HOW GREEN BUILDINGS HELP TO BOOST WORKER EFFICIENCY

By Bassam Za'za', Financial Times, April 15, 2005

How green buildings help to boost worker efficiency: Green buildings that let in daylight help ease stress and improve people's performance by more than 25 per cent, an academic said.

"According to the World Green Building Council, a green building
incorporates an excellent practice that results in environmental
protection, water conservation, energy efficiency, use of recycled
products and renewable energy," said Dr Mohsen Aboul Naga, chairman,
College of Design and Applied Arts at Dubai University College (DUC.)

Addressing a press conference at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and
Industry, Dr Aboul Naga announced DUC would be organising the first
International Conference on Green Building: The Future in the UAE. The
DCCI will be playing host to the conference on May 2 and 3.

"According to the US Green Building Council, a green building has three
major added values, which are increasing performance from 9 to 26%,
reducing absenteeism by 15%, compared with those in other buildings, and
improving health.

The reason for going green is, in fact, a prime goal for us to protect the
environment and provide a sustainable urban environment," he said.

Talking about the conference's main objectives, Dr Aboul Naga, said: "We
need to create awareness on the concept of green buildings in the UAE.

"We are aiming to help provide healthier work, learning and living environments with optimal use of natural light and better air quality for occupants. We also want to enhance environmental performance and economic payback of buildings, using both established and innovative practice, standards and technologies. The conference will further provide an insight to decision-makers, government institutions, consultants, contractors, suppliers and architects on green building designs."

DUC will be organising the event in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of
Public Works, Dubai Municipality, the Environmental Research and Wildlife
Development Agency, Emirates Environmental Group, the UN Economic and
Social Commission for Western Asia and the World Green Building Council.

The two-day event will be the best opportunity to create a road map for
green rating guidelines for residential and commercial buildings in Dubai
and all the UAE, according to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design in accordance with the US Green Building Council, said Dr Aboul
Naga.

According to research by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration
and Air-conditioning Engineers poor quality indoor air could lead to
fatigue, dizziness, stress and sore throats. Indoor air should be
constantly changed to avoid health hazards, Dr Aboul Naga said.