OREANDA-NEWS. At a ceremony held earlier today, Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) awarded Abu Dhabi Airports Company’s Midfield Terminal Building (MTB) project, currently the largest sustainable building in the Estidama programme, with a 3 Pearl Design Rating from the Estidama Pearl Building Rating System (PBRS).

The Estidama Pearl Rating System is a framework for sustainable design, construction and lifecycle operation for communities, buildings and villas. Estidama is a programme developed by the UPC, which was conceived to promote a new mindset that reflects the intellectual legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his visionary governance in promoting thoughtful and responsible development through the creation of a balanced society based on four equal pillars of sustainability: environmental, economic, social and cultural.

The Estidama 3 Pearl Design Rating certificate was awarded by H.E. Falah Mohamed Al Ahbabi, General Manager of the Urban Planning Council, to H.E. Ali Majed Al Mansoori, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports Company, with key officials from both entities at Abu Dhabi Airport’s Company’s headquarters in attendance.

Designed to be the new gateway to Abu Dhabi, the MTB is now the highest rated airport terminal in the GCC, and the largest singular building ever to be rated globally.

Having identified an unprecedented opportunity to collaborate, the UPC and Abu Dhabi Airports Company worked together to take the MTB project from a 2 Pearl to a 3 Pearl Design Rating.

The MTB was designed to achieve a considerable reduction in annual energy consumption through the specification of an appropriate and climate responsive building form and fa?ade, which will feature a high performance low-e double glazing to reduce solar gain, and low U-values specified for the walls and roof to minimize heat gain. Substantial energy demand reductions will also be achieved through the use of a highly efficient lighting system and an adaptive and effectively controlled HVAC system.

A sophisticated Building Management System and an Advanced Energy Measurement and Targeting System will also be in place to allow the energy performance of the building to be recorded and monitored, which will enable clear monitoring and understanding of energy use and potential improvements.  This information is planned to be used to assist sustainable communication practices for both passengers and operators alike.

Limiting the use of potable water was a priority in the MTB design.  Water demand was specifically studied and water fixtures were selected based on their ability to maximize reductions.  In doing so, the MTB can achieve and maintain a reduction in water consumption of 45% over a comparative baseline case. Furthermore, there is a commitment to divert a minimum of 75% of construction waste from landfills during the construction phase.  In addition to using recycled materials where practical, regional materials have been selected for the construction of the MTB to reduce the demand for fossil fuels for transportation purposes.

In June 2012, Abu Dhabi Airports Company and the joint venture of TAV, CCC and Arabtec signed an AED 10.8 billion contract for the construction of the MTB, designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF), at Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH).  Construction of the MTB will be completed in the third quarter of 2017.

The MTB is the third airport project for Abu Dhabi Airports Company to receive Pearl certification.  The new Bus Gate Building and the new Arrivals Hall at AUH have also recently received Pearl certification.  These two projects are key elements of the Capacity Enhancement Programme at AUH.