Overview on The Development of Green
`
Buildings Codes for Kuwait
National Committee of Building Codes in Kuwait
Eng. Alia Al.Sayegh
Chair of Green Buildings Technical Team
27th March, 2012
A FORUM ON GREEN BUILDINGS COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGICAL STUDIES PAAET - KUWAIT
Introduction
Vast government investment in improving the
national infrastructure is anticipated to drive the
construction industry. The government is
planning to spend KD 37 billion during the 20102014 within the Development Plan.
Within the GCC Construction pie, almost 67% of
the total value of projects fall under the Buildings
classification. Buildings classification comprises of
Buildings as well as Industrial projects
Construction Industry Practices
Imported standards (American & British):
No complete standards that fits this region.
Lack of clarity of contract documents:
Incomplete information.
Low quality drawings.
Poor management of construction sites:
Low health & safety standards.
Poor construction waste management.
Why Buildings
Within the GCC Construction pie, almost 67%
of the total value of projects fall under the
Buildings classification. Buildings classification
comprises of Buildings as well as Industrial
projects. The proportionate percentage for
Energy and Infrastructure remained at 19%
and 14% respectively across all countries in
GCC. *
*GCC Construction Industry - Facts and Figures
Ventures Middle East, July 2010, Pages: 22
GCC Construction Projects
Environmental Impact of
Buildings
High Energy Consumption
Materials Exhaustion
CO2 Emissions
Waste Production
Natural Sites Disturbance
High Water Consumption
Human Health : Sick Building Syndrome,
VOCs, Emissions.
Energy Consumption in the United
States by the Different Sectors
Energy Consumption in the United
Kingdom by the Different Sectors
Electricity Consumption in the United
States by Different Sectors
CO2 Emissions in the United States by
the Different Sectors
The need for Building Codes
Threats to life
& inhabitants
High Energy
Consumption
Rate
Resources
Exhaustion
Demand for Unified
Sustainable
Construction Codes
Many serious trials by different
governmental entities for setting the
Construction Codes of Kuwait have faced
obstacles trying to apply and implement
international codes and standards.
However, all agreed on the importance and
necessity of setting the sustainable codes for
the three main objectives :
1. Efficient use of Land, Energy, Water and
other resources.
2. Reducing Negative Environmental Impact of
Construction, on Air Quality, Waste, Pollution
and Environmental Degradation.
3. Protecting Occupants health and providing
better quality of life
Establishment of KNCOBC
National Committee of Building Codes of
Kuwait (NCOBC) was established by the
Council of Ministers Decree # 1145, dated
August 16th,2010.
Structure of KNCOBC
Kuwait
Municipality
NCOBC
Technical
Team
Concrete Code
Team
Energy Code
Team
Strategic
Team
Fire Code
Team
Green
Buildings Team
GB Technical Team
Dr. Hasan
Kamal
Arch. Zlatka
Ormanova
Chair
Eng. Alia
AlSayegh
Arch.
AbdulHafeth
Almujaibel
Arch.
Maryann
Alexieva
Eng. Alia Al-Sayegh
Chair
Certified Green Specialist - QSAS
Academic Background
Bachelor of Civil Engineering, 2001
College of Engineering and Petroleum, Kuwait University
Professional Experience
2001-2007 : Civil Engineer in Ministry of Public Works
2007-2011 : Private Sector : Alia ALSayegh Engineering Consultants Managing Director
Special Experience : Sustainability and Green Buildings since 2007, participated in the existence
and creation of Green Buildings Industry in Kuwait through lecturing, expos, conferences as
well as projects.
Main Projects:
The New Post Hotel - Germany
Wavy Bay Complex - Oman
Educational : Higher Institute of Energy , College of Technological Studies - Kuwait
Expropriation for Public Welfare Headquarter Building - MPW Kuwait
The Heritage Village Project - Kuwait
Certificates
Associate Value Specialist SAVE-Int.
Certified Green Specialist - QSAS
Dr. Hasan Kamal
Program Manager - Building and Energy Technologies - KISR
Academic Background
Ph.D. Civil Engineering, 2001
University of Maryland at College Park, USA
M.Sc. Civil Engineering, 1996
Kuwait University, Kuwait
B.Sc. Civil Engineering, 1990
Kuwait University, Kuwait
Professional Experience
Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (1993- Now)
Program Manager - Infrastructure Risk and Reliability Program
Associate Research Scientist Building and Energy Technologies Department
Ministry of Public Works (1990-1993)
Department Manager - Maintenance Engineering Division
Research Interest
Structural engineering
Reliability analysis and assessment
Soil and cavity treatment
Arch. Maryann Alexieva
BREEAM-International Green Building Assessor
Academic Background
Master Degree in Urban Design, Architecture -1975
The University Of Architecture and Civil EngineeringSOFIA, BULGARIA
Professional Experience
35 years in the field of Urban Design, Architecture, Interior Design, Management and Construction
Administration
Special Professional Fields : Sustainable Development & Green Building Design, Journalism, Historic
Preservations and Development
Main Projects : Large scale urban & regional design & architecture in Bulgaria and Germany
Kuwait- headquarters and commercial colleges -KOTC, Kuwait Trade Centre, TEC, EPA , LAL, EPWD,
College of Technological Studies, Higher Institute of Energy
Interior design : Heritage Village Project
Certificates
Consultant in the field of design by the Kuwait Society of Engineers- KSE # 17233
BREEAM-International Green Building Assessor
Arch. Zlatka Ormanova
Sustainability International Consultant
Academic Background
Master Degree in Urban Design, Architecture -1975
Professional Experience:
Sustainable Regional development: strategic planning, sustainable spatial and
urban development; international projects management for environmental
and bio-diversity protection and social economic development, and coastal
zone management, environment and health-national action plan funded by
UNDP, WB, IUCN, British Know-How Fund Ministry of regional development
and public works, Director Regional development Directorate and European coordination and
international cooperation directorate;
Legislation in the above mentioned areas and its harmonization with EU regulations and best
practices;
Lecturer in EU sustainable urban development policy University for Architecture, Construction and
Geodesy, Sofia, Bulgaria;
Training in the field of sustainable regional development and environment protection: Cambridge-UK,
Tokyo-Japan, Soul-South Korea, Dortmund-FR Germany (Design and construction(, in-service training
in GD Regional Development-EU Commission, Brussels, USEPA, others
Membership: Bulgarian union of architects, Japan international cooperation agency (JICA), Korean
international cooperation agency (KOICA).
Arch. Abdul Hafeth Al-Mujaibel
LEED Accredited Professional from the U.S. Green Building Council
Academic Background
Bachelor of Architecture, 2002
Kent State University, USA
Professional Experience
More than 9 years in the field of design & construction.
Companies:
Pan Arab Consulting Engineers
KEO International Consultants
Public Authority for Housing Welfare
Projects:
The Avenues Phase III Shuwaikh, Kuwait
GUST- Mishrif, Kuwait
The Pearl, Porto Arabia Doha, Qatar
Al-Reem Mall & Condominiums Abu Dhabi, UAE
Certificates
Professional Engineer Certificate from Kuwait Engineering Society.
LEED Accredited Professional from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Goals
1. the ultimate goal- to work towards sustainable
built environment which is aligned with the
internationally accepted sustainability values
2. to create codes, standards and practices as integral
and coordinated part of the building /construction
process
3. to coordinate with other teams and to contribute
to integrated construction building construction
system of codes, standards and practices
Objectives
1. Team- set up activities to define the roles and
responsibilities within the team
2. Setting the objectives to achieve the goals
3. Setting of the work programme and needed coordination
4. Defining the necessary studies/existing practices/ ,the
road map to achieve the goals
5. Defining terms and terminology
6. Defining the mile stone documents/separate reports/
Challenges of Green Approach
1. Lack of Economical Driving Force
2. Social Factors (awareness & knowledge)
3. Shortage in Local experience, specialists and
expertise
4. Privation of adopting governmental authority
5. Reliance and/or Conflict with other building
regulations
6. Lack of incentives
7. Poor Green Market
Our Start
World Federation of Engineering
Organizations WFEO : Engineering & The
Environment Standing Committee, Buenos
Aires - Argentina , October 2010.
Review of Major Existing Systems;
International & Regional
GBT Team - Work Stages
To reach the assigned goals and objectives in
the best way, the GBT team agreed to work in
the following stages :
1- Studies & Application of GB Systems
2- Elaborating Green Building Standards
3- Elaborating Codes and Regulations
4- Monitor and follow-up with the
developments of Authorities Implementing
the issued standards & codes.
Stage I : Studies & Application
of GB Systems
Stage Kickoff : Nov,2010
Stage Report issued : Feb, 2012
Report Title : Report #1 : Fundamentals for
Establishment of Sustainable Design Standards and
Code in the Construction Field of Kuwait
Pending : Finalizing Assessment on the case study
project.
Report #1 consists of
3 Parts
Part I : Includes detailed studies about the
Buildings and their environmental impact.
The studies covered the following issues :
Why Buildings
What makes sustainable construction a
priority
What makes sustainable urban design a
priority
Further aspects to consider for building/
construction sustainability
Construction materials and products
Environmental Site and building design
Key issues to consider as part of designing/building
GB
Opportunities for Green Transformation in the
construction sector
Steps toward creation of GB standards & Codes
Part I (Cont.)
National Conditions to date affecting sustainable
building design and Construction :
Meteorological Conditions of Kuwait
Cultural and historical specifits in architecturte
Construction industry to date in Kuwait
Biodiversity and climate change in Kuwait
Coastal and marine ecosystems
Regulatory framework to date
Institutional framework to date
UNDP Kuwait : Environment & Energy
Part I (Cont.)
Green Practicies across individual GCC countries:
Brief information on environmental conditions
Construction Market in GCC
Major GB projects in the Gulf
Environmental sustainability in tradition architecture
Biodiversity and protected areas
Policies and initiatives
Legislative initiatives
Institutional developments
Civil Society
Part II
This part of the report includes :
Review of International GB rating systems
Regional GB rating systems
Analysis and Comparisons between systems
Findings and recommendations
Review Phase
GB Team reviewed the following systems :
LEED
BREEAM
Green Star
Estidama
QSAS
Scope of Review
Background
References & Standards
Methodology (Assessment Procedure)
Categories/ Classifications
Criteria
Rating
Local Compatibility
Findings
All systems share the same major goals and
concerns in : Site Sustainability, Energy
Efficiency, Water Efficiency, Occupants Health,
Materials Use
However, Systems differ in : background,
methodologies, standards, rating method,
specific criteria and special considerations
Recommendations
Team members recommended the Primary
System QSAS and the Reference System
BREEAM-Gulf.
This was supported by the recommendation of
The First Forum of the GCC Unified Building
Code, 11-13 October,2010
As well as the Saudi Forum of Green Buildings,
16-18 October, 2010.
Working with QSAS
Team members attended several meetings
with Barwa & Qatari Diar Institute Founders of
QSAS- currently known as Gulf Organisation for
Research and Development (GORD).
Team chair attended full training workshop of
QSAS in Doha, attended exam and passed as
Certified Green Professional.
Currently an assessment case study is ongoing for
a Kuwaiti Governmental Project (MPW)
Working with QSAS (Cont.)
Team members reviewed Categories and
Criteria of QSAS system and prepared for
discussion with QSAS technical team.
Several discussion meetings through mutual
visits and conference calls
Discussion on Business Models for
implementation of QSAS in Kuwait
Part III
Case Study Application of QSAS on a local
governmental project : EPWD Building :
Main goals & objectives
Briefly about the project
The building special green building tools
The QSAS method for GB assessment
Expected results and conclusions
Project Data
BUILT UP AREA
PLOT AREA
VALUE
TYPE
Number of floors
Total parking
Total Users
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
33,000 m2
4670 m2
13,000,000 K.D.
OFFICE BUILDING
3 basements + Ground + 9 Floors
220 cars
275 employees + Visitors
Projects Main GB Design Features
Use of Renewable Energy (4 different solar applications)
Minimum Energy consumption : HVAC energy efficient
system, increased thermal insulation, minimized heat
transmission and radiation by reduced U and shading values
of glass
Minimum Water consumption : collecting gutter drains ,
local water treatment plant, double piping for treated water
reuse
Fully automated building
Smart Architecture / Smart Design
Responsible Materials selection
Expected Impact on
Local Environment
Energy saving
Reduce CO2 emission
Use of recycled materials
Reduce the amount of construction waste materials
Efficient use of resources
Reduce impacts on
Environment
Human health
Improve quality of life
Expected Impact on
Construction Industry
Proper Use of Land and Sites
Reduce the life cycle cost of buildings
Efficient use of energy inside buildings
Proper use of building materials
Reduce the deterioration rate of building
Better Quality of Life for Building occupants
Be the change
you wish to see
in this world
