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| The world’s number one sustainable building is also cost effective  The Change Initiative building in Dubai, one of Ramboll's Engineering Services sustainability projects, has recently achieved the highest LEED Platinum rating in the world from the US Green Building Council.Securing 107 out of 110 available credits has made the Change Initiative building the most sustainable building globally under the LEED Commercial Interiors (LEED CI) rating system. The Change Initiative is a non-profit organisation that provides environmentally healthy solutions and products, and has incorporated environmental considerations into all aspects of their 4,000 m2 head office, from the roofing and energy-efficient lighting to the water system. "Most people believe that Dubai cannot be sustainable - or that it is less sustainable. But we've proven that if Dubai can build the tallest, and the biggest, then it can also build the most sustainable building, " said founder and CEO at The Change Initiative, Gundeep Singh. A cost effective sustainable result Ramboll was appointed to offer mechanical, electrical plumbing and LEED services via sub consultancy agreements through HoK, the lead architect and consultant on the project. The Change Initiative, was determined to ensure that the building would achieve 100% sustainable solutions, and subsequently sought to attain a LEED Commercial Interiors platinum rating. "Our mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design teams along with the fire engineering and sustainability teams embarked upon a mission to ensure that the most cost effective sustainable solutions were offered to our valued client. In order to achieve these particular targets and to ensure the most cost effective recommendations for the customer, the team evaluated each and every possible solution available, " said Bill Jolly, Director of MEP (Mechanical, electrical and plumbing design) and Sustainability at Ramboll. Reducing electrical consumption The project also incorporated LED light fittings, which have significantly reduced electrical consumption whilst the building envelope was maximised with respect to U-values and air tightness all contributing towards achieving LEED Platinum. The varying solutions were each considered for the project specifically in relation to the capital cost along with the running costs. The team developed a series of pay-back-period calculations to justify the installation of each technology for the building. "It was a pleasure working with a client who understands and appreciates the need for sustainable solutions within the region. It was our intention to undertake the various calculations and assessments to allow the client to make informed decisions, which we're very pleased they did, " added Sunil George, Principal Mechanical Engineer for Ramboll Dubai. Worth knowing about the LEED rating system Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), developed by the U.S. Green Building Council(USGBC), consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods that are designed, constructed, maintained and operated for improved environmental and human health performance. Over 44,000 projects are currently participating in commercial and institutional LEED rating systems, comprising over 8 million square feet of construction space in all 50 states and 120 countries. The Change Initiative is a one stop destination specialising in solutions that reduce human impacts on the environment and promote sustainable development. Based in Dubai, it is the first enterprise of its type anywhere in the world and aspires to be a global brand name in the sustainability space, providing a single platform for solutions that touch lives. write your comments about the article :: © 2013 Construction News :: home page |