apub.kr/journalsite/sites/durabi/2018-009-04/N0300090405/images/susb_09_04_05_F13.jpg
Figure 13.

Latest LEED certified Office building in Cairo: New EMEC headquarters [16].

In the light of the awareness of sustainable development in Egypt, the Housing and Building National Research Center (HBRC) has developed a national green building rating system, which is the “Green Pyramid Rating System – GPRS” first edition in 2010 [13] for buildings’ certification. “GPRS” can redefine the design of projects in Egypt. The system is composed of seven rating categories: Sustainable Site, Accessibility and Design Quality, Energy Efficiency, Water Efficiency, Building Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, Management, Innovation and added value, with different weights for each category.

As a result; Since 2010, After the first LEED building in Cairo had been certified, and after the “GPRS” had been introduced; office buildings’ owners concerned about enhancing the green image of their companies and reputation through applying innovative environmental solutions or features to their buildings, especially the buildings’ envelope, i.e. applying live green wall like the case of “CIB Bank branch” located in corniche El Nil، Qasr El-Nile, Cairo Governorate. See Figure 14 and Figure 15.

http://static.apub.kr/journalsite/sites/durabi/2018-009-04/N0300090405/images/susb_09_04_05_F14.jpg
Figure 14.

CIB bank Qasr El-Nile branch entrance [17].

http://static.apub.kr/journalsite/sites/durabi/2018-009-04/N0300090405/images/susb_09_04_05_F15.jpg
Figure 15.

Live green wall installed to the envelope, considered as a new feature introduced to the office buildings envelope in Cairo. [17].

Another remarkable example, the first “GPRS” certified, that implemented environmental solutions to its envelope is “CIB BANK EGYPT- smart village branch”, designed by Architect Mohamed El Sokkary, Illustrated in Figure 16, This building introduced another layer to the envelope that act as an external shed to avoid heat gain as well as a living green wall, see Figure 17. It also installed building integrated photovoltaic cell “BIPV” to the external envelope layer of the building (Custom made Glass-Glass Solar modules 295Wp, 13mm thickness, 64kg), the project was delivered in January, 2016 [14], illustrated in Figure 18 and Figure 19.

http://static.apub.kr/journalsite/sites/durabi/2018-009-04/N0300090405/images/susb_09_04_05_F16.jpg
Figure 16.

First GPRS certified bank in Cairo: CIB bank building, Smart village branch. [18].

http://static.apub.kr/journalsite/sites/durabi/2018-009-04/N0300090405/images/susb_09_04_05_F17.jpg
Figure 17.

External shed with patterns and living green wall, considered as a new feature introduced to the office building.

http://static.apub.kr/journalsite/sites/durabi/2018-009-04/N0300090405/images/susb_09_04_05_F18.jpg
Figure 18.

BIPV installed in the envelope view from the roof [19].

http://static.apub.kr/journalsite/sites/durabi/2018-009-04/N0300090405/images/susb_09_04_05_F19.jpg
Figure 19.

BIPV installed in the external envelope layer. [20].

On the other hand, the majority of office buildings are built introducing the highly glazed facades with poor shading elements, so that there is an increased risk of thermal overheating concerning environmental aspects, see Figure 20 and Figure 21.

Thus, the main impetus for design development of office buildings and external envelope in Cairo can be classified into: technological/technical, environmental, socio-cultural, and functional as illustrated in Figure 22. These impetuses affected the element/features of the design of the external envelope concerning the form, colors/textures, building materials, and systems.

http://static.apub.kr/journalsite/sites/durabi/2018-009-04/N0300090405/images/susb_09_04_05_F20.jpg
Figure 20.

238 office building in New Cairo [20].

http://static.apub.kr/journalsite/sites/durabi/2018-009-04/N0300090405/images/susb_09_04_05_F21.jpg
Figure 21.

238 office typical floor plan, illustrating open- space design. [20].

http://static.apub.kr/journalsite/sites/durabi/2018-009-04/N0300090405/images/susb_09_04_05_F22.jpg
Figure 22.

Impetus for office buildings and external envelope design development.

Office buildings in Cairo samples

The following office buildings illustrated in Table 1, are selected samples, built in different periods from 1948 to 2016, and represent the common trend of the period they are built in, built and designed by famous architects or consulting firms, in addition they represent a turning point based on introducing new features or acquiring green certifications i.e. LEED and GPRS. These are analyzed through a comparative analysis illustrating; (Architects/ Designer/Consultancy Firm, Owner/Client, Year of construction, Address, Architecture Style, Description, Envelope Design, Envelope Green Strategies/ Technologies applied). To conclude the changes in the major envelope variables that affected the design of office buildings external envelope in Cairo.

The office buildings study samples are represented on the time-line illustrated in Figure 23, to show how the office buildings design was developed and how it affected the external envelope design, starting with “Misr insurance company” constructed in 1948, and ending with “CIB bank building – smart village” constructed in 2016. The development of office buildings, and the external envelope design is analyzed in Table 2, and Table 3.

Based on the selected samples, and based on Figure 23, and Figure 24., the following can be concluded:

- The majority of office buildings constructed in Cairo up to 83% follow modern style architecture (i.e. characteristics: simple plain forms, clean lines, no ornaments, transparency, use of industrial materials and factory-made parts). While only 17% follow the post-modern style (i.e. characteristics: curved and sculptural forms, abstract ornaments and features, asymmetry).

- Application of green strategies/technologies to the building envelope is available, but in the majority of office buildings it is a single strategy/technology only, like external shading or double glazing.

- Aluminum curtain walls/Glazing are used instead of brick walls and paint and aluminum windows in the external envelope due to its lightness, this is evidence that the design is influenced by the international architectural style (which is closely related to modern architecture style) which applies glazing and transparency.

- The design of office buildings in Cairo is not exclusive to Egyptian architects only, but foreign ones are participating.

- In Figure 25, the changes and developments in the major variables of building envelope design are illustrated based on the longitudinal analysis.

Table 1. Review of office buildings samples constructed in Cairo

Building
Samples
Misr insurance
company
Mobil office
building
El Nasr company
building
Office building
inAbd-ElKhalik Tharwat st.
Abou El
Fida tower
Project
picture(s)
http://static.apub.kr/journalsite/sites/durabi/2018-009-04/N0300090405/images/susb_09_04_05_F26a.jpg
Architects/
Consultancy Firm
Arch. Mahmoud
Ryad
Arch. Abu Bakr
Khairat
Arch. Mohamed
Ramzy Omar
Egyptian Group for
Planning and Architecture
Garves company
The English Lander
company
Owner /Client Misr insurance
company
Mobile Company El Nasr company - Egypt company for real
estate investment
Year of construction 1948 1958 1964 1978 1981
Address El-Tawfeekya
- Down town
Garden city Talaat Harb street
/ Cairo.
Abd-ElKhalik Tharwat
street / Cairo
Abou el Feda street
in Zamalek
Architecture Style Post Modern Style Post Modern Style Post Modern Style Modern Style Modern Style
Building Samples Misr insurance company Mobil office building El Nasr company
building
Office building inAbd-
ElKhalik Tharwat st.
Abou El
Fida tower
Description Ground+ first+5
typical floors
Ground floor+9
Typical floors
12 floors building. 11 floors building. One floor basement
+ one ground floor
+ mezzanine+ 15 typical floors.
Envelope DesignFenestration Sliding aluminum windows
-transparent-single glazing
with wooden external blinds
3 sliding aluminum windows
-transparent- single glazing
4 sliding aluminum
window panes,
transparent single glazing.
Single glazed Curtain
wall with
transparent glass in the
middle of
each floor and beige
colored in front
of the concrete slabs.
Single glazing reflective
cyan windows.
Opaque Brick wall with plaster
and paint.
Black marble cladding
at the first floor
Brick wall with plaster
and paint.
Brick wall with plaster
and paint.
None Beige artificial stone
plaster
Envelope Green Strategies/
Technologies
External blinds act as shading
devices at the windows
Vertical louvres at
equal distances
all over the facades
None None None
Building
Samples
Cairo plaza
towers
Jack Company IFG Hermis office
building
Ahmed Attya For
Contracting building
The General Union of
Egyptian Chambers of
Commerce
Project picture(s)http://static.apub.kr/journalsite/sites/durabi/2018-009-04/N0300090405/images/susb_09_04_05_F27a.jpg
Architects/
Consultancy Firm
Foreign architecture
company
Arch. Helmy Saad. - - Prof.Dr. Abdel Baki
Ibrahim & Partners
Owner /Client National bank of Egypt Jack company IFG Company Ahmed Attya For
Contracting
The General Union
of Egyptian Chambers
of Commerce
Year of construction 1983 1991 1998 2000 2008
Address Nile cornice/Maspero Nasr Street / Cairo EL-Tahrir street
/Dokki / Cairo
Dokki / Agouza / Cairo -
Architecture Style Modern Style Modern Style Modern Style Modern Style Modern Style
Building Samples Cairo plaza towers Jack Company IFG Hermis office
building
Ahmed Attya For
Contracting building
The General Union of
Egyptian Chambers of
Commerce
Description The project consists
of 2 towers
- 38 typical floors each.
7 floors building Ground floor +
8 floors building
A high-rise tower with
aluminum columns at the base.
A Ground floor +
7 typical floors.
Envelope DesignFenestration Upgraded to Aluminum
curtain
walls with reflective
blue glass.
Double paned
structure glazing
with reflective layer.
Reflective double black
structure glazing.
Glass panes expand to the
whole floor height.
Reflective double
structure glazing with
operable windows
at the floors.
Single reflective
structure glazing
with operable windows
Opaque Aluminum cladding,
at the ground floor
Brick wall with plaster
and paint.
None Ground floor only:
Brick wall
with plaster and paint.
None Grey Aluminum Cladding
Envelope Green Strategies/
Technologies
-Glazed elevations
allow natural
lighting inside the office.
-High-tech curtain glazing.
Double glazing reduces
noise and energy loss.
Double glazing reduces
noise and energy loss.
Double glazing reduces
noise and energy loss.
None
Building Samples ECG headquarters,
smart village
HSBC Bank headquarters UNESCO and The
National Egyptian
committee Regional
Headquarters
Dar Al-Handasah
in smart village
Project picture(s)http://static.apub.kr/journalsite/sites/durabi/2018-009-04/N0300090405/images/susb_09_04_05_F28a.jpg
Architects/
Consultancy Firm
ECG- Engineering
Consultant Group
Archimid Architects, Egypt. Prof.Dr. Abdel Baki
Ibrahim & Partners
Perkins and Will architects
Owner /Client ECG- Engineering
Consultant Group
HSBC bank Ministry of Housing,
Utilities,
and Urban Development
Dar Al-Handasa group
Year of construction 2009 2010 2011 2014
Address Smart Village -
Cairo Alexandria road
Smart Village -
Cairo Alexandria road
- Smart Village -
Cairo Alexandria road
Architecture Style Modern Style Modern Style Modern style Modern style
Building Samples ECG headquarters,
smart village
HSBC Bank headquarters UNESCO and The National
Egyptian committee Regional
Headquarters
Dar Al-Handasah
in smart village
Description 2 basement + four
typical floors
2 basements + Ground
floor + 3 typical floors
Basement floor, Ground
floor and 2 floors
2 basements + Ground
floor + 5 typical floors
Envelope DesignFenestration Double high-tech
Structural glazing
-Double high-tech
reflective glazing.
Single reflective
structure glazing with
operable windows
-high-tech glazing
-water wall system
Opaque aluminum cladding + White
artificial stone plaster
White artificial
stone plaster
Aluminum Cladding/
Marble cladding
-white metal louvres
as shading system.
-White artificial
stone plaster
Envelope Green
Strategies/
Technologies
Double glazing reduces
noise and energy loss.
-Glazed elevations
allow natural lighting
Steel shading elements
-Double glazing reduces
noise and energy loss.
-Glazed elevations allow
natural lighting.
-Atrium enhances daylighting
through clerestory windows.
None -Vertical shading
system and atrium
-A six-story water wall
cools the space through
evapotranspiration [21].
-Glazed elevations allow
natural lighting inside.
-Gold LEED certified.
Building Samples GAFI Main Administrative
Building
238 office building CIB Bank- smart village
Project picture(s)http://static.apub.kr/journalsite/sites/durabi/2018-009-04/N0300090405/images/susb_09_04_05_F29a.jpg
Architects/
Consultancy Firm
Prof.Dr. Abdel Baki
Ibrahim & Partners
Design &
Build Bureau
Architect Mohamed
El Sokkary
Owner /Client General Authority
for Investment (GAFI)
Not specified
(A rental office space)
CIB bank
Year of construction 2015 2016 2016
Address Nasr City / Cairo Second District, North
Teseen St., New Cairo City
Smart Village -
Cairo Alexandria road
Architecture Style Modern style Modern style Modern style
Description Ground floor + 5 typical floors -8-story building
-The first 3 floors are
for commercial use.
-the next top 5 floors
are office spaces.
2 basements + 3 typical
floors + roof garden.
Building Samples GAFI Main Administrative
Building
238 office building CIB Bank- smart village
Envelope DesignFenestration Single reflective structure
glazing with operable windows
-First 3 floors: transparent single
glazing 6mm with no thermal break.
-Top 5 floors: reflective blue
single glazing with no thermal break.
Double high-tech Structural glazing
Opaque Aluminum Cladding/
Beige artificial
stone plaster
-Matt Aluminum cladding,
white and silver colors
White artificial
stone plaster
Envelope Green
Strategies/ Technologies
None None Double glazing reduces
noise and energy loss.
-Glazed elevations
allow natural lighting
External envelope layer that
acts as a shading layer.
Living green walls
BIPV in the external envelope

http://static.apub.kr/journalsite/sites/durabi/2018-009-04/N0300090405/images/susb_09_04_05_F23.jpg
Figure 23.

Time-line showing office buildings in Cairo/Egypt design development, the first LEED certified building was constructed in 2010, and the First GPRS certified building in 2016.

http://static.apub.kr/journalsite/sites/durabi/2018-009-04/N0300090405/images/susb_09_04_05_F24.jpg
Figure 24.

Office buildings in Cairo samples analysis to identify the (architecture style – application of envelope green technologies/strategies - applying curtain walls/glazing – local/foreign designer).

http://static.apub.kr/journalsite/sites/durabi/2018-009-04/N0300090405/images/susb_09_04_05_F25.jpg
Figure 25.

Building envelope design major variables.

The development of office buildings design in Cairo

Table 2 summarizes the development of office buildings’ design in Cairo, since the beginning of the 20th century until present, based on the longitudinal analysis of the selected samples.

Table 2. Office buildings design development analysis in Cairo

Office buildings design development in Cairo
Beginning of 20th century-1976 1976 - present
- The concept of office buildings didn't exist
- Other building types were transferred into office
spaces (i.e. residential buildings)
- Drawbacks in design existed due to modifications applies
to buildings of other types, i.e. waste of spaces.
- The design was controlled by foreign architects at the
beginning of 20th century, After the World War I,
Egyptian architects were involved.
- Office building design was characterized
by simplicity and pure forms
- Office buildings were cellular office spaces
- Limited facilities existed in office buildings
- Office spaces limited to the building or the company owner.
- The office building height was limited.
- No internal courts are integrated into the building design.
- The concept of office building existed and spread widely
with new design standards introduced
- The building is designed and constructed as an office
building in the design stage.
- The design fulfills the function of the building
- The design is controlled by different architects, companies either
Egyptian, international, or multi-national.
- Office building design has more complex forms.
- Office buildings are open space plans
- Advanced facilities exist in office buildings (i.e. security system,
fire alarm system, internet, telecom system)
- Different companies, free lancers, and banks can rent or
buy the office spaces.
- The office building design is expanded to new standards
other than architectural standards, like environmental
and urban standards.
- Office buildings can register to acquire
environmental certificates like (LEED).
- Design of office buildings can be an architectural competition
topic to make an iconic and unique building that reflects
the companies' reputation.
- Design changed to integrated facilities like central air condition,
interior false ceiling, using aluminum curtain walls,
private parking areas.
- The heights of the office building increased in an obvious
way and the towers/ skyscrapers are widely spread.
- Internal courts may be integrated in the design to enhance
natural lighting into office spaces

The development of office buildings envelope design in Cairo

Table 3 summarizes the development of office building envelope design in Cairo, since the beginning of the 20th century until present, based on the longitudinal analysis of the selected samples.

Table 3. Office buildings envelope design development analysis in Cairo

Office buildings envelope design development in Cairo
Beginning of 20th century-1976 1976 - present
External Walls - The opaque parts of the office envelope were mainly
brick with plaster and paint.
- Windows framing was wooden, timber,
or aluminum framed windows.
- The glazing used was single glazing
- No high-tech glazing was used
- The envelope wasn't completely curtain
wall or structural glazed.
- Architects kept a reasonable window
to wall ratio (WWR).
- By the beginning of 1976, using aluminum curtain
walls was introduced which was imported.
- New cladding materials and methods are used,
i.e. aluminum - granite - marble cladding, and GRC.
- Systematic design of highly glazed facades
with poor shadings was common.
- Windows framing is made of aluminum, PVC, UPVC,
and other light materials.
- The glazing can be single, double, triple glazing.
- High-tech glazing is introduced i.e. Low-e glazing
specially for LEED registered buildings
- Windows could be integrated in the glazed
facade or separated.
- New materials and systems can be introduced
i.e. double skin facade.
- Green walls can be used as vertical facades.
Roofs - Roofs are constructed from concrete with heat
and humidity insulation layers
- Roofs were horizontal in office buildings.
- Roofs are constructed from concrete with heat
and humidity insulation layers
- new technologies to enhance the thermal and
the humidity performance are introduced.
- New materials are used in the roof,
i.e. Polyurethane Foam
- New environmental techniques can be used
in the building's roof,
i.e. cool roof, green roof.
- Roofs' construction may integrate sky-lights
made of polycarbonate, or acrylic.
- Roofs can be horizontal or inclined
according to the design.

Recommendations

The following are general set of recommendations to enhance the quality of office buildings design in Cairo concerning the general design and the envelope design.

General recommendations concerning the office buildings design

- Office buildings design should follow the Egyptian code for Improving energy efficiency in buildings – commercial building- and fulfill the envelope design requirements concerning environmental standards in Cairo.

- Office building design must utilize strategies and features to enhance the productivity of workers, health, and satisfaction; such as increased fresh air ventilation, access to windows and views, control the intermediate environment for employees, and allow the daylighting inside all the working spaces.

- All the technical/technological systems i.e. cables, visual systems, and local area network [LAN] should be identified during the design stage.

- Monitoring systems should be utilized in the buildings systems to enhance the energy efficiency of the building.

- Use of open-space office plan design which is flexible [easy to furnish and divide into sub-spaces], allow interaction between employees and enhances creativity.

General recommendations concerning the office buildings Envelope

Follow the Egyptian code standards for Improving energy efficiency in buildings – commercial building- for selecting the suitable materials for opaque and fenestration parts.

Select low-e glazing units to reduce cooling loads in office buildings’ envelope.

The application of interior shading devices such as curtains helps to control glare and thermal transmittance.

High tech. glazing is not enough to reduce cooling loads; thus, integrated exterior shading shall be considered which is more effective than interior shading devices, i.e. curtains.

Overall Glazing should not be applied to all the building facades; instead, consider the suitable window to wall ratio -WWR- in each façade orientation, according to the Egyptian code standards for Improving energy efficiency in buildings.

Conclusion

- Office buildings are considered a visible index to the economic, social, and technological activities in Cairo.

- The concept of office buildings in Cairo didn’t exist until the beginning of 20th century.

- Office buildings design was cellular office space plan, but now the design is open-space plan.

- Office building design was characterized by simplicity and pure forms which is more complex now concerning plans and masses.

- New materials and systems are developed and used in the envelope design.

- Office buildings now are considered the titles of the companies and enhances its reputation.

- The progress in structural systems is reflected on the office buildings design; it allowed the adoption of tower/skyscrapers, open-space plans, and using low weight material in construction i.e. partitions, and glazing.

- There has been an upgrade which covered all the office building systems i.e. electrical, plumbing, fire alarm and firefighting systems design, data & sound network design, Computer system design, HVAC design.

- LEED registered and certified buildings encourage the use of high-tech glazing and introducing new elements to the envelope; i.e. aluminum shading elements, green walls, and water wall system that cools the space through evapotranspiration.

- Since 2010, office buildings’ owners concerned about enhancing the green image of their companies through applying innovative environmental solutions to their buildings.

- In Cairo, the office building main design trend or architectural style was developed to follow the international style; highly glazed facades to enhance transparency with poor shadings and opaque parts, ignoring orientation in Cairo, window to wall ratio (WWR), and use of low false ceilings.

- This systematic design in the majority of office building envelopes regardless the green architecture principles and environmental/climatic conditions clarified by the Egyptian code for Improving energy efficiency in buildings led to excessive use of energy and materials.

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to all who offered assistance, and comments on an earlier version of the manuscript which greatly improved the final research.

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