As green building and sustainable design are now top priorities on the construction sector?s agenda in Gulf , here are the few prominent , environmentally friendly projects in the Gulf:
TCI:(The Change Initiative) is a 4,000-square-metre shop that provides sustainable solutions in Dubai. It has secured the highest LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum rating from the US Green Building Council (GBC), a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting sustainable buildings worldwide. The Change Initiative, a UAE-based sustainability venture, has been awarded the world?s highest scoring LEED Platinum certification, making it the most sustainable building in the world. TCI achieved 107 points out of 110, making it the most sustainable commercial building in the world. The record was previously held by Pixel, a four-level building in Australia, with 105 points. TCI has 26 technologies, including solar panels and heat-reflective paint, on its roof that provides 40 per cent of the building?s energy requirements. Its outer structure has insulation three times more than that of a normal building all its windows have heat-reflective films water in the building is re-used and recycled and most of the materials used for the building?s interiors are recycled. This high LEED Platinum rating is not the first in Dubai, which is also home to the Dewa (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) Sustainable Building, the largest government building in the world with 98 out of 110 points. Pacific Controls Headquarters Leed rating: Platinum
In 2007, the Pacific Controls Headquarters based in Techno Park, Dubai became the first Platinum rated building in the Middle East and the 16th in the world for achieving 55 Leed points. The 11,000m? 5-storey, green building focuses on developing automation solutions and products for global markets. Some of the green features of the building include soil erosion measures, water efficient equipment and solar-thermal air conditioning for fresh air requirements. High-efficiency chillers, solar photovoltaic for building lighting have also been used, as well as materials with high recycled content. Abn Amro Bank Interior Works Project
Leeds rating: Gold
In December last year, Abn Amro Bank, was declared as a Leed Gold certified building. The bank is located in Dubai Outsource Zone and is a commercial interiors development, which includes call centres and offices. A number of aspects lead to the certification such as the eco-friendly, recycled materials selection segregation and recycling of waste during operations, recycling and diversion of 75% construction waste from landfill daylight control and 100% covered car parking.
Metito Headquarters
Leeds rating: Gold
Metito is an international company specialised in the design and supply of water and waste water treatment. In 2007, Metito?s headquarters in Technopark, Dubai was certified as the first green building in the Middle East to receive the Gold Leed after having met green building standards, such as sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality. District Cooling Chiller Plant
Leeds rating: Gold
Wafi City?s district cooling plant received the Leeds Gold certification from the US Green Building Council in 2006. The utility building had already achieved the Silver Award the previous year but applied to be upgraded soon after. The project was short of a few minor points, which were mainly administrative, but after documents were gathered to prove certain green initiatives the development was accredited with the desired award. The plant utilises energy-efficient chillers and environment-friendly refrigerants and the habitable area of the automated plant has waterless urinals, water-based paints and other green features. Dubai International Academic City – Phase 3
Leed rating: Silver
The phase three complex at Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) has become the first certified academic facility in the Middle East. The DIAC, the world?s only free zone dedicated to higher education and a member of Tecom investments, earned Silver Leed certification in June this year and is expected to save approximately US $626,000 (AED2.3 million) per year from reduced energy costs, cooling demand, irrigation water costs, sewage tanker and domestic water costs. Phase three comprises four academic buildings and a food court spread over a built area of 55,741m? Its green features include heat recovery wheels, enhanced levels of insulation, optimisation of fresh air through variable speed drives, recessed windows, and low lighting power densities. How points are distributed according to Leed 2009:
Energy and atmosphere - 17 points
Achieve points by: Optimising energy performance. Indoor environmental quality - 15 points
Achieve points by: Monitoring outdoor air delivery control indoor chemicals and pollutants and increase ventilation in the building. Sustainable sites - 14 points
Achieve points by: Providing public transportation access offering pollution prevention plans reducing light pollution. Materials and resources - 13 points
Achieve points by: Reusing building materials recycle construction waste and manufacture materials within 500 miles of the building site. Water efficiency - 5 points
Achieve points by: Using innovative wastewater technologies and reducing water use. Innovation and design process - 5 points
Achieve points by: Have a Leed Accredited Professional as a principal participant on the project. Additional points for this category are awarded above and beyond 64 points.
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