Sustainable Construction: Adding Value and Cutting Costs

Quite often, we see the building services industry separated into two distinct categories: cost-driven and value-driven business models. Cost-driven businesses will choose products and services based predominantly on the price tag, while value-driven businesses consider quality, experience, and convenience to be of a higher priority.

On a global scale, sustainable construction has no doubt evolved into a mainstream movement in recent years. While we see a greater shift towards sustainability in a region, there seems to be a slower uptake among price-driven businesses. This may stem from the misinformed belief that green architecture will add significantly more cost to a building project, resulting in resistance from construction companies that are under pressure to reduce costs wherever possible.

In reality, green architecture offers a rare opportunity to satisfy both cost-driven and value-driven businesses using the same set of design principles. 

Outlined below are 4 ways in which going green can not only help solve the biggest threat to our planet, but also benefit you through enhanced life cycle costing and occupant comfort.

1. Improved ROI

In its broadest sense, sustainability is about preservation, hence why the two cornerstones of sustainable design are durability and efficiency.

By extending the service life of a building through quality materials, high performing systems, and meticulous construction, we can conserve resources, reduce waste and avoid the environmental impacts of repair work and rebuilds.

Designing with longevity in mind, combined with the innovative use of sustainable materials and systems that enhance operational efficiency, property owners can benefit from lower annual expenditure in order to generate a quicker ROI.

2. Regulations

Both regional and city governments around the world are setting ambitious sustainability targets in an effort to create a holistic and effective decarbonisation plan for buildings. With these targets come increasingly stringent green building codes and standards that aim to enhance the planning, design, construction, and operation of buildings. 

The Government of Abu Dhabi has already shown initiative in the green building sector with the introduction of its five-level Estidama Pearl Rating System. All new buildings must obtain a one-pearl rating, while all government buildings and residential villas are obligated to achieve a minimum of two pearls. 

It is only a matter of time before similar regulations are enforced across the entire GCC. Acting ahead of regulation will position companies at the forefront of the sustainable building revolution and avoid the added cost of retrofits later down the line.

3. Incentives

Where regulations aren’t yet enforced, incentives are being introduced to raise the profile of sustainable buildings in the GCC. Dubai’s Supreme Council for Energy has launched an initiative to increase incentives for landlords to retrofit existing older buildings and make them more sustainable and cost effective.

In 2019, Ras Al Khaimah launched its Barjeel Green Building Regulations which targets five main components: energy efficiency, water efficiency, renewable energy, material and resources, and comfort and well-being. While now compulsory for all new builds, the initiative first underwent a ‘voluntary period’ in which early adopters were viable for a 100% discount on final building permit fees. 

Such incentives aim to appeal to price-driven businesses who remain hesitant regarding the upfront costs associated with going green. With 40% of UAE-based companies claiming that affordability is the greatest challenge in adopting sustainable construction practices and policies^[1], incentives have the potential to incite mass adoption of green architecture. 

4. Retrofit Over Rebuild

A considerable proportion of the building developments throughout the GCC were built during the construction boom at the turn of the century. Since then, new builds have embraced the benefits of best practice sustainability standards, and now act as a benchmark for the older buildings in the region.

As a result, the GCC is stuck in a vicious cycle of ‘build, destroy, rebuild’ - a practice that is hampering efforts towards a greener, more sustainable future. This stems from the misinformed opinion that the best solution to inefficient buildings is to demolish and rebuild. A deep retrofit, however, is a cost-effective alternative that can have a significant impact on building performance. Through strategic upgrades and renovations, the building will be less costly to operate, will increase in value, last longer, and contribute to a healthier and more comfortable indoor environment for occupants.

The Abu Dhabi Government is demonstrating how effective this solution can be through the announcement of plans to retrofit more than 30 existing government buildings^[2], including the Department of Health headquarters and the Department of Education and Knowledge. With many of the structures dating back to the 1970s and 1980s, the retrofit will replace outdated systems with more energy efficient technology to align with the targets of UAE Energy Strategy 2050. Looking to achieve energy and water savings of 20-30%, the success of the government building upgrades will provide a useful case study for future retrofit projects within the Emirate.

How We Can Help

In an effort to meet carbon reduction targets within the timelines put forward by climate experts, the pace of progress is increasing. Sustainability, now more than ever, has become deeply intertwined with both design thinking and construction processes. Working with the right partners in the industry is crucial to streamline the adoption of sustainable building practices. 

Polypipe Middle East has been developing and delivering engineered water and climate management solutions for over 60 years, including the world’s first PVC drainage systems: Terrain. Our deep regional expertise will not only help to achieve your individual sustainability objectives, but also result in significant cost savings along the way. 

Find out more about our Sustainable urban Drainage Solutions here, or contact our technical support team to learn how we can help take your project to the next level.

Tel: +971 (0) 4 807 3000

Email: middleeast@polypipe.com