KHALEEJ TIMES ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT Thursday, Februray 18, 2010
LEED LEED CERTIFICATION CERTIFICATION
IV
Sustainable buildings The Dubai museum and the bastakiya buildings with their monumental wind towers are traditional examples of what is now called a green building THE UAE has experienced exceptional growth in the past few years that has resulted in rapid development that warrants an immediate need to plan, design, construct and operate buildings in a sustainable manner that is beneficial while incorporating sustainable measures that can be regionally adaptive into the planning, construction and function of a building. The word “GREEN” when applied to a building or a sustainable development can often be misleading with different perceptions that could divert the real objectives of the core sense of simple integrated sustainable thinking into the planning process by incorporating established and proven engineering standards into the design, choosing eco-friendly materials and construction measures and last but not the least operate and manage the building in a sustainable manner. This process actively considers,
involves and integrates the authorities, developers, the facilities management and the tenant while minimising environmental impact at a local and regional level. LEED and the other international rating systems have not really created a new concept but rather integrated all applicable sustainable measures into a framework or a benchmarking system that awards points based on the number of sustainable measures that have been adapted to plan, design, construct and operate a building as per the respective guidelines that provide a proven and comprehensive approach. “The UAE’s ancient Bedouin dwellings and the old buildings similar to Dubai museum and the bastakiya buildings with their monumental wind towers are true examples of what is now called a green building. Going back in time, these buildings would exceed most rating Khalid Rashed Al Suwadi systems benchmarking beyond the platinum level which is the highest adornment to verify a green building. Today’s living modern example is the Dubai Chamber building that is the first existing Green building in the region that we’re proud to have partnered in offering our consulting services since 2007,” says Khalid Rashed Al Suwadi, Chairman of Global Tech. Although several similar local guidelines or rating systems at national and local levels are in the process of being carefully studied and developed for implementation, several local authorities and developers have already adapted and are implementing sustainability measures within their developments.
The drive to have the best of everything and the generous extravagance of the past has in some cases led modern buildings to be overdesigned mainly with regards to the air-conditioning and lighting systems by almost 30 per cent to 50 per cent, with little concern dedicated to water savings. That is all being optimised and changed by incorporating suitable principles that are constantly updated and strictly regulated by several local authorities. The realisation of the importance of inducing facilities management requirement into the design is another evolution that further aids the improvement process. The Dubai Chamber building is a living example of good design that was further improvised, modified and maintained to meet the actual operations of the building while dedicating importance to environmental concerns by implementing environmental policies since 1995. Global Tech Safety and Environmental Consultancy has been serving the region since 2004 by offering environmental, safety and security consulting services. Currently Global Tech is engaged in offering Green Building consulting and commissioning services for several projects in the region that are registered for LEED certification. Global Tech was also involved in the LEED consulting of Dubai Chamber building that was recently certified to pioneer as the first LEED certified building in the Arab World.
A living example of good design that was further improvised, modified and maintained to meet the actual operations of the building while dedicating importance to environmental concern by implementing environmental policies since 1995 is the Dubai Chamber building
Jotun Paints: Massive green initiatives Jotun provides paints that are energy efficient and have low volatile organic compounds to ensure less impact on people’s health and the environment ANSWERABLE for the environmental impact of its manufacturing operations, Jotun, one of the leading global paint manufacturers of paint and coating innovations, is undertaking massive recycling efforts, which resulted in the reprocessing of over 1,000 tonnes of waste material from its UAE-based plant, where eco-friendly paint products for the Middle East market are manufactured. As a major part of the company’s environmental initiatives, Jotun Paints’ massive waste reduction programmes have resulted in the processing of 8.22 tonnes of powder, 30.44 tonnes of solvent, and 975.25 tonnes of water wastes last year. Having invested $27 million into research and development, the company enforces a streamlined plan to increase its energy efficiency in the future. In line with its commitment to both customers and the environment and its continuous efforts towards achieving greener solutions, Jotun launched the “Green Paint” System to provide paints that are energy-efficient and have low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), to ensure less impact towards people’s health and the environment. Memberships and Associations Jotun’s proactive efforts towards lessening its environmental impact are partly being driven by its position as a founding member of the Emirates Green Building Council, and its membership with the United States Green Building Council. The company is also actively involved in two other green Building Councils — in India and in Turkey. Furthermore, Jotun is the only paint manufacturer that is a founding member of the Emirates Green Building Council and a corporate member of Emirates Environment Group (EEG). Among the most recent environmentcentric initiatives participated in by Jotun in the UAE was a tree planting activity in Jebel Ali Hazardous Waste Treatment Facility, which was completed in collaboration with the Dubai Municipality.
Green Paint Truths and Myths Due to the complexity of the content in paint products, consumers may feel a bit uncertain about which products to choose. Here are some myths about “green” paints and the reality behind them. The VOC Debate Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are a large group of carbonbased chemicals that readily evaporate at room temperature. VOCs can cause headaches, allergic reactions and health problems in humans if inhaled and contribute to the formation of troposphere ozone, smog and global warming. Therefore, it is always recommended to choose a Low VOC and good performing paint that reduces maintenance frequency and improves the life span of walls and indoor air quality. Energy Efficiency “Energy efficiency should be considered a criterion for green coatings. Energy-efficient coatings utilise sophisticated heat insulating technology that reflect the sun’s near infrared and UV radiation away from the substrate, thereby reducing radiant heat transfer within a property. If a property can remain cool, there is a lower demand for cooling energy, which, in turn, decreases the demand on utility companies to burn fossil fuels to run generators. Burning of fossil fuels contributes to smog formation and ozone depletion,” says Eirik Kristensen, Regional Marketing Manager, Jotun UAE. Performance Performance should be an important feature of an environmental less impactful coating. A long-lasting coating means less paint cycles, which means fewer VOCs are emitted. The physical performance of paints depends on a number of variables such as quality of pigments, film build, polymer and sheen. Highly reflective coatings reduce surface temperature, which extends the life of the coating. High film build coatings last longer than low film build, simply because
of greater thickness. One-hundred-per cent acrylics last longer than styrene and PVA acrylics. Retail latex paints typically last three to seven years between repaint cycles. The longer a coating lasts, the less impact it has on the environment, and this is the reason why it should be considered a criterion for a green coating specification. Jotun believes the optimal paint with the least environmental impact should deliver durability, performance, energy efficiency, and a strong capacity to minimise impact on air quality and beautify projects. The manufacturer has launched the “Jotun Green Paint System”, which includes paints that qualify for many Green Building Rating Systems across the globe. “Jotun Green Paint System” comprise “Fenomastic Gold”, which improve indoor air quality; “Jotashield Thermo”, which promotes energy efficiency; and “Jotashield SuperDurable”, which enhances structures’ performance and durability. These high performance products were specially formulated to reduce environmental impact and meet or exceed the criteria of regional and global regulations for green standards. Fenomastic Gold Fenomastic Interior paint is one of Jotun’s best interior coatings, which has been a pioneer in the market for a total of 37 years. It delivers remarkable durability and exceptional colour with richer hues, and retains their colour integrity even after repeated washings. With its superior hide properties, eco-friendly Fenomastic Gold Interior paint has very low VOC and is available in all colours. It has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-fire spread properties, a high crack tolerance of 1.4 mm, and applies easily and dries quickly for seamless touch-ups. Jotashield Thermo Jotashield Thermo is one of the most innovative paint products for commercial projects available in the market. It reduces the heat absorbed by the walls, which lowers indoor tempera-
ture, thereby increasing comfort level and decreasing the energy load to cool the home in the heat, all while cutting cooling costs. Furthermore, it can also extend roof life expectancy and aid in the reduction of heat island and heat related smog. This water-based exterior paint is test certified with crack bridging ability, high UV resistance, anti-carbonation and water vapour transmission. Jotashield Thermo is available in 96 colours. Jotashield Superdurable Jotashield SuperDurable is the most durable and the greenest paint in the market, offering low VOC and a special hybrid binding technology which offers twice the life span of conventional solvent based durable coatings. Ideal for decorating and protecting exterior surfaces, the coating has far longer gloss retention and durability than other decorative coating systems. The paint films a combination of hardness and flexibility that provide high durable protection of a well-prepared concrete/plastered surface for up to 20 years. It also has excellent UV, water and humidity resistance. Certifications As an industry leader in the region committed to fulfilling its responsibility towards reducing environmental impact, Jotun enforces manufacturing procedures that focus on solid waste reduction, recycling and is in the process of implementing the ISO 14001 and OASHAS 18001 certification in its factories worldwide. The company’s global research and development team is constantly developing advanced coatings to help reduce harmful emissions as well as lower VOC. This initiative is designed to boost the performance of Jotun paints, formulated to resist dirt and harmful bacteria, clean easily and improve the quality of indoor and outdoor environments. In addition, the manufacturer also focuses on promoting awareness of proper surface preparations and application to prolong the life span of the paint, thereby reducing the frequency of repainting emissions and waste.
Cost of being
GREEN
Advanced or innovative sustainable features can add significantly to the cost of a project that depends greatly on a wide range of factors What does green really cost? The most common reason cited for not incorporating green elements into building designs are the increase in its initial cost. People who are green loath relate anecdotes of premiums in excess of 30 per cent to make their buildings green. These numbers are simply not, however, borne out by facts, as evidenced by many studies on the cost of green buildings. It is clear from the substantial weight of evidence in the marketplace that reasonable levels of sustainable design can be incorporated into most building types at little or no additional cost. Since sustainable materials and systems are becoming more affordable, sustainable design elements are becoming widely accepted into the mainstream of project design, and building owners and tenants are beginning to demand and value those features. It is important to note, however, that advanced or innovative sustainable features can add significantly to the cost of a project which depends greatly on a wide range of factors, including building type, project location, local climate, site conditions, and the familiarity of the project team with sustainable design. These factors have a relatively small but still noticeable impact on the overall cost of sustainability. How green? The first step in the process is to set sustainability goals. Defining the level of green can be a challenge. The most widely used measure, at least in the United States, is the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. This system has four levels — Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum — that can be achieved by earning a series of points from five categories: Sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality. Points can also be earned for innovation and design process. The measures are more narrowly focused measures, such as calculations of a building’s carbon footprint or measurements of a building’s energy efficiency (the Energy Star rating). All these systems are valid measures of sustainable design, but each reflects a different mix of environmental values, and each will have a different cost impact. It is therefore necessary for the building owner or investor to choose the rating system and the success level that most closely matches his or her own value profile. Clear goals are critical for managing the cost. It is not enough to simply state: “We want our project to be green”; the values should be determined and articulated as early in the design process as possible and incorporated into the project at every stage during the delivery process so that all team members are on board with the specific green elements the project is meant to possess. How committed? Once the sustainability goals have been defined, it is essential to integrate them into the design and to integrate the design team so that the building elements can work together to achieve those goals. Buildings can no longer be broken down and designed as an assemblage of isolated components. The building skin and the interior space planning contribute to energy performance, lighting density, and indoor air quality as much as the mechanical and electrical systems do. Materials and finish selections can affect air quality, lighting, and energy loads. If the components are designed independently, there is likely to be redundancy or conflict between the systems. Integrated design is one of the most effective factors in delivering costefficient green buildings. Integrating the construction team into the project team is also highly desirable. Many sustainable design features can be defeated or diminished by poor construction practices. Similarly, building users have taken over shower facilities intended for bicycle commuters to use for office storage, and building maintenance staff members have overridden energy management controls because they find them too complicated to use. Engaging with the users and
operators during the design process can lead to better designs and a better understanding by the users of the function of the sustainable features. How much? Having set the goals and incorporated them into the design and construction process, there is still the question of what the sustainable features will cost. Underlying this question, however, is another question: “Compared to what?” In many cases, this question is left unasked or is undefined. The most common comparison, at least in anecdotal reporting, is comparing the cost of the green project with the original project budget or the original anticipated cost of the project: “The final project cost me this much; I originally thought it would cost that much; the difference must be what I spent on making it green.” Clearly, this approach has two substantial problems: It assumes the original budget was adequate in the first place, and it assumes that no other changes or enhancements were made. Nevertheless, this is a widely used methodology and is found in many of the studies of the cost of green projects. It can also be viewed as the ultimate measure of affordability because the budget, if properly set, represents the cost-value breakpoint of the project. In addition, statistically, the distribution is very skewed, with a large number of projects reporting zero or very low premiums, and a small number reporting much larger premiums, up to 10 per cent. This means that the average (mean) cost premium is typically higher than the cost premium for the average project (median). The averages are also very sensitive to changes in the population of buildings studied. Because many of the studies are based on relatively small populations, the averages must be viewed as indicative, not conclusive. Most of the studies that use this methodology report average green premiums in the range of 1 per cent to 2 per cent to achieve a moderate level of sustainable design equivalent to a LEED Silver rating. Higher levels of sustainability are usually linked to higher green premiums, although the small engaging with the users and operators during the design process can lead to better designs and a better understanding by the users of the function of the sustainable features. Studies undertaken reveal that for the selected building types, there was no statistically significant difference between the average cost of green buildings and the average cost of non-green buildings. How to? The studies do not and cannot answer the most important question about the cost of green: “What is the cost of green for me/you?” This can be answered only by good cost planning within the context of clear values and a committed project team. Studies do demonstrate that sustainable design is within reach for most projects and that buildings that are better for the environment and for the occupants can be delivered in a cost-effective way. Sustainability goals, strategies, and budgets can readily be established and integrated during the project programming phase in exactly the same way any other project goals, strategies, and budgets can be established: through the use of good planning processes. The real question in planning and budgeting should not be “How much more will this cost?” but “How will we do this?” The site shortcomings are simply due to a lack of training or understanding by site operatives and problems arise when a design team does not understand the difficulties of site conditions or when developing, details or requirements are not practical. Many such problems can be eliminated by engaging the construction team, including subcontractors and site operatives, in the design and procurement process. The integrated team should also include building users and operators wherever possible since these are the people who live with the design decisions for many years and help in converting the built environment into being sustainable. — Courtesy: Global Tech Safety and Environmental Consultancy