The award to design Masdar‘s new super-green headquarters in Abu Dhabi has been given to Brookfield Multiplex, the group announced recently. The Australian firm was awarded the contract to design and construct the seven story building in the Gulf nation, which will feature a whopping 344,445 square feet of interior space and a massive rooftop photovoltaic system that will make oil fields weep.
Although the new headquarters will be the heart of the Masdar City complex, which includes the growing Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (MIST), the building will also host a series of other international corporate and organizational giants, including Siemens and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
In fact, IRENA played a role in ensuring that the building meets its renewable energy standards. In addition to the 10.764 square foot rooftop solar array, the building will be constructed with many locally-sourced materials such as low-carbon cement, recycled steel, high recycled content aluminum and sustainably-sourced timber.
“It is only fitting that the headquarters of IRENA, dedicated to the sustainable use of renewable energy, be located in one of the most sustainable buildings in the world,” said director-general Adnan Amin.
Given the harsh environmental context, water conservation was a crucial aspect of this design, which Masdar has covered with a 50% reduction in water consumption.
Keen to cement its reputation as a leader in green building, renewable energy and clean technology, Masdar is shooting to attain four out of five pearls under the Estidama Pearl Rating system.
“We remain committed to the growth of Masdar City as a technology cluster, enabling companies to set up Middle East operations to support the achievement of regional renewable energy targets and the development of clean technologies,” said CEO and MD Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber.
Our exclusive images of Masdar’s early stages were a huge hit among readers around the world who are eager to watch the future developments of what the Middle East’s most sustainable city. We expect the next round to do just as well.
Construction is expected to be completed in 2014.
Image via Brookfield Multiplex
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.
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