Case study: Luanda Sky Centre, Angola

Orlando Crowcroft , August 25th, 2010

Designer: Risco
Location: Angola

The Project

Portuguese firm Risco architects have designed two towers to form part of a significant development in Angola’s capital city of Luanda. Work has begun on Sky Residence II – a 22-storey residential tower – and Risco is also behind the design for the adjacent Sky Business Tower, which will provide offices for local and international companies.

The Concept

Risco managing director Tomás Salgado said it was crucial that the towers fit in with their surroundings, and included public space and open areas. “It’s easy to open a magazine and see beautiful tall towers and large scale buildings, it’s not as easy to find projects where buildings and public space merge together,” he said. Sustainability has also been an important consideration, in light of Angola’s harsh climate.

The Details

Salgado explained that attitudes to public space in developing cities like Luanda are different to in Europe. “In terms of urban planning Luanda is a very weird city, the notion is very new. The city is developing very fast and it’s almost all through private investment. Because of this, not much thought has been put into how developments fit together,” he said.

Risco has designed the facades of the buildings to have two layers, increasing the cooling capability of the building. By increasing the perimeter and creating bumps on the facades, natural light within the apartments is enhanced and sea views are increased by 80%.

Salgado explained that building in Angola is relatively easy. “It is pretty much like anywhere else. Staff are imported from abroad and competent, materials are all imported and techniques are the same,” he said. “Of course we have to avoid designs that require for more artisanal craftsmanship. And we have to keep things simple because all shipments take ages to be unloaded at the harbour.”