Schneider Electric’s Dubai Office ‘The NEST’ Achieves LEED Platinum, WELL Equity Certifications; Sets New Benchmark for Intelligent Buildings in the Middle East

The LEED Platinum certification recognizes exceptional performance across sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. The WELL Equity certification specifically addresses fairness and inclusion in workplace design, evaluating factors such as equitable access to amenities, support for diverse working styles, and accommodations that enable all occupants to thrive. Beyond badges or accolades, the certifications recognize a workplace designed to perform, adapt, and support people in meaningful ways.

"At Schneider Electric, we go beyond advising our customers on building smarter, more sustainable spaces — we live by these principles every day," said Amel Chadli, President, Gulf Cluster, Schneider Electric. "The NEST embodies our vision of what intelligent buildings should deliver: spaces that are climate-responsible, digitally enabled, and fundamentally designed around people. These certifications validate our approach and demonstrate that sustainability and inclusivity are not competing priorities but complementary pillars of workplace excellence."

The dual certifications establish The NEST as a benchmark for the next generation of commercial real estate in the Middle East, where governments and enterprises are increasingly prioritizing sustainability alongside economic diversification. The UAE's Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, and similar regional frameworks are driving demand for buildings that demonstrate measurable environmental and social impact.

"These certifications are proof that intelligent buildings are not aspirational concepts but achievable realities," added Chadli. "We hope The NEST inspires others across the region to recognize that the future of work requires spaces that are as committed to people as they are to the planet."

The Imperative for Intelligent Buildings

Buildings and construction consume 32% of the world’s energy while contributing 34% of its carbon emissions, according to a report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction. [UN Report Calls for Reduction of Building and Construction Emissions Worldwide - EcoWatch] Yet buildings represent more than environmental impact - as spaces where people spend close to 90% of their time, making indoor environmental quality, accessibility, and equitable design essential to productivity and health.

According to recent industry analyses, the global smart building market is forecast to reach US$128.1 billion in value in 2025 and surge to US$1137.3 billion by 2035, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.4% over the forecast period [Smart Building Market | Global Market Analysis Report - 2035], with the Middle East emerging as a particularly dynamic growth region driven by national sustainability visions, major development projects, and increasing ESG commitments from corporations and real estate developers.