Our Environment and Sustainability team was presented with the EmiratesGBC Green Building Research Award for its work on maximizing the use of outdoor spaces in the region.

The "Outdoor Space Comfort" research project provides solutions to improve habitable external spaces in the Middle East during summer months, when high temperatures often limit time spent outdoors. The project aims to give residents and businesses the opportunity to enjoy outdoors spaces throughout the year. In addition to addressing comfort, the solution encourages a healthier, more active lifestyle by allowing greater pedestrian mobility.

Jane Boyle, Head of Sustainability & Energy for WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff in the Middle East, commented: "The study was a result of our Environment and Sustainability team's constant quest to find innovative ways to improve projects and positively influence the region in which we live and work. Given the fact that outdoor spaces in the Middle East cannot be used for long periods of the year due to the local climate, we wanted to come up with an effective and environmentally-friendly solution. From this study, a system was created that combines and measures all the components and comfort criteria of outdoor living spaces. Moreover, the process was simplified to allow for the implementation of a complete solution for individual projects within a week, rather than months. Congratulations to everyone who was involved!"

Key initiatives of the solution include the introduction of:

  • specific surface materials to reduce surface emissivity;
  • strategically placed shading;
  • active measures such as evaporative cooling; and
  • radiative surfaces.

The project adheres to BREEAM and Estidama (a sustainability framework specific to the UAE) green standards.

Jane Boyle and the team were present to accept the award at Emirates Green Building Council's Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner in Dubai.

The 2015 EGBC Awards Program honours companies that apply sustainability in the design, construction and/or operation of buildings and structures.

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