NEXUS 77 – A Skyward Symphony of Commerce, Hospitality and Urban Flow

Khulna University of Engineering & Technology

Project idea

The concept behind NEXUS 77 project is the creation of a 77-storey mixed use tower in the city of Khulna in Bangladesh, which will be a sustainable "Vertical Ecosystem". The tower is designed to address the challenges of urbanization and population growth in the city, while also providing a sustainable and efficient way to manage urban space. The design rises upward to respond to the need for commercial, recreational and public spaces, while maintaining the surrounding fertile lands while reducing the environmental impact. The core of this idea is the fusion of the tropical climate, eco-friendly living and local culture. This is especially highlighted by the biomimetic kinetic façade of the building inspired by the fluid movements of the Rupsha river and the traditional Bengali textile patterns. Overall, it is an adaptive structure that responds to the environment's changes, such as sunlight, wind, and rain, forming a dynamic representation of the vitality, growth, and adaptability of Khulna.

Project description

NEXUS 77 is strategically planned at Khulna Kacha Bazar, beside New Market in Sonadanga, the heart of Khulna city, taking advantage of the prime transportation access and commercial activities. The building itself has been divided for a variety of public and private uses in its 77 stores:
1.The Podium: The bottom of the tower becomes an active, commercial ground-level space bringing the public closer to the tower's size. It contains retail shops, gaming areas and food courts (such as Level 4). It also has a cantilever roof for shaded pedestrian spaces to accommodate the tropical climate.
2.Mid-Levels (Hospitality): It's a combination of private luxury and public civic engagement, with the sky gardens, public lounges and observation decks.
3.Upper Levels (Commercial): The upper levels are broken up into four areas of flexible, natural-light focused offices.
4.The Crown: At the very top of the skyscraper will be a helipad, a sky deck, and two levels of observatory decks to provide a sweeping view of the city.
5.Core Facilities: The central core features the technical infrastructure such as fire stairs, toilets and lifts, which are divided into five categories according to their functions, including service core, hotel core, and express core.

Technical information

Its structural and environmental engineering has been particularly engineered to withstand the harsh weather in the area, including cyclones.

Aerodynamic Design: The bottom of the building is twisted 120° to the top, which effectively reduces the wind loads on the building by 24%.

Hybrid Structural System: A combination of elements was used to resist both the lateral load (wind or seismic) and vertical load.
1.Primary load path is through a core of a central shear wall system.
2.There are eight exposed mega columns used, each of which can support load more than 100,000 kN.
3.To help direct lateral forces through the core to the mega columns and to minimize building sway, the outriggers are steel composite double-height structures installed.
4.The outrigger levels have belt trusses around the perimeter that tie the mega columns together, adding to the overall stiffness.

Dynamic Outer Skin: Perforated panels and movable louvers are the material used for the outer skin, which changes its appearance in response to sun, wind and rain to maximize natural ventilation and minimize heat gain. The double-scene glass facade is also used to achieve thermal insulation, condensation prevention and reduce energy costs in the humid climate.

Sustainable Technologies: The tower features renewable and sustainable technologies such as ventilating openings with built-in solar panels, a comprehensive rainwater collection system, and a water reuse system for wastewater. In addition, vertical gardens are appear in every floor, increasing the quality of the air and reducing the urban heat island effect.