HUB 40 9

Architects 49 Limited is an architectural firm whose Data Driven Design vision manifests itself in buildings which exude personality and improve the lives of its users and the surrounding community. Forty years of design experience and analysis has resulted in a trove of data which can be applied to create further sustainable designs. A timber warehouse adjacent to the existing office building was repurposed to accommodate the growing number of staff and increasingly diverse function requirements into the future. The original structure was preserved, and a new building shell was designed for energy efficiency with the aim to achieve Net Zero in the near future. The HUB 40 9 design incorporates a versatile layout that allows for multiple uses. In addition to functioning as a communal area for gatherings, conversations, relaxation, or meals, the 1st floor can also be transformed into a space that accommodates large numbers of attendees for company events or activities. An open floor plan with free columns on the 2nd floor is designed as a daily workspace, featuring high ceilings, and ample natural lighting. This flexible space can be easily adapted to host exhibitions, allowing for freedom in arranging displays. The design flexibility of HUB 40 9 enables the building to serve diverse purposes across its different floor levels, catering to various needs from daily office use to hosting large events or exhibitions. In terms of energy efficiency, HUB 40 9 is designed to be a living lab space that showcases passive and sustainable design in action. The orientation of the structure exposes the length of the building to solar radiation throughout the day all year round. This issue was countered by designing a well-insulated building shell and selecting materials that reduce heat retention, such as Isowall, PIR foam, and double glazing with air gaps. Air-tight interiors also prevent leakage of cool air, thus reducing air conditioning energy consumption. Solar cells on the roof harvest this solar energy, providing electricity. A design dashboard monitors the post-occupancy efficiency of the design, providing data to assess the actualization of sustainable design simulations.