The Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai is already being recognised for its eco-friendly design and sustainability efforts after global construction company, Multiplex, responsible for the build of the school, received the award ‘Energy Project of the Year’ at the latest Big Project Middle East Awards.
The impressive 40,000ft2 campus that is set to open in Majid Al Futtaim’s flagship Dubai community Tilal Al Ghaf this September beat numerous nominations from across the GCC and MENA region and was recognised by the Big Project Middle East Awards for the project’s strong emphasis on sustainability that is in line with the UAE’s environmental and sustainability construction goals. The campus has been designed to facilitate the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai’s innovative approach to teaching and learning while utilising eco-friendly design modifications to ensure that the building is a sustainable hub, as well as mitigating the effects of climate change.
As the first BREEAM rated project and the first nearly zero-energy school in the Middle East, as well as having bold passive and active energy efficiency measures as an integral part of the design, the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai campus is already garnering huge attention in the Middle East’s construction sector. With the installation of 875 kWp on-site Solar PV, the school is estimated to achieve an annual energy utility index of 60kWh/m2, which means it will meet the Emirates Green Building Council definition of nearly zero building after achieving an annual EUI of 61 kWh/m2.
Distinct Features that allow the RGS Guildford Dubai building to be awarded the prestigious ‘Energy Project of the Year’ accolade include 4,000m2 of green walls that make up the central core of the school, a pillow inflated roof skylight that has been created using 3,000 m2 ETFE Skylight – 3-layer ETFE and a landscaping themed design that allows pupils to explore higher advanced play elements and explore their limits.
Clare Turnbull, Head of Prep at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai, commented: “Our goal at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai is to deliver a personalised and forward-thinking educational experience for all our children. Our cutting-edge and inspiring campus really supports every part of this. Climate change and sustainability are essential subjects in the school as we endeavour to teach our pupils how to be responsible, not just for themselves, but for their impacts. We are very happy for the project and our partner, Multiplex, to be recognised with this award.”