Green building consultancy launched

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TECOM Investments, a member of Dubai Holding and creator of the eco-friendly Energy and Environment Park (ENPARK) in Dubai has created Sustainable Design Consultants (SDC) to provide environmental building solutions for the UAE and Gulf region.

Speaking about the consultancy Ali bin Towaih, director of ENPARK said: "SDC was set up to provide services that will help socially responsible clients achieve their sustainability goals. Currently we are engaged in providing guidance to developers on achieving Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification and energy efficient design solutions."

SDC guides project developments from the design stage through to operation, focusing on sustainability aspects. These include the development characteristics of the site, the efficiency of the water and consumption, as well as the materials and resources employed in the interior design.

Darren Lyon, design manager, Bluehaus said it was important for interior designers to realise the impact the industry was having on the environment. "The building industry, including interior designers, must make this issue a priority over cost. We collectively contribute much damage to the planet through product and material selection."

He continued: "Any designer who is ignorant of what seems to be innocent FF&E selection must be made aware of the cost to the environment, from how the raw materials are gleamed, the chemicals and processes used to make the components, the pollution from distance delivery, demolishment and dumping; all factors should be considered," he said.

Abdullatif Almulla, CEO of TECOM Investments said SDC was an example of Dubai taking environmental concerns seriously: "Setting up SDC demonstrates that Dubai is responding to the global concerns on the environment as it builds up the resources and expertise for sustainable planning to benefit its future generation."

SDC already offers advice to almost 70 buildings in Dubai within the International Media Production Zone, DuBiotech, Dubai Studio City and Smart City for its Malta and Kochi projects. It has also secured a number of projects from real estate developers in Dubai.

The UAE is preparing to introduce its own green building rating system later this year. It will be adapted from LEED to suit the area's climatic conditions.

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READERS' COMMENTS

SPLENDID :)
Posted by Hussain Motabagani, Khobar, Saudi Arabia on Tuesday 14 August 2007 at 09:00 UAE time

This is a splendid piece of information. My personal hopes would be that Saudi Arabia...specifically Saudi Aramco follow suit with this initiative. This article's made my day!

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