Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), the master developer of major tourism, cultural and residential destinations in Abu Dhabi, announced Sunday that Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, an elite school to open on Saadiyat, has achieved a Two Pearl Design Rating Certificate, awarded by the Urban Planning Council (UPC) as part of its Estidama Pearl Building Rating System. Following projects such as Louvre Abu Dhabi and the UAE Pavilion. This is the fifth Pearl Design Certificate to be awarded to a TDIC development. The Two Pearl rating was achieved as a result of extensive energy modeling for the project and the development of operational strategies for energy, water and waste management within the school buildings and associated facilities. Once in operation, the school is expected to achieve a reduction in water consumption of over 20 percent and a reduction in energy consumption of over 35 percent when compared to a typical school building. As with Cranleigh School and Cranleigh Preparatory School in the UK, Cranleigh Abu Dhabi will incorporate separate, co-educational junior and senior schools, each with its own classrooms, faculty offices, administration offices, dining hall and libraries, set within green open spaces and extensive landscaping. The campus itself is focused around the concept of a ‘green village,' reflecting the structure of the original Cranleigh School. The buildings are strategically positioned around the green landscape to allow the best views towards the coastline and to optimize the benefits from the prevailing wind direction onto the site. Display screens will be used to provide students with real-time information on the energy and water consumption of the building, adding an educational value and encouraging students to develop a responsible attitude towards resource consumption and sustainability. The 70,000 square-meter school campus is being developed for local and expatriate families living in the region. The campus opening will be phased to welcome students from September 2014 and once completed will accommodate more than 1,600 students aged from three to 18. The school will start accepting applications for admission as of November 2013. Dr. Nathalie Staelens, Head of Environmental Services at TDIC, said: “Our department worked hand in hand with the consultants and developers of the project to ensure that the best environmental practices are applied. This Pearl certificate is proof of TDIC's commitment to enforcing the best environmental sustainability practices across its various developments where possible.” — SG
