National Museum of Qatar becomes the first National Museum to receive Award for being Sustainably built

In another milestone ahead of its opening next year, the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) became the first national museum in the world to receive both a LEED Gold and a 4 Star GSAS (Global Sustainability Assessment System) sustainability rating.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Certifications from LEED are globally recognized symbols of sustainability achievements, while the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) is the first performance-based system in the MENA region developed for rating green buildings and infrastructure. The primary objective of GSAS is to create a sustainably built environment, considering the specific needs and context of the region.

Commenting on the announcement, Sheikha Amna bint Abdulaziz bin Jassim Al Thani, Director of the National Museum of Qatar, stated: “A national museum is an integral part of a society. As such, it has a responsibility to protect the environment in which it exists, which will ultimately impact the world at large. The National Museum of Qatar aspires to become a global benchmark, not just in terms of its architectural beauty and immersive offering, but also for its sustainability legacy which will impact generations to come. We are proud to become the first national museum in the world to receive this honor and look forward to future achievements that will put Qatar on the world’s cultural map.”

Set to open in March next year, NMoQ will celebrate Qatar’s past, present and future. The iconic building embraces as its centerpiece the restored historic Palace of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani (1880-1957), son of the founder of modern Qatar. Designed by Jean Nouvel, the 40,000-square-meter building incorporates the Palace while seamlessly integrating innovative artworks commissioned from Qatari and international artists, rare and precious objects, documentary materials, and interactive learning opportunities.

The ambitious project is currently being brought to life by ASTAD, a fully integrated project and asset management services provider, covering the design and construction of complex building and infrastructure projects. ASTAD’s dual role as project manager and as sustainability consultant for LEED & GSAS certifications enabled effective integration of sustainability into the design and construction of the museum.  In spite of its complex design, the museum’s construction enables it to reduce energy consumption by 26% when compared to the ASHRAE baseline – a minimum requirement for energy efficient designs for buildings.

ASTAD Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Ali Al-Khalifa stated: “This is a major achievement for Qatar Museums and ASTAD. I would like to thank Qatar Museums for entrusting ASTAD with project management consultancy as well as LEED and GSAS consultancy to support the development of this iconic landmark. Sustainability has been embedded into ASTAD’s operations since our very inception and we strive to identify effective solutions that sustain through the life of projects, creating efficient, high-performance and climate-responsive buildings that are internationally recognized through green building certifications.”