A comprehensive HVAC and Fire Safety system installation for the new multi-level 'Ideas by Gul Ahmed' flagship experience store in Lahore. The project was engineered to deliver superior indoor climate control and air quality for an enhanced customer experience, while seamlessly integrating all life safety systems to be both effective and aesthetically unobtrusive within a high-end retail environment.
Client
Ideas by Gul Ahmed
Location
Lahore, Pakistan
Year
2024
A Complex Engineering Puzzle
The primary challenge was designing an HVAC system that could handle the significant and highly variable thermal loads generated by extensive architectural lighting, large glass facades, and high, fluctuating customer density. A key architectural demand was that all MEP components—such as air diffusers, smoke detectors, and sprinkler heads—be concealed or aesthetically integrated to preserve the store's clean, premium, and minimalist interior design.
Innovative & Efficient
We implemented a high-efficiency, multi-zoned Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) system to provide precise and independent temperature control across different sections of the store, from the expansive main floors to individual fitting rooms. To meet the aesthetic requirements, we utilized concealed ducted fan coil units paired with minimalist linear slot air diffusers that blend into the ceiling. For fire safety, a fully addressable fire alarm system was installed using low-profile, flush-mounted smoke detectors. The fire suppression system features concealed pendant sprinklers designed to sit flush with the ceiling, ensuring they do not detract from the store's sophisticated ambiance.
Key Project Outcomes
Improved customer comfort and dwell time by maintaining a consistent, pleasant ambient temperature regardless of store traffic or external weather.
Reduced monthly energy expenditure by 30% compared to a conventional chiller system, thanks to the VRF system's superior part-load efficiency.
Successfully preserved the architect's interior design vision by seamlessly integrating all visible MEP components into the store's aesthetic.
Achieved 100% compliance with the Building Code of Pakistan (Fire Safety Provisions) for large-scale retail environments.
“The ambiance and comfort of our flagship store are central to the 'Ideas' brand experience. Their team delivered a technically superior solution that operates invisibly in the background. They perfectly understood our need for a system that was both powerful and discreet, and the execution was flawless.”
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