Doha, Qatar, 26 April 2015: Msheireb Properties, a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation and Qatar's leading sustainable developer, has been presented with two awards as part of Kahramaa's National Program for Conservation. Eng. Abdulla Al Mehshadi, CEO of Msheireb Properties and Eng. Ali Al Kuwari, Chief Officer Design and Delivery of Msheireb Properties, received the awards at a ceremony held in Doha.

The competition was run by Kahramaa's Tarsheed, the National Campaign for the Conservation and Efficient Use of Water and Electricity, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al- Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, and was judged by a panel of industry experts and regional professionals.

The competition witnessed entries from different sectors in the country, with Msheireb Properties winning in both the Government and Industrial sectors. The award winning buildings, the Diwan Annexe and the District Cooling Plant (DCP), are both located in Msheireb Downtown Doha, the world's first sustainable regeneration project, with more than 100 buildings targeting LEED gold and platinum rating. To date, the company has earned the ISO 14001:2004 certificate for environmental performance from the British Standards Institute - as well as BSI certification for quality and health and safety and ISO 31000:2009 certificate for Risk Management Standard.

The Diwan Annexe's winning entry in the Conserved Buildings Category includes an energy performance, rain water recovery, and onsite energy generation through photovoltaic (PV) panels. The overall energy savings for the Diwan Annexe come to 35.5% using ASHRAE 90.1-2004 Appendix G methodology. The overall potable water savings for the building total 87.5%, which includes low flow toilets and shower heads and the use of non - potable water. The landscape saving is at 100% with no potable water usage at all.

Winning in the Industrial sector, the District Cooling Plant (DCP) was designed with energy efficient features including efficient lighting, ventilation and outside air heat recovery. On the industrial side both electrical and potable water features have been implemented. The use of highly efficient chillers will result in savings of more than 5 million kilograms of CO2 per year. Once fully operational, the total capacity of the district cooling system will be 29,250 TR, sufficient to serve the cooling needs of the entire Msheireb Downtown Doha development. 

Receiving the awards, Eng. Abdulla Hassan Al-Mehshadi, CEO, Msheireb Properties said, "We are exceptionally pleased to have won these two important awards within our local community. MDD's building philosophy is a result of three years of research by leading architects, master-planners, engineers, designers and experts from around the world to ensure we used cutting edge, environmentally friendly technology and best building practice throughout the development with the aim to reduce energy consumption in MDD by 32 percent once the project is complete. We hope that the project will provide an inspiration to other cities around the world on how to blend innovative design that is inspired by the past with the latest in sustainable solutions."

Msheireb Downtown Doha is a wholly sustainable project that focuses on environmental conservation and energy efficiency. This translates to more efficient use of resources, minimised waste and reduced carbon footprint. The development consists of both residential and commercial property, retail centres, and entertainment and cultural precincts.

Kahramaa is the sole transmission and distribution utility service provider for the electricity and water sector in Qatar. The corporation aims to provide the local community with high-quality electricity and water services, whilst preserving the environment. 

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For further information:
Megan Ballantyne, Bell Pottinger                
Tel. +971 (0)55 559 7392
mballantyne@bell-pottinger.com                                    

About Msheireb Properties
Msheireb Properties is a real estate company and a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation. The company was established as a commercial venture to support the Foundation's aims as well as the realisation of Qatar's 2030 Vision.  

Msheireb Properties' mission is to change the way people think about urban living and improve their overall quality of life, through innovations that encourage social interaction, respect for culture, and greater care for the environment. 

Msheireb Properties spent three years researching Qatari architecture and numerous approaches to urban planning all over the world with the most respected experts in the industry - in order to realise an architectural language rooted in the best of the past that may be preserved for and by future generations. 

The company's name, Msheireb, means 'a place to drink water' and is the historical name of the downtown area of Doha. The company's corporate identity depicts the mouth of a stone well, a feature of traditional Gulf societies, and its distinct ink effect evokes classical Arabic calligraphy. 

Msheireb Properties recently achieved ISO certification from the British Standards Institution for quality (ISO 9001:2008), environmental performance (ISO 14001:2004), and occupational health and safety (BS OHSAS 18001:2007). The company has also earned widespread industry recognition, including at the MIPIM Architectural Review Future Projects Awards in Cannes, France.

About Msheireb Downtown Doha
The "Msheireb Downtown Doha" (MDD) project aims to create a legacy for sustainable urban development in Qatar by reviving the old commercial district of Doha with a new architectural language that is modern, yet inspired by traditional Qatari heritage and design. The entire development is designed to consume fewer resources, generate less waste, lower costs and achieve a reduced carbon footprint. On completion, MDD will be the world's largest certified sustainable community with over 100 commercial buildings, 900 residential units accommodating more than 2,600 residents and over 10,255 car parking spaces. The 310,000 square meter development can host over 60,000 visitors. All the planned buildings meet the LEED Gold standard for environment performance and some buildings will aim for a Platinum rating.

© Press Release 2015