American University of Beirut - IOEC Building, Lebanon

Client

American University of Beirut (AUB)

Architect

Nabil Gholam Architecture & Planning (NGAP)

Location

IOEC – Irani Oxy Engineering Complex
New engineering laboratory building on the AUB campus
Beirut, Lebanon

Description

A $10 million new-build 6-storey university building of around 10,000m² above ground with two basements totalling about 5,000 m², will house new laboratory engineering facilities for AUB students.

Objective

The Client’s current aspiration is to achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design LEED “Gold” certificate.
This building was the first registered in Lebanon to be assessed according to the US Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED sustainability scheme.
 

Brief

While still at a conceptual stage, we were appointed and joined the project’s design team as Sustainability Consultants. Our role throughout the design, tender, and construction stages is to advise on the various LEED credit requirements and sustainability measures to ensure that the building obtains the LEED certificate.

Part of our responsibility entails undertaking 3D simulations and thermal modelling analysis of the proposed building, and advising on cost-effective and suitable energy-efficiency solutions and renewable energy technologies for this project –taking into account the local coastal Mediterranean climate and available resources. The aim is to reduce the building’s cooling load, as well as its overall energy consumption. Day-lighting simulations are also carried out to assess natural day-lighting levels within each occupied space.

Other sustainability issues will be addressed, such as: significantly lessening the project’s water consumption; improving internal thermal comfort and indoor environmental quality; enhancing vegetated outdoor space and green roofs with the selection of native plant species requiring little irrigation and maintenance; and specifying a larger proportion of locally sourced and low-impact materials.

 Image Courtesy of Nabil Gholam Architecture & Planning

3D Thermal Model - EcoConsulting (UK) Ltd.

Did You Know?
 

Air conditioning systems can harbour harmful chemicals and bugs such as Legionella, moulds, and particulates that are released back into the ducts from the filter, especially when the weather fluctuates. In air-conditioned buildings, many more people suffer from the Sick Building Syndrome.

Sick Building Syndrome has been identified in 30% of non-domestic buildings and leads to higher levels of worker sickness, absenteeism, staff turnover, and a downturn in productivity.