The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority paves the way for sustainable building in the increasingly “green” emirate.
Although green building codes have existed in the United States, Australia and elsewhere for a while, the same phenomenon has only recently been adopted in the Middle East. Israel’s first eco-tower aspires to incorporate, and Intel has already achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) principles. The western codes are voluntary, but Abu Dhabi’s municipality established its own green building code in May this year called the Pearl Building Rating System (PBRS) for Estidama. As of this month, by executive order, all new public buildings must achieve at least one pearl while government buildings must achieve two of five possible pearls.
The pearls refer to different pillars of sustainable building:
“The PBRS encourages water, energy and waste minimization, local material use and aims to improve supply chains for sustainable and recycled materials and products,” according to the Estidama website.
However, the Abu Dhabi paper Khaleej Times reports that the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) has taken their new building to a higher standard.
Instead of shooting for only two pearls as required, the Shaikh Zayed Museum in Al Ain Park is expected to achieve all five pearls.
“The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority’s new building, now under construction in the capital, will be the first ‘green building’ in the emirate adhering 100 per cent to the green building codes,” according to the paper.
Pearly matrix:
Green building codes are designed to demonstrate that it is possible to build sustainably without going bankrupt, and impressive buildings throughout the world are sprouting up that have sourced their materials locally, and used passive design and recycled water to drive down energy and water consumption.
That a government entity in Abu Dhabi is taking the lead and pursuing the highest possible standard will hopefully empower future developers to follow suit.
“There are a large number of buildings and establishments which have already started implementing green building standards in the emirate,” the paper reports.
More architecture and urban news:
New Design Approved For Jerusalem’s Giant Glass Museum Of Tolerance
Artocos: Architectural “Musical” Activism in Dubai
Mud Structures in the Muslim World: Spectacular And Sustainable
image via Михал Орела
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.
as an architect practicing and teaching ecological/green architecture,and as a neighbor in the middle east with its extreme climates,please receive my congratulations for your project initiative and the pretty green standard of your country!
Thanks Carrie!
Very interesting article. Giving pearls to green building is good idea.
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