Stepping up to the Sustainable Design Challenge
Stepping up to the Sustainable Design Challenge
Christian Merieau, MD - Samuel Creations Dubai in consultation with Melden Francia, reflects on the responsibilities and challenges faced by design professionals in implementing green practices in the Middle east.
Over the years, the buzz of the "Green" trend has gotten louder. It's been streamlined in all sorts of media, conferences, and coffee table discussions. But on a deeper level, how does all this translate into our designs, operations, and not to mention our overall lifestyle? Are we willing to embrace this as a challenge and a reality that should be met with serious measures? Has this harsh reality been reduced to just plain propaganda and is it being misused as a marketing tool for businesses?
With lots of talks on sustainability, the masses are weary of the push to be more environmentally responsible, hence the term "green fatigue". The overwhelming information of green products has led to speculations on the adequacy of the efforts of "saving the earth" strategies. This could be brought about by the escalating attitude of society that everything is fast tracked.
Green Building practices present an opportunity for an environmentally sound and resource efficient building, by using the integrated design approach which transforms the way a building is designed, built, and operated. In this way we create comfortable, healthier, and sustainable environments using durable products and efficient building systems. These practices help reduce energy and water consumption and curtail solid waste generation, which in turn reduce maintenance and operational costs. This forms the basis of the Triple Bottom Line of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Engaging a team containing LEED Certified professionals at an early stage of a project will not only provide information and collaboration for green opportunities but help encourage and educate owners and investors.
In the hospitality industry, there has been a significant change in the outlook. Hotels that have "gone green" have found that the return on investment is easily quantifiable. Through the integration of EMS (Energy Management Systems) alone, Hotels are able to cut down operational costs. With an increasing number of environmentally aware guests and consumers being drawn to establishments who mirror their own practices, a majority of hotels are going green.
As Design Consultants in the Hotel Industry, we tend to underestimate the extent of our environmental responsibilities. We must insist on an integrated design process, in which efforts are taken to ensure the appropriation of materials and construction methods. There is an impending need to specify products that have low-VOC (volatile organic compound) content. We must engage Lighting Specialists and collaborate in in-depth studies that bring about energy efficient lighting design. Although, the final decision still lies in the hands of the operators and owners, we can be effective by causing a movement that can heavily influence the outcome.
We at Samuel Creations have been at the forefront of the environmental initiative for over a decade, by the implementation of MINERGIE standards in all of its projects. We have received an award in 2010 for the successful design of a zeronet energy building (ZNE) - L'Hotel du Signal in Switzerland. Our Dubai office relays the same values through the employment of LEED specialists.
The UAE's construction industry is thriving but is beset with wasteful practices and the excessive use of materials. Although local authorities have realized the significance of energy efficiency and conservation, the adoption and integration process is painfully slow. The Emirates are developing a rating system that measures green credentials that would conform to its climatic context and would thereby be region specific. In addition to this, the recently formed EGBC (Emirates Green Building Council) are taking steps to ensure sustainable building practices in the UAE. Attempts are being made to transform the perception of property developers and prospective owners. The EGBC has stated that their vision is "to be the prime driver in facilitating the UAE's prominent position as global leader in ecological footprint reduction of the built environment by 2015."
This is a bold statement and the task at hand is an extremely challenging one. We as responsible design consultants practicing in the region, must rally to the cause and form a unified front to help facilitate this vision. We have the ability to suggest 'lifestyles', how difficult could it be to suggest responsible ones?
