SABAH AL AHMAD FINANCIAL CENTRE, KUWAIT
The Sabah Al Ahmad Financial Centre, Kuwait is a mixed use development consisting of Offices and Hotel building spanning over 1,228,800 Sq ft of built-up area on a site area of 167,800 Sq Ft. Ten stories of the building (16th to 25 th) are earmarked for Hotel comprising a built up area for hotel of 2463,714 Sft. The Basement will be of two levels comprising total 129,120 Sft. There will be ground floor, two mezzanine floors and 38 stories of this high-rise building. The Client Shaab National Real Estate Co. wants to pursue LEED rating from US Green Building Council in line with their commitment on Sustainable Design. The Development will pursue LEED for Core & Shell v 2.0. The project is one of the largest, prestigious sustainable developments in Kuwait and Middle East and the first building in Kuwait to pursue LEED.
The Architects and Engineers M/s KEO International Consultants, task with this design brief of Client are progressing with the concept design adopting sustainable strategies under their respective disciplines based on the board outlines of the Client’s requirements of sustainability.
Green Technologies professionals have carried out LEED assessment and conducted a no. of Workshop on the project and make recommendations on the viability of achieving LEED-CS Gold Rating from U.S. Green Building Council. The LEED Project Checklist, based on assessment carried out by Green Technologies with the project team, indicates that the Project will meet all Pre-requisites and pursuing 43 Credit points as ‘YES’ and 18 Credit points as ‘NO’ during this Precertification estimate as per USBGC Precertification instruction dated 10th Dec. 2007.
Sustainable Features of the Development
The development pursuing LEED for the Building comprises Offices & Hotel have incorporated a no. of Green Strategies and adopted proven architectural and engineering technologies, some of which are mentioned as follows:
• To comply with all 7 Pre-requisites for LEED-CS
• Site selection and development on an urban site
• Adopting Erosion and Sediment Control Measures
• Treating highly hazardous substance H2S present in underground water at site by taking remediation measures.
• Availability of more than one bus stop with in ¼ Mile distance
• 100% Underground Covered Car Parking Facility
• Providing high Albedo Paints with SRI greater than 78 for the entire roof (Excluding Equipment)
• Recycling of Gray Water for Irrigation
• On Site Water Treatment Facility
• Use of Water efficient Flush and Flow Fixtures
• Elimination of CFC(s) for the Project
• Compliance with ASHRAE 90.1 Appendix G and energy simulation modeling
• Use of Energy Efficient and Eco-friendly by using Wind Turbine
• Improved Façade/Envelope Design (Roof, Wall & Fenestration)
• Using Energy Efficient Light (Lower Lighting Power Density)
• Using Daylight Control and Occupancy Sensors
• Use of Demand Controlled Ventilation System
• Use of Chilled Water using compliant refrigerant R123 (Refrigerant Impact Total, considering ODP and GWP of Refrigerants.
• Measurement and Verification – Installation of BMS, M & V plan for the Base Building and Tenant Sub-metering
• Storage and collection of recyclables for the Project
• Construction waste Management – Diverting from Landfill
• Use of Non-toxic eco-friendly materials
• Use of Materials with high Recycled content
• Endeavouring maximising use of Materials with high Regional Material Content
• Use of FSC Certified Wood for the Project
• Quality Indoor Air for Human Safety and Comfort
• Declaring Buildings as ‘Non Smoking Building’
• Design exceeding Fresh Air Requirement of ASHRAE 62 by over 30%
• Construction IAQ Management – complying with SMACNA and following MERV for Filters
• Use of Environment Friendly Low Emitting Material for maintaining proper Indoor Air Quality – for ‘Adhesives & Sealants’, ‘Paints & Coatings’, CRI certified Carpet Systems and Urea formaldehyde free ‘Composite Wood and Agrifiber Products
• Controlling ‘Indoor Chemical & Pollutant Source’ by putting Walk off Mats in Entrance and MERV 13 Filters for Supply Air Units.
• Thermal Comfort Design Complying with ASHRAE 55-2004, Section 6.1.1
• Use of eco-friendly Housekeeping Chemicals
• Involvement of LEED in the Project |
