Qatar's New Green House Design - Case Study Example

Qatar’s New Green House Design By The traditional modern home is characterised by an environmental contradiction. While the modern home is designed to provide a safe haven from pollution, cold, heat, rain, sewage and so on, pipes, cables and electricity that provide refuge from weather conditions and carries toxins from the home, release toxins into the environment (Kaika, 2004). Thus housing planning and policies are among one of the more significant ways in which nature can be preserved and protected (Bradley, 2009). This essay examines the Eco Villa project launched by the Gulf Organization for Research and Development (GORD). The Eco Villa is a model home in Qatar, for sustainable development and features a model environmentally friendly residential home (Skidmore, 2012). Introduction The explosive growth of the world’s population, climate change, and increasing urbanization changes the way that housing is conceptualized (UN-Habitat, 2012). A home is no longer, simply a place to live. It is an important part of sustainable development and therefore, a balance should be struck between comfort and environmental protection (UN-Habitat, 2012). Ideally, sustainable housing includes the construction and maintenance of a home with minimum impact on the environment and this would include a home with low carbon emissions and in turn, low energy consumption, and the management and prevention of waste (Seyfang, 2010). GORD’s Eco Villa in Qatar seeks to achieve sustainable housing through the construction of residential properties that simultaneously provide ‘comfort’ and is environmentally friendly (GORD, 2015). This essay analyses the Eco Villa in Qatar and determines the extent to which it responds to environmental challenges in Qatar and provides a viable alternative to traditional housing. Environmental Challenges in Qatar The greatest environmental challenge for Qatar is its reliance on the production of oil and natural gas for economic growth and development (Meltzer, Hultman, and Langley, 2014). Qatar and the remainder of the Gulf Cooperate Council (GCC) states are among the ‘world’s largest polluters in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per capital’ and Qatar is the world’s fifth largest polluter (Meltzer, et al., 2014: 1). Moreover, energy consumption in Qatar continues to grow with economic growth and a large and growing population (Meltzer, et al., 2014). With climate change and a global commitment to the reduction of carbon emissions, Qatar is at a cross-roads. The reduction of carbon emissions translates to a reduction in the demand for fossil fuels and this can hurt Qatar’s economy as Qatar ‘relies entirely on oil and natural gas for its primary energy consumption, and revenues’ which account for 58% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (Meltzer, et al., 2014: 1). However, reducing carbon emissions provides Qatar with an opportunity to use new technologies and innovation for diversifying its economy (Meltzer, et al., 2014). Energy consumption is at an all-time high in Qatar due to climate change and the resulting higher temperatures. As a result, residents in Qatar tend to run air conditioners constantly and this in turn contributes to carbon emissions. At the same time, although a dessert country with low water supplies, Qatar residents are among the world’s largest water users (Doha News Team, 2013). Despite the Qatar government’s commitment to reducing water and electricity usage, the consumption of water and electricity has increased (Doha News Team, 2013). The Eco Villa as a Viable Alternative to Traditional Housing In order to reduce energy demands in Qatar, housing would require insulation that would ward off the high temperatures that instinctively compel residents to use their air conditioners (Elsarrag, Al-Horr, and Imbabi, 2012). The initial testing of the insulation effects of Eco Villa produced positive results. As reported by Elsarrag, et al., (2012: 127), the insulation of Eco Villa permits a significant reduction in energy for ‘cooling and heating’ as it allows a ‘higher than normal’ volume of ‘clean, optionally filtered ventilation air to be introduced to the building at all times’. The dynamic insulation effects of the Eco Villa is not only a desirable alternative to traditional housing in Qatar, but is also a viable alternative. As Elsarrag, et al. (2012: 127) observe, in the GCC states where the weather is quite hot and humid, traditional housing is not ‘sustainable’. This is because: …outdoor air has to be conditioned to the desired comfort humidity and temperature before it can be supplied to indoor spaces. Air conditioning at high ventilation rate requires additional equipment and energy to be used. The cooling process also very often requires some post-heating of the tempered air before it is supplied to indoor spaces (Elsarrag, et al., 2012: 127). In addition to dynamic insulation for cleaner air, the Eco Villa design also includes the use of construction material that are environmentally friendly (Makower Architects, 2014). Thus the Eco Villa departs from traditional housing construction and focuses on conservation of the earth’s resources through building material as well as design. As Makower Architects (2014) note, the Eco Villa is ‘a response to climate and materials’. Specifically, the material used in the construction of Eco Villa are recycled and have low carbon emissions (GORD, 2015). There are a number of sustainable features to the Eco Villa. To begin with the Eco Villa contains an ‘on-site renewable energy generation system’ (GORD, 2015). The renewable energy sources are wind and solar energy (GORD, 2015). The obvious benefit of this generation system is that it does not rely on fossil fuels for energy generation and as such, contributes to the reduction in energy consumption and carbon emission. Therefore, when compared to traditional housing, the Eco Villa reduces carbon emissions where traditional housing increases carbon emissions. The Eco Villa is also equipped with an irrigation system and plumbing equipment that is aimed at providing for the more efficient flow of water to and from the home (GORD, 2015). The plumbing and irrigation system at Eco Villa is therefore intended to reduce the waste of water and provide a viable alternative to the plumbing systems in traditional housing. Moreover, improved lighting reduces the need for electric lighting and also together with improved air ventilation improves the comfort levels of the home (GORD, 2015). The Eco Villa therefore improves the quality of living in the home and at the same time, reduces the need for reliance on energy and replaces energy needs with sustainable energy sources. Conclusion The Eco Villa is an innovative concept and as described in the literature is a viable alternative to traditional housing in Qatar. The Eco Villa project strikes a fair balance between comfort and environmental protection. In doing so, the Eco Villa project meets the needs of the present generation while safeguarding the needs of future generations. Therefore, the Eco Villa project will help the government of Qatar move toward its sustainability goals. Although Eco Villa is only one niche in Qatar, if it is successful, it can set a trend that the government of Qatar can legitimately promote in its urban planning and housing policies as it moves forward. As an alternative to traditional housing, the Eco Villa provides a viable solution to the rising temperatures in Qatar. Residents of the Eco Villa will not feel compelled to run air-conditions as dynamic insulation and ample ventilation will act as defences against the hot and humid temperatures. At the same time, water waste will be minimized, if not eliminated. Renewable energy sources also contributes to lower carbon emissions. Ultimately, the Eco Villa promises to provide sustainable housing commensurate with modern lifestyles and the need for lowering carbon emissions and conservation of water. It is anticipated that Eco Villa will inspire the construction sector to promote green houses. Bibliography Bradley, K. (2009). ‘Planning for eco-friendly living in diverse societies.’ Local Environment: The International Journal of Justice and Sustainability, Vol. 14(4): 347-363. Doha News Team. (6th February, 2013). ‘Water, electricity consumption in Qatar jump amid efforts to reduce usage.’ Doha News. http://dohanews.co/water-electricity-consumption-in-qatar-jump-amid/ [1st May 2015]. Elsarrag, E.; Al-Horr, Y. and Imbabi, M.S-E. (2012). ‘Improving building fabric energy efficiency in hot-humid climates using dynamic insulation.’ Building Simulation, Vol. 5: 127-134. GORD. (2015). ‘Eco-Villa.’ http://www.gord.qa/index.php?page=eco-villa [1st May, 2015]. Kaika, M. (June 2004). ‘Interrogating the geographies of the familiar: Domesticating nature and constructing the autonomy of the modern home.’ International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Vol. 28(2): 265-286. Makower Architects. (2014). ‘Portfolio.’ http://www.makowerarchitects.com/gord-eco-villa.html [1st May 2015]. Meltzer, J.; Hultman, N. and Langley, C. (2014). ‘Low-carbon energy transitions in Qatar and the Gulf Cooperation Council region.’ Brookings Institute, Global Economy and Development Program, 1-3. Seyfang, G. (December 2010). ‘Community action for sustainable housing: Building a low-carbon future.’ Energy Policy, Vol. 38(12): 7624-7633. Skidmore, W. (18 June 2012). ‘GORD launches first sustainable Qatari eco villa.’ ConstructionWeekOnline.com. http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-17341-gord-launches-first-sustainable-qatari-eco-villa/ [1st May, 2015]. UN-Habitat. (2012). ‘Sustainable housing for sustainable cities: A policy framework for developing countries.’ United Nations Human Settlements Programme, 1-82. Read More