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Work on MIST’s 2nd phase begins

ABU DHABI — Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company or Masdar has started construction work on the second phase of the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, or MIST, campus marking the next milestone in the development of zero-carbon city.

The new building complex will sit alongside the existing campus and will incorporate similar energy efficient design elements such as shaded streets, natural ventilation and heat reflecting facades that make the MIST one of the most technically and architecturally unique buildings in the world.

The phase will include over 200 student apartments, seven open laboratories, a multi-use hall/conference facility, a swimming pool and a gym. At 82,000 square metres, the new construction will be approximately 35 per cent larger than the current facility.

The Masdar Institute was established in cooperation with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); it focuses on research, technological development and human capital development in renewable energy and clean technologies.

The Institute aims to be a world-class, research and educational environment, attracting future leaders and critical thinkers in science and technology with a particular focus on renewable energy and clean technologies.

On completion, the Institute will educate more than 500 graduate students with 9 open laboratories, 2 clean rooms, 13 hi-bay laboratories, a 90 seat auditorium, 12 classrooms and 324 student apartments.

The two clean rooms – rated at class 1000 and class 100 respectively - are used to support the educational and research needs for the Microsystems Engineering Masters program. The program will support research in the areas of semiconductor devices and fabrication technologies, and the creation of new electronic and photonic circuits.

“In 2012, the Institute and the surrounding buildings will represent approximately 30 per cent of the almost one million square meters of commercial, residential, retail and educational space to be constructed in Phase 1, said Alan Frost, Director of Masdar City.

He said that having completed recent Masterplan review, “we are continuing, at pace, to deliver the first phase by 2015, a living Masdar community, with retail and community facilities, to service the City’s estimated 8,000 residents and up to 10,000 workers in the first phase.”

The existing and new campus buildings form part of the first phase of Masdar City, which will also include the Middle East and Asia headquarters of German conglomerate Siemens and a GE Ecomagination Centre.

Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Managing Director and CEO, Masdar, said: “The community we are creating at Masdar City, with the Masdar Institute at its core, forms an important aspect of this vision by establishing Abu Dhabi as a knowledge hub for renewable energy and sustainable technology.”

The sophistication of the campus provides a perfect setting for innovation and learning, Professor Fred Moavenzadeh, President of Masdar Institute, said

Aldar Properties will be the development manager responsible for the project’s execution and cost control, while the general construction contract has been awarded to the Arabian Construction Company.

Construction is anticipated to take approximately 18 months.

haseeb@khaleejtimes.com