The companies said that the Masdar City ECB prototype will be a model for energy efficient and economic construction, incorporating design for a subtropical climate.
On completion, the Masdar City ECB prototype is intended to house the Middle East EcoCommercial Building Program organization from Bayer MaterialScience, and will serve as an interactive communication, exhibition and training platform for stakeholders with an interest in eco-commercial construction.
Masdar City is a clean-technology cluster located in a city powered by renewable energy. It seeks to become a global centre for innovation, research, product development and light manufacturing in the fields of renewable energy and sustainable technologies. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) will also base its headquarters in the city.
The EcoCommercial Building Program, an integral part of the comprehensive Bayer Climate Program, combines products and capabilities of Bayer MaterialScience and qualified partner companies to facilitate tailored solutions for the construction of energy-optimized commercial and public buildings that range from low-energy and passive construction to zero-emission buildings.
Through this strategic cooperation, all parties involved in the EcoCommercial Building Program will provide new offerings and assist Masdar City in attaining its sustainability goals.
In December 2009, Bayer MaterialScience declared its support for a proposal by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) for a globally consistent Common Carbon Metric for Buildings, which will provide a common language for measuring greenhouse gas emissions and energy efficiency of buildings.
Patrick Thomas, CEO of Bayer MaterialScience, said: “Buildings are responsible for more than 40% of global energy use and one third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Clearly, there is a need to address this on a larger scale. Today’s agreement is testament to Bayer’s commitment to climate protection and to reducing the environmental impact of construction.”
Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar, said: “This cooperation with Bayer MaterialScience, through their EcoCommercial Building Program, represents a significant step forward in our collaborative efforts with leading industry partners to advance the scope of construction solutions in the market that are both economically feasible and environmentally sustainable. As a one-of-a-kind test bed, Masdar City is uniquely suited to host such sustainable programs.”
