Island and Harbour District - each of which incorporate interesting initiatives devoted to reducing their environmental impact. For example, all residences have integral chutes for the collection of recycling and composting materials. All food waste - from both the KAUST campus and residential areas - is recycled and incorporated into an organic landscape mulch programme outside the city. The campus and community use an electric Segway sharing program for short-distance travel and an electric vehicle sharing program for longer-distance travel requiring climate control. Diffused natural daylight and exterior views as well as improved ventilation and indoor air quality play an integral role throughout the building. Because of the intensity of the sun in the region, all daylight will be diffused to decrease solar heat gain intensity while all outdoor air intakes and interior spaces are monitored with CO2 sensors to ensure that appropriate levels of ventilation and fresh air are being supplied to building users. The energy efficiency systems are state-of-
KAUST Campus
the-art with a particularly interesting lighting system. The centralised astronomic time-clock system calculates sunrise and sunset times each day based on longitude and latitude. Occupancy sensors and sensor-based daylight harvesting are used in appropriate locations such as offices, conference rooms, and restrooms although manual dimming is available. All staff and students have the opportunity of staying in one of the KAUSTs residential neighbourhoods - Safaa Gardens, Safaa
The university follows the United States Green Building Council’s LEED rating system for establishing performance criteria in a sustainable development. In conclusion, the scheme’s intention to create an enduring model for advanced education and scientific research while providing a strong foundation for all aspects of work and life, has in effect also created a living laboratory, demonstrating that environmentally responsible methods of energy use, materials management and water consumption are viable in a region that at best has been ambivalent to such issues.
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