A Dubai neighborhood that is undergoing a dedicated urban densification plan, Al Quoz may have recently welcomed the first “largest LEED Platinum Government Building,” but it won’t be the last to claim this distinction.
“Sustainable Building” is the new 340, 000 square foot headquarters for a branch of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) and reportedly the first in the United Arab Emirates to have achieved LEED Platinum, reports Khaleej Times.
“The Dewa Sustainable Building achieved 98 out of 110 points,” the paper quotes HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Dewa MD and CEO who added:
The building is now the largest government building in the world with a Platinum rating for green buildings from the LEED, the US Green Building Council institute, which has a set of rating criteria for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings, homes and neighbourhoods in the world.
Despite this small typo, the building has some noteworthy credentials. Using advanced technology akin to that used in similar buildings throughout the globe to promote energy conservation, including automated LED lighting, low energy cooling systems, and natural ventilation.
Cutting down water waste was integral to the overall design. According to the paper, Dewa cut their water use by 36 percent – in part by recycling grey water and using only low-flow toilets and urinals.
There are even bike tracks for up to five percent of the people using the building even though – particularly during summer months – one would be hard pressed to see many cyclists on the hectic roads of Dubai.
But sure, they have the option. Employs also have the option to get the best parking spots if they drive a low emissions or low-fuel vehicle, which may start to become considered the “cool thing to do,” but we think it could go either way for people who don’t need to save their parents’ money.
Part of the energy required to run the massive building is provided by an on site 660kW solar system, a green roof provides additional insulation, and the campus boasts an advanced waste recycling program – at least in theory.
The building was inaugurated last week with a whole entourage of Emirati officials in attendance, and accommodates 1,000 employees.
Author: Tafline Laylin
As a tour leader who led “eco-friendly” camping trips throughout North America, Tafline soon realized that she was instead leaving behind a trail of gas fumes, plastic bottles and Pringles. In fact, wherever she traveled – whether it was Viet Nam or South Africa or England – it became clear how inefficiently the mandate to re-think our consumer culture is reaching the general public. Born in Iran, raised in South Africa and the United States, she currently splits her time between Africa and the Middle East. Tafline can be reached at tafline (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
