New GSAS Operations Scheme Attracts Global Projects
With hundreds of building and infrastructure projects already certified or in process of getting the GSAS Certifications in Design & Build and Construction Management, many projects are now preparing for the GSAS Operations. GORD has already started training sustainability professionals for this certification and the first GSAS Operations workshop in Qatar was held on 18th May 2017 at the QNCC, hosting delegates from KSA, UAE and Turkey besides Qatar. Also, present at the workshop were Mr. Federico Addiechi, FIFA’s Head of Sustainability & Diversity, and Ms. Madleen Noreisch, Programme Manager.
The GSAS Operations certification is intended to label the sustainability performance of buildings in use, regardless whether these buildings are GSAS certified or not. This certification’s framework facilitates the auditing of the facility operations and tenants’ operating practices in order to assess the energy, water, waste and indoor environment performances.
Mr. Mohammad Othman, Sustainability Coordinator from Al Nakheel Landscapes gave his feedback on the workshop:
We hope to implement the GSAS Operations on a project we just started working on at the new Doha Port in Mesaieed. We have a long association with GORD which we are proud of and appreciate that they encourage teamwork in their philosophy and culture.
Another workshop participant, Mr. Mohammed Al – Maadeed Junior Civil Engineer from Qatar Rail also commented,
This was my first workshop with GORD which I found to be very useful. It enhanced our knowledge and demonstrated different angles and approaches in projects for topics such as energy efficiency. I hope to work on implementing these insights in our project.
A number of eminent projects in Qatar, Kuwait and Turkey have already registered to qualify for the GSAS Operations Certification such as the Headquarters of Ministry of Municipality and Environment in Qatar (who also won the Tarsheed Award for Conserving Building Competition in 2017), the Kuwait National Petroleum Company Head Office building and the ERKE Green Academy Head Office building in Istanbul, Turkey. And many more projects are to follow such as the FIFA stadiums and QRAIL Stations.
