CW Awards 2012: Masdar project does the double

Sultan Al Ali accepts the award for Overall Project of the Year for Masdar Institute

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The Masdar Institute of Science & Technology (MI) was named Overall Project of the Year, beating out more than 20 other project entries, at last night's Construction Week Awards.

The award came after the project had already picked-up a gong for Sustainable Project of the Year.

The judges noted the project's long list of green features, with one describing it as the "culmination of world class thought, knowledge and expertise".

Sultan Al Ali, head of investment and sustainable development and acting director of Masdar City, was overjoyed about receiving the award.

"It's an unbelievable feeling – it wasn't expected. It gives us all the enthusiasm and eagerness to move forward to achieve our targets. I feel that we are appreciated for all the hard work we have been doing and we will keep that hard work going full thrust," he said.

Among the project's notable achievements is the fact that the residential quarters of the complex are designed to use around 51% less energy than average buildings in the UAE, and 54% less water. Around 30% of the energy will be covered by solar panels on the roof, with 75% of hot water also being heated by the sun.

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Another judge commented: "New projects will be able to use the knowledge gained from this development for years to come to create better environments to live and work in."

Sultan Al Ali believed that the project's focus on sustainability was decisive in the judges verdict.

"We have been successful in achieving the most sustainable project in the UAE, probably in the region. We have been beating our own targets which have been very agressive in terms of the ambition of those targets We are very proud of what we have acheived and I think the jury has recognised that from our submittal," he said.

He also revealed that next year will be an even busier year for Masdar with some significant projects hitting delivery.

"We have two main projects to be handed over to the client in the next year. We have the Siemens headquarters which is a LEED Platinum building; we have the Incubator which is another commercial building; and we have the second phase of Masdar Institute coming as well which will have higher targets than the first phase in terms of sustainability and Estidama," he said.

The award presentation was made by Greg Douglas, development director and Michael Freeman, senior development manager, for Doha Festival City, a category sponsor for the event.

The Construction Week Awards saw 17 presentations made in categories covering people, projects, initiatives and companies.

The gala ceremony, presented by Du, was the culmination of regional events held in Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia throughout 2012. The awards seek to recognise and reward the best of the region's construction industry, with entry open to developers, contractors, consultants and sub-contractors.

The event was supported by two platinum sponsors: Tekla Corporation and FAMCO.

A full review of all the winners and finalists will feature in a special issue of Construction Week on December 29.