French multinational Saint-Gobain has broken ground on its first multi comfort house in the Middle East at Masdar City, Abu Dhabis flagship sustainable urban community.
The multi comfort house at Masdar City is one of 30 similar projects around the world. It is the first in the Middle East and a hot region anywhere in the world. On completion at the end of next year, it will demonstrate Saint-Gobains patented technology aimed at improving health and well-being by optimising the human experience
within the built environment.
Saint-Gobain will further increase its UAE presence through the multi comfort house, as well as raise awareness of its innovative solutions addressing the challenges of sustainable construction, resource efficiency and climate change.
Pierre-André de Chalendar, chairman and CEO of Saint-Gobain, said: The UAE is a reference in construction development. It is building excellence, represented through Masdar City, is a role model for all, and Saint-Gobain is proud to be part of it.
He added: Feeling good in a building is about having the perfect amount of light, the proper level of sound, the ideal temperature and a constant supply of fresh air. It is about design and technology, beauty and safety, efficiency and sustainability. This is precisely what Saint-Gobain can provide and demonstrate through this multi comfort house to
be constructed at Masdar City.
Masdar CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi said: It is a privilege to receive the chairman and CEO of one of Frances most prestigious companies at Masdar City, and to partner with Saint-Gobain in realizing its first multi comfort house in the Middle East. Our towns and cities consume around two-thirds of the worlds energy and account for more than 70% of global carbon emissions. At the same time, the way our homes and offices are designed impacts our health, well-being and quality of life significantly.
Saint-Gobain will build the 400sqm multi comfort house on a 2,200sqm site next to the Masdar City Eco-Villa. On completion, it will serve as both a multi comfort experience centre and an office for Saint-Gobain employees, while also providing training in the companys products and solutions. It will be fully adapted to the UAE climate.
The German architecture and engineering consultancy Obermeyer will design and supervise construction of the project, expected to open by the end of 2019.
Saint-Gobain first developed the concept of multi comfort construction in 2004. It covers the four dimensions of light, air quality, temperature and acoustics within the home, as well as tertiary buildings such as shops, offices and public buildings.