Reed Exhibitions launches four-in-one show dedicated to high performance buildings

The shows, dedicated to high-performance buildings, will focus on key aspects of modern building construction - climate control, façade, structure and intelligence. The first edition of the exhibition will be held in April 2008.

Announcing the decision to bring the internationally known BATIMAT brand to Abu Dhabi, Frederic Theux, President of Reed Exhibitions Middle East, told a press conference that BUILDING FUTURES GULF by BATIMAT would be a key event for the dynamic construction market in the Middle East which is worth $300 billion currently. It is set to grow more than 10 percent annually until 2009 according to a study conducted by AMR International for Reed Exhibitions.

"Given the current wave of new real estate developments in the UAE and the Middle East region, we believe that the building industry is ready to look at the benefits of incorporating high-performance features, which result in saving long-term operating costs. High-performance buildings are also equally important for the end-user", he said.

Reed Exhibitions Middle East is partnering with the International Union of Architects (UIA) to host the BUILDING FUTURES GULF by BATIMAT show during 20-23 April 2008 at the Abu Dhabi International Exhibition Center.

The press conference was also addressed by UIA (International Union of Architects) President Gaetan Siew, who said that creating buildings that consume a minimum amount of energy is the need of the hour. "In the Middle East, strategies to reduce energy use in building structure are not given a high priority and most buildings here lack features of sustainable buildings".

"Energy management requires an integrated approach that includes efficient design and appropriate material and equipment. This is an ideal time for the Middle East to integrate the concept of "Whole Life Value" into their construction projects. Although this means a higher initial investment cost, it also means enhanced durability and lower operation costs for the building", he added.

The four shows that will feature under BUILDING FUTURES GULF are:
STRUCTURE GULF focussing on structural products and components
ENVELOP GULF focussing on Façade systems and joinery
HVAC GULF (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) - focussing on
Thermal comfort solutions and
INTELLIGENT BUILDING GULF

With companies from around the world displaying latest technologies and innovations in each of these fields, the four shows are expected to appeal to engineers, contractors, equipment distributors, architects & designers, consultants, property developers and industry associations.

Dr. Mohsen Aboulnaga, Professor in Architecture and Sustainable Design and Chairman of the Emirates Green Building Council (Emirates GBC) pointed out that in the UAE, energy consumed by residential buildings is six times greater than that consumed by traditional buildings. The Emirates GBC is currently developing guidelines for Sustainable and Green Buildings.

According to Dr. Aboulnaga's paper in Elsevier Science, a division of Reed Elsevier, the parent company of Reed Exhibitions, and the CSTB (Scientific and Technical Centre for Building in France), buildings contribute to more than 45 per cent of the total energy consumption in the region and over 50 per cent of the waste generated. Buildings consume energy for cooling, heating and lighting and emit carbon monoxide from heating applications.

"The construction boom in the Gulf has neglected environmental concerns. More attention needs to be paid towards establishing guidelines for sustainable construction which can lead to considerable cost savings" said Dr. Aboulnaga. Dr. Aboulnaga is one of the founding members of the Architectural Permanent Committee of the UAE Society of Engineers and has extensively researched building performance in the UAE.

According to a McGraw-Hill Smart Market report, green (environmentally-friendly) buildings provided 8%-9% decrease in overall building operating costs, increase in building values of about 7.5% and an overall ROI improvement of about 6.6%".

As part of BUILDING FUTURES GULF by BATIMAT, Reed Exhibitions will also organize a very innovative business meeting program. Under the program, a team from Reed will identify construction projects in the pipeline a few months in advance of the show. Reed will match the requirements of these projects with products, services and technologies offered by exhibitors and create a platform for decision-makers (architects, owners and specifiers) and suppliers to meet.