Ziwira Real Estate April 2015

YOUR

April Issue 1 2015

TURN

DREAMING

INTO

YOUR

DOING

REAL ESTATE BUILDING THE FUTURE

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SUSTAINABLE

DUBAI VISION THE CITY MAKING STRIDES TO BECOME THE LEADER IN SUSTAINABILITY

Architecture

ERIC COREY: A leader of organic architecture.

Feature

SMART SKYSCRAPERS: Dubai’s Smart Skyscrapers Summit.

April Issue 1 2015 BUILDING THE FUTURE

Publisher Ziwira CEO and Founder Adam Merza adam@ziwira.com Editorial Saba Khan saba.khan@ziwira.com Nasreen Rasool nasreen.rasool@ziwira.com Zane Small zane.small@ziwira.com Marketing Nadir Khan nadir.khan@ziwira.com +971 56 7481747 Design Asif Habib asif.habib@ziwira.com Head Office Techno Hub Building, Office No. 161-162, PO Box No. 341171, Dubai Silicon Oasis, UAE. USA Office Ziwira Inc. 445 Park Avenue 9th Floor New York City New York 10022 United States of America Canada Office

APRIL 2015

EDITORIAL Welcome to the very first issue of Ziwira Real Estate & Construction. Introducing this

new magazine feels quite analogous to constructing a new edifice. Upon a significant number of days spent in planning the blueprint of the magazine, it is finally in front of us! The aim of this magazine is to spread awareness and provide green alternatives to all our readers who are interested in real estate, construction material, general industry standards, as well as business news.

As the UAE is witnessing a boom in the real estate industry offering a variety of

options, and adding to the ever increasing list of skyscrapers and augmenting the skyline, I feel it is a good time to talk about how we as responsible business own-

ers, consultants, and civilians can help save the environment and contribute towards lowering the carbon emissions which eventually promotes Global Warming.

Dubai being the center of attraction is growing by leaps and bounds, without leaving any stone unturned to make it to the top of the sustainability ladder; we found it ap-

propriate and perfect to feature it as our first cover story. In addition, on (page no.14) learn about the common challenges of green building practices, and how to over-

come them in an, exclusive chat with Mr. Saeed Alabbar, Director General, AESG, Middle East Energy and Sustainability Consulting Firm and Chairman of Emirates Green Building Council.

With ever growing losses occurring due to natural catastrophes, and subsequent

economic turbulence worldwide, extreme weather conditions continue to threaten the world infrastructure. The preeminent way to strike an equilibrium between the

growing population and its demands for property and moderating the risks of severe weather situations is through sustainable planning. EMAAR, the leaders in green

building are doing just that. To know more about their projects turn to (page no.24).

Also, gather some information about building for climate change on (page no.20)

Well if you really want to bring about change, then Ziwira’s advice is to switch to ecofriendly construction material. It is not only energy efficient but cost effective in the

long run. Read the article about Ferrock - the carbon negative cement finally availa-

ble in the market, and our story on green homes. Get an insight of how simple things

can change your energy consumption and reduce your carbon footprint considerably.

We hope you enjoy reading our launch issue. Stay tuned to read many more exciting stories.

Ziwira Inc. Toronto, Canada

© Copyright 2015 Ziwira. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication can be reproduced in

parts, stored in retrieval system or transmitted in

any form or by any means without the prior written

permission of the publisher.

Saba Khan E D I T O R

@ZIWIRA

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4

CONTENTS

DREAM

A VISION FOR YOUR LIFE

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CONTENTS

April Issue 1 2015

Architecture

54

Construction

36

Cover Story

14

Feature

28

Hotels

46

Interview

42

New Projects

10

News and Events

06 20

ERIC COREY: A leader of organic architecture.

GREEN HOMES: As the world’s non renewable energy sources see a steep depletion without any compromise in the growing industry demands, green construction becomes a sustainable option for many QATAR SUSTAINABLE WORLD CUP: Qatar pledges to ensure that the 2022 FIFA World Cup construction projects achieves world-class standards of sustainability SHEIKH ZAYED LEARNING CENTER – an inspiration

DUBAI VISION: The city making strides to become the leader in sustainability

SMART SKYSCRAPERS: Rising high, building smart and building sustainably are the key areas of focus at Dubai’s Smart Skyscrapers Summit happening in May. UNEP Report

ADRERE AMELLAL: Egypt’s Siwa Oasis transcends the conventional understanding of an eco-friendly hotel far beyond the sleek high rise that comes to mind.

AFRICA’S GREENEST HOTELS; Cape Town’s Hotel Verde finds a way to offer four star services in the most sustainable way.

JEAN- MICHAEL COUSTEAU RESORT: For positive vibes and spiritual rejuvenation!

AL ABBAR, Director General at AESG & Chairman of Emirates Green Building Council

ABRAJ MISR NEW GREEN PROJECT: The company announces EGP 4.5 billion eco-friendly project in Egypt DAMAC GOES GREEN IN STYLE: With an existing impressive portfolio DAMAC announced two major green projects to be launched soon.

Real Estate

BUILDING FOR CLIMATE CHANGE: A Report ECOFRIENDLY BUILDINGS AROUND THE WORLD: EMAAR: A closer look at one of Dubai’s leaders in Green Building and promoting sustainable practices.

FERROCK: A carbon-negative cement is finally available in the market.

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6

NEWS & EVENTS

SMART LANDSCAPE SUMMIT 2015

S

ustainable landscapes come to the fore at the third annual Middle East Smart Landscape Summit on the 28th and 29th April, 2015 in Dubai. The event is poised to attract over 400 senior level landscape architects, government authorities, urban planners, developers, environmental specialists and contractors from across the GCC, committed to sustainable development across the region. Maintaining a strong irrigation network is vital for the development of sustainable

landscape projects and with this in mind, the Dubai Municipality has earmarked over Dh6 billion towards soft landscaping and expanding the irrigation network. As a result of these major greening initiatives, there will be signiďŹ cant growth opportunities for the landscape sector in the Middle East. There is consensus that the focus needs to shift towards Smart and Innovative Ecological landscaping in order to meet the regional challenges.

CLIMATE CHANGE SNEAKS UP ON REAL ESTATE SECTOR

T

he recent heavy snow in some parts of the US caused mayhem for the real estate sector. In Boston, where 8 inches of snow was recorded, realtors had to cancel almost a month of open house viewings as a result of the weather. Those who did get to show houses were left with disappointed clients, since all they got to see was leaky ceilings and walls due to the build-up of ice. The high snow has also prevented access to homes for inspectors, leaving many houses in poor condition for sales. There was a slight drop in sales across the country in January, partly due to the weather. Some agents said their clients who had sold their properties were reluctant to move and had delayed the process because of the unfavourable conditions. The extreme weather has been linked to climate change and left even forecasters on the edge.

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ARAB FUTURE CITIES SUMMIT (AFCS)

T

he Arab Future Cities Summit took place in Doha, Qatar from April 13-14, 2015. Now in its 4th year running, the event attracted over 300 senior level executives to discuss progress, efďŹ cient management of resources, future developments and ways of making future cities work better in the Middle East.

Smart City Solutions are paramount in the region to meet the rising demand for energy and resources from a large and growing urban population. The event connects government authorities, developers, urban planners, investors, academics and technologists with the aim of integrating ICT within the infrastructure framework for more sustainable city development and enhanced quality of life.

April Issue 1 2015

23% REDUCTION IN EMISSIONS FOR TOKYO

A

TORONTO PLANS ECO-WATERFRONT

C

anada’s most populous city, Toronto, has unveiled plans to transform its waterfront into a completely eco-friendly zone within the next decade. The idea, according to property developers is to have the smallest carbon footprint possible. There are already two penthouses available, which generate hot water and electricity exclusively from the roof’s solar panels. There are 40,000 residential units planned, all of which have to abide by green building rules, which include, using sustainable construction materials and dong onsite-recycling and waste management. The final product will allow homeowners to reduce energy and water consumption. Some of the buildings will have green roofs as well as more parking spaces for bicycles and electric cars. In 2001, Waterfront Toronto set a 25-year mandate to turn 800 hectares of dry land into sustainable communities. There is optimism that this is an attainable goal, as there is increasing demand for green features amongst buyers. Four private developers who are LEED certified already have some projects in the pipeline.

fter four years of concerted efforts through the Tokyo Cap-And-Trade Program, the country has successfully reduced 23% of its Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Tokyo experienced a severe power crisis in 2011 following the Great Japan Earthquake, forcing the entire nation to commit and contribute to energy saving. The program required business and industrial facilities to reduce energy-related CO2 emissions by 8% and 6% respectively over a 5-year period. In the second phase, which will span over the next 5 years, these GHG emission obligations will increase to 17% for businesses and 15% for industrial facilities. The achievement so far has been largely attributed to additional green building measures such as LED installations, high efficiency air conditioning and energy saving techniques. Officials say energy saving has now become part of the business environment for many.

NEW FOCUS ON GREEN DEVELOPMENT

B

oth new and old construction sites in Navi Mumbai will be adopting environmentally-friendly features and work codes.

This comes with the launch of the new ecocity cell by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation, which aims to preserve the city’s ecological balance. The municipality will be collaborating with The Energy and Resource Institute to integrate green technology in daily activities. According to the new recommendations, all new buildings will be encouraged to use eco-friendly practices while existing constructions will introduce more sustainable methods such as rainwater harvesting and solar heating. The civic body will also be launching a help-line number where residents can call and receive advice on how to implement changes. Navi Mumbai is a planned township of Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

QATAR GBC’S ANNUAL CONFERENCE

T

he Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC) will hold its first annual conference on April 27 and 28, 2015 in Qatar. Thought leaders and industry professionals will collaborate to generate practical yet innovative solutions to the country’s sustainability needs, in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030.

The Council is driving sustainable building practices in the region through education and networking programs. Director Meshal

al-Shamari said, “QGBC provides leadership and encourages collaboration to promote environmentally sustainable practices for green building design and development in Qatar. The Qatar Green Building Conference will bring together leading academics, researchers and green building practitioners to conduct in-depth studies of the green building and sustainability sector in Qatar and beyond.” www.ziwira.com

POSITIVEL PALM T R U LY T R U M P FOR YOU, THERE IS ONLY ONE PLACE TO BE PALM JUMERIRAH, THE WONDOROUS SETTING OF TRUMP INTERNATIONAL HOTEL & TOWER DUBAI.

THE FUTURE STARTS WITH A NIGHT TO REMEMBER. THE TRUMP DUBAI GALA LONDON, NOVEMBER 12TH

TRUMP INTERNATIONAL HOTEL & TOWER DUBAI W W W . T R U M P D U B A I . C O M

LY

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10

NEW PROJECT

DAMAC GOES GREEN IN STYLE The real estate giant, Damac Properties, with an existing impressive portfolio announced two major green projects to be launched soon.

N

ot so long ago, the defining features of a great building were no more than its gleaming façade, its height and its glamorous interiors.

Now, with green building regulations mandatory in Dubai, even the cream of the crop are shifting their focus.

One of the emirates’ leading property developers, Damac Properties has fully embraced the concept of sustainability in its latest projects.

With profits reaching figures like $937 million, the Damac name is synonymous with outstanding real estate, but the company has never been this green before. They recently announced two major developments that see Damac Properties creating a new style of living: green luxury.

The first major announcement was the development of Akoya Oxygen, a residential paradise that boasts expansive vegetation and sustainable buildings as well as added green features that bring luxury and nature into harmony.

It will be spread over 55 million square feet and will include townhouses, villas and a golf course. Akoya Oxygen is designed to be the “greenest” residential community in Dubai, complete with its own organic market and enough space for residents to grow their own

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vegetable gardens. The planned lush surroundings will contribute to cleaner air and naturally cooler temperatures, thereby reducing the need for energy guzzling electrical cooling systems.

Eco-friendly and energy-efficient interiors and solar power will also be prominent features in this sustainable community.

The second announcement, made in late February was the company’s plans to build the first-ever tropical rain forest in the Middle East. This would be located within the Akoya master development. In a statement to the media, Damac said, the rainforest would mimic a dense jungle environment and would also feature numerous plant species. Amazonian rainforest experts will be consulted during the development phase, to ensure maximum output with minimum harm to the environment. The end product will be one where visitors can explore the forest and learn about its flora and fauna or even engage in rock climbing.

“The Dubai Rainforest will be a tropical wonderland, which tourists, residents and school groups can immerse themselves in and inspire a new generation” said, Ziad El Chaar, Managing Director, Damac.

April Issue 1 2015

AKOYA BY DAMAC

A choice of luxurious lifestyles in the Beverly Hills of Dubai

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12

NEW PROJECT

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN

D

espite the many positives the proposed rainforest can bring, one environmentalist has expressed a few concerns in local media.

“By definition, rainforests are very wet, so unless it is a closed loop system, there’s a danger that this project will consume a lot of water. In a severely water-constrained environment like Dubai, that is potentially very wasteful,” said Rhett Butler, a conservationist and author.

He added that since rainforests have an ambient temperature of between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius, a cooling system will be required during Dubai’s scalding summer months. He also advised that the animal species should be very carefully selected to ensure they can survive in an artificial environment and will not require more than

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the environment can provide. Butler raised concerns that such a project may not be sustainable, unless managed very carefully.

“With the right messaging and presentation, the artificial rainforest could raise awareness and funds to protect real rainforests, which continue to be highly endangered,” he said.

In response, Damac Senior Vice President, Niall McLoughlin, said, both the animals and plants would be taken care of by experts using the most environmentally friendly practices.

“We are currently working with experts in the field to ensure that the project is true to life, while ensuring the highest standards of environmental protection,” he said.

Both projects are expected to be completed in time for Expo 2020.

April Issue 1 2015

AKOYA OXYGEN FACT BOX

Dubai’s first green luxury living residence Located in Dubailand, off the Umm Suqeim Road extension Size: 55 million Square Feet 200 Villas sold out in one night during phase one of sales 18-Hole champion golf course designed by Tiger Woods Luxury Spa and Ayurveda Center Green dining with biodegradable tableware Villas starting from AED1.7 million

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14

COVER STORY

THE VISION OF

Founder of UAE

GREAT LEADERS

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“

“

Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founder of UAE, 1918-2004.

We cherish our environment because it is an integral part of our country, our history and our heritage.

On land and in the sea, our forefathers lived and survived in this environment. They were able to do so because they recognised the need to conserve it, to take from it only what they needed to live, and to preserve it for succeeding generations.”

Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE

April Issue 1 2015

“

“

HIS HIGHNESS SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM, VICE PRESIDENT AND PRIME MINISTER OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES AND RULER OF DUBAI.

We recognize that preserving our energy resources will be one of the greatest challenges in our drive towards sustainable development. This, however, will not materialize unless the different facets of our society adopt energy conservation principles in their core values. The future generations will be the chief beneficiary of our achievements and the best judge of what we accomplish in this field.

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COVER STORY

T

he UAE has a vision to be among the best countries in the world by 2021. This involves all aspects of life from education to economy, healthcare, government efficiency and of course, the green cherry on top: Sustainability. Part of the UAE Vision 2021 involves sustainable development that can achieve a balance between economic and social development while preserving the environment. The country is committed to improving air quality, preserving water resources, and producing clean energy.

H.E. Muhammad Abdulla Rafia, Assistant Director General of Dubai Municipality, was correct in

saying that Dubai is developing at a rapid pace!

In 2013, 75% of energy consumption in Dubai came from buildings. In 2014, the Green Buildings Regulations became mandatory. Overall, the city has a vision to clean up seriously, getting both the public and private sector involved in environmental awareness, sustainable urban development and reduce the carbon footprint.

It also aims to reduce energy demand by 30%.

Several organizations like the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 (DIES) and the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will be involved at different levels to achieve this goal.

H.E. Muhammad Abdulla Rafia, Assistant Director General of Dubai Municipality

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April Issue 1 2015

DUBAI GOING GREEN The city of Dubai is making strides to become a leader in sustainability. This includes all aspects, from green energy to green economy to smart integrated solutions that ultimately save time, effort, and the environment, making life easier for its residents.

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COVER STORY

DUBAI PLAN: GREENING THE REAL ESTATE LANDSCAPE Seeing itself as an integral part of the UAE Vision 2021, the Dubai Municipality in particular has its own plan in place to gear its people towards this national goal. The blueprint involves promoting sustainability through research and development, education and awareness.

Perhaps the most visible part of this plan is in the city’s real estate landscape. Dubai has always been famous for its breathtaking skyscrapers and most innovative architecture, with the likes of the Burj Khalifa and its countless luxury hotels attracting the world’s top earning celebrities such as Donald Trump. Now, both guests and investors alike are noticing a shift in dimensions from not only world class image, but world class sustainable practice in upholding this image.

20%

Energy saving

40% Energy efficient district cooling

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20%

CO2 reductions

DUBAI MUNICIPALITY’S TARGETS FOR 2021

21%

Water saving

DEWA launched the Distributed Renewable Resources Generation program in April 2014, connecting solar power to houses and buildings, increasing solar’s share in the energy mix.

April Issue 1 2015

NEW PROJECTS Now that Dubai has successfully crossed the threshold of becoming an emerging market; efficiency, according to Rafia, is increasing. The most recent project to be completed was Al Khazzan Park, which is 100% energy saving as it uses only solar power for its lighting and other energy requirements. The park was officially opened to the public on March 1, 2015.

The second and largest upcoming project is Desert Rose, which proposes to be a self-sustaining community. According to Rafia, the design is done, but because of the scale of the project it could take as many as ten years to complete.

GREEN ENERGY CONFERENCE One of the city’s most important events in light of its environmental targets was the Green Energy Conference, which took place at the Dubai World Trade Center on March 2, 2015. It was a perfect platform to discuss the opportunities and challenges faced in implementing green energy for sustainable development.

It was announced at the conference that, Dubai has tripled its renewable energy goal from 5% to 15% by 2030, making clear just how serious the city is about implementing this much needed change, and meeting world standards.

In his address, H.E. Muhammad Abdulla Rafia, Assistant Director General of Dubai Municipality highlighted the importance of renewables in the construction and real estate industry. He said the Municipality had the choice to make the Green Building Regulations optional, but decided against it, due to the extremely fast pace at which Dubai is developing. The new regulations apply to anyone applying for a building permit and cover aspects such as energy, water, ecology, on-site waste management and use of natural materials.

The Municipality is also in full support of the Building Retrofit program which aims to retrofit 30,000 buildings in Dubai. Green energy will be incorporated in the irrigation and lighting across Dubai and the Municipality will be connecting solar power to homes and buildings. The Solar Rooftop Program aims to have all buildings in Dubai fitted with solar paneled roofs in the foreseeable future.

Part of the city’s vision is to create small, self-sustainable communities within Dubai to reduce the number of cars on the road, responsible for CO2 emissions.

“If we need to complete it sooner, we will,” he said.

One thing is for sure, Mr Rafia does not have an easy job. Sustainability, he assured us, is always on his mind, especially with oil being expected to fade out within the next 50 years.

“Every day we are thinking of new sustainable materials for solar rooftops or energy sources we can use. I was reading the other day about sidewalks that produce energy as you walk on them. These are all possibilities for Dubai but there is no real timeframe” he said.

CLOSING REMARKS Rafia summed up on a note of confidence, calling for collaboration from all sectors.

“This is not a gamble” he said, referring to the thorough research and planning that has gone into the 2021 Vision.

“Smart cities need the cooperation of all and Dubai can’t afford to be inefficient.”

“I encourage the private sector to dip in. Take risks in emerging technologies. There are many ideas out there that need support. As far as consumers, I think many of them are aware of their consumption, but there is always room for improvement” he concluded.

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REAL ESTATE

BUIDLING FOR CLIMATE CHANGE

A

recent report published by the journal Nature Communications showed an alarming rise in sea levels along the northeast coast of America between 2009 and 2010. Within a space of two years, levels rose by 128mm, the study found. Scientists said such an event in these particular waters had not occurred for 850 years. Climate change has now been linked to these sudden surges and communities have been urged to be prepared for gradual sea level rise as well as more extreme cases.

This poses a watery challenge for the building industry. Not only is it imperative nowadays to reduce GHG emissions, swap to carbon neutral building materials and adhere to green building codes, but it’s also essential that we design and build structures that can weather the storm.

This means, houses that are raised over a meter off the ground and urban dwellings with innovative insulation solutions to resist rising temperatures, among other things. It’s essentially a move to becoming not only sustainable, but also ‘survivable’.

Adapting to climate change is not an entirely new concept, as humans have been doing this throughout history. The only difference now is the pace at which it is happening, which forces us to be shaken from our comfort zones. After centuries of living under the assumption that the earth and its resources would last forever, humans now have to deal with the reality we have caused by our excessive use. But it’s not all gloom and doom. For designers and architects it presents a unique opportunity to get creative and think beyond the box, taking innovative building design to a whole new level.

FAST FACTS Research shows that melting permafrost is affecting the foundation of homes in the Arctic.

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This New Orleans home built by Globa Green is elevated 1.2 meters, keeping it safe from anticipated flood levels.

al t

April Issue 1 2015

QUESTIONS

GUIDE TO BUILDING FOR CLIMATE CHANGE DISASTER COPING MECHANISMS: Foundations, structures and exits should all be tailored to survive natural disasters.

Thousands of evacuees were left homeless after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans.

- TERMITES: High temperatures also lead to increase in termites in northern states so buildings needs to be prepared for this.

- Wild fires: Areas prone to wild fires should be fitted with structures that can survive fires.

URBAN PLANNING: Poorer communities are tied to reservation boundaries that make it difficult for them to relocate due to effects of climate change. Urban planners should have alternatives in place.

UPGRADE OLD BUILDINGS: City dwellers may also be particularly susceptible to vulnerabilities in aging infrastructure. This includes drainage and sewer systems, flood and storm protection assets and power supply, especially during heatwaves or extreme drops in temperature.

Municipalities and urban developers need to ensure that older buildings are properly maintained and upgraded to stronger, climate resistant ones.

STORM RESISTANT INFRASTRUCTURE: Urban infrastructure has its own sensitivities to climate change. Cities absorb more heat during the day, and are more densely populated.

Buildings need to be properly insulated and infrastructure should be strong enough to cope with larger numbers of inhabitants and extreme weather. Violent storms or heat waves would affect a much higher concentration of people in cities, so they need to be designed to cope with this.

WIND RESISTANCE: Strong winds are becoming more and more common in some areas, including suburbs and cities. Underdeveloped and urban communities should both include structures that are wind resistant to avoid too much damage to property.

PROPERTY OWNERS WILL BE ASKING AS CLIMATE CHANGE WORSENS

• What do I do when the lights go out?

• Will the house be flooded?

• Will my home get so hot in the summer that I won’t be able to stay in it?

• How long could I survive in this building without air-

In the Southern hemisphere, where rising sea levels or snowy conditions are not all that common, they are faced with the problem of water and energy shortage due to extreme heat. South Africans, for example, have been bearing the brunt of power cuts on a daily basis, and with most buildings so heavily reliant on coal-based energy from the national supplier, Eskom, it has been extremely counter-productive.

The use of white roofs will reflect solar radiation

conditioning?

• Where will we go?

• Will we survive?

One South African family decided to renovate a conventional house to make so self-sustaining, it went off the national power grid completely. The house is completely solar powered and gets all its water from harvested rainwater supplies. The verandah decks are made from recycled plastic and the house makes use of natural cooling methods. www.ziwira.com

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REAL ESTATE

Vertical Forest Towers

SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Mill Junction

These Vertical Forest Towers were designed to combat Milan’s polluted air. The plants make up enough to fill one hectare of forest. They produce humidity and absorb carbon dioxide in this Italian city where it is much needed.

Mill Junction is an innovative student accommodation made out of recycled shipping containers and grain silos. Situated in Johannesburg, South Africa, the building has been designed to be as sustainable as possible and uses motion sensors for efficient lighting.

The complex is completely equipped with study rooms, communal kitchens, library and gym. It uses 50% less energy than conventional buildings. www.ziwira.com

The Clock Shadow

April Issue 1 2015

This Weekend House

The Clock Shadow building in Wisconsin was recently honored for its environmental consciousness and particularly its roof gardens. This building was developed on a brownfield site that many found difficult to build on, so not only does it use up land that would otherwise be wasted, but it also runs on geothermal power, which is drilled directly below the building. It also features an underground cistern that uses collected rainwater for flushing toilets.

This weekend house in the North of Brazil, Sau Pualo was identified by Architectural Digest as one of the most sustainable homes. The structure was made of sustainably harvested wood and repurposed bricks. It features a roof garden as well as a water recycling system. www.ziwira.com

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REAL ESTATE

INSPIRING THE WORLD'S LIFESTYE

“

Sustainability is an inherent part of our practices and we’re on a mission to encourage our residents to do their bit for the environment too.

A closer look at one of Dubai’s leaders in Green Building and promoting sustainable practices. www.ziwira.com

April Issue 1 2015

EMAAR SHAPES THE FUTURE THROUGH WORLD-CLASS REAL ESTATE, MALLS, AND HOSPITALITY ASSETS

T

he word Emaar means ‘reconstruction’ in Arabic. It is no wonder then, that property giant Emaar, partly owned by Dubai’s ruling family, has been pivotal in reconstructing the nation with world class real estate, malls and hospitality buildings. Since inception in 1997, they have brought us the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and many others and now have offices throughout the Middle East, North Africa and USA. Not only do they create buildings, but communities too, and most recently, green communities.

EMAAR

AWARDS

One of the most admirable features of the company is Emaar Community Management, a division of the company whose sole purpose is ensuring safe and sustainable communities. This is done through educational and edutainment initiatives in each community, covering topics such as recycling, waste management, water and energy conservation as well as activities that get younger residents involved in sustainable living practices.

In 2014, Emaar received the high profile Arabia CSR Award for sustainability practices in the region in the Medium Enterprise category. The previous year ECM formed its own Sustainability Committee and were honored with the first-ever, Green Facility Management Organization of the Year award, by the Emirates Green Building Council for its efforts in promoting sustainable principles in daily living.

They were also awarded the ISO 14001:2004 for their environmental management system and the ISO 50001:2011 for energy management. Such awards can only be presented to a company if it is recognized within a framework of procedures and maintains these practices with regular auditing.

Energy management is something Emaar takes very seri-

ously. Every year on Earth Day, residents are encouraged to participate in activities to create environmental awareness in the community. LED bulbs and motion sensors are used to manage electricity consumption and solar panels have also been introduced for lighting garden terraces and play areas. Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) and HVAC hilled water systems have reduced energy consumption by 55%. Waterless urinals which reduce the need for environmentally hazardous chemicals have also been introduced in some Emaar properties.

Emaar’s latest offering, Acacia Park Heights, is synonymous with its characteristic efforts to bring people closer to nature, as is evident in its other gated communities such as The Springs, The Greens and The Meadows.

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REAL ESTATE

A CONCRETE ALTERNATIVE Thirteen years after the science was stumbled upon in a university lab, a carbon-negative cement is finally available in the market.

Dr. David Stone

F

or every ton of cement manufactured, approximately one ton of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere.

We see this figure quadrupling, with 4 billion metric tons of cement produced worldwide every year. And since, the endless circle of capitalism thrives on urban development, it is pretty much cast in stone that concrete is here to stay. This brings us to a critical place: the construction industry is desperately in need of more eco-conscious alternatives.

It was in his university lab in the year 2002, that David Stone, an unassuming PHD Student of Environmental Science at the University of Arizona made a groundbreaking scientific discovery that now gives us one such option.

“This all started from an accidental discovery in a lab, which is actually the way it usually goes,” Stone said in an interview with UA News.

What Stone discovered was that waste steel

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dust from industrial processes could be used to form something similar to cement.

It had the same binding properties, but was stronger and more sustainable.

Since that day in the lab, he continued to research and perfect the science, and only in 2013 was it officially patented. The product, called Ferrock, only hardens when exposed to high concentrations of carbon dioxide, which it traps and absorbs into the material’s mineral composition. This makes the ironbased cement carbon-negative.

In November 2014, Stone collaborated with Tech Launch Arizona to license his invention under his own start-up company Iron Shell, LLC. Ferrock will be commercially produced under this label.

Dough Hockstad of Tech Launch Arizona described Ferrock as “an amazing engineering achievement that has the potential to create a great, positive impact on the environment.”

Speaking to UA News, he added, “The technology stands to impact the world in a variety of ways, including both reduction of carbon dioxide production and sequestration of other carbon dioxide production, as well as recycling of waste products such as steel waste and in some cases, recycled glass.”

The future looks bright for both Ferrock and green construction, if it is able to penetrate the market and is met with a positive response. For all intents and purposes, it should be, since test results show that Ferrock is significantly stronger and more resistant to cracking than Portland cement, and can also be used in corrosive environments.

Over a decade after his discovery, Dr. David Stone is optimistic and excited, saying, “I am into this for the long haul. Time is on our side since in this era of global warming unsustainable processes like cement manufacture will have to give way to greener alternatives.” www.ziwira.com

April Issue 1 2015

Ferrock, only hardens when exposed to high concentrations of carbon dioxide, which it traps and absorbs into the material’s mineral composition. This makes the iron-based cement carbon-negative. www.ziwira.com

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28

FEATURE

D

ubai is loved for its embellished skylines, with some of the most beautiful high-rise architecture in the world. With increasing urbanization and rapid population growth, there is a growing need for buildings that rise rather than spread, and even more so, to do this in the most environmentally friendly way.

The annual Dubai Smart Skyscrapers Summit provides a prestigious and unique platform for networking and knowledge sharing in this regard.

The event is perfectly in line with the Dubai Municipality’s goals to turn the city into a leader in sustainable development by 2020. It is set to attract over 300 senior architects, engineers, policy-makers, developers, contractors and building managers from across the GCC with the shared purpose of developing world-class sustainable skyscrapers in the Middle East.

Dubai currently boasts the highest skyline in the Middle East, being home to record breaking projects including the 828m Burj Khalifa, the tallest man-made structure, the 414m Princess Tower, the tallest all-residential building, and the 355m JW Marriott Marquis Dubai Hotel, the world’s tallest hotel.

A number of mega projects have been announced for the city in the post recovery period of the global financial crisis. Dubai ranks 5th in the number of tall buildings and skyscrapers after Hong-Kong, New York City, Tokyo and Chicago, with 909 high-rise and 448 skyscrapers. But one of the biggest challenges of developing skyscrapers relates to the building safety and design parameters.

Both local and international delegates will showcase innovative building technologies and smart solutions at the Smart Skyscrapers Summit, which takes place at Sofitel Dubai - The Palm Resort & Spa. Keynote speakers will include the likes of Saeed Alabbar, Director of AESG, Ahmad K Abdelrazaq, Sr. Executive Vice President of Samsung C & T and Thomas D Bohlen, Chief Technical Officer & Head of Corporate Sustainability at the Middle East Centre for Sustainable Development.

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“

These immense structures should not only be structurally stable but should also be energy efficient, conveniently accessible for occupants and provide a comfortable living environment.

April Issue 1 2015

JEWELS IN THE SKY Rising high, building smart and building sustainably are the key areas of focus at Dubai’s Smart Skyscrapers Summit happening in May.

THE FOLLOWING ARE JUST A FEW OF THE KEY TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED: • Sustainable Design Innovations in Vertical Architecture • Skyscraper Farms – Vertical Greening in Tall Buildings • Moving Towards Zero Net Energy Skyscrapers • Promoting Sustainable Architecture

through innovative Façade Designs Case Study on BioSkin Building Façade • Future Glass Technologies for Smart Sky scrapers • Role of Technology in the Evolution of Skyscrapers

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30

FEATURE

SAVING E

DISTRICT SYSTEMS

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April Issue 1 2015

ENERGY

T ENERGY IN CITIES

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32

FEATURE

MODERNIZING DISTRICT ENERGY SYSTEMS COULD REDUCE HEATING AND COOLING PRIMARY ENERGY CONSUMPTION BY UP TO 50% ACCORDING TO A NEW REPORT

Reducing Cities’ Heating and Cooling Energy Consumption Key to Keeping Global Temperature Rise to 2°

A

transition to modern district energy systems could contribute to 60 per cent of required energy sector emissions reductions by 2050, and reduce primary energy consumption by up to 50 per cent, according to a new report launched in February 2015 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in collaboration with the Copenhagen Centre on Energy Efficiency (C2E2), ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, and UNHabitat.

With cities accounting for 70 per cent of global energy use and for 40-50 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, District Energy in Cities: Unlocking the Potential of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, reveals how local authorities and national governments can develop energy-efficient, climate-resilient and affordable district energy systems as one of the most cost-effective and efficient solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and primary energy demand, and for helping to keep global temperature rise to two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

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District energy systems can also contribute to the green economy transition through cost savings from avoided or deferred investment in power-generation infrastructure and peak capacity; wealth creation through reduced fossil fuel expenditure, local tax revenue; and employment.

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Our response and our ability to keep the world within a 2°C scenario, has led us to focus on district energy in cities. These are practical, reliable, bring benefits to consumers and they generate benefits in terms of our response to climate change -Achim Steiner, United Nations Under-SecretaryGeneral and Executive Director of UNEP

April Issue 1 2015 Currently, heating and cooling of space and water account for half of the energy consumption in some cities, with systemic inefficiencies incurring massive economic and social costs, and acting as a major barrier to universal access to modern energy.

Cooling demand in particular is growing worldwide and spending on energy services is increasing. According to the International Energy Agency, energy consumption for space cooling increased 60 per cent globally from 2000 to 2010, and is set to expand by 625 per cent by 2050 in selected regions of Asia and Latin America.

District energy systems - which pipe steam, hot water or cold water around a city from a central location for use in buildings - are being used in a variety of cities worldwide because of their higher energy efficiency which can significantly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of cooling and heating. This can result in improved air quality, and, where district systems use renewable power sources, reduce reliance on fossil fuels and energy imports, increasing the resilience of cities to fuel price shocks.

The city of St Paul, Minnesota, USA, for example, uses district energy fuelled by municipal wood waste to displace 275,000 tons of coal annually and to keep US$12 million in energy expenses circulating in the local economy. And in Toronto, Canada, the extraction of lake water for district cooling reduces electricity use for cooling by 90 per cent, earning the city US$89 million from selling a 43 per cent share in its district energy systems, which it could use to fund other sustainable infrastructure development. Paris, France, is providing cheaper, more renewable heat through district heating and, by owning a third of its district heating company, also benefits from an annual dividend of $US 2.6 million and an annual concession fee of $US 9.1 million.

“Cities are crucial partners in making Sustainable Energy for All a reality. With their help we can change the environment, change the way we produce and use energy and at the same time significantly mitigate climate change, accelerate economic development, reduce environmental pollution and alleviate extreme poverty and thereby making cities a lot more resilient,” said Kandeh Yumkella, UN UnderSecretary-General, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and CEO of the Sustainable Energy for All initiative.

Through an analysis of the 45 ‘champion cities’, which have collectively installed more than 36 GW of district heating capacity (equivalent to 3.6 million households), 6 GW of district cooling capacity (equivalent to 600,000 households) and 12,000 km of district energy networks, the report finds that while contributions of district energy are significant and growing, the full potential of these systems remains largely untapped, with significant opportunities existing for growth, refurbishment and new development.

Gujarat International Finance Tec-City, known as GIFT City, India, is developing the country’s first district cooling system, which could reduce electricity demand for cooling by 65-80 per cent. Yerevan, Armenia, is retrofitting and modernizing its district heating systems, which historically had losses as high as 50 per cent. After the first

phase of refurbishment, 10,000 residents were reconnected, reducing energy consumption by 50.2 GWh annually and providing heat at cheaper rates than with residential gas boilers. While a Booz & Company 2012 study of the Gulf countries found that district cooling could provide 30 per cent of forecasted cooling needs by 2030, avoiding 20 GW of new power capacity and 200,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in fuel.

Local governments are uniquely positioned to advance district energy systems in their various capacities as planners and regulators, as facilitators of finance, as role models and advocates, and as large consumers of energy and providers of infrastructure and services (e.g., energy, transport, housing, waste collection, and wastewater treatment). For example, in 2012 alone, the Greater London Authority’s integrated energy and land-use planning policy resulted in US$213 million of investment in heat network infrastructure.

The policy options available to cities often are influenced by national frameworks and the extent of devolved authority. This publication outlines the policy best practices that local governments can use within these four broad capacities, accounting for diverse national frameworks.

To facilitate the transition to modern district energy systems, UNEP has launched a new initiative on District Energy in Cities, as the implementing mechanism for the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) District Energy accelerator. As part of this initiative UNEP has developed a policy and investment road map comprising 10 key steps to accelerate the development, modernization and scale-up of district energy in cities.

A decision tree, developed as an outcome of this publication and of the exchanges with the 45 champion cities, will guide cities through these various stages and highlight tools and best practices that could be available to local governments in their roles as planner and regulator, facilitator, provider and consumer, coordinator and advocate. Twinning between cities - matching champion ones with learning ones - will be a key component of the new district energy initiative led by UNEP.

“

In launching this report, we want to draw attention of the world’s decision makers, mayors, leaders at the community level, to the importance of district energy systems and hopefully through the lessons learnt in many parts of the world, ensure that this is yet one more element of our response that will allow us to practice and draw upon solutions already in place, proven and part of the transition to a green economy.

– UNEP www.ziwira.com

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FEATURE

GREEN LEASE

Real Estate’s solution to climate change could well be the Green Lease, says Rebecca Pearce, EMEA Head of Sustainability at CBRE.

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Whatever one’s views on the ultimate impacts of climate change, nobody can deny that our planet is using up its natural resources – and generating landfill waste – at far too rapid a rate. The dilemma at both governmental and corporate levels has been around working out the practical steps that can be taken to slow down this effect and make our lives more sustainable

Rebecca Pearce CBRE | EMEA HEAD OF SUSTAINABILITY

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April Issue 1 2015

G

etting buildings to conform to green standards is one thing, but getting people to comply is a bit trickier. Since real estate is about buildings and people, it provides a perfect vehicle to promote sustainable development through sustainable living. One expert on the subject has suggested that by ‘greening’ regular lease agreements, it could play a crucial role in how real estate contributes to the climate change solution.

According to Rebecca Pearce, the Head of Sustainability at commercial real estate company CBRE for the EMEA region, the green lease is not an entirely new concept, but is still a growing movement, and one that definitely deserves more attention.

DOES YOUR LEASE LOOK LIKE THIS? The green lease, as explained by Pearce, can take the form of binding obligations, or recommendations to be carried out on a voluntary basis.

“

In the former case, green commitments are hard-wired into the lease agreement itself, with potential penalties for noncompliance. In the latter case, the commitments are often grouped into an annex to the lease or incorporated into a non-binding memorandum of understanding

-RebeccaPearce

Factors included in the green lease include water and energy consumption targets, waste management and the sharing of information regarding these where necessary.

One example cited by Pearce, is Redevco, a US company who has for the past six years been collecting energy/water consumption data from around 1,100 tenants, which the company then makes public in the form of the Redevco Retailer Sustainability Benchmark. This is an online rating system that any retailer can consult in order to gain a better insight into their environmental performance as compared to their peers. Similar initiatives have also been made in Singapore and Malaysia.

WHAT ROLE DOES THE TENANT PLAY? Landlords may have responsibility over that first step of actually developing and incorporating those green elements into the lease agreements, but the tenants ultimately determine the success of the concept. One way of doing this is by accepting those clauses in the lease that pertain to energy saving, water conservation and waste management.

The International Council of Shopping Centers is a new initiative, which aims to commit chief executives of landlords, property managers and retailers to a sustainability declaration as a way to overcome some of the barriers commonly faced in getting tenants to comply to legal clauses in a lease agreement.

For tenants, the sustainable living codes stipulated in a green lease could mean cheaper service charges. This could put a spoke in the wheel, as it may chip into profits, which is essentially the goal for property owners. According to Pearce, this is just one of the many potential challenges facing the implementation and standardization of the green lease, but nothing that cannot be solved with further dialogue and partnership.

For landlords, it may require an amount of faith, as landlords and tenants are notorious for having a somewhat non-compatible relationship, with one of them usually anticipated to infringe the terms of agreement in some way or another. Nonetheless, the green lease is a leap of faith worth taking and can not only improve these relationships, but also save money and the environment as well. What is needed now, is greater collaboration, investment and awareness to make the concept of the green lease permeate as far as possible in the real estate market.

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36

CONSTRUCTION

GREEN HOMES

THE CHANGING FACE OF THE EARTH As the world’s non-renewable energy sources see a steep depletion without any compromise in the growing industry demands, green construction becomes a sustainable option for many.

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n a fast changing, and struggling to reserve the sources of non-renewable energy, we can still do our bit to conserve the environment and build a healthier and greener future for our generations. The concept of green homes is picking up fast and deals with everything from energy efďŹ cient roof tops to bio degradable construction material. We have compiled a list of a few things to give you a peep into what goes into the making of a green house.

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April Issue 1 2015

ZERO ENERGY HOMES

T

hey are specially designed to be extremely energy competent, with techniques like passive solar design and effective insulation. They generate their own power through renewable energy. The zero refers to carbon emissions and energy consumption. The carbon emissions in these homes are absolutely null as they rely on solar or wind energy completely.

These homes can function independently without any dependence on the electric grid. These kind of zero energy homes are most effective in small communities where many people can share the benefits of renewable resources.

Setting up such homes is obviously not an easy task however, some governments are actively promoting zero energy houses with subsidies to boost the environmental surroundings. The U.S. government offers a Solar Investment tax credit of 30 percent off the total system cost, and the state of California offers additional money back for consumers who opt into renewable energy. (Source: GoSolarCalifornia) Zero energy homes is a still niche concept and even ` with high building cost, however, we cannot deny that the luxury of such a home is worth every penny.

COOL ROOFS

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ool roofs reflect more sun rays than an average gravel roof and prevents the air inside from escaping through the rooftop. During the hot summer season the temperature of a normal shingle roof can soar up to 65 degrees Celsius whereas, the reflectance from a cool roof can down the heat by more than 50 degrees. Cool roofs also reduce the strain on air conditioners by maintaining a cooler temperature inside the building, thereby reducing the carbon emissions and greenhouse gases.

Cool roofs can be made by using reflective paint and tiles. [Source: EPA, source: EnergySavers]

ELECTRO-CHROMIC SMART GLASS

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mart Glass or Electro-chromic Glass, changes the amount of light which reflects on it by charging the ions, using a tiny burst of electricity. The smart glass gives you a choice to control the emittance of light. You can choose the amount of light you want to release or block. With the smart building control system, skyscrapers can have thousands of windows that may tint automatically during peak hours and return to complete transparency during the evening. The developers of smart glass believe that approximately 25 percent reduction in HVAC costs will take place if smart glass technology is applied.

These electro-chromic glasses are still being finalized for the commercial market and the competition in this sector is surely going to increase.

SOLAR POWER

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assive Solar energy is based on smart home design and is generated through strategic placement of large windows that let in solar light into the house for further utilization. Active Solar energy system obviously provides more energy than a passive one. The Solar panels absorb the sun’s rays and use it for warming of air and water, which further cuts down the electricity consumption. The dependence on solar power will reduce the production of greenhouse gases which are usually generated in abundance when we use non-renewable sources of energy. The cost of solar panels varies according to the geographical location, climate and size of the solar panel, nevertheless, in the long term this investment will pay off in terms of free energy that you will be using for years.

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

G

eothermal is an effective renewable form of energy that is much more environmentally friendly than the traditional coal powered electricity or natural gas. Many people perceive that geothermal heating will be less efficient during winters, however, this is not the case. An antifreeze mixture is poured through the pipes so that they can collect thermal energy, then route it to a heat pump that puts the energy to use. The pipes buried a few feet underground don’t really have any effect of the atmospheric temperatures. The underground temperature stays close to 15.5 degree Celsius, making it a warm source of energy in winter and cool source during summers. [Source: GreenSolarCafe].

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38

CONSTRUCTION

AN INSPIRATION

SHEIKH ZAYED DESERT LEARNING CE

“

On land and in the see, our forefathers lived and survived in this environment. T because they recognized the need to conserve it, to take from it only what they preserve it for succeeding generations

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April Issue 1 2015

T

ENTER

he Al Ain Zoo was initially opened in 1968 by the UAE’s founding president, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Now, more than four decades later, his vision for preserving nature is sustained by the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Center, Abu Dhabi’s most sustainable building.

Nestled in the heart of the Al Ain Zoo, the Sheikh Zayed Learning Centre has been designed to the highest sustainability standards.

The structure was awarded Platinum LEED status for its design and is the first building in Abu Dhabi to achieve a 5 Pearl rating under the city’s Estidama rating system. Estidama, which is the Arabic word for sustainability, is an initiative developed and promoted by the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, which aims to promote thoughtful and responsible development.

The roof of the 13,000 square meter building is mostly covered by solar PV panels. It has three floors below the ground and four above. The sculpture allows multiple spatial experiences through its kinetic architectural promenade and system of ramps and multiple levels.

According to Simon Long, a senior FM consultant at Mace Macro, which has been the facilities management consultant during the project’s build phase, a great deal of thought went into the building’s design to ensure it maintains sustainability targets throughout its lifespan.

The center makes use of concrete core reservation, which refers to pipework laden with concrete to aid the building’s cooling, rather than using, directional vents alongside an absorption chiller. Such technology has not been used before in the area.

The windows make use of sun-reflective technology to limit solar heat gain. In addition,

a grey water harvesting system and energy efficient lighting has been used throughout.

Water in the building is filtered via reverse osmosis, and a large pond doubles, as a water feature and supply for the fire-fighting system, should it be required.

In the early phases, Mace Macro’s involvement with the project was limited to design reviews, but the company has since been advising the client all through the construction process. A substantial portion of the building was completed in June 2012, but official opening will only be in 2015.

Amna Al Otaiba, Acting Director of Environment, Health and Safety at Al Ain Zoo fully supports the architectural marvel.

“This is the most sustainable building in the Middle East,” said Ms. Al Otaiba.

“Everything you can think about sustainability, about protecting the environment, everything is within this building,” said Ms. Al Otaiba.

“In the zoo we are encouraging walking and health, and inside the building it is a healthy environment.”

The Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre is part of a greater project to turn the zoo into a full-fledged Wildlife Park & Resort. It will include a wildlife themed safari, destination resort, retail and residential communities and the Center will be an exhibition space for the exploration of natural and cultural history.

Through the Estidama principles, Abu Dhabi is progressing fast towards sustainable development, while garnering the authenticity of the region’s culture and natural history.

The Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Center is a benchmark for others at a time when buildings contribute to one third of global emissions.

Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre – MARI CHIJIIWA

They were able to do so y needed to live, and to – The late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the UAE www.ziwira.com

40

CONSTRUCTION

2022 WORLD CUP PROJECTS TO BE 80 PERCENT SUSTAINABLE

Qatar makes an environmental pledge to ensure that the majority of the 2022 FIFA World Cup construction projects will achieve world-class standards of sustainability.

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April Issue 1 2015

Q

atar recently announced that it would be taking sustainable practice quite seriously in its implementation of building projects ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

We are saying that 80 per cent of the construction project activities from now to 2022 will be based on the principles and practice of sustainability

“

said Dr. Yousef Alhorr, Chairman and founder of the Gulf Organization for Research & Development (GORD).

– The late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, GORD is a not-for-profit subsidiary of the Qatari Diar Real Estate founder of the UAE Investment Company. It promotes healthy, energy and resource efficient, and environmentally responsible building practices in Qatar and the Gulf.

“We have been talking about sustainability and our vision,” said Alhorr. “These dreams are now being put into action in Qatar where we are really implementing sustainability practices. This includes QRail, all the World Cup 2022 projects, the new cities and all new government projects including schools and hospitals.”

Alhorr was a keynote speaker at the MEED Qatar Projects conference organized in association with Ashghal, Qatar’s public works agency, at the Grand Hyatt Doha in March.

He said that Qatar is already demonstrating how it can successfully develop sustainable large-scale sports venues. The 2015 World Men’s Handball Championship held in Doha on 15 January-1 February was hosted at two of the new venues built to meet demanding sustainability standards. These were the Lusail Sports Arena, and Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiya Arena, which achieved a 4 Star rating.

GORD was founded in 2009. Since then it has developed the GSAS sustainable buildings rating system, the first to address the challenges presented by the region’s climate.

According to Alhorr, GORD is preparing to undertake a number of sustainability projects in Saudi Arabia.

“We have started training on the ground in the Kingdom and we are doing capacity building with the aim of moving to implementation this year,” he said.

GORD has an agreement to promote sustainability in government and private buildings in Kuwait and has started talks about carrying out similar projects in Bahrain.

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42

INTERVIEW

S

aeed Alabbar

The Green Building Expert During the 2013 World Energy Engineering Congress, held in Washington DC, Saeed Al Abbar, Director at AESG, was inducted as a Legend in Energy by the Association of Energy Engineers.

Saeed Alabbar is the Director General at AESG, a Middle East energy and sustainability consulting firm & Chairman of Emirates Green Building Council.

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aeed Alabbar may be younger than most Directors or Chairmen, but he’s no green fingers when it comes to sustainable development. He holds a First Class Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Bath, and in 2012 presented a policy paper on sustainability challenges in the Middle East at a

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United Nations Regional Policy dialogue. Currently, Alabbar regularly manages, advises, promotes and trains industry professionals in green building practices. His work has made a strong impression on the construction and real estate industry.

April Issue 1 2015

1. How would you define a green city?

A ‘green’ city or sustainable city is one that meets the needs of its present population without compromising the ability of future generations from meeting their own needs. Sustainable cities utilize scarce resources such as energy, water, food and materials in a sustainable manner. They promote sustainable modes of transport and provide a diverse range of job opportunities. It is critical for green cities to promote economic growth and this is the current paradigm for sustainable development, as we seek to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, so that we can have economic prosperity, while having a positive impact on the natural environment.

2. What is a green building?

There are many definitions of a green building but in essence it is a building that is energy efficient, water efficient, utilizes sustainable sources of materials, provides a safe, healthy and comfortable indoor environment for occupants and fits within a sustainable urban context.

3. Can you give us some examples of green building practices?

There are too many examples to mention, but one of the most effective measures is simply insulating buildings better. Dubai Municipality released regulations in 2001, mandating insulation of buildings in order to conserve energy and this is one of the simple yet most effective green building practices.

4. What are some of the common challenges faced when trying to build sustainably?

The challenges differ between projects and the context, but I suppose it would be challenging the norms of how we build, and looking at innovative ways to do things better in a holistic manner.

5. Is Green Building more expensive than conventional building practices?

This is a common misconception in the industry. If done properly from the start of the design, building green does not need to cost more. I have personally worked on a number of projects that have proven that this concept works. Furthermore, there is widespread evidence that sustainable buildings have a higher value so from an economic perspective it should be a no-brainer to build sustainably.

6. Do you think this practice is growing in the UAE? Definitely. We have seen a number of significant advancements in green building over the past decade with the government taking a leadership role in this regard. In recent years, we have seen the establishment of the Estidama system in Abu Dhabi, which is really a global benchmark for sustainable building regulations. Alongside this, Dubai has released its own set of Green Building Regulations and we are also seeing a push now for the sustainable retrofit of existing buildings in the UAE.

7. Which countries do you think are leading the way in sustainable design and construction?

Each country is faced with its own challenges and context and there are many excellent examples throughout the world of sustainable design and construction. I am very proud of the steps taken in the UAE in promoting sustainable design and construction and I believe we have an excellent platform to build from in order to become a global leader in green buildings.

8. What projects have you been working on in your past year as Chairman of the Green Building Council and what are the future plans?

The Emirates GBC have been working on numerous projects and programs to promote sustainable buildings in the UAE. For example, we are due to release a Technical Guideline document for the sustainable retrofit of existing buildings, which is something we have been working on for a couple of years now. We have also created an Energy Efficient Taskforce, which aims to bring together the key industry players in the energy efficiency space in order to accelerate the uptake of energy efficient retrofits. These projects run alongside our regular networking events, technical workshops, annual awards, and annual congress and sector-specific programs.

9. Would you like to see more young people becoming interested in green building and why?

Yes – this is critical as they will be the torch bearers for years to come.

Sustainability requires new ways of thinking and innovation, so it is crucial that we encourage fresh approaches from youth to challenge the industry norms and develop new and more sustainable approaches to the design, construction and operation of buildings.

10. For older buildings that were not built using green building practices, can anything be done to make them more sustainable?

There is enormous potential to retrofit existing buildings to become more sustainable. From what we have seen, most buildings can achieve at least a 20% reduction in energy and water consumption through low to no cost measures alone, utilizing proven technology that provides returns on investment in two years or less. The Emirates GBC Technical Guidelines provide details of the steps that can be taken to improve the sustainability of existing buildings.

11.Is there enough investment going into green building?

As I mentioned earlier, building green does not need to attract a cost premium so the question of, is there enough investment in green building is not that relevant. Rather, we should ask if there is enough focus being paid to green building practices for which I would answer “Yes” but, we can always do more and we collectively need to focus aggressively on retrofitting the existing building stock to be more sustainable.

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46

ECO- HOTELS

EARTH-MADE ADERE AMELLAL

This hand crafted hotel in Egypt’s Siwa Oasis transcends the conventional understanding of an ecofriendly hotel far beyond the sleek high rise that comes to mind.

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hile city slickers proudly wear the cap of ‘environmentally friendly’ on the basis of their recycled glass, energy efficient lightbulbs and reduced carbon footprint, Adere Amellal is in a league of its own.

The hotel drapes the Egyptian landscape, blending in with the natural surroundings. It has just 40 rooms, each one hand crafted with local clay. The furniture is also locally crafted and untarnished by artificial materials, contributing to the brown, earthy look of the entire place.

But the most admirable feature of Adere Amellal is that it uses no electricity at all. The rooms are designed to get the most of natural sunlight during the day and at night they are gently lit by beeswax candles and hurricane lamps, complementing the natural light from the stars and moon.

For dining purposes, most of the food on the menu is organically grown on the hotel grounds, and whatever is not, is sourced locally.

Some have described this desert eco-lodge as ‘a place out of time’, but its sincere closeness to nature makes it perfectly fitting for a time when the environment is paying for irresponsible man-made structures.

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This is a place to forget about the outside world, relax, and explore some truly unique surroundings.

– Wilfred Jennings-Bramly

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April Issue 1 2015

ADERE AMELLAL HOTEL

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48

ECO-HOTELS

AFRICA’S

GREENEST HOTEL CAPE TOWN’S HOTEL VERDE FINDS A WAY TO OFFER FOUR STAR SERVICES IN THE MOST SUSTAINABLE WAY.

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April Issue 1 2015

W

hen owners Mario and Annemarie Delicio built Hotel Verde, they knew they wanted it to be as sustainable as possible. Together with expertise from an eco-consultancy firm they were able to put together something that is truly unique and inviting.

In November 2014, Hotel Verde won the International World Responsible Tourism Award for Best City Hotel. It received the highest level of certification, Platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) by the US Green Building Council, making it one of just 6 in the world. The snazzy lodging is also Africa’s first to be carbon neutral.

Sustainability runs through every aspect of Hotel Verde, from design, to construction, to operation, and maintenance. It scored 95% with Heritage Platinum for its Environmental Management System. With its zero waste target, live wall and roof garden, the concept of Hotel Verde is one that deserves much applause. Not to mention its three energy-efficient Kone elevators. These elevators are fitted with regenerative drives, allowing for about 30% of the input energy to be recaptured and fed back into the building.

While allowing its visitor’s optimum pleasure in experiencing the vast open spaces and clean air, the hotel manages and conserves its water and energy quite well. A look around the lush landscapes and nature inspired décor, lay testament to the fact that Hotel Verde, at its very core, intends to have minimum impact on its surrounding natural ecosystems.

The Grey water recycling system employed by the hotel allows used bathing water to be rechanneled, sterilized and reused for flushing toilets. The 40,000 liter water tank collects rainwater to further facilitate low water consumption. On the energy side, the hotel hosts a weekly Earth Hour every Wednesday, during which all non-essential electric appliances are switched off for the night. It’s a perfect way to get guests involved in conservation. Their reward: organically grown herbs and vegetables fresh from the Hotel Verde aquaponic farm!

SOME OF HOTEL VERDE’S GREEN FEATURES 220 photovoltaic panels

Energy efficient lighting

Power generating gym equipment

Double glazed windows

3 vertical axis wind turbines

Efficient heating & cooling

Building management system

Chemical free eco pool

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50

ECO-HOTELS

JEAN-MICHAEL

COUSTEAU RESORT

spectacular settings

In one of the world’s most

discover Fiji’s ultimate luxury Eco Resort

Jean-Michael Cousteau Resort is a warm and inviting place, situated in one of the most beautiful, tranquil island states on earth. It offers an eco-friendly, community inspired lifestyle true to the culture of Fiji.

J

ean-Michael Cousteau Resort offers spacious garden bures (Fijian bungalows), which are enclosed in a beautiful oasis of tropical gardens and exotic flowers. The 17-acre resort is located on an area which was once a coconut plantation.

For all its beauty and sophistication, Jean-Michael Cousteau Resort is also confidently environmentally friendly. The resort offers both fun and informative educational programs for young guests, to provide them with knowledge and respect for nature. Jean-Michael Cousteau Resort believes this is important, as their students will be the future leaders of the world. These classes demonstrate

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to youngsters how nature works, and most importantly, how they can use nature to create more sustainable commerce in their homes and communities.

The spectacular resort strongly believes in the power of what nature can provide. The glory of Mother Nature can be experienced at the resort by visiting rainforests and coral reefs, and by indulging in the fresh produce that is extracted from the island. Guests at the resort can enjoy an array of delicious tropical fruits including pineapple, mango, papaya, coconut, guava, and many others. A delectable, edible landscape.

April Issue 1 2015

As a sign of appreciation for the sustainable, and beautiful oasis that Jean-Michael Cousteau Resort provides, they have been the recipient of many prestigious awards and accolades. The resort practices environmental care in many different ways, each of which are just as important as the next:

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The menus do not include farmed prawns

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Recycling of glass and plastics

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Composting of kitchen waste

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Marine protected area around the resort

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Water reclamation plant

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Waste treatment system flows to ornamental ponds

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Organic vegetable garden

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Low voltage lighting – Solar panels on water heaters for some bures

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No toxic chemicals in the laundry

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Marine biologist teaches staff and at local schools

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Timber for construction comes from certified local forests

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54

ARCHITECTURE

ERIC COREY FREED Eric Corey Freed is an American architect and Principal of organicARCHITECT www.ziwira.com

April Issue 1 2015

GREEN ARCHITECT

ERIC COREY FREED

E

ric Corey Freed is a licensed architect from California, and a recognized pioneer in the field of Organic Architecture. An advocate of sustainability, and individualism, Eric decided to become an architect at an early age of eight.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Eric attended Temple University College of Architecture and promotes both organic and ecological approach to design. He wishes to provide an alternative to what he calls the “harsh, style-driven fashion.”

From the beginning of his career Eric had been very active and got a chance to work under the acclaimed architect Beverly Wills. In this association, he designed two schools in New York and got noted for his remarkable work. The duo also designed for Manhattan Academy and their designs were widely published. Noted architect and critic, Philip Johnson described him as “one of the real brains of his generation.”

In 1996, Eric accepted a position in Santa Fe, New Mexico with Frank Lloyd Wright a former apprentice.

During his stay, he had direct contact with ancient as well as the newest environmental building material. In a quest to expand his knowledge, Eric relocated to San Francisco in 1997 to start his own independent practice and join the environmental movement.

Eric co-designed the Sustainable Design programs at the Academy of Art University and University of California Berkeley Extension. He is a board member of Architects, Designers & Planners for Social Responsibility (ADPSR), Green Home Guide, as well as the advisory board member of nearly a dozen other firms.

He has also been an active and regular contributor to the Sustainable Industries Journal, Luxe, Natural Home, Metropolitan Home and many other publications. Eric lectures around the country with annually attending more than 70 conferences and events and is currently the founding and chair member of Coachella Valley branch of the US Green Building Council, and sits on the Sustainability Commission of the City of Palm Desert.

Eric has authored more than 11 books, including “Green Building & Remodeling for Dummies”, a bestseller with over 200,000 copies in print, and “Sustainable School Architecture.” His latest, “Greensense for your Home” won the 2011 Outstanding Book Award from the American Society of Journalists and Authors.

A sought after public speaker, Eric speaks tirelessly promoting his vision of innovative green design and is considered a leader in the field. In 2005, he was named the “Best Green Architect” and in 2007 was awarded “Best Visionary” by 7x7 Magazine.

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