A bespoke, 'invisible' HVAC and Fire Safety installation for the ALIEL architectural concept store. The project was driven by a strict architectural mandate for a completely minimalist aesthetic, requiring all MEP systems to be fully integrated and concealed within the building's fabric to create an uninterrupted, gallery-like space.
Client
ALIEL
Location
Islamabad, Pakistan
Year
2024
A Complex Engineering Puzzle
The challenge was purely aesthetic and technical: how to provide powerful, effective climate control and compliant fire safety for a double-height space with polished concrete surfaces and no traditional ceiling voids, without any visible hardware. Every diffuser, detector, and sprinkler had to be re-imagined to disappear into the architectural finishes.
Innovative & Efficient
We used a combination of an underfloor air distribution (UFAD) system for the ground level and custom plaster-in linear slot diffusers for the mezzanine, fed by a remote, acoustically-treated VRF system. For fire detection, we used an aspirating smoke detection (ASD) system with capillary tubes hidden in wall joints, making it invisible. Fire suppression was handled by concealed sidewall sprinklers that are hidden behind a cover plate matched to the wall finish, ensuring the space remains visually pure.
Key Project Outcomes
Achieved a 100% concealed MEP installation, preserving the stark, architectural integrity of the space.
Provided a unique and comfortable thermal environment using an innovative underfloor air distribution system.
Delivered a fully compliant, highly sensitive fire detection and suppression system with zero aesthetic compromise.
Engineered a silent, draft-free environment that enhances the luxury, gallery-like shopping experience.
“Our store is a piece of architecture. We could not allow any visible technical elements to compromise the design. Their engineering was an art form; they found innovative ways to hide everything. The result is a space that breathes comfort and safety, without a single vent or detector in sight.”
Project Gallery
