Caxton House, located along Kenyatta Avenue in Nairobi’s Central Business District, is a historic commercial building originally constructed in the mid-20th century—prior to the widespread adoption of mechanical cooling systems. As such, the building was designed with inherently climate-responsive features. In 2021, Caxton House underwent a significant renovation of its electrical and plumbing infrastructure. UGC was engaged to assess and guide the project toward EDGE certification, focusing on modernising systems while respecting the original structure. The project demonstrates that not only new buildings, but heritage and older buildings can also meet international green building standards. The successful certification highlights how energy and water efficiency upgrades, coupled with the reuse of core structural elements, can bring new life to older buildings in a sustainable manner.
Project Sustainability Features
- 24% energy savings, including reduced window-to-wall ratio, energy-saving bulbs (internal and external), and rooftop solar PV
- 62% water savings, using low-flow faucets, efficient dual-flush toilets, urinals, and kitchen sink fixtures
- 81% reduction in embodied carbon in materials, achieved through reuse of existing floor slabs, roof, walls, window frames, and flooring
- Annual operational CO₂ savings: 57.10 tCO₂/year
- A model for sustainable retrofit of existing urban office stock
UGC Services Provided:
- Retrofit assessment
- Energy and water modelling
- Certification documentation
Project Info
Location
- Kenyatta Avenue, Nairobi, Kenya
Square Meters
- 5,860
Completion Date
- 2022
Certification
- EDGE Final
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