Q&A NAGA ARCHITECTS 015
Q. What are some of the challenges associated with green architecture in Middle Eastern regions? A. Like most developing regions, the Middle East has aspirations to catch up with the West. Therefore, its focus
in design and construction has been on buildings that show off a sense of wealth and technological advancement. For example, most buildings that have recently gone up in this
region have been covered with glass, a treatment that is obviously incompatible with harsh conditions of the hot arid environment. Fur thermore, Dubai has taken this to another level by emphasizing the need for its buildings to be icons,
rather than stressing function and a sense of place. On the other hand, attempts to recreate the past are also seen locally as status symbol. However, the use of traditional building motifs such as wind towers are often only skin deep - decorative and
non-functional. Although attempts such as the zero-emission MASDAR development in Abu Dhabi are admirable, they raise the stakes to a point that it becomes difficult to adopt as a standard of the region. The Estedama guidelines in Abu Dhabi, are a good star t to a sustainable standard. Not only is it achievable right now, it can also evolve as required to bring this region on par with the best international sustainable standards. In addition to this, there is also a need for this region to not only reclaim its rich history of traditional and sustainable building practices, but to incorporate them into contemporary designs. In summary, the real challenge with sustainability in the Middle East is to develop a compromise between architecture that meets the aspirations for prosperity for this generation, and is also able to manage and sustain the use of limited resources for many generations to come.
Image © NAGA Architects
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