The US Green Building Council (USGBC) has awarded the highest energy and sustainability accreditation to the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) in Saudi Arabia.
According to a press release, the center earned five Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) awards in the Existing Building: Operation and Maintenance (EBOM) category. The facility received a rating of more than 80 points in the category, making it the only building in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to receive the platinum certification level.
Five of KAPSARC’s community buildings, with a combined area of 52,284 meters squared, received Platinum LEED-EBOM certifications. The certifications were presented to KAPSARC in recognition of meeting the highest global sustainability standards throughout the design of the facilities, operations, construction, and maintenance procedures.
The fact that KAPSARC attained all five certificates in 2021 and 2022 is evidence of KAPSARC’s ambitions and progress toward its sustainability goals. But it is also a testament to the center’s commitment to environmentally responsible growth.
This arises following KAPSARC being recognized as the Middle East’s largest LEED Neighborhood Development project in 2017.
KAPSARC earned Platinum LEED New Design and Construction certifications in 2014 and 2016, and LEED Gold for Homes in 2012. This makes it the first and largest development outside North America to obtain this recognition.
HOW KASPARC HAS ACHIEVED SUSTAINABILITY
Since its inception in 2007, KAPSARC has been focusing on and extensively researching environmental protection, sustainability, and energy economics.
In 2021, KAPSARC’s waste management program prevented 94 percent of solid waste from entering landfill. This was a result of waste stream audits that decreased single-use items and aided in the development of an efficient waste separation plan at numerous stages of the waste management process.
In addition, by applying modern tools and procedures for interior and outdoor water management, KAPSARC lowered the compound's water use by 30% in 2021. This comprises a weather-based irrigation system, micro-irrigation, mulching, native plant planting, and efficient faucets.
KAPSARC facilities significantly cut energy use by 35% in 2021, thanks to yearly energy audits that assisted in identifying and implementing low-cost energy-saving solutions.
WHAT THE LEED RATING SYSTEM ILLUSTRATES ABOUT KASPARC
The LEED rating system is the world’s most widely used green building rating system.
Buildings that are LEED certified are greatly efficient, save money, cut carbon emissions, and provide spaces that are healthier for people to live in. They serve a vital role in combating client change, achieving ESG objectives, boosting resilience, and promoting more equitable communities.
For KASPARC to obtain the highest possible platinum certification level along with obtaining five LEED certificates in the past year and a half is representative of the ground-breaking innovations and sustainable systems that the project has in place.
