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African Union Headquarters
African Union Headquarters and Conference Complex
Building
Completed
2011
Office
All-Concrete
117.7 m / 386 ft
22
604
13
2.5 m/s
21,261 m² / 228,851 ft²
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Proposed
Construction Start
Completed
Usually involved in the front end design, with a "typical" condition being that of a leadership role through either Schematic Design or Design Development, and then a monitoring role through the CD and CA phases.
The Design Engineer is usually involved in the front end design, typically taking the leadership role in the Schematic Design and Design Development, and then a monitoring role through the CD and CA phases.
The Design Engineer is usually involved in the front end design, typically taking the leadership role in the Schematic Design and Design Development, and then a monitoring role through the CD and CA phases.
The main contractor is the supervisory contractor of all construction work on a project, management of sub-contractors and vendors, etc. May be referred to as "Construction Manager," however, for consistency CTBUH uses the term "Main Contractor" exclusively.
You must be a CTBUH Member to view this resource.
Usually involved in the front end design, with a "typical" condition being that of a leadership role through either Schematic Design or Design Development, and then a monitoring role through the CD and CA phases.
The Design Engineer is usually involved in the front end design, typically taking the leadership role in the Schematic Design and Design Development, and then a monitoring role through the CD and CA phases.
The Design Engineer is usually involved in the front end design, typically taking the leadership role in the Schematic Design and Design Development, and then a monitoring role through the CD and CA phases.
The CTBUH lists a project manager when a specific firm has been commissioned to oversee this aspect of a tall building’s design/construction. When the project management efforts are handled by the developer, main contract, or architect, this field will be omitted.
The main contractor is the supervisory contractor of all construction work on a project, management of sub-contractors and vendors, etc. May be referred to as "Construction Manager," however, for consistency CTBUH uses the term "Main Contractor" exclusively.
2021 CTBUH Awards
The building was designed to be an icon of the African Union’s progression, symbolizing the stabilization, rejuvenation, and peace of the united continent. The Grand Conference Hall’s ellipsoidal volume was placed in the center of the complex as a prominent feature, emphasizing the importance of inclusion and communication.
The connection to African culture was important in the character of materials and spaces; stone and wood cladding was used for public areas and daylighting was prioritized. Exterior vertical shading fins were incorporated into the tower façade to reduce solar gain, and natural ventilation is provided in the main meeting spaces to minimize reliance on air conditioning. In the tower, double-height atria were placed at the center of the layout along the northwest façade with operable windows to facilitate natural ventilation. Lastly, a garden was created between the old and new African Union buildings to host indigenous plants from each country.
2021 CTBUH Awards
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