Tohme Rizk Office Building
Operating under a charter from the University of the State of New York, the Lebanese American University is a private higher education institution that has eight schools and more than 8,000 students. The Byblos campus is located 35 kilometers north of Beirut on a plot of land approximating 175,000m2 with a built-up area of around 80,000m2.
The EDGE-certified retrofit of the university’s Tohme Rizk Office Building incurred less cost than a conventional approach would have. The university, at no additional capital cost, will reduce its utility expenses for the building by US$600 each month, in addition to saving the environment 21 tCO2 per year. While the EDGE certification system is intended for new buildings, exceptions are made for project owners who have an ambitious outlook and wish to set an example for what can be achieved.
Predicted Savings of EDGE Certification
Energy Savings*
Water Savings
Less Embodied Energy in Materials
Technical Solutions
Energy
Reduced window to wall ratio; external shading; air conditioning with air-cooled chiller and a high COP; variable speed drives pumps; and an energy-efficient lighting system.
Water
Low-flow faucets and dual flush water closets.
Materials
Concrete filler slabs for floors and solid dense concrete blocks for walls.
*Part of the energy efficiency percentage may be associated with virtual energy for comfort depending on the presence of heating and cooling systems. Note that virtual energy does not contribute savings to utility bills.
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