• – Knowledge creation in sustainability systems
• – Research Applications
• – Services and dissemination of information and sciences.

Barwa and Qatari Diar Research Institute aims to achieve the following objectives: engage in research that is related to the development of basic knowledge and processes in urban construction. Among the studies and subjects on which the institute will focus are the study of building data energy, where it will seek to collect data related to building energy to set the ground for fact-based and benchmarking studies leading to further advanced studies. The institute will also study building design and analysis tools to develop computing standards that promote performance analysis, as well as software comparison and applicability to the local environment. The institute will also deal with building technologies and material research related to a desert climate and low-energy construction solutions.

Besides, the institute will concentrate on studies related to Energy planning by relying on Energy driven Infrastructure Planning and research and developing decision making tools such as integrated GIS systems for energy use as well as onsite measurement of microclimate.

Barwa and Qatari Diar Research Institute will engage in research-based consultancy services for existing and new buildings, as well as testing which will include Computational simulations throughout the lifecycle of the building in addition to providing advice on optimal systems integration.
Barwa and Qatari Diar Research Institute will provide educational opportunities for professionals to introduce them to state of the art concepts and models in the field through teaching and research partnership, engaging students and faculty from Qatar Foundation & Qatar University and other regional universities in collaborative research and training. Several seminars/workshops will be offered yearly targeted at engineers, architects and policy makers. The focus will be on sustainability related issues. In addition, the institute will hold an annual meeting and publish all research outcomes.

Barwa and Qatari Diar Research Institute will achieve various strategic objectives in the short, medium and long terms. In the short term, the institute will focus on the deployment and expansion of QSAS and associated standards (in Qatar) and development of a comprehensive Regional Sustainability Assessment System for GCC & the Middle East by working intensively in three areas: Strategic Needs which includes long term objectives and benefits for the State of Qatar, the organizational structure, operation model and governance which includes the role, responsibilities, authority and relationship between various functional entities, for example research, certification, enforcement, legislation, technology; and thirdly the process of expansion through incorporation of building codes, mandatory sustainability rating targets, mandatory energy performance targets, target setting and future updates of the Code.

In the medium and long-term, Barwa and Qatari Diar Research Institute will focus on applying policies in areas such as material ratings, emissions capping, waste disposal, water resource management, urban planning, transportation, underground networks and services. Barwa and Qatari Diar Research Institute will enhance development opportunities in areas such as recycling and renewable material and product manufacturing.

“Barwa and Qatari Diar have worked on the development of a sustainability evaluation system, the first ever in the ME, with the aim to find a sustainable real estate environment with minimum negative effects on local and regional environments,” Dr. Youssef Al-Horr said.

Dr. Al Horr added: “This sustainability evaluation system in Qatar will allow Barwa and Qatari Diar to take the lead in addressing strategic issues related to energy efficiency, decreasing of Carbon emissions, limiting of buildings’ effect on the environment, and securing high quality environment for living. Through maintaining and developing our own world class sustainability evaluation system, Barwa and Qatari Diar will give an example to be followed regionally and internationally”.

“The announcement of the establishment of BARWA and Qatari Diar Research Institute complements the sustainability evaluation system in Qatar and the objective to build environment friendly Qatar, aiming at the same time at spreading the system to cover the GCC and the region.” Dr. Al Horr added.

Dr. Al-Horr ended his speech talking about the importance of BARWA and Qatari Diar’s role in providing the necessary infrastructure for sustainability, as a prelude of applying the idea of green buildings in Qatar and in the region. Dr. Al-Hor delivered a detailed lecture on 11-5-2009 about the relation between the sustainability System and the role of institutions in the strategy of the application of sustainability according to the vision of Qatar. A number of representatives of active Qatari institutions, as well as Qatar Foundation and Qatar Science and Technology Park also attended the event.

On the other hand, Qatari Diar’s CEO, Eng. Mohammad Al Hadfa asserted that the foundation of BARWA and Qatari Diar Research Institute is one main, important step in the policy of the gigantic Qatari Diar Real Estate company to develop the sustainability evaluation system in Qatar, which is mainly directed towards the local needs, as it will deal with crucial issues like desertification, water scarcity, pedestrians, and the cultural identity.

The best testimony for the company can be seen in the size and number of the development projects executed under the name of BARWA both locally and internationally. Some of the projects located in Qatar are: BARWA Al Baraha, BARWA Doha, BARWA City, BARWA Commercial Avenue, BARWA Al Khor, BARWA Financial District. While BARWA’s international projects exist in many countries and areas worldwide, the strategy of BARWA is represented through projects such as, Somerset Al Fateh (Bahrain), Somerset Cornice (Doha), Shaza Hotel Series and Ajman Towers (UAE), New Cairo (Egypt), four hotels in Paris (France), Istanbul Seagate (Turkey), developing Central Vegetables Market (KSA).