Louvre Abu Dhabi awarded three Pearl Design Rating Certificate

Tourism Development '&' Investment Company (TDIC), the master developer of major tourism, cultural and residential destinations in Abu Dhabi announced yesterday that the Louvre Abu Dhabi has achieved a Three Pearl Design Rating Certificate, awarded by the Urban Planning Council (UPC) as part of its Estidama Pearl Building Rating System. This is the first certificate to be provided for a cultural development of this scope and design in the region, and a testament to the Emirate's promise to reinforce best environmental practices across its developments. The rating was provided after a thorough review of the museum's blueprint design as an interactive exercise conducted by an assessment team from UPC, TDIC and a multi-disciplinary consultant team that included structural engineers and lighting consultants, among others, involved in the museum's construction. The team's findings showed a reduction in the Louvre's external heat gain by 71.7 per cent, which was achieved amongst others through the specification of highly insulated, airtight walls. These walls provide a considerable reduction in the museum's heat transfer levels, otherwise known as U-value performance. The minimal use of windows (low glazing ratio) also contributes to the lower heat transfer levels. Ali Al Hammadi, Deputy Managing Director of TDIC, said: "We're proud to be awarded the Pearl 3 Certificate for the Louvre Abu Dhabi, a first for any of our projects. This accomplishment highlights TDIC's commitment to sustainable development, through the use of best environmental practices and materials across all its projects in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi." Moreover, a reported energy reduction consumption of 30.8 per cent has been attributed to the museum's iconic dome, as its perforations allow sunlight to filter through, while providing extensive shading over the structure. This minimises solar gain while optimising thermal comfort throughout the museum plaza. Other contributing elements to the lower levels of energy consumption include the use of traditional mashrabiya style shades in windows outside the dome, the museum's light colouring and use of reflective materials. Furthermore, specially chosen water fixtures and fittings throughout the building account for a 27.3 per cent reduction in potable water consumption, along with the use of efficient irrigation systems and limited landscaping on the water side of the museum. "The museum's dome is one of the best examples of energy use reduction in its overall design. Acting primarily as a canopy to shelter the outside plaza and buildings below from the sun, the shade it provides will help reduce the building's overall energy consumption," said Dr. Nathalie Staelens, Head of Environmental Services at TDIC. A ventilation system incorporating low fan powers and high performance energy recovery, dedicated fresh air systems coupled with localised recirculation that minimise fan energy and air transfer volumes in addition to variable speed pumping systems are additional environmentally-efficient designs elements located within the Louvre Abu Dhabi. "Through the development stages for all our projects, TDIC ensures that contractors adhere to an Overall Construction Environmental Management Plan (OCEMP), which is approved by the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency, along with a contractor-specific Construction Environmental Management Plan before any work commences on site," explained Dr. Staelens. Once completed in 2015, the Louvre Abu Dhabi will be one of the premier cultural institutions located in the heart of the Saadiyat Cultural District. These feature Zayed National Museum, which will open in 2016, and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, which will open in 2017 - both also designed by world-renowned Pritzker-prize winning architects. All this adds to the appeal of Saadiyat which exudes an exclusive lifestyle through the island's high-end residential, leisure, cultural and tourism facilities. - Emirates News Agency, WAM