BUSI N ESS
WORDS PANGEA
OFFICES OF TOMORROW
PANGEA IS THE LATEST CREATION BY MIZZI ESTATES – OFFERING AN EXPERIENCE THAT STIMULATES THE SENSES, NURTURES CREATIVITY AND CULTIVATES THOUGHT. PANGEA is Mizzi Estates’ latest addition to its office space portfolio
floors with natural light for most parts of the day. Having over
– and this is no ordinary office block, says General Manager
4,000 individual plants, the green wall is equipped with an
Kevin Muscat. Realising Pangea has been “one whole challenging
automatic irrigation system, comprising a series of electro-
experience”, he continues on with the aim to create a space
mechanical valves, pipes and pumps. The pots have been
that embraces strong green credentials at its core. More than an
engineered for the plants to be irrigated by a cascading flow
abstract concept or cliché, the creation of a green environment was
of water behind them, so that each one can absorb just the
seen in both the literal sense, by designing a pleasant and dynamic
right amount of water, with any surplus being drained and
office environment through in-depth analysis of visual impact and
reused by the rows beneath. “The system is testament to how
aesthetics, form and function; as well as in the wider context of
principles of energy reduction, water conservation and reuse
achieving high environmental performance through the reduction
and aesthetic beauty may coexist to create a harmonious and
of the buildings carbon footprint and waste, and implementing
comfortable environment,” Muscat maintains.
water conservation technologies. Muscat and director Chris Mizzi share a common ethos in creating best-of-class properties
The garden wall is also aimed at providing a passive means
that embrace the key principles of sustainability, efficiency and
for controlling humidity levels within the building. It has been
conservation. “Indeed, our aim is to deliver projects of high
scientifically proven that exposure to greenery is also related to a
standard and quality. However, we always make sure they also
reduction in stress and anxiety, with a consequent improvement in
make a statement and go a step further – possibly beyond what the
well-being and productivity of employees.
market is accustomed to delivering.” Being aware of the building sector’s contribution to nearly 40 per Pangea was no exception to this vision. An engineer by profession,
cent of global CO2 emissions, Muscat highlights how he and his
specialised in environmental management, Muscat explains
project team ensured that all the mechanical and electrical systems
that since the project’s inception and within the early design
installed meet the highest standards and performance ratings.
stages, his in-house team of architects and interior designers,
The block is backed-up by two standby generators offering
together with leading architectural consultants at Edwin Mintoff
electric power redundancy to all the building’s systems and
Architects, set a design strategy to develop a green building. With
infrastructure, including air-conditioning units. The building is
this ethos at heart, Mizzi Estates, which forms part of the Mizzi
served by top-of-the-range Otis® elevators, and a fully-fledged,
Organisation, undertook what turned out to be the greatest design
wet fire protection system is installed on all office levels, while each
and engineering feat of this development – the installation of an
server, electrical and telecoms room have been equipped with gas
eight-storey, 25-metre-high natural garden wall, the tallest of
extinguishing systems.
its kind on the island. Covering an area of more than 100 square metres, the feature brings the property to life and instills emotions
Through all stages of the process in realizing Pangea, Mizzi Estates
of serenity, calm and peace. “The idea is to take work environments
valued the importance of having smart installations in its plant
to a whole new level by transforming the notion of being in a mere
and utility areas as much as it valued aesthetics and comfort in the
state of physical presence in a workspace into an experience that
office and recreational spaces.
is continually stimulating the senses, nurturing creativity and cultivating thoughts,” Muscat says.
Offices’ security has been another key element which has been given due importance – which is why Pangea features high-tech
The green wall has been installed in a light-well – which in itself
CCTV surveillance, intruder alarm, video hall porter, access control
is a key feature of the entire office block, flooding each of its
and turnstile entry systems.
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