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Sustainable construction is need of the hour

DUBAI — Architecture students of the British University in Dubai (BUiD) had the opportunity to take lessons from experts in building environments that are eco-friendly and sustainable during their recent visit to the UK.

The trip to The Welsh School of Architecture (WSA) at Cardiff University that was supported by the design firm, Atkins, enabled students of BUiD’s Sustainable Design of the Built Environment (SDBE) programme to gain an understanding of various architectural designs and construction techniques that can be incorporated in the Middle East.

“The students visited the Building Research Establishment (BRE) Innovation Park which hosts demonstrations of buildings showcasing different technologies that make buildings more comfortable, energy-efficient and sustainable. This helps them become familiar with the latest trends in sustainable construction, a subject that is extremely important for the Middle East at this time,” said Professor Bassam of BUiD.

Students also visited the headquarters of Atkins, discussed research projects and attended presentations at the Architectural Association School of Architecture, UK’s renowned and oldest school of architecture in London.

Reem Mohd Omar who took part in the UK trip said the excursion was a boost to her course work at the university.

“This trip provided us with an insight into the latest practical and academic research and experimentation for a sustainable built environment. It really was a splendid and informative experience,” she said.

BUiD has a long-distance collaborative PhD programme in Sustainable Design of the Built Environment awarded by Cardiff University’s Welsh School of Architecture. The WSA has been voted UK’s top School of Architecture in the Times Higher Education Supplement league table for the last four years.

In 2008, a Research Assessment Exercise concluded that 90 per cent of the school’s research activity is globally recognised.