Press Release
Qatar Foundation seeks first of its kind certified LEED platinum status.
Doha, Qatar
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 17, 2007
Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development has commissioned a student housing project that aims to be the world’s first U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) certified LEED platinum student residence halls. Upon completion, the project would yield the world’s largest collection of platinum buildings (twelve) in one location.
Renderings provided by Treaonr Architects with permission of the Qatar Foundation“This is a very exciting project – Qatar Foundation is committed to building a state of the art residential complex that incorporates sustainability best practice. Students will live in zero-waste residence halls where each day will provide a new lesson on how green savvy technology can help global citizens to live a responsible sustainability focused life”, according to Qatar Foundation Director of Campus and Residence Life, Kevin Konecny. “Through our sustainability focused programs we hope to help university students develop green lifestyle practices that will last a life time.”
Drawing upon the work of the 21st Century Project of the Association of College and University Housing Officers – International (ACUHO-I), which seeks to advance design best practices in university student housing, Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company and Treanor Architects, P.A. have planned the 850,000-square foot housing complex . The new housing will maximize energy efficiency and water use, utilizing wind turbines, photovoltaic cells and a bio mass wall for filtering gray water. Students living in the complex will also benefit from wireless computer systems, and smart-room technology, which allow residents to control temperature, lighting and music simply by entering the room.
“From the beginning, the 21st Century Project was about colleges and universities coming together to discover innovative ways to incorporate sustainability, utilize technology, enable flexibility and build community within their residence halls,” said Sallie Traxler, ACUHO-I executive director. “The work that Qatar Foundation and Education City has done epitomizes these ideals and they should be commended for their work.”
Qatar Foundation Assistant Vice President for Faculty and Student Services, Dr. Denny Roberts commented, “As student affairs professionals we believe that student learning takes place everywhere –in and out of the classroom. The added value in this project is that it helps us to maximize the opportunity to educate students about living an environmentally responsible lifestyle during the university experience, when students will develop habits that will last a lifetime”.
Burns & McDonnell Principal Mike Roark added, “We are proud to be an integral part of the Qatar Foundation’s vision to provide world-class education for students by creating interactive and environmentally conscious living-learning facilities”.
“Our main objective was to create an experience where students can thrive personally, socially, spiritually and academically, to create a community that expresses the idea of unity and connectedness,” said Treanor, Principal Nadia Zhiri. “Our team worked with passion and determination to design this state-of-the-art complex.”
For more information please contact housing@qf.org.qa or +974 50 55 963 (mobile)
About Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development
Founded in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, Qatar Foundation is a private, non-profit organization whose vision is to develop and realise people’s full potential. Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned is the chairperson of Qatar Foundation.
Qatar Foundation is the driving force behind Education City, a center for educational excellence in the region, where world-renowned universities share research and educate students in fields of critical importance to the GCC region.
Located on the outskirts of Doha, Qatar, Education City covers 14 million square meters and is home to a range of education and research institutions such as Qatar National Research Fund, whose goal is to establish a research culture in Qatar.
Six leading international universities have branch campuses at Education City; Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar; Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar; Texas A&M University at Qatar; Carnegie Mellon University Qatar, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar and Northwestern University in Qatar. Graduate programs are offered by the Faculty of Islamic Studies, an international center for Islamic thinking and dialogue.
Qatar Foundation is committed to community development and operates a range of centers for local and regional outreach. Qatar Foundation has also branched into broadcast with the Doha Debates, Al-Jazeera Children’s Channel and local youth discussion program, Lakom Al Karar (meaning ‘the decision is yours’).
The latest projects of Qatar Foundation include the Qatar Science and Technology Park, a research zone committed to the development of regional entrepreneurs and young innovators and Sidra Medical and Research Center, which will offer medical care and training in conjunction with biomedical research.
For more information please visit: www.qf.org.qa
About ACUHO-I
ACUHO-I is the Association of College and University Housing Officers -International. ACUHO-I members believe in developing exceptional residential experiences at colleges, universities, and other post-secondary institutions around the world.
ACUHO-I achieves its vision by providing innovative, value-driven programs, services, research, and development as well as networking opportunities that help support and evolve the collegiate housing industry. We do this with the constant purpose of making a positive difference in the lives of members and those they serve.
Our members include more than 6,400 housing professionals from more than 900 colleges and universities in 22 different countries, who serve approximately 1.8 million students worldwide. Our membership also includes more than 200 corporate members. To meet the needs of all students, we encourage participation at all levels of the association.
Additional information about ACUHO-I can be found at www.acuho-i.org 21st Century Project at www.21stcenturyproject.com
About the Design Team
Burns & McDonnell is a Kansas City-based architectural and engineering firm with a multi-disciplined staff of more than 2,500 employee-owners world-wide. Treanor Architects provides a full scope of architectural services for student life projects.
Additional information about the design team can be found at www.burnsmcd.com and www.treanorarchitects.com.