Overview
Our Client, the African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIMBANK) is a Pan-African Multilateral financial institution established in 1993, by African Governments, African private and institutional investors as well as non-African financial institutions and private investors.
The Harare Trade Center is 1 of 9 that will be built accross Africa in the comming years, with the intention of financing, promoting and expanding intra-African and extra-African Trade.
Nine leading commercial cities were selected to host the network of AATCs across Africa and the Caribbean. They include Abuja (Nigeria), Harare (Zimbabwe), Kampala (Uganda), Cairo (Egypt), Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire), Yaoundé (Cameroon), Kigali (Rwanda), Tunis (Tunisia) and Bridgetown (Barbados).
Following the global design concept from SVA, APS were appointed as project specific Architects for the design and construction of Afreximbank's Headquarters in Harare, Zimbabwe.
The Harare Afreximbank Africa Trade Centre (HAATC) is a collection of buildings, consisting of an 11 floor (118 room) hotel, 8 floor office block and 2 floor conference and exhibition centre, all clustered around a sheltered public space, that is partly internal and partly external in nature.
The interelationships between the different buildings and the interactions between diverse tenants and guests, within the main public space, makes the scheme unique locally and regionally.
The covered square or street, is envisioned as 'the heart' of the scheme, and a conceptual microcosm of the larger Trade Centre, providing a regional ‘melting pot’ for trade, business, accomodation and ideas exchange, allowing people from different back grounds the opportunity to comfortably network and socialise in a spectacular triple volume space.
The raw and honest use of locally available face brick and concrete, reflect the resouces of the region and its people. This is contrasted against the contemporary use of steel, glass and aluminium which make reference to projected ambition in a regional and global economic market.
The architectural aesthetic is informed by dominant 'V' columns, dynamic cantilevering forms, horizontal feathered lines, and projecting facades, reminiscent of a bird poised for flight.
The AATCH aspires to achieve a five (5) star rating with Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA). This project will be the first project in Zimbabwe to be formally assessed by GBCSA.
Sustainable innovations across the project include:
- Rock store cooling HVAC to conference centre.
- Natural ventilation and cooling to basement.
- Natural ventilation and cooling to offices.
- High performance double glazing to o?ces, hotel and conference center.
- Storm water attenuation prior to discharge to municipal stormwater drainage.
- Grey water treatment prior to use for garden irrigation and toilet flushing.
- Sewerage / Black water treatment prior to discharge to sewer also used for irrigation and toilet flushing.
- Low flow / volume water fixtures and fittings in sanitary ware.
- Low energy LED lights throughout.
- Provision for future electric car charging stations.
Construction is underway and it is anticipated that completion will be in late 2026.