Sabah Al Ahmad International Financial Center sets new benchmark for Sustainability in the region

Announcement to Coincide with Cityscape Abu Dhabi, May 14h 2008.

KEO International Consultants has been notified by the U.S. Green Building Council that the 1.2 million sq. ft project, Sabah Al Ahmad International Financial Center has been officially registered with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and is now pre-certified to get Kuwait's 1st LEED certification.

With their deep commitment to the environment, the client, 'Securities House for Real Estate Co.' and the developer 'AlShaab Real Estate Co.' gave KEO the incentive to pursue a sustainable design using guidelines and tools outlined in the Green Building Rating System in late 2007. In addition to creating an iconic 40 storey tower consisting primarily of high end offices and hotel, KEO was given the task of achieving a LEED(R) Gold rating under the core & shell rating system from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Besides meeting or exceeding a series of 'green requirements, the tower employees a series of wind turbines and PV panels to provide a renewable source of energy.

The design solution translates the client's brief for various programs into 4 stacked courtyard atriums ranging from 8 floors to 13 floors each. Three of them accommodate office floors while one accommodates a 4-star Business Hotel which will accommodate 200 rooms. A separate 800m2 Trading Hall on the ground floor will accommodate 24-hour trading for the facility. The sculptural shape of the tower induces wind at the top of the building where wind turbines are specially positioned to generate power for the building.


About LEED

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System(TM) encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria. LEED is a third party certification program and the internationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings' performance. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.


About KEO International Consultants

KEO International Consultants is one of the world's leading and fastest growing international full-service consultancy firms. Founded in 1964, the firm has emerged as a dynamic leader in design, engineering and project management. Due to an unprecedented growth and expansion in the last decade, the firm today is strategically located in ten global offices with a staff of over 1600 professionals. For more information about the firm, go to our website www.keoic.com


Sabah Al Ahmad International Financial Center (supporting details)

Plot size is 6000 m2 in addition to 6000 m2 public land to be developed as multistory car park. Total built up area 100,160 m2. Floors = 2 basements, Podium of 3 floors and 40 storey tower

The building is comprised of the following:

1. Security exchange market facility
A. Brokerage Offices
B. Trading Hall 800 m2
C. Office Condos 55 m2 each
2. Real estate Exchange market
3. Commercial consular Offices for major industrial countries.
4. Antiques Auction Center
5. Business hotel 200 rooms
6. Hotel services including multipurpose halls, theaters, dining facilities
7. Representative offices for recognized international firms
8. Prominent facilities to operate all the above
9. Multi storey car park within the municipality land
10. Offices for representing all related ministries.


For Additional Information

Bradford Batcheller
Director, Public Relations and Corporate Branding
KEO International Consultants
Tel. 965.942.6784
bradb@keoic.com
www.keoic.com