Masdar City, Abu Dhabi’s innovative sustainable urban development, launched a new concept of sustainable villas that generate enough solar energy to power themselves year-round. Designed to accommodate future population growth and meet a growing demand for sustainable family homes, those four-bedroom villas have a built-in array of high-performance solar panels that will generate approximately 40,000 KWh per year. Careful orientation of the home, optimised natural lighting, a high-performance envelope as well as low-energy LED lighting and other design techniques will reduce the home’s annual energy demand to an estimated 39,000 KWh each year; which is slightly less energy than the solar panels are expected to generate.
Not only that, but the eco-villa design would divert an estimated 63 tons of carbon dioxide emissions from the atmosphere; all whilst reducing demand on the national electrical grid in the United Arab Emirates. The homes are expected to use 35 per cent less water than standard villas, thanks to low-flow toilets, faucets and showers, and other innovative water conservation measures.
Madar City, a free zone which is establishing itself as a ‘greenprint’ for how urban centres can be, aims accommodate dense populations in those eco villas; all whilst reducing energy, water and waste consumption.
“With nearly eight million people expected to live in the UAE’s urban centres by 2020, this rising population increases the imperative to design high-quality sustainable homes that use fewer natural resources than existing homes,” said Dr Ahmad Belhoul, CEO of Masdar, "Masdar City has pushed the boundaries of sustainable design since its launch, and now we are taking our knowledge to the next level with this vision of the 21st century single-family home. The eco-villas are central to the City’s goals to meet the lifestyle needs of a growing urban population, while reducing these buildings’ consumption of water, energy and waste."
It's good to see eco-friendly and sustainable projects take flight regionally, we can't wait to see what Masdar City will come up with next. For more information, check out their website.
