Let's Go Toward Sustainability..!

KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology)

In June 2010, KAUST campus earned platinum rating for Leadership in Energy and environmental Design (LEED) because of the innovative and sustainable design development at KAUST. This building located at Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with 5.340.000 sqft area. Saudi Arabia has an extremely hot and humid weather. This campus has succeeded to create a highly 

sustainable and low-energy building.

There are six main area of sustainable development that KAUST emphasize, which are Sustainable site planning, Building material and resources, Water conservation, Energy efficiency and renewable energy, Ventilation and lighting, Coral Reef and mangrove protection.

1. Sustainable site planning

The sustainable site planning that KAUST develop was responding with the site and the climate. “Buildings are specifically located and grouped to maximize the benefits of the unique site microclimate and ecosystem, and mitigate the detriments of the sun’s movement and the harsh Saudi Arabian climate.”( http://www.kaust.edu.sa)

2. Building Material and Resources.

Most of the choices of materials for KAUST are come from local and recycled content. All the concrete and steel was came from local with high level of recycled content. All the wood was came from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified and more than 75% of all construction waste was recycled for the KAUST campus.

3. Water Conservation.

“KAUST will implement water conservation strategies and study new methods of generating potable water resources through water management and next-generation desalination technologies.” (http://www.kaust.edu.sa). KAUST campus harvests the rainwater and stored it for use. 

4.  Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

5. Ventilation and Lighting

Creating a good quality of indoor environmental quality can improve the productivity of people. This element is really important for university design. KAUST campus was created the good air indoor quality by providing abundant natural daylight into the buildings

  

6. Coral Reef and Mangrove Protection

“The preliminary environmental survey for the KAUST site identified two sensitive marine habitats on the development site – the Coral Reefs and Mangroves.” Coral reefs or people called it “rainforests of the sea” represent one of the most magnificent, diverse and productive marine habitats on the planet. Also mangroves play an important ecological role as habitat for various species of marine vertebrates and invertebrates as well as other wildlife. KAUST campus preserved these habitats by protected them from the pollution and sewage that come from construction and operation of KAUST.

References :

1.    http://www.kaust.edu.sa/about/sustainable/sustainable.html

2.    http://leedcasestudies.usgbc.org/overview.cfm?ProjectID=1721

3.    http://www.buildinggreen.com.library.academyart.edu/hpb/overview.cfm?projectid=1721