The Sustainable Energy and Environment Division (SEED) at TECOM Investments, the developer of knowledge-based business clusters and a member of Dubai Holding, has achieved another important milestone by handing over the third Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified building.
The LEED Silver certified commercial building will be the new home for media giant Omnicom Media Group.
Located in Dubai Media City, a member of TECOM Investments, the new building carries several distinctions. It is the first LEED-certified project at Dubai Media City, the first LEED certified project delivered by TECOM Investments to a single business partner, and the seventh LEED certified project in the GCC.
The building is expected to reduce energy consumption by 11.4 per cent or about 151,787 kWh per year and is more energy efficient compared to ASHRAE 90.1 – 2004 standards. Similarly, domestic water consumption will be reduced by 50.5 per cent or about 546,063 gallons. Further water savings, for irrigation purposes, will also be achieved through utilizing the water generated from the air-conditioning system.
Ali Bin Towaih, Executive Director of SEED, said: “This is another remarkable achievement for the SEED team, and highlights TECOM’s commitment to remaining a socially, environmentally and fiscally committed organisation. With thousands of companies operating out of its 11 business parks, TECOM is strongly aware of the importance of energy conservation.
“TECOM Investments has once again aligned its goals with Dubai’s vision to transform the emirate into a sustainable business hub. We have also demonstrated that going green has no costs. From our own experience in creating LEED compliant office space, we are confident Omnicom Media Group’s employees will benefit from the improved workplace conditions within the green building.”
Mohammad Abdullah, Executive Director, Dubai Media City, said: “We are dedicated to spreading greater awareness among companies operating out of TECOM’s business parks on the economic benefits of LEED-certified buildings. We have empirical evidence demonstrating that by adopting certain simple measures, companies can reap significant savings in their operating expenses. Our success has now prompted us to join hands with our business partners to help them realize similar savings.”
With this project, TECOM Investments has become the only developer in the country and the region to have delivered three LEED-certified buildings in a single calendar year – 2009.
Hisham Abi Nassif, Regional Executive Director - Group Development, Omnicom Media Group, said: “It is imperative for every organization to find different ways for reducing its carbon footprint. When we decided to take part in this project, we were confident it would not only improve the health and well-being of our employees but also positively impact our overheads and other related costs. The savings we expect to accrue through this building more than justify the initial investments, and we are grateful to Dubai Media City for giving us such a unique building.”
In addition to the Omnicom Media Group building, TECOM Investments has delivered two more LEED-certified projects in 2009. This includes the management offices at TECOM Investments that earned the LEED Platinum certification, and the Dubai International Academic City Phase-3 which achieved the LEED Silver certification.
