Category Archives: Construction

The Wall is the Green Building Decision Gulf Projects Overlook

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When people talk about green buildings in the Gulf, the conversation usually starts with solar panels, efficient chillers, smart controls or rating certificates. The external wall rarely makes the list. Yet in a climate where air conditioning runs for most of the year, the wall is one of the largest surfaces through which heat enters a building, and it is one of the few building elements that nobody replaces during the building’s life. I have spent more than 17 years supplying and installing autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) block in Qatar with ASLAN Contracting & Transportation, and my view is simple: … Continue reading →

Sustainable Concrete Waste Management in Infrastructure Projects – A Case Study

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Saudi Arabia is experiencing extensive infrastructure and urban development under Vision 2030. Construction activities associated with foundations, structures, culverts, roads, utilities and other infrastructure works can produce significant quantities of concrete waste. Uncontrolled accumulation of concrete debris can affect housekeeping, access, dust control, soil quality, site safety and the efficient use of disposal capacity. Effective concrete waste management should therefore focus not only on removing waste from the work area, but also on preventing unnecessary generation, improving material utilization, segregating concrete at source, identifying recovery opportunities and maintaining reliable records from generation through final destination. Case Study: Concrete Waste Generation … Continue reading →

Sustainable Waste Management in Large-Scale Infrastructure Projects: A Case Study from Saudi Arabia

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Abstract Large-scale infrastructure development is central to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, but construction activity also generates significant waste. This article presents the waste management approach at DG-II, Infra Package-1, where approximately 130 tonnes of waste are generated monthly, equivalent to about 1,560 tonnes annually if the rate remains constant. The system covers general and construction waste generated across work fronts, offices and site facilities. Waste is segregated and temporarily stored, then collected and transported by Delta Solution, the designated waste management service provider, with final disposal at AKAM. The case study highlights how structured waste control, traceability, source segregation and … Continue reading →

Green Building Rating Systems in the MENA Countries

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Green buildings not only contribute towards a sustainable construction and environment but also bring lots of benefits and advantages to building owners and users. Lower development costs, lower operating costs, increased comforts, healthier indoor environment quality, and enhanced durability and less maintenance costs are hallmarks of a typical green building. A wide range of green building rating and assessment systems are used around the world, including LEED and BREEAM. Sustainability is now a top priority in MENA region and countries like Qatar and UAE have come up with their own green building rating system to incorporate socio-economic, environmental and cultural … Continue reading →

Energy Efficiency in Saudi Cement Industry

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Saudi Arabia is the largest construction market in the Middle East, with large development projects under way and many more in the planning stage. The cement industry in Saudi Arabia is evolving rapidly and annual clinker production was 75 million tonnes in 2018. The cement industry is one of the highest energy-intensive industries in the world, with fuel and energy costs typically representing 30-40% of total production costs. On an average, the specific electrical energy consumption typically ranges between 90 and 130 kWh per tonne of cement. Keeping in view the huge energy demand of the cement industry, the Saudi … Continue reading →

Progress of Green Building Sector in Qatar

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There has been rapid progress in green building sector in Qatar with the emergence of many world-class sustainable constructions in recent years. With the fifth-highest number of LEED-registered and certified buildings outside the U.S., Qatar has valuable experience and inputs to offer on the system’s local relevancy and application. Various countries in the Middle East have been accredited with regards to the LEED system. Of these buildings, 65 per cent (802) are located in the UAE. Qatar is ranked second on the list, with 173 green buildings, followed by Saudi Arabia (145), Lebanon (25) and Egypt (22). Qatar’s Green Building Rating … Continue reading →

Things You Should Know About Wood Wool Cement Board

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Wood Wool Cement Board (WWCB) is a versatile building material made from wood wool and cement where each fiber is coated with a thin film of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) that, when cured, partly petrifies the wood. In that way the fiber will last indefinitely as long as the cement film is not damaged. Environmentally speaking, cement has a negative CO2 signature and therefore both the wood and cement, when decomposed, are harmless to nature and as a result all homogeneous Wood wood cement board products have green labels in Europe. It combines the advantages of both wood and concrete … Continue reading →

Signs You May Have Asbestos in Your House

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If you’re buying a home or doing some makeover, you need to be careful about the presence of asbestos on the walls and other surfaces. Asbestos refers to a mixture of naturally-occurring minerals that are used in building materials. However, the use of this mineral is curtailed because exposure to it can lead to a variety of severe diseases. While your naked eye can’t see asbestos due to its colorless and odorless nature, there are ways to determine whether your home is contaminated with this toxic mineral. Keep reading this article to learn a few signs that can indicate the … Continue reading →

Trends in Sustainable Housing to Lookout For

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There has been large-scale proliferation in construction of buildings worldwide due to population growth, economic development, urbanization and migration. There has been a rapid migration of the world’s population from rural areas to cities or semi-urban areas. In fact, this trend is expected to continue and cities within the developed as well as developing nations are expected to grow in terms of population. As a result all forms of construction activities are expected to become more intense than ever in the years to come. Usually the development of urban areas suffers from weak process of planning and control which lead … Continue reading →

8 Factors How Home Building Impacts Our Environment

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More homeowners are electing to build their own homes instead of buying established properties. There are several reasons for this. Some people want to be in charge of the design and construction. They want the final say on what their house. New homes also tend to be less expensive in terms on maintenance costs. There’s no need to worry about renovation for a while. Many new homes are being built in newer neighborhoods that are relatively safe and free from crime. If you are considering building or renovating a home but don’t know where to start, there are plenty of … Continue reading →

Build Your Tiny Home From Recycled Materials

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People are turning to tiny living in order to save money. Living simply is about getting back to the earth, leaving a smaller footprint on the planet, and also, for many people, about being frugal. Why create a mountain of debt when you can build a home from recycled materials that can be found for free? Building your tiny home from recycled materials is not as difficult as you may think. In fact, when you learn what to look for, it’s actually not hard to find the materials and put your imagination to work. Image Source: https://tinylivinglife.com/2019/05/how-much-do-tiny-houses-cost-are-they-worth-the-investment/ What Materials Do … Continue reading →

The Benefits of Flood Risk Assessment Report in Building Planning

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Flood risk assessment reports (FRARs) are crucial—evaluating potential flood hazards to promote safety through informed mitigation strategies. However, these reports’ environmental impacts are often overlooked in the urgency to protect property and lives. This article explores integrating sustainability alongside safety within the FRAR framework by utilizing natural flood defenses, eco-conscious materials and design, and life-cycle impact analysis. A balanced approach allows communities to implement flood protection solutions while preserving the surrounding environment for generations. Understanding Flood Risk Before diving into the specifics of a flood risk assessment report, it’s essential to understand the various factors that contribute to flood risk. … Continue reading →