NZ1, Masdar City
Background
Masdar City in Abu Dhabi is at the forefront of the UAE’s efforts to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Established to foster innovation and sustainability, Masdar City illustrates the region's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and transitioning towards sustainable energy solutions.
The NZ1 building in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, embodies this vision, navigating the harsh climate’s demands for energy-intensive cooling. NZ1 now stands as a model of sustainable urban development in the Gulf’s climate conditions as its design facilitates on-site generation of 100 per cent of its energy needs on site.
The challenge
The NZ1 project was envisioned to drastically reduce energy consumption whilst producing all its required energy on-site, making it completely self-sufficient. Key considerations included the following:
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Minimising environmental impact: The building needed to be more energy-efficient than conventional buildings are.
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On-site energy production: Installing photovoltaic panels to generate 100 per cent of the building’s annual energy needs, achieving a net zero energy accreditation for the building.
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Innovative passive design: We implemented design strategies to reduce the need for electric heating or cooling.
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Community engagement: We encouraged sustainable practices among tenants through tenancy guidelines, advising on the sustainable fit-out of the leasable floor space.
Our response
GHD leveraged its multidisciplinary expertise to meet the project’s ambitious goals. Our approach included the following:
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Holistic design services: From pre-concept to construction, our team worked on a tight timeline to deliver the project before COP 28, drawing on local and global talent in architecture, engineering, urban design and digital solutions.
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Energy-efficiency innovations: The building features an airtight envelope with high-performance insulation to keep heat out and cooled air in. Passive design strategies, such as low window-to-facade ratios and strategic window shading, minimise reliance on electric heating or cooling.
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Sustainable construction practices: The design was based on a modular grid of standard material sizes so that 90 per cent of construction waste was diverted from the landfill and the use of locally sourced materials further reduced the project’s environmental footprint.
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Real-time monitoring and engagement: A lobby display shows real-time data on energy and water use, waste management and overall building performance. This data is also fed to a central Command and Control Centre to monitor and optimise the building’s sustainability.
The impact
This project underscores our commitment to innovative, sustainable solutions that make a tangible difference to communities and the environment. NZ1 has achieved its goal of being the region’s first net zero energy commercial building, consuming 53 per cent less energy than similar conventional buildings do. The on-site solar panels generate 100 per cent of the building’s annual energy needs, with any surplus energy contributing to the Abu Dhabi electric grid. This project will serve as an influential example of innovative, sustainable urban development in the region.
The building’s innovative design and construction practices have garnered multiple accolades, including the MENA Green Building Awards’ Net Zero Building Project of 2023. It is on its way to certification for LEED Zero Energy, LEED Platinum, and Estidama 4-Pearl.
The completion of NZ1 benefits the immediate community by providing a sustainable, energy-efficient workspace and contributes to Abu Dhabi’s broader efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainable living.
Our vision has always been to accelerate the UAE’s ambitious journey to net zero, and we are closer now than ever. NZ1 is just the beginning. Through our distinctive approach to sustainability that prioritises community needs and financial viability in addition to environmental protection, we are demonstrating that sustainability is not a luxury for the elite — it is for everyone.”
NZ1 is our most energy-efficient building yet, representing the best of what we have learned so far. Its aesthetic is one of the city’s simplest, showing that any developer that aspires to can create a green building with the right tools and expertise. We are already working with other professionals who are hoping to improve upon what we have done.”