Category Archives: Green Building

Staying Cool with Natural Cooling – Traditional Natural Cooling Techniques

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Natural cooling is particularly important as an economical method of keeping people comfortable and safe from extreme heat even in areas where there is no electricity or when the power grid fails. It also helps reduce peak loads and lowers the stress on generation and distribution systems. Natural cooling has been utilized for centuries and has only recently been ignored, most obviously since 1950, as mechanical air conditioning and electricity became artificially cheap. As a result architects, engineers and designers began to ignore the potential value of even the most basic principles of natural cooling. The traditional cooling methods are: … Continue reading →

Why Airports Should Go Green: Case Study from Bahrain

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Can airports ever be green? This is an overwhelming concept in a carbon-driven, and carbon-intensive industry. The reality is that air travel is often the only realistic option for the movement of both people and cargo in the current lifestyle and demands encompassed with time constraints. This is especially critical for the island nation of Bahrain that is so heavily dependent on air travel in terms of food security. With over 90% of all goods: perishable and manufactured, imported into the nation, this carbon-intensive industry is not going to disappear. Airports themselves, may only contribute 5% to the carbon emissions … Continue reading →

Beyond Brightness: The Essential Features of LED Lighting for Green Buildings

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Have you ever thought about how important good lighting is for your business? LED lighting does more than just help people see— can enhance productivity in offices and provide crucial safety in warehouses during power outages. There’s more to LED lighting than simply illuminating a space. Let’s explore the features that make LED lights essential in any commercial or industrial setting. Corridor Function Imagine walking down a dim corridor. As you move forward, the lights gradually brighten. Once you pass, they dim again. It feels like magic—but it’s actually smart LED technology at work. This feature relies on motion sensors … Continue reading →

Energy Efficiency Implementation in GCC’s Residential Sector: Actions and Technical Requirements

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The huge existing stock of residential units in the GCC region, and the expected growth in residential construction projects, convey different challenges at the time of energy efficiency implementation. New developments require the definition and the enforcement of standards to be included at the design process; while owners and users of existing units require motivation and financial strategies to implement different levels of energy efficiency actions. A set of actions and requirements have been identified to improve energy efficiency in residential buildings, these include core management actions and specific technical requirements; and are defined for new developments and for already … Continue reading →

Alimenter les écoles à l’énergie solaire: investir dans l’éducation et l’environnement de façon éclairée

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L’énergie renouvelable s’est largement intégrée au mix énergétique mondial, et on assiste à un virage vers des sources d’alimentation pour maisons et commerces plus propres et plus fiables. L’énergie solaire, notamment, est en première ligne de la révolution renouvelable, à travers les panneaux solaires pour toit et les technologies subséquentes disponibles partout, que ce soit votre domicile, votre lieu de travail ou votre établissement d’enseignement. Les écoles du pays ont vite compris qu’il était essentiel d’adopter l’énergie solaire afin de réduire leur empreinte carbone, de réaliser des économies et de fournir des conditions d’apprentissage optimales. Voici pourquoi il est pertinent … Continue reading →

The Benefits of Natural Ventilation in Buildings

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Natural ventilation is a method of allowing fresh outdoor air into indoor living spaces by natural means without the use of air conditioning units and other types of mechanically driven devices. It  is the process of changing or replacing stale or noxious air with fresh air in any space to provide high indoor air quality to control temperature, replenish oxygen, remove moisture, odors, smoke, heat, dust, airborne bacteria and carbon dioxide. Ventilation is important as it reduces unhealthy air pollutants, such as formaldehyde and radon. It reduces excessive moisture and humidity levels, which can lead to mold growth and can … Continue reading →

Green Building Sector in the UAE: Perspectives

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The focus on sustainability is one of the biggest trends in the GCC’s building sector. This is underpinned by Dubai being ranked third in the list of global cities with the highest number of green certified buildings in the ‘Sustainability and Wellness in Dubai’ report by Core Savills with over 550 projects under LEED certification and the implementation of the Estidama framework in Abu Dhabi. Paving the Way In the UAE, the directives by the Federal and Local Government entities to establish a sustainable economy that advocates demand side-energy management, and water & energy use efficiency has encouraged real estate … Continue reading →

The Benefits of Green Buildings for the Middle East

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The Middle East region faces a unique set of challenges in terms of sustainable buildings and cities. For example, water shortage is mitigated by costly desalination and we are faced with high water consumption which leads to a higher carbon footprint and ultimately impacts climate change. Middle Eastern countries are at the top of the list of largest per capita ecological footprints. In 2020, Qatar has the highest per capita level of carbon dioxide emissions, at 37 metric tons per person annually. Kuwait is second with 20.83 tons, followed by Saudi Arabia with 17.97 metric tons. Therefore, integrating energy efficiency … Continue reading →

المبنى الأخضر في الأردن – نافذة جديدة على البيئة

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في  دول العالم المتقدم , أصبح الحوار الذي ينافس السياسة و القضايا المجتمعية هو البيئة . أصبحت البيئة محط أنظار الجميع الان بعد سنين طوال من السعي وراء التكنولوجيا و التطور و إهمالها بشكل ملحوظ . إن مفهوم البيئة لم يعد مقتصرا على النظافة و توفير المياه فحسب , بل أصبحت الدول و القارات تتنافس في مجال انتاج الطاقة النظيفة ( طاقة الرياح , الشمسية , الطاقة المائية , طاقة الحرارة الأرضية , طاقة المد و الجزر و طاقة الكتل الحرارية ) وذلك بعد الجزم بإمكانيتها في  تأمين طاقة يمكن الإعتماد عليها في شتى الميادين و بشكل رئيسي بدلا من … Continue reading →

Evaporative Cooling: Achieving Energy Conservation in Buildings

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The global push toward sustainability and commitment to United Nations’ SDGs has brought innovative solutions of energy conservation in building design and operation. Evaporative cooling has emerged as an effective and environmentally-friendly method for reducing energy consumption (in comparison to HVAC system which consume approximately 40 percent of energy in buildings) while maintaining indoor comfort. Let’s explore the principles, applications, benefits, and limitations of evaporative cooling in achieving energy conservation in buildings. What is Evaporative Cooling Evaporative cooling leverages the natural process of water evaporation to lower air temperature. The principle is simple yet effective: when water evaporates, it absorbs … Continue reading →

5 Astuces Pour être au Chaud Cet Hiver

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Même dans le confort de notre propre maison, la saison la plus froide et la plus rude de l’année nous pousse à nous précipiter sur radiateurs, pulls, couvertures et manteaux supplémentaires. Mais ce n’est certainement pas une fatalité : grâce à plusieurs changements très simples, dites adieu à la fraîcheur hivernale de votre foyer et bienvenue à une chaleur douillette et accueillante. 1. Éliminez les courants d’air Une maison chaleureuse, ce n’est pas qu’un bon chauffage, c’est aussi la capacité à retenir la chaleur. C’est le rôle de l’isolation. Pour empêcher la déperdition thermique, il faut consolider les zones vulnérables … Continue reading →

Revolutionizing Urban Spaces with Living Walls: Enhancing Sustainability and Aesthetics in Cities

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Urban environments often struggle with pollution, heat, and a lack of green space. Living walls offer a transformative solution by enhancing air quality, reducing urban heat, and promoting biodiversity. These vertical gardens not only beautify concrete landscapes but also provide essential ecosystem services that are vital for sustainable city living. As cities continue to grow, innovative approaches to design and architecture have become necessary. Living walls can be integrated into both new structures and existing buildings, making them a versatile option for urban planners and architects alike. This trend illustrates how integrating nature into urban design can lead to healthier, … Continue reading →